There are several. The most popular are ArtCam and EnRoute. They are pricey. The new comer on the block is Aspire. It's advantage is ease of use and a price of 1/3 off the other two. And does the exact same modeling.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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(there's also Rhino which could be used to start things off)
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"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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Ian I'd suggest you give the free Aspire introduction a go. It's much easier to use since they have complete "On Line" tutorials. It also comes with a bunch of pre-maid models.
As I remember Rhino doesn't generate tool paths. There's a ton of 3D programs on the market, like that, however they aren' designed for CNC work. Which means you will need another tickey program to make the process work. It can be a time hog and confusing. But every year it gets better and better.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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Joe, thanks for the suggestion- If I wasn't already invested in Enroute, I would give Aspire a go! Enroute does the toolpaths too.
I just mentioned Rhino as another 3D program, that's all.
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"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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Most of these software can do much more than the users care to learn in most cases. If you find yourself at the limitations of EnRoute and still need more speed, I think you're in the wrong line !
-------------------- Bill'n'Annie Davidson Heathcote, NSW, Aus. my Aussie wife, a Toohey's Old, my Holden Ute, Retired from the rat race! Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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You can have a 3D file in many formats, including dxf, but you then need to convert that file to something that the router can 'do'.
Some programs need a 'post processor', but Enroute has one built in. Whet that does is it applies various parameters to the 3D file like the geometry & diameter of the cutter in the router, the speed of cut, the amount of step-over per pass, depth of cut etc, and it generates G-code toolpaths, based on those inputs applied to the shape in the file.
These toolpaths control the router & tell it when to go up, down, sideways or whatever.
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"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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Bryan, there are a number of ways to do "things" associated with 3D.
Firstly, you can take a single dimension object and have it convert to 3D via programs like Artcam, Enroute, and Aspire. Each of these once given a "relief" - that is a pictorial third dimension - then can have a toolpath applied to it.
You can also go into REAL 3D and design from scratch (which is the way I do it) in a program like Rhino. To me, this is so far superior to the three above. A different world.
To answer your question (I think) Vector Art most likely use (maybe) one of the above 3 programs. You really can see the quality difference when you visit somewhere like www.3dmodelclub.com where a physical object is made and then scanned 360 degrees, to create the meshes.
You can also look at programs like RhinoArt (a Rhino plugin) and Stenza which will do a superior / more flexible job but more laborious due to the missing "just hit this button" process.
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