Why Choose Aspire?
Aspire provides a powerful but intuitive software solution for creating and cutting parts on a CNC router. There are tools for 2D design and calculation of 2D toolpaths such as Profiling, Pocketing, and Drilling as well as 2.5D toolpaths including; V-Carving, Prism carving, Moulding Toolpaths, Fluting and even a decorative texturing strategy.
What makes Aspire our premium package is the added 3D design tools which enable you to create your own 3D relief models and machine them with 3D machining strategies. Aspire’s unique 3D modeling tools coupled with the comprehensive set of 2D design and editing tools make it easy to create your own 2D and 3D parts from scratch as well as the ability to import and edit external 2D and 3D data.
Extensive set of Model Editing Tools
An extensive set of editing tools to help you manipulate 3D data.
Interactive Model Sculpting Mode
Powerful sculpting tools mean models can be manipulated like a virtual piece of clay.
$5000+ Worth of Free Clipart
Includes 2D and 3D Clipart that can be used in your own projects or edited to create new variations
Comprehensive Set of 3D Modeling Tools
Enable you to explore your creativity and create your own relief models for 3D machining.
Key Strengths of Aspire
- Aspire’s single interface for 3D component design and machining makes it easy and logical to draw and build 3D component models, plus calculate combinations of 2D and 3D toolpaths to machine high quality projects.
- The emphasis on ease of use not only includes the interface and work-flow of the software but has also been carried through into the training materials. Aspire ships with over 90 hours of tutorials based on real-world examples that cover all aspects of using the program. The videos are accompanied by the associated files that allow users to watch and work through the training materials at their own pace.
- Aspire has a unique interactive approach to assembling 3D component models that makes it easy to change the shape and characteristics of individual parts of the job and build up complex designs using simple sets of 3D shapes. Flexible design tools allow components to be edited – moved, scaled, resized, rotated, tilted, faded and distorted at any time without having to recreate the component.
- Building 3D shapes from 2D vectors with the interactive 3D shape modeling tools make it easy to experiment with different settings and results. Changes to shape, height or inclination are instantly updated in the 3D view showing exactly what the final result will look like. This takes the guess-work out of creating high quality models.
- Aspire lets you dynamically edit 3D components using the mouse as well as giving you the ability to enter specific values to manipulate the part.
- The 3D model preview allows 3D components to be displayed in different material types or colors to produce realistic results for customers quotations, web site content or including in your marketing material etc.
- Aspire’s ability create or edit 2D and 3D data coupled with the comprehensive set of toolpath strategies gives you the ability to choose the most efficient ways to make 2D parts, 3D carvings or jobs which combine both with your CNC.
Business Benefits of Aspire
- Get the most from your CNC by being able to create and cut a wider variety of 2D and 3D parts.
- Offer your customer a range of cost options from budget 2D designs to higher value 3D products.
- Take advantage of the free 2D and 3D Clip Art files supplied with Aspire including Panels, Weaves, Shields, Texture Area Tiles, Organic Textures and 150+ models from Design & Make worth Over $5,000
- Customize parts to create unique products for individual customers.
- Save time and money by re-using previously created 2D vectors or 3D models as Clip Art in other jobs
- Use the large range of tutorials to learn new skills for use on your CNC and to create samples to help demonstrate and sell your capabilities.
- Not only increase your skill-set and productivity but also your job satisfaction and enjoyment of using your CNC Router.
Machine Parts on Two Sides
Adds the ability to create double-sided projects in the same session. It avoids the need to have 2 sessions, one for each side.
Machine Wrapped Rotary Parts
Enables the use of a rotary axis (also called a 4th axis or indexer)
Drawing & Layout Tools
The software has a comprehensive set of drawing tools to let you easily create vectors from scratch or add to imported data.
3D Modeling
Building 3D shapes from 2D vectors with the interactive 3D shape modeling tools make it easy to experiment with different settings and results.
Toolpaths
The toolpath options cover all typical 2D routing operations, 2.5D and 3D machining strategies. All toolpaths can be previewed to show just how the part will look when it is actually cut.
Other Features
Including; Import Toolpaths, Printing, File Thumbnails, Video Tutorials, 64-Bit Support, Gadgets and more.
Machine Parts on Two Sides
Two-Sided Machining
This adds the ability to create double-sided projects in the same session. It avoids the need to have 2 sessions, one for each side.Job & Material Setup
In the Job Setup dialog, you can pick whether you want to create a single-sided, double-sided or a rotary job. You can change that, retrospectively.Define how you want to flip the material for double-sided projects from the Job Setup dialog. This influences the positioning of the vectors and models so that geometry on each side is created in the appropriate positions relative to the opposite side.
Multi-Sided View
You can view the opposite side’s geometry using the keyboard shortcut ‘=’, or through the ‘View’ menu.
In the 2D view, you will see the opposite side’s vectors as if you were looking at them through the material block.
In the 3D view, you will see the entire merged model as if it was simulated.
