Gerber OMEGA 2.6 Getting Started Guide

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OMEGA, GERBER MAXX, GA, Gerber ColorID, Gerber P2C, GERBER SOLARA UV, ART Path, Gerber enVision, FasTrack, ImageRIP, ODYSSEY, GERBER EDGE FX, Sabre, GerberColor, Spectratone, and Support First are trademarks and GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE, GERBER EDGE, EDGE, Gerber Scientific Products, and GSP are registered trademarks of Gerber Scientific Products. Adobe Illustrator and PostScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Artifex, the Artifex logo, Ghostscript, and the Ghostscript logo are registered trademarks of Artifex Software, Inc Allen Datagraph is a trademark of Allen Datagraph, Inc. Aristo AG50 and AG130 are registered trademarks of the Aristo Graphic Systeme GMBH & CO KG. ENCAD and NovaCut are registered trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company. Graphtec and SignJet PRO are trademarks of Graphtec America, Inc. HPGL is a trademark and HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. Ioline is a trademark of Ioline Corporation. Mimaki is a trademark of Mimaki Engineering Co., LTD. Roland PNC is a trademark and Roland is a registered trademark of Roland Digital Group. Summa is a registered trademark of Summa Inc. Vytek is a trademark of Vinyl Technologies, Inc. Wild is a registered trademark of Leica. Windows, Microsoft, and Vista are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Zund is a registered trademark of Zund System Technik AG. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. Radio Shack is a registered trademark of Radio Shack Corporation. Sentinel is a trademark of SafeNet, Inc. Onyx is a registered trademark of Onyx Graphics.

PANTONE® Colors displayed may not match PANTONE-identified standards. Consult current PANTONE Color Publications for accurate color. PANTONE® and other Pantone, Inc. trademarks are the property of Pantone, Inc. © Pantone, Inc., 2005.

Pantone, Inc. is the copyright owner of color data and/or software which are licensed to Gerber Scientific Products to distribute for use only in combination with Gerber OMEGA 2.6. PANTONE Color Data and/or Software shall not be copied onto another disk or into memory unless as part of the execution of Gerber OMEGA 2.6.

Variables

There are many variables in process reproduction of colors generated by the GERBER EDGE and GERBER MAXX, any one of which may affect the quality of the Gerber simulations of PANTONE Colors, including:

 Type of media/paper used  Type of ink film used  Effective final resolution  Dot structures/halftones

For optimal results we recommend that the following materials be used:

1. 3M Scotchcal 220-10 or 225-10 Gloss White Vinyl

2. GerberColor SUPER CMYK Foils

THE PANTONE-IDENTIFIED COLOR DISPLAYED ON THE PRINT AND/OR COPY GENERATED BY THIS SOFTWARE HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED NOR ARE THEY APPROVED BY PANTONE, INC. TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PANTONE, INC.'S COLOR VALUES OR STANDARDS. Consult current PANTONE Color publications for accurate colors.

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except as specifically authorized in the Grant of License, above.

Chapter One: Welcome ..............................................................................................................1

About Getting Started .............................................................................................................................1

Notes and tips .......................................................................................................................................1

Full OMEGA 2.6 Kits...............................................................................................................................2

CD ONLY OMEGA 2.6 Kits ...................................................................................................................3

New features in OMEGA 2.6..................................................................................................................4

Reference Manual Overview..................................................................................................................5

Computer Hardware and Software Requirements .............................................................................7

Windows operating systems compatibility.......................................................................................8

Chapter Two: Installing OMEGA Software.............................................................................9

Installation steps ......................................................................................................................................9

Understanding security issues...............................................................................................................9

Understanding the Sentinel System Driver........................................................................................10

Installing OMEGA 2.6 Software...........................................................................................................10

Installing OMEGA 2.6 software for New Users and GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE upgrades ........11

Installing OMEGA 2.6 software........................................................................................................12

Choosing the setup type ....................................................................................................................13

Installing OMEGA 2.6 software for OMEGA 2.0 - 2.1 Users ...........................................................17

Choosing the setup type ....................................................................................................................19

Installing OMEGA 2.6 software for OMEGA 1.5x users ..................................................................23

Understanding the Sentinel System Driver.....................................................................................23

Understanding security key conversion..........................................................................................23

Installing OMEGA 2.6 software........................................................................................................24

Configuring the ports after OMEGA 2.6 installation........................................................................31

