Signs from DXF
Moderators: Jason Susnjara, Larry Epplin, Clint Buechlein, Jim Bullis
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Fri, May 27 2005, 8:56AM
- Company Name: Old Style Woodwork
- Country: CANADA
- Location: Southern Alberta
Signs from DXF
Hello,
We have been approached by a sign company in the area to route signs on our router. Their software will export files in DXF format.
Has anyone tried to cut signs from DXF files? I use TurboCad & have read through the CN manual about running DXF files & it looks like it will be a lot of work to get the sign file to the point where it could be run on the machine. I have attached the jpg of the sign they want cut, the white would be cut away.
The sign is 54" x 84" & the field would be .5" deep.
I can see cutting simple panels with pockets & dadoes but don't know if it will be worth trying to get the sign file to the point it can be run? Thanks,
Gerry
We have been approached by a sign company in the area to route signs on our router. Their software will export files in DXF format.
Has anyone tried to cut signs from DXF files? I use TurboCad & have read through the CN manual about running DXF files & it looks like it will be a lot of work to get the sign file to the point where it could be run on the machine. I have attached the jpg of the sign they want cut, the white would be cut away.
The sign is 54" x 84" & the field would be .5" deep.
I can see cutting simple panels with pockets & dadoes but don't know if it will be worth trying to get the sign file to the point it can be run? Thanks,
Gerry
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Thu, Oct 20 2011, 12:52PM
- Company Name: Carlton Kitchen and Bath
- Country: UNITED STATES
Re: Signs from DXF
It would be nice if islands in pockets were supported, I'm not complaining though, dxf nesting is great for simple parts. I've seen people on here post ways to do this by dividing entities with islands into separate pockets... looks time consuming, but not impossible. Another way to do this is to manually offset poly lines by distance equal to the diameter of the bit and use a center-line layer to manually lay out the tool path for the pocket, use chain comp in and out on the letters outlines.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Fri, May 27 2005, 8:56AM
- Company Name: Old Style Woodwork
- Country: CANADA
- Location: Southern Alberta
Re: Signs from DXF
Hi Daniel,
Islands in pockets.......that is where I was coming to a halt in my thinking to make this work but did not not know what to call it
I think the DFX import will work well for some things but I am starting to think that signs is not one of those things.
Thanks,
Gerry
Islands in pockets.......that is where I was coming to a halt in my thinking to make this work but did not not know what to call it
I think the DFX import will work well for some things but I am starting to think that signs is not one of those things.
Thanks,
Gerry
-
- Guru Member
- Posts: 622
- Joined: Fri, May 20 2005, 6:48PM
- Company Name: Classic Cabinetry
- Location: Albany Western Australia
- Contact:
Re: Signs from DXF
Gerry, we use artcam for signs and things we find a bit hard through Ecabinets. Are your sure the signwriters software does not export to the Thermwood as Artcam does. I think enroute does as well? Maybe you could get a dxf and send to the Thermwood guys and they could say if it possible?
Regards
Neville
Regards
Neville
Neville Australia
-
- Wizard Member
- Posts: 4723
- Joined: Mon, May 09 2005, 7:33PM
- Company Name: Double E Cabinets
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Location: Amarillo, TX
Re: Signs from DXF
Gerry,
Cut 2D software from Vectric is the easiest and least expensive way to do that sign.
Cut 2D software from Vectric is the easiest and least expensive way to do that sign.
-
- Guru Member
- Posts: 559
- Joined: Wed, May 18 2005, 6:59PM
- Company Name: CNC Automation
- Country: CANADA
- Location: St. Zotique, Québec, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Signs from DXF
ArtCAM Express (Thermwood is an ArtCAM representative) should be able to do that as well for about $150. You may want to add the Advanced 2D Machining Module for some advanced "pocketing" features (about $150 extra). ArtCAM Express also has other modules that can be added on if you need additional features.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Fri, May 27 2005, 8:56AM
- Company Name: Old Style Woodwork
- Country: CANADA
- Location: Southern Alberta
Re: Signs from DXF
Hi,
So the consensus is clear. Well I am off to evaluate the programs you all have suggested.
