LXi

What LXi is

LXi 26 is design and production software for vinyl cutting, signage, and large-format graphics. It runs on Windows 10 and 11 and includes text and shape editing, bitmap tools, tracing, and Fit-to-Shape tools. All editions can read SVG files and import and edit older Flexi raster and vector files. An Adobe CC plugin sends vector designs from Illustrator to LXi and raster designs from Photoshop to LXi RIP Design. RIP Design can transfer work from CorelDraw, Illustrator, and Photoshop to Visual Production Manager. The maker says the software supports more than 1,000 cutter models across 97 brands, including Vinyl Express, Graphtec, Roland, and GCC. Expert costs $595, paid once and provides basic design and editing with one cutter driver at a time. Master Plus costs $1,095, paid once and adds design and bitmap tools, without RIP or print functionality. RIP Design costs $2,495, paid once and supports printing, contour cutting, vinyl cutting, multiple output devices, and queues. The product pages describe a 15-day free trial, while the main FAQ describes a one-week trial. Listed requirements include 32–64 GB RAM, a 3GHz Intel i5 or i7 equivalent, and broadband internet for cloud window features and license activation.

Who it suits

Expert is aimed at people making simpler vinyl projects, while Master Plus is described for professional sign shops. RIP Design is for shops with wide-format printers that need printing, contour cutting, vinyl cutting, and multiple output devices or queues.

Limits

Expert allows one cutter driver at a time. Master Plus has no RIP or print functionality. The product pages describe a 15-day trial, while the main LXi FAQ describes a one-week trial.

Getting started

1. Check that your computer runs Windows 10 or 11 and meets the listed hardware requirements.
2. Open the LXi product page and choose Expert, Master Plus, or RIP Design.
3. Use the free trial described on the product pages or purchase an edition.
4. Install LXi on Windows and connect to broadband for license activation.
5. Use the linked support resources or the included training videos.

Verdict

Choose LXi 26 if your sign or graphics workflow needs vinyl cutting tools and support for a broad range of cutters. Expert covers basic design for simpler projects; shops needing printing and multiple output devices should consider RIP Design. Check the trial terms, since product pages state 15 days while the main FAQ says one week.