Full Version: Wondering about engravelab
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#2]
21 Apr 2007
To: ALL
Aloha Gang,
As many of you know, I received my Vision engraver recently. It came with VisionPro 7.1 ( EngraveLab 7.1)
Many of you ALSO know of my initial dissapointment almost 4 years ago when my laser came with EngraveLab...I thought it was a nasty littlle program....and switched immediately to Corel....
Well, after having some training yesterday on EngraveLab, my opinion has changed about the software..it is a pretty cool package......
So NOW I am wondering how many folks here are using EngraveLab.
Thank you in advance
From: UncleSteve [#3]
21 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#2] 21 Apr 2007
From: Mark (MARKF) [#4]
21 Apr 2007
To: ALL
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5]
21 Apr 2007
To: Mark (MARKF) [#4] 21 Apr 2007
Mark,
What are the features of EngraveLab that make you prefer it over Corel? In what way do you find it easier to use?
Which program did you start with? EngraveLab or Corel?
Thanks
From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#6]
21 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#2] 21 Apr 2007
Chuck:
I have Vision Pro also. The older version. I use it with my Vision 16x24, and it functioned OK for me. The braille feature was what I liked the most. That program is a little quirky but it one works with it, it's OK.
I have been considering upgrading to the newer version, but my interests have turned in the direction of the laser of late. I am glad to hear the new version is better than the previous. Could you please elaborate a bit on how it differs. I think Vision quoted me $750 to upgrade.
Thanks
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7]
21 Apr 2007
To: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#6] 22 Apr 2007
Larry,
I can't tell you because my initial experience with EngraveLab was so bad that I called the program EngraveDog and never used it. It seem way to complex compared to Corel, which I was able to pick up fairly quickly.
Looking back, had I gotten ANY training with the program, I would have probably gotten more out of it then because of what I am able to do with only 5.5 hours of training this time around...
I will keep you posted though as I learn more about it.
Actually, if you go to cadlink you can download a working 30 day trial and probably be able to see for yourself.... I do think cadlink spent too much time on "pretty icons" and could have saved a ton of development time and made the program a bit less expensive....
From: Bill (ALBILLBERT2000) [#8]
21 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7] 21 Apr 2007
Count me in as a Engravelab user.. have had it for about 9 years.. I started with Corel.. in the early days Corel was not even an option.. for engraving Engravelab had the engraving fonts.. that was my intrest.. I use Engravelab to run all of my machines.. vinyl cutter, Wizzard, Vanguard 3000 and a universal laser.. yes it is expensive.. yes the learning was a bit hard.. but that was only because it does so much.. yeas ago.. I had to send out for art.. its vector program was great.. and back then.. it was the only software I found to do all that I wanted.. .. I am sure Corel owners will disagree.. I think if you ask some of the reps.. they will I hope agree Engravelab is better..
The only pain I hate is the dongle.. . it does go bad from time to time.. and costly...
EDITED: 21 Apr 2007 by ALBILLBERT2000
From: Mark (MARKF) [#9]
21 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5] 21 Apr 2007
Chuck,
I started with engravlab which is probably why I find it easier to use. For simple things like laying out plaques I find it easier to use then corel. I do think that the scan tools are better then the corel trace and it does have a feature that render photos ready for engraving (although not as well as photograve). I also like that instead of using "points" to size fonts you use actual measerments.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#10]
21 Apr 2007
To: Mark (MARKF) [#9] 21 Apr 2007
Mark,
I only JUST learned about "Accuscan", EngraveLabs equivalent to Corel Trace. I only just "played" with it a bit today....it DOES seem pretty powerful.
Today, while playing er, I mean practicing with the engraver, trying to do a simple text layout on a knife, I found the text "sizing" to be awkward. Perhaps I'll get used to it. ( Guess I have to huh?-insert laugh here)
Thanks for the information....As with anything there is a learning curve....what FUN!
From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#11]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7] 22 Apr 2007
Chuck:
I might download the trial. That would be a good way to test it. I'm not doing much rotary these days, but we have moved the machine and computer to our big shop with an eye toward doing more in addiiton to the laser. I am putting on a guy to do outside sales for us and hopefully he will bring in some business for both.
