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what are your views on Artcam Express?
I just started looking at Artcam, we have a AXYZ 6012 and I had the demo’s CD’s through so I thought I would test it out as with Toolpath 2.8.03 that comes with the older AXYZ router, however the system is:-
1: Slow at sending complicated data to the CNC
2: Toolpath is unable to converse with latest CorelDraws correctly so I have to resort to outputting AI6 from Corel then converting it with Composer (Gerber) file converter (our old routers software) to output to DXF (AI>DXF)
3: Toolpath will then load an accurate DXF file and runs the file perfectly to the CNC.
4: Corel sadly has a bug with AI and I think it is to do with the way Corel uses nodes unlike other programs. Take a circle, it will actually split it up into hundreds of line/curve segments on Export and then this increases the file size, so if you are doing an array of data on an 8′ x 4′ sheet then you end up with thousands of lines (with exception to the handset array function)I basically need to find a better way of getting data out of Corel Draw and over to either Toolpath or better CNC software.
I had a look at the Artcam and got mixed response from AXYZ, the ‘Insignia’ system will work with the router and replace toolpath. With a days training and the Insignia software, the price worked out to be a bit over the top.
So my questions, is anyone using Artcam Express? (the budget version)
Is it the same product as Artcam Insignia as website has no demo of that version
Is the AXYZ and output processors with Artcam Express?Can anyone recommend software that will handle Corel Draw related files correctly and have features like nesting / engraving / twin head control etc?
We are spending too much time preparing CNC files and Artcam demo does a very good job
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12 Replies
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Dave goto http://www.aidsoftware.co.uk and get in touch with Jim there. I deal with him quite alot he runs a Pacer and needs high quality DXF. He had the same problem as you and is now the UK agent for Bezarc, this takes in AI from anywhere and produces correct DXF it also takes in Corel’s cmx format.
Alan D -
Thank Al, I just sent over a message, see what response I get.
I must admit I did attempt to make a Corel to NC program once but the CNC didn’t move very well lol I abandoned it.
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dave
I use Artcam Insigna, as a design program it is Sh*t as it like omega which i also hate, but it does import ai dxf dwg etc.
As for it working with your router it souldn’t be a problem it all down to u having the correct post file’s from which you software supplier should be able to recode and make it suit your machine. the actual software as apart from the design end is v good, the profiling options, automatic bridgeing, nesting, v carve, automatic tool changing, anything u need is there, i don’t know if the express is just insigna without the drawing part. if it is then it will be very good. We currently don’t just dump our file to the CNC, as we Dripfeed them to it.
if u need any help give me a callIan
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We go directly from COREL to Profilelab or engravelab with our Tekcel, we have artcam and mastercam , but profilelab does what we want.
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only really intend to setup a router from some software, the features I have seen so far are good. I am going to send you a message Ian in a mo…
Which formats you using Rodney from Corel to ProfileLab?
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Anything we can get into Corel will export to Profilelab, its got all the features you want, the only thing im not sure of is twin head support.
One of the big plusses is that it runs our Tekcel, our 5 Isels , our small Rolands , and if we want , our lasers (we drive the lasers directly off Corel)
I dont run the tekcel myself , but evidently Profilelab imports all sorts of other formats too? -
Isn’t ProfileLab one of the Cadlink products? basically Signlab with additional module.
Alan D -
Like you’ve found Corel doesn’t export curves correctly, there is a very cheap program that corrects this.
http://www.candcnc.com/DXFTOOLDetails.htm
This is for 21/2 D work not 3D.
A good simple CAM program for cnc 21/2D is sheetcam http://www.sheetcam.com/
Another is meshcam art, you can use a bitmap to to create a 3d surface model as well as import stl and dxf 3d models.
Both these programs output normal gcode and have modifiable post files.
Steve
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Yeh , its a sort of subset of signlab or engravelab. Works very well.
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Thanks all so far, I must admit I have looked at a lot of the solutions so far, I must admit the Sheetcam is very good looking software, very simple and still studying it. To my shock the author of software seems to be 15 miles away.
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Sheetcam is very good for the money and Les is always very helpful, he’s in the process of writing a new one called TNG, this has some improvements including showing cut width to help you see any problems with the cutter catching other parts, he’s intending adding true nesting as well.
He’s very active on the Yahoo group for it as well and always trys to answer any questions users have.I use it a lot on my CNC mill but it seems adaptable to most cnc applications.
Steve
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Stephen, I have received contact from him this morning, he may pop over and check over the kit we have. Yes, I tested TNG and I see it is in early Alpha stage, also the overlap/width thing is something that I noticed. Nesting would be good and have been impressed with it so far.
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