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can anyone advise what are the limitations of Corel?
What are the limitations of Corel? can it be used as a cutting program or should I considering a program to export to?
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27 Replies
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Hi
I use Corel 11 which I find perfectly adequate. It does everything I possibly need, and I don’t feel the need to change to get “proper” sign software.
On the other hand though, I haven’t ever used professional sign software as such, apart from the ones that were bundled with cutters, so that is all I can compare it with.
People who have invested in Signlab etc would probaby be in a position to tell you otherwise!
Hope this helps,
Ali -
Thanks Ali. Been trawling the computer forum, seems there’s an awful lot of people using CorelDraw.
Picking out some snippets from those posts, do you use CutChoice RIP? Can you print/cut?
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quote :do you use CutChoice RIP? Can you print/cut?
No. I don’t use CutChoice Rip. Never heard of it actually.
What sort of set-up have you got? Although I have never actually tried it, I know that I CAN print on vinyl via my laser printer, and can then cut on my plotter. This is done by using registration marks, and can all be done within Corel, but it also depends what sort of equipment you’ve got.
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quote itkserv:quote :do you use CutChoice RIP? Can you print/cut?
No. I don’t use CutChoice Rip. Never heard of it actually.
What sort of set-up have you got? Although I have never actually tried it, I know that I CAN print on vinyl via my laser printer, and can then cut on my plotter. This is done by using registration marks, and can all be done within Corel, but it also depends what sort of equipment you’ve got.
I’ve got a Soljet SC-500. Ideally I want to print and cut in one go, not tried using the registration marks yet.
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Well personally, I can’t help you with that, as I have only ever used cutters, not printer/cutters!
I’m pretty sure it can all be done in Corel. If I recall rightly the cut contours have to have certain properties, so that the cutter can distinguish from a printed line and a cut line.
I’m probably talking waffle, but I am sure that there are some Corel experts on here who know it like the back of their hand, and have the same sort of set-up!
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hi
corel 10 & photo shop cs does it for me i cant get on with corel paint but not going to enter in to the corel vs others argument .
i use corel 12 but only fot the newer import filters pdf & dwg files
from corel driving
sc540 ex print & cut via colour rip
graphtec 54 print & cut graphtec driver
epson 9500 via epson driver
diferent desk top printers by xp drivers
is corel a ollrounder yes i think it is but every programme has strong points & wekknesses like my spelling .chris
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As a newbie I’m getting a bit confused with this. I thought that you had to have something like Signlab to make signs. But it appears that you can get by with corel. Am I right ?.
Btw, I found something called SignGo, which is a shareware signmaking program. Costs $399.
Anybody tried this ? -
quote wanderer:As a newbie I’m getting a bit confused with this. I thought that you had to have something like Signlab to make signs. But it appears that you can get by with corel. Am I right ?.
Btw, I found something called SignGo, which is a shareware signmaking program. Costs $399.
Anybody tried this ?I’m confused too 😉
Corel is prefect for designwork which goes to print. it’s very easy to create multi layered objects although not possilbe to create vector images easily. If you’re cutting to an outline on Corel then great as you can use the bezier tool option to plot the outline of an image, whereas I believe Flexisign can vectorise a photo/scan and then cut the vectored images however intricate. This would give it a distinct edge over Corel. I could be totally wrong though, but I don’t think there’s an option to vectorise a bitmap image on Corel.
With the correct driver you can print using anything. Basically cutters and/print cutters have a RIP to convert the data. I’m going to test my Roland tomorrow printing and then cutting directly from Corel, using a suggested method put forward in another thread [i.e create a colour in Corel called CutPath and then using this colour to mask the cutting area.] I’m relatively compliant on Corel and would happily use that over another package I’m unfamiliar with.
I’ll post my findings here tomorrow night hopefully.
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quote :But it appears that you can get by with corel. Am I right ?.
its not just getting by its doing it.
alot of newcommers think the softwear does it all NO softwear is a tool to use your imagination with its there to help you acheive what you have immagined NOT do it for you it does not matter if you spend £2000 or £50 its still a tool the expencive programmes have not convinced me to spend.chris
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tanman
bitmap to vector in corel is called trace you either love it or hate it but you only get as good as you give it
chris
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quote TanMan:I could be totally wrong though, but I don’t think there’s an option to vectorise a bitmap image on Corel.This is an issue that as been fully covered in the boards already,
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … or&start=0
this is one of the topics that already covered it but there are a few more if u do a search on the boards.Cya
Britchenko -
quote Britchenko:quote TanMan:I could be totally wrong though, but I don’t think there’s an option to vectorise a bitmap image on Corel.
This is an issue that as been fully covered in the boards already,
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … or&start=0
this is one of the topics that already covered it but there are a few more if u do a search on the boards.Cya
BritchenkoCheers fella.
I’ve got the Corel12 suite and it does include Trace. I’ve had a play with it but it’s a pain that it isn’t an integrated feature.