Importing STL Model
When importing an STL model (with the ‘Import both Sides’ option enabled) into a double-sided project, each side of the model will go onto a side.
You can import the entire model on each side by sliding the slicing plane all the way to the bottom.
This is useful when importing models which contain non-convex surfaces, such as, a plate.
Machine Wrapped Rotary Parts
Rotary Job and Material Setup
In the Job Setup dialog, you can pick whether you want to create a single-sided, double-sided job or a rotary job. You can change that, retrospectively. Define your cylinder dimensions, the orientation of the job, how the 2D view will be laid out, and which axis we’re wrapping around.
Vector Unwrapping
The vector unwrapper tool converts a vector into another vector suitable for using with the two-rail sweep tool to create rotary models from a desired cross section. This is useful when rather than modeling a profile along the rotation axis, it is more intuitive to specify a desired cross section. The tool transforms a vector, representing a cross section, into a profile vector that can be subsequently used with two rail sweep tool.
Spiral Toolpaths
In order to create a toolpath that wraps around multiple times, one can create a long vector at a certain angle. Such a vector is an equivalent to the strip of fabric when it is unwrapped from the roll.
Although such a toolpath will exceed the 2D workspace of the rotary job, thanks to the wrapping process during both simulation and machining the toolpath will actually stay within material boundaries.
Model Import into Rotary Project
The software has the ability to import full 3D models from third party software for unwrapping in a rotary job, where you can position and orient the model in a rotary view.Not only can you import full 3D models for unwrapping the software also allows for the importing of “Flat 3D” models (relief style models) that you can position and simulate before cutting.
Wrapped Rotary Machining
Enables the use of a rotary axis (also called a 4th axis or indexer). Where you can create rotary projects and visualize your job in a wrapped environment, with the ability to create and simulate the tool paths in an auto – wrapped simulation.
Drawing & Layout Tools
Vector Shape Creation
The software has a comprehensive set of drawing tools to let you easily create vectors from scratch or add to imported data. These include options for creating standard shapes (circle, elipse, rectangle, polygon and star) along with line, curve and arc drawing tools. There is also a powerful tool to create vector textures for panels and backgrounds. These tools can be controlled using typed input to create exact sized objects or can be used dynamically with the mouse to sketch your artwork. The tools also take advantage of the ‘snapping’ to let you use points on existing objects to ‘snap’ onto when you are drawing vectors.
Picture Editing & Cropping
With the ability to import bitmaps into the software, you can further edit imported images using the ‘Edit Picture’ tool, this allows you to adjust the visual properties of a selected bitmap, enabling you to adjust the contrast, brightness and gamma of any selected image. Borders of different sizes and radii can also be added to bitmaps for aesthetic purposes. Bitmaps can also be made black and white. The software also has the ability to crop images to any given vector allowing you to remove parts of the image you are not interested in.
Image Tracing (Vectorization)
Image Tracing also known as Vectorization allows you to take an imported image such as a scanned drawing, graphic design or photo and to convert colors in that to vector outlines. These outlines can then be used as part of your design to create toolpaths or to generate 3D shapes using the modeling tools. The software will import many file formats including jpeg, bitmap, gif, png, tif, it will also extract images from a PDF file.
Advanced Text Tools
The ‘Advanced Text’ tools let you access true type or open type fonts on your PC to create text outlines for your design. In addition, the software comes with a selection of specialist single stroke / stick engraving fonts for efficient machining when making things like badges or small signs. When creating text you are able to see live feedback of the text that you create and edit. The text can be controlled using automatic sizing and layout options. There are also editing tools for fitting text to a curve and interactive text arcing and spacing (kerning) where the text maintains formatting, allowing you to easily make edits after the text has been created. This text can be dragged dynamically along a curve so you can perfect the placement of your text.
Import 2D Data (DXF, DWG, EPS, AI, SKP, SVG etc.)
Data can be imported from a huge range of other design programs using a variety of industry standard file formats. These include DXF, EPS, AI, SVG and SKP (SketchUp) as well as PDF files. Once imported, the program has a wide range of tools to make working with this data as efficient as possible. A very important set of tools are those used to identify duplicate vectors and identify and rejoin open vectors. These tools can save an great deal of time when working with poor quality data to get it ready to machine. As well as importing vectors from other programs the software also offers the ability to export your data in either DXF, EPS or AI file formats. This feature is very important if you need to share data with a customer in order that they can use it to plan a layout or installation.
Basic Dimensioning
The Dimensioning tools allows you to create a variety of different types of measurements on your drawing. These can be oriented in any direction or fixed horizontally or vertically. There are also options to add angular and arc dimensions. You can control the text height, font number of decimal places and position for each one. Dimensions can be snapped to vectors, guidelines and the corners or mid-points of each side of your work area.
