Full Version: Wondering about engravelab
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
From: joyce (JLADY) [#22]
23 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14] 23 Apr 2007
I was looking for a gift/multi purpose engraver as my second machine. Xenetechs was big and bulky as well as about $4000 more (I think). I haven't been all that pleased with xenetech hated the software at first but got used to it.
I haven't even run anything yet on the new machine. Still playing with the software, which I think will be my biggest learning curve.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#23]
23 Apr 2007
To: joyce (JLADY) [#22] 23 Apr 2007
Joyce,
As I learn the ins and outs of it I will be happy to share them with you...here comes one now as a matter of fact......
I was experimenting with a medallion, so I created a circle, and wanted to put text on a curve. Well, THAT was easy enough, just click the text tool, put your cursor over the curve and start typing.....but HOW do you make any adjustments?
Well, cleverly hidden in the tool bar along the top of your screen about 6 icons in from the right, is an obscure looking icon which upon clicking opens a property bar at the top of the screen with all of the controls needed to manipulate the text.
Oddly enough ONCE I found this, I discovered that the Engravlab "text to a path" feature is easier to manipulate than in Corel.
There ya go......my first tip. WOOO HOOO.
Good luck
From: Peter [#24]
23 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#23] 23 Apr 2007
Engravelab : purpose built engraving tool , designed to ensure your success in engraving , very powerful.
It will take a learning curve, but once you have done it, you will begin to realise just how important industry specific tools are.
We run several engraving programs in our production room. + Corel
Corel is great, but wait until you unleash the power of Engravelab.
The most simple things wll make your production life that much easer and streamlined. Efficiencies will be up and you will understand why these programs are " so dear"
regards
Peter
From: joyce (JLADY) [#25]
23 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#23] 23 Apr 2007
I really haven't gotten farther than typing a few lines. The software came with a tutorial but in my opinion it is not very thorough and the help index isn't much help......they tell you what things do but not how to do them.
Is there any other tutorials out there???
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#26]
23 Apr 2007
To: joyce (JLADY) [#25] 24 Apr 2007
Yes there are. Go to cadlink.com and you will find a link to some tutorials....mostly video....not completely thorough, but they do give you something to work with......
I agree EngraveLab documentation leaves a LOT to be desired.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#27]
23 Apr 2007
To: Peter [#24] 23 Apr 2007
It will take a learning curve, but once you have done it, you will begin to realise just how important industry specific tools are.
Howdy Mate,
Been wondering about you lately. How ya been?
Yes, I can see the power of EngraveLab.....and YES it will take quite a learning curve....it would be easier if there was better documentation.....even the help files and PDF manual leave a lot to be desired........for example.... Text to Path or Text to Curve..... in help they show you how to do it, but don't explain how to get to the tools to do it......Once I found the tool it was easy.....
Oh well, I shall keep on keeping on.
Thanks. Please say hi to Kathy!
From: Fred (FREDQ1E) [#28]
23 Apr 2007
To: Jim (PUZZLEHEAD) [#16] 25 Apr 2007
Jim,
I have created an excedllent selection of engraving fonts. Advise and I can send some info or a couple to try.
Fred
Quality One Engravers
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
fred@q1engravers.com
From: Fred (FREDQ1E) [#29]
23 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#18] 23 Apr 2007
A real problem with EngraveLab, however in version 7 you can open multiple instances of the program, usually 3 is the max I ever have running at a time.
Fred
Quality One Engravers
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
fred@q1engravers.com
From: Fred (FREDQ1E) [#30]
23 Apr 2007
To: ALL
My experience with EngraveLab is it is medium hard to get past initially but the most powerful software available. Only true competion is GravoStyle, but that is twice the price and also hard to learn. And drivers are geared to the NH line of engravers. Not to mention multiple copy pricing. EngraveLab -40%, NH ? -10% (please correct me if I am wrong here). Another new software to join the race is FlexiEngrave, also more expensive than EngraveLab.
There are a lot of things I'd love to see improved in EngraveLab, but in my opinion they are the clear leader.
