Can anyone advise on signlab or another package?

[Robert Lambie]

hi there!
I’m not a flexisign guy myself mate but I am a user of signlab.
Not knowing both software’s I can’t compare. Signlab however is an amazing bit of kit and one I would recommend to anyone. Our company currently run 5 full packages of signlab and have never regreted once, other than the fact v5 doesnt support v4.95 files. E6 as far as I know has had a bit of a pounding on the the uk sign boards. Not something I have experienced having drawn the line at signlab v5 rev12.
There are many users on the boards. I’m sure you will get mixed opinions! 😉

[Mike Brown]

…Hi Danny…

I use Signlab Version 5.12 also…havn’t bothered with evil6 yet!

It’s not cheap but it’s worth every single penny!

buy it as soon as you can!

more soon

mikethesign

[Martin Pearson]

Danny I don’t use either package so I’m not really qualified to comment, however there have been a number of posts in the past on the subject of one package versus another. I am surprised you find flexi limited as I have been led to believe it is very good. Are you running the pro version and why have you not upgraded, I would have thought this was a much more cost effective solution.

[Phill Fenton]

I use Casmate Pro and Signlab 5. I learned Casmate first and probably this is why I still use it in preference to Signlab. With Casmate you can run multiple windows, and can flip between files and cut and paste between them – Flexi may be the same. Signlab only allows you to run one file at a time which I find a drawback. Having said that Signlab also does many things that Casmate can’t. It’s weld tools are superior, and outlining and shadowing can be done in one operation. I also find Signlabs node editing more difficult to use than Casmates method of editing lines curves etc.

On balance Signlab is an excellent product, you won’t go far wrong if you decide to trade up to it. Signlab also allows you to import files created in other sign software programs like Casmate and Flexisign. Which means you can continue to open and use older designs created in another sign package.

[Carrie Brown]

I have found that people use the package they feel more comfortable with, I use a combination of packages so I get all the benefits but my favourite for designing on is Corel Draw (but that is only because I have used it for years!)

What I would suggest you do is to get a demo of the packages in question, most companies should supply a 30 day demo, you can then find the one that does what you want it to, but most importantly the one you feel most comfortable using.

Stephen

C&S Designs

[Lorraine Buchan]

Hi Danny,

I use Flexi Sign and find it more than capable of doing everything i need it too. Are you using the full package?? maybe this is the reason you feel limited.

It would be good if you could give an idea on what you would like to be able to do, and then maybe myself or one of the other Flexi users can tell you if its possible to do and how you go about doing it.

quote :

With Casmate you can run multiple windows, and can flip between files and cut and paste between them – Flexi may be the same.

Yes Phill you can still do this in Flexi

[jon vital]

If you want something better then upgrade to FlexiSign 6 which is vastly superior to Signlab in almost every respect.

Going to Signlab will feel like a step down after Flexi.

[Mike Brown]

…not that you’re bias or anything jon ‘m’ = what’s the ‘m’ for anyway? 😉

more soon

mikethesign

[Brian Hays]

quote jon vital:

If you want something better then upgrade to FlexiSign 6 which is vastly superior to Signlab in almost every respect.

Going to Signlab will feel like a step down after Flexi.

Have you actually used Signlab? I know a great many people that would strongly disagree with you.

Personally I think most of the best selling programs will do more than most people want or need. They all just do it in slightly different ways.

I would be interested to know what is vastly superior in Flexi though, maybe I am missing something.

[Fat Bob]

I Use both and I do not find one better than the other they both have faults and they both have thier little quirky way of doing things. but at the end of the day they both do the job and its time that both companies stop bolting on loads of shit that we dont really need and just concentrate on improving the basic things.

So to Both companies I say cheers thanks a lot

[Steve Broughton]

[quote="Fat Bob"]Iits time that both companies stop bolting on loads of (oh i swore !) that we dont really need and just concentrate on improving the basic things.
Dead right there Bob, 6’s add ons are mostly a pile of poo that i can do elsewhere, maybe if they concentrated on making it stable too start with, 5 is great I’ve had a play with Flexi 6 and again nothing that I can’t do with other bits of software (CorelDraw), Brian well you would be biased cos you flog Signlab 😉 but you know that old addage “A poor workman blames his tools” 😆 😆 😎

[Brian Hays]

Well a touch biased!

But to say Flexi is superior in every way to Signlab is something I have never ever heard. And I have been selling Signlab since it 1st came out. We have sold loads of crossgrades to Signlab.

I am just wondering if Jon has has a bad experience with Signlab, Cadlink or one of Cadlinks delaers?

Or weather he is on a bung from somebody at Amiable 😀

[signworks.se]

glad to see my post has had such a good response. I have taken all points on board which has given me a lot to think about!
Many thanks
Cheers
Danny 😉

[jon vital]

Yes, I have used SignLab, both V5 and the hideous new E6.

I don’t doubt it can do pretty much everything Flexisign can, just that Flexi does it quicker and easier. The lack of multiple open documents in SignLab is unforgiveable in my opinion.

Previous versions of Flexi (up to the new 32bit V6 onwards) weren’t all that great but I think if any SignLab user were to sit down with Flexi 6 for a couple of hours they’d be converted.

PS. I don’t work for Amiable. I won’t say no to some comission though:)

[Brian Hays]

Was joking about the comission.

But my bet is you have far more experience of Flexi than you do Signlab, therefore you prefer it. We have still got customers that swear by a program called Sign Studio which is around 10 years old, a program that preceded Signlab. These customers use it because “It’s quicker” I guess it’s a matter of being more comfortable to stick what your used too.

So what else do you dislike other than the fact you can’t have multiple windows? I still find your “superior in almost every way” dificult to fathom.

Oh & I am not being funny but I find your comment about 2 hours with Flexi & EVERY Signlab user would be converted laughable

Maybe i’ll be proved wrong & soon we’ll see the demise of Signlab. Doubt it though

[Robert Lambie]

hi jon
thanks for the replies mate.. not being a flexisign guy i cant comment against it, nor wish to do so. however i was flicking through a mag this weekend and spotted flexi pro for a whopping £2800 give or take £50…
im all for signlab and not daft to think it cant be bettered by a rival but i dont think “in my veiw” an extra £800 would way-up how much better flexi is to my signlab.. if it has the odd bell or whistle that is better than signlabs, fair enough. but is it worth all that much more?

maybe it is, who knows? 🙄 🙄

[Steve Madley]

Does anyone use FlexiExpert 7?
Or any of the new version 7 packages?

[signworks.se]

Have finally bitten the bullet and gone for flexisign pro v7, should have it in my grubby little mits by Tuesday!, let’s hope it gets my creative urges going once more.

Thanks all
Cheers
Danny 🙂

[Steve Madley]

You’ll love it Danny, much better than the Flexi 5.7 I’ve had for years.