Vector Transform & Editing
Whether your design vectors have been created in the software or imported you have a large choice of editing options to prepare your part for toolpath creation or modeling. Vectors can be easily scaled, moved, mirrored, distorted, grouped, welded, trimmed, filleted, extended, offset, smoothed and joined together. As with the drawing tools you either have precise control over the editing values adjust the vectors very accurately or can use the mouse to dynamically make adjustments until your layout looks correct.
Vector Layout
In addition to the editing tools the software also has tools to let you layout parts either in a rectangular array to create a grid of objects or in a circular array to create symmetrical layouts around a center point. When laying out a grid you can adjust mirroring options and shift alternate rows and columns to make more complex layout patterns. Vector shapes can also be pasted along the path of another vector by specifying the distance between each copy or just fitting a specific number on the guiding object.
True Shape Nesting
True Shape Nesting lets you automatically arrange and fit vector shapes into your material size or user definable area, to get optimal material usage and minimum wastage.
Part Nesting is perfect for Sign and Cabinet makers who need to minimize material wastage and cut as many parts – letters & cabinet doors / panels – as possible from sheet materials.
Reduce Material Costs = Increased Profits
The nesting routine places vector shapes as close to each other as possible ensuring a sufficient gap to allow the parts to be cut out correctly. The nesting includes options to control part direction to reflect material grain or machine orientation. It intelligently determines what parts of your geometry should be nested together. It can also automatically nest objects on both sides of a job together to create two-sided nested geometry.
Layer Management
The Layers are a very efficient way to keep your 2D data organized, one of the main uses is to allow you to temporarily hide data you were not currently working with. Layers could also be used to group vectors you might be using to model related shapes in a 3D design to make it simpler to work on a small part at a time. The ability to associate toolpaths with specific layers and types of data means you can create Toolpath Templates which can be assigned to other parts that share the same layer structure. This is particularly powerful for applications like Cabinet Making where different designs can be automatically machined once a template has been set-up.
Rulers, Snap Grid and Guidelines
Rulers, Snap Grid and Guidelines help to make vector drawing and 3D part layout much simpler. These options can be switched on / off as required. When combined with Snapping options that automatically detect and snap the cursor to key regions on a design these tools make it easy to create very accurate part.
Trim Objects to a Vector Boundary
The trim tool allows you to simultaneously trim all the objects inside or outside of a selected area. This makes it very easy and quick to create textured areas or patterns within a specific boundary.
Create Vector Texture
Repeating vector patterns can be quickly created using the ‘Create Vector Texture’ tool. It’s easy to modify the settings to create an infinite number of variations from regular wave patterns through to uneven natural looking grain lines. These vectors can be machined using the profile and texture toolpaths to create decorative wavy texture panels along with wood-grain and sand-blast effects. These can also be projected onto a 3D surface to add even more variation.
Smart Snapping
This allows you to snap to lines and extensions, which don’t necessarily exist as geometry. It reduces the need to create construction geometry, and would be helpful in aligning vectors or nodes..
Quick Keys
This allows you to add more precision to your shape creation and editing process more easily by allowing typed values while creating geometry. This is supported for creation of circles, ellipses, rectangles, polygons, stars, polylines and when in editing nodes or transforming vectors. For example, while dragging to create a circle, you could type ‘3R’ to create the circle with a radius of 3. Or, also while dragging, you could type ‘3D’ to create one with a diameter of 3.
Vector Validator
The Vector Validator is intended to help find issues with contours after file imports that are stopping tool-path creation such as overlapping contours or intersections. It also indicates zero-length spans.
3D Modelling
Create Shapes from Vector Outlines
The create shape modeling function Instantly adds 3D shape to a closed vector outline based on either a curved, angular or planar (flat) profile. These shapes can be controlled by adjusting angle and height values. Your 3D design updates instantly showing you what your model looks like while experimenting with different shapes, heights, tilts, fades and combine modes. This allows you to quickly define the shape you actually want. Once generated the shape is added to the component tree and can be further edited and combined with other shapes to make your finished 3D part.
Two Rail Sweep
Sweep along two vector rails to model 3D shapes based on one or more cross section shapes. This powerful tool can be used to create accurate geometric shapes like borders or can be used to create flowing organic shapes such as a leaf or decorative flourish.
Options for this tool include:
- Controlling the direction of the drive rails
- Scaling to a specific height
- Dynamically dragging or snapping the exact position of each cross section to define the shape you want
- Link corresponding nodes on matching drive rails to make mitre-style corners.
- Filling the middle of a closed rail to create panel shapes
Create Texture Area
This feature lets you create a repeating pattern or texture. It requires a single “Tile” component and optionally one or more closed boundary vectors which define the region in which the tiling should take place. The Create Texture Area form lets you specify the spacing and overlap of each tile, enter a “Shift” for every other row or column of your pattern and control the “Symmetry” or reflection of the tiles. This provides powerful control to make an incredible number of variations to your pattern and create some very interesting effects. The pattern dynamically updates as you make changes, you can even adjust the size and position of your original “Tile” at any time. 40 models have been created specifically for use with this new tool and are supplied with the software as part of the included Clip Art. In addition to these pre-created models you can also create new components or edit existing ones to use with this function so the potential for creating architectural panels, sign backgrounds, decorative textures or any other applications are endless.
