Warning! Newbie alert....

[Trigger]

First post, likely stupid question.....bear with me.

I've been in the sign game for 17 years, but haven't yet pulled the.....um.....Trigger on a LFP.

I'm considering the purchase of a VersaCamm SP300V. Seeings how one exports an eps file to the RIP for printing, isn't an eps file an eps file? In other words, can I keep on using my Scanvec Inspire 1.6 as my main software? (I also have CorelDraw 12, but not Illustrator or Flexi).

Thanks

[HandLaminator]

Welcome to the printing forum from Arkansas!

You can use CorelDraw 12 for all kinds of files not just eps. You can create the files in CorelDraw and export them as tiff's, jpeg's, gif's........eps files are what you need for print and cut operations.

You can change a graphic to a bitmap in CorelDraw or you can bring a bitmap into the workspace and add cut lines and save as an eps so you can cut along the lines of what you print. Those other programs have features not found in Corel Draw so you will need to look into that eventually. CorelDraw will get you by.

[Barry]

Yes you should be able to use inspire for design and export the file as an .eps. The one problem you may run into is the ability to create a cut line in Inspire. Im not sure if it has the ability or not. Dont worry though as you can just import it into Corel and create it there.

[Trigger]

Thanks.

Handlaminator: Yes, I'm fully aware of all of the exporting capabilities of Corel, I'm just wondering if I can use my old Inspire program. (gosh, it must be 7 or 8 years old now, but I love it).

Barry: Is a cut path something special, or is it just a regular drawn vector path?

I've been wrestling with this purchase for some time now, and I know I have a mountain of a learning curve ahead of me, but like I say, I've been at this for some time so I should be able to get up to a reasonable speed fairly quickly.

Two of my concerns are: space, I'd have to "create" some space for the unit. And two, the unhealthy emissions from these machines. I feel that the serious harm done by the toxic cocktail that emits from these machines does not show itself for years down the road. I'm frankly surprised not to find more concern about this on this forum.

[Barry]

Basically you have to define a spot color (any color) in your program as CutPath and then assign that to the line that you want cut. Not all programs have this ability so Im not sure if Inspire can do it or not.

As for the heath concerns. I think most people are aware of them, its best to keep the printers in a well ventilated area.

If your truly considering purchasing an SP300 March is the month to do it as Roland is offering $3,000 off the SP300's.

[Trigger]

Originally Posted by Barry

Basically you have to define a spot color (any color) in your program as CutPath and then assign that to the line that you want cut. Not all programs have this ability so Im not sure if Inspire can do it or not.

And that is always done within the graphics program and not the RIP?

What is the command for this in Corel?
Where should I look within Inspire to find this out?

thanks fellow night owl.

[Barry]

Yes its always done in the design app.

I dont remember off the top of my head the process to setup Corel, it is defined in the Roland user manual though.

I know nothing about Inspire so I really cannot help you on that one.

[gene@abcsignshop.com]

Hi Barry and Trigger- I have been working on this very problem with Flexi
Pro 5.7v6. The VWorks manual says that the spot color must be called
Cut Contour (exactly- case sensitive) but I have had no luck exporting as
a .eps from this old version (bought 8 years ago) and getting VW to see
the cut line. I usually open in F 7.6v2 and save from there, but I prefer the
older version. I just turned 60 and I am trying to limit how much new stuff
I learn as my brain cells count is going the way of my sperm count. So
then I bought a SP300V--- WHAT WAS I THINKING?!! Just kidding, I love it.