3D sign making question

[weihmue]

Hi,

I'm thinking about cutting some 3 D signs. I was wondering if my software would support 3D models and cutting.

I own Vectric V-carve pro and part works.


I have attached a sample pic....


thank you,

stefan

[weihmue]

here is the sample pic

26709

[steve_g]

Stefan…
VCP certainly supports cutting 3D models… you just can’t model them unless you have Aspire or another program capable of creating 3D.
BTW… I think the tractor you show could be just as effective in 2D, just create a few levels.
SG

[joe]

Stefan,

Great product line. I'm so impressed.

You're good to go with the V Carve program. If you would like to get a quote on a file, let me know.

Joe

[cowboy1296]

What i have really liked about aspire is the ability to blend files together. this was my first project and i blended 5 or 6 files into one. But it was like pulling teeth to fork over the bucks for aspirehttp://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26718&stc=1.

[joe]

Nice carving Cowboy,

Who is your client base and what do you have to charge for this kind of carving?????

[cowboy1296]

Thats a darn good question Joe. I live in a small community and money to buy my 3-d carvings is just not there. I made up a bunch to sell in shows, everyone liked them but no one wanted to buy them. So they ended up as charity donations, now i just do custom orders. That particular carving was donated to the local Cowboy Church. My market is cops and military but mostly long distance. Hardwood is the most expensive part of producing these. Since i work out of the corner of my garage one of my biggest overheads is electricity. One of my biggest downfalls is finishing. I have no idea how to paint. Every thing turns out brown on brown, which is not a bad thing. Making components with Aspire can be challenging but blending the ones that you can buy on the market is not too tuff.

[joe]

Cowboy,

I think you've described the general rule for 3d carving as good as I've heard. The process is more of a labor of love than a good exercise for making money. Like you I entered the 3d field with expectations of converting the technology into a money making venture. That's not possible for the general craftsman. I spend lots of money on software and carving stock with the anticipation. Could not make the numbers work.

One should to keep in mind I'm a commercial sign maker that needs to support a family and business. For that reason I've been critical on the high dollar programs. They aren't good purchases for the average wood working sign business. On a more positive note, I've made an excellent living with 2.5D.

I wish you were closer so we could spend time working on the finishing. For me that's one of the most fun parts of the process. A technique that adds lots of depth is the use of transparent or translucent washes. This is often done as a wipe-off technique.

Joe

[cowboy1296]

I like http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26719&stc=1wipe on and wipe off since i suck with a sprayer. This is one of my carvings but an artist painted it.

[joe]

Beautiful work.

Looks like you spent extra time. Like you I use the manual process.

Here's a sign which was installed last Friday. It's a 6'X7', double sided, PVC panel. This one retailed out at $5,575. The dentist was so happy he ordered a wall sign with the same colors.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=26720&stc=1

[cowboy1296]

no picture. but your market and you capability is way beyond me at this point.

[joe]

What's your community like? I see you live in Colorado. Isn't that wealthy community?

[cowboy1296]

I live in Westcliffe, just a small cowtown. Not really a retirement community but we are top heavy in age. Dont confuse us with Boulder, or To-Hell-U-Ride, or Aspen or many other high end areas.

[joe]

What a beautiful community. Your doing exactly what you need to do on the 3d front. Keep up the good work.

[cowboy1296]

I just finished my cardio. Have you ever seen a fat old man do cardio at 8700 ft elevation. Trust me it aint purdy and i dont stop jiggling for 30 minutes. We show cased our little cow-town on the tail end of Ride the Rockies. Everyone has an opinion about drones but you can get some incredible pictures/videos from them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCuRManjRbs

Anyhow headed for turkey and everyone have a great Thanksgiving.