Interactive Sculpting & Blending
Aspires powerful 3D Sculpting tools provide total flexibility when modifying designs. Models can be manipulated like a piece of virtual clay to smooth out edges and discontinuities, as well as to add extra detail, all helping to create that authentic ‘hand carved’ look for your models. This function sets Aspire apart from typical computer modelers as this type of dynamic editing cannot be replicated using standard surface or solid CAD/CAM modeling programs The Sculpting lets you interactively modify 3D designs using the sculpting tools with control over brush size and strength, plus options to,- Smooth, Smudge Deposit, Remove, Erase with options to raise, lower or blend the changes
Turn & Spin
Create spun profiles easily using the Spin & Turn Modelling Tool.
The turn tool takes a profile and turns it, like a lathe or a potter’s wheel, to create a rounded symmetrical component. To use the tool you require only the profile that you want to turn. This profile should represent the outer boundary of the shape you wish to create.
3D Textures from Images
Import 2D (color and black & white) image files – BMP, JPG, TIF, GIF and instantly convert them to 3D component textures that can be applied onto or behind 3D models and machined as part of your project.
Aspire can be used to build an infinite variety of 3D textures from imported images. These textures can be combined with other 3D shapes in the design and can also be interactively edited to any size or height as well as being sculpted or smoothed to adjust their final look before toolpath creation.
This function can also be used to make high quality Lithophanes (back lit machined photos).
3D Component Editing
Many of the vector editing tools which can be used on 2D data in Aspire can also be used to edit 3D Components. Shapes can be easily scaled, moved, mirrored, distorted, grouped, trimmed and cropped. Aspire also allows you to smooth a 3D object or to add draft which creates angled walls on the part (good for vacuum forms). The software also has a tool to Z-slice a part to create separate models if your CNC size, tooling or material limits the depth of part you can cut. Other features include, the emboss tool to reduce the height of a model whilst preserving important surface detail, Replace Below, allowing you to trim (or flatten) the bottom of a component or multiple components and many others.
3D View Component Manipulation
Many of the dynamic component editing tools can be accessed directly from the 3D view. This allows 3D objects to be moved, scaled and rotated. In addition how they combine with other shapes can be adjusted along with their height and even adding a tilt or fade.
Editing the components in the 3D view makes it quick and easy to see the immediate effect of the changes to the composite model and so reduce the time it takes to create a 3D layout.
Mirror Mode Components This feature allows you to define a component level so that it mirrors all of its components in a certain way, based on the mirror type. This allows you to build pleasing symmetrical arrangements with ease.
Offset Model
The Offset model tool creates a 3D offset of the composite model. This can be used to make the model larger or to reduce its size. One application for this is to create a wall thickness between the inside and outside of a press, mold or die to accomodate the material being formed.
3D Component Manager
Our unique ‘Component’ based modeling approach gives enormous flexibility when creating complex designs. The ability to work on small simple pieces makes it easier to build up the pieces you need to create a complex job. This also gives you the power to continue to edit individual parts of the design as you build it up. This approach is particularly useful if you need to make design changes based on customer feedback. Using the component manager (Component Tree) individual 3D objects can be adjusted to change the way they interact with each other within a project. These can be further organized by the use of Levels to create sub-assemblies of shapes that first combine with each other before being added to the overall shape of the model. As you make changes to a Component the 3D model will update to show you instantly the effects of your choices making it easy to iterate through different design options.
Import 3D Models & Clip Art (STL, OBJ, 3DM etc.)
Any model you create in Aspire can be saved as a piece of Clip Art for use in other projects. Import 3D Mesh files created in other CAD software such as,- Rhino 5, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Silo, MOI, Blender, SketchUp etc.
- STL, 3D DXF, OBJ, 3DS, VRML, 3DM, SKP file formats
Intelligent Clipart File Format – 3DClip
Aspire’s special 3DCLIP file format lets you save one or more 3D Components as a model that retains the individual component elements used to create it. Rather than save several individual files to cover all the permutations, these allow you to export a single clipart file that preserves the structure of the components. The visibility of individual components can then be altered, even after the design has been imported into a new model. This is in effect is way of creating “Intelligent Clipart”. A Component, Component Group, Level or the Visible Composite Model can be exported from any session of Aspire to add to your library of clipart and then import and re-use all or part of in another project.
Level Clipping
The level clipping mode makes it easy to constrain the model you are creating to a chosen boundary. Use vectors to define your boundary and the contents of your level are dynamically clipped so that only what lies inside the vectors is kept. This makes it simpler to assemble different models and allows you to rearrange your components and see the results of clipping in place.