Let me ask another question of you that might be a bit off topic. If you just got a new machine from Vision, then you have the updated controller,right? Is it really that much better than the older one? What does it allow you to do that the old one won't do? It's an expensive thing at $5000.00.
From: joyce (JLADY) [#12]
22 Apr 2007
To: ALL
I also ordered the vision max pro at the show this year and got it about 2 weeks ago. The rep came by late one day at about 4:30pm and hooked it up and spent about 45 min showing me the basics. He said he will come back when I want for the official training (which I will do after school hell). (he was in town for another show so this visit was "unofficial")
I have been using xenetech for the last 3 years so it will be awkward switching my brain back and forth but my plan is to eventually sell the xenetech and get another vision machine once I am comfortable with the software.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13]
22 Apr 2007
To: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#11] 22 Apr 2007
Larry,
This is my first rotary machine, so I do not have anything to compare it to.
What I can do is copy the pages of the manual that explain the funtion of each button on the controller and fax them to you...if that would help.....but it seems to do just about everything except lay yout the graphics and text for you.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14]
22 Apr 2007
To: joyce (JLADY) [#12] 22 Apr 2007
Joyce,
I am certain beyond a doubt that it will not take you long to get comfortable with the software.
If you have been using Xenetech previously, what made you decide to go to Vision? How do you like your MaxPro?
Currently, I am having trouble with the software crashing. I think it is a conflict with Norton, but yesterday was a very frustrating day......I kept getting "port won't open" and "Err sending file" messages and the job server kept going to sleep on me. ( lazy bum.....no raises for him)
Let me know if you encounter any of these problems....if you would not mind.
Thanks
From: Andrew [#15]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 22 Apr 2007
Excellent program. I am far more productive with this software than the proprietary software I have used in the past.
My biggest gripe was the poor selection of engraving fonts supplied with this package. Spent another $300 or so to get a decent set of engraving fonts
From: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#16]
22 Apr 2007
To: Andrew [#15] 22 Apr 2007
Hi Andrew,
Where did you buy the additional fonts and how many did you get for $300?
Thanks,
Jim
From: Andrew [#17]
22 Apr 2007
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#16] 22 Apr 2007
Hi Jim
Lamro have a good range of fonts (www.Lamro.com) where you can buy individual fonts, or buy the complete CD. Site doesn't seem to be up at the moment
I think it may be closer to $400 for the CD, but I remember they were looking for $100 per font if buying them individually. You will get the CD with the fonts with the .vef extension. If you are looking for fonts for other software then its another CD to buy.
I was after 6 fonts I used regularly before moving to Engravelab
Can't remember exactly how many fonts on CD - around about 300 with a good mix of single line, 2 line, 3 line+ Several of them are duplicates ( amended for different languages that use accents etc).
I did a lot of searching for these, Lamro was the only place that came up trumps. it was a good investment in my opinion.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#18]
22 Apr 2007
To: Andrew [#15] 22 Apr 2007
Thanks Andrew.
Something that just occured to me today though is that it appears to me that in EngraveLab, one cannot have multiple windows or files open as one can in Corel. Or is there a way to do it that I do not know?
Thanks
From: Larry B (PALMETTO) [#19]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13] 22 Apr 2007
Oh, I'm sorry Chuck..danged old age is catching up on me. My reading comprehension ain't what it once was.
I did download that trial version on EngraveLab. Jury is still out. I played with it a little today, but without any onboard help I am still trying to figure out a couple of things. It may be OK, but I doubt I'm going to make an investment in it.
From: Andrew [#20]
22 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#18] 22 Apr 2007
Hi Chuck
Multiple files/windows is possible with Engravelab 7.1:
MENU: options > multiple instance
This is one of the things I don't have in my other software packages (I'm not a Corel user). I continually work on 4 to 8 files throughout the day and used to hate closing and opening each file.
Regards, Andrew
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#21]
22 Apr 2007
To: Andrew [#20] 22 Apr 2007
Thank you Andrew.
I suspected there had to be a way......I appreciate the tip. Thanks
EDITED: 22 Apr 2007 by C_BURKE
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