I just "pulled the trigger" on a nice new Gunnar F1 Hybrid

[Clarry]

So, I'm very excited!

I would just like to extend my thanks to both Sarah and David at Gunnar for their patients and enthusiasm. They put up with me asking all sorts of silly questions and took the time to show and talk me through things.

So I have made the order and it should be with me early October

Now I just have get off my back side and market what I can now offer to customers and local framers.

It's like being a child waiting for Santa.

[Jared Davis CPF, GCF]

Congratulations Clarry! You will be delighted with your investment for years to come.

Jared

[Bagpuss]

I know that feeling, waking up really early, is it time yet? Can I go down now and play?

Sarah installed my Hybrid about 3 weeks ago and I ain't ever giving it back.
It was well worth the wait for me and I'm sure you'll be the same, have fun!
Adam/Bagpuss

[Clarry]

I'm now busy sourcing the list of things that I need to make it work.

Computer, screen, compressor, tubes and of course more customers!

Can hardly wait!!

[GeoSpectrum]

I've had mine for 3 weeks now and I feel the same as Bagpuss. The Keencut has gone to a good home and I'm gradually getting to grips with the 'beast'.

I got a Bambi BB24 compressor from here - http://www.aircomps.co.uk/2010/07/bambi ... ompressor/

A used XP PC and everything thing is running smoothly. Its just the operator that needs improvement!

[Clarry]

That's the exact website I've been looking at for my compressor will be ordering it tomorrow.

I'm undecided on the PC front. There is a fairly high spec pc not far from me ending on fleabay in the next day or so, or do I play it safe and buy new?

I suppose it's the age old question. I've just paid out for the new CMC so what's the point of scrimping on the PC bit?

I'll get it sorted this week.

[GeoSpectrum]

Don't do what I did and try to get away with a laptop and a USB>serial converter. You need a serial port.

[stcstc]

i have had my gunnar for 2 1/2 years or so, an now depend on it

its not worth being half assed with pc as once you depend on the machine being down because you cheapskated the pc will be more than a little frustrating

what i do though it actuall any complicated designs i do on my main desktop computer and then save on the server, and pick up from cutting puter to cut

i find it easier with my graphics tablet and 2 big monitors to do the bigger designs

[Jared Davis CPF, GCF]

If you want to frequently do some cool, creative, custom designs in Gunnar GMC, it will always work better on a PC with a bit of extra "grunt" - ie: better processor, maxed out RAM, and because of the integrated 3D graphics engine within the software, a decent graphics card is helpful as well (NVIDIA 256MB or better).

GMC adapts really nicely for modern widescreen monitors as well.

Cheers,

Jared

[robbiez]

You need a serial port.

Mine works perfectly well on a half decent windows 7 pc and a USB>Serial convertor from Maplins @ £19.99 so you can get a new PC without a built in Serial port.

[Clarry]

Thanks for the replies.

I agree it seems to make sense to get a new one with a half decent spec, I already bought the monitor this morning. A friend was upgrading his monitor and let me have his 22 inch for a bargain price

I'm hoping to do some creative stuff with it, but for a start it'll be the normal squares in squares etc, maybe with the odd v groove thrown in for good measure.

My corporate customers seem to be very interested in the de bossing feature and having their logo/name put on the mounts.

Is it easy enough to trace logos?

Cheers
Ric

[GeoSpectrum]

So far I have just done the one and it was just text. I used the trace feature in Corel Draw and then after a little cleaning up imported the file into GMC. I used a high res image to start so it was easy enough but I could imagine it being a time consuming process if the logo is a bit more complicated. Im sure Sarah, David or Jared will chip in with some advice.

[stcstc]

i tend not to bother tracing on corel

I tend to just trace in GMC

mind i do it on my main desktop machine with 2 24" monitors and a wacom graphics tablet, so its waaaaay quicker

[IFGL]

I have a quicker way, I simply pass it to Jamie who manages to trace anything I give him within minutes, he as shown me how but I still find it easier to give him the job

[IFGL]

you can still buy motherboards which have serial port connectors , if you fancy building your own PC.

[Bagpuss]

i find it easier with my graphics tablet and 2 big monitors to do the bigger designs

This sounds fantastic, how much Ram are you packing? I'm specing a new PC at the moment for the Hybrid
Adam / Bagpusss

[stcstc]

16gig

3 ssd drives

high spec graphics

win 7 64

not that you need that, but i use it as my photo retouching/printing machine

have a hp workstation with 4gig in as the machine connected to the gunnar

as for serial ports, if your stuck just buy a pci card with serial ports, cheap as chips

[IFGL]

OOO nice computer.

High end graphics card you say? Mine is quite low down in my case

[stcstc]

ya mines a radeon something or other, 2 pci width and 2 psu connections etc

[IFGL]

pulled about a golf balls worth of fluff out of that gpu today , only 3 months worth it sits behind the telly box , fluff central,
That is my home pc, I only do 2D work at work, a gpu that powerful is only useful for 3D rendering or if you want to have 4+ hd monitors