OMEGA™ Graphics Design & Production Software
 
Specialized and Flexible Software
Gerber OMEGA design and output software is a complete suite of layout, design, output and conversion tools created specifically for use in the sign industry. OMEGA capabilities allow you to create sophisticated, technical or advanced layouts while maintaining simple and consistent operation. OMEGA design and output tools are fine-tuned to accommodate vinyl cutting, printing and routing on sign-industry production devices such as Gerber vinyl cutters, the GERBER EDGE® family of thermal transfer printers, Gerber Sabre™-series and Dimension™ 200 routers.
Features and Versions  
OMEGA 2.51 Maintenance Release
Beginning August 7, 2006, OMEGA 2.5.1 becomes the standard OMEGA software version. OMEGA 2.5.1 adds refinement and functionality to the already rock-solid OMEGA 2.5 release.
  • If you purchase a new copy of GERBER OMEGA or if you are upgrading from GA or OMEGA 2.0/2.1 or earlier, OMEGA 2.5.1 will be the included software version.
  • If you are already at OMEGA 2.5, you can download all the fabulous OMEGA 2.5.1 enhancements at no extra charge!
  • To see all the latest OMEGA features, see OMEGA 2.5 Features, and OMEGA 2.5.1Features ,OMEGA 2.5.1 Download
 
OMEGA Configurations
 
Upgrades from OMEGA 1.5X and 2.0/2.1 to OMEGA 2.5.1
  • You already know and love GERBER OMEGA. Get the most productivity from the latest and greatest OMEGA version. Contact your distributor immediately for details about upgrading today! Plus, if you are upgrading from OMEGA 1.56, you get all the great features of OMEGA 2.0, PLUS the newest features of OMEGA 2.5 and 2.5.1 in one easy upgrade.
Upgrades from GRAPHIX ADVANTAGE to OMEGA 2.5.1
  • Thousands of GA customers already know the hundreds of reasons to upgrade to OMEGA. Multiple undos, virtually unlimited shapes in files, text on the worksurface, improved import and export, the ability to copy and paste from other programs, thousands of fonts, and much more.
  • Get more design and more output from the same work day with GERBER OMEGA.
OMEGA CP
  • OMEGA CP includes all the tools you need to create and output cut vinyl jobs, plus has color assignment and output capabilities for all GERBER EDGE and GERBER MAXX 2 thermal transfer printers.
OMEGA CS
  • OMEGA CS includes the ability to design and output cut vinyl jobs.
New OMEGA Layout Station
  • A new OMEGA Layout Station Configuration is now available. Layout station allows for complete design activities without any output. Show customers concepts in the front office. Design on a laptop away from the shop. Add design stations and save files to a network folder for output.
OMEGA Plot Station
  • OMEGA Plot Station includes all the output capabilities of OMEGA CP with no design capabilities
OMEGA Multiple Installation Programs
  • If you already have GERBER OMEGA software, you can add additional complete OMEGA stations with the OMEGA Multiple Installation Program (Not available in all countries). See your Authorized Gerber Distributor for details.
OMEGA™ Level-To-Level Upgrades
  • Level-to-level upgrades are provided to allow customers who have previously purchased GA or OMEGA™ software packages to move up to a higher level of OMEGA™ software. Customers purchasing one of the level-to-level upgrades listed below are automatically brought up to the latest revision of OMEGA™ software.
  • GA ELITE or OMEGA™ CS to OMEGA™ CP
  • GA SELECT or OMEGA™ CL to OMEGA™ CP
Product Line Changes
OMEGA CL Discontinued
Please note that OMEGA CL has been discontinued with OMEGA 2.5. Customers with OMEGA CL who purchase an OMEGA upgrade also get a level to level upgrade to OMEGA CS. This offer may be discontinued at any time. OMEGA CL customers who upgrade to OMEGA 2.5 also get upgraded to OMEGA CS at no additional cost.
ARTPath Router Software Included with OMEGA upgrades and new seats
Beginning with OMEGA 2.5, ARTPath router software can be loaded at no charge without a password.
MONACO EZ Color Not Included with OMEGA CS
Beginning with OMEGA 2.5.1, Monaco EZ Color is now included with OMEGA CP only.
Individual Fonts Discontinued
Individual OMEGA Fonts cannot be purchased beginning with OMEGA 2.5. New OMEGA Font Packs provide a low cost per font
See the Features Chart for details on the differences between OMEGA CS and CP
Important Note about GERBER EDGE 2 Customers Purchasing New PCs
If you have a GERBER EDGE 2 and choose to upgrade your PC, you will need an ECP parallel port on the mother board to drive the EDGE 2. If this ECP parallel port is not available, the addition of an aftermarket ECP card will NOT work with the EDGE 2. Customers can purchase the USB to Parallel cable option if an ECP port is not available on their PC.
 
