I have a Gerber Sabre router and am thinkng of getting 3D software. My biggest concern is the $10,000 price tag, wondering if I can upgrade enough of jobs to justify it along with the learning curve to use it.
Is there anyone out there who would be interested in creating the files for me so I can run it on my router? What would you get for the service? I'm thinking at a lower volume, it would not pay me to invest in time and money to do it myself.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
If you already have the router you have the biggest part of the equation beat. EnRoute Pro software is much less than $10K especially in US dollars. Its the software I use and it will be a long while before I exhaust its capabilities.
My advice to you is to buy the software and learn to use it. If you want to be in the 3D sign business you have to be abe to do the work.
I'd also advise you to learn the softweare by routing samples for the walls of your showroom and on the signs of your business.
I've paid for our router and software too just on the sales from the samples which hang on our walls. And my investment was far greater than yours I'm sure. People can't envision what you offer unless you show them.
Build it and they will come!
-grampa dan
Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
Why is the price a concern?
Get a bank loan. Payments will be less than $200 per month. If you can't make $200 per month to pay off the software then you don't need it.
Each job has to have that expense calculated in, so if you only do one CNC job that month...then the starting prices just to TALK about the job is $200.
Posted by TJ Duvall (Member # 3133) on :
Dan is right, EnRoute is a much cheaper way to go and from what the salesman told me in Atlantic City this year they finally got it to work on the Gerber system.
The problem with having someone create your files for you is you still need the software to tell the router how to cut your piece. Gerber has a "closed system", that is why it has taken so long for some companies to write software that works on the Sabres.
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
TJ
Check out www.vetric.com They have a program called "Machinist" that carves 3d files and, get this, it's FREE.
I've used it on several jobs and it works very smoothly.
Joe, thanks for the link to their website. I sent them an e-mail about our Gerber router compatability...hope they can help. By the way, are you running a Gerber?
Posted by Matthew Rolli (Member # 4089) on :
Joe,
vectric is a great piece of software but not if your like us and have Gerber Sabres....Compatability issues.
Enroute is a great solution here...
'Course I mostly just rout in "multiple" stages or depths and handcarve extra detail if needed. Seems WAAY faster than the programming and extra router time. Gotta remember that even though the Router is an extra pair of hands, it's still smart to treat it like an extra employee with a hourly shop rate.
Usually depends on the majority of workflow you have going. If it's all 3D carvings and detail, go for it. If it's like the most of us it's mostly 2.5D with ocassional full 3D.
just my 2 cents....
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
Excellent point Matthew,
Although I haven't found a client base for regular 3D work, that which we've done is allways improved by the chisel. It seems smart to approach work as you describe.
Everyone I've met who has one of the Gerber routers is very pleased with it. Such a shame Gerbers been so difficult to deal with. Excellent products, awful company.
