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We've had our Gerber 404 Sabre router for a little over a year. We use it primarily for substrate shapes and dimensional pvc, hdu, gatorfoam, letters (and a little acrylic) We use the supplied Gerber Art Path and Art Carve software. We don't have a spindle, instead it came with a PorterCable multispeed router head.
Who out there have Gerber Routers? Have anyone of you used any of the high power software like ArtCam or Enroute? I see the stuff that Dan does and am freaked out at his talent and how quickly he became a real expert in 3D creations.
I know Gerber has some proprietary limitations and would like to hear from other Gerber owners who have done the kind of stuff that Dan is doing.
-------------------- Tony Lucero Eagle Graphics Waterford, MI www.eaglegph.com Posts: 305 | From: Waterford, MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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I got some info about artcam, runs about 10K. Does anyone know how enroute compares? My biggest concern is the learning curve on the software, gerber art path is easy and I'm old and dumb.
-------------------- Carper's Signs 594 Union School Rd. Mount Joy, PA 17552 carpersign@earthlink.net Posts: 157 | From: Lancaster, PA, USA | Registered: Aug 1999
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My ArtCam Pro 9 was $7,500 but I don't know if it works with Gerber. If I remember the conversation with Sawatzky, Enroute is slightly less but not a bunch.
When you are "old and dumb" (like me) everything is dificult. The learning curve with ArtCam is rather steep but I am catching on a little at a time. At some point I will attend their training session and then things should go much more smoothly.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I see the stuff that Dan does and am freaked out at his talent and how quickly he became a real expert in 3D creations.
I think before you make a comment like that you had better go back a few more years than when Dan purchased a router and study some of his work,articles written about and by him.
It takes alot more than a router to produce such work.
Yes I have a gerber router. No I cannot spit work out like that and become a Quote "3d Expert in Creation".
It takes a alot more than that.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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Sam - you are right. Dan did not just start producing that type of work when he bought his MultiCam....he was already doing it with other tools. The router just made it easier for him and quicker.
Of course, you do know that he's not real - he's a Disney experiment.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Look at Vectric software first. you can download demos of Vcarve Pro, Carve 3D and Photo Vcut. They are much cheaper and are fantastic. Free training videos are available on line. So you can be cutting parts in one day.
Artcam costs more than my router did and the yearly maintenance fee costs more than Vcarve Pro did.
ernie
Posts: 405 | From: Malta, NY | Registered: Jan 2003
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I tested a number of programs before buying EnRoute Pro 3. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.
EnRoute looked to me to be one of the most intuitive to use, and generated the comples files I needed faster than anything else out there in my tests.
We were creating simple files in minutes, and moderately complex files in days. I suspect I'll never reach the end of what is possible although we attempt to test those limits every day.
I am delighted with the software after using it and our MultiCam for almost a year and a half. I'm told there are some exciting developments right around the corner...
The EnRoute Pro software is less expensive than ArtCam and there is no annual fee to maintain it. I'm not sure what the US price is but I recall it was about $1000 less in Canadian Dollars.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Sam, this is an example of the downside in dialog on this site. You mistakenly read into my "comment" about Dan Sawatzky. I've been around for awhile and am well aware of Dan's pre-router creations. I did not mean to infer that the ability to operate a router could automatically make one a creative genius. Simply, I only meant to say that his inspiration has made me want to grow and expand our capabilities. This inspiration extends to many of the men and ladies who regularly contribute to this site. I will "watch" my word choices more closely in the future and would suggest to you and others who look "too critically" at such dialog...to lighten up.
-------------------- Tony Lucero Eagle Graphics Waterford, MI www.eaglegph.com Posts: 305 | From: Waterford, MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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One week ago today I had a guy call that works a side business out of his house with a vinyl cutter that he purchased after leaving a shop says the thing is going to make him a killing.
I said good for you what can I help you with?
He said "I would like to come over tomorrow for an hour or so and have you teach me what you know about leafing, is that OK?"
Very calm I said "I'am sorry but I don't have the time, it's Saturday and will be spending it home".
Ok he says "maybe some other time, Hey maybe you could show me how to etch glass too I see you do pretty good with that too".
Now this is a person that really does'nt understand the difference between Cast or Calendered vinyl yet ( this is why he called in the first place).
So yes maybe I read your input wrong.
I have worked hard on getting to where I am with very little to no help and I now am willing to help anyone else, as long as I know there willing to put there long hours of studing and searching in the way I did.
Back to the router Question. Give me a call I can give you input on the many things I have acheived using just a D-200.
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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Proud Gerber owner since late last fall. Great machine, great service for the few questions I've had. I have been doing cnc work for years, and finally needed the control inhouse. It's been a very pleasant expierence. Many hours of learning but worth it. I took the opportunity to get some additional training from some fellow letterheads: Marcus and Manfred of Germany. Such a wonderful memory
In regards to Software, I too looked into Vectric, but with Gerber's propriatary issues, it wouldn't work. At least as I was told at the time.
I do not have ArtCam Pro yet, and Gerber doesn't even sell the tool-changer anymore due to high costs. Our plan is to buy a used tool-changer within 1-2 years. For now I V-Carve, Primatic cut, and straight cut mostly. I'm a big fan of cleaning out areas with the bit very similar to how I used to Multi-Stage sandblast. I still pull out the chisels, and sanders often to get the carved looks I want.
Plenty of options with "awl" bits to get a Hand-carved texture background. We even use a V-bit as a cleanout tool to offer a wood-grain type texture.
Fun times.....
-------------------- Matthew Rolli AdCraft Sign&Design Hudson, WI Posts: 280 | From: Hudson, WI | Registered: Aug 2003
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