COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

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Stephanie Downing
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COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by Stephanie Downing »

We're thrilled to give you a sneak peek into some of the NEW and improved features coming up very soon in version 10 :D

NODE EDITING ENHANCEMENTS
Version 10 adds the ability for node editing to be performed on multiple vectors at the same time as well as allowing you to transform vectors directly from the span itself by dragging individual spans to change their shape in the case of arcs and Beziers.
Where you have two open vectors, you can select the end points of each vector and join them together whilst remaining in node edit mode using the right click menu, join them with a straight line, a curve or the mid point between the two.

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.

TOOL DATABASE OVERHAUL
Do 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.

LEVEL CLIPPING
Makes it easy to constrain the model you are creating to a chosen boundary. Rearrange your components and see the results of clipping live as you work.

Watch out for more announcements of version 10 updates coming soon!!

kstrauss
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by kstrauss »

Will v10.0 be a free upgrade from v9.5?

AdamJ
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by AdamJ »

Hi kstrauss,

That would depend on when you purchased your version of 9.5. V10 is a free upgrade for anyone who has newly purchased the software within 12 months of the release date and to anyone who has upgraded their software within 3 months of the release. If you are entitled to a free upgrade then you will be credited with the new version and it will appear in your V&CO account. You will also be notified via email at the point of release, so you won't be left in the dark :)

Cheers,
Adam

Mark Bolton
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by Mark Bolton »

Well hopefully you get it out in the next week. Perfect timing. We upgraded on Jun18th so get crackin'.

msaine
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by msaine »

What constitutes a "compatible tool"? In the tool data base I have added the Amana tool data to the data base and am trying to use one of the bits defined therein and it doesn't show up on tool selection menu unless I unselect show compatible tool filter. There is no help in the "reference manual" that covers making "compatible tools". The video tutorial is also lacking in defining "new tools". Basically I cannot seem to find the how to for adding new tools to the data base. The material types match so what else is required?

The tool has settings defined so what else is required?

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Adrian
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by Adrian »

The compatible tool refers to the type of tool that is allowed for the toolpath you're using. For example if you're creating a v-carve toolpath that toolpath only works with a vbit or a ball nose bit so you can't select any other type of bit there and, by default, the database won't show them to you. You can change that with the compatible tool setting.

The Tool Database tutorial is in the General Topics section of the Tutorial Browser which you can access from the Help menu of Cut2D/VCarve/Aspire or the support site. It covers adding new tools including specialist form tools as well as standard ones.

msaine
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by msaine »

Adrian,
Adrian wrote: You can change that with the compatible tool setting.
And that would be where?

As I said in my original post I watched the tutorial and no where does it mention "compatible tool setting" nor does it really cover what the why's and where to's of compatibility.
Adrian wrote:The compatible tool refers to the type of tool that is allowed for the toolpath you're using. For example if you're creating a v-carve toolpath that toolpath only works with a vbit or a ball nose bit so you can't select any other type of bit there


Just where are the guidelines for this compatibility vs toolpath? Is it documented or tribal knowledge?

The toolpath I am dealing with is photo-vcarve but I'm sure others will be necessary in the future.

My overall impression is a lack of detailed info in the reference manual, but that is just my impression as I'm a beginner.

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Adrian
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by Adrian »

Which tools work with which toolpaths is a function of the toolpaths themselves rather than the tool database so you should refer to the toolpath tutorials/help contents for which tools work with them. The PhotoVCarve toolpath only works with v-bits and engraving tools. The help section for that toolpath does mention that but the language it uses might be confusing for someone completely new as it says "VCarving or Engraving tool" without making it completely clear that that means v-bits and engraving tools only.

I haven't watched the tool database tutorial all the way through but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't mention the compatible tool filter. It was added in as it looked a bit odd to some people used to the database used prior to v10 which showed all tools regardless of whether they applied to the toolpath or not.

There is no reason to switch it from the default really as it doesn't allow you to select the tools it just shows you all the tools for the current machine/material setup regardless of whether they apply to the current toolpath or not. Leaving it active makes a lot more sense as you will automatically see exactly which type of tools will work with each toolpath without having to look anything up.

msaine
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by msaine »

adrian
The PhotoVCarve toolpath only works with v-bits and engraving tools
There is more to it than that. The bit I was looking at is an engraving bit listed in the amana tool base when you deselect the hide incompatible tools. I have yet to find any tutorial or help selection in Vcarve pro that explains what is or isn't compatible to a particular mode and more importantly why they are or aren't compatible.

What parameters to a particular bit make it compatible or incompatible? My single most important disappointment in Vcarve is the brevity or lack of a users manual. The entire PhotVcarve "help/user manual page" is about two pages of general statements about features with very little detail for each entry: and no trace of "incompatible'!

What bothers me is the possible damage to what can be rather expensive bits and the machine itself thru improper use unless we use "sanctioned" bits.

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Adrian
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by Adrian »

Bit and machine damage is something that is very easy to regardless of whether a bit is "sanctioned" or not. Put a 1/2" bit in it and try to cut 1" deep passes in oak at 200ipm and you're going to cause serious issues with any machine. Learning what you can and can't do with feed rates, bits etc is part of the learning curve of using a CNC machine in general and not really something that Vectric should be documenting in detail IMO. Every machine has different capabilities so it would be a huge task to cover everything that is possible with every variation in the Help files.

Is the Amana bit you're referring to setup as an engraving tool or a form tool? If it's been defined as a form tool it won't be selectable for that reason.

msaine
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by msaine »

Why can no one understand this question? People keep coming back with Speeds and feed rates responses and that is not what I am asking about! They don't even come into affect until a bit is selected! If you can't select a bit, you can't set feed rate parameters! So why res[pond with any answer about feed rates?