Activating Arabic language support...................................................................................................32

Chapter Three: Adding Output Devices ............................................................................... 33

Adding output devices after OMEGA installation ...........................................................................33

Installing vinyl printers.........................................................................................................................34

Local vinyl printers.............................................................................................................................34

Installing the GERBER EDGE/EDGE 2 as a USB printer..............................................................46

Errors and Possible Solutions............................................................................................................47

Remote vinyl printers.........................................................................................................................48

Networked vinyl printers..................................................................................................................51

Adding or deleting an ink jet printer...............................................................................................53

Adding or deleting a plotter.................................................................................................................55

Installing fonts from the OMEGA Font CD .......................................................................................61

Uninstalling fonts ...............................................................................................................................62

Installing a purchasable Gerber Library Pack....................................................................................63

Using the Gerber Device Profile Manager..........................................................................................64

Installing ICC profiles using the Gerber Device Profile Manager ...............................................64

Filtering ICC profiles using the Gerber Device Profile Manager.................................................66

Removing ICC profiles using the Gerber Device Profile Manager..............................................67

Making the required update to Sabre firmware................................................................................69

Troubleshooting the Sabre firmware update..................................................................................71

Chapter Four: Beyond Getting Started................................................................................. 72

Registration card....................................................................................................................................72

Locating the System ID and Serial Number.......................................................................................72

Getting Help right in OMEGA 2.6.......................................................................................................73

Finding a topic.....................................................................................................................................74

Finding additional topics in the Topic pane ...................................................................................74

Finding previously-viewed topics....................................................................................................75

Printing topics .....................................................................................................................................75

Customer support..................................................................................................................................76

OMEGA 2.6 software support...........................................................................................................76

Gerber hardware.................................................................................................................................76

FastFacts...............................................................................................................................................76

Chapter Five: Troubleshooting .............................................................................................. 77

Questions and answers .........................................................................................................................77

Technical support messages.................................................................................................................78

Chapter Six: HPGL Plotter Installation................................................................................. 80

Working with HPGL plotters...............................................................................................................80

Verifying communication settings ...................................................................................................80

Customizing plotter setup.................................................................................................................81

Chapter Seven: Networking Devices .................................................................................... 83

Connecting and sharing output devices.............................................................................................83

Index.......................................................................................................................................................... 88

Chapter One: Welcome

Welcome to OMEGA™ 2.6, the state-of-the-art design and production system for the sign, graphics, and screen-print industries. OMEGA 2.6 teams powerful design and production features in a friendly, easy-to-use package.

About Getting Started

To help you put your OMEGA 2.6 software to work as quickly as possible, refer to the chapters that apply to your system and software.

Chapter Two: Installing OMEGA Software tells you how to connect the security key needed to run OMEGA 2.6 and provides installation instructions for OMEGA 2.6 software. Refer to this chapter if you need to activate Arabic for OMEGA.

Chapter Three: Adding Output Devices gives detailed instructions on installing hardware devices for your system. Please refer to the following manuals for specific device install instructions: GERBER EDGE®, GERBER EDGE FX™, GERBER P2C™, GERBER SOLARA UV2™, GERBER MAXX™ 2, Gerber enVision™, ODYSSEY™ and ODYSSEY XP.

Chapter Four: Beyond Getting Started presents helpful information on selected topics and suggests where you will find other useful OMEGA 2.6-related information.

Chapter Five: Troubleshooting contains questions and answers to common problems and error messages.

Chapter Six: HPGL Plotter Installation discusses custom installation for HPGL plotters.

Chapter Seven: Networking Devices describes how to setup a GSP® network.

Notes and tips

The following conventions are used in this manual:

Note: A note contains important information that could affect the successful completion of a task.

Tip: A tip contains a suggestion or to remind you of something that may appear elsewhere in the manual.

CAUTION: A caution statement contains information which, if not observed, could result in damage to the equipment.

Getting Started Welcome

Full OMEGA 2.6 Kits

The full OMEGA 2.6 kit is for the following installations: OMEGA CP, CS, GA to OMEGA 2.6 Upgrades, OMEGA 1.5x to OMEGA 2.6 Upgrades (except PS and EDGE-RIP Upgrade), Level to Level (including GA Select or GA Elite to OMEGA 2.6 CP, OMEGA CL or OMEGA CS to OMEGA 2.6 CP Upgrades).

