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Anyone using the new version of Vinyl Master? Review please?
Posted by Stephen Morriss on November 3, 2014 at 4:39 pmI’ve been looking at the current versions of Vinyl master and it’s looking quite good, especially for the price.
Is anyone here using it and can give me a real world view?
Steve
mgbill replied 9 years, 5 months ago 6 Members · 15 Replies -
15 Replies
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I have been using their software for about five years, there really is nothing it cannot do, .i know that might sound like a big claim, but if you download the trial version , and give it a shot the number of online tutorials on offer will have you up and running in no time.
I think the software is second to none and great value for money.
Only my two pence worth -
Thanks Graham
Which version are you using?
I’ve been looking at the ltr and pro versions.
Design wise the ltr version looks like it’ll do everything you’d need for cutting vinyl but the cut module seems quite limited.
The pro version definitely seems like it has everything needed including the bits missing in the cut module of the ltr version.Steve
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Stephen, Graham is using VMX version 4 & previous to that Version 3.
I run the same software & have done for probably as long but I don’t do a great deal of work so won’t have used it as much as Graham,
To be honest for the money you are paying I wouldn’t even bother looking at the lite version, as Graham has suggested download the demo version & give it a try. There are over 100 tutorials & they pretty much cover everything, if you get stuck a quick email to support staff & it get answered quickly.
If you are buying using the cross grade offer I don’t think you even need to give up your old software but don’t quote me on that :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
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I am using the latest pro version, as I do a lot of printing, the pro version offers a lot of features which makes jobs easier to vectorise logos, exporting into versa works or Corel Draw, I also have the cut only version handy for another PC with separate cutter, as we have several printers and cutters all networked.
The extensive font library is another boon, together with the effects modules for six and drop shadows, soft shadows outlines, double outlines, 3d effects ,handy for mock ups, the list goes on and on , this makes the whole package a one stop shop, any issues are sorted quickly via the support guys, never had any issues with program, but good to know they are there as back up, and compared with other pro sign making software packages I think is great value, try the demo I am sure you will find it very powerful, I would bet that once you do try it, you will go for it as it will open up a whole new level of creativity. -
Yes I’ve been trying the demo, quickly came to the conclusion that the cut only version couldn’t quite cut it (see what I did there 😉 )
Anyway I seem to be able to do all my cut type work in the ltr version but the cut module doesn’t allow for adding weed line in the weed box where I want them (signlab lets you add them and move them) and the general cut layout is a bit limited.
The pro version has the cutfile option so you seem to have a separate file that can be altered for the cutter.It’s a bit different to signlab but seems to do everything I’d expect, but the cut side of signlab is better.
Obviously vinyl master is a fraction of signlab but it’s still enough for the pro version to not want to waste the money.
The crossgrade price is very good, I can get 2 copies of pro for less than signlab cut pro.I must admit I’m very tempted.
Steve
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one other place it scores over some of the other software available is that although you can only have one computer activated & used for cutting you can install the software on other computers & use it to do all the design work without having to pay for a second licence.
I have it on the desktop computer at the unit which is hooked up to the plotter, plus have it on my laptop so I can take it back to the flat & work away if I need to. Then when I get to the unit just transfer the files for cutting. -
Handy to know Martin, I’d be buying 2 copies as we have 2 plotters but to be able to also load it onto the laptop for designing will be handy.
Steve
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I have been using the newest pro version for a few months now and apart from a few daft issues I love it. I use it for designing, cutting vinyl and print cut. Join the vinyl master club instead of purchasing extra copies and it works out far cheaper. I have 5 licence now.
Ewan
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If you have your cutters networked you would not need any more than one licence.
As mention a copy of the program can be used and then saved as a vinyl master file and re imported into your licenced version -
I bought the XPT version of Vinyl Master a month or two ago and as everybody says for the money its difficult to beat that said I also use Corel Draw X7 and Signlab 9.1 so can compare directly.
Cutting in VM is a faff compared to SL although I like the tiling better in VM. VM is easier for distortions and they work with bitmaps, SL can also but is very slow in comparison, X7 can’t distort bitmaps in Draw you have to put in PP so for combined vector and bitmap work not so good at all.
If you distort a bitmap you can’t save it as a pdf which is strange and annoying if your drawing also contains vectors (bitmap content is lost) you have to convert the whole lot to bitamap.
VM seems very modular so the flow is easier in SL and Draw but value for money it is difficult to beat.
Conclusion: if I’d never had the other programmes I would be thoroughly delighted but as I have got the others I am still pleased but VM does need a bit more polishing especially on the cutting part, still good value though.
Alan D -
Just what I wanted Alan.
I’ve got Corel X7 and Signlab 8 Vinyl pro, I was looking at their offer for Signlab 9.1 Cut pro as I’ve never used any of the fancy bits in Signlabs, only vinyl cutting.
All my printing work is done in corel and quite a lot of my cut vinyl design is done in corel as I’ve found editing vectors in signlab a bit of a faf.I’d also come to the same conclusion about the cut side of VM, signlabs seems a bit easier.
Still thinking 😉
Steve
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Working with a photo of a van, resizing for laying out is slow to redraw in SL and faster in VM and Corel and there is a macro for X7 to allow resizing better in X7. Stephen if you want specific comparisons give me a call or post here
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Thanks Alan.
I think I’ve got enough info to be going on with.
If I get VM it’ll be the pro version, it’s just whether to get 2 copies now or get one and try it for a while then get another or just get the lt version for the second computer and cutter (the old summa D60) -
Well I’ve gone for VMP so I’ll see how I get on once I’ve got this rush of stuff out of the way.
Got the download only as I’m fortunate enough to have fibre so only a few minutes for the full download
Thanks for your help and I’ll let you know how I get on.Steve
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Hi been using flexi for years now but just tried the new version of VinylMaster and it seems to be absolutely fantastic and you have a choice of payment either pay up front, in instalmennts or joint their club,
try the demo version, if you want a specific sign they will even send you a cuttable copy
Cheers
Bill
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