An application created using VCarve software from Vectric
Computer-aided success
There is simply no overstating the importance of software to a modern signage business. Whether it is using a management information system to keep production in-line, or colour management software to hit accuracy targets in printed work, software products play a key role in the sign-making process.
Some specialist solutions that have grown in popularity during recent years are computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing software, or CAD and CAM if you prefer. These products allow users to design and manufacture prototypes, finished products, and production runs of products, removing many of the manual and painstaking stages and saving a considerable amount of time.
O Factoid: The two core functions of CAD/CAM software are to design and produce O
While there are plenty of options available for sign-makers, nailing down the right one for your business is not the easiest task. Here, SignLink speaks with providers of this software to learn about their latest releases and how these products can help improve both the quality of production and the end product.
One supplier that specialises in this area is SAi, which has a range of solutions on offer. Annette Plummer, vice president of marketing at SAi, says while the two core functions of CAD/CAM software are to design and produce, there is more to these solutions.
SAi says quality software means sign-makers spend less time preparing jobs and more time in production
“Most graphic design software programs used in the sign industry are limited to 2D designs and simulated 3D effects,” Plummer says, adding: “These programs lack the tools needed to prepare jobs for production, such as the ability to remove excess points on a path, convert design contours to lines and arcs, add toolpaths, and create the G-code output that CNC machines understand.
“Quality CAD/CAM software enables you to take projects from design all the way through production within a single software package. In addition to simple 2D cut designs, CAD/CAM software creates actual 3D reliefs and surfaces, plus 3D engravings. It also provides simulation and rendering tools so you can see what the finished product will look like before you send the job to production.
“This software simplifies every step of the sign-making process from design to toolpath to output, thereby saving you time. With quality software, you spend less time preparing jobs and more time in production. Time savings flow directly to a sign company’s bottom-line profits.”
As to what sign-makers should be looking for in a quality CAD/CAM software product, Plummer says the solution should support multiple workflows by providing the tools to easily import files and edit existing artwork, draw from scratch, or design parametrically. She gives the example of a strong vectorisation tool to convert scanned bitmap images or raster artwork files into editable vectors as being essential for saving time during the design phase.
CAD/CAM software is used to produce and build signage with any material using a CNC router
Plummer also says the increase in popularity of textures as a design component in signs means sign-makers should look for a software program that can easily create a wide variety of textures. She adds that more advanced software programs utilise off-set algorithms in combination with the tool profile to produce textured signs in less time.
Other key features include productivity enhancing tools such as the ability to create templates to store and reuse information that is commonly input for the material, toolpaths as well as design features that require input. Plummer also advises looking for software with a reliable toolpath engine which allows for automatic recalculation when changes are made.
“Fast, accurate rendering that shows you exactly what the toolpath looks like, as well as the finished design is another important feature with cost-saving advantages that prevent mistakes and wasted materials,” Plummer says.
Fast, accurate rendering that shows you exactly what the toolpath looks like”
“Output options should provide material-saving features, such as the ability to efficiently nest pieces, create common cutting lines and, save remnants.
“Support is an overlooked but important component of quality CAD/CAM software. Users should be able to ask questions and get any issues addressed quickly. Some companies do not provide any type of support while others charge extra for it.”
With all this in mind, what does SAi have on offer to sign-makers seeking to take advantage of the benefits offered by CAD/CAM software? Plummer points to SAi EnRoute 7, its latest 64-bit CAD/CAM software program engineered for sign-makers with advanced feature sets including a customisable user interface that makes sign design and production easier than ever before.
Training videos are also incorporated within the EnRoute software and can be accessed by simply ‘right-clicking’ on a feature icon.
“SAi makes it easy to acquire EnRoute either through a low-cost subscription plan or a traditional license purchase,” Plummer says, adding: “SAi provides worldwide support for its EnRoute software via phone and email. This service is offered to users on the current version and to all software subscribers at no extra cost.”
Versatile projects
Elsewhere and another specialist in CAD/CAM software solutions is Vectric. Sarah Hanson, marketing communications manager at Vectric, says a quality product in this area should give users the ability to create a wide range of projects in a large selection of different materials and finishes, and in the shortest possible time.
“A CNC router is an amazing piece of technology but will need investment in the right complementary software tools to help you create incredibly versatile projects cost effectively,” Hanson explains.
