Hello, First off let me say thanks up front for any and all people who can help me!
I have a couple of questions reguarding CorelDraw and which version would better suite what I need.
First off I have a Vinyl Express R-Series II Plotter Cutter, and I have a Windows 7 oprerating system.
I would like to know what version of CorelDraw would work with my cutter? Also, does the corelDraw 11 work with windows 7? I have read some says it will some says it will not. I have read several forums and related information. However, I am new to the vinyl world of cutting. I do know CorelDraw so that is not new to me. I would appreciate any helpful information on what everyone is using or likes to use with plotter cutters.
Thanks Again
The question must be: do your plotter work under Windows 7? if your plotter is compatible with Windows 7, it will work with CorelDRAW 11, X5 or other. And yes, CorelDRAW 11 works under Windows 7, but since is a quite old version, you don't have all the feautures of the new version.
Windows 7 does work with my plotter using LXI software that came with my cutter. I am wanting to use CorelDraw to cut directly to my cutter without import/export files to the LXI software, because I can't honestly figure the soft ware set up as far as fonts and sizeing and sometimes it acts crazy. What version of CorelDraw would you suggest? I have also read somewere it must support the VBA plugin which I am a little unfamiliar with. I would like any information you can supply me with as far as websites or your personal opion on what I need.
We are doing this for our automotive business where we rebuild insurance salvaged vehicles. We are also going to try to sell some graphics on ebay as well to make a little extra money. I just want the process to be simple and easy to do and get it done without haveing to make a cut 2 or 3 times(which is wasting our vinyl) for it to be right, which is whats happening now. If you want the LXI to cut a 4 inch letter you have to set it to 5.5 so its kinda crazy.
Thanks
Most of the Cutting plotter, such as Grphtec, allows to cut directly from CorelDRAW, as any printer. Just install the plotter on Windows, change the language of the plotter from HP-GL to GP-GL (on the plotter panel) as any printer, and print the objects with black "hairline" outline and without fill. in the Print preview you can move the objects according the material. But, unforrtunately.. not all cutting plotters allows to print direct from other programs and requies their own software
It sounds like you have jumped into something that you don't know what it takes to do the job. you could call the people that made the cutter and tell them what you bought and want to know how to use it, they may help get you pointed in the right direction. There are so many ways to set things up that it is gong to be hard to use it out of the box without having some knowledge of what is needed to be done.
My Thoughts Again George
Well, unfortunately I have tried that al ready. Seems as how they have my money and I have my cutter they no longer want to offer any advise on anything, ie: had trouble with LXI software installing on my computer called them and they said it was something I had done wrong (after following their directions to the T from the instruction sheet they sent) and of course the LXI software didn't come with a user manual or video either. So I finally figured out what needed to be done to get it fixed after much guess work in to the set up of the software that was not compatable with Windows 7 ( as per what they didnt tell me the truth when I contacted them prior to ordering, was told it would work no problem with windows 7) Come to find out they didnt sent me the correct version and I had to Pay more money to get the correct windows version. So now again I guess I am on my own since they have my $600.00 I am no longer important. I did manage to do a Window decal for our truck that looked good without any problems. I guess I was just looking for an easier software for my cutter that maybe would come with a user manual or at least a video.
Thanks For The Information and help
solidrock93 said: Well, unfortunately I have tried that al ready. Seems as how they have my money and I have my cutter they no longer want to offer any advise on anything, ie: had trouble with LXI software installing on my computer called them and they said it was something I had done wrong (after following their directions to the T from the instruction sheet they sent) and of course the LXI software didn't come with a user manual or video either. So I finally figured out what needed to be done to get it fixed after much guess work in to the set up of the software that was not compatable with Windows 7 ( as per what they didnt tell me the truth when I contacted them prior to ordering, was told it would work no problem with windows 7) Come to find out they didnt sent me the correct version and I had to Pay more money to get the correct windows version. So now again I guess I am on my own since they have my $600.00 I am no longer important. I did manage to do a Window decal for our truck that looked good without any problems. I guess I was just looking for an easier software for my cutter that maybe would come with a user manual or at least a video. Thanks For The Information and help
At the pain of costing a little more money, I can recommend that you investigate the CoCut software. It is offered by Corel (check their main web site). This will allow you to use CorelDRAW to do your designs, and with a single click, send that design, or any selected portion, to CoCut, which will drive your plotter. CoCut has drivers for just about all of the plotter/cutters on the market, but you may want to double check by going onto their (CoCut) web site. You can even download a 30 day trial. (Note, the prices on the CoCut web site are Euros.)
An alternative to using CoCut, since you finally have LXi on your system and apparently working, you can design in Corel and then export your design as a *.cmx for Presentations 5.0. This will import directly into LXi, ready to cut.
FWIW: I bought my cutter, eons ago, from Sign Warehouse. Now, the only time I contact them is when I need parts for the cutter, other than the cutting blades. I have twice upgraded my LXi cutting software from them. Other than that, I deal with other vendors, when it comes to the plotter. Sign Warehouse support is in name only, by my experience. I found out that I knew more than they did, when it came to problems.....
Another Thought is to call some of the sign shops close by and offer to pay to have them set up your rig. Just keep in mind that just because they work in a sign shop doesn't mean they all know what they are doing. ( like me if I had any brains I would have found some other way to get beer money.....
George