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What Mac sign/cutting software do you use?
I’ve got to make a decision soon about what cutting software to go with on my new Mac setup and wanted to throw out the ? one last time…
I’ve found good user reviews of MagiSign which cuts from Illustrator files. I used to use CoCut on my PC to cut from CorelDraw 11. I am now using Corel 11 on my Mac(seems to be a near duplicate of the PC version) and wondered if the Mac version of CoCut is still supported(doesn’t seem to be in the States) or if it is similair to the PC version.
Finally, I found a site with incredible pricing for all versions of FlexiSign:
http://stores.ebay.com/A-Digital-Company-for-Signmaking/FlexiFamily.html Flexi Starter is just $149!(US)I’m leaning heavily to the Flexi even if I just start with the Starter level to do basic editing and full cutting. I had Flexi Mac years ago (before switching to windows to match a new employer) and loved the program.
Thanks for any input you can give!!
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8 Replies
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I use felxi and it works well. I’ve never tried any of the other bigger sign making programs.
I’m fluent in corel and dabbling in ps and ai.
anyhow, I don’t think you’d go wrong buying flexi, signlab or any other name brand.
the flexi starter is Really limited though. I wouldn’t spend any money on something so basic.
I have a version that’s 4 years old but the equivelent of expert. I couldn’t get along with go cut or something of the sorts now. it just takes too much time. I can tell you Flexi is made for cutting vinyl, and after you learn it it is more efficient than corel (for vinyl cutting). Iuse corel for my 4 color stuff.
I guess it depends how serious you are with production, but if you’re even slightly busy, i think it’d pay to spend the money on something decent. After the initial investment, upgrading is very reasonable with flexi, as i’m sure it is with signlab and the others.just my thoughts…
steve
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I’ve only ever used Flexi. I have Flexisign 7.5 and I think it’s great and really easy to use although I haven’t used any other sign software.
Be careful with Ebay as you will need a dongle for flexi to work.
I upgraded in the summer to 7.5 and it cost £550 but well worth it.
Neil
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The reason I would go with Flexi Starter is mostly for the cutting as I am doing more graphic design right in Illustrator.
I was concerned about buying it off ebay, but have found only good referrals for the company. They are offering legitmate copies with dongles included. The offer I might go for is a combo of the Starter version (which includes the cutting side of Flexi) along with Flexi Designer. Each program comes with it’s own dongle so I could have the cutting module on my desktop mac mini and the Designer on my laptop and could do design wherever and then send the cut files through the network to the mini to cut to my plotter when ready. The combo is just $799 here:
http://stores.ebay.com/A-Digital-Company-for-Signmaking/FlexiDesign-Suite-7-6.html
Their website is:
http://www.desaypc.com/producthome.html -
Alan,
that may be right for you, again, just my opinion and depends on your production. I just wouldn’t want to toggle between more programs than i have to.
If you could get at least flexisign for a decent price i think that would be a better route. it would have most all the tools you need in one program.
that’s just my opinion, if you think those two will do what you want then go for it.steve
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We use a similar system to Alan.
We use Illustrator on one G5 and one G4 for design work and have a pair of iMacs running the two cutters.
The cutting software is Cutline from http://www.illom.se which is brilliant and much easier to use than FlexiCut making staff training easier and mistakes less frequent. My only complaint is that Cutline is getting a bit long in the tooth (not that that is a problem in itself) but it is OS9 only so the day will come when I have to change. I will still look for a stand-alone cutting programme though as I can’t waste time using my design computers for vinyl cutting.
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Hi Alan,
I use Illustrator CS2 on G4 and G5 save files to eps.
Transfer them on my USB flash drive to the 2 GB ram PC that is only connected to the the rolands SC 540 printers Using Color rip 2.2 and print from the eps files. simple and fast.
Nancy -
Thanks for the info John. Sadly, Illom sent me a reply stating they would not be making a version of Cutline for OS X:
“Sorry but we are not. The current sign-cutting market on the Mac is too
small.”Thanks also for all the other answers and suggestions!
I am really trying to do most of my designing in Adobe Illustrator as I want to gradually move into more design/print/web and less sign production. I’ve found it easier to take Illustrator files into my sign programs than the other way around.
Years ago, when using CasMate in a shop I worked at, I found exporting to .ai very problematic; the conversion created a huge amount of nodes, when it worked at all. Any feedback on how well FlexiSign exports files (esp. to .ai)?
Thanks again!
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Yes, I know Alan. That’s why I will have to change when these iMacs give up the ghost.
It’s a great shame because Cutline is head and shoulders above any other cutting software I have tried, and Illom deserve to sell barrowloads of them.
On the bright side, Macs have a much longer life expectancy than PCs, so hopefully I won’t have to worry about it for a long time.
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