Clipart Browser
The clipart tab provides quick and convenient access to Vectric files containing 3D components or 2D vector artwork. This allows you to easily re-use previously created shapes in new projects. This tab includes the library browser that allows you to add folders containing 3D components into the software or you can use the local files option that allows you to quickly see the contents of several folders of 3D components in one place. The clipart tab also allows you to access the online clipart that comes free with the software, where the clipart can be downloaded directly from the running software (providing you have internet access). The software comes with previews of the clipart you’re entitled to, and with internet access you can download the clipart straight into the software for ease of use. The software gives you the choice of whether to display just the contents of the current folder or up to 3 sub-folders as well making it easy to access many models at once. You can “drag & drop” a thumbnail into the 2D or 3D view and the selected object will be imported at the location of the dropped thumbnail and added to the model’s component tree. The clipart tab is a great way to browse and select from the free clipart that is included with your purchase. In addition to the free clipart, our sister company Design & Make has a variety of professionally created CNC ready clipart available to purchase. Visit Design & Make here designandmake.com/ to find out more.
Design & Make
Design & Make has a library of over 2500 high-quality, CNC-ready dimensional clip art models. You will find a selection of relief-style clipart pieces, mini projects, and collections to suit every CNC project need. These can be purchased, downloaded and carved as individual models or combined to make more complex designs.
Toolpaths
Material Setup
Referencing the software to how your CNC will be setup is one of the most important elements of the process. A summary of the Material Setup is displayed at the top of the Toolpath Tab allowing you to quickly check the settings before you start calculating toolpaths. Any of these values can be easily adjusted to change the tool reference for its X,Y or Z zero location, move the position of a model in the material, adjust the position where your machine starts from or specify distance to ensure the tool lifts above any clamping that is being used.
2D Production Profiling
Using the profiling toolpath strategy, objects can be cut out quickly and efficiently. Simply select the vector shapes you wish to profile, select the tool from the tool database and the software will do the rest. The Profiling automatically offsets for the tool radius and sorts nested shapes to ensure that inner shapes such as the center of a letter ‘O’ are cut before the outer shape (so parts are not released from the material before they are cut). Full control of cut direction is offered along with either automatic or manual control of tool entry point for each shape. Profile Machining includes production cutting options that ensure parts can be held in place and accurately machined with high quality edges and corner detail.- 3D Tabs for smoother profiling plus advanced options for automatic positioning to hold parts in place when machining
- Lead In / Out and Overcut distance to prevent dwell marks appearing on components
- Advanced Ramp options for controlling how the cutter enters the material, reducing heat build-up and cutter wear
- Profile around the Outside / Inside of open shapes
- Sharp internal and external beveled edges and corners
- Last Pass Allowance
Cutouts can be done in multiple passes depending on the maximum cutting depth of the tool used and a positive or negative allowance can be specified to either ‘under cut’ or ‘overcut’ the shape if required. The number of passes on a cut can be edited very precisely to allow very thin final cuts or to individual add or remove particular cut depths.
A separate last pass allowance can be specified for the last pass in a profile toolpath. If this allowance is given, then all but the last pass will be over-cut by the specified allowance with the final pass being the only pass which cuts to the actual edge of the part. This can significantly improve the finish on the cut-edge.
The ability to specify that square corners are required is another powerful feature. This is often used when profiling with a V-Bit tool, where with a conventional toolpath the tool will ‘roll’ round a sharp external corner leaving a radius on the top of the chamfer created by the tool, with the ‘square corners’ option an angular chamfer will be created instead.
The Profile toolpath is probably the most important toolpath option available. It is used for some of the simplest and also the most complex things you may do with your CNC. The software has been structured to let you customize whether you just want simple options for quick cut-outs or whether you want to access more advanced features to control cutting on particular material. This allows both new and experienced users to decide how much information they need to be presented with when creating this frequently used function.
Fast and Efficient Pocketing – optimizes use of two tools
The Pocket toolpath makes machining the material away from inside a vector shape efficient and easy to achieve. Just select all the vectors defining the shapes you want to cut and the program will sort the vectors to identify islands automatically and offset the boundaries for the selected tool radius. The 2D Pocketing Toolpath has the ability to control Pass Depths very precisely, either automatically based on the tool settings or where required the user can specify any combination of depths for a particular tool. Either climb or conventional cutting directions can be specified in order to produce the best edge finish for your selection of material and cutter. The tool can also be ramped into the job to reduce cutter stress when entering the material.
Helical Arc Support
Output helical arcs in a way that your machine understands. Makes for smoother cuts and smaller file sizes. Helical arcs are like regular arcs when viewed in 2D but where the start z and the end z differ. They are typically found in toolpaths where ramping occurs.
Drilling
Whether you are drilling a single hole or hundreds, just select the vectors representing the holes and the software will drill the center of each vector to the specified depth. The grouping feature makes it easy to associate all vectors for a particular toolpath strategy together so only one needs to be selected. The tool database includes a dedicated drill tool type so that the true tool geometry can be seen in the toolpath previews. As well as a single Z plunge you also have the option to activate Peck Drilling, which drills to a specified depth, retracts the tool to clear the chips, drills down to the next step, retracts the tool and so on until the required finish depth is reached.
