Ive introduced myself in a previous post. Before I pose my questions I should build upon where I just came from and where I plan to go -
Again, my name is Chris. I began working for a local sign company in february. I came into this business as green as can be. Luckily I had several years of design practice with photoshop and Corel Draw. I learned how to operate basic functions to output digital prints and operate a plotter. Ive worked with vinyl, digital prints and banner. Ive made signs from PVC, Coroplast and 040 and 080 Aluminum. Ive used a foot shear, a grommit press, a corner rounder and a xenetech rotary engraver (which I wont be offering anyway). So Ive taken my love of art, my creativity and my willingness to build upon what Ive learned and Im jumping into owning my own business. Im intrigued by the unknown, the uncertainty and Im excited to start my own company. Im also cautious, and I have respect for the business. I dont approach this as someone who feels Im superior in skill and knowledge. Im a good artist, and Im a harsh critic of my own work. I want customers to be the judge.
PrintingThe printer was a Mimaki Jv3-160SP. My choice of design was the shops' Corel X3 software. From there, I would copy and paste my work into Flexi Pro v7.6.1. Once I was stationed in Flexi, the only functions I would use were correcting the colors, resizing, adding contour outlines and registration marks and outputting to print. The functions of the Printer itself were very simple (Remote, Roll, etc).
Plotting The plotter was a Mimaki CG-130 FX. I would design in Corel and Copy to Flexi, where I would do limited editing before outputting to plot.
Seeking some clarity - Im starting my own business. Ive purchased a Procutter Servo 4800 plotter that is compatible with Flexi and Corel (I will be using Corel X6). This machine is new and compatible with windows 7. My Printer, however, comes with rasterlink pro II & III. It is also equipped with a Firewire cable. My new PC does not have Firewire ports. I was instructed to Purchase an upgrade for $500 to rasterLink pro5 to pair my wide format printer with my PC. I was also instructed to add a PCI card with firewire ports to complete the connections. I see no way around having to add the firewire ports. However, Im wondering if I can use Flexi Pro 10 and completely bypass the upgrade for the rasterlink. The reason, I plan on printing DPs with crop marks from flexi. From there, I plan to send the print to my plotter through the same Flexi "manager" and use the ARMS laser to plot. I will need one program to do it all, at least I think that I do. This is how I was taught. Does anyone have a solution for me to have a clean, smooth setup? It would be nice to know I could design, print and plot from one program, and if that program could be Corel I would be happy. I feel like Im picking out shoes from the closet and I keep grabbing a flip-flop and one of my chucks. If anyone knows the models and the setups I am interested in your opinions/expertise.
Is rasterlinkPro a design software capable of setting up like Flexi, and allowing me to print, add contour cuts, and output to a plotter?
Is Flexi the correct program to do all of my functions, thus making the rasterlink software unnecessary, while relegating Corel to be used solely for design?
Will the new Corel X6 (which Ive never used before and havent received yet) be an option. My Corel 8, 12 and X3 never had the tabs for printing or plotting.
I really wish I knew more but Im going forward anyway because I have to try. I'll never know and I'll never improve if I dont attempt. I also know its okay to ask for help.
Thank You.
Chris
Again, my name is Chris. I began working for a local sign company in february. I came into this business as green as can be. Luckily I had several years of design practice with photoshop and Corel Draw. I learned how to operate basic functions to output digital prints and operate a plotter. Ive worked with vinyl, digital prints and banner. Ive made signs from PVC, Coroplast and 040 and 080 Aluminum. Ive used a foot shear, a grommit press, a corner rounder and a xenetech rotary engraver (which I wont be offering anyway). So Ive taken my love of art, my creativity and my willingness to build upon what Ive learned and Im jumping into owning my own business. Im intrigued by the unknown, the uncertainty and Im excited to start my own company. Im also cautious, and I have respect for the business. I dont approach this as someone who feels Im superior in skill and knowledge. Im a good artist, and Im a harsh critic of my own work. I want customers to be the judge.
PrintingThe printer was a Mimaki Jv3-160SP. My choice of design was the shops' Corel X3 software. From there, I would copy and paste my work into Flexi Pro v7.6.1. Once I was stationed in Flexi, the only functions I would use were correcting the colors, resizing, adding contour outlines and registration marks and outputting to print. The functions of the Printer itself were very simple (Remote, Roll, etc).
Plotting The plotter was a Mimaki CG-130 FX. I would design in Corel and Copy to Flexi, where I would do limited editing before outputting to plot.
Seeking some clarity - Im starting my own business. Ive purchased a Procutter Servo 4800 plotter that is compatible with Flexi and Corel (I will be using Corel X6). This machine is new and compatible with windows 7. My Printer, however, comes with rasterlink pro II & III. It is also equipped with a Firewire cable. My new PC does not have Firewire ports. I was instructed to Purchase an upgrade for $500 to rasterLink pro5 to pair my wide format printer with my PC. I was also instructed to add a PCI card with firewire ports to complete the connections. I see no way around having to add the firewire ports. However, Im wondering if I can use Flexi Pro 10 and completely bypass the upgrade for the rasterlink. The reason, I plan on printing DPs with crop marks from flexi. From there, I plan to send the print to my plotter through the same Flexi "manager" and use the ARMS laser to plot. I will need one program to do it all, at least I think that I do. This is how I was taught. Does anyone have a solution for me to have a clean, smooth setup? It would be nice to know I could design, print and plot from one program, and if that program could be Corel I would be happy. I feel like Im picking out shoes from the closet and I keep grabbing a flip-flop and one of my chucks. If anyone knows the models and the setups I am interested in your opinions/expertise.
Is rasterlinkPro a design software capable of setting up like Flexi, and allowing me to print, add contour cuts, and output to a plotter?
Is Flexi the correct program to do all of my functions, thus making the rasterlink software unnecessary, while relegating Corel to be used solely for design?
Will the new Corel X6 (which Ive never used before and havent received yet) be an option. My Corel 8, 12 and X3 never had the tabs for printing or plotting.
I really wish I knew more but Im going forward anyway because I have to try. I'll never know and I'll never improve if I dont attempt. I also know its okay to ask for help.
Thank You.
Chris
you'll feel better tomorrow.:Big Laugh