I Remember well. Corel had an option you could purchase that would drive plotters and cutters. I got / had the coupon that came in the box of my new Corel 6. I chatted with them about purchasing that option several times. It was first an option called COREL CUT. Then, Cocut 6 came out about the same time. Cocut was never a Bridge stand alone program. There is a rumor that it was part of Corel at one time. But this has never been aknowledged by Eurosystems.
Some standard Definitions.
Plugin
Macro, which is integrated in the menu structure from a host program, such as Word, AutoCAD, CorelDRAW, etc.. It works like a part of its host program.
Cut Plugins extends the range of the host program with more powerfull tools, e.g. welding, outline, cutting the host may not completely implement on a sign design.
Examples:
Cocut, Cocut Pro, Cocut Multitool or Smart Designer.
Advantage:
Make it easier for inexperienced users to work with the host program
* Experienced users can also carry out sign-making jobs faster and more efficiently using the host program
* Cutting plugins such as CoCut Professional can make the host program into an almost full-range alternative sign program
* Unlike the driver, which can only run a special family of plotters, cutting plugins have their own drivers for all the common plotters on the market from different manufacturers
Disadvantage:
* Signtools are design macros. The cutting possibilities are just as limited as with the driver, as they do not extend the possibilities of the driver itself.
Conclusion:
The higher price of plugins compared with drivers is therefore justified because only plugins make it possible to perform sign-making jobs efficiently and using the full range of functions.
Driver.. Such as using the print menu to cut direct from corel.
Advantage:
* No extra charge, as usually included in the plotter range of functions
* Easy to install
* Freely copiable, as not protected with a dongle
Disadvantage:
* Can often only be driven over a parallel (LPT) port
* Cutting length limited to the internal plotter framesize
* Often no birectional communication possible, i.e. the vinyl width cannot be read back
* No job segmentation possible
* Additional cutting plotter functions cannot be addressed (e.g. pouncing or half-cut)
Conclusion:
The driver limitations are mainly due to the fact that they are intended for use with special plotters and cannot exploit the full range of potential plotter functions.
Bridge Program
Stand-alone sign-making program including a plotter drive, which can be started by exporting data from another program. It is not integrated into the menu structure of another program. Automatic import makes it easy to work with the data. Often versions of sign programs with a limited range of functions (light or basic version).
Examples: EuroCUT Light with CoRUN Autoexpo
Disadvantage:
* Can often only be driven over a parallel (LPT) port
* Cutting length limited to the internal plotter framesize
* Often no birectional communication possible, i.e. the vinyl width cannot be read back
* No job segmentation possible
* Additional cutting plotter functions cannot be addressed (e.g. pouncing or half-cut)
* Cutting plotter optical recognition system cannot be used (e.g. Summa OPOS or Anaplot for contour cutting.)
Full Sign Program
Advantage:
* One user interface for all sign-making jobs
* An almost unlimited number of special functions and tools for the most demanding sign-making jobs
* Makes it possible to drive a large number of cutting plotters, routing and engraving machines
* An enhanced version with special modules permits a high degree of flexibility and customization to the requirements of individual companies
* Sign programs often include aids for financial, mathematical and organisational tasks, e.g. job calculation, job manager.
* They are designed in such a way that they can also be used in large and medium-sized companies. Here we should mention multi-user licenses, networking capacity and plot servers.
Disadvantage:
* The complexity of the program means that it takes a considerable time to learn to work with it. And has features most users will never need.
* Relatively high price compared with the plugin
Conclusion:
Sign programs are still up-to-date because they were from the start developed so as to serve the sign-maker efficiently. They also implement exceptional functions only usable by a small number of companies.
I've used cocut pro for years. Just recently upraded to cocut 12 with corel draw 12. It's the one software tool that has made me tons of money. I've emailed with Eurosystems several times about their software.
I hope this clears up some confusions..
I had the Roland PNC 1000 + Coreldrw 9 and worked with a Roland driver downloaded from Roland site. It is very easy and cut direct from coreldraw. For left and right cutting I had to setup the cutter from its buttons to configure my choice. As Oldpaint told you you'll have to read and read the manuals.
Peter
