Hi all,

Does anyone have any experience with the solustan equipment. I am looking at hooking one up to a signature engraver as an easier way to engrave with that machine.

Thanks,

Josh

I investigated it a few years ago. I did not like the owner at all, a smooth talker with promises galore that would not answer questions. I had to ask this one four times to get it answered.

Can you use the computer for other things while it is engraving?
NO. The keyboard is used to real-time operate the controller and is not usable till the engraving is finished. Deal breaker.

He may have changed the computer board and the controller since, but from his attitude I would think that was only if there were too few sales.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Josh,

You might look into Xenetech, they make a retrofit for most all machines to use XGW software - it is pretty powerful and fairly easy to use with a little common engravers knowledge. And, it doesn't tie up the keyboard while it is running... ;-) 

Hi Josh
Which Signature engraver?

Hi Josh
I am using an 8080plus and I send all of my work to the machine from Corel. What kind of problem are you having?

We are not using the plus....just the 8080 and are stuck with the Signature software. We upgraded that hoping to get the EngraveLab or a Corel like interface put they just added mouse capabilities to the old signature program.

I just looked at the Xenetech and Vision machines and each can layout and engrave an item like a cake server or multiple medals a whole lot easier than the signature. And if I try to use a saved layout and change text......the machine crashes.

Josh

Hi Josh
The only difference that I can remember between the 8080 and the plus is the engraving area. Have you talked to Signature about the problem? I use my machine everyday and have thousands of saved files that I constantly use. I do a lot of rotary pewter trophies and if I couldn't load my old saved jobs it would be a pain. I do all of my graphics work in Corel and send it to the engraver using exact measurements from one to the other and it always works. Email me and I'll see if I can help.

Just wanted to add my experiance with Solustan.

I bought some old, very old software off of ebay. It is maxmotion for the Newing hall 300.

It works fine for what I am doing but I could not figure out how to add some extra fonts that came on a disk. I contacted tech support to ask how to add one of their font paks.

They would not answer my question until I gave them the # of of the software dongle. I promptly sent them the #.

They would not help me unless I bought a license from them for $499 for the software. This software is from the early '90's I believe.

They informed me that they do not sell software just a license to use the software. And buying the software does not allow me to use it.

I was not happy. I asked them to send me a copy of the license agreement that was included with the original software. They could not provide it. And then started backing down a little. I don't think they had a license agreement with the earlier software.

I would be carefull buying any software from them now without checking to see if you can resell it at a later date. Or at least be aware if you sell your machine the software does not go with it.

They never did answer my original question which I figured out on my own. But they did try to sell me a new controller for the engraver. After my initial contact with them I don't think I would buy from them personally. Of course maybe all companies are doing the same thing with software.
Am I wrong or do most companies allow you to transfer software with the machine?

edit:

I should add that the $499 would also get me the most current software plus support. But in this case there is no newer software.
Steve

Pretty much all software is sold as a license, rather than as a physical object. Most do allow transfer of ownership, but some do not.

Pretty much all "educational" versions of software can not be resold, even to another student. OEM versions of software can only legally be sold with the original hardware they came with. That includes OEM versions of Windows, Photoshop, etc....

Adobe software can be sold, but only if you file a document with them signed by both the buyer and seller. Microsoft development software can be sold once by the original purchaser, but can not be sold again by the second owner.

I might be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere here or on another forum that Photograv's license doesn't allow reselling it.

I do understand about most software, just wasn't familiar with the laser and engraving machine software.

I think the software should go with the machine! Just my opinion and something to think about when buying a new or used machine bundled with software.

I am still curious how the major players in the laser / engraving business handle the software?

Who allows software transfers without additional cost and who doesn't?

Steve