posted
i am using signlab 5.0 rev 6.3. signlab has emailed me stating they no longer support signlab 5.0. there presently is an upgrade special to upgrade to signlab e6. this will offer 1 year technical support. maybe i am wrong, but it seems to me if you spend your money to buy a software program they should continue to support it -- not force you to upgrade and then offer free support for only one year.
my question to anyone out there is this. has anyone upgraded to the e6 version? if so, do you recommend this upgrade or should i consider purchasing vinyl master pro. i have not learned all the features in signlab, but vinyl master pro appears to have the same features plus some.
i am really just looking for suggestions and advice as to which way to go.
I started with e6 so i can't compare. I do like SignLab. Many of its capabilities seem patterned after Corel Draw. I'm trying to learn both at once. The only complaint i have about SignLab is their instant replay feature is hard to learn / use compared to Corel's Object Manager.
I got the Training disk free which has been a tremendous help for a first time user.
I guess one thing to consider is will your old files from SignLab be compatible if you switch to a new software package.
And yes, they really get you on software upgrades. I bought Corel Graphics Suite 11 about 10 months ago. Now version 12 is out and i get no break on the upgrade price... they only have a 30 day protection for upgrades.
Thanks, Steve
-------------------- Steve Racz Racz's Handcarved Signs Posts: 1078 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2004
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Hiya Shirley and welcome aboard. I can't compare the software because I don't use either pogram. However, for the cost of most sign software upgrades, you can purchase full versions Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator. These programs are just as powerful, if not better than a lot of sign making programs and they're a fraction of the cost. If you search the archives, you'll find a lot of info on how it's done. As for upgrades and support, would you sell a custom hand made sign and guarantee it forever? What about when a client wants to update their look, will you repaint their sign for free? These things are just part of the cost of doing business. This also affords the programmer the opportunity to improve their product and make it better. We as craftspersons are always trying to improve our skills. Whether it's buying new tools or learning new techniques, these are expenses that we have to pass along to our clients. If we didn't raise our prices to acommodate for these upgrades we would be out of business.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Shirley Buy Vinyl master Pro,you won't be sorry.I have had it since ver.1.5 and now it's better than ever. Ernie
-------------------- Ernest Clark Dahlonega Sign Co. 101 Whispering Winds Dr Murrayville,Ga 30564 Been there, Done that, Probably do it again. Posts: 134 | From: Dahlonega,Ga. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Hi Shirley I upgraded to version 6..yes I paid for the upgrade... it is a bummer, but that is the nature of the beast. I upgraded because I changed my OS to Windows 2000..the old version was not compatible with Win2K. I bought the short cut version. I do all my graphics in Corel and export as an EPS to Signlab6...It works very well... Hope this will give you some idea when you decide what to do. Joe Gluchy
-------------------- Joseph Gluchy Montreal, Quebec Posts: 67 | From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Shirley, I've used SignLab since 1995 and presently have SignLab 5.0 Colormaster Rev.12.I find it to be the best sign program available. I use CorelDraw only to convert files from SignLab when sending customers and printers files.I haven't recieved information that Cadlink will no longer service it.Reckon I better check into that. Thanks. I have tried a demo of Vinyl Master Pro and it does have some neat features. Joseph, My OS is Windows 2000 Pro...SignLab is working with it. However I do have glitches from time to time. It seems options are changed without my help. How much is the upgrade to e6 now? I have heard that SignLab7 is due out soon. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Shirley I am using Signlab 6.1. It works just fine... As I said previously, I do all my graphics in Corel and export the image as an EPS file to Signlab and I just use Signlab for cutting. At this time I see no reason to upgrade. I was having problems with version 5.xx..from time to time I noticed that there were misses in some of the cuts. If you want any other info,you can also email me directly...gluchy39@magma.ca Joe Gluchy
-------------------- Joseph Gluchy Montreal, Quebec Posts: 67 | From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Shirley, I have Signlab e6 Colormaster. I had Signlab 5 and upgraded to E6. It is worth the upgrade. I am in El Dorado, Ark. If you would like to come and see it first hand, you are more than welcome. I have never regretted the purchase of e6. E6 is quite a bit more stable than signlab 5 and very seldom crashes. Like I said, feel free to come and see it first hand! Just get on hwy 79 and take a left in Fordyce.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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i am using signlab 5.0 rev 6.3. signlab has emailed me stating they no longer support signlab 5.0. there presently is an upgrade special to upgrade to signlab e6. this will offer 1 year technical support. maybe i am wrong, but it seems to me if you spend your money to buy a software program they should continue to support it -- not force you to upgrade and then offer free support for only one year.
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