ITEM DESCRIPTION

1 OMEGA 2.6 Security key

2 Software Password Envelope & Card (only in certain OMEGA

1.5x to OMEGA 2.6 upgrades)

3 OMEGA 2.6 System Software CD

4 OMEGA Font & Library CD

5 OMEGA Gerber Profile CD

6 OMEGA Overview CD

7 Manual, OMEGA 2.6 Getting Started

8 Manual, OMEGA 2.5.1 Learning Guide

9 OMEGA Mouse Pad

10 Lit, Read Me First

11 GSP Registration Card

12 OMEGA Reference Manual coupon

13 Inside Software Kit Components box

14 OMEGA Software Kit sleeve

15 Outside Software Kit shipping box

16 Security Key Return mailer & bubble bag (upgrade kits only)

CD-ONLY OMEGA 2.6 Kits

The CD-Only OMEGA 2.6 kit is for the following installations: OMEGA CP MIP, CS MIP, LS, PS, OMEGA 1.5x PS & EDGE-RIP to OMEGA 2.6 Upgrades, OMEGA 2.0-2.1 to OMEGA 2.6 Upgrades.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

1 OMEGA 2.6 Security key (not in OMEGA 2.0-2.1 Upgrades)

2 Software Password Envelope & Card (only in OMEGA 1.5x

& OMEGA 2.0-2.1 to OMEGA 2.6 Upgrades)

3 OMEGA 2.6 System Software CD

4 OMEGA Overview CD

5 OMEGA Gerber Profile CD

6 OMEGA Font & Library CD

7 Manual, OMEGA 2.6 Getting Started

8 Lit, Read Me First

9 GSP Registration card

10 Shipping foam

11 Software Kit Shipping box

12 Security Key Return Mailer & Bubble bag (OMEGA 1.5x PS

& EDGE-RIP to OMEGA 2.6 Upgrade kits only)

Getting Started Welcome

New features in OMEGA 2.6

For the most detailed information and video screen captures of the newest features in OMEGA, see the presentations, “What’s New in OMEGA 2.5” and “What’s New in OMEGA 2.5.1” on the OMEGA Overview CD. The “What's New in OMEGA 2.6” presentation is located on the GSP website: www.gspinc.com

For detailed tutorials of most OMEGA tools, see the OMEGA Learning Guide.

These are the new feature highlights in OMEGA 2.6:

 Windows® Vista® compatibility.  Gerber Sabre™ routers will cut more quickly when contours are processed from

ART Path™ rather than in the Sabre firmware.

 Cut order sequencing of pre-OMEGA 2.5 vinyl-only jobs is now similar to OMEGA

2.0 sequencing.

 New accelerator keys for Composer tools including Outline, Distortion, Warp,

Shadow, and Effects.

 New Tools toolbar with Outline, Shadow, Warp, Distortion, Effects,

Repeats/Merge, and Posterize Image/Raster to Vector.

 Enhanced right-click, context menus for Tools, Detail Edit, and TOWS tools.  Measure Mode “measuring tape” can display as a single line so it does not obscure

the view of the OMEGA work surface.

 Shape > Distance Around Objects now shows measurements in several units such

as inches, feet, and yards.

 Track time for file creation and editing with the new Elapsed Time feature.  Job output information such as vinyls and foils used, size and repeats display in File

> Properties dialog box.

 Vinyl can now be assigned to a single member of a group.  Import multiple files (may be different types) using a single import operation.  Spacing allows objects to be placed at a user-defined distance.  GerberCUT targets can now be placed around jobs automatically or manually.  Graphtec™ model CE-500 plotter now supported.  Material updates including reformulated Cobalt Blue, new Heat Transfer Vinyl,

updated GerberColor™ Spectratone™ palettes, Spectratint and Spectrashade added to the Spot Color and Spectratone palettes.

Reference Manual Overview

The printed OMEGA 2.5 Reference Manual is not included with the OMEGA 2.5 or higher release. You can order it separately, either by returning the Reference Manual coupon, or for OMEGA CD-only kits that do not include a coupon, you can purchase the OMEGA Literature kit.

For your convenience the OMEGA 2.5 Reference Manual is included as a PDF file, along with other OMEGA documentation on the OMEGA CD. You can either read the desired chapters online or print them as you need them. All the information in the OMEGA Reference Manual is also in the OMEGA 2.6 On-line Help system. See Help for the most up-to-date information.

