[zachnastasiuk]

My employer and I are wanting to get into the CNC Business creating 3d wood art with a router. I kind of have an Idea of what route we are going as far as the actual Router style but before we decide on a machine I am wanting to practice with the software we choose so its not new material once the machine arrives. personalized wood signs for homeowners, wine barrel tops are just some of the things we want to be able to engrave. I have been using Sketchup Pro for a little bit and its not capable to do some of the things i was hoping as far as formatting text. I want this to be easy and hope to avoid having to import different things from different programs. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ger21]

Vectric V-Carve Pro.

[victorofga]

you can try artcam express too...
for 150 you can machining reliefs beyond all type 2d toolpathing including vcarving....
it also converts photo to relief, makes lithopanes and many more..

[FannBlade]

Vectric V-Carve Pro.

+1!!

[mmoe]

For woodworking specific applications, V-Carve Pro is really the gold standard.

[bill south]

Zach;
If your budget will allow, Vectric Aspire is terrific and extremely flexible software with very top shelf tutorials.
Good luck.
Bill

[fixtureman1]

Since you said 3d I would check out Vectric Aspire you can download a trial version and you don't even have to give your Email or any personal information. Also check out their forum

[victorofga]

its all pending on the budget you plan to spend..

if you have unlimited visa card, certain way no matter what just get anything..

creating small plaques or carving letters into barreltop, or a board even the free F-engrave will do.. same ""easy"" to learn than any cnc related program..

without prior experience you wont find easy program..

ger21 working with autocad since 15 years ago.. everyday.. he even wrote program converting autocad drawing to toolpath..
he will tell you cnc is easy :-)

again, its all about money..

vcarvepro a great stuff for 600, you want carve a relief you buy at least 3dcut for 350, and find out you cant rotate models, or locating toolpaths.. so youll ending up at aspire and 2000 expenses..

versus ac express you spend 150 and make 95 percent of same projects..

you can not make with one single program everything..

2dcuts will be more affordable, since you can count simply hour rate.. 3d cuts like reliefs can ending up at so many hours that most customer can not pay for the ""hours""

so again, its all about how much you can spend..

[headscraper]

My Vote is with VCarve Pro or Alphacam Express at about $400