what should i buy FlexiExpert or Signlab Vinyl Pro?

[Kevin.Beck]

welcome to the boards, nice to see another stokie…

never tried flexi, i`m all signlab.

so of course i`m going for signlab.

buying any of them would be a mistake, both are top end programs.

quite supprised you are able to test cut from a demo……….

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Becky

Thanks for the reply, There are a few of us in Stoke 🙂

You can cut from the demo of signlab via the open Generic HP-GL plotter driver that comes with the demo.

as for Flexi-Sign I have a copy of the 7.5v2 off Ebay Of coarse, it is a full version and designs and cuts perfectly, but being the type of person i am i still want to purchase the full legitamate product of a sign software for the support / Dongle & Manuals etc.
Although I can use all the features of Flexi, There is still a lot that I can learn, I purchased it as at the time when I didn’t have the money to go for the best from the start, now as business is booming I want to purchase a legal version and learn more.

It was just that I wanted owners views on their Signlabs and Flexi’s and to throw it in to the mix i’ve just read a post about Sign Wizard software, so I’m now starting to get brain ache over which to go for 🙂

Jas….

[Jayne Marsh]

I first bought Signlab and found it fine for cutting vinyl but not much good for printed work so went for Flexi instead which I find is great for both cutting and printing. In all I prefered flexi but both are good. I have used Omega, Signus, Flexi and Signlab in my time and to my mind Flexi is just edging to the top.

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Jem

Thanks for the reply

After trying out both signlab & Flexi I can only say that both have completed all the things I’ve created with ease. and the only thing that nags me a little about signlab is the way it looks icons & buttons etc…

but i still enjoyed using it.

I am so stuck on which one to go for.

To be honest I have a legal version and dongle of vinylmaster Pro, it is a great piece of software, and you can design anything with ease and it looks and feels nice to use, but with the software it uses modules for designing and there’s a module for the vinyl spooler and a module for cutting, it just seems to go all around it’s hat when you just want to cut a simple sticker.

And as for the support although Tony & Matthew at Future 1 do get back to you within 24hrs vai email, their answers to questions are very short and have no depth to them (my opinion only)

I have a Graphtec CE3000-60 cutter and it’s not even supported as a stand alone driver in VMP but it is in both Flexi & Signlab.

I have just downloaded a demo of Sign Wizard from Aries Graphics International I used it for 20 mins then decided it was not for me, it had the same sort of look as Flexi but the menus seem to confusing.

so I’m back to square one, Signlab or Flexi ?? maybe I should stop looking at what they can do, as I know they both can do the same, and start looking at the cost of the software instead..

Jas…

[Alan Drury]

I’m a Signlab user so naturally I’ll say Signlab but to be fair it isn’t perfect but for vinyl work combined with Corel Draw (12) is as good as it need to be for me. I would say that the node editing in Signlab is fantastic though, it’s very easy and quick to digitise logos and the like – so if you do much of that and Flexi uses a similar node editing method as Corel/Illustrator ie uses handles from the nodes then Signlab is for you. Both programmes would serve you well though.
Alan

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Folks

Just a quick update really

I am in talks today with Scanvec (Flexi)
and CADlink (Signlab)

I’ve asked them if they offer cross over upgrades to their software from my version of Vinylmaster Pro.

So Far CADlink are saying

“We only sell Signlab through registered Dealers, and not direct to the end user. The retail cost of vinyl pro is £1500+vat. The cross grade price would be £1000+vat. You would need to let me know what the cost of your software was so I can confirm if it is suitable for cross grade. Let me know your post code and I will forward details of your closest Signlab dealer.”

(just waiting for them to email me back with my nearest supplier & confirmation as i’ve emailed a copy of my receipt for VMP) from GrafityP UK.

Concerning FlexiExpert GraphtecGB have said

“Yes, we do run a competitive trade in service, unfortunately Future aren’t considered a big enough competitor to be included in this. In view of this I can offer the software for £1500.00 + VAT” The software shipped will be V7.6 with Dongle & Manual”

So based on this, if CADlink get back to me I don’t think I can turn down the Signlab software for £1000 + VAT
Seems like a great offer.

I will keep you all posted.

Jas…

[Alan Drury]

Don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Signlab, Frank – Ray – Trev B who work for Cadlink often post here so any questions can be addressed here not forgetting Brian who is a Signlab dealer.
Alan

[Kevin.Beck]

vinylman

nearest dealer is in milton.

[Jason Bounds]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Brushman, I think i’ll be a happy bunny once i’ve got Signlab..

Becky, do you know the name of the suppliers in Milton, as you know it’s not far away Yippee… do you know if they have a website.

Any help appreciated as always.

Jas….

[Jason Bounds]

Ahhh think i’ve found them, i think your on about this company

Network Systems (EC) Ltd

Link House, Leek Road
Milton
Stoke on Trent
Staffordshire
ST2 7AH

[Iain Gordon]

I use VMP and for the price i think its brill,
i am just wondering what you can do in Signlab that you cant do in VMP and if it can do different things are they really worth an extra £1000 + VAT??

A £1000 can by a lot of stock that you CAN make money on

Just my 2 cents worth

Iain

[Brian Hays]

Vinylman, if you have emailed Cadlink then it has probably gone to Canada so you will be waiting on a reply from them. You are probably best off calling them direct at their office in Hitchin, Herts.