Precision V-Carving
V-Carving uses a constant angled cutter that’s moved at flowing variable depth to create a 3D carved effect on the job, similar to the way a craftsman would work by hand. The software automatically calculates a path defined by the combination of the angle of the tool specified and the width and shape of the vectors being machined. The extremely fast and robust Vectric VCarving engine handles complex designs with ease providing both fast calculation speed and robust handling of imperfect data. As well as simple VCarving, the software supports many advanced VCarving strategies, such as ‘flat bottomed’ VCarving. Or optionally using multiple tools for your engraving jobs, reducing both machining time and tool wear. The option to use vector start points lets you choose the positions the tool will enter the material. For some applications this can help reduce the load and as such potential marking of the finished part, created by tool vibration when plunging into a deep area. Another advanced capability is the support for VCarving areas wider than the tool by making multiple clearance passes to achieve the required depth. This is done automatically by the software when the carved area is deeper than the maximum cutting depth of the tool.
Photo VCarving Toolpath Strategy
Use the PhotoVCarving toolpath strategy to convert photographs and images into toolpaths producing stylised engraved designs. The created toolpaths engrave a series of lines at different depths to produce the desired image.
Raised Prism Machining
The Raised Prism machining strategy is prefect for cutting high quality raised lettering and shapes on signs for restaurants, hotels and bars etc. that look hand-made.
- Raised Prism carving uses the side angle of V cutters to rapidly form angled sides around the selected shapes.
- Automatically calculates the material thickness required to create a full prism based on the job size and cutter angle.
- Calculates multiple Z passes when rough machining is required to remove material from around the prism shape.
- Typically used when cutting raised lettering on signs.
Moulding Toolpath
This function generates an efficient and smooth toolpath to cut 3D shapes such as mouldings, arches and frames that have a constant cross-section. The shape is specified by selecting two vectors; the first will represent the Drive Curve of the shape and the second defines the Cross Section that will in effect be extruded along the Drive Curve to create the swept shape when machined. The Moulding Toolpath function allows you to specify two tools, one to in effect “Rough” out the majority of material with a larger tool and then the other to do the “Finishing”. The Moulding Toolpath has some clever options to further improve finish and efficiency. For the “Finish” tool you can opt to “Vary Stepover”, this can be used to improve finish on shapes that have a lot of steep angles or curves on the cross-section. For the “Rough” tool you can choose to have it pre-finish any flat (horizontal) regions on the cross section, which are common on a lot of Moulding shapes. Using this option also allows you to avoid creating a “Finish” toolpath in those flat areas further increasing time-savings when machining.
Fluting Toolpaths – Ramp In/Out
Fluting is a special toolpath type for cutting tapered grooves often known as ‘Flutes’ by ramping the cutter into and out of the material. When using this toolpath the software drives the tool along the center of the vector giving you control over the way the tool ramps into the start and end of each selected object. This has many interesting applications outside of just the standard uses you would expect for this type of operation. Perfect for:- Woodworking and solid surface machining.
- Flutes on columns and fireplaces
- Drainage grooves on kitchen sink and shower units
- Options for ramping in and out to create unique decorative results
Efficient Texture Toolpath
Textured panels are often specified by interior designers and architects and textures are also a very useful option for creating backgrounds on dimensional signs. Vectric has a unique approach to generate unique ‘hand carved’ looking textures which still machine extremely efficiently. Once you specify a tool (typically a pointed or round profile) then you have various settings you can set to create the characteristics of your texture toolpath. To give these textures a more natural and less machine made look you can set different levels of randomness. The toolpath will replicate the same type of move that would be made by someone using a chisel to carve overlapping strokes into the material. Creating this as a toolpath move (rather than as a 3D model) will minimize the hand-finishing and also the machining time required to cut this. Textures can also be ‘trimmed’ to a vector boundary allowing the creation of this type of finish in a background area of a job. This is a look very popular with sign makers using Vectric software.