One of my customers once told me his biggest fear was that he would spend almost enough to get what he needs.
That is always my concern when I am buying software like this although most seem to have a reasonable upgrade path.
Thanks everyone for your input,
Gerry
So the consensus is clear. Well I am off to evaluate the programs you all have suggested.
One of my customers once told me his biggest fear was that he would spend almost enough to get what he needs.
That is always my concern when I am buying software like this although most seem to have a reasonable upgrade path.
Thanks everyone for your input,
Gerry
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Tue, Oct 03 2006, 6:51PM
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Contact:
Re: Signs from DXF
Gerry,
We've been running the Vectric packages from version 1. Works very nicely with the router. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Fred
We've been running the Vectric packages from version 1. Works very nicely with the router. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Fred
Fred Hirsch
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Fri, May 27 2005, 8:56AM
- Company Name: Old Style Woodwork
- Country: CANADA
- Location: Southern Alberta
Re: Signs from DXF
Hi Fred,
I downloaded ArtCam express, VCarve Pro & Cut2D trial editions & are working through them to see if they will do the job for me.
They will all obviously do this sign but I need to think about future jobs also. The Full version of ArtCam is a bit of a heart stopper when you get to the bottom line
Thanks Fred,
Gerry
I downloaded ArtCam express, VCarve Pro & Cut2D trial editions & are working through them to see if they will do the job for me.
They will all obviously do this sign but I need to think about future jobs also. The Full version of ArtCam is a bit of a heart stopper when you get to the bottom line
Thanks Fred,
Gerry
-
- Guru Member
- Posts: 837
- Joined: Sat, Mar 05 2011, 7:29AM
- Company Name: Heritage WoodWorks
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Location: Jacksonville Nc
- Contact:
Re: Signs from DXF
Check out Aspire Trial Edition.Gerry A Brown wrote:Hi Fred,
I downloaded ArtCam express, VCarve Pro & Cut2D trial editions & are working through them to see if they will do the job for me.
They will all obviously do this sign but I need to think about future jobs also. The Full version of ArtCam is a bit of a heart stopper when you get to the bottom line
Thanks Fred,
Gerry
Yes! Oh Yes! I Think We Are Going to make It!
https://www.youtube.com/user/ecabinetstips
https://www.facebook.com/groups/397563664342467
https://www.youtube.com/user/ecabinetstips
https://www.facebook.com/groups/397563664342467
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Fri, May 27 2005, 8:56AM
- Company Name: Old Style Woodwork
- Country: CANADA
- Location: Southern Alberta
Re: Signs from DXF
Hi Scott,
I was trying to avoid spending that much but we do have a rotary playback on our router so it may be the best way to go.
Thanks,
Gerry
I was trying to avoid spending that much but we do have a rotary playback on our router so it may be the best way to go.
Thanks,
Gerry
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 179
- Joined: Thu, Oct 11 2007, 7:33PM
- Company Name: Penn Laminates
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Location: Trafford PA
- Contact:
Re: Signs from DXF
We use Aspire by Vectric which works very well with the router, you can import dxf's directly and apply a tool path and cut or import a photo and vectoriize, apply toolpaths and cut that way. Also does rotary and 3D work.
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 140
- Joined: Fri, May 27 2005, 8:56AM
- Company Name: Old Style Woodwork
- Country: CANADA
- Location: Southern Alberta
Re: Signs from DXF
Hi Terry,
We went with V Carve pro. It looks like it will do everything we need to do & if we decide we need Aspire we get a very good upgrade discount. We also bought Cut3D for those odd jobs
Thanks everyone for your advice,
Gerry
We went with V Carve pro. It looks like it will do everything we need to do & if we decide we need Aspire we get a very good upgrade discount. We also bought Cut3D for those odd jobs
Thanks everyone for your advice,
Gerry