What programs to use.

[K2]

Needing some help and advise. Just really want to feel everyone out.

We have a sign shop in a small market that is growing very well and need another computer and use this old one on an as need basis. My issue is I am basically using 3 programs and I really want to narrow it down and do it right. Want to simplify. We use a Graphtec plotter and a Roland SP-540V.

I am using Flexi for most of my stuff but as everyone knows its very expensive.
I use Photoshop for my wraps.
I am using/learning Illustrator cause it seems to be what most are starting to use now when I get files from customers or other shops.
I am open to Corel if it will suite what I am trying to do.

I love flexi because its simple easy and i can design and plot simple designs quickly, but it doesnt seem to have great effects you get with other programs so my wraps and more complex signs i have to design in another program then bring into flexi and put contour cuts on it the print from there. (I use Versa Works to RIP)

Photoshop is great and all but a bit more then what I need for a basic sign.

Illustrator is pretty good so far. I know I can setup my plotter to it with a plugin (not real sure how to do it, have not tried yet) and do some basic plotting but what about the items that need printing and cutting, is there way to put a contour cut on it without me having to take into flexi?

Corel, I dont know much about it but if I can get more design features for the low cost and be able to do what flexi (contour cut) does then maybe thats the way to go.


Help is very appreciated. I just want to setup my shop where we are linked and not all rigged together.

 

[SignBurst PCs]

Wow, that is a loaded question and you are going to get a lot of passionate responses here.

Actually, I don't think that the way you are doing it isn't all that bad. Flexi for the vector and sign stuff and PS for the raster and wrap design. It is also a great idea to learn Illustrator. As far as Corel goes, great design suite, but would be redundant.

 

[K2]

Yea I figured I would get a variety of answers. Is Corel something that can take the place of Flexi, can you contour cut with Corel? 4 to 5 thousand for one key on flexi is hard for a small shop to dish out.

 

[J Hill Designs]

no, corel takes the place of illustrator and photoshop

 

[JgS]

If you already have Illustrator you don't need Corel. For Flexi do you need it on both machines? You can run several machines off of one computer. What I have is one computer for business. It has quickbooks and office on it. One computer for design with Adobe Creative Suite. And one computer with my rip software (Flexi 10, Versaworks, and colorip).

 

[Gino]

For something like this, there is no correct answer.

We have many programs and although we'd like to eliminate some, we simply can't.

I believe what you are doing is the right way to go. Ya don't wanna down size the heart of your business. If anything, you might eventually add some more. You might not use them a lot, but you'll use them.

If it's a cost thing, then be prepared to lose capabilities, unless you are one real smart cookie and don't mind converting stuff all over the place. What you'll end up in extended time, you could've saved in multiple programs.... even with their updates.

At one time we had Corel, Adobe, ANAgraph, Gerber, Flexi, SignMate and some others I don't even remember anymore. Ya can never have enough software.
​

 

[hansman]

Basic answer:
Illustrator for vector.
Photoshop for raster.

Illustrator can combine both.
Using layers as well as a spot color for your dielines. You already have versaworks as a rip to handle your files for print & cut.
Versaworks for your CutContour (called out as a spot) from Illustrator. No need to go to Flexi.

 

[d fleming]

I have Illy, PS, Corel and Signlab. I have used all of them today.

 

[SignBurst PCs]

If it is a matter of cost for a new key, give me a ring. I may be able to help out.

 

[fresh]

We pretty much only use CorelDraw. We are able to cut directly from Corel to our Graphtec, and export to Rasterlink to print (and I guess cut, too) on our Mimaki. The Graphtec is directly connected to one computer, and the other computers are networked to it.

A while ago someone asked me how we have them set up to plot directly from corel... Honestly, I have no idea, I had my network person do it.

 

[TammieH]

Illustrator and Photoshop!!!!!!

We use an old version of Gerber Omega to cut, I only layout simple quick signs in Omega (blech!!!)

