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Beginner,  Software,  Techniques,  Tutorials

Vectric Software for the Absolute Beginner – Part 40

Part 40 – Carving Open Vectors with a V-Bit

This article accompanies the fortieth video in a series on my YouTube channel. If you’re not subscribed to my channel, here’s a link. Come on by and check it out. Hopefully you’ll find something you like.

In this 40th video of the series, I’ll show you how to carve open vectors with a v-bit in VCarve Desktop, VCarve Pro, and Aspire.
Easily the most common problem folks contact me about is closing vectors in preparation for v-carving. In this video, I’ll show you how you can carve open vectors in cases where you don’t need to v-carve.

I’ll show you how I imported some artwork, then prepared that artwork for carving. We’ll get into some of the things to watch out for when importing vectors, and some of the cleanup needed. I’ll show you how I use the Profile toolpath to carve those open vectors with a v-bit. We’ll then briefly get into the Quick Engrave toolpath and discuss how you can use it to carve open vectors as well.

The main thing to remember when deciding whether or not you’ll need to close vectors is the type of toolpath you’re going to use, and how you’re going to use it. If you’re going to use a V-Carve, Drilling, or Pocket toolpath, you WILL need to close the vectors. If you’re going to use the Profile toolpath to cut to the inside or outside of the vector, you WILL need to close the vectors. If you’re going to machine ON the vector with a Profile toolpath or Quick Engraving toolpath, you do NOT need to close the vectors.

FOR THE ABSOLUTE CNC BEGINNER

Don’t stress over any of this. It’s supposed to be fun, remember? You CAN learn this. You CAN do this. It’s not always super easy, but it’s never really super difficult, either. Just like anything else you want to do, there is no replacement for experience – and the only way to get that experience is to practice. Get into your CAD/CAM software, and learn it. Draw in it. Calculate toolpaths. Generate g-code. You don’t’ have to cut anything with it – it’s more important that you learn how to use the software than it is to start making chips.

That’s enough out of me. Below is a link to the 40th video in the series that’s geared toward the absolute Vectric software beginner.

I use Aspire version 10.019 in this video, but all of the information in the video applies to VCarve (both the Desktop and the Pro versions,) and Aspire software.

As usual, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to comment! If you don’t wish to make a public comment, click this Contact Us link, and submit it to me privately. I read ALL of the messages I get through my website, and I answer as many as humanly possible – unless you’re a spambot. Spambots get blocked – so there.

Remember, beginners – relax, take your time, and enjoy the process. It’s supposed to be fun, remember? You can do this. I’m living proof.

SUMMING UP

For more information on, or to download a free trial of VCarve Pro, visit the Vectric website at:

http://www.vectric.com/

Remember to click that link up at the top of the page to check out my T-Shirt shop!

Until next time, take care and have fun!

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