3D cutting

[mchurchf]

OK, I'm confused again. I run VCarve pro which has 3D tool paths and tutorials, but I also have Cut3D which I am just trying to learn and use. Can someone tell me why one would be preferred over the other and where I would get training videos on useing the cut3D?

[Adrian]

VCarve is a much newer program and has many more features for machining than Cut3D does including, but not limited to, the ability to mix 2D and 3D toolpaths which can be a huge time saver on many 3D projects.

Cut3D has an advantage for multi-sided machining.

Tutorials for Cut3D are at http://support.vectric.com/training-material/cut3d

[mchurchf]

thank you, now I wonder if there are any free 3d patterns out there

[Adrian]

Cut3D can import many 3D file formats so if you find STL files, OBJ files etc you can import and machine those.

With the rise of 3D printers in the hobby marketplace there are many sites offering free STL files that you can get via a Google search.

[FastFarmer]

Vcarve also supports wrapping on the 4th axis and cut3d does not.

It appears to me that cut3d will eventually be rolled into Vcarve (evident by the additions in V8) however, at the moment to work in 3d fully you need both.. which is what you have, so you're all good to go!