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Iain

I totally understand where your comming from, I do like VMP it is the easiest software I have ever used for things like shading, outlines etc but it does not support my older creation PCUT 630 cutter or my newer Graphtec CE3000-60, and in this day and age, the software we all use at the prices we pay should be able to update drivers etc very quickly and easily over the net as and when the companies make the drivers. but the software companies just seem to produce the software and only bring out updates occasionally, at least with CADlinks Signlab it is kept totally up to date with all the drivers, that is most probably why they are the market leaders in sign software. but I 100% agree with you that VMP is a great piece of software.

Jas….

[Iain Gordon]

I use a Graphtec 3000-60 with VMP and dont have any problems. What do yo mean when you say it isnt supported?

Iain

[Jason Bounds]

hi Folks

Just to let you know that I’m now sorted,

Just been offered Signlab Vinyl Pro from my new mate Graham at Network Systems.

For £895 + VAT (on a cross over upgrade from VMP)

Will be collecting it 2moro

I think that is an excellent price and i’m very happy with that.

p.s I’ve also signed up for UKSG + Gold lifetime membership on these boards, for the savings i’ve made, so i’m here to stay.

I Thank you all for the advice you have given me, and hope i can return the favour Ten fold.

Jas…

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Fredthelad

I can use the Graphtec via the Generic HP-GL driver, as suggested By Tony at Future 1.

But this is not ideal as it does not fully control the plotters on board software as a dedicated system driver would.

ie: you would cut 1 job and the blade would end the cut back at it’s origion, but the next time you cut, the blade would just stop as it’s finished it’s cutting still hovering over the design it has just cut.

Other times the cutter would start cutting a design then half way through it would cut a non plotted line right through the design messing it all up, then it would carry on the correct course.

There are just to many times when this happens on my particular setup, and it’s not very nice when you are trying to cut a 3 – 4 metre graphic for a customers truck.

Using Flexi or Signlab this has never happened, so in my personal opinion it is my VMP drivers that are causing the problem.

Jas…

P.S I’ve just been informed that I don’t have to hand over my Vinylmaster Pro software in the cross over deal. I would of thought I would of.
It makes me wonder why you don’t even have to supply any proof to be able to get a discounted price on a cross over, so it looks like I can still keep my VMP.

[Iain Gordon]

I have never come across this yet but i will keep an eye out for it happening.. thanks for the heads up

Iain

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Iain

It’s like I said in a previous post, it might be just my setup, at the end of the day MS Windows causes many problems with both hardware and software and it could just be my setup, we are all setup different using different versions of Operating Systems, Sign & design software and cutting and printing equipment.

I was just making my case for my particular setup, I’m chuffed that you are having no problems with your setup using the same cutter as me, This is one of the reasons I bought VMP as I thought with a brand name cutter i’d be rocking, but alas it was not meant to be.

But I will let you know how I get on with a full working version of Signlab, and you never know, at the next update of VMP I may be able to get my problems sorted, atleast I’ll get to keep VMP on my system and can still design on it and use some of the features for designing then just import them in to signlab for cutting.

I’m sure that didn’t make sense…. Think I need Coffee..

Jas….

[Stephen Morriss]

Wait until you design some lettering using TT fonts in Signlabs and come to cut it…. Most of the time it’s ok but just occasionally it throws a wobbler and misses some letters or moves them somewere else, usually over the top of some other lettering.
Only had the problem with TTF’s and no problem when you convert them to curves.

Some times does the same with prints (proofs) as well.

Steve

[autosign]

You got a good price, but you get what you pay for.

Flexi is still the superior software for me. Can you open multiple documents in Signlab yet?

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Steve

Thanks for the tip mate, I will watch that with the True Type fonts and let you know how I go on :lol1:

Jas…

[Jason Bounds]

Hello Autosign

I have just checked on the signlab demo, version 7.1

have had 5 diffferent pages of files open all at the same time, doesn’t seem a problem there, have cut a small sample from each also while they were all open.

Thanks for the comment

Jas….

[Peter Normington]

Always wondered why signlab did that? It only happens on rare occasions but very annoying when it does! When it happened to me I thught it was the plotter, just re-cut and it was fine.
Peter
BTW Which signlab package did you get for that price?
Peter

[Jason Bounds]

Hi Peter

I went for the Signlab Vinyl Pro version.

At present I only use vinyl cutters, and did not see the point of a higher version when I don’t do Digital printing etc…

Luckily two of my uncles are in the trade, and they have all the equipment, so I can always contract out jobs that need Wide Format Printing, Sreen Printing, T-shirts and wrap etc…

I also have the option to upgrade at a later date if I feel I need to.

Jas….

[Stephen Morriss]

I think the price you paid is the normal Xgrade price, I did the same from my previous software.

You’ll be getting 7.1 I suspect, I’m a little annoyed about them bringing a new version out, without fixing the problems in the old one.
It’s £150 to upgrade from 7 to 7.1 and not really worth it as the version change is for the printing side of it, but they have also fixed some of the problems I originally complained about like the custom toolbar disappearing when it’s floating.

Moan moan complain whinge. 🙂

On the whole it’s a good program with easy to use features and despite the problems I’m glad I have it.

Steve

[Brian Hays]

Steve, the price of Vinyl Pro has gone up by £150 to £1500, it was £1350 on version 7.0.

So you should have got 7.0 cheaper than you can get 7.1.

Doesn’t help with the problems you have had though 🙁