MatCalc™ Universal Mat Design Software
- Thread starter Rosalyn
- Start date
>>>Any one have any information to share about the use, price, etc. of MatCalc™ Universal Mat Design Software? <<<
MatCalc™ is a stripped down version of the design portion from the Fletcher 6100 CMC. It works well on my CMC that I have used for 3 1/2 years. The only difference is that you will actually have to manually transfer the design to a mat board and cut it yourself.
MatCalc™ is a stripped down version of the design portion from the Fletcher 6100 CMC. It works well on my CMC that I have used for 3 1/2 years. The only difference is that you will actually have to manually transfer the design to a mat board and cut it yourself.
clifpa
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Jerome,
I don't have my CMC yet, and may not, but have been looking for a software package where I could do the mat design/layout on my computer and then the software would do the math for multi-window mat cuts.
Not sure I understand, does this software do perform this task even without having a CMC?
best
I don't have my CMC yet, and may not, but have been looking for a software package where I could do the mat design/layout on my computer and then the software would do the math for multi-window mat cuts.
Not sure I understand, does this software do perform this task even without having a CMC?
best
Here is a link to the page on the Fletcher-Terry site about this product.
There used to be, and maybe still is, a free demo that you could get by calling F-T. I don't think it can be down-loaded.
I believe this product is designed primarily for those WITHOUT CMCs and it sounds like a smart layout tool for anyone who does multi-window mats.
I wonder if it would have prevented me from reversing the last bevel on the last window of a 56-window mat I cut pre-CMC.
There used to be, and maybe still is, a free demo that you could get by calling F-T. I don't think it can be down-loaded.
I believe this product is designed primarily for those WITHOUT CMCs and it sounds like a smart layout tool for anyone who does multi-window mats.
I wonder if it would have prevented me from reversing the last bevel on the last window of a 56-window mat I cut pre-CMC.
Yes, the program will to the calculations for you. When you look at the mat opening information it will gfive you the lower left quardinates. Record these numbers and plot them to your board. Remember however, to work from the lower right on the board since the design is from the frontand not the back.
MarkG1
MGF, Master Grumble Framer
When I first took over the shop, multi-openings were my worst things to work with.
After a few months of fumbling around with layout, I purchased the software and it made it much easier for me to lay out the mats.
I would recomend it.
Now I have a CMC and I actually like to cut mats.
Good Luck!
After a few months of fumbling around with layout, I purchased the software and it made it much easier for me to lay out the mats.
I would recomend it.
Now I have a CMC and I actually like to cut mats.
Good Luck!
I don't have enough jobs to justify a CMC and was curious if this program would do the math/layout for you. Does it give you final measurements and borders and areas between the mutli-cutouts? When printed out is it a full size pattern or a "blue print" type? I'd rather have the 'blue print'.
I went to the F/T website but was having trouble understanding the instructions and working the demo. So thought I'd ask for feedback from others.
I'm sure it's like anything new - once you learn it you wonder how you did without it.
Can anyone give me a cost estimate? I can't seem to find it available from United, Decor, etc. Where do you get it?
I went to the F/T website but was having trouble understanding the instructions and working the demo. So thought I'd ask for feedback from others.
I'm sure it's like anything new - once you learn it you wonder how you did without it.
Can anyone give me a cost estimate? I can't seem to find it available from United, Decor, etc. Where do you get it?
clifpa
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
I went to the Flectcher site and first called the distributor list provided. Not one of them knew what I was talking about.
Entered the info for a free demo program. It's not sold anymore.
Contacted Customer Service, yes, they no longer sell the product.
Question: Anyone have a copy/of a copy or whatever, that I can buy.
Since it's not sold or supported anymore this should be no problem for you.
Roz, that's exactly what it does. Also will print the infor out. Looks great!
Thanking you in advance
Entered the info for a free demo program. It's not sold anymore.
Contacted Customer Service, yes, they no longer sell the product.
Question: Anyone have a copy/of a copy or whatever, that I can buy.
Since it's not sold or supported anymore this should be no problem for you.
Roz, that's exactly what it does. Also will print the infor out. Looks great!
Thanking you in advance
Wizard has a software that they will give you. You can layout muti-mat openings and print out all the dimensions. Just give them a call at 888-855-3335. Ask for the software to design mats without a CMC it is so cool.
A small aside - a pet peeve, if you will.
Why do major, respected vendors like Nielsen/Bainbridge and Fletcher-Terry continue to have obsolete information on their websites?
If people are actually looking at the sites - and I think that's the idea - we get pretty resentful when our time is wasted. It makes us want to avoid the site and the vendor.
An out-of-date website is much worse than none at all.
Why do major, respected vendors like Nielsen/Bainbridge and Fletcher-Terry continue to have obsolete information on their websites?
If people are actually looking at the sites - and I think that's the idea - we get pretty resentful when our time is wasted. It makes us want to avoid the site and the vendor.
An out-of-date website is much worse than none at all.
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Clifton,
The distributor you contacted was unaware of this product, as it is one of the few items sold directly by Fletcher-Terry. As Ron hyplerlinked previously to the product page: MatCalc, if you then click on the spare parts tab, this will carry the MatCalc over to the shopping cart.
<center>
It is item No. 04-940 and sells for $149.00
</center>
Rosalyn,
Yes, it gives you all the dimensions you'd need, to cut a multiple opening mat on any brand of manual mat cutter. The pattern sheet is printed on standard paper size from whatever printer you happen to be using. It is not "Life Sized".
If you have any further questions, please contact a customer service rep at 1-800-843-3826.
Regards,
John
[ 01-05-2004, 08:31 AM: Message edited by: John Ranes II, CPF, GCF ]
clifpa
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Thanks John and Happy New Year!
I did more then call the list of suggested Fletcher distributors but also called Fletcher Sales directly and they are the ones that told me that Fletcher no longer sells MatCalc.
I checked the site you gave and yes it looks like it exist so I will place an order and see what happens.
Thank you my friend. Look forward to seeing you again soon.
I did more then call the list of suggested Fletcher distributors but also called Fletcher Sales directly and they are the ones that told me that Fletcher no longer sells MatCalc.
I checked the site you gave and yes it looks like it exist so I will place an order and see what happens.
Thank you my friend. Look forward to seeing you again soon.
If F-T is still selling this product, I apologize for my mini-rant about their website.
The Bainbridge-Nielsen site is still a mess, though.
The Bainbridge-Nielsen site is still a mess, though.
Woodshaper
Grumbler
I have used the Wizard Mat Designer 4.7 Basic software for about a year. It greatly speeds up the layout of multiple openings when using a manual cutter. This software was offered free when I started using it.
Wizard Sales Dept. telephone # is 425-551-4300.
Wizard Sales Dept. telephone # is 425-551-4300.
clifpa
CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Hi all,
John was right, Fletcher is starting to market Matcalc again, $149.
I tried Wizard but no one ever got back to me.
Anyway I bought MatCalc and am looking forward to working with it.
best
John was right, Fletcher is starting to market Matcalc again, $149.
I tried Wizard but no one ever got back to me.
Anyway I bought MatCalc and am looking forward to working with it.
best