Window tinting software

what software do you use an how do you like it.

I'm biased but my money is on Compcut or TT in that order

CC at moment, BUT LOOKING LIKE I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE AS THEY'VE DECIDED TO CHARGE ME OVER DOUBLE THE MONTHLY FEE AS I DONT BUY FILM OF THEM.

i've used computercut and now use precision cut. computercut had a much nicer setup for applications in the cut window. it was also much more user friendly than precision cut. also had a much nicer way of looking at patterns without putting them into the cut window and you can have many patterns IN the cut window.

as far as the patterns themselves once cut....precision cut is more accurate. BUT....i haven't used computercut in a few years so they might have improved the patterns since then. when i used computercut i basically only used it for the graphics. the patterns were that bad. precision cut is the opposite for me. i don't use it for graphics much at all but i use it for cutting tint patterns every day.

I'm dying to play with Precision Cut a few friends use it and like it. I think CC has more features but for some shops they aren't desired, both shops that use Precision are high volume strictly tint shops, the patterns look great.

Started with Tint Tek and converted to Precision Cut. I like both but the PC is more accurate than TT.

Precision Cut. I like the versatility in CC but I don't need all the graphics features and for the money I will stick with Precision Cut.

for precision cut you have to use a manu's film or can you use any,is there a big differance in price compared to cc,thanks for any reply

I was able to use any film when using PC

No. Yes.

You can use any film, but they charge you an extra 150% per month if you don't use their film ,TRUST ME, just got my new bill in for next month.

any system that makes you use thier film isnt worth the money one way or the other. your either paying a "service bill" and using any film you want...or using an over priced, usually reboxed roll of trash.

i use tint tek and i like it. sometimes the templates are off, but that goes for just about every system at times from what i hear. i dont use any other system to compare tint tek to, but for the price to get set up, and use...and a quality plotter, it was the best deal out there.

Filmdesigns- Hands down. There is no better technical support than what they offer. Their patterns are great-the updates are quick,i've used them since they came out! Before i used Tinttek and it was a pain to update...their patterns weren't great and it was a pain to get them to correct the bad ones. Filmdesigns owner is hands on and handles his business. Also with filmdesigns you automatically get vinyl software as well-so you can cut signs and decals. They also offer PPF patterns and MANY other features.Great company and awesome people to deal with. Oh and they dont care what brand film you use!

i am a CC user for 10yrs . doing a 2 week trial of precision cut , SO far precision cut alot better but like you said cc is alot user friendly but in the end the patterns are more important .

don't take this wrong bro, but i feel you shouldn't even have to deal with technical support. i don't wanna have to call anyone because i've got issues. i've called llumar once, to set the program up. other than that i don't need or want to talk to them.

By technical support-i guess i mean...if their is ANY ISSUE-which have been FEW...you just hit tech support and you are online with them. Blade- of course someone like you or myself-who have years of experience working with design programs and plotters wont require tech support. But i know for a fact that someone-no matter how talented of a tinter they may be-will have a question or problem or two before they are efficient with a film plotter.Whether its a question about how to set the blade depth-how to change a cutting strip-how to import images off a disk- how to rid your system of viruses because of surfing the net with your tint computer... any of the things you and i would take for granted because we already know. Thats what i mean by tech support. Trust me-tech support is important.

TZ..I wonder how long ago it was since you used Tint Tek..I can't speak for the past..but as far as "the Now " I gotta defend them and say they are excellent for tech support for ant issues..I'm a complete newbie when it comes to plotter programs and the set up is very user friendly, if yo uhave an issue they are there ready to help you ..as far as the patterns go..if there is not one quite to your liking..you can change the patternto suit your personal needs without tech support

True-in fairness it has been a long time TW. My problem was that when i used them the patterns were set and no adjustments could be made. Another problem was that if there was a bad pattern they required 3 complaints before they would fix it...and the updates...were always a problem.Nice thing about filmdesigns is that i never have to change a pattern because they fit to my likings. I will pitch for filmdesigns because it has been a smooth ride with them. You know if i had problems that i'm not skeered to post them! Try the rest-then get the best! Good to see ya TW.Does that mean you bought a tint tek setup?

film designs hands down has the best customer service. Their patterns fit great but if you ever need a change on a pattern you can do it yourself then forward it over so its in your database next time & its done within days unlike some others I know of they never even make the change! Film designs tech support is very fast & efficient. And yes i've used tint tek and cc but I stuck with the best !

that's the other thing i don't get. if a change needs to be made then it's already too late. by that point of changing it on the software it could have been hand cut.

my postings are in no way aimed at film designs. they are aimed at every cutting software. i don't want to have to call tech support and i don't want to have to change patterns. is that too much to ask?

I'd think Tint Tek or CC would have placed 1st as they have been around longest and probably have the most day to day users.

Blade are you saying all the Precision cut patters are accurate ? Like I said I have used a few programs and film designs has the most accurate patterns i've used and if their not to my liking I simply fix a dip or add 1/16" forward it over and mulah its in there for next time. My thoughts are eventually I will have a perfect program !

nope i'm not saying that at all. they are very accurate though. if i come across something that doesn't fit to my liking i don't fix it and send it in though. i just hand cut it and be done with it. all glass is different. so IMO fixing the pattern for that one particular vehicle means that the pattern still isn't guaranteed to fit on the next one. usually if a pattern isn't fitting properly it's just the top edge and i slide the pattern up, run my blade across it, slide it down to micro-edge and i'm good.

