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I know this has been talked about before....and will be in the future.
I have a full copy of Artcam Pro 6 here, which I have borrowed for a month....router comes next week.
AXYZ sell Toolpath Studio which is an OEM of Cadlinks Profilelab, but made for their routers.
The router comes with standard toolpath, which imports any files from other vector based software.
Bit against adding a site licence at 1600 dollars for Profile lab which is based on Signlab 5 when we have already upgraded to E6 here.
But am more interested in Artcam's Insignia 2D and 2.5D programme or the Pro 6 version.
Would really like to here from people using Artcam products....I know Karyn uses it, would I be better starting off with Insignia and upgrading later? Although 3D work is fun...I wonder if you cost up the machine time if its worth it, at the moment, you can do prismatic lettering and V-carving with Insignia.
posted
Henry, with a month of artcam you will not want to use anything else. It is a great product, As for the 3d stuff you can uprade later , you have enough to learn on the flat stuff for now Cheers Terry
-------------------- Terry Colley The VintageSign Co 42 barrack hill Romiley Stockport Cheshire, England sk6 3az tel 0161 494 5089 terry@bullandbrush.fsnet.co.uk Posts: 210 | From: England | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
That's probably the way I will go as they wanted someone close to them to demo software....meaning a better price.
I just wondered how people had found it in daily use.
Good talking to you the other day
I was begining to wonder if anyone was going to reply....seemed like Janet Jacksons tit held a more captive audience than a question to do with signmaking !
The Multicam people here were pushing enroute, when I was looking at their machines, I know you have a Multicam. I had looked a little at Profilelab, which is basically what AXYZ Toolpath studio is (OEM) and as I already have Signlab would be a cheaper extra site licence.
However have heard so many good things about Artcam, I have the full version to try would be nice to see Insignia too to see what's missing!
Strange the way things go, I had set myself on a Gerber, but the local service was terrible so I looked at Multicam, and thought got talking to some signfriends in the UK and got a very good deal on an AXYS from Canada...time will tell. The Swedish distributor has been really helpful.
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hi henry...you will love artcampro 6...i can't really tell you alot about insignia or whether or not it does the prismatic lettering but i think it does...i know artcampro does...it's really quite a program...it takes alot of time and patience to get proficient with its capabilities...as they seem endless. i tend to over buy(ya think?)so when i have time to experiment i play with it...if you are a seasoned carver you may find it's not a neccessary expense. i have a friend in maine who just has insignia and he doesn't seemed limited at all...he's also a carver. i am not. matter of fact it would probably take him longer to figure out the program to do a relief than to carve it...now if you are doing multipy reliefs of the same then it's a must. even though i've had my router a year i still feel like a beginner because i don't get to use all day long everyday...since i'm a one chick gig i have to do what comes in the door whether its truck lettering, ugly directionals, simple site signs, banners etc. i have been doing some carved stuff lately...it still has me on edge though(mostly the installation part). i suppose you can always upgrade to pro 6 if you feel you need it later. and yes reliefs take alot more time on the router! good luck in your decision! and feel free to contact me.
[ February 06, 2004, 10:50 AM: Message edited by: KARYN BUSH ]
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Just download the insignia demo and give it a try.
I tried the artcam insignia demo software for a couple of days. The editing features worked but were not upto the standards of corel. The high price and annual support fee kept me from buying.
Instead I purchased Rams3D for a fraction of the cost. Rams3D only generates tool paths and gcode so I do all the design work in Inventor, autocad, corel or casmate.
ernie
-------------------- Ernie Balch Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 518-885-9899 Posts: 405 | From: Malta, NY | Registered: Jan 2003
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We have a gerber router that is in use 8 hrs a day. We cut material for different manufacturing companies, mostly 2d stuff. Alot of lexan, brass, aluminum, 3/8 1/4 1/2 1" 1.25" 1.5 uhmw, gatorfoam, solid wood etc.
Today I was trying to cut a piece of 1.5" nylon...that is tuff stuff to cut. Went through (5) 1/4" bits and that was only going down 1/4" at a time.
Anyway I'm interested to see how you like the axyz router. We were looking at one for a second router to have. We just quoted on a big job that would have a router in use 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week for 2 months.( The router wouldn't operate like that but that gives you an idea.)
Also make sure you have a good dust collector(vacuum system) We replaced two in the last year.
If i can help in any other way let me know.
-------------------- Robert Carney Fergus, Ontario Posts: 131 | From: Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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