STANDARD OMEGA CP 2.5.1 FUNCTIONS
  • 32-bit programs offer fast operations with full-size layout capabilities and the ability to create files with virtually an unlimited number of shapes.  Compatible with Windows XP 64.
  • Create complete vector-based shapes.
  • Enter and format text with high-quality, scalable vector fonts from Gerber and URW.
  • Create vector-based shadows, distortions, outlines and other effects, then cut as a vector shape on vinyl cutters/router or assign colors and print on sign printers.
  • Import and export popular vector and image desktop publishing formats.
  • Rotate and flip images in Composer
  • Flip gradient fills with vector shapes automatically
  • Fine tune designs with simple yet powerful node and segment editing tools (detail editing).
  • Lay out and cut vinyl signs using a full set of Gerber vinyl palettes.
  • Assign GerberColor spot and CMYK process colors for extremely simple output to Gerber thermal transfer printers.
  • GerberColor Spectratone expands solid, rich spot color usage into the thousands by designing and printing one spot color on top of another with a GERBER EDGE.
  • Create OMEGA-generated CMYK, GerberColor Spectratone, and EDGE Spot Color simulations of solid PANTONE® Colors.
  • Create percentage tints, gradients, and "spot-to-spot" gradients for GERBER EDGE output.
  • Execute color management system with smart defaults for easy color "out of the box." OMEGA CP includes Monaco® X-RITE® EZ Color™ for consistent color from scanner to paper printer to vinyl cutter to the GERBER EDGE. And EZ Color lets you calibrate your monitor with an optional monitor measurement device.
  • Import pictures, tif, bmp, jpg etc. Print on the GERBER EDGE (OMEGA CP) or create customer proofs and layouts using a paper printer (OMEGA CP and CS).  And now you can rotate and flip images right in Composer.
  • Turn pictures into outlines for use on a vinyl cutter or to assign color fills.
Standard OMEGA 2.5.1 CP OUTPUT CAPABILITIES
  • Compatible with Gerber vinyl cutters, as well as popular vinyl cutters from other manufacturers.
  • Compatible with GERBER EDGE-series and GERBER MAXX 2 thermal transfer printers that include a seamless RIP and Color Management System.
  • Reverse, axis swap, repeat, and size output jobs in the GSPPlot program without affecting the saved original file.
  • Render and output jobs in the GSPPlot output program while designing in the Composer Design Program.
  • Output larger than the output device’s physical size with automatic panels.
  • Preview output results before committing to materials using the SPLView Preflight Tool
 
ADDITIONAL STANDARD OMEGA TOOLS AND PROGRAMS
  • Gerber ColorIDcompares and matches colors between vinyl colors, Gerber EDGE spot colors, and even PANTONE Colors
  • Truetype Font Converter enables Truetype fonts as cuttable or printable Gerber fonts.
  • Font Manager helps keep track of Gerber fonts.
  • Font Designer enables the creation of custom vector fonts and EDGE fonts..
  • Gerber Thumbprint maintains Gerber PLT files.
  • GSP File Converter and Vantage Scan II Raster to Vector programs convert multiple files from one format to another while unattended.
 
