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Q Are you still developing VinylWriter?
A Yes - find out the latest changes in the Readme file.

Q How do I set up VinylWriter to work in Windows 95/98?
A Step by step instructions are in the Readme file.

Q How do I get VinylWriter signs into CorelDraw?
A The best way is to write your sign out as an EPS file, thus preserving the information as lines. The sign can then be imported into CorelDraw.

Q How do I get VinylWriter to produce EPS files?
A Create your sign, then go to Special effects (F11 from sign entry modules). Press 'O' for output and type a file name ending in '.EPS' e.g. SIGN.EPS, and press <Enter>. Make sure the effect is set to Original. Press <Enter> to generate EPS file.

Q How do I get CorelDraw files signs into VinylWriter?
A By far the best way is to export your sign out as an EPS file thus preserving the information as vectors. Remember to export the sign to the same directory you keep your signs in. The sign can then be imported into VinylWriter in one of three ways: 1) In Grafikin choose Import on the File menu and pick the file; 2) From the main menu choose Import images, then press 'P' for Postscript. Pick the file and then you choose to create either a sign or a font. Press <Enter> to confirm the name, and <Enter> again to convert the file; 3) Go straight to CutOut and press ALT-E for EPS import, then pick the file. This is the quickest method and should retain the colour information in the EPS file for easy plot layering.

Q How do I get VinylWriter to produce DXF files?
A Create your sign, then go to Special effects (F11 from sign entry modules). Press 'O' for output and type a file name ending in '.DXF' e.g. SIGN.DXF, and press <Enter>. Make sure the effect is set to Original. Press <Enter> to generate DXF file.

Q How do I get VinylWriter to produce PLT (plot) files?
A Create your sign, then go to CutOut. Plot files should contain HPGL data so make sure VinylWriter is set up for a HPGL plotter - any Roland plotter will do. Press 'P' for output and the possible options will appear along the bottom of the screen. Press 'D' for disk file and choose a name (the default is the name of the sign plus '.PLT'). Press <Enter> as if you were cutting the sign and your PLT file will be created. However PLT files are not usually a good way to export data to another program, and should not be used except as a last resort when all other file formats have failed.

Q Can VinylWriter produce bitmap files?
A Yes, VinylWriter can produce black and white PCX files. To do this create your sign with a box around it, for example by pressing B at the 'Welcome to SIGNIN' screen. Then go to SignOut (the printing part). Press 'P' for output and the possible options will appear along the bottom of the screen. Press 'P' for PCX file and choose a name. Take care to choose sensible scale factors, and to file sizes manageable.

Q What do all the numbers mean when I import scanned images?
A The first value (usually .7 or .9) is the closeness of fit to use when tracing. A smaller number will produce a tighter fit, while a larger number will produce a looser one. Minimum size of fragment is included to allow for automatic 'dirt' removal. If your scanned image is quite small, and you are losing inner loops or small pieces of detail then reduce this value. The last value controls what CorelTrace refers to as Length of curve. A value of 0 will output straight lines only.




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