Artwork Programs and Design Shop

[signman]

I'm no computer genius...but thought I'd pass this along for others like me that run into snafu's when trying to get custom artwork into DesignShop for digitizing...
I get the same problems with custom artwork for my sign/screenprinting jobs and engraving.
With the new Adobe CS 'system' (illustrator, photoshop CS, etc.)
it seems a lot of 'graphic artists' and agencies can't get the newest, latest upgrade fast enough...so every time I turn around they are throwing new artwork at me and expect ME to be able to work with THEIR files! I can't keep up with it-and I refuse to keep buying upgrades just because THEY don't know how to save/export as an older version.
So where do our problems start? With the Amaya-its DesignShop that is causing the problems. Okay, before Melco techs jump all over me...it isn't really a problem in Designshop...but WHEN your version of Design was created/released! Yes, it will work with illustrator files-but-here's the big secret-ONLY the version of illustrator (for example) that was CURRENTLY IN USE by the techs at Melco when they produced that version of DesignShop! So any 'upgrades' to Illustrator (or Corel, photoshop, whatever) that came out AFTER that particular Designshop version was finished are NOT really compatible! You may be able to import the artwork-but wonder why it just doesn't work right? that's why!
So you need to let your clients/artists know that no matter WHAT program they think is the hottest-greatest-newest etc.-the files they send to YOU should be dropped down a couple versions. I try to get everything from illustrator dropped down to Illustrator 3 or 5- no higher-and for all my engraving, vinyl cutting, I have to drop it down to illustrator 1.1 (anyone remember THAT old version?) Since I run one cutter off Flexi 4-a FIFTEEN YEAR OLD version-nothing over 1.1 will work with it!
So I hope this tidbit helps...no matter what graphic program you work with-DesignShop is a year or two behind in the version it will work with! No fault of Melco-it just takes time to develop new programming and 'the other guys' are developing THEIR programs faster than they can keep up with it.
I know-all you computer geek nerds are making rude noises at me but I'll admit it-I don't do computer stuff-and don't need a pocket protector either, so THERE!.... LOL...
Macs Rule!

[levelbest]

Bleh -

Save everything as Illustrator 8 and you'll be fine. Generally speaking (and I use the CS3 Suite from Adobe and also Corel Draw X3) saving at v8 works in almost anything I have tried, including Design Shop and Cut Studio for my Rolland GX-24. It also works for importing Illustrator files into Corel Draw and for exporting to Illustrator from Corel.

I see no need to back up to 3 or 5.

Got rid of my Mac by the way. It was just as buggy as windows IMHO and I do this for a living and owned it for 2 years so you can't say I didn't give it a shot.

[signman]

It's easy to tell you have your programs matched up for what files work...but I also know you are computer literate unlike me! LOL...
I have to get 'down' to V 3 or V5 because I still run the old Flexi, and also my Freehand 7 if I use that can't use anything higher than 5, Freehand 9 will use up to illustrator 7 I think? And Freehand 11 is compatible only up to any Illustrator below CS 1. From there Adobe bought freehand and promptly 'killed it' so that's as high as I can go in Freehand.
I'm buying into the Adobe Partners Program so that I can get all current programs and upgrades as fast as they come out-but only to allow me to use client supplied artwork-not that I'd be using them for my own work! At least not until a miracle happens and I can retrain my brain to learn how to use Illustrator!