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Fast Artist 2.0

[Fast T-Jet 2] 
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D

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
What would the benefit be of upgrading my software from Fast Artist 1.5 to Fast Artist 2.0.

My girlfriend is driving me crazy wanting me to purchase the new version.

I just want to make sure the difference is worthwhile.

Thanks in advance.

Danny Smith

Also can anyone advise me how to get my colors brighter. They come out sooooo dull in Fast Artist.
 
cavedave

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#3 ·
You cant actually buy FastARTIST 2.0 as US Screen are no longer in business but EZ ARTIST 2.0 is the same product and you can upgrade via Equipment Zone and Harry or Alex.

There are a lot of new features, a few highlights are
1. No need to use FastARTIST, print streight from Corel, Illustrator and PhotoShop using plugins to FastRIP with an underbase. You dont use File - Print its even easier. Automatic underbase creation even from Corel and Illustrator, the whole thing works from transparency information in the job. Its like magic
2. Templates, this is a FastRIP feature that allows you to create print area (slots) for your shirt boards, cap attachments etc.. and means you can automate the placement of the job and also if you have something like a Blazer Pro all the alignment for multiple shirt boards can be done in FastRIP
3. In FastARTIST the print and cut state is removed to make a more stream lined and easier work flow, all the positioning and sizing can be done in FastRIP.
4. In FastARTIST SuperSize feature, this is like BlowUp or Genuine Fractals which are PhotoShop plugins. It takes poor artwork as you might get from the Internet and turns it into high quality artwork. Sharpens images and removes Jpeg compression artifacts and that kind of thing. Very easy to use.
5. In FastARTIST a new feature call Fluid Mask (its also a plugin you can buy for PhotoShop), this removes background. But has the added benefit when run from FastARTIST in that it automatically creates the underbase etc for you for ready to print artwork.

There is more.

We made a load of videos for US Screen on this just before they went out of business. You can download and view them from the following link.

ftp://ftp.cadlink.com/OEM_/FastArtist_/FA2_Videos

You said your colors are dull, on screen or printed ?
The colors should be the same when printed regardless from which program you send them (so long as you use the same input profiles). The main difference is that in FastARTIST on screen the colours are proofed (displayed) as they will print. Which you wont get in COrel or PhotoShop for example.

Best regards

-David
 
mgarcia16

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127 Posts
#4 ·
I upgraded to EZ ARTIST/EZ RIP 2.0 about three months ago and its been the best upgrade for my T-Jet 2. I'd say go for it you won't be disappointed. The EZ RIP has some new features and it rips the files faster than before. With the 2.0 program I've been getting great looking prints on the first try without constantly having to do adjustments on the layouts.

If your colors are coming out dull, it could be that the imported image is in CMYK, they need to be in RGB color mod. Most of the time CMYK images print out very dull.
 
L

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#9 ·
cavedave said:
CMYK images get converted to RGB in FastARTIST. If you want to work with CMYK images I would take them streight from PhotoShop into FastRIP / EZ RIP and print them.
Click to expand...
I have heard this before but am just not sure how to go straight from Photoshop to FastRIP. Can someone give me the "dumbed down" version of how to do this since I am not the smartest man?:)
 
cavedave

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539 Posts
#10 ·
Depends on the version you have, on FastARTIST 2 or EZ RIP 2 you can send the PSD, PNG or TIF with a transparency layer streight into the RIR. In EZ RIP there is even a Automate - Send to EZ RIP button in the File menu to do this.

In previous versions if you are on 1.5.1 (of FastARTIST) the last free upgrade, then you can either take the PSD, TIF or PNG with transparency through FastARTIST or you have to do the Windows underbase method which is less flexable and less elegant.
It involves ensureing that transparent pixels are pure white 255,255,255 and anything you want printed as white are just off white, 254,254,254 for example.

Its a lot easier with the latest software and you can do fades, glows etc, all really easily.

Best regards

-David
 
cavedave

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#16 ·
What version of FastARTISt are you running ?

Are you using transparency in the PSD ?

If you have v1.5 o later and save the PSD as a single layer (with maximm compatibility on) and use transpaency to control where you want the the shirt to show through and by how much. Then you should be able to bring the image into FastARTISt and just configure the transpaency to underbase and print it out.

If you dont have 1.5 or later then updat your version.

If you want you can send me the psd, davee@CAdlink.co.uk but I am out now until Monday so will not get back to you until then.

Best regards

-David
 
casperboy77

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486 Posts
#17 ·
I have a question in regards to this thread.

We purchased our T-jet 2 from Equipment Zone and choose to get the EZ Artist/RIP 2.0 with it. The software works great and we are doing a lot of business with it. In the near future we are going to buy a used T-jet 2 or a Kiosk II and refurb it ourselves. I have just been given the opportunity to purchase Fast Artist/RIP 1.5 and it comes with the FastArtist 2 Upgrade CD. I asked, and the guy says it also upgrades the RIP software. I know that "Fast" was a US Screen brand and the "EZ" is Equipment Zone's. Seeing both of these are version 2.0 does it mean they are the same software?

Second Question: I have been reading in places that FilmMaker is the successor of these programs. I understand that it is for films. I read a thread that Americanscreensupply.com is selling this for T-jet's. Seeing that the RIP is a Raster Image Processor and it appears to be the same. What is done to make this work on a T-jet? Is it simply just setup and adding profiles? Or does CADlink specifically code these programs exclusivly for the T-jet?

Final Question: Is FAST/EZ Artist/RIP still being developed and updated or has the industry moved on to other software and other DTG machines? The reason I ask is even though the software works good there are clearly other improvements that hopefully will be added in future editions (if there ever will be any).

Thank you for any help!
 
cavedave

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#18 ·
EZ RIP and EZ ARTIST 2 are later versions of FastARTIST 2 an FastRIP with some major improvments, so I would stick with the EZ versions.
You can run a second machine from your existing EZ RIP, you dont need any more software unless you want to run it from a 2nd RIP station.

FilmMaker is also our product but doesnt have any garment drivers and is nly for Film separations, it wont work with a TJet. Our RIP is sold into a wide array of markets including Print and cut and the features and drivers included with each version change depending on the market. Although there always some common features.

Yes we are still developing this software and an update to EZ ARTIST and RIP should be availble early next year.

Best regards

-David
 
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