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What are benefits of dedicated sign software?
All of our designing is done using Corel Draw which we use in conjunction with SignTools to cut. I had planned to upgrade to Corel X3 as we currently use version 9, which is a bit out of date, but would like to know the benefits of fully dedicated sign software over other design packages, such as Corel. I would be interested in any comments, good or bad.
Dawn
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12 Replies
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quote :would like to know the benefits of fully dedicated sign software over other design packages,there is always a trick here or there between them just is it worth the difference in price to you.
Corel fan here and put the difference in to new kit.
chris
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I use Signlab primarily for vinyl work, I have gone on record as saying I could make my living with X3 and this is true. The like of SL do have features which make vinyl cutting easier but there are VBAs for Draw which close the gap still further. My SL package is vinyl only so all digital stuff is generated in the X3 suite anyway along with my tyesetting work.
I chose Signlab/Signstudio at the start but if I were starting from scratch now my choice would be harder.
Alan D -
Alan, excuse my ignorance – what are VBAs?
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Very Big Advantages – for a guess
Do I win a prize for been right 😀
As a supplier I tend to find that most people do run a mix of design s/w like corel or adobe along with dedicated sign software, it does seem to be the norm these days.
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quote :Very Big Advantages – for a guess
Do I win a prize for been right
NO
your are a supplier and to keep quiet on these questions.
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lol, I think he means Visual Basic Applications (code written to perform specific functions).
Andy 😎
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I have to say that I use both, corel and Signwizard.
I use corel for my digiprint work, as my version of signwizard was before the days of wide format printing.
The new V6 signwizard however is a good package for both vinyl and print work, with world class RIPS included in the package.
That said, I can design a sign from scratch, with shadows, outlines and bells and whistles eons faster in Signwizard than in Corel. Probably because I know the software so well (been using it since the mid ’90’s), granted, but a dedicated sign program is designed for that sole purpose, making signs, and if it is any good at all, is usually quick and slick to use.
For instance, Signwizard has less keystrokes to do the same thing as Corel in most instances.
Not taking anything away from Corel though, and I’d assume x3 is slicker again than the V12 I use.
But in my opinion Corel is an excellent design tool for the print media, but will always be my second choice when cutting vinyl signs. But then, if it is all you have, or can afford, it serves the purpose well.
If I was buying sign cutting software today, I’d seriously consider it, but, end of the day I am glad I have signwizard, a dedicated sign program too 😉
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I think Shane’s comments are fair and I agree, for me read Signlab instead of Signwizard, someone else will probably say Flexi. Corel Draw should not be ignored though as there are things it does better ie large text chunks like menus – SL doesn’t even have tabs.
alan D -
I couldn’t do without the weld features available in Signlab. Also in the colour master version the ability to create contours around rendered images are a godsend. I use three software packages – Casmate, Signlab and Corel. All have their own advantages/disadvantages. I prefer Corel and Signlab for printing and cutting, whereas I continue to use Casmate for vinyl cutting. Mostly it’s a case of learning to use a particular package to get the best from it. I don’t think I’ll ever learn to use all the features in Corel and Signlab 😕
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well we are Corel based only, would never change. Corel X3 has leaped ahead from version 12 and I would say it is on par with SignLab now for weld/bevel/shape fill etc., we also do a lot of print work so having it all in one top quality package does it for us.
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quote Dave Rowland:well we are Corel based only, would never change. Corel X3 has leaped ahead from version 12 and I would say it is on par with SignLab now for weld/bevel/shape fill etc., we also do a lot of print work so having it all in one top quality package does it for us.Like you say dave coral is on par, so has it just caught up, or has 7.1 still got the edge?
For cut vinyl, dedicated is far superior. welds, bleeds, overlaps, are all easier to perform, because they are vinyl specific, rather than print.
I think the other way round is the way to think….Has signlab caught up with coral and adobe for digiprint? probably not, but its not that far away…..peter
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FWIW I think Signlab is generally better for vinyl cutting, I don’t have print and cut so can’t comment on that, Corel is streets ahead if you do typesetting for litho. I also use Corel for the digital stuff but as I said don’t have the full SL package for that.
Corel is moving closer to the sign packages with every version.
Alan D
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