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What is the Best Software??
Hi all,
Hope you can advise. I have been trying to research the best software package for vinyl cutting. 😮
Can anybody make any sort of recommendations? I have been told that SignLab Es2 Euro is one of the best? (?)
Sorry to sound a bit vague, but this is all new to me, and I don’t want to get it wrong 😕
Just bought a Graphtec CE3000 Mk2
Thanks in advance
Dawn R
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35 Replies
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i have used signlab for years now, our company run 5 full packages. its not cheap but a brilliant bit of software for “vinyl cutting”
i still use v5 rev12 and wont shift to the print packages. not coz of anything else than preference.
flexi sign is another top end software for signmakers. but pricey… dont think i have heard any real problems with flexi ever, though i do not use it so cant comment.
more and more folk are now using the higher level versions of corel, the new X3 is now out boasting lots of advantages over past versions. maybe worth a look? again, i dont use it so cant comment… -
sign lab is a good program, I find it easy to use and quicker than say corel or illustrator, because it is designed for a specific application, just my opinion others may have other recomendations.. Why not download the demo’s. try before you buy, and see what you get on with best?
Peter
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Thank you Robert, I thought that Sign Lab must be pretty good as it was recommended by Signmaster (who I bought the Graphtec from) but was a bit unsure about splashing out £650 before I had any real ‘user’ feedback.
The version I would be buying is Version 6.1 (presumably this is the latest)
Thanks again,
Dawn
Ps. please forgive if I ask some silly questions – I am a total NEWBIE to Vinyl – although I have been trying to read a lot of the threads on the Forum, I still will no doubt have dozens of questions 🙄
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Well we use Corel Draw 11 on the network PC’s. Our designers are seperate to the our fitting/vinyl staff so our designers approach each job from a design point and the worry cutting/printing the sign/print/litho job afterwards.
Corel doesn’t have any built in methods of cutting vinyl, it requires a ‘plugin’ program which are available to use it as a cutting software.
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I think signlab 7.1 is the latest im still on 4.95 ….find it easy to use.
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I use sign wizard, have been since 1992 I think. Although I use corel for some design, especially in the print side, I am much quicker using the dedicated sign program to to vinyl stuff.
Don’t think you could go past a dedicated sign package to do sign work better. Sign Lab and Flexi are similar to sign wizard.
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brian treat yourself to an update you will find it even better and still easy to use 🙄
Lynn
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i use 3 programs, mainly corel 12 for design / cutting ( with a roland cutter ) then i use signlab v7 for more harder logo design/copying and finally troop for the print side of things.
This works great for me but i guess whatever package you choose you will have to play with it for a while to get the best out of it.
good luck
roffs
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I agree with you Lynn to a certain extent an update would be nice but at the moment a heavy divorce has stuffed me for cash 😀 😀 😀 Plus on the other hand id have to update to windows XP to run 7.1…and what advantages would i have ….considering Ive only got a vinyl cutter absolutely nothing ..i send all my didgis out .Ive downloaded the signlab 7.1 demo which enables me to even email alll my work 😀 .But sooner or later because of the way files are “made up” your right i will have to update 😀 😀
Regards Brian
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fair enough Brian the only sign program I have ever got on with is sign lab (no I’m not getting paid) started off with it got used to it so I just stay with what I know old dog new tricks 😕
Lynn
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Dont get me wrong lynn……id love v7….but @ this point there aint much in the kitty.As I was saying to Nicky I think ill be looking for a new plotter soon ….love a didgy.. but no can do just now 😀 😀 …unless my numbers come up on saturday in which case Lynn ill buy all uksb a drinky or two (drink1)
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just checked mine Brian no good
Lynn
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quote Brian Little:Lynn ill buy all uksb a drinky or two (drink1)is that all brian…………… :lol1: :lol1:
nik
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well mabe some KP nuts…(ooops a bit of product placement there )….dont let it be said im not generous
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😀 😀
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when i do update itll be signlab ….as you say Lynn why change ? its what im used to and it does exactly what it says on the tin 😀 😀
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I’ve been using Signlab v7.1 since it was released a couple of years ago. But if you can get e6 for £650 – then go for it. v7 isn’t that much of a leap forward.
Over the years I’ve used various ones – and 4.95 was definately the easiest!! Version 5.7was OK too.
If I recall, in e6 they ditched the ‘traditional’ text box instead of typing direct to screen. I preferred that, but you adapt quickly!
I’ve played with easySIGN starter edition (not overly impressed)
and Flexi (too many buttons & a bit ‘arty’ for me!).You’ll not go far wrong with Signlab – just make sure you get enough modules included to do what you NEED.
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well said david…..the moral is if your happy what you got …stay with it 😀 :D…..same can be said for a relationship :lol1:
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quote David Rogers:Over the years I’ve used various ones – and 4.95 was definately the easiest!!
im the same only because ive used it from day one….. 😀 and i still use it for all vectorising…love it 😉
nik
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quote siroccomanuk:Thank you Robert, I thought that Sign Lab must be pretty good as it was recommended by Signmaster (who I bought the Graphtec from) but was a bit unsure about splashing out £650 before I had any real ‘user’ feedback.The version I would be buying is Version 6.1 (presumably this is the latest)
Thanks again,
Dawn
Be a bit careful, the £650 is for version 6.1 so an old version of Signlab. It is also fairly basic compared to something like Signlab 7.1 Vinyl Pro. Not all Signlab’s are made the same. 😉
May also be worth lookinging to see if you are eligable for a X-Grade to version 7.1 🙂
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Re: Version 6.1, I didn’t think it was basic at all if all the required modules are installed – on the face of it, it’s just a very slightly ‘buggy’ predecessor to version 7 Vinyl pro.
