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Flexi 8 for Mac Demo version?
Hi all,
I’m currently on a Mac and have recently purchased MacSign with which I am having a few issues with. So now I’m thinking of investing in FlexiSign 8 for Mac. However before I spend another thousand bucks, I’m wondering if there is a demo version available anywhere to trial?
Any ideas?
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13 Replies
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Nevermind. Found it.
Cheers! -
See if you can get a older version maybe? I run Flexi 5.8 on the mac & version 7.6 on the PC & I find 5.8 far better to work with. (cut vinyl only)
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We use Flexicut 8 on a mac and very have had very few issues with it, the odd crash and re-install but that’s only 2 in the last 2 years. All our files are created in CS5 and back saved to V.3 never had any problems with cutting on our Summa plotters.
We tried various other software but Flexi was the best option.
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Hi Gwaredd – something that i never considered! May I ask what version of the Mac OS you are running with that? Also I need to go down the OPOS print and cut path, does 5.8 have that functionality?
Ian – Thats so great to hear! I’ve been really struggling finding some practical experienced advice from a Mac/Summa user. Graphics here are prepared in CS5 also, backsaving wouldn’t be a problem. If I may ask a couple of questions?
– When you open the AI CS5 files in Flexi, does it retain layer information?
– Does the Flexi software allow you to step a repeat a cut file across the width of the media as well as down the length?
– Finally, if you do use this, does the OPOS registration recognition have any trouble detecting when you use the step and repeat function and typically what kind of margin between printed panels do you need to leave?Thanks for your help guys!
Cheers! -
Hi Robyn.
Good point about the OS! I’m stuck with OS9.1 with Flexi 5.8, but it’s not something I think about, as my Mac is solely dedicated to Flexi. Everything else I use the PC for, so it’s not an issue for me.
However, you can run 9.1 in classic mode on the newer OS’s & if you have a fairly grunty Mac, running 2 OS’s at the same time shouldn’t cause you an issue with speed etc.
I could upgrade the OS & Flexi on my machine no problem, but when Flexi 5.8 works so well, I see little point. Not enough has or will change in cut vinyl tech, so see no point in having the latest & greatest version of software!
IMO of course 😉
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We run Flexi-starter 8 on a G5 running 10.5.8, we only ever send single layer files saved back to ill.3 files to Flexi.
We do use opus but not through Flexi only Wasatch or onyx, its the very old opus and is not as reliable as our Roland XC540 run with Versaworks.
Step and repeat function is fine just put the number of copies in and the spacing and it will fill the media width and height.
Sorry I cant be more help
I would talk to your nearest dealer and get a demo to try.
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Howdy!
Gwaredd – I totally agree with you with regards to the upgrades, like the saying goes "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it"! I do have a snag though, the macs that drive the cutters are just imacs, nothing exceptionally gruntworthy about them at all. They are only really used to drive the cutters so there has never been a need. However they also need to run Illustrator and so are forced to run the later OS’s. Still, this is food for thought.
Ian – Thats great to know that there is at least a step and repeat function there. It is amazing how hard it is to get this kind of info from someone who has actually used the software! Even the local so called dealer seems to have no practical knowledge, so far people have just read back to me the functionality list on the brochure. But I will go ahead and take up your suggestion and check out a demo.
Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate you both taking the time to get back to me. 🙂 (even if your snowy avatars are making me extremely jealous!!!!)
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am I missing something here?
Macs just to run a cutter?
is this not just a little bit snobbish 😀Peter
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Only snobbery if your a PC user!javascript:emoticon(‘:lol1:’)
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Hi Robyn.
I’ve recently noticed that here in the UK, you can pick up old G4 450 Mhz Powermacs for around £20 (this is what I run) The humdinger G4’s with 2GB of RAM & dual 850Mhz processors can be had for £50! (I am watching a few at the moment)
More than man enough to run plotters & multiple programs! I run illustrator on my G4 too (version 7 has been fine for as long as I can remember & is the same platform as Flexi 5.8, so compatible)
Might be worth a quick squint on eBay to see what can be had in your neck of the woods. A simple swap of Hard Drives from your old imac will see your existing set up on a powerful machine in under 10 minutes.
G.
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Hey Gwaredd…
WOW!.. that is so freakin cheap! I will take that little gem of an idea and keep it in my pocket for a rainy day. Today however, it is all sunshine, ’cause I finally managed to get the whole system working with the MacSign software I have and thus negating the need to upgrade, downgrade OR crossgrade! Colour me relieved!!
Thanks for your advice Gwaredd, it’s definitely something I’ll keep in mind.
🙂
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Gweredd, I know what you mean, I have an old imac which probably cost well over £1000 when it was new and I would be lucky to give it away today. Still fast enough to do some work and you can normally pick up mac software cheaper than the PC equivalent if you are looking for older software.
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No probs Robyn.
Martin, same here. Our G4 cost over a grand 2nd hand back in the day. I also remember the software (Signmate Pro/Flexi 5) cost £3K! 😮
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