Wizard visualization software question

[cwphoto]

Hi folks:

I have been using custom framer art for most of my visualization, although I briefly had a demo of wizards visualization software. For those of you using the wizards software, can you tell me how accurate the mat colors from the database are? The demo program doesn't have anything in the database, but I understand the full version does. I was originally turned off by having to type a bunch of numbers into the program to select a color, but I can also say I have spent countless hours scanning, cropping, and entering data into custom framer art too.

I recently decided to add some fabrics, and now looking at having to enter in 400+ images into CFA. I understand that Frank's fabrics are in the Wizard database. Can someone confirm this for me? Are the images of fabrics decent quality? What about frames-- how many and what brands are loaded into the software? I'd like to spend my time framing, as opposed to populating databases!

Thx,

Troy

 

[cwphoto]

Hi folks:

I have been using custom framer art for most of my visualization, although I briefly had a demo of wizards visualization software. For those of you using the wizards software, can you tell me how accurate the mat colors from the database are? The demo program doesn't have anything in the database, but I understand the full version does. I was originally turned off by having to type a bunch of numbers into the program to select a color, but I can also say I have spent countless hours scanning, cropping, and entering data into custom framer art too.

I recently decided to add some fabrics, and now looking at having to enter in 400+ images into CFA. I understand that Frank's fabrics are in the Wizard database. Can someone confirm this for me? Are the images of fabrics decent quality? What about frames-- how many and what brands are loaded into the software? I'd like to spend my time framing, as opposed to populating databases!

Thx,

Troy

Since no one else responded to this, I will share what I learned at least. One needs to own retail manager software in addition to wizard's visualization software to get images. I gather this is where all the visual records are stored. I have no idea how many come with retail manager software, but last I heard Wizard stopped their efforts with this software. The best thing to me about wizards visualization software is the ability to show CMC shapes, otherwise, I like the results I'm getting out of custom framer art, which is considerably cheaper.

Thx,

Troy

 

[GUMBY GCF]

I would have responded earlier but really had no answer to your question. I have both the wizard pos & the visualization. When I got mine about 4 years ago they did not have it populated. I added mouldings as I showed them to customers and at the end of day. Currently I have over 600 moldings in my dbase. I had old colour charts of mattes that I used to enter the matt colours I have most of crescent and bainbridge entered. The colour charts really made it go faster. It only takes a click of the mouse to add a colour when taking an order.

I have to say I really like the way it all works together. Wizard POS to Wizard visualization to Wizard POS to the Wizard CMC

 

[cwphoto]

I would have responded earlier but really had no answer to your question. I have both the wizard pos & the visualization. When I got mine about 4 years ago they did not have it populated. I added mouldings as I showed them to customers and at the end of day. Currently I have over 600 moldings in my dbase. I had old colour charts of mattes that I used to enter the matt colours I have most of crescent and bainbridge entered. The colour charts really made it go faster. It only takes a click of the mouse to add a colour when taking an order.

I have to say I really like the way it all works together. Wizard POS to Wizard visualization to Wizard POS to the Wizard CMC

Yes, the seamless integration is one of the big selling points of the system. I looked at the whole thing, but I'm using a really old computer for the CMC, and it will only run on windows XP. It would take upgrading the entire system (hardware), unless you can somehow network things. You don't need a very robust computer to run the CMC, but I do think it require more horsepower to run the retail manager software. I picked up custom framer art for under $200, so comparing that to $1800 for Wizard software + upgrading the computer for another $1000-$1500, well the decision got a lot easier. I really do love the ability to show shapes with the Wizard software, and this is also helpful in showing things like embossed/waterfall fabric mats, debossing designs from CMC files, etc.

When I populated the database on custom framer art, I literally spent 50+ hours. I paid an employee for part of it, but then did a lot of it myself, and now I'm in the process of adding fabrics. Fortunately the program did come loaded with about 1700 Larson Juhl moldings, but I had to add in all of the Studio moldings I use, Roma, Nielsen metal frames, well...lots of little things. It's really an enormous undertaking. I then further divided things up into specific color hues, molding widths, etc. It takes a long while before you just zip through this stuff, and look like a picture framing expert.

I was hoping that the Wizard software might simplify some of the process, but looks like it takes just as much work to populate.

Thanks for the response.

Troy

 

[j Paul]

When I populated the database on custom framer art, I literally spent 50+ hours. I paid an employee for part of it, but then did a lot of it myself, and now I'm in the process of adding fabrics. Fortunately the program did come loaded with about 1700 Larson Juhl moldings, but I had to add in all of the Studio moldings I use, Roma, Nielsen metal frames, well...lots of little things. It's really an enormous undertaking. I then further divided things up into specific color hues, molding widths, etc. It takes a long while before you just zip through this stuff, and look like a picture framing expert.

I have an older Wizard IF and don't have image library. I don't know why you would need to spend time preloading all of your samples. Couldn't you simply add them to the library each time you photographed and used a new sample? Am I missing something? I know I have some samples of moulding/mats that I probably have never used.

 

[cwphoto]

I have an older Wizard IF and don't have image library. I don't know why you would need to spend time preloading all of your samples. Couldn't you simply add them to the library each time you photographed and used a new sample? Am I missing something? I know I have some samples of moulding/mats that I probably have never used.

The POS I use, Custom Framer Art, is a visual database. I think this visualization software is most like a design table. All of your mat colors are available visually, all of your moldings are available visually, so you are making a selection based on visual information.

I probably only have 400 moldings on my wall, but over 2500 available. The visual database allows me to show things that I would not be able to show otherwise--quickly. With mat boards it's less of an issue. I do have some things loaded in the database that I do not have visuals of too. When I'm entering things into CFA, I'm also adding a lot more detailed information. I have the width, height, rebate height, color, supplier, profile shape and price. It's possible for me to do a specific search for say a 1" wide brown molding with a 5/8" rebate as an example. Not saying I use this specific criteria every day, but it certainly possible. Also great for upgrading prices, making sample galleries of specific color mats or otherwise grouping similar materials that can be called up quickly. Hopefully that makes more sense. I really like the features of CFA. What I don't like about this program is its inability to show specific CMC openings. The pricing part of the program is lacking certain features that I would like. You can for example determine pricing by portion of mat used or UI or a few other criteria, but it's a global setting. Markups are linear, and I for example would like to be able to change markups on smaller frames, vs larger. I have no idea how life saver and some other POS work, but I'm speculating they are more robust.

Check out the screenshot of the program , and you Can get a feel for what I'm talking about.

Troy