storm2313

Vinyl Master Support Not Responding After 6 Days???

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The issue I had started completely random in that when using Vinyl Master Expert (I actually own all versions of VM as I upgraded to this version) all of a sudden after 6 years of use I can no longer print directly to my Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer, or the software produces an error without specifying what it actually is. It simply locks up. 

I opened a ticket with Vinyl Master support, and supplied then a video link to see exactly what was happening so there wasn't any confusion. This was 6 days ago, and was in contact with someone named Tony, and another person named Olivia. They both passed me on, and Olivia directed me to an email address to schedule a remote access session.

This once again was 6 days ago. I don't know what the issue is with the lack of communication, but considering I dropped over 1K on software I was hoping for support in a matter of 24 hours as my business like many of yours relies on the software to produce income. 

I was able to use the print to .PDF function but noticed certain images were then missing from my prints. This is really odd as I once again have used the software for 6 years without issue. 

This is unacceptable, and a simple follow up message is all I'm asking for to know they're/you're are working on the issue.

Snap shots of the email string is below. 

http://Vinyl_master_support_messages.jpg

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Guest Future Support

We have emailed you in response to your issue several times, and suggested that if your printer driver (after performing a windows update) is not printing correctly, to select "Save as PDF" and try printing from there. Then if you had any issue with the print, you could email both the original vDoc and the PDF to us, so we can help you determine if the issue is related to your windows printer driver or the artwork

Thanks

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7 hours ago, storm2313 said:

all of a sudden after 6 years of use I can no longer print directly to my Canon Pixma Pro-100 printer

What did Canon say about their Printer and driver? 

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Canon discontinued the printer as its from 2016,  so there not going to have any new driver releases. If the unit was working for 6 years it's not a driver issue.

Your team reviewed the video of what VM expert's error was reflecting and explained a remote session was to be scheduled, but I haven't heard from anyone to do this.

You've only been in contact with me pending the redirection of who I was to speak with which is in the email snapshot I attached.

I received a new message from you today at 6:00pm eastern time, and will let you know the results when I'm in the shop tomorrow. 

I do appreciate you finally getting back to me. Thank you.

email_support.jpg

 

 

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Printer drivers must be updated regularly especially when there are Windows and Antivirus updates as these are well documented to stop them from functioning correctly or at all. This is a matter between Canon and Microsoft. 

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Once again the driver installed, and working with VM expert is the same one used for 6 years of stable use. 

VM is generating the error without an error message. Please send me your email for a copy of the video. 

 

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But has Windows updated recently? The driver is a windows thing and window updates often "break" things that use to work. Does printing work with other software?

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A video was provided to VM support, and the error is being generated without disclosing an actual error on screen within VM.

Windows hasn't updated anything to effect the printer driver in the last week. 

I believe a remote session is in order from their support team to at least identify the error causing the issue as their team couldn't after reviewing the video on it.

This is standard practice of all software used to support businesses.

I'm certainly not attempting to use other software as it would teach me nothing if the issue is with Vinyl Master Expert, and the generated error is from their software.

I paid over a grand for their flagship software, and was under the assumption the support that came with it would be on point with what I spent.

I was told in an email a remote session would be scheduled to see what the issue is, and it was never scheduled, and I wasn't contacted about it again. 

I tried doing as Tony their support rep recommended, and saved a file as a .PDF, and it appeared to work, but I'm not into Band Aids after spending that much, so I just purchased a Epson SC-P7000 to see if the issue is solved. 

I think anyone purchasing their software to make money with would be just as disappointed as I am considering I own all versions of VM which is easily over $1500

 

 

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Yes the printer will print direct from other software. 

The issue is a generated VM error when in the contour cut module. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Actually to be exact the issue is with only a few files not being able to print directly to the printer within VM. 

This makes no sense especially because you can print them to .PDF. This is most certainly an issue within VM.

I also tried regenerating the files that were causing the issue, and I still have no joy. 

 

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weird it is a few files and not all in vm - -  That was all I had as I used roland solvent printers and not pigment printers for my work.

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That's the really odd issue is the files have worked perfect for the last 6 months as their new. Then I went to print them as usual last week, and the error began. 

 

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Windows can update all sorts of things, what one would never think affects something else ... but it does. It's Windows, that's what it does time to time. Anytime there's an update, the computer is never the same. There are often times that Windows will update, and something else partially breaks, or completely breaks. 

We are all very aware that you've paid a small fortune, well over $1k for you software, regardless, remote sessions are not guaranteed, nor are they SOP for all companies. Stating that you feel entitled to one, on a forum that isn't sponsored by VM, and supported by volunteers, won't expedite the process of your interaction with VM either.

Users here are just putting out suggestions to help you narrow down that the underlying issue could be. If it's just these particular file, perhaps seeing if you can work with the in another software is possible - not for long term use, but for troubleshooting purposes. Clearly, you are not interested in using a different software, so are most people, however, the majority of us understand the importance or function of trying it in something else, in an effort to troubleshoot the issue. So if your other files work fine in VM, then it really doesn't hurt to take a closer look at the files that don't.

 

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Its apparent you didn't read my post that they suggested scheduling a remote session. I attached emails from FutureCorp below for reference with it so you, and everone else can read it for themselves. 