A CNC router is an amazing piece of technology but will need investment in the right complementary software tools to help you create incredibly versatile projects cost effectively”
“Vectric helps you visualise 2D and 3D model projects with razor-sharp accuracy to minimise the need for costly re-works of a design, whilst also improving overall design quality.
“New users can access the Vectric free trial software to ensure a machine’s capability and with a wealth of free projects, extensive training plus a large well-established community to support new users through their learning journey, Vectric helps get you up and running as quickly as possible to get the most out of your CNC investment.”
With this, Hanson goes on to highlight some of the core features and functions that sign-makers should look out for when investing in new CAD/CAM software. She explains that a CNC machine is just one of many technologies being juggled by a busy professional sign-maker, so ease-of-use should be the essence when they need to make something fast.
“Time spent trying to use complicated functionality will eat into your production schedule and become costly to your business,” Hanson says, adding: “Vectric offers a low entry cost solution with the ability to add features and functionality as you progress and grow more confident in using the software.”
Hanson adds that time-saving, customisable templates will help users to automate their regular and repeated processes, while an accurate 3D preview of the finished project gives users the piece of mind that the finished sign will machine as expected and enable them to showcase the design to customers for approval before cutting.
Hanson says Vectric offers a number of projects to deliver these and other features to sign-makers. Aspire and VCarve Pro, both available from Vectric, include tools to design and carve complete signs in one piece of material or, for those working with very large 3D data, the ability to create and segment complex models allowing for machining and accurate reassembly of finished parts.
“Designs can be easily adjusted to manipulate customer data to fix errors and make it machine-ready while VCarve Pro makes it very quick and easy to import or draw your design data, organise or edit the parts, and then calculate appropriate toolpaths to create your carved shapes,” Hanson says.
“The program will let you do everything from simple cut out letters through to prism or v-carving and help you create automatic inlays with material and time-saving features such as true-shape nesting, tool path templates, and the ability to control profile cutting order.”
VCarve Pro also allows users to import a 3D model to combine with their 2D and 2.5D toolpaths, while Hanson says Aspire would be the best fit for those who want to do everything VCarve Pro can do as well as being able to model 3D graphics to enhance their signage or add more complex textures to backgrounds or lettering, generated from an image.
The new and improved features released in version 11.5 include freehand drawing, live model composition, live sculpting, sharp corner offsetting within shape creation functionality and import support for SVG files.
Powerful productivity
Meanwhile, Kevin Recinos, product manager at AXYZ, says CAD/CAM software provides the fundamental layout for whatever part it is you want to fabricate or produce. He says that while the CAD part really looks at digitalising your product in either 2D or 3D format, the CAM side serves as the interpreter of this component and provides additional tools for users to specify how exactly they want to machine or cut the parts.
CAD/CAM software enables users to take projects from design all the way through production within a single software package.Image: SAi
“While new features to make quality of life are usually added on a daily basis, it is the powerful productivity features such as better nesting algorithms that truly make upgrades worth it,” Recinos says.
“Better nesting can result in hundreds or thousands of pounds in saved material and can improve overall production times by optimising part prioritisation. Additionally, upgrading also means you gain the benefit of improved or optimised features that may be better suited to use the latest generation of computer hardware.”
Recinos says sign-makers should ensure any software that will be used today and tomorrow is designed for their specific application. He says certain software providers focus heavily on one application versus another, while there are many CAD/CAM software packages that will be more general purpose, relying heavily on the designer to draft and create.
“The alternative is to find application-specific software which can be looked at as a high ROI (return on investment) decision as you may get the long-term benefits of standard tooling,” Recinos says, adding: “In the world of packaging and displays, having standard templates can save companies many design hours as the existing templates are adapted.”
Recinos goes on to say that AXYZ has long been committed to application-specific software, with this having led to the introduction of software such as PANELTracker, used for tracking fabricated ACM/ACP panels within the production process.
Meanwhile, new features in the latest version of its PANELBuilder software is catered for the architectural cladding market, while recently, AXYZ partnered with CADLINE in the UK to offer, by extension, AUTODESK products such as Fusion 360.
With a whole range of effective solutions currently available to market, and many more set to follow as developers come up with all sorts of new features and tools, sign-makers can look forward to using this software to continue to create a whole host of innovative and eye-catching signage applications.
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