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I am new to this forum and also new to dye sublimation. I just recently attended the ISS show in Schaumberg and purchased a lot of software from Digital Art Solutions, including their Smart Designer. When I searched the forum here, I noticed a few of you are using that system and seem to like it. My question to you is this. Did you have issues installing any of their software? I have been encountering installation nightmares with several of the programs I purchased from them, to the point where I am ready to return them (if that is possible). It scares me as to the quality of the program once it is up and running. I guess I am just looking for reassurance that if I ever get things up and running, I will be happy. I had my computer networking professional at my new shop yesterday working on my system and asked him to help me with some of the software, and even he threw up his hands for awhile, claiming that there were major faults with the installation codes (or whatever you call it in "computer-ese"). I really want to get along with these programs, because I love the graphics they sell, but I also don't want to throw away all my money on software that doesn't run properly. Any advice?
In answer, yes, I have talked to them on several occasions (whenever I can actually get through to a "warm body") and my computer tech talked to them yesterday. We have emailed back and forth on at least 10-15 occasions. It just seems like they keep making suggestions, I try the suggestion, it ends up with another error message, I email them back, wait 2-3 hours, they email me back with a different suggestion or maybe a question that we have already gone over 3 emails ago, I answer them, wait 2-3 hours, they email me back with another suggestion, that leads to another error message, I email them back. . . . You get the picture. I was just wondering if there is any hope that this is actually good software once and if I can get through all of the bugs of installation.
does your computer meet the software's system requirements? what os are you running and at what speed and how much ramdo you have installed etc.? also what software did you buy exactly?
My computer is running on Windows XP at 1.9 gig and has 2 gig of Ram. The software should install easily given these parameters. Actually, I have had problems with 2 of the programs, the Smart Designer and the Design Studio Volume 2. I also purchased Design Studio 1 (which is backordered), Ultimate Backgrounds (which installed fine), and Photo Templates (which I haven't yet received because of an order processing error). The Smart Designer software works with Corel Draw. It came as a Corel Draw X3 version (even though I was never asked what version I owned nor was I aware that it mattered). I happen to own Corel Draw X4, and it will not work with that program. So, first, we had to go through the process of downloading an upgrade to the Smart Designer program. That install did not go smoothly. The directions we downloaded did not work. When we contacted them, after 2 or 3 emails, they told us to do the steps in the opposite order of their directions. This finally worked! However, now we only have a trial version of the program and they can't seem to figure out how to get us the key to unlock the regular version. It just worries me that the whole program is going to be a disaster.....
I won't even go into the problems with Design Studio and bore you to death...
I have both the smart designer and the design studio templates, and have not had any problems at all. Have they emailed you a new activation code for the software? When I switched computers I did have to have them email me a new one, because when I did the install I had clicked the permanently install on this computer.
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
In answer, yes, I have talked to them on several occasions (whenever I can actually get through to a "warm body") and my computer tech talked to them yesterday. We have emailed back and forth on at least 10-15 occasions. It just seems like they keep making suggestions, I try the suggestion, it ends up with another error message, I email them back, wait 2-3 hours, they email me back with a different suggestion or maybe a question that we have already gone over 3 emails ago, I answer them, wait 2-3 hours, they email me back with another suggestion, that leads to another error message, I email them back. . . . You get the picture. I was just wondering if there is any hope that this is actually good software once and if I can get through all of the bugs of installation.
Yes you now made the picture clear. I will not be buying thier package for $2500.
I'm glad you called them before you made your post, so many users do not, They run the the forum first.
The activation code is part of the problem. I have asked them for one on several occasions. My computer tech asked for one yesterday, and he was told that they had already emailed me one (Not true). I asked for one (via email) an hour later, and I was told that their system was being revamped and they didn't know if they could get one. I emailed them back, telling them that I had to have one, and 2-3 hours late they emailed back with a link to get a code. I tried the link, followed all the directions, and got an error message which came up stating that "This version of Smart Designer X3 is not able to be upgraded to Smart Designer X4." Well.....Back to the drawing boards!
Who is your sales rep? I think I worked with Jason Rosenberg or Rosenblatt, something like that. He was very helpful to me, maybe try asking for him? I did not have any issues at all installing mine. Its very weird that you are getting these errors. Hopefully it is just something that is not getting communicated properly, as I know they have always gone above and beyond for me. When I needed a new code from switching computers I had a new code within an hour. I would try Jason.
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
Wow, I wish I could say the same. My sales rep is Eric. He was GREAT at the show. Honestly, he was probably one of the reasons I went ahead and dropped so much money on this software. He promised me a few free designs from another book that I was lusting after, but didn't feel like I could afford after purchasing everything else, so he threw them in to sweeten the deal a little. When I finally got ahold of him to email me the free designs, it took 3 different phone calls (because he had to keep cutting me off for something else), and then, after I checked my emails only half of the designs had come through. The rest of the emails were supposed to have attachments, but there were no attachments there. I contacted him by email and asked him to resend them. Well, that was Wednesday.....this is Saturday.....I still haven't heard anything. I just don't know what the problem is. Maybe Eric is new to the business and just doesn't understand the system. However, I don't think he has been answering all the emails because it appears we have been getting answers from any of the three tech guys who happens to pick up on the email.
I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences, anyway. That's encouraging, at least. I'm just wondering if they've hired some new people who don't know as much about the systems.
Cameron was my sales rep and has been nothing but helpful, even when I know I'm asking "stupid questions". He was great at the show, when we were installing, and every time I've called to badger him since then. LOL.
I have the design studio software that you mentioned and I don't recall any loading problems.
Def. talk directly to your rep and have them next day you SD X4 cd and activation code instead of upgrading the SD X3.
That's really what I should do, if I can get ahold of them. That might solve this whole dilemna. I don't really know why they didn't ask me what version of Corel I was running in the first place. That could possibly have saved a lot of headaches.
Well hopefully it is just a rep that is not as experienced that has been trying to help, as I really can say I have had excellent service from them from the get go. Please keep us updated on your problem and let us know how it gets resolved
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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
Wow, I am surprised and saddend by your experience. I have had nothing but good results from DAS. I have that software and had no problems with the initial installation using my Windows XP. I had a slight problem when I tried loading it on my new lap top using Vista, but they pointed me to the fix on the Owners page, and I have had no problems since. Cameron was my original rep also, and he was excellent. Michael Frazier has been my guy for software. I hope it is just the rep and not a deterioration in overall performance. Yell a little louder, because this guy Eric needs to get on the ball.
Like a couple others, I have not had ANY problems with their software installation. I note ...if I read correctly...that you have corel X4 and SmartDesigner x3...they will not work together...If your tech cannot/willnot get you up and running...send an email to Craig...the president...call their 800 to get his email address..he is very customer oriented
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