The Reference Manual is divided into books and chapters, presenting information about the hundreds of tools, commands and features incorporated in OMEGA. Each book is reviewed below with a short summary of the contents of that particular book.

Book One: Welcome

The first book introduces you to the OMEGA suite of programs and provides information on where and how to get help. The details of opening, closing, and saving files are outlined in Book One.

Book Two: Understanding Composer Tools

This book describes the basic tools of Composer including how to set up the work surface, maximizing your productivity. This book also includes information on working with Layers.

Book Three: Creating the Basic Design Text and Shapes

Book Three presents OMEGA solutions for basic job design. Information can be obtained on tasks such as drawing a box, manipulating parts of your design, working with connected fonts and special characters, arranging objects in your job and Dimensioning, which can be used to provide detailed measurements for the installation of sign components.

Book Four: Adding Color to the Design

OMEGA provides many ways to add color. You can design with hundreds of vinyl colors, or print using thermal or ink jet printers with spot and process foils.

Book Five: Making the Design Print and Cut Correctly

It is important to understand the steps needed to correctly design a printed job. This book describes the five steps to follow to ensure that your printed job will be successful the first time. It also includes tips and techniques to solve print registration problems and ensure that the design cuts correctly.

Book Six: Color Management and Importing/Exporting Files

This book describes OMEGA Color Management. It is easy to use and allows you to see onscreen what colors will look like when they are outputted to a plotter or printer. Included in this book are instructions on how to import and export industry standard file types.

Book Seven: Adding Artwork and Other Files to the Design

The information in this book explains the variety of artwork types that OMEGA offers: images, clip art, scanned art, and digitized art.

Getting Started Welcome

Book Eight: Editing the Design and Shapes

This book includes information on the basic Windows commands and Detail Edit. Editing is the process of adding, moving, changing, or reducing the points in a shape.

Book Nine: Adding Flair to the Design

This book shows you how to add visual excitement to your design. The tools include Outline, Shadow, Distortion, Warping, Special Effects (created by combining shapes and library designs), and Fit Text to Path.

Book Ten: Repeating Text and Objects

Repeating, adds design elements by allowing you to not only repeat a shape or groups of shapes, but also to save time by automatically merging text from a list or a number sequence with non-changing text.

Book Eleven: Managing, Converting, and Designing Fonts

This book gives you information on managing your fonts, viewing and printing installed fonts, converting TrueType fonts and designing and building your own fonts.

Book Twelve: Outputting the Job from Composer

After a job is designed, you can output it by: sending the job to a plotter, sending the job to a thermal printer, or sending it by email.

Book Thirteen: Printing and Cutting the Job

The production component in the OMEGA suite of programs is the GSPPlot program. It processes files that are output from Composer (or other compatible graphic design programs), creating the necessary files for printing and plotting.

Book Fourteen: GSP Tray and Installing Hardware and Software

This book explains how to add hardware or software to your OMEGA system and how to obtain system information such as the serial number and the software revision level.

Book Fifteen: Networking

A network is a combination of workstations (one or more) connected to servers used to exchange information, increase performance, and access resources connected to the servers. OMEGA allows you to share output devices such as a plotter, vinyl printer, or an inkjet printer on networked workstations for remote plotting and printing.

Book Sixteen: Matching Colors with ColorID

This book explains how to match a source color to another color using Gerber ColorID™.

Computer Hardware and Software Requirements

OMEGA 2.6 is compatible with Microsoft Windows® XP, 2000, or Vista®. OMEGA 2.6 will NOT LOAD on Windows 98 or Windows ME.

Windows XP, XP Professional 64, and 2000 Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit

OMEGA CP = Pentium IV, with 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB highly recommended

2 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 20+ GB highly recommended

OMEGA LS = Pentium IV, with 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB highly recommended

2 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 20+ GB highly recommended

OMEGA CS = Pentium III, with 256 MB minimum, 512 MB highly recommended.

1 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 10 GB highly recommended

OMEGA PS = Pentium IV, with 512 MB RAM minimum, 1 GB highly recommended.

2 GB of available hard disk space minimum, 20+ GB highly recommended.

These are the recommended minimums. Stronger processors and more memory (2x minimum or more), and additional hard disk space will improve performance, especially when working in data intensive operations such as scanning, working with images and import/export. The available hard disk space requirements do not reflect the actual hard disk size, which may be anywhere from 10 GB to 80 GB or more.

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor2

1 GB of system memory

Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (min.)

Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel

40 GB of hard disk capacity with 15 GB free space

DVD-ROM Drive

Audio output capability

Internet access capability

1. At this time, Windows Vista 64-bit does not support OMEGA parallel port usage. See the Windows operating system compatibility chart on the page 8.

2. Processor speed is specified as the nominal operational processor frequency for the device. Some processors have power management which allows the processor to run at lower rate to save power.

3. If the GPU uses shared memory, then no additional graphics memory is required beyond the 1 GB system memory requirement; If the GPU uses dedicated memory then 128 MB is required.

4. A DVD-ROM may be external (not built into the system).

 CD-ROM or DVD ROM drive: Required  CDRW or DVDRW drive: highly recommended, for back up and storage of files  3.5” – 1.44 MB floppy drive: (for use with legacy options, fonts, etc)  Ethernet network support: (for use with the GERBER EDGE FX and network connection)  2 USB Ports (OMEGA security key requires 1 USB Port)  Serial Port (9-pin): (for connecting plotters and/or routers) - 2 highly recommended  ECP Parallel Port (25-pin): Required for use with GERBER EDGE 2 (unless you purchase the

USB-to-Parallel option)

continued on next page

Getting Started Welcome

 Parallel Port (25-pin): Required for use with GERBER EDGE and/or paper printers)  VGA color monitor: with minimum resolution of 1024 x 728 and support of 16 million colors  Microsoft-compatible PS/2 style mouse

Note: Using OMEGA with Intel®-based Macintosh® Computers: Based upon minimal GSP testing and end-user reports, OMEGA will run on Intel-based Macintosh systems that are running the Windows XP operating system. There has been minimal testing of outputting to GSP devices using this configuration. Output to the GERBER EDGE® must occur via a GSP or off-the-shelf USB-to-parallel cable. Output to plotters must occur via certain specific USB-to-serial cables. Output to the EDGE 2 must occur using a special GSP USB-to-parallel cable option. This is not an endorsement of this configuration, but is an alert as to the status. GSP Technical Support cannot support any Macintosh OSX related issues.

Windows operating systems compatibility

At this time, Windows Vista 64-bit does not support OMEGA parallel port usage. Therefore you cannot perform Copy-to-USB parallel security key upgrades or communicate with a GERBER EDGE or EDGE 2 printer via a parallel port when using Vista 64-bit. Gerber recommends that you use Vista 32-bit or upgrade to a GERBER EDGE FX which communicates via an Ethernet cable. Alternately, you can render on a Vista 64-bit system and output to a GERBER EDGE or EDGE 2 using a separate OMEGA Plot Station installed on a Windows XP or Windows 2000 computer. The following chart details compatibility.

Windows XP 32 Windows XP 64 Windows Vista 32 Windows Vista 64 Design

Composer and other design functions. Create and save PLT files.

Rendering

GSPPlot rendering of SPL files.

Output

EDGE via parallel cable

off-the-shelf

USB-to-Parallel cable

EDGE 2 via parallel cable or

GSP custom USB-to-

Parallel cable

EDGE FX (Ethernet only) OK OK OK OK

Plotters via serial port OK OK OK OK

Plotters via Radio Shack® 26-183 USB to Serial Cable

OK OK OK OK

OK OK OK NO. Use a separate

Plot Station on a

OK OK OK NO. Use a separate

OK Not Tested Not Tested Not Tested

system NOT using Vista 64-bit.

Plot Station on a system NOT using Vista 64-bit.

Chapter Two: Installing OMEGA Software

This section describes the step by step instructions that ARE REQUIRED to successfully install OMEGA 2.6. When you install OMEGA 2.6 software, you MUST use a CD-ROM drive for installation, your computer MUST be running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista. You must be logged on as an Administrator and you MUST have an available USB port. The

installation steps are divided into three types of users:

New OMEGA users and GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE upgrades on page 11

OMEGA 2.0 – OMEGA 2.1 upgrades on page 17

OMEGA 1.5x upgrades on page 23

Installation steps

 Understanding security issues  Installing the OMEGA 2.6 software  Restart the computer to ensure communication with the GERBER EDGE 2  Configuring the ports after OMEGA 2.6 installation

Understanding security issues

All new or upgraded OMEGA 2.6 systems require an OMEGA 2.6 USB security key connected to the system for the software to run. The exceptions are OMEGA 2.5 and 2.5.1 USB security keys which will allow the installation of OMEGA 2.6 without a password.

