Version 11.5 is OUT NOW!

[Stephanie Downing]

We are delighted to announce the release of Aspire V11.5!

Version 11.5 is a free upgrade to everyone who owns version 11.

If you’re entitled to a free upgrade, your version 11.5 software has been credited to your V&Co account automatically. To access your version 11.5 software, simply sign into your V&Co account using your registered email address and click on ‘DOWNLOAD your software’.
https://portal.vectric.com/

Alternatively, if you are not entitled to a free upgrade, you can purchase the upgrade to version 11.5 for $400 USD (excludes local taxes).

To take a look at all of the new and enhanced features released in version 11.5 head over to our website here: https://www.vectric.com/upgrade/aspire

To see all of the new and enhanced features in action, click below to watch our short ‘what’s new in Aspire’ video:



The release of version 11.5 includes lots of new and enhanced features including; freehand drawing, live model composition, live sculpting, sharp corner offsetting within shape creation functionality and much more.

The power of graphics hardware has increased dramatically in recent years. To make full use of this resource whenever it is available we have completely rebuilt the 3D rendering infrastructure across all the products in our v11.5 range. The result is the smoothest, highest detail, 3D View ever. Toolpath previews draw faster and with more clarity. The 3D material block can be viewed and manipulated dynamically while toolpath cutting is simulated, even in higher resolutions. Improved lighting and shading techniques in the 3D view provide consistent visual shape and depth cues whether working on single-sided, double-sided or rotary projects. New or imported models and clipart can all now be transformed or edited live using new, fully interactive, tools directly in the 3D view.

Any recent computer or hardware (less than five years old) will show a serious step-up in 3D performance when running v11.5. But our extensive testing shows that even older hardware will benefit. We have ensured that there is a robust, but slower, fall-back mechanism for outdated or incompatible graphics cards but it is essential in all cases that your graphics card drivers are up-to-date. Please visit your computer or graphics card manufacturer’s website for specific guidance on getting the latest drivers for your hardware.

• CREATE SHAPE PRESERVING SHARP INTERNAL CORNERS
Aspire has a new option in the create shape form where you are able to preserve internal corners when creating a shape. With this option checked it enables you to sharpen and create a chiseled look as you would expect to see.

• LIVE MANIPULATION OF COMPONENTS IN THE 3D VIEW
We have made it much easier