posted March 04, 2014 09:10 AM
I was wondering what other are using for their CNC table as software to creat 3D design. I 'm looking to buy EnRoute Pro Design or Vector Art 3d machin but I would like to hear from some of you . any help I will appreciated at advance.
Thanks!
-------------------- Sal Cabrera Signs By Sal New Freedom , PA
The goal of Yesterday will be the Stating Point of Tomorrow! Posts: 686 | From: New Freedom , PA US | Registered: Nov 1999
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posted March 04, 2014 02:01 PM
I've used Enroute as well, and liked it very much. I also used SurfCAM back in the day.....but that is on a whole other level and not really geared towards sign making.
posted March 04, 2014 02:37 PM
I use Aspire. It seems way easier to use. I didn't want to buy an expensive software only to find out that you had to take classes just to use it. Aspire comes with video tutorials.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted March 05, 2014 12:27 AM
I use art cam, but I would be using aspire if it would've come out in time. But I had to get something for 3-D modeling and Aspire was not out yet.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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There are some even cooler things coming down the line that will allow us to do even more soon.
-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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posted March 05, 2014 08:08 AM
Nice step by Step Dan , thanks for sharing, I know you are Pro on this but wondering how hard will be to learn, I saw the EnRoute Pro working on a CNC in a Sign show last year and caught my eye thought to get more Info about it.
Thanks to reply to my post.
-------------------- Sal Cabrera Signs By Sal New Freedom , PA
The goal of Yesterday will be the Stating Point of Tomorrow! Posts: 686 | From: New Freedom , PA US | Registered: Nov 1999
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It's an old version I know, but it works and I like it so far, and it's been good to us!
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...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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I am anything but a computer guy. The 3D program did take me a while to learn but if I can do it anyone can.
The key to learning anything new and complex is to set aside time to invest in learning something properly. I purposely didn't put a paying job on my router for there months after I bought it. I instead did small samples, learning every technique in the manual and quickly far past that. I did 26 alphabet samples - all using different techniques and styles. We also experimented with paint and finishing techniques on those same samples. After 26 samples I knew the software pretty good. I also had an wall full of wonderful eye candy that has helped sell many, many lying jobs through the years.
Now seven years later I still do samples on a regular basis. These ones are much more elaborate as you can well imagine. I credit the skills we have with a CNC router and the software to that investment of time.
I'll continue to invest time into learning by creating more samples in the future - always pushing on the boundaries of today's knowledge.
-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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posted March 06, 2014 01:28 PM
Spell check does weird stuff to my posts. I think that should have read 'paying jobs'.
-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 pay up front, then get my money back (and more) later.
-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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posted March 06, 2014 11:08 PM
I caught on to Enroute pretty quickly once I learned how to set everything up. I did have previous experience on SurfCAM using 3, and 5 axis equipment for prototypes. Enroute was capable of doing a lot of fun stuff! I would compare and see which software produces does the most effective and efficient 3D surfaces.
What dawned on me as I was figuring it all out was....why do sign people purchase an expensive router and software, just to make signs that look like they were sandblasted? It's 3D after all....flip the substrate over and make things really 3D!
posted March 08, 2014 10:20 PM
I did somewhat begrudgingly buy 2 cds of Enroute "how-to" flash videos,(or one may have been a DVD) but they were very good in giving me a grounding in some of the parameters I'd not have considered were of any significance at first.
There is access to a lot more of that sort of thing if you read the SAI Enroute forums which don't get a lot of support, but from which I've learned a lot, or learned who to ask for some tricky aspects that had me stuck till I could figure a work-around..
[ March 08, 2014, 10:22 PM: Message edited by: Ian Stewart-Koster ]
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...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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posted March 11, 2014 03:21 AM
Aspire, (I have art cam too). But Aspire is the way to go. I really like the forum that treats every one like a partner and offers tips and tricks that mean something. Have not found a limit to what Aspire can do.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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