Auto-Inlay Toolpaths
The Auto-Inlay toolpath options calculate profile cut-out and pocketing toolpaths for parts that need to be assembled to make inlays and inserts.- Automatic cutter radius compensation on corner regions to ensure male shapes will fit into female pockets or cavities
- Allowance option to ensure a sufficient ‘gap’ is created to allow parts to fit together
- 4 different Inlay options that are designed to make machining inlays very simple and straightforward (straight, stepped, pocket and hole)
- Ideal toolpath option for sign makers, woodworkers, plastic and solid surface fabricators who need to cut parts that fit closely together
3D Roughing and Finishing
There are two toolpaths which are typically used to machine the 3D parts of a job. The areas that these toolpaths cut is governed by selecting one of the three machining limit boundary options, Model Boundary, Material Boundary or selected vector(s). Model Boundary will use the outer silhouette of the Composite Model (all the 3D Components visible in the 3D View) at the time of calculation. This means there is no need to create a vector boundary around them for these operations. Material Boundary will create a toolpath that completely fills the entire Job Area. Selected Vector(s) will use any vectors you have selected in the 2D View as the boundary for the toolpath. To remove the majority of unwanted stock as quickly as possible most jobs require a 3D Roughing Toolpath to be calculated. There are two Roughing strategies available Z-Level and 3D Raster each of these has advantages depending on the type of shape being cut. The toolpath also has an option to specify an allowance to leave a skin of protective material on the part for the finish cut to clean up. 3D Finish Machining cuts the 3D part of the job to the exact size. The tool parameters let you balance the quality of the surface finish with how long the part will take to cut. Depending on the shape of the part there is a choice of Raster and Offset cutting strategies. Detailed regions can be machined selectively using smaller cutters to ensure the finest of detail on a 3D project is accurately machined.
Project Toolpath onto 3D Model
The conventional 2D / 2.5D toolpath strategies can also be projected onto an underlying 3D model surface. This allows text or other shapes that follow the 3D contours of the part to be efficiently machined onto the 3D Component model.- VCarve or Engrave at constant depth onto a 3D surface
- Pocket, Profile, Drill and Texture onto the 3D model
Estimated Machining Times
To help estimate how long toolpaths will take to cut the software will calculate a time based on the length of the toolpath and the specified feeds and speeds that have been entered for the selected tool. This can be tweaked by the operator by editing the ‘Scale Factor’ so over time a value can be optimized based on actual machine performance to ensure the estimate is as close as possible to the actual cutting time.
Toolpath Tiling – Divides toolpaths to fit material or machine limits
Using the Toolpath Tiling options it is possible to machine objects and designs that are many times larger than the available area of your CNC machine bed. This process is also invaluable if the maximum sizes of your material pieces are limited. In both cases, a much larger project can still be machined by breaking the toolpath down into manageable tiles or strips, each of which can fit within the machineable area of your CNC machine, or on the available material blocks. Once cut, the tiles can then be re-assembled to form the finished piece.
Toolpath Templates
Toolpath templates allow you to improve the efficiency of your production processes by saving the complete toolpath settings for common operations. These settings can then be re-used at any time on different design geometry. Frequently used strategies and tooling can thus be applied to similar jobs, quickly and easily.
Form Tools – custom shaped cutter profiles
The software allows you to add your own custom tools shapes to the tool library and generate toolpaths and simulate the finished result! Now you can simulate the effects of complex Roman Ogee cutters, Round Over bits and any other custom tool shape you desire. Simply draw the tool profile using the vector drawing tools or import the profile from the manufacturer and you can add your custom tool to the list. In the tool database you can specify feed rates, spindle speeds, cutting depths etc. in the same way that you do for any of the standard tool types.
Wrapped Rotary Axis Toolpaths
Wrapped Rotary Axis Toolpath postprocessing allows all toolpaths created in the software to be saved and run on CNC machines fitted with rotary axis or rotary indexer setups. These setup functions also allow you to specify your rotary part setup and view the wrapped results in the 3D view. This function can be used for designing and cutting projects such as fluted columns and barley twists or engraving text onto round projects. Note: This functionality wraps standard 3 axis toolpaths around a cylindrical axis, substituting one of the linear axis to drive the rotation of the block of material while it is being cut.
Production Plate Engraving
Production Plate Engraving lets you merge text lists into templates for badges and industrial plates. It can be used to merge CSV and text based lists using variables that can automatically scale to fit a pre-made design layout.
Quick Engrave for Diamond Drag Tools
Quick Engrave can be used to create toolpaths for Diamond drag tooling. This is typically used for marking engraved products such as gifts, awards, plaques, badges, pens, trophies etc.
Create Merged Toolpath
The Create Merged Toolpath function allows you to combine toolpaths that use the same tool into a single, new, toolpath that is generally more efficient than cutting the constituent toolpaths independently. This can be particularly useful if you want a complete individual part to be cut before the CNC moves onto the next piece as it can merge the toolpaths into individual components.
Array Copy Toolpath
Similarly to the Area Copy Tool, this toolpath allows you to duplicate one or more toolpaths (its children) as a block, based on the dimensions you enter in its properties.
Create Job Sheet
The Create Setup Job Sheet command allows you to create a summary sheet that details all the important information you will need at your CNC machine when you come to run the toolpaths. This can be used as a reference to ensure you have the setup correct, have loaded the correct tool etc. It can also be used to archive with an old job as a quick reference file to see what the job the looked like and the machining that was involved for that project. You can also edit this to change the logo to an image of your own choice, adjust the header, footer and border colors and even customize which sections of information to include.
