VCarve Desktop V10 by Vectric

Why Choose VCarve Desktop?

VCarve Desktop provides a powerful but intuitive software solution for cutting parts on a CNC Router. There are tools for 2D design and calculation of 2D and 2.5D toolpaths and along with the ability to import and toolpath a single 3D model (STL, OBJ, SKP etc.). There is also support to import multiple Vectric Clip Art 3D models (V3M).

The software can import 2D designs but also provides a full set of drawing and editing tools. The toolpath options cover all typical 2D routing operations such as profiling, pocketing, auto-inlays and drilling as well as 2.5D strategies such as v-carving, prism carving, molding toolpaths, fluting and even a decorative texturing strategy.

Business Benefits of VCarve Desktop

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. VCarve Pro has over 30 hours of tutorials available 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.

• Wrapped Rotary Axis Job Support. Create wrapped rotary projects and visualize your job in a wrapped environment
• In-place text editing & transforms. See live feedback of the text that you create and edit.
• Two-sided machining. Create two-sided jobs and visualize them in the same session
• Quick Keys. Adds precision to your shape by allowing typed values whilst creating geometry

What's New in VCarve Desktop V10

Node Editing

Node editing can now be performed on multiple vectors selected at the same time. Making it easier to access all the nodes and spans in your job for multiple editing, without having to access each vector individually.

We have also added the ability to transform your vectors directly from the span itself allowing you to drag individual spans and change their shape in the case of arcs and Beziers or moving the whole span in the case of lines for a much easier, intuitive workflow to get you to the shape you want.

In cases where you have two open vectors, you can select the endpoints of each vector and join them together whilst remaining in node edit mode using the right-click menu, you can then join them with a straight line, a curve or the midpoint between the two.

Maintain Object Rotation

When rotating and scaling objects, the original bounds are now maintained. Allowing you to scale rotated objects along their axes more easily and intuitively. When we scale the size of a rotated object we can now scale the part in line with the rotated bounds of a selected object.

To accommodate this enhancement, we’ve also updated various transformation tools to include the rotated bounds when making transformations to a rotated vector, For example;

In the move tool we can now move objects relative to their rotated bounds.

Bitmap Improvements

When importing bitmaps you now have the ability to rotate it directly in the software using the rotation handles on the corners of the image.

Font List Favourites

The font list in both the ‘create text’ and ‘create text within a vector box’ form will now save the 5 most recently used fonts at the top of the list to allow quicker selection of frequently used fonts, that way you save time searching for your favorite fonts.

The number of recently used fonts displayed can easily be edited in the program options form to a number you are happy with.

Welding Text

The welding tool includes the welding of text objects all at the click of a button! Which is perfect for overlapping style fonts.

Simply select your text, use the weld option where it will keep all of the internal regions of the text characters.

You also have the option to keep or replace the original text object.

Dynamic Text on a Curve

When text is placed on a curve, its anchor can now be freely moved, rather than being limited to the standard three predefined locations of left right and center, we can now move the anchor to give us much greater control of the position of the wrapped text.

Another enhancement we have made is that the wrapped text can be detached from the original curve and still be re-worked in the wrap text form, where it remembers the original settings of the wrap if you wanted to make further changes.

Add Side Length to Polygon Tool

We have added an extra option in the draw polygon form where you are now able to create a polygon by specifying the length of a side. For example, if you want to create an equilateral triangle where all the sides are 2 inches long you can simply specify this in the form and the software will create it.

Shape Editing Shortcut

We have added a shortcut to quickly get you into a shape form for further editing. If a vector is selected which is able to be modified using one of the shape drawing tools, (circle, ellipse, rectangle, polygon or star) then by simply pressing 'E' on the keyboard the software will now automatically open the correct shape creation tool for the selected shape.

Space Selection Behaviour

The space selection controls in the alignment tools form will now maintain the X or Y ordering of any selected vectors and space them between the top and bottom or left and right items in the selection, regardless of what order we selected the vectors in.

Design & Make Bundle Selection

When upgrading or purchasing version 10 you are entitled to select one free model project worth $55 courtesy of our sister company Design & Make that you can use in the software.

At the point of purchase you have a one time opportunity to purchase any of the full collections at a discounted price. Where there are four themed model collections to choose from that have been professionally created and are ready to use on your CNC.

New 2D Clipart VCarve

We have added over 40 new pieces of 2D clipart to help you get started with all sorts of projects. You will find game layouts and molding profiles for use with the molding toolpath, as well as a selection of stylized words which would be perfect for VCarving.

Copy Dragging of Components

Easily copy components into other levels of your job by simply holding down the ‘Ctrl’ key on your keyboard whilst dragging the component into a different level ensuring that your assembled part.

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.

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.

Tool Database

The tool database has been given a significant overhaul. You can now add parameters relevant to different machines or materials.

For example if you use the same tool, but want different speeds and feeds for different materials, you can now adjust the parameters based on the material you're using.

Once your materials are set up and you are ready to machine, you can filter the tools so that you only see the ones that are compatible with the material you're using.

Use the new tool naming mechanism to consistently name your tools. Ensuring that the tool name always matches the tool dimensions. It even supports displaying inch tools correctly.

You can now view the chip load on the tool from within the software.

