SIGNMAKING & DESIGN FAQ
(If this is not the correct FAQ list for you,
locate the category of FAQ at the bottom of the page that best describes the type
of question you have, and then visit that FAQ Department by clicking on the
icon.)
 Follow
these steps:
1. Make sure the scanner is set up correctly. If not sure, contact the scanner
manufacturer for assistance. 2. There are two types of scanning drivers: TWAIN
and plug-in. They are defined as follows:
TWAIN: A driver that provides a connection between the application and the
scanner software. It is the interface standard for scanners. It is installed in
the System Folder and accessed by going to File>Acquire>Twain Acquire.
This automatically launches the scanner.
Plug-in: A driver that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system.
While easily installed, most operators wait until they require a specific
plug-in before they download it. The plug-in should be installed in a particular
folder in the application as follows:
Go to File>Acquire>Plugin Folder. A window opens.
Locate the specific plug-in driver and click Open.
The plug-in driver is added to the Acquire menu.
Go to File>Acquire, and select the scanning driver.
If using a Windows® system, make sure there is a TWAIN folder residing in
the Windows folder. If using a Macintosh® system, make sure there is a plug-in
residing in the plug-in folder for the program being operated.
3. Try and scan into the software that was packaged with the scanner to
ensure that the scanner connections are correctly installed. If not, contact the
scanner manufacturer for assistance.
4. Try and scan into another application to ensure that the scanner operates
correctly. If this scan fails, it is not a software problem. Contact the scanner
manufacturer for assistance.
5. Make sure the latest scanner driver is loaded into the computer. Most
scanner manufacturers have drivers for download from their Web site.
6. Try reinstalling the original Scanvec-Amiable software.
7. If the problem persists to this point, contact Sign Biz Technical Support
for further assistance.
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If
a hardware key is not responding when trying to
launch an application, check the following:
>> Is the hardware key plugged into any port with a plotter, printer, or
another key already attached? If so, remove everything from the port. Reinstall
the hardware key in question. Restart the computer and try to launch the program
again.
>> Does the hardware key occasionally not open properly? Blow inside the
hardware key to remove any dust particles, then install just that key into the
port to test it.
>> Try a different port. If the program launches from that port, there may
be a problem with the first port.
>> To check the ports, follow these steps: 1. Right-click My Computer. 2.
Select Properties. The System Properties window appears. 3. Click the Device
Manager tab. 4. Select Ports. From this window, the operator should be able to
check if each port is operating correctly. NOTE: Check the third tab for hidden
conflicts.
>>Is an updated HASP® driver installed? The HASP driver can be installed
from the installation CD, depending on the CD number
>> If the application still does not launch, even after trying it on a
second computer, then the hardware key is inoperative. An RMA (Return
Merchandise Authorization) must be placed to ensure that the old hardware key is
received after the new key is sent as replacement.
Contact Technical Support for assistance and instructions. VIP Tech Support
Members can receive a loaner key while awaiting the replacement product.
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To
open a File created on a Mac into Flexi on a PC: 1. Save the file to a PC
formatted floppy. 2. Open the disk on the PC. 3. Type the extension onto the
name of the file (Illustrator format - .AI). 4. Merge the file into Flexi.
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1.
The first thing to do is to create
your sign in its entirety. Make sure the dimensions of the sign are
correct.
2. From the drawing area, click on the bottom icon (knife tool) on the tool
palette. A new palette appears called the paneling palette. The image now
appears with only outlines, no fills.
3. From the paneling palette, click on the first icon below the arrow tool.
It is called the Paneling tool. It looks like a white sheet of paper with the
letter A on it. The Cut Paneling dialog box appears. (Do not confuse this icon
with the last one that also has a letter A on it. That icon will return you to
the drawing area). You can now create the necessary panels. Contact Michael
Barnes or Karen Segura in the Sign Biz Tech Department for instructions on
creating panels.
4. Once the panels are created ad adjusted to the correct size, you are ready
to plot them. If you want all panels plotted, make sure none of the panels are
selected, then click on the Fill Plot icon (below the knife icon), or from the
File menu, select Fill Plot. Proceed to step 5. If you want to plot some panels
but not all, proceed to step 6.
5. A message appears stating “No panels are selected. Do you want to select
all panels?” Click yes. The Fill Plot dialog box appears. Proceed to step
9.
6. If you only want to plot one panel, using the arrow tool, click on the
edge of that panel to select it. Click on the Fill Plot icon (below the knife
icon), or from the File menu, select Fill Plot to display the Fill Plot dialog
box. Proceed to step 9.
7. If you want to plot some panels but not all, you have two options. The
first option is to select the desired panels by holding down the Shift key while
clicking on the panels you want. Once the panels are selected, click on the Fill
Plot icon (below the knife icon), or from the File Menu, select Fill Plot to
display the Fill Plot dialog box. Proceed to step 9.
8. The second option is to place an X in each panel that you do not want to
plot, such as panels with nothing in them. To do this, use the arrow tool to
click on the edge of a panel to select it. While the panel is selected, click in
the middle of it to place the X. Panels with an X in them will not plot. Once
you have placed an X in each panel you do not want to plot, make sure no panels
are selected, then click on the Fill Plot icon, or from the File Menu, select
Fill Plot. A message appears stating “No panels are selected. Do you want to
select all panels?”. Click Yes. (Don’t worry , the panels with an X in them
will not be selected). The Fill Plot dialog box appears. Proceed to step
9.
9. From the Fill Plot dialog box, verify the correct plotter and media size
are specified. If not, you may have to go through these steps again. Make sure
any options you would like are set correctly, then click Cut to plot the sign.