Fred
Quality One Engravers
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
fred@q1engravers.com
From: Chris (CHRISJ) [#31]
23 Apr 2007
To: Fred (FREDQ1E) [#30] 23 Apr 2007
Fred,
Thanks for your input on EngraveLab. Do you know why CadLink hasn't done more to promote this program at trade shows? I know there have been a few ARA seminars about EngraveLab, but I have never seen a hands on workshop offered or much being done by CadLink or their distributors to promote this program in the exhibit area. At sign shows, they have a very nice booth with a demonstration area set up to promote SignLab. I am sure there are not as many potential customer's for the engraving software as there are for the sign making program, but they seem to treat EngraveLab as an after thought to their primary product. I hope these comments don't sound like a criticism of you because I have never seen anyone work as hard at trade shows as you do.
Thanks for your comments,
Chris
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#32]
23 Apr 2007
To: Fred (FREDQ1E) [#30] 23 Apr 2007
Fred,
Thank you for the insight. This is my second time around with EngraveLab.....but THIS time at least I have had "some" training.
The bummer with EngraveLab as *I* see it, is the lack of decent documentation.....as I mentioned before, even their help files are severly lacking.....any insight as to why?
Thanks
From: Andrew [#33]
23 Apr 2007
To: Fred (FREDQ1E) [#29] 23 Apr 2007
Hi Fred
I am sat here working on 6 files at the moment as orders come in - that will go up to 7 when I get the next lot of medallion holders from you!
cheers
Andrew
From: Peter [#34]
23 Apr 2007
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#27] 24 Apr 2007
Hi Chuck,
We have been so busy with our business, things are growing dramatically.Stay tuned for our new state of the art website.
regards
Peter
From: Fred (FREDQ1E) [#35]
24 Apr 2007
To: ALL
Here is some more advise. I am currently using v7. It is far superior to 6, especially the driver area. And as always the old version is soon forgot and only problems on the new worked on. There is a training video that takes you thru much of the program avaialable. I can procure this for you.
Here is my list for you:
1. make a commitment to yourself.
2. Update to v7
3. Make sure the fonts you require are present, do not hatch fill a true type font unless absolutely necessary.
4. get the instructional video
5. Sign up for the Help Line support, (about $150/yr).
6. Complain via email to your dealer about anything that you don't understand or don't like or doesn't work. AND aks them to cc you the email to Cadlink to resolve the problem.
7. For 1 FULL day do not run a single item from your other software. Force yourself to muscle thru any problem. Try to coordinate with dealer or Cadlink to be available for you. Do basic jobs first. Don't make the first job a scanned logo with Crane schematic.
8. Make yourself a useful location to save your jobs. I like a folder called C:\1Jobs and a tree underneith A-Z, 0-9. I can email u a batch file to generate this in 1 second.
9 If you don't like the program after all this, ask for your money back. I have refunded only one sale out of over 200.
You'll soon be more productive. Good Luck
Fred
Quality One Engravers, Inc.
fred@q1engravers.com
From: logojohn [#36]
24 Apr 2007
To: ALL
Roy must be on the road somewhere between Midland and Luckenboch with another blackberry outage or he might have a comment ;-)
I have to admit I haven't done any in-depth comparison in a long time so maybe things have changed with recent advancements in engraving software. But after using XLG for over 10 years I still find features I didn't know were there.
Don't even count gravograph out just yet. The rep came by last week and they are rolling out large demo vans across the country shortly for easy on site demos. Especially their gift machine looks like something to consider.
I am likely wrong (again) but I thought EngraveLab and GravoStyle were software that would only work with one or a few engraver brands. Is there one that will work with all or at least several brands without expensive upgrades to control units etc.
When our old dahlgrens were rapidly becoming extinct about 10 years ago, I salivated while looking at the engraving magazines with comparisons of features of different systems. I remember Xenetech always had almost every long list of features checked yes with most others way behind. That was a big reason we converted to them way back then not to mention Jeanette's unrelenting headlock and armbar. I also liked the z axis clearance of over an inch without adjusting anything to about 7" by raising the bridge and/or adjusting the spindle vs. the half inch of the dahlgren. With the auto sensing you don't have to continually check settings.
After being stuck with Dahlgrens that could no longer be upgraded, a big selling point was the continual upgrades so we wouldn't be orphaned again. Some of the major upgrades such as; from 16bit to 32bit software; isa long cards to pci cards and available network connection available now with the viper technology are not free but the cost is far less than replacing the whole system. The first tables have passed 10 years old and have a lot of life left with minimal replacement parts needed with daily brutal use since we use numerous hatch filled logos and truetype fonts that cause rapid back and forth strokes at high speed.