Standard OMEGA Features Chart Comparison
OMEGA Level CP CS
Handles virtually unlimited numbers of points & shapes
Compatible with Microsoft® Windows® XP, XP 64 and 2000
Unbounded "virtual" work surface
Movable, dockable tool bars
Multiple views of job, multiple open jobs
Improved import and export of files and cut and paste from other applications
Autosave Function
Color management for color consistency across all devices
Includes X-RITE / Monaco EZ Color desktop Calibration Package ($299 value*)  
Multiple undo and redo with selectable number of levels
Design and output using layers
Text entry/edit on the work surface with font filtering
Automatic text "change case" commands
Ability to smart-edit text once it is copied and pasted
Fast outlining with multiple, variable spacing
Pre-set and "WARP" adjustable distortions
Simple powerful detail editing (node editing)
Mask images and vectors with other vector shapes using clipping paths (OMEGA CS supports paper printing of clipped images and supports vinyl cutting output of clipped vectors)
Spot color foil assignments from on-screen palettes  
Multiple CMYK fills for shapes and TrueType™ fonts  
Assign and print multiple spot color gradients  
Assign and print different top and base tints for GerberColor Spectratone™ fills  
Ability to automatically convert process color solid fills and gradients to spot gradients and solid fills  
Scanners & digitizing tablet support
Fit text to path tools
Duplicate and Paste Offset commands
Keyboard shortcuts
Basic and Polygon drawing tools
Raster-to-Vector conversion of color bitmaps to shapes
Support for ART Path™ and Auto-Carve™ 3D router software option
Gerber ColorID™ color matching software
Shadow and Shape effects
True Type font support on EDGE® and MAXX  
GerberTone™ halftones for any size EDGE or MAXX output  
Improved GerberTone STC Photo halftone for images  
Support for ImageRIP™ option  
Embed Images or Link Images with PLT files
Rotate and flip images in Composer
Flip Gradients with vector fills  
PANTONE® Color simulations and GerberColor Spectratone color fill support  
Network output support for remote EDGE, MAXX plotter and Jetster output  
Network output support for remote plotter output
New Thumbprint thumbnail job catalog print utility
Improved measure mode with ability to save and print measurements
Dimensioning for customer proofs, installation drawing, permit applications
"Lock Objects" command
Surround Objects command to create a box around selected items
"Natural Layout" design frame
"Demo mode" operation
URW and Gerber fonts in vector format 2105 1224
Clipping Paths

Enhance designs and create special effects using masks with the new Clipping Paths feature. Clipping paths limit the display of specified objects by drawing only the parts of the objects that fall within the path and not the parts that fall outside the path. When clipping objects, you can select a single object or multiple objects that are grouped together to act as a single clipped path.

 
Embedded Images

Save time and improve productivity by directly embedding image files into OMEGA. Once you embed an image in an OMEGA file, the original image file does not have to be in a separate file for rendering to occur. With the Embedded Images feature, you eliminate looking for image files needed for rendering, archiving or sharing files.

 
Improved File Importing

Importing files into OMEGA has never been easier! OMEGA 2.5 now has new file conversion filters that allow the importing of Postscript and PDF file types as well as improved import filters for AI and EPS files. This enhanced design versatility now accommodates; Adobe® Illustrator® 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0 and CS, PDFs created with Acrobat® 4 -6, EPS files supported from Adobe CS2 and lower, and postscript files level 1, 2 and 3. With OMEGA’s improved file importing, you get more original design details so there is no reassignment of design elements or recreation of file parts.

 
Dimensioning Tools

Perfect customer proofs and layout instructions by generating on-screen measurements and annotations with the Dimensioning Tools feature. Dimensioning Tools allow you to measure objects, distances, and angles and post these measurements in the job. A main dimension toolbar lists the six new tools: horizontal, vertical, aligned, angular, annotation, and object dimensions. And for extra flexibility, you can choose to paper print or output the dimensions to a GSPPlot device such as the GERBER EDGE FXÔ .

Design and Output with Layers

Maximize design productivity and keep jobs organized by designing and outputting with the Layers feature. Use Layer Manager to select, cut, paste and arrange the order of the objects in a job. You can put an image on one layer, logos on the second layer, and text on a third layer. Hide layers to make it easier to focus on specific job components or add notes to layers for future reference. When the job is complete, you can output the layered job as a single traditional job or output only specific layers.

