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Tutorial Video Guide Vectric LTD Passionate About Video Guide A Guide To The PDF
Tutorial Video Guide Vectric LTD Passionate About Video Guide A Guide To The PDF
Tutorial Video Guide Vectric LTD Passionate About Video Guide A Guide To The PDF
Guide
A guide to the Tutorial Videos
included with Aspire V4.0
Vectric Ltd.
Document V.1.0
Contents
CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................... 2
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 3
GETTING STARTED - A .................................................................................................................. 6
THE BASICS - B ............................................................................................................................. 7
2D & 2.5D CORE CONCEPTS AND FEATURES - C ............................................................................. 8
2D & 2.5D TECHNIQUES - D ........................................................................................................ 10
3D CORE CONCEPTS AND FEATURES - E ....................................................................................... 11
3D TECHNIQUES - F .................................................................................................................... 13
FEATURE REFERENCE VIDEOS - G ................................................................................................ 15
DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................... 18
The Getting Started and Basic overview tutorials are on the first Aspire disk; this also has the software
installation and clipart on it. The second disk contains the balance of the tutorials and the files for use
with them; these cover the specifics of learning the tools within the program and how to combine them
to produce parts with your CNC machine. New users are encouraged to work through the tutorials in the
order presented in this manual.
The tutorials can be accessed directly from the disk but you will also get the option to install the
tutorials and their supporting files on your hard disk. The files by default will be located in the
“Documents” folder (under Libraries) in Windows 7 and 8. In older versions of Windows they will be
located in the “My Documents” folder. In either location there will be a sub-folder called “Vectric Files”,
then within that a folder called “Tutorial Files”. Each section has its own folder and sub folders which
share the same numbering system as the videos in this document (example: C04).
Most of the videos have been designed to provide step-by-step instruction which you can follow along
with. You may want to pause the videos while you carry out the steps that are being demonstrated. An
ideal setup if you have it is to use two monitors, one to display the software and one for the video –
although this is not at all essential.
In VCarve Pro there is no concept of a 3D Model as it does not have any modeling tools so the 3D View is
used exclusively to show toolpaths and the 3D Toolpath Preview block. In Aspire when not in Preview
mode the 3D View is used to show the 3D Model or a flat plane if no model exists at that time.
This means that when a VCarve Pro user exits the Toolpath Preview form the preview block remains
drawn – which is what you see in the Video Tutorials. When an Aspire user exits the Toolpath Preview
form the preview block will disappear as it reverts to showing the 3D Model View. At this point it will
look different to what is shown in the video. This is not an issue with regard to working through the
tutorial though as the preview block still exists and you can get back to it by clicking the “Preview
Toolpaths” icon from the Toolpath Tab or it will be automatically shown again after you calculate your
next toolpath. So you can just continue with the next step shown in the video.
Getting Started – A
These videos are designed to get you up and running with the software, to give you a guide to the
typical work-flow for a job and to introduce you to the tools and interface. There are short and long
versions of each example, to start you can watch the short version to familiarize yourself with that
example then use the longer version with more in-depth explanation to work through it yourself.
The Basics – B
Once you have worked through the Getting Started the videos in this section will give you broader
overviews of what the software can do, give you a more detailed guide to finding your way around the
interface and also explain where to get help and how to use the clipart.
3D Techniques – F
These videos cover more specific uses of the 3D parts of Aspire; such as creating a recessed shape for
your design to sit in, slicing a thick model, creating lithophanes from an image, 3D rotary model and
machining, projecting 2D toolpaths onto 3D surfaces and more advanced toolpath preparation and
creation.
In addition to the tutorials contained on your installation disks, Vectric periodically add videos to the
Support Website. Please check http://support.vectric.com to access new videos and many other useful
customer resources such as the free monthly projects, updates, gadgets etc.
