[Guest]

Hello all, I am hoping to get some sounds advice from seasoned cutters. Here is the scenario. I am tasked with making some signs. Available equipment is a Graphtec FC7000 plotter, and Flexicut and Cutting Pro software. I am just grasping the basics of using everything, but am sidelined by the security key needed to recognize everything. Even with everything working right, it seems like a very archaic method used, involving at least a couple programs to accomplish one thing. I have to believe that the 14 year old equipment can be out shined by modern systems and programs. At this point I am about ready to advise that the owner, who has never used this stuff but needs signs made, simply sell the plotter and buy something new with the proceeds. It would seem that newer equipment and programs would be beneficial and would increase the lifespan of the possibilities. It feels like I am stuck in 2004 and jumping through hoops that are no longer necessary.

So, I am hoping for advice. Would it be better to start fresh as mentioned, or to keep the Graphtec plotter and look into software that has a more straight ahead approach? I see how easy the Cricut and similar machines are to use, compared to all of the hassles that we are running into. As is, at best we would end up with a system that is capable of everything that a 14 year old plotter/program is capable of. What would be the best way to get this up and running, and also increase the cap on what we can expect to get out of such systems? Go new or as-is with upgrades? I am hoping for more self contained software that doesn't require several programs to accomplish the task. I am not afraid of the learning curves and am capable but it takes time, and leaves me wondering if the time might be better spent. Also, the computer is ancient, XP media center edition, it makes awful noises. It really seems like all of it is on its last leg. Thank you all for considering a reply.

 

[jeannekay]

I don't know about getting new equipment for sure but I can say machines like the cricut and silhouette are made for flat mat cutting so you have a much smaller cutting area. If you're doing many projects or multiple shirts/signs then you're going to want a more commercial cutter like the Graphtec's that can take rolls of vinyl.

 

[Waiting]

I still use the 2004 version of Microsoft Office. Those versions of Word and Excel are more feature rich than I could possiby use.

Some new plotters still require two programs, one for design and one for cutting.

Graphtec offers upgaded drivers and firmware for the 7000. Also, a plugin that will allow you to cut directly from Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw.

If you just can't work with the software you have, and the boss is willing to spend a little money, get a brand new older copy of CorelDraw off of ebay (like x7 or x8, not the home or student version) for less than $300, a cheap Windows computer for about the same, and you'd be good to go. You don't need the latests and greatest version of Illustrator or CorelDraw to do signs (or tee-shirts, for that matter).

Start here

https://www.graphtecamerica.com/cp-downloads