2-10 Installation
Software Suggestions
The following is a list of recommended software programs. We do not endorse any particular software program neither do we guarantee its full compatibility with the laser system. Please refer to the Appendices section on known bugs/anomalies related to these particular software programs, related versions, and ones that are not listed below.
Graphics Programs
•CorelDraw
•Macromedia Freehand
Bitmap / Scanning Software
•Adobe Photoshop
•Adobe Streamline - for raster to vector conversion
CAD Software
•AutoCAD for Windows
•AutoCAD LT for Windows
•Autosketch for Windows
•DesignCAD for Windows
CAD users do not necessarily need Windows or Windows compatible programs. The laser system is compatible with any program that can output standard HPGL commands whether it is Windows based or not. Refer to the section on using DOS based CAD programs.
When a software company updates their version of their programs, it can sometimes cause conflicts with our printer driver. Our programmers constantly test new software programs and updated versions for compatibility. We will update our printer driver to address issues that we have control of. For bugs or problems with your software not related to the laser system, please contact the software manufacturer.
Font Requirements
True Type
We recommend using True Type fonts ONLY. TrueType fonts are the most versatile and should be used whenever possible. They provide the best print quality and will print well at any size.
PostScript
We do not recommend using PostScript fonts. The laser system is NOT a PostScript printer and therefore has no capability of printing PostScript fonts. Sometimes a PostScript font will print if you are running Adobe Type Manager (ATM). Adobe Type Manager converts PostScript fonts to bitmapped fonts before sending the information to our printer driver. Using ATM does not guarantee that the PostScript font will print properly therefore it is NOT recommended.
Bitmap
Bitmapped fonts only print well when used at the specific point size they were designed for. This point size is usually indicated in the font name such as Times Roman 12. If a font is only available in bitmap form, you must print it at the size it was created for. Scaling the font larger will result in a more jagged looking character although scaling it smaller produces good results.