Online Tool Database

It is now easy to share your tool database across the machines you use. The new tool database can be synced with your online V&Co Account so that changes made to the tool database on one machine are reflected across your other running instances.

Optimizing Clearance Tools in VCarve Toolpaths

The VCarve toolpath now supports multiple clearance tools for more efficient area clearance. This can help shorten machining time and reduce tool wear. Using multiple tools means you can use a much larger area clearance tool, and intermediate V-Bit tools to ensure that the fine detail tool only needs to remove the smallest amount of material possible.

Depth First Roughing

The roughing toolpath strategy has been enhanced to add an additional ordering type. The ‘depth-first’ option can now be chosen. This strategy machines regions to the desired depth and then moves onto the next region rather than machining all the regions to a fixed level. For models with distinct separate regions, this can be much quicker and result in significantly fewer air moves.

Toolpath Groups

Toolpaths can now be grouped within the toolpath tree. Organize your toolpaths into logical groups to make managing complex jobs more straightforward.

Rotary Toolpath Projection

Toolpaths in rotary jobs can now be projected even if they fall outside of the job. This allows for easier creation of spiral toolpaths.

Material Importing

New material textures can be easily added to the software. If you have a picture of the material you want to add you can just select ‘add new texture’ from within the appearance drop down menu to use that image for the material texture.

Tab Resizing

The toolpath tab is now resizable. Expand it to fit even the longest of toolpath names.

Default File Dialogs

You can now use different settings for default file locations. Choose to have the software remember specific locations for specific actions, e.g. always open images from my `pictures` directory. Or you could choose to always open the file dialogs in the folder of the current project.

Apply Templates to All Sheets

Loading a template will now ask if you want to apply that template to every sheet in the job. Any toolpaths generated will be prefixed by their sheet number and grouped in the toolpath tree.

Lithophane Preview

The lithophane preview mode provides a simple way to visualize the lithophane effect on your simulated toolpaths. Just enable the mode from within the simulation and use the slider to adjust the brightness to suit.

VCarving Text & Intersection Detection

Text is welded automatically with the Welding Tool before being V-Carved without it actually affecting the text object. Making the process quicker, this also avoids issues arising when characters intersect with each other.

Another improvement that we have added to the VCarve Toolpath is the ability to detect and warn users about the presence of intersections within the selected vectors, where the software will prompt you on calculating the toolpath to run the Vector Validator to help locate problematic areas. Within the Vector Validator the software will automatically put you into VCarve mode where the software will ignore the intersections that would be welded by the toolpath itself. And focus on areas outside of the VCarving mode, helping you locate the issues before the toolpaths are simulated.

Post Processor List Favourites

When you save out toolpaths we have made it easier to locate your favourite posts where the post processor list will now save the 5 most recently used post processors at the top of the list allowing for quicker selection of frequently used posts!

Integrated Help

Help for all forms can now be found using the integrated help function, which can be found if you click on the question mark icon on the top of each form to get the help for that specific function.

• VCarve Desktop can import 2D designs from other programs but also provides a full set of drawing and editing tools.
• The toolpath options cover all typical 2D routing operations such as Profiling, Pocketing, Auto-Inlays and Drilling as well as 2.5D strategies such as V-Carving, Prism carving, Moulding Toolpaths, Fluting and even a decorative Texturing strategy.
• For 3D you can Rough and Finish the model and there are options to project 2D and 2.5D toolpaths onto the 3D surface.
• 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. The software has a comprehensive set of drawing tools to let you easily create vectors from scratch or add to imported data.
• 3D Assembly. Many of the vector editing tools which can be used on 2D data in VCarve can also be used to edit 3D Components.
• Toolpaths. Referencing the software to how your CNC will be setup is one of the most important elements of the process.
• Other Features Including; Import Toolpaths, Printing, File Thumbnails, Video Tutorials, 64-Bit Support, Gadgets and more.

• Machine Parts on Two Sides
• Machine Wrapped Rotary Parts
• Drawing & Layout Tools
• 3D Assembly
• Toolpaths
• Import Toolpaths from other Vectric Programs
• Online Clipart Access
• File Thumbnails
• Video Tutorials
• Technical Support & Vectric Forum
• And Much More ...

3D Component Editing

Many of the vector editing tools which can be used on 2D data in VCarve can also be used to edit 3D Components. Shapes can be easily scaled, moved, mirrored and grouped. VCarve also allows you to smooth a 3D object. 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.

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 evening 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.

Import a single 3D Mesh file created in other CAD software such as, Rhino, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Silo, MOI, Blender, SketchUp etc. STL, 3D DXF, OBJ, 3DS, VRML, 3DM, SKP file formats Interactively change the size and orientation of imported 3D models. Interactively rotate 3D mesh files into the required orientation for adding to a design. Instantly convert designs from raised models to recessed mold cavities. Easy to use interactive drag and drop, size, mirror and rotate tools allow 3D clipart designs to be edited to instantly produce unlimited design variations.

Two-sided Machining

This adds the ability to create double-sided projects in the same session. It avoids the need to have two sessions, one for each side. In the job setup dialog, you can pick whether you want to create a single-sided or a double-sided 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.

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 toolpaths in an auto - wrapped simulation. 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 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, ellipse, rectangle, polygon and star) along with line, curve and arc drawing tools. 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.

With the ability 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 combine with other 2D vector data.

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.