C02 - 3 Legged Table - Edit Vectors (25 min) & Toolpath (21 min)
Shows the process for importing a DXF (vector) file and editing it to add dog-
bone fillets for assembly. These shapes are then nested to create multiple
copies on separate sheets. In the second video Profile toolpaths are calculated
to cut the parts out and techniques shown to edit the pass depths, add ramping
and adjust the toolpath ordering.
C03 - Vectric Widget - Vector Drawing (30 min) & Toolpath (41 min)
The first part of this video covered drawing a part using many of the vector
creation and editing tools. In the second the Layers are used to organize the
vector data and associate toolpaths with the items on each Layer. Finally the
nesting is used to make multiple copies of the parts and recalculate the
toolpaths automatically taking advantage of the layer association.
C04 - Five Star Coffee Sign – Drawing (33 min) & Toolpath (21 min)
The first section covers drawing a sign layout using a number of the vector
creation tools. In the Toolpath videos there is a brief discussion of how to get
good results with V-Carving. Then toolpaths are calculated and options shown
to preview them with different colors. At the end the drawing of dimensions on
a part is also demonstrated.
C05 - US Buckle Photo - Drawing (27 min) & Toolpath (22 min)
The first videos starts with importing an image then shows how to use the
guidelines to create snap points to help draw good quality, accurate vectors
over the image. The node editing is used extensively to edit the vectors. The
toolpath section looks at the calculation of Inlay toolpaths to allow parts that
would be cut separately to fit together.
C08 - Raised Panel Door - Drawing (18 min) & Toolpath (20 min)
The first part of tutorials shows how to draw the outline shape for a raised
panel door using the snap grid and imported 2D clipart. The Toolpath video
shows the process for creating a V-carve toolpath for the graphic on the panel
then how to define a specially shaped "Form" tool in the tool database (to
create the edge profile on the panel) and finally calculating a profile toolpath to
cutout the panel.
E02 - Fleur de Lis - 3D Modeling (23 min) and Toolpath (25 min)
This example uses the Create Shape, Two Rail Sweep and Extrude tool to create
a decorative flourish from pre-drawn vectors. In the machining section the
model height is scaled, then 3D Rough, 3D Finish and a 2D Profile Cut-Out
toolpath are calculated using an outline vector fitted to the part.
E05 - Leaf Branch - Model Components, Copy & Edit (38 min)
This example starts by discussing the way the vectors were created. These are
used to model individual components (the leaf and acorn) in separate sessions
of the software before combining them, copying and editing to create all the
components for the design. Finally they are sculpted together and the finished
part is mirrored to complete the model.
E09 - Coffee Sign – Draw (25 min) Model (25 min) Toolpath (17 min)
In the first videos a combination of the vector drawing and editing tools are
used to create the sign layout. In the second the components for the sign are
modeled, including using an image to make a 3D texture. In the final section the
2D and 3D toolpaths are created to allow the sign to be carved on a CNC.
E12 - Borders – Drawing & Model Parts (14 min), Extrude (18 min)
The first video shows how to draw vectors and create components that will be
used to create the repeating rope and chain borders. In the second video the
options in the Extrude and Weave tool for creating the repeating border are
shown, including a variation to weave a knot using the rope link shape.
F09 - Book – Distorting text and project toolpaths onto model (21 min)
This video shows how to take a set of text and use the distortion tools to match
the curve of pages in a 3D clipart model of a book. VCarve and Profile toolpaths
are then calculated and projected onto the surface of the Component.
F10 - Round Window – Modeling (36 min) & Toolpath (40 min)
The first video is a detailed look at different way to use the Two Rail Sweep
tool. The second shows how to create plane components to prevent the
toolpath cutting down vertical edges. Then 2Dt toolpaths are calculated for the
flat areas and combined with 3D toolpaths for the shaped parts.
The information in this manual may be subject to change without any prior notice. The software
described in this manual is supplied under the terms and conditions of the software license agreement
and may only be used in accordance with the terms of this agreement.
Vectric Ltd
The Coach House
Upper Skilts Farm
Gorcott Hill, Beoley
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 9ET
UK
www.vectric.com
E-mail info@vectric.com