Help! I need to update!

[amy s.]

I'm a very small shop...just me. I use Corel 7 and windows 95 to design and old Graphics Advantage 4.3 to plot on my Signmaker 4b. Yes, the 4b won't quit so we keep going. Now my hard drive is on the verge of crashing so I'm going to have to get new sign software that will run on windows 98 probably. I only use the software to size and cut as everything else is done on Corel and exported as ai.

Any suggestions for sign software that is user friendly, not complicated. I've heard Cibercut is good and Omega. Thanks!!!! Obviously, I'll be getting a new computer too.

 

[Jillbeans]

I ran a 4E (the 4B's younger sibling) with Win98SE and GA 6.2 until three weeks ago.
Do yourself a favor and upgrade to a Graphtek CE5000-60.
It comes with software which cuts via Corel. Upgrade that while you are at it too.
You will not believe how fast it is and how much nicer it weeds, and how much better it is at cutting small stuff. You can size it all in Corel.
It takes a bit of getting used to, and my one complaint would be that I miss the sprocket-fed tracking.
But you won't be sorry.
Welcome from PA, from another very small-time sign chick.
Love...Jill

 

[amy s.]

Thanks for the help. Where would I start shopping for the Graphtec?

 

[Jillbeans]

Check out this topic I started when I was looking into it:
http://www.signs101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57918
I got mine from N Glantz because they are so local to me, but you might be able to get it for less money as listed in the above link.

 

[Jester1167]

Good luck finding a copy of windows 98 or any drivers for the hardware in your new machine. Microsoft stopped supporting 98 a long time ago.

I would plan on using Windows 7 and finding software that will work with it.

Corel X4 works with Windows 7. There are lots of features in Corel X4 that will make designing easier than in Corel 7 once you get used to them. There are so many improvements I don't know where to start: Snap to Objects and Nodes, Dynamic snapping, Fillet, Basic bitmap editing inside draw, Convert Outlines to obects, Auto Trace, direct link to What the Font...

There are several here that cut straight from Corel without any programs they may be able to help minimize the cost of the transition and the number of programs you will have to learn.

Cocut would be the least expensive add on to Corel

Significant cost would be Signlab or Flexi.

Signlab is my favorite sign specific software and similar to Corel.
FlexiSign has great features, I just hate it. Others love it.

If all of this frightens you, just get a new hard drive and reinstall windows 95 and your old programs.

Backup all your files daily or more until you get this resolved.

 

[Mosh]

You know you can get a whole new computer with window 7 for around $500!
A new roland 24" can be had for $2k, comes with software.

Sorry, but you needed to update ten years ago, cause at this point it would be easier and cheaper to start fresh.

 

[tanneji]

this is a joke right? i mean you can get a cricut for only 200 bucks! /sarcasm

 

[amy s.]

You know you can get a whole new computer with window 7 for around $500!
A new roland 24" can be had for $2k, comes with software.

Sorry, but you needed to update ten years ago, cause at this point it would be easier and cheaper to start fresh.

Ha! Isn't that right. But that 4b just kept working and so did I. "If it ain't broke.....". Thanks for your input though. I am in the mood to learn something new now.

 

[GB2]

There is nothing wrong with keeping perfectly good, older equipment in use. With all this technology these days, upgrade fever is rampant. However, it is inevitable that at some point you must upgrade but if you are going to do something, make sure you do it right and upgrade to today's current standard. Do not try to upgrade your 10 year old software and equipment to 8 year old software and equipment.

 

[Steph_Stamm]

Flexi has a feature to make the screen look like Corel 7, which might ease your transition into the 21st century. It's compatible with XP and Vista. If you have more questions about it, let me know.