We had a fabulous day with Jeff and Donna from IBEX Routing software. Besides catching up on family happenings and the grandkids, we also continued exploring the software. Jeff gave us a sneak peek at some awesome breakthrough features they were working on, which immediately prompted Peter and me to ask for extra things we could use in our future projects. Because we think from a creative perspective, we know what we want to achieve but have no clue how to get there. We would pose the question, ‘What if… ?’ and Jeff would answer, ‘Yes, we can do that!’ while we all fully understood that it would be a tough challenge. It was exciting and familiar because that is how we operate every day in our shop. The day flew by as we worked, but we also had time to enjoy some meals, fresh homemade apple pie, and good conversations together. We even took a long bike ride on my favourite trails to enjoy the scenery along the river. Tomorrow we will have a little more time to continue the adventure...
IBEX adventures
The Imagination Corporation is a small family company, and we love working with other small family companies that share the same values and understand what it takes to make our businesses successful. The relationships we form aren’t just a flash in the pan, done for a quick buck. Instead, we build them over time, on trust, for the long haul, with the intent that each interaction benefits everyone involved.
We acquired our first CNC router and software about twenty years ago. I spent the first months creating samples and learning the software, determined to do what few others could imagine. I created twenty-six unique letter samples and then took the time to photograph them carefully. I then wrote an article and submitted it to SignCraft Magazine, excited about what was now possible with a CNC router. Jeff Hartman from Colorado, one of the software developers, subscribed to the magazine (published in Florida). When he received his copy, he immediately picked up the phone to chat and asked if he could fly up to meet with me. During his visit, he asked me to show him how I used the software. We also talked about the things I was dreaming up for the future. Then he went home and added features to the program that let me (and everyone else) do much, much more. It was a win/win relationship as we worked together over the years to improve the software and make it user-friendly. Jeff often came to our workshops and helped me teach others. We met regularly at sign trade shows, and I would help him at workshops they hosted. Through all of our dealings, we became great friends! In the last couple of years, we have been working together as his family builds a brand-new CNC Routing software called IBEX. This evening, Jeff, Donna, and I went to the FOX and Hounds Pub (a project we built about fifteen years ago, which Jeff has visited with us many times) to have a fun evening and some great food. Tomorrow we’ll fire up the computers and dream up lots of future adventures. Stay tuned…
IBEX 3D
Our friends at IBEX CNC Software have been busy creating a full 3D version of the routing software for some time. While I can’t imagine the complexities of writing this kind of program I do understand the kind of magic we can create with it. We’ve been testing the 2D version for some time to create our plasma cutting files with great success. But what we have been itching to get our hands on is the 3D version which has long been in the works. On Friday our friends from IBEX sent us the link to download this fresh off the press software. But sadly, I was tied up with some meetings and the sculpting in the shop for the whole day. Saturday I was again tied up with chores and other commitments. But this morning I finally had the chance to open up the software. While it was the first time I got to see the 3D interface and begin to explore how the tools worked I knew what it was I wanted to create. My first efforts took me back more than a decade and a half to when I first figured out a 3D routing software. While there was a little frustration as I attempted to build my first textured file it only took a couple of hours instead of the many weeks of experimentation to build my first file years ago. I sent the file along to the ShopSabre CNC router and jigged things up. When I pushed enter my finger was on the emergency stop - just in case. But I needn't have worried for the file ran flawlessly. I still have much to explore and discover but this fun new journey with IBEX has truly begun. Stay tuned…