Why cannot anyone state where it is that a bit is termed "compatible" for any given mode? What makes a bit incompatible? What are the rules for compatibility?

What is the big secret here?

If you have a tutorial explaining this then point me to it, I sure can't find it in your list of tutorials.

The only hint at this mysterious compatibility is the tool database selection to "Hide incompatible tool groups"

ezurick

Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by ezurick »

msaine wrote:Why can no one understand this question? People keep coming back with Speeds and feed rates responses and that is not what I am asking about! They don't even come into affect until a bit is selected! If you can't select a bit, you can't set feed rate parameters! So why res[pond with any answer about feed rates?

Why cannot anyone state where it is that a bit is termed "compatible" for any given mode? What makes a bit incompatible? What are the rules for compatibility?

What is the big secret here?

If you have a tutorial explaining this then point me to it, I sure can't find it in your list of tutorials.

The only hint at this mysterious compatibility is the tool database selection to "Hide incompatible tool groups"
I think part of the confusion is your frustration asking the question. First, the question your asking is about the Photocarve toolpath in Vcarve v10 only. Is that correct? There is no such thing as compatible/noncompatible in Vcarve that I can see. For any toolpath, you'll get various results for different tool bits. There are some limitations on certain tools on certain toolpaths, but any tool can be set for any toolpath for the most part... EXCEPT the Photocarve toolpath. Since version 10, Vectric included that toolpath in Vcarve but with only V bit tools. If you want to use OTHER tools with the Photocarve, you should consider purchasing the Photocarve program sold separately. I hope that clears up a few things.

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Adrian
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by Adrian »

msaine wrote:Why can no one understand this question? People keep coming back with Speeds and feed rates responses and that is not what I am asking about! They don't even come into affect until a bit is selected! If you can't select a bit, you can't set feed rate parameters! So why res[pond with any answer about feed rates?

Why cannot anyone state where it is that a bit is termed "compatible" for any given mode? What makes a bit incompatible? What are the rules for compatibility?

What is the big secret here?

If you have a tutorial explaining this then point me to it, I sure can't find it in your list of tutorials.

The only hint at this mysterious compatibility is the tool database selection to "Hide incompatible tool groups"
It's not people not understanding the question it's you not understanding the answer. I explained it to you previously. It's simply that some tools are not suitable for some operations. You cannot do a v-carve toolpath with a endmill, it makes no sense so the program doesn't show you those bits by default as they can't be selected. You're getting hung up on the wrong definition of compatibility I feel. Try thinking of it as suitable bits rather than compatible bits.

As I've said the "compatible" tools switch is purely visual. Whether it's on or off you still can't select a tool that won't work with the toolpath so you can't cause any issues selecting the "wrong" tool.

If you want a definition of a what a compatible tool is it's purely one that the program allows you to select for the operation in hand. If the program doesn't let you select it then it's not compatible. IF you With the PhotoVCarve toolpath it's purely v-bits and engraving bits only. A v-bit setup as a form tool may be the same thing to human perception but to a computer program it's an entirely different thing. I suspect you have set the Amana tool up as a form tool or something other than a v-bit/engraving tool which is why you can't select it. A screen shot of the tool database definition would confirm that.

I mentioned feed rates etc because the last sentence in your previous post was about damage to the machine and bits by use of "non-sanctioned" bits. I was merely pointing out that you can damage the machine and bits using any toolpath with incorrect settings regardless of whether you are using "sanctioned" bits or not.

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Adrian
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by Adrian »

Sorry, got my v-carve toolpaths and PhotoVCarve toolpaths mixed up there. PhotoVCarve toolpaths are v-bits ONLY. So if you've defined the Amana bit as an engraving bit it's not suitable so you won't be able to select it. If it comes to a point rather than having a flat section on the bottom you can define it as a v-bit so you can use it in the PVC toolpath. Careful with the angle definitions though as the two tool types use different setups.

I've haven't watched the tutorial videos for a long time but I would be surprised if they don't make some mention of which tools are suitable when showing the toolpaths. As I say though the best guide is the toolpaths themselves. If the tool isn't suitable you simply can't select it to start with.

msaine
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Re: COMING SOON - VCARVE VERSION 10

Post by msaine »

adrian
Sorry, got my v-carve toolpaths and PhotoVCarve toolpaths mixed up there. PhotoVCarve toolpaths are v-bits ONLY.
Then why are there currently engraving bits in the acceptable list (see attachment)? Are some engraving bits OK? Then I ask yet again: What are the rules/conditions required for a bit to be acceptable/compatible?

To be honest the previous response messages mostly talked about feed rates and speeds which comes after a selection.

On another note: is the Photocarve option included in Vcarve Pro different then the standalone program?

What if I want to add a tool by XXYYZZ to my data base? What are the criteria for the bit to be added? None of this is really covered as far as I can see. (you do realize that XXYYZZ is a made up name, right?)
Is the Amana bit you're referring to setup as an engraving tool or a form tool? If it's been defined as a form tool it won't be selectable for that reason.
well that's one rule.

Let's approach this from a different angle. Basically some engraving bits are really a vbit with a very small angle. That being said what are the limits on this angle? what other criteria are required to make a bit appropriate? These are the "rules" I am looking for, which bit is suitable and which aren't. Don't come back and say if it's select-able it's compatible! Just being from a major bit supplier is not, or least shouldn't be a criteria. I fully understand some things will work, some won't. Just tell me the guidelines required for a chance at success.


I get the feeling I am insulting someone by just asking WHY or HOW?
Attachments
phototoolpath.PNG

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