For those of you out there that may have checked into routers, or even have one, I have a few questions.
1. Do you use, or know of someone that uses Enroute Pro or Artcam Insignia
2. AXYZ says to use Artcam Insignia
3. Multicamm says to use Enroute Pro.
4.What are your thoughts on the 2 programs. Such as the ease to run the programs, etc.
We haven't purchased any router yet, this is a major purcahse and we are just trying to do our homework. We are just interested in everyones views on these two machines.
Thanks for any help.
T
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Theresa
Back when we were researching the purchase of our router I looked closely at both programs. Both are good and both can do pretty much the same thing.
That being said, I strongly feel that EnRoute is a little easier to use, a little more intuitive. As I see it ArtCam is a little more for the technical applications.
We do a workshop here in our studio called Router Magic, (the next one is in February) showing just how we create the files which we send to our router. We also cover a lot more including creating bitmap textures, hand texturing the pieces that come off the router, faux finishing and as much else as we can cram into three days (or slightly more). Its a high energy course full of fun!
At the workshop held a few weeks ago Danny Baronian was in attendance... a long time ArtCam user. He enjoyed our workshop and learned lots. He took what we were teaching about EnRoute and translated it into the program he was used to.
I would suggest you contact him as he is now very familiar with both programs. He could give you a much more unbiased opinion than I. His email is dabaron2@sbcglobal.net. He's a great guy who would happily answer your questions.
If you have any questions regarding routers and what to look for... or pertaining to EnRoute please give me a call. I'd be happy to answer them as best I could.
Creating more magic on my router in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
I've been using EnroutePro almost daily for just over a year now on a MultiCAM router. I found it pretty easy to learn and program with. Then again I used a high end program called SurfCAM for two years previous to my current position.
Enroute Pro so far has done whatever we ask of it, and we do some pretty intricate surfacing. And the MultiCAM router is a pretty well built accurate machine.
Like Grampa Dan says, weigh both platforms and machines and see which will work best for you. I'm sure some others will offer their feedback on the AXYZ machine and ArtCAM.
If I can answer any questions you might have drop me an email.
Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
The machines and the programs have to be left seperate.
I run EnRoute Pro on an AXYZ 4008 and it runs great. The idea of Dan's workshop, I have to say is worth it and would be a great investment. I was at the first one, and if you're in the market for this kind of work and still have unanswered questions, they will be at the end of the workshop...
Contact the different companies for more info and go with your feeling.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
We use ArtCam Pro with our ShopBot and have found it to be a great software, although it does have a steep learning curve, which I am still climbing.
From what I've heard, both programs do about the same thing, but then I would be prejudice for ArtCam.
I'm looking forward to attending one of Sawhatshisname's workshop and learning more about this 3D stuff.
Posted by Cody Reich (Member # 8052) on :
Like Rene said... Dan's workshop would be perfect for you.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Although I don't have a router and had zero experience in either ArtCam or EnRoute prior to Dan's workshop, I managed to follow along quite well and would highly recommend it to anyone contemplating the purchase of routing software and hardware.
Even though the workshop had EnRoute, MultiCam, and Precision Board as headline acts, the techniques and ways of thinking that were shared could apply to just about any combination of software, hardware, and materials.
If you are contemplating the purchase of a CNC machine, attending the workshop would go a long way toward completing your homework assignment.
Posted by E. Balch (Member # 3545) on :
I would not start out buying either program. I would download demos of both and follow any tutorials your find on line.
Even better I would go to the vectric website and look at their tutorial videos. They have more free videos than anyone else and their software is first class.
You can download demo software and compare features. V carve pro and cut3D combined costs about 10% of artcam.
ernie
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
It's like the difference in a Ford or Chevy. Both are good programs. I've gone with ArtCam because of their support. One of their reps is a good friend and fellow Shopboter, Gary Beckwith. I've also developed a close relationship with James Booth one of the developers.
All in all they're both top drawer. Neither will hold you back.
Ernie's right about learning with Vectric. It's fun and easy.
Posted by Cody Reich (Member # 8052) on :
I have not had the pleasure of using or owning ArtCam, but hear many great things about the program itself. However, is it true that ArtCam makes you pay somewhere in the ballpark of $1,200 every year to keep using it?
[ November 22, 2007, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Cody Reich ]
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
There are a ton of other softwares around that will do just about 99% of what most ppl will do.. They do the same work and some are a lot easier to operate. some is very low priced with no yearly fees that is capable of doing your sign work. There is an old boy near me that runs a router with an old windows 98 computer running software that didn't cost him but a few hundreds dollars doing just about anything anyone else can do with their $8 grand + $1220 a year in rental fee packages.
Google Bobcad or
MACH3
Mach 3 allows you to write up to 500 lines of code free to play with. That many lines of G-code will do some basic cutting.
Or go to Utube and watch a few of those really nice video tutors of persons running very low cost software
That way you can look at how cad/cam software works and decide if an $8 grand package is really what you want or if you can run just fine with a $900 or less software package.
By the way. my Cocut PRO has an add on called multi tool that will run a router that is very low priced compared to some of those other packages.
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
Cody,
ArtCam offers a suplimental package, beyond the purchase of their Pro package. This is an optional program that includes additional tutorials, cut files, and a variety of program addons.
You can use ArtCam Pro and use it, as is, without annual costs. I'll let you know more about the options in a few days.
Posted by Cody Reich (Member # 8052) on :
Thank you Joe. Both programs seem to be the best of the best. Kinda like picking between a Lamborghini or Ferrari. They both will do more than most anyone wants to and have plenty of power left over.
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
I agree Cody,
Neither of these programs will hold back the creative mind. At this point I could go either way.
When I started with routing, EnRoute was a fledgling program. I wanted to go in that direction since I was a long time Flexi user. At that time ArtCam had their, less expesive “Insignia” version on the market which was excellent at 2.5 carving porgram, (V Carving) so I went in that direction. At that time Vetric, which is wornderful program, hadn't been convieved.
I’ve tried both programs and nudged over to ArtCam since their support has been excellent, their Forum is great, and the thousands of world wide users has tempted me over. O’ also they gave a fat $3000 back on my old Insignia program.
You can’t go wrong with either of these great programs.
