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New software required for old skool Anagraph plotter…
Howdy folks, recently joined as I’m updating my system after 7 years- advice and knowledge required!
I’m running an anagraph plotter, with original ANA design art software which is restricted to windows 95 and 98 at the newest, and its time to step it up (new pc required long ago!)
Since the plotter is going strong, I was going to switch to a recent edition of coreldraw alongside anagraph compatible cutting software with relevant drivers etc. The only one I have come across is something called signtools 3, which seems very American. (as are anagraph cutters)
Does anyone happen to know if signtools is any use or if there is something better out there?
I express my advance gratitude to those willing to aid my speculation!
Joner
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5 Replies
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You might get away with using the windows HP generic plotter driver. I did this with an old Suma D1010 the was still running from Windows 3.1!!!! It only cut hairline or thinner from Corel, but did the job very well.
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Hiya
As far as I can remember Sightools is an Aussie software (don’t quote me on it, but I think it is). We bought some other stuff off of the guy and spoke with him on the phone a couple of times and he was really helpful.
Just checked and yep…I was right. His name is Andrew and here’s his email addy mod-edit
Hope this helps 🙂
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Thankyou for the info, all! I’ve just hooked it all up -(anagraph ae60e, coreldraw x4, signtools 3 and new pc). Havent been able to cut anything yet though… Please any helpful suggestions?? I have work to be doing!!
Ta
Jones -
Im not familiar with the actual plotter, however you will need to make sure the comms settings are spot on for it to work. Does it have an LCD panel with on-board settings. Do you have the original manual, as you will probably have to copy the settings from there to your port setting on the computer.
Line thickness may have to be changed in Corel to either ‘hairline’ or thinner. I currently have to use 0.001mm for my cutter to work correctly.
Good luck.
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If its an Anagraph Express plotter, its HPGL compatable with a few oddball commands thrown in for things like blade offset.
Any problems would be com port related.
You need a NULL MODEM cable,
Baud rate issue, try 9600 n 8 1 or 19200 n 8 1If its an Anagraph EXCELL plotter, it needs a special Binary driver.
It also needs wierd cableing.
Only a few programs like Signlab have these binary drivers.
Also, if its an EXCELL 1 2 or 3 , even Signlab doesnt have drivers for it.
We only have an EXCELL 4 driver but i have seen it work in person.
This is 15 year old technology.
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