We got an epilog laser about 8 years ago before Xenetech made them and are still using it on a daily basis. But on the orphan side, they refused to fix some major flaws in the driver they released for winXP such as you could no longer change power and speed as it is lasering and the mapping to speed and power by color doesn't work although
they did add a very useful photo mode which is the bomb on crystal and acrylic. So our second laser is a 9 month old Xenetech. I still have some issues to be resolved with quality and ease of lasering grayscale bitmaps with it vs. the Epilog so the jury is still out overall but for production basic things is wins hands down. I guess I should feel fortunate the Epilog still works well with the original laser tube and no recharging even though $400 worth of bearings and x axis motor need replaced every year.
With the newer 32 bit xlg version you can have several windows of it open at one time for preparing the next layout, calling up previous layouts or logos for the sales people with customers waiting, making logos, printing sublimation or OEM transfers, exporting to the Xenetech networked laser or direct printing to the Epilog laser.
there he goes again (devil)
Some of the biggest time thus money saving features I like about XGW32 for production sake is that it just does things most modern windows applications do. With the old 16 bit version you could only have 8 digit folder and file names and a limited number of files per folder and could not do file management. Now you can have longer names that are easier to recognize except for logo names are still 8. You could not do file management on the fly while viewing folders/files through the program.(rename files, delete files, copy/paste and move files, etc. but it is a little thing that is a big time and convenience saver for me.
If you are just starting and only have a few repeat customers that is no big deal now but what about a few years from now if you have success. For 35,642 saved job files and over 4,000 engraveable/laserable logos, it is. We have a folder for every customer and several have over 20 departments or branches that order and I can find most :-& jobs right away for a busy customer in a hurry that wants to see it. I also save by product code so creating a new layout for anybody is faster than starting from scratch.
Did I beat Rodney's record for longest post yet or should I keep going?
(OK Don Imus, I'll take your word for it since you have good judgment, I'll continue . . . 8-O )
I think Chuck finally gets it.(Cody, you're next) He is using another engraving software but I bet almost any engraving specific software is superior to coreldraw and much quicker for doing most layouts on awards and many things people use lasers for as well as rotary engravers IF you get assimilated or learn to use it. Resistance is futile.
I pretty much gave up on most everybody else. Maybe with the launch of the paid forum there will be some spare funds to buy some extra hair extensions for that grass skirt of Chuck's . If someone opens doors on both sides of that beach party room at once and creates a draft he may replace Brittany Spears on utube as the most "revealing video". . . but I digress ??? is the spell checking working yet?
Maybe I am too old school. But I dread using coreldraw for layouts and rarely do even for the laser. That is what I have been trying to convince people of. Most people must have time to waste trying to tweak coreldraw to do what it wasn't designed to do or don't know any better.
People who have figured it out are likely too busy making money to agree. ;-) . . . using powerful engraving software software to run the laser to.
From: Tony (ANTE) [#37]
24 Apr 2007
To: logojohn [#36] 24 Apr 2007
Logojohn,
Just like you, I to love to work with XWG software. One thing I miss is spellchecker that was part of original package and it had included French and German spellcheck option along with English and American English. With newer upgrades I can't access them any more.
Have you had at any point French and German spellchecker on your system? I belive it has been dropped in version 4 or 5. It would come handy on numerous occasions.
Tony
From: logojohn [#38]
24 Apr 2007
To: Tony (ANTE) [#37] 24 Apr 2007
I don't remember ever engraving an award with French or German.
I have a regular customer who uses Laotian and just did my first in Chinese.
Down here in "Tejas" a Spanish spell check would be very useful.
My biggest complaint is some of the XLG engraving fonts that don't have some of the tildas and accented letters that are common in Spanish.
I had a couple years of Spanish in high school but still have trouble figuring out the scribbling some people give us.
Have you every tried or do you use XGW to run the Universal laser or will it work?
EDITED: 24 Apr 2007 by LOGOJOHN
From: Tony (ANTE) [#39]
24 Apr 2007
To: logojohn [#38] 24 Apr 2007
Logojohn, yes I do run Universal laser from XWG all the time.
I find it lot easier to set-up panel layuots in XWG vs. Coreldraw. Using simple drawing tools and place them in x, y coordinates quick and easy.
Tony
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