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Altough that there isn’t any software that can be better than vectorizing by hand. If you’re really into it than you should try Adobe Streamline as well, far better than Trace, u just have to play a bit, “well a lot “with it till you find the correct settings for your picture. And don’t ever forget the better picture you suplly to it the best results you can achieve.
Here’s another thread that covered it as well.
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=9246Another solution it’s Andrew at VectorWise, i’ve never used he’s services but from the boards i can tell you that everybody says wonders about he’s job, professional job for cheap prices! :appl:
Hope you find the solution that best fit’s your needs!
Cya
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Quote: Tanman:”although not possible to create vector images easily”
I’m not quite sure what you mean by this.
Although it has some bitmap features, Coreldraw is vector illustration software. True, the trace feature is not as good as some other automatic vectoring applications such as Streamline, but I never use autotrace anyway. As has been mentioned, tracing an image manually will always give the best quality image. Not being a signmaking package as such, it is often necessary to manually adapt a design to make it compatible with cutting. Personally, I find the few features that make cut vinyl based signmaking easier are not worth the high prices of ‘proper’ signmaking software.If I was starting out, I would risk £30 or £40 on Corel 9 and see how I got on with it before spending £1000 or more on something like Signlab or Flexisign.
(Don’t quote me on the prices – top of me ‘ead!)
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I totally agree with “Big G”.
You can do such a lot with Corel. Everything takes time to fully master, and even though I have been using it for years, I still manage to learn something new from it almost every day, especially combined with info on these boards.
Like with everything, the result you get is only as good as what you put in.
Personally, if I was to acquire some “Signmaking Software” at this stage, I would actually choose to still do all the artwork and vectorising in Corel anyway because it’s what I’m used to. Likewise, those who learnt on sign software instead would probably chose to continue that way for the same reasons.
The versions of Corel don’t really change too much, so you’ve got nothing to lose by trying it before making any sort of large investment….
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I agree with everything Lynn (EDIT: I mean ALI 😳 ) just said. :thumbup2:
We use Corel and it does everything we want it to.
Carrie 😀
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quote :I agree with everything Lynn just said
Do you mean Ali????!!
:lol1:
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quote itkserv:quote :I agree with everything Lynn just said
Do you mean Ali???!!!
😳 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
ALI Im sooooooo sorry ….. Its a Monday thing honest.
Im usually good with names 😕
Sorry (puppy-eyes)
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Hi,
I started out with Corel draw and cut straight from it, have done for the last 6 years! just upgraded to sign lab and although its very good i sometimes “cheat” and go back to Corel to edit and design as i know my way around the program better than signlab. I started with Corel 7 now on Corel 10 but have resisted upgrading as i really must get to grips with Signlab.Dave
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That’s okay!
Blimey it took me ages to do that post. I just had to edit it about 50 times coz the “quotes” seemed to have a mind of their own…
That must be a Monday thing too.
Aaaargh I wonder if my bed is still as warm and comfy as it was when I left it…….. -
Dave, what was the reason that made you change to Signlab then?
Ali
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Hi Ali,
I bought a Geber edge machine and the software came with it. Otherwise i would not have upgraded as i can get by with Corel for what i do.
Dave
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I used CorelDraw and CoCut pro from the start until I’d got to a stage we’re the shadow and outline functions in Corel were causing me a lot of trouble so I upgraded to Signlab, not sure it was the right thing but it does the job and shadows and outlines are very easy and clean.
On balance I’d stick with Corel until your rich 😀Steve
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Using CorelDraw, you will almost certainly be using Truetype fonts to cut from. Whilst these are perfectly fine for the small type sizes they are designed for, I have found when you start to enlarge to big sizes the edges are not as smooth or clean as I would like. This does of course vary from font to font – some are better than others. My understanding is that the fonts that come with SignLab and other “proper” signmaking programs are designed from large clean masters to start with and will thus stand pretty much any degree of enlargement.
This may or may not have any bearing on things, but it’s worth knowing!
Just my 2 cents worth…
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You notice this when you import other TT font into Signlab some need a lot of smoothing.
Signlab expensive on a par with Flexi I would say going by advertised prices
as said welding shadows etc etc a breeze in signlab
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If you use the Type 1 fonts that also came with Corel you will find they export and import more accurately than the True Type versions especially at small sizes. Type 1 are supported in Windows 2000 and XP but will require ATM or similar in 95/98 etc.
I use both Corel V12 (one of the best versions) and Signlab V7 and I would say that with Corel you could do virtually all the bread and butter sign jobs and earn a living but a sign package – Signlab or similar gives you more sign specific functions ie better shading and outlines, tiling, cutter controls etc although some of these may be included in utilities. For those using Corel only go to http://www.oberonplace.com for some free macros that will enhance its flexibility.
Alan -
It’s me birthday today and my present was the Corel 12 Official guide 😀
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