 

[SignManiac]

I use CorelDraw exclusively for all of my vector design work and PhotoPaint for any bitmap editing that I might need. I use Wasatch ver.7 to output to my Roland Soljet. We use Onyx for the flatbed printer rip. I use Profile Lab 2.5D and Vectix Aspire for the Multicam CNC. Quickbooks for accounting stuff and Pandora for the really important software. So you see, a suite of software is sometimes required to do the best job. I doubt you will find a one stop all in one application program to do everything.

 

[TammieH]

BTW, 5 years ago I turned down a very good paying sign position, with full benefits, because they used Corel ..

Where I work now, they also used to use Corel, but luckily the owner was flexible enough to change over - BIG SMILE !!

And yes, I have experience with Corel, its where I cut my teeth in the digital sign world, but after learning Freehand (hands down the best vector layout program ever) and then, Illustrator, I can never go back to Corel.

 

[Gino]

BTW, 5 years ago I turned down a very good paying sign position, with full benefits, because they used Corel ..

Where I work now, they also used to use Corel, but luckily the owner was flexible enough to change over - BIG SMILE !!

And yes, I have experience with Corel, its where I cut my teeth in the digital sign world, but after learning Freehand (hands down the best vector layout program ever) and then, Illustrator, I can never go back to Corel.

Freehand, that's one of the others we use to use. I don't tihnk we've used it now since the late 90's. It was nice, but for me.... ANAgraph was my program of choice. Still use it when I get into jams.

 

[TammieH]

Freehand, that's one of the others we use to use. I don't tihnk we've used it now since the late 90's. It was nice, but for me.... ANAgraph was my program of choice. Still use it when I get into jams.

We have Anagraph here, I import files to it to pounce patterns on an old ANA Excel V plotter


BTW has anyone ever laid eyes on Quark :ROFLMAO:

 

[Gino]

QuarkXpress ??

I hated that program. Had an early version and nothing worked with it. Not until Quark started saving or exporting to useful formats was it worth anything.

One of my earlier programs was from eye to hand. I learned this trade in that program.
​

 

[J Hill Designs]

used quark in college, thats it

 

[JoeBoomer]

Adobe

I would suggest Illustrator for the bulk of your work. Sticking with Adobe products (although morally wrong is your best bet as most people are used to some type of Adobe software to design artwork. Also, by committing to such an "industry standard" you ensure that your knowledge base and industry relevance will only grow stronger.

Everyone can crucify me for this but: Corel to me is like using "Hallmark Greeting Card Maker". If you went to school for graphic design, I can guarantee you would have to learn the Adobe suite. Whereas Corel is kind of a crapshoot. Although it is taught exclusively at the "North Dakota East School for Children Who Can't Read Good and Want to Do Other Stuff Good Too".

Before I got in the business, I loved Photoshop and hated Illustrator. After being in the business for sometime now, I flipped my opinion. I try to do everything I can in Illustrator and stay out of Photoshop as much as possible.

Or screw it all and start doing everything with Microsoft Publisher. That is design software of the Gods.

 

[JoeBoomer]

Cut files in illustrator

Programs like Adobe "Freehand" and other novelty software like that aren't even made anymore. Chances are you wouldn't even be able to install that on a new computer. Stick with Illustrator & Photoshop and you'll always be relevant.


If you want to make cut files straight from Illustrator, you need the "CutMaster" plugin. It's free here: http://downloads.graphtecgb.co.uk/support/

 

[MikePro]

Although it is taught exclusively at the "North Dakota East School for Children Who Can't Read Good and Want to Do Other Stuff Good Too".

:ROFLMAO:
loads of reading here, but this just made my day

my 0.02, Adobe is the way to go... Its expensive, but it has worked itself into being a standard. I'm still uncertain about the whole CC-thing, as subscription for software just seems like a complete rip-off.
I plan to sit on CS6 for a good-long time (hopefully).