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SignLab 5 for use with an MiniMac
Hi All
I have changed computers from a PC to a MiniMac. I have SignLab 5 and a Rolannd 24/12 vinyl cutter. The Roland only has a parallel and serial connection. The MiniMac only has USB and fire-wire. And don’t forget the parallel dongal that has to be used for SignLab to work. How do I cut vinyl with this kit. As I have retired and am almost 70 I don’t intend to work again but help out the local charities.
Look forward to your ideas
John -
4 Replies
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First:
You could get a serial to usb adapter. I think this might be the right one, but don’t hold me to it (http://www.nextag.com/usb-to-rs232-adapter/search-html) The manual says the serial port is a RS-232C (you might check that though).Second:
I’m not sure if there are drivers for Mac OS X for SignLab 5 or the printer that you use, as I don’t use it. If there aren’t any drivers for the Mac, you will need to install Windows on the Mac (You must have an Intel Mac to do this though, you would need an a copy of Windows and an emulator called VirtualPC made by Microsoft if you have a PPC base MacMini).A.) Either use Apple’s BootCamp (Free but you have to reboot the machine to use Windows and you must have a copy of Windows to Install. It doesn’t come with BootCamp)
or
B.) Use one of the virtualization software that will let you run Windows through OS X. The two best that I know of to do this are Parallels or VMWare. Both of them cost a little bit though.
There is one free virtualization program. I don’t know how well it works or how easy it is to set-up. http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads
Anyway, good luck. I hope this wasn’t to confusing and that you work it out.
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Thanks Simon
I had thought about the USB to Parallel adapter but not the Serial one because of the parallel dongal that SignLab needs to work. I have installed the Parallels software but hit a problem with my copy of windows xp. It’s an upgrade and requires a sight of a previous windows operating system. That requires removing the windows upgrade disk, which I can’t do unless I close the program down.
If I can use a Seriall/USB adapter is there a Mac program that I could use to cut Vinyl. SignLab 5 is a bit old now but to renew it would be far to expensive as I don’t make any money from the work that I do now. I do have Corel Draw 12 for windows. Not to keen on learning new software at my age but then I do have the time. Just to make it more difficult I am waiting to go into hospital for heart surgery so there is no urgency.
Again thanks for your help
John -
Sorry, I meant to reply earlier. Just been slammed here at work. I think a lot of people here use Corel Draw, which I think can send the plotting info directly to the plotter. Unfortunately there isn’t a currently supported version on the Mac (last version for mac was v11). I don’t use it though. You could probably ask around. I wouldn’t be surprised if you can find a used version on eBay or Amazon for pretty cheap. You might ask around to some of the other people on here what might be best, especially for your budget.
I would be more worried about the printer driver for the Mac though. That is usually one of the hardest things to resolve. If they make a Mac print driver for you printer, you shouldn’t have to many other problems (other than connecting the hardware of course). Hope everything turns out well (or has if you’ve already gone under the knife).
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Thanks Simon
I found a local computer shop today that has a USB/Parallel adapter but it says it is for windows.
I will check to see if there is any information on CoralDraw on this Forum
Thanks for your help
John
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