Rip software no flexi?

[david lewicki]

I had been running a HP L26500 with flexi 10.5.
Recently purchased a used HP 365. Im learning that I can’t use my flexi version on the 365 and need to upgrade to at least flexi 12. Don’t want to pay for flexi subscription if I can find a way to have a production manager to rip and print my files.
Flexi use: When I make a file in illustrator, I always open it in flexi, then rip and print it. I use flexi as well to contour cut objects I need to print and cut.
I never create anything in flexi.
Question: Do I need to have flexi or is their another way to rip and print and use some sort of contour cut feature?

 

[Pauly]

You will need some kind of RIP software to print. so you'll either need to pay to the latest version/subscription, or buy another RIP software.

 

[david lewicki]

What are some different type of rip software that is not a monthly subscription?

 

[bob]

I changed computers a few years back and Flexi wouldn't run on it. However, Production Manager would deal with the printer just fine. I ended up doing everything in Corel Draw and bought a reasonably capable cutting plug-in for all cutting, including contour cutting. The print jobs created in Corel are exported as some sort of Production Manager acceptable bitmap format, mostly .jpg, and dropped into whatever printer setup on Production manager. While the plug-in plotter software can be interesting to wrangle, the actual printing goes of without a hitch. Been doing this for some years now and I'm satisfied with this arrangement.

 

[Solventinkjet]

What are some different type of rip software that is not a monthly subscription?

Pretty much everyone is subscription only now. I believe the only mainstream RIP that has a perpetual license available is Caldera. I've heard Flexi will sell you one if you ask directly instead of ordering on the site but I can't guarantee it.

 

[WildWestDesigns]

Pretty much everyone is subscription only now. I believe the only mainstream RIP that has a perpetual license available is Caldera.

Subscription and eventually web-based if they are able to do it, which browsers are just about as complicated as OSs (which even those on some rigs aren't run locally, the OS that is) and I honestly wouldn't be surprised. Which UX is going to really take a nose dive, but I digress.

I do believe though, may have to look into it, the entry version of their RIP is subscription, have to go with the pricier options to get perpetual license. Don't quote me on that, but that's what I'm thinking.

I've heard Flexi will sell you one if you ask directly instead of ordering on the site but I can't guarantee it.

There was a time on here that the subscription service was really hocked just about any time that they could.. At some point, they are going to totally do away with it. Corel used to really sell the point that they still has a perpetual license when Adobe first went all in on it. Just a couple of yrs later, they were really going with their subscription now.

I doubt that even Affinity will stay non subscription in the long run, probably be web based at some point as Canva is web-based as well (browser for the online and webview for the Windows/Mac builds (which is just essentially a minified browser for those that may not know what webview is)).

Long story short just to say to the OP more likely it's going to get harder and harder to find non subscription programs that don't cost an arm and a leg and no promises that just a little bit down the line, they don't try to get "you" on the subscription bandwagon. Now Caldera could still have a perpetual option thru the rest of my lifetime, but the odds aren't looking to good for it, unless customers really start clamping down on these type of services, which I doubt, but that's another topic.

 

[Graphic Extremes]

ONYX has a purchase option and a subscription option.

 

[VerdantMedia]

One way to think about it is that software is a utility. Typically, the feature set will be cheaper than your labor time in days (ROI-wise)

As long as the subscription comes with updates and support, the primary concern is does it drive your devices and fit into your workflow.

All that said, my preference is PrintFactory - your mileage may vary.

 

[WildWestDesigns]

As long as the subscription comes with updates and support....

I could agree with support, but updates, it's going to depend. Updates in of themselves bring instability and not all updates are actually worth it in every situation. Seen updates that kill functionality that a user may depend on, but with subscription, hard to regress to that older version if wanting to, especially if the vendor is forcing the user to be on a min version for one reason or another. Just because it's the "latest" doesn't in of itself mean that it's the "greatest".

All and all, subscriptions in the end aren't really all that good for the end user and could actually end up costing the user more compared to just upgraded via the traditional model.

Having said that, again, with commercial programs, actually finding a program that isn't a subscription based is going to be few and far between.