 
New Features in OMEGA 2.5.1

Flip Images and Gradient fills

You can now flip imported images using the flip commands in the Shape Menu.  You can also flip shapes containing gradient fills without having to manually update the fill.

Rotate Images

You can now rotate images just like other objects using the commands in the Shape Menu or the handles on the work surface.

Improved Generate Decal Cut

Adjust the White Threshold for images in the new Decal Cut dialog box to reduce rectangular cut results.  You can generate decal cuts as cut lines, clipping paths, or both.

Faster Composer performance when opening and changing large jobs

Layer Manager can process elements in large complex files faster then in OMEGA 2.5. Turn off Layer Manager to speed redraw and processing time even further.

Better control of the location of items when using Paste Here and Import commands

When using Paste Here or when importing an object or file new cursors on the work surface position the upper-left corner of the object at the clicked location.

Other OMEGA 2.5.1 Features
  • Support for Arabic Text Entry and availability of Arabic Font Packs
  • More color information in the status bar
  • Smaller File Sizes with high resolution images
  • Improved Import Success Rate with AI and EPS files
  • Extract Image Paths if they are saved in image files
  • Faster layer tree performance when opening and changing large jobs
  • New Layers commands
  • Access to more color information in the layer tree
  • Smart edit from the layer tree
  • Better control over GERBER EDGE output heat settings
  • Improved "Output by Layer” Interface
  • Print GERBER EDGE output settings at the start of jobs
  • Support for Graphtec™ target acquisition plotters
 
Fonts
 
Gerber Fonts Product Information

Gerber's extensive selection of typefaces prepares you for any professional type challenge — from decorative and classic styles, to casual and script. Gerber fonts are hand-digitized to ensure superlative quality and conformance to architectural and industry standards.
 
OMEGA™ CP
These fonts load automatically with OMEGA CP
 
OMEGA™ CS
These fonts load automatically with OMEGA CS
Bonus Fonts added to OMEGA 2.5: Letter Styles List
These additional GerberSoft Fonts are now included with OMEGA CP and CS. Load them using Gerber Font Manager. They do not load automatically.
New with OMEGA 2.5: Font Packs
Gerber OMEGA Font Packs offer an impressive number of additional fonts at a very low cost per font. Individual fonts are not longer available for sale with OMEGA 2.5.The following font Packs are available with OMEGA 2.5:
 
Font and Library Pack Description Number of Items Included Part Number
Premium Gerber Soft Font Pack
Letter Styles List
94 P79594A
GSP Library Pack 62 P79582A
OMEGA CS to CP GSP Font Option 98 P79597A
GSP Highway Gothic Federal Kern 12 Pack Option 12 P79591A
Arabic Font Pack 9 P79585A
Braille Font Pack INCLUDING the Gerber Braille Interpreter Option (The Option and Fonts are activated from the CD with a password) 2 fonts PLUS the Braille Interpreter Option P79310A
GERBER EDGE Font Pack
Letter Style (22MB) List
48 P79588A
 
What’s Included in OMEGA 2.5.1? New Seats New Seat MIPs Layout Station Plot Station GA to OMEGA Upgrades OMEGA 1.5X to OMEGA 2.5.1 Upgrades OMEGA 2.0/2.1 to OMEGA 2.5.1 Upgrades PlotStation, DesignStation, EdgeRip, ImageRIP Standalone Upgrades
Software CD    
URW Font CD    
X-Rite Monaco EZ Color version 2.5 and IT8 Target ♦CP only       ♦CP only      
Reference Manual Coupon (Coupon must be sent to GSP to get manual shipped separately)          
Learning Guide (Included in the kit)          
Getting Started Manual (Included in the kit)    
New USB Security Key  
Upgrade Password              
Separate CD with the following What’s New in OMEGA automated screen grab presentations:
  • GA to OMEGA PowerPoint presentation
  • OMEGA 1.56 to OMEGA 2.0 PowerPoint Presentation
  • What’s New in OMEGA 2.5.1 PDF Presentation
  • What’s New in OMEGA 2.5 PDF Presentation
   
All Manuals in PDF Format (on software CD)    
Distortion and Accelerator Charts in PDF Format

(on software CD)

   
OMEGA Mousepad            
 

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