I'm sure every program has its good points and bad points. I don't believe i've found a pattern that i just could not work with in filmdesigns, mainly because the guys there understand that a bad pattern is like throwing money in the trash. I do have some patterns i have adjusted and saved...mainly visor strips adjusted to fit the AS1 or shortened to meet Texas law. I can't comment on any other programs because i've only used TTek(2 years) and filmdesigns(4-5years). I do know that Brett Wassell has and is on top of his patterns and wants as perfect a fit as possible. I have to appreciate that fact because its my customers that get the end result. So for me and my business filmdesigns is the perfect cutting program.Mr.P...if you want-plan a day and roll up 59 to my place and i'll show you first hand how it works for me.

TD or Blade I know the no price rule but can we post monthly prices for use of each of the programs for comparison to help Mr P out? I also would like to see the breakdown.

I don't see a problem with that. The price rule is pretty much for tint jobs, square footage and roll prices, since they vary so much and custies don't need to know our material cost. I don't see how cutting charges could vary or how they would concern customers, so no problem here unless the software people have an issue.

Cool

Could you guys post the monthly or yearly prices you pay for using each system. I know some of these guys have had forum specials. This might help Mr P and others watching this thread make a decision

blade I do the same as well, if something isn't to my liking on
the top edge I will shave it but I also have Some cheap training
film so when I'm done I can cut a new pattern, send it to film
designs & it's In there for next time

What do you pay monthly or yearly to use there services

112.50 a month for film designs after a year....

How much is this precision cut? Also are you able to
nest patterns to your liking or adjust sizes is this another
signlab program ?

same here-$121.78 monthly with tax.

Just curious...Users of other programs...if your internet goes down can you still cut patterns?

precision wants $400 per quarter . good patterns but software not too user friendly

or $1500 yearly.

if internet goes down i've got more to worry about than cutting patterns honestly i've never encountered that senario so i don't know. i'll try when i get to work later. my guess is that i can't upload any updates. i'm pretty sure i can still use the program though.

i think my tint tek is about $150 a month, or you can pay $1,500 a year. and the internet does not have to be hooked up for use, just for updates.

I was just curious which programs were internet based or hard drive based. We lose internet here at work from time to time-and can still cut patterns -but just can not update.Internet service seems to be better now that i'm on cable-dam lightning has been hard on my modems.

Looks like Im the only one that uses FirstCut. I like it, but I cannot compare to anything else b/c I havent used anything else. They have recently changed the program, and Im trying to get used to it but to me, its not as user friendly as the old one. With the old program, I can change the pattern size, and save changes in my "user files". Blade, instead of hand cutting it when you know that the pattern may need to be modified, why not modify it and save it for the next one? The new program will get all that jazz too. I also liked that I can "mirror" patterns. For example: If I wanted to used a 36" roll for the rear window on a versa HB, I can cut 2 bg's with one pull.

I think the monthly fee is $75 for tint patterns only, and $125 for ppf/tint.

BTW, the film is reboxed Madico CH. The name on the box is FirstCut window films. Just FYI.

I'd be more mad I couldnt check TD than cut patterns!

What does computer cut cost?

Here in uk after you buy software an plotter it cost £99 + vat a month if you buy solargard film if you dont it cast £249 + vat a month.Rip off big time dont explain this when buying system.
Would like to change so this is a good forum to find which one would be good to change to, i need one that is good for euro cars as looking at some of the systems they only cover cars sold in USA

Hey all, In our shop we have used some these software's in the past: TintTek 2020, Invisible patterns, and Film Designs.

We have had extensive experience with all 3. By FAR, the Film & Vinyl Designs software is the BEST. If some of you have never heard or tried Film Designs, here has been our experience.
The guys over at FVD know their software and patterns inside-and-out, and have customer service like no other company we have ever experienced. Let me give you some examples.

1. They have a remote support agent so when you have a problem with your software (every software has it's quirks), they can quickly connect to your computer, control your desktop, and fix the solution without you having do anything, except let them in.
2. Brett and the gang over at FVD are so dedicated, that this one time we needed help, Brett was at the gym while still on the phone with me trying to solve the problem. Talk about Customer Service!
3. Their software is just like a full-fledged design software with some features that I have never seen in popular design software before.
4. They have pattern databases for vehicle Tint, AND an extensive pattern database for Clear Urethane Paint Protection films. Their paint protection patterns have more coverage than most other software, while still keeping within 24" material bounds.
5. Their database comes with a built-in clip-art section that has logo's, flames, and other design elements that you can use to incorporate into your work.
6. And they have an interactive demo on their site. ( http://fvd.bz/Home/FilmDesigns/FD_Interact...63/Default.aspx )
7. They have no usage fees, you pay for the features you want to use, and you get unlimited use of those features. However, there is a yearly fee to continue updating the patterns.

If you have never tried Film Designs before, try the demo.
We are also a distributor of the Film Designs software suites, but we only sell what we view to be the best software for the best money.
Call us at 1-250-260-3100 (or 1-800-887-3777 in Canada) if you have questions or for pricing.

-Mike Huston
Wholesale Grafix Distributors
( http://www.wholesalegrafix.com for more contact information)