Tool Database
The software has a built in tool database to make cutter management quick and easy. Tools can be organized in any way that suits your workflow. There is automatic support for machine management and material management. Tools can be filtered for your current material and machine settings, which makes selecting the right tool for the job simple. The tool database contains a powerful tool naming system. This allows you to have consistent tool names, and for those tool names to match the properties of your cutter. Your tool database can be synced with your online V&Co account so that changes made to the tool database on one machine can be easily transferred to other running instances.
Other Features
Import Toolpaths from other Vectric Programs
Toolpaths generated in PhotoVCarve can be imported into the software to combine with other toolpath types. Multiple PhotoVCarve projects can be imported and positioned, where additional elements can then be added and machined. All of the toolpaths can then be previewed and saved from the software. Please Note: Photo VCarving toolpath strategy is included with VCarve Desktop, VCarve Pro and Aspire. PhotoVCarve can also be purchased on its own, for more details see the PhotoVCarve area of the web site.
Printing
The contents of either the 2D or 3D view can now be printed using the Print command on the File menu. Simply select the view you wish to print (2D or 3D) and then click the Print command. The standard Windows printer dialog allows you to select the printer and adjust its properties. When the OK button in this dialog is clicked, the view will be printed. The Print Preview command on the File menu allows you to check the layout of your page before you print. The printed view is always scaled to exactly fit the currently selected page size (including allowance for margins). Drawings are not, therefore, printed at actual size and are not printed across multiple pages.
Online Clipart Access
We give you access to the online clipart that comes free with your purchase. This clipart can be downloaded directly from your V&CO account in the running software. The software comes with previews of the clipart you’re entitled to in the clipart tab so that you can see all of the options available to you and download the items of interest,
In order to get the latest entitlements, click the refresh button. To import the clipart from the clipart tab into your job, simply drag and drop your desired model onto your part.
File Thumbnails
Files saved from the software include a thumbnail image. Windows Explorer can make use of these thumbnails to show you a preview of each file when you browse a folder. The software also supports Windows drag and drop functionality to quickly add pieces of 2D or 3D clipart into an existing model directly from Windows Explorer. With Windows Explorer open, simply click and drag the 3D clipart thumbnail of the file you want from the Explorer Window into the 2D or 3D View. The selected file will be imported automatically and displayed in the software.
Video Tutorials
All of our products have in depth video tutorials and data files you need to work through the examples. These are split into sections beginning with getting started projects to let you see the process to produce a complete part and start to understand the general workflow. Then there are videos to cover each area of use within the program. The videos are designed to take you step by step through different types of projects to explain the key methods you will use in the software and to demonstrate these on real-world examples. You can just watch and absorb the contents or follow along pausing where necessary to complete a task. In addition to learning how to use the program the videos include tips and tricks for better use of the software. The result of each project (along with the Clip Art) provides a library of parts which can be machined to create sample files to improve your CNC skills or help you to demonstrate your capabilities to potential customers.
Technical Support & Vectric Forum
One of the most important features of any program is not within the program itself. It is the support and resources available when you are learning the program or when you have a question about how something works or even a suggestion for a new feature. Vectric have a dedicated Support Website support.vectric.com. This website allows you to quickly access Video Tutorials, the Vectric User Forum (see below), Free Monthly Projects, Program Updates, Upgrade Options, FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and more. The FAQ pages have searchable general and software specific questions and answers. We are very proud of the quality of our software, and maintain an active and open forum at forum.vectric.com. The forum lets users ask questions and discuss techniques related to CNC and the software. In addition to direct input from Vectric, there are a large number of enthusiastic users who are always willing to help on any topic associated with CNC machining. Another very interesting section of the forum is the gallery area where users can post images of projects they have done using Vectric software. Please take a look, there are some very nice examples of work on there.
64-Bit Support
The new versions have installers for both 32-bit and 64-bit computers. The installer will detect and install the appropriate version for your machine. The 64-bit build will enable the software to make use of all the RAM on the PC, this will allow the processing of very long toolpaths, complex nesting jobs and the import and export of very large (STL, OBJ etc.) files.
Gadgets
Gadgets are small programs that add additional functionality to Vectric products. They can be used to add new features to the software or automate common sequences of tasks. Examples include adding the ability to cut dovetail style joints with a standard end mill and applying toolpath templates to every sheet in a nested job followed by automatically post-processing and saving the files for your machine tool. You can also associate specific key combinations to these to very quickly access them as part of your standard work-flow. You can browse the Gadgets available here: http://gadgets.vectric.com.
And Much More …
We have only been able to give a brief overview of some of software capabilities here. To really understand the speed, ease of use and full scope of what the program can do then please download the trial version and try it for yourself. The video tutorials will get you up and running quickly and the trial version is supplied with a number of standard demonstration files which you can scale and cut on your own machine using your own tooling to verify the quality of the toolpaths from the software and compatibility with your machine. In addition to the standard demonstration files we supply, you can load any of your own data files and preview them using the standard toolpath simulation capabilities of the program.