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In
previous versions of Flexi-SignPRO, it was necessary to convert the text to
outlines then weld all the letters together. Flexi 7 made a major improvement in
the program by making text into a "Smart Object." Fonts such as Brush
Script must overlap in order to be readable text. Type in your words. Then
select the text with your selection tool. Go to the "Effects" menu
then select Combine > Weld. Since the text is a "Smart Object", you
can still change the welded text simply by selecting the text tool and
highlighting the area of text you want to change. After you make the change,
select the Selection Tool, and the new text is welded back together again,
meaning no cut lines in the overlapping letters.
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How
to clear preferences without deleting any job files? (Open PM) Go to
Edit>>preferences>>file paths. Make sure "Documents" is
not set to a Temp folder or under Flexi. Of so, click browse and change
destination directory immediately and permanently to another HD, folder, ZIP,
server…etc.
Open Production Manager. Go to Edit>>preferences. If their jobs are set
to archive or hold after sending, move directories up one level away from the.
Temp folder. Otherwise your job files will be gone forever.
Make sure you do not have any jobs pending or holding in your Production
Manager before doing this.
Shut down ALL applications, go to the Start
Menu>>Programs>>Flexi>>Clear Preferences.
For the Mac, Double-click on the hard drive>>systems>>preferences
folder, remove anything pertaining to Flexi and PM. Also double-click on the
hard drive; under Flexi you'll see "Clear Preferences. Double-click on the
hard drive>>systems>>preferences folder, remove anything pertaining
to Flexi and PM.
This will force you to reinstall your output device driver and you will not
lose any of your job files if this simple procedure is carried out
correctly.
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If
you are trying to cut a .bmp file, you will need to auto trace or color
trace the image. More information on tracing can be found in your help file
under "working with bitmaps."
An
Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) file is a file that contains a vectored
image, a bitmap image, or both. When importing an .eps file into a graphics
program (other than Adobe Illustrator) using a general or "All Files"
filter, the file will appear as a bitmap image. The reason for this is that many
.eps files include a bitmap "header." What you are actually importing
the "All Files" filter is that low resolution bitmap header, NOT THE
ACTUAL FILE.
The solution is relatively simple. The import dialogue in most vector
graphics program such as CorelDraw or sign making program like FlexiSIGN-Pro,
list multiple filters. To import an .eps file, change the import filter (or Type
of File) from "All File Types" to "PS-PostScript
Interpreter." Do not choose the "EPS-Encapsulated PostScript"
filter as you will still only import the bitmap header. The PostScript
Interpreter actually parses the file into the vector language before it imports
into the graphics program.
It is possible that even if you do all as written above, that you are still
unable to import an .eps file. Encapsulated PostScript files also are save in
multiple levels. Level 1 files are strictly vectored graphics alone or vectors
with low resolution bitmaps. Level 2 files save vectored graphics and
higher-resolution (and higher file size) graphics. Level 3 does the same as
Level 2 but save much larger file sizes. Some programs can only import up to
Level 2 .eps files. If you still cannot import the file, you version of your
graphics program may not be able to open the file. CorelDraw 11 does open Level
3 PostScript files, as does Adobe Illustrator 8 and above (with illustrator, you
need not import the file to open it).
The
term "trade show" graphic can have many meanings, so I suggest you
ask many questions to get a good idea of what the requirements for the
application are. Some graphics (digital prints) are laminated and mounted to
another substrate such as PVC or Foam Core to be hung from the trade show
booth.
Sometimes shipping and re-using the graphic is a big issue and a "rollable"
graphic will be required. This is accomplished by printing a high quality image,
laminating the front with a high quality laminate and a 10 or 15 Mil backer that
is designed to be rolled and stored and not hold the "curl" of the
roll when opened. These high quality materials are available at most suppliers.
These are just two examples… make sure and ask you client exactly what they
need.
Styles
were in the Flexi 5, but were taken out when Flexi 6 was released. Now they
are back in Flexi 7.
Styles allow you to apply similar attributes to objects (or text) in order to
save you time. For example, let's say you have a client that wants a particular
color and drop shadow color on all his signs, but each sign has different text
and objects. What you do is draw a Smart Object (let's use a rectangle), make it
red, and place a purple drop shadow. Now select that object and click on Edit,
go to Graphic Styles and select Store Style. The Store Style dialogue will
appear with an image of the graphic you drew. Give the style a name such as
"Red with Purple Shadow" and click OK. So now, when you draw or type
in text, and you need it to be red with a purple drop shadow, select the object,
click on Edit, go to Graphic Styles and select Apply Style. Now find the style
you want to use, select it and click OK. Your object will be red with a purple
drop shadow!
In
previous versions of Flexi-SignPRO, it was necessary to convert the text to
outlines then weld all the letters together. Flexi 7 made a major improvement in
the program by making text into a "Smart Object."
Fonts such as Brush Script must overlap in order to be readable text. Type in
your words. Then select the text with your selection tool. Go to the
"Effects" menu then select Combine > Weld. Since the text is a
"Smart Object", you can still change the welded text simply by
selecting the text tool and highlighting the area of text you want to change.
After you make the change, select the Selection Tool, and the new text is welded
back together again, meaning no cut lines in the overlapping letters.
Top
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If you have any further questions or would like additional
technical information, please contact:
David
McCutcheon
Director
of
Technical
Services
24681
La
Plaza,
Suite
270
Dana
Point,
CA
92629
800-633-5580
tech@signbiz.com
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