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
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.....
HI.
Use the Lxi software only to cut. Well maybe use it for the shadows, envelope effects and contours too.
Create a small macro in Draw that exports the file as an AI and activates the Lxi software. Then import and send to cut. This is cheapest way.
~John
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
I was reading this on your post "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."
I have Corel X3 and tried using that procedure with no luck. It would preview the file, but it wouldn't show up when I clicked 'import'.
I use my 24" Panther cutter (Sign Warehouse product) for cutting vinyl to be used as artwork. My cutter is apparently similar to a Roland 1100. I have VELXi Master+ software, which, as a previous poster stated - gets really funky sometimes - forcing me to close the program and start over or cutting and pasting my current artwork into a new file.
We downsized our location and I let my husband (and business partner of 40 years) disconnect the cutter from the computer. I recently hooked it up again to cut a job and found that it cuts extremely slow. I'm not sure why. Someone suggested that the settings between the cutter and the software somehow got thrown off.
I purchased my cutter and software pre-owned so the folks at Sign Warehouse refused to help me with ANYTHING until I paid $250 to put the cutter in my name. I had to pass since funds were an issue. They are pretty much worthless as customer support unless you buy from them to start with, and I'm hearing that even then they aren't much help. It is only because the former owners TOLD me what the cutter model was that did I know how to even begin to set it up in the software. GRC-61.
I would like to update my software but don't know where to start. I do have Corel Draw X3. I don't know how to interface that with the current software. I tried the xport as suggested to no avail.
Currently my cutter is being driven thru a parallel port. It does have a USB port on it as well as a serial port but it doesn't seem that either of them will work. While I DO have the manual - it is sketchy at best. Limited information.
Where can I start? I have XP Pro on most of my computers, but I do have WIN7 on one I rarely use. I'm not overly familiar with WIN7 but I can learn if that's what it takes. Maybe my cutter is too old? I know the LXi software (Vinyl Express) is dated May 7,2001. 6.6v1.
Is there an affordable solution out there? We don't use it much - but to have someone else cut the vinyl means a 1 hour drive, plus the cost of their time and material. One guy I know has offered to let me use his cutter, but he is about 45 minutes from me and has an expensive cutter. I'd be very concerned I'd screw something up. He has also offered to help me get mine going again but has finally gotten a job and his time is limited.
thank you to anyone than can help.
-susie
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