 For newly purchased OMEGA CP, CS, LS, OMEGA PS with ART Path, a new

serialized OMEGA 2.6 USB security key is provided in your software kit.

 For GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE upgrades, a new serialized OMEGA 2.6 USB security

key is provided in your software upgrade kit.

 For OMEGA 2.0/2.1 to OMEGA 2.6 upgrades, an upgrade password is provided. The

installation process will upgrade your existing 2.0/2.1 security key to 2.6

 For OMEGA 1.5x to OMEGA 2.6 upgrades, an upgrade OMEGA 2.6 USB security key

is provided in your software upgrade kit, along with an upgrade password. The upgrade key will use the same serial number as your original 1.5x security key.

Note: OMEGA 2.6 requires the new OMEGA 2.6 USB security key even if you are already using an OMEGA 1.5x USB security key.

Getting Started Installing OMEGA software

Understanding the Sentinel™ System Driver

The Sentinel System Driver allows your computer to find and work with your OMEGA 2.6 security key. The Sentinel System Driver version 7.3.2 will be automatically loaded during OMEGA installation. If you are running an older version of the Sentinel System Driver, it will be upgraded to version 7.3.2.

CAUTION: Only use the Sentinel System Driver version 7.3.2 that is installed from the OMEGA 2.6 CD. Do not install the Sentinel System Driver from the SafeNet® website.

Installing OMEGA 2.6 Software

Note: Preference settings from previous OMEGA installations are maintained if a new version is loaded on top of a previous version without doing an uninstall first.

Follow one of these procedures to install OMEGA 2.6 software:

 New OMEGA users and GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE upgrades on page 11  OMEGA 2.0 – OMEGA 2.1 upgrades on page 17  OMEGA 1.5X upgrades on page 23

Installing OMEGA 2.6 software for New Users and GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE upgrades

Installation Process:

 Connect the OMEGA 2.6 USB security key.  Install OMEGA 2.6 software.  Restart the computer to ensure communication with the GERBER EDGE 2.  Configure the Sentinel System Driver.  Install Fonts and Device Profiles.

Note: If your keyboard accelerators are hidden, do one of the following procedures to display them. The procedures assume that Control Panel is in Category View rather than Classic View.

Windows 2000 - Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Display > Effects. Turn off the check box Hide keyboard navigation indicators until I use the Alt key.

Windows XP - Click Start > Control Panel > Appearance > Effects button. Turn off the check box Hide underlined letters for keyboard navigation until I press the Alt key.

Windows Vista – Start > Control Panel > Ease of Access Center > Make the keyboard easier to use > Make it easier to use keyboard shortcuts and access keys. Turn on the check box for Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys.

To install OMEGA 2.6 software, (which is provided on a CD); use a CD-ROM drive for the installation on a computer which is running Windows 2000, XP, or Vista. You must be logged on as an Administrator to install software. Your kit contains the OMEGA 2.6 installation CD.

Although screen prompts guide you through the installation, we recommend reviewing the installation process in the next few pages prior to installation. You may also wish to review information in:

 Chapter Three: Adding Output Devices – if you have a Gerber Sabre™ router and

you need to update the firmware.

 Chapter Six: HPGL Plotter Installation - if you are using a plotter which is not

listed in the install screen. (Many different plotters are referred to as HPGL plotters because they use the HPGL standard command set to communicate. See page 80.)

 Chapter Seven: Networking Devices - if you are using printers over a network.

Getting Started Installing OMEGA software

Installing OMEGA 2.6 software

WARNING: Do not exit or cancel the OMEGA 2.6 installation procedure once it has begun. Exiting the installation process before completion will damage your security key.

Note: Preference settings from previous OMEGA installations are maintained if a new version is loaded on top of a previous version without doing an uninstall first.

To begin OMEGA 2.6 installation

Note: The security key must be connected at all times for OMEGA 2.6 to run properly. If you need assistance with your system or to locate the USB security key, contact Gerber Technical Support at 860-644-6971.

1 Close any Windows or applications that are running including any virus scan

software. The screen displays the Windows desktop.

2 Locate the OMEGA 2.6 USB security key. (It ships in a small, pink

anti-static bag in your OMEGA kit.)

3 Plug the OMEGA 2.6 security key into any USB port or hub. 4 The Windows Found New hardware wizard should prompt you. Click OK. The USB

drivers will automatically be found.

5 Insert the OMEGA 2.6 CD into the CD-ROM drive. (If the OMEGA Setup Wizard does

not start by itself, click Start > Run. Browse the CD for Setup.exe. Select Setup.exe and then click OK to open the OMEGA 2.6 Setup Wizard.)

Note: The OMEGA 2.6 Setup Wizard has buttons for other procedures and documentation.

6 Choose Install Products. An Install Products screen opens.

7 Choose Install OMEGA 2.6. The Choose Setup Language dialog box opens. Verify the

correct language is selected.

8 Click Next. The Welcome to Install Shield Wizard dialog box opens.

9 Click Next. The License Agreement dialog box opens. If you agree to the License

Agreement terms, Click Yes. If not, click No and return the complete OMEGA kit to your distributor.

10 The Customer Information dialog box opens. Enter your name and your company

name. The serial number will automatically register from your security key. Click Next.

11 The Choose Destination Location dialog box opens. Use the browse button to navigate

the folders to find the location where you want OMEGA 2.6 to be installed.

Note: By default, Setup will install OMEGA in the C:\GSP directory (for new installation) or the C:\WINDOWS\GSP directory (for some upgrades). Fonts, Libraries, and Software have their own folders within the GSP directory. Palettes and Manuals are folders within the GSP\Software folder.

12 Click Next.

Choosing the setup type

The Setup Type dialog box opens. You may choose from the three setup types described below. Read the explanation for each setup type. Most users should select Typical.

 Typical installs all the most common software. Unless you are installing an extra

option or have limited disk space, you should select Typical.

 Compact installs the minimum required software options. A Compact installation

does not include online Help files, samples, or on-line manuals. Select Compact only if you need to conserve hard disk space, such as on a laptop.

 Custom lets you specify the options you want to install. Select Custom if you are

adding an option to your system. The setup program will ask you for a password for each option with the exception of ART Path which does not require a password. Options can be added at this time, or at a later date.

Getting Started Installing OMEGA software

 If you wish to purchase an option, call your Gerber distributor. You will receive

the password when you purchase that option. If you think you have purchased the option and have not received your password, you will need to find your original disk or proof of purchase, and then contact Gerber Technical Support at 860-644-6971.

To choose the Setup type

1 Choose the setup type you desire: Typical, Compact, or Custom.

2 Click Next.

3 Go to the procedure for the installation type that you selected: Typical and Compact

installations or Custom installation.

To complete Typical and Compact installations

1 In the Select Program Folder dialog box, follow the on-screen instructions. OMEGA 2.6

will begin to install.

2 As the processing box displays, an informational OMEGA slide presentation will play.

3 Follow the on-screen instructions in the dialog boxes that appear.

4 Once the installation is finished, a font and profile information dialog box opens.

Note: Fonts and profiles must be loaded using the appropriate CD and GSPTray. For more font information refer to the section “Installing fonts from the OMEGA Font CD,” on page 61. For more Profile information refer to “Using the Gerber Profile Manager” on page 64.

5 Please reboot your computer even if you are not prompted to do so. Restarting your

computer ensures communications with the GERBER EDGE 2.

6 Click OK. Proceed to “Configuring the ports after OMEGA 2.6 installation” on page

31.

To complete a Custom Installation

1 Choose Custom as the setup type from the Setup Type dialog box. The Select Features

dialog box opens.

2 Choose the components you want to install. A check mark appears next to those

programs. The space required for each component is shown.

Tip: To deselect a program with a check mark, click the checkbox. The check mark disappears.

3 Click the Change button in the Select Features dialog box to open the Select Sub-

components dialog box. If a component does not have sub-components, the Change

button is disabled.

4 Choose the sub-components to load and click Continue in the Select Sub-components

dialog box to continue with the installation. The Select Components dialog box reopens.

5 Follow the on-screen instructions in the Select Components dialog box. Click Next.

Getting Started Installing OMEGA software

6 The Select Program Folder dialog box opens. Follow the on-screen instructions. Click

Next. OMEGA 2.6 will begin to install.

7 Once the installation is finished, the font and profile information dialog box opens.

Note: Fonts and profiles must be loaded using the appropriate CD and GSPTray. For more font information refer to the section “Installing fonts from the OMEGA font CD,” on page 61. For more Profile information refer to “Using the Gerber Profile Manager” on page 64.

8 Please reboot your computer even if you are not prompted to do so. Restarting your

computer ensures communications with the GERBER EDGE 2.