I own a Vinyl Lettering company in which we design Home Decor. So mainly we do simple projects that don't take a lot, but I am in need of a better program. We have a Graphtec CE5000-60 and have been currently using the free software that came with it. I have been researching the CorelDraw X3 and then the X4 version came out. I need to know if I can use this software on it's own and if it can print directly to my plotter. Or if I have to get another program to work with it. I would also like to know the difference between the 2 and what would work best for me. Like I said before I don't get into great detail with my products, but it would be nice to be able to get a little more creative with what we are doing. We cut graphics (that are really simple like Vector Art, Mega 3 Collection) and quotes and put them on tiles, walls and painted boards, so it is very simple, but I would also like to have a program in which I can design examples of what my customers could buy, instead of having to actually make the product and take a picture. I would really appreciate any help that I could get on this and hope to know the best program to buy to fit our needs.

Thanks

X4 is perfect for that.

My method was always to export to HPGL and then copy to the plotter. Mostly so I could plot to paper first to be sure that everything lined up ok and the copy again to the plotter on vinyl. 

OK, so maybe I should have explained that I am not really that good with computer talk. So, you lost me. Although I did get that X4 is probably what I need.

Thanks 

http://www.graphtecusa.com/products.php?cat_id=1&visit=img&series_id=38&view=D&driver=79

That is the Windows driver for that printer.

That should be all you need + Corel X4. 

OH - except for the fact that it leads to 'page not found' ;)

You could email them and make a request for the file.

OR just use HPGL in the Corel export menu

There is this that you can use to send the file to the printer

http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/redmon/

Maybe something else too I'll have a look. 

Thanks!

 Hi,

You could easaly buy CorelDRAW Graphic Suite X4. And you will also notice, as well as in this forum, that there are A LOT of people, companys that work with just the things you do. And there are a lot of great signmakers on this forum. All though I am an illustrator buy profession, and dont do signmaking at a sign company as many others in this forum, CorelDRAW X4 seems to be "the" program in the business. And meny people in this forum will most defenitly help you out. Its really impressive what CorelDRAW Graphic Suite X4, and previous versions, can do for your kind of business.

And if you are not into "computer talk" as you put it, I have to say that through the years I have found that CorelDRAw Graphic Suite users, on this site coreldraw.com and the cnews (Corel Newsgroups), being filled with really helpful users. You will be happy you chosed X4, if you choose to buy it.

And also have in mind that a post in this forum will many times have a lot of people chippin in to help out. 

Thank you so much. It is really nice to know that I get get the questions that I ask with a fast reply. I will definetely come here for any other advice that I might have in the future!!