Creating Stunning Ice Sculptures with Carveco Software

Jim Duggan, owner and lead sculptor at ICE sculpture INC. in Atlanta, is revolutionising the art of ice sculpting. Using Carveco software, Jim has taken his craft to new heights, producing stunning ice sculptures for a variety of events.

We visited Jim in his icy workshop, where massive blocks of ice are transformed into intricate sculptures for movies, commercials, corporate events, sports games and much more. Carveco and his Ice Bulldog CNC machine, designed specifically for the ice industry, allow Jim to mill ice blocks into precise shapes with fine detail. This process is particularly beneficial for creating logos and text, which are integral to many of his projects.

He explained that before he used a CNC machine, logos and text “were a nightmare”, but now, with Carveco software and his CNC, two hours have become fifteen minutes.

To watch the full interview and tour of his workshop, click here.

The CNC machine and Carveco software have drastically increased productivity, allowing Jim to take on more projects and deliver high-quality results consistently.

Jim’s journey with Carveco began after years of using ArtCAM. Transitioning from ArtCAM to Carveco was a significant step, especially considering the extensive library of files Jim had accumulated over the years.

“I have a decade worth of files. I’ve been doing artwork digitally for years and years now. So, when we got it [Carveco], the first thing I did was put it on my laptop and I imported all those files into Carveco. When I saw them all come over, I was like, “Yes!”, I have all my files, and I see it being our next step in software for our CNC.”

Jim Duggan, ICE sculpture INC.

“I have seen somebody in ArtCAM do 3D programming. In Carveco, I was able to do it within 24 hours.

Watching a few tutorials, and just following along, and then saying, okay, I can apply this. And it is so much easier to use.”

Jim Duggan, ICE sculpture INC.

The 3D capabilities of Carveco have expanded the artistic possibilities for ICE sculpture INC. These features allow Jim to create highly detailed, lifelike sculptures that were previously difficult and time-consuming to achieve by hand.

During our visit to his workshop, Jim received a one-on-one training session where he learned how to create intricate portraits using these 3D tools. Reflecting on the training, Jim said “I think that the portraits, that’s something we’re going to be using right away. Like we’re going to be selling that to customers.”.

Jim’s expertise and dedication have earned him numerous accolades in the competitive ice sculpting arena. He has participated in several prestigious competitions, such as the World Ice Art Championships, where he and his team carved massive 5000-pound blocks of ice. In 2014, he won his first gold medal for ‘Maidens of the Birch’.

Additionally, Jim competed in The Asahikawa International Ice Sculpture Competition in Japan, where he won the gold medal for his piece ‘Lucky Bird.’ These accolades underscore Jim’s remarkable talent and commitment to excellence, establishing him as a renowned figure in the ice sculpting world.