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The new router is here and set up. Lets hear it, who runs what software and what are the likes and dislikes. We have been using casmate and Enroute. I am use to the way it works but it is a dinosaur and will not run on newer computers. I have a trial version of Profile Lab made by CadLink I'm going to try.
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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As you probably know we use EnRoute Pro here in our shop. THe learning curve was a little step expecially for me as I had never done vector art prior to buying the router. I had to learn Illustrator and EnRoute and the operation of the router functions at the same time.
With EnRoute the basic routering was possible within minutes of starting... cutting shapes and stuff. Simple 3D files didn't take long and we were doing complex things in a relatively short while. Now we are taking it to the max.
I've had a sneak peek at the next version of EnRoute which is coming out very soon... I'm excited!!! It fixes a couple of the quirky things about the current version and adds a whole new level of amazing creativity in a very simple way. I'm sworn to secrecy unfortunately about the specifics... but.... well... its gonna be VERY cool!
If you want to see the maximum EnRoute will do come on out for the workshop in October for a hands-on 3 day crash course.
-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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I use Enroute Pro also. I started cutting master parts two weeks after I started my new job. Then again I used the high end SurfCAM program for two years previous to starting my current position. I have found Enroute 3 Pro to be pretty easy to pick up and it'll do most anything you ask of it. I have been using it daily for the last year.
We are cutting very small scale detailed work using down to .005 inch engraving bits and get great results. We also do a quite a bit of surface creation using bitmap projection and that feature also works very well.
If I were going to buy CAM software for myself and could afford it....I would go with Enroute Pro.
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We design in signlab then export as .ai to Vectric Vcarve Pro. This takes care of 90% of our needs.
For 3D work we use Vectric Cut3D and sometimes Vector art 3D machinist. I also make lithopanes with PhotoVcarve.
I strongly recommend downloading the free demos and training videos from Vectric.
We also have Casmate with routing enhancements that we never use any more. Other software we don't use anymore include: Rams 3D, Artcam Insignia/E, and Gerber Artpath.
ernie
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1695 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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If I were to do it over I would take a serious look at Enroute 3 I cut my teeth on Enroute 2 but that program never impressed me so we went with Artcam. Been real happy with it but been playing with the demo of Enroute and seems to be pretty nice. As for Engravelab. Don't even waste your time unless they did a major overhaul. (And that is comming form a DIEHARD Signlab user)
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