Granted, if it’s the basic, lowest spec – it’s dire and pointless for anything other than the most elementary signs as all the useful tools are missing, but the same applies to all of their entry level editions.
A good operational V7.x VP with enough components to warrant the expense is going to cost a few hundred (cough) more. Do, when you make the decision, shell out for ‘the genuine article’.
Quite often older (5.7) REAL packages are sold (complete with dongles) on auction sites for a couple of hundred when people have been upgrading full packages rather than accepting the ‘part exchanges’ deals from the suppliers – worth keeping an eye out.ps. I’m quite active at reporting the dodgy (:) copies – and Signlab do keep an eye out too and invoke the VERO removing the auctions & sometimes the sellers.
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David, I mean the £650 ES Euro version 6.1 package is fairly basic. NOT Signlab E6 in general (?)
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Whew! I was wondering how anybody could think of e6 as basic….unless of course they are used to Flexi PRO 😛
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Blimey, you have all lost me now 🙁 I was thinking about getting the Signlab Euro, but what is basic about it?
Also, can anyone advise of a good UK supplier of Vinyl and App Fluid Etc?
(bet this will open a can of worms, if so – sorry in advance 🙄 )
Thanks,
Dawn -
Vinyl suppliers:
Graphtyp – link on front page.
Also: Amari, William Smith, Europoint, Spandex, Vinyl Logistics……the list goes on…and on…..Application fluid – some swear by it, others at it. Weigh up what your needs are before buying gallons of the stuff – two or three drips of cheap washing-up liquid per litre suffices for some, or a ‘secret blend’ of home brewed fluid 😕
Just checked out the spec for ES2 Euro – it’s pretty good for a piece of starter kit!! It’s not listed on Cadlinks own site for some reason.
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So ES2 Euro would be a good bit of kit for a total novice like myself then?
Dawn -
I would say Signlab Vinyl would be better choice Dawn.
It would be the very latest version. It is upgradeable so you can add stuff to it. RRP is £800+vat before haggling so maybe a little more than the ES Euro but not much 🙂
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Thanks Brian – I did not know there was so many different packages 😮
Anyone know much about Vinyl Master Pro?
Dawn
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Dawn, why dont you download the demo and have a play?
Peter
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Dawn also cherwell for vinyls app tapes and gismo but the only fluid I get on with is there overlay (apart from vod and coke) 😀 01280 840297
Lynn
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Sorry , but i just fell off me chair……… Ive found somebody else on the planet who uses SIGNWIZARD(shane). Bought this software as it is so simple to use to get me off the mark when i first started. Didnt think it still existed anymore. What version have you got shane??
Gobsmacked
Matt
psI just started using flexi. What a difference. Theres a lot more to it than SW v 4.1.
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quote valegraphics:Sorry , but i just fell off me chair……… Ive found somebody else on the planet who uses SIGNWIZARD(shane). Bought this software as it is so simple to use to get me off the mark when i first started. Didnt think it still existed anymore. What version have you got shane??
Gobsmacked
Matt
psI just started using flexi. What a difference. Theres a lot more to it than SW v 4.1.
wow signwizard 4.1 😮 Mate, frame it and send it to the smithsonian!. Been using V5.? for a few years now. Nothing like v4.1.
V5 is a breeze to use. Waiting on V6 for a while now, but they keep withholding it to update to the latest machines. I don’t see it being released anytime soon unfortunately, bit rumour has it it will be more like a Corel package for design, but still be a dedicated sign software.
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Shane my thoughts exactly. So simple to use as a sign program. None of this ctrl+ g etc. Not decided whether to upgrade yet, is v5 better equipped? Hasnt it got a font detective?
Could you give me some more info on v5 shane. I think its about 300 british bucks to upgrade. Havent done it yet cos i’m not sure, how much more advanced it is compared with v4.1. Any advice is great shane.
CheersMatt
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Matt, Andrew on these boards has informed me that v6 is now out. (is my face red or what!) V5 upgrades should be going cheap pretty soon tho. Do you have the pro version – the one with neon etc?
As far as v5 goes, If I get time tomorrow, I’ll do some screen dumps. Unfortunately there is no font detective tho.
It has been sooooo loong since I’ve used 4.1 to be honest, I can not remember the differences. I think I’ve still got 4.1 on one of my machines, so I’ll have a play and give you a better idea of the changes.
I’ll see if I can find some time before my op, otherwise would you mind waiting till I got back on my feet?
Cheers until next time.
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Shane, anything is a help mate. No rush either. Wait till AFTER the op theres no hurry. It was only yesterday i found out there was sombody else on the planet using SW !!!!!!
Yeah got the pro version with neon and print capabilities, but to be honest i dont find the palette too clever. How much do v5 upgrades cost overthere ?
Which andrew are we talking about shane?
Thanks for the reply again, “diamond geezer”
Matt
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