Vinyl_Master_Support_Emails_2.jpg

Thank you for your input, and I appreciate all the other users coming on to show their support. Honestly I realize they can't do anything this was posted to get a reply back from Future Corp.

A little about my background that may help make things more transparent. I'm an engineer, and build CNC motion controllers. I completely understand Windows at a more advanced level, and deal with CAD/CAM software on a daily basis. VM is essentially the same thing I think we both can agree.

Let me be very clear I'm not here to degrade Vinyl Master. VM is great software when it works as designed, but like all software it has bugs. Its how well the team that supports it can figure out the bugs to each individual issue to get the end user back on track with their business. 

All software companies in the US, and abroad that are real companies (Artsoft, Autodesk, Ect) with proper infrastructure in place do all offer remote tech support as their software is used to produce products for resale. This is standardized practice once again for real companies as they realize the investment your making is large, and without your software you're unable to manufacture product. What you wrote really sounds like a copout. 

Paying well over a grand in software means at the very least a follow up to a clients emails in under 6 days which is much more than a reasonable time for a response, and anyone end user on here would agree that's depending on the software to make money. 

You may not have realized this, but once again knowing all details helps. I only posted on this forum as I wasn't getting any responses to my emails to Future Corp as you can tell from my previous email snapshots. US cutter is the only website that sells VM software, and I've seen their support team here which is seen on their avatars after replying to questions. Its actually on one in a previous message on this post.

Its very odd though after the first post I made on this forum Future Corp emailed me. I believe everyone on here would agree with that especially when you explained this forum has nothing to do with them, and it wouldn't expedite their process to help me. 

I'm sorry I realize your a staffer, and this is a company that you work with, and sell their software, but if they say they're going to do something they need to be held accountable no different than if someone missed a payment for their software.

 

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6 hours ago, storm2313 said:

I'm sorry I realize your a staffer, and this is a company that you work with, and sell their software........

Staffer? LOL sorry but even us Moderators on the forum are not paid employee's, only volunteers helping keep the forum rolling in our spare time. We don't work for US Cutter. We willingly help out because we have a passion for the craft and (for me at least) I recieved a TON of help from people on here when I first started into cutting and have felt like I wanted to pay it forward. 

Essentially everyone on here is attempting to help out where we can but both our skills and our time are limited. VM does frequent the forum and apparently has seen your posts so you have benifited a little from that. Good luck and I suggest following through with a remote session. 

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I've gotten some really excellent support from the US Cutter forum in regards to VM, but considering I'm in the industry I realize the company that your a moderator for with this forum is selling the software, and the first line of support is always going to be those on a company based forum.

I think we can both agree its certainly not by coincident VM versions of software are a titled heading for certain areas in the forums as your all here to offer support for what's being sold on your site. I want to thank you all as I feel your doing an excellent job, my issue is trying to get support with VM.

I called the number you posted, and the recorded message explains they only offer support online, and to review their FAQ section.

Thank you for the number seems once again odd I'm being DIRECTED from a forum member, and not the company itself to do, so as they never sent me a phone number. 

For the record this other number reflected here for the US is disconnected to anyone else trying to get in touch with Future Corp/Future Draw https://futuredraw.com/contact-us/

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I hope it helps your issue to have a conversation. I just sensed some frustration on your part, and figured it might be worthwhile going to the SOURCE (even all the way up to Shaun Morrell, the company President).

Let us know the outcome, OK?

 

 

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You're correct as I feel anyone would have after using the software this long without issue, and expecting support to be there when required.

I certainly will. Thank you again. I really appreciate it.

Please read my previous post about the phone numbers.

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Uscutter staff almost never visit the forum, futurecorp occasionally.   We do the best we can as volunteers and in the past have been able to reach out to uscutter when needed, but a couple of years ago that turned to a link that just auto created a ticket for everyone in uscutter support, which really didn’t work well” either.  The support staff at uscutter over the past 12 plus years historically have turned over very quickly as they got experience they move on and the old time form members have retained years of knowledge to help people searching for help after hour, weekends, or when the scripted responses have failed.   For about 2 years futurecorp was on here all the time and answered quickly, that has faded unfortunately as we welcomed the expert help.   Many in the uscutter management have changed in the last 2 years and while we get very little input or feedback at least everything isn’t being directed to an automated ticket system that also frustrated everyone.   I am hoping you find the solution to this and post 5he answers when found - that is what really helps others down the road.

 

on the auto desk, I get it I used to run a shop with esri software that ran $16,000 per seat and had 2 auto and seats.  Support was phenomenal but price was way up to support their cost.  Not even sure what auto ad runs now days. 

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Yea, I'll be sure an post when I get this issue resolved as I hope it will help others. 

Autodesk now has gotten much more reasonable with Fusion 360 as its become a staple do to its cost, but infrastructure is everything when we rely on them to make money. I know you understand my point. I'm fine waiting as long as communication is handled professionally. 

Thank you all again from the forum for your suggestions. Once again I know you are all trying to do the right thing. 

I hope Future Corp gets better equipped because the software is excellent when its running correctly which is most of the time. 

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