Troop RIP Software

[Paul Goodwin]

As Rod says.

Felling a little let down with the software. Means i have to learn Corel which i hate with a passion. just to do my basic cutting with.

Machine is great though just the software isn’t what i expected tbh

[Phil Kneale – Graphtec]

I think that Troop 4 is an OEM of photoprint from Scanvec Amiable, and Troop 5 is an OEM version of the Wasatch RIP.

Both are good RIPS, but from different manufacturers

[Gordon Forbes]

Its a Roland machine so there should be a copy of colour rip somewhere with these machines I would imagine Roland ships it with their machine so why don’t you ask where your copy is?

Goop

[Rod Gray]

Gordon,

Print Maxx have flogged him the cheaper Troop 5 which seems to have no text creation or manipulation abilities which is vital for the intermediate signmaker. Mort`s bread and butter stuff is basic text signage and now he`s left with having to go out and buy Corel Draw or whatever to create text and cut paths. Now i`m sure, through time, he`ll speed up to the point where it`s maybe not a big issue, but they knew he was selling his old plotter and never advised him he would lose the ability to do the basic everyday stuff.

Surely a professional salesperson should have taken the time to fully explain the differences in the software and advise on the most suitable package for his own needs.

Troop DX is far from the ultimate all-in-one sign solution but at least i`m able to produce what i need to without importing, exporting, saving, editing etc etc.

One example is that a customer of Mort`s sent him all their companies logos in PDF format. As Mort was still waiting on his machine, he e-mailed me the file and i imported into Troop Designer. Within a few minutes they were being printed and contour cut and stuck in a tube and posted after a couple of hours drying.

Troop 5 seems unable to open/import PDF files. How stupid is that?.

2 days later, Mort is still waiting for Print Maxx to return his call to try and resolve this issue.

I just think it`s totally unacceptable considering the costs involved and i can understand why Mort is so disappointed.

[Robert Lambie]

if mort got his machine on monday, then the software he should have got should have been the very latest version. if that includes the cutting, importing fascilities then thats what he should have got! no messing around…

if not resolved by tommorrow mate, give me a buzz and ill see what i can do.

[Rod Gray]

Hi Rob,

Thats the problem, he did get the “latest” version (V 5) which happens to be the cheaper and watered down version of Troop DX (V 4)

I know it sounds odd but version 4 is much more functional in terms of text manipulation and editing as it incorporates Flexisign and that would have been far more useful for Mort`s needs.

I know it sounds odd that a new version has less features than an older one and costs £500.00 less. Theres obviously some politics behind why Flexisign and Troop no longer wish to continue their “partnership”.

I just can`t help thinking that this should have been explained to Mort prior to ordering the software so he could have had perhaps made arrangements to keep his plotter, allowing him to continue with his day to day stuff.

Cheers

Rod

[Kevin.Beck]

did you both get the cadet from the same supplier.

did you both pay the same price.

if yes, you should both have the same product, if no, then theres your answer.

i could have bought my cadet cheaper without software, just using SL. But i went the troop way.

to be honest, i thought you could only contour cut from troop, not use it as a program like signlab. (all be it basic version)

perhas someone else could shed some light on this…..

how do you tell what vesion of troop you have?

[Kevin.Beck]

in my exsperience with salesmen..

if you don`t ask the question, they won`t volenter the answer.

that way any come back, they say “well you never asked”

[Paul Goodwin]

Hi Guys sorry for the late reply my Internet is down at home:(

They did know that i was selling my old machine and i was told that i wouldn’t have any problems, also i was assured that all the companies were selling the same deal……

So how is the same deal with different software?

Ok it is the latest version which does print great ect. but my bread and butter work i now have to go through hoops to do. which in my view is not realy on

I knew i couldn’t use my old program. and i would have to manipulate my old designs to cut them , that isn’t the issue.

It’s all my new stuff i just can’t do as easy as i feel i should with a 10k machine.

i know i got a good deal with teh consumables but i’m definatly let down with the software which i feel i was led to believe would let me do my day to day stuff as well. The engineer who instaled it even said i can’t just CUT from the machine ffs. he said i would have to turn everything to white. pretend to print it then cut it??

I had to sort that out myself with a call to a local competetor !!

and not returning my calls? ok the salesman has just got back from holiday on monday, ok so he has heavy load on, but a call takes 5 mins , i feel let down and it’s now as if they have their money i don’t matter 🙁

[Paul Goodwin]

Having spoke to the sales Person

All sorted….. you can put contour round in SL.

and other probs sorted as well.

[L J.]

Hi Paul, good to speak to you today, glad to see Adam from printmax has returned from holiday & sorted out your probs I thought it strange that they would let you down on purpose

It is very hard work learning how to operate a totally new machine to you & program that goes with it. It gets very frustrating until someone can point you in the right direction & then slowly but surely it all falls into place.
As usual it’s all down to experience & practice, but what a big help the uksb group is as i have been looking for a Laminating machine & with all the help & advice from everyone on here i have now decided on one with a great deal of help from Rob. I have decided to purchase from printmax at a good price through this group. Hope to receive it in about 2 weeks time & then will get on with partially wrapping my van at last.

L J

[Peter Normington]

I feel for you mort,
Over the years I have bought different bits of kit and software, When demo’d its the dogs. But trying to figure it out yourself, when its installed, is another matter. A lot of firms expect you to pay more money to find out how to use there stuff. One example is SL. Its a good programme, but the manual is almost useless. Just a pity that proper training is not included in the price. But then again I could go out and buy a 10k video camera, and would not expect to be as good as Spielberg.
Peter

[Robert Lambie]

Its good to hear things are moving forward now mort, nothing worse than a snag as soon as you kick off mate. I did speak with Adam Booth at printmax today regarding this and I am glad to hear he has got you sorted now. I have known Adam for some time now and I knew whatever problems you were experiencing, he would not just leave it in your hands. He did explain he has been on holiday and knew nothing about your problems until he got back. When I asked about the questions on the software, he said that, that version rod has is the DX version & is no longer available due to low sales, it was more expensive & folk didn’t see the need for the added expense as other software such as corel, signlab etc worked along with troop and allowed contour cutting. Adam assumes rod has maybe landed lucky with a surplus versions of troop DX.
For the record my version of troop cuts via corel also, but it is not the latest version, or the DX version. I think he mentioned you are now cutting via your signlab? If so I may give you a buzz tomorrow mate, as ide like to do the same but haven’t had time to suss it out. :lol1:

[Paul Goodwin]

Yep no problem Rob 🙂

and thanks for looking into it for me.

[Gordon Forbes]

Signlab gives you the option to use an alternative rip if you want to.

goop

[Peter Shaw]

I have posted something similar to this before, but it may help clarify:

Troop V4 is a version of Flexisign.

Troop V5 is Wasatch and is sold as the cut-down version (which is c**p) or the full version which is an excellent RIP.

The guys selling the Cadets are able to use the difference to create discounts and subsequent problems for us suckers.

The small Cadet also comes with the free Roland RIP: Colorip. This is Wasatch or Troop V5 and is all you need. In other words if you buy the smaller Cadet don’t pay out for the Troop RIP.

Roland have prevented the Cadet Plus from working with Colorip and therefore another RIP is required.

[Brian Hays]

Troop V4 DX is definately still available. Every machine we have sold has come with it. As far as I am aware it’s the same with Silverskies, that would explain why McRod has it. It’s a little bit more expensive.

Many people wouldn’t need the extra features I would guess? Anyway you pay your money & take your choice.

[Robert Lambie]

hi Brian
are you saying you could pick up the phone tomorrow and get a new “batch” from the manufacturers of DX mate?

I am dumb to the software issues here, but since reading this thread, keen to know whats what? as i have same Troop software, and only purchased 11 months ago.

if you say Troop 4 DX has the extras, but version 5 of Troop does not. version 5 obviously being the later version clarifies the DX version has been dropped or there would be a Troop 5 DX version also? meaning if suppliers still have Troop 4 DX, its surplus stock on the cheap? or are you saying there is a Troop 5 DX also?

if DX is only the case with Troop 4, rod obviously has been sold the older more expensive version of troop and not the newest lower costing version advertised, were mort, technically has not?

now lets say the NEW version of TROOP 5 has not got the DX features?
what makes the Troop 5 better/more improved than the Version 4? if DX has nothing to do with it?
If DX has nothing to do with it (and DX only meaning the cut facility) then V5 has more PRINT Features than V4 which is what RIP is all about anyway. As we all know Troop is a RIP/printer based program which can only mean DX is inferior other than the discontinued extra. which is cutting!

even i confused now… please someone help 😀

[Paul Goodwin]

Confusing isn’t it Rob… 😕

[Brian Hays]

Sorry Rob can’t make a lot of sense of that! looks like you can’t either as it has been edited 3 times :lol1:

I am no expert as I don’t install the systems myself. But I do know that ver 4 is more expensive & I do know it would have suited Morts needs better than what he has. Especially as he had to sell his existing cutter to finance the new machine. As far as version 5 being better for printing I don’t think that’s the case. Off the top of my head I know at least 3 companies that use Troop DX on the boards & have no problems as far as printing is concerned. If they feel they are limited as to what they can produce I would be very interested to hear.

At the end of the day, it’s up to the customer to make a choice. And I think for somebody to suggest people are selling old software they just happen to have knocking around is very unfair. And also very very wrong.

[Iain Gordon]

Being a newbie to this “game”, i am totally confused.

1. What is RIP software?

2. I have a copy of FutureRip that came with my cutting program, should i install it?

Hopefully one of these days i’ll be able to answer someones questions

Cheers
Iain

[Robert Lambie]

edited 3 times… yeh too right… i was half cut when i posted mate.. too many friday night breezers i think 😉 :lol1: my posts and spelling are bad enough at the best of times. 😮

quote Brian Hays:

I am no expert as I don’t install the systems myself. But I do know that ver 4 is more expensive & I do know it would have suited Morts needs better than what he has. .

i couldnt agree more regarding it would suit mort more with the DX version due to his situation mate… but what i am trying to understand is, mort has been sold the very latest edition. if this is the case, he has been sold “if not correct” the very latest advertised software, thats all…

its a bit like me calling you brian and asking for signlab. you will sell me version 7 of course, as its the latest “advertised” version. but when it arrives i complaign because i am already using 5 and prefer the features over version 7.
you may have some version 5’s kicking about but its 7 that you should and will sell. stands to reason… if you dont have version 5 kicking about to help me out what can you do?

quote :

As far as version 5 being better for printing I don’t think that’s the case. Off the top of my head I know at least 3 companies that use Troop DX on the boards & have no problems as far as printing is concerned. If they feel they are limited as to what they can produce I would be very interested to hear.

same thing applies… im using signlab 5 and have been for years, its a great software and i do not feel limited in anyway.
however, version 7 does have new improved features, it HAS too or they couldnt have a version 7?

quote :

At the end of the day, it’s up to the customer to make a choice. And I think for somebody to suggest people are selling old software they just happen to have knocking around is very unfair. And also very very wrong

when i asked they simply said “its no longer available to us. we can only get the latest version” i asked so how can someone else sell this, they said “i can only “assume” its surplus stock.
im personaly not suggesting any wrong doing brian, i happen to be trying to get to the bottom of morts problem. as “I” advised mort as UKSG member refering to my “own” purchase with the same supplier…
morts software “is” the very latest but has NOT suited his needs 100%.
rod has same software but “appears” to be an older or discontinued version. well actually im saying that as you said Troop DX is version 4 and mort has Troop 5.

[Chris Wool]

Iain the rip sofware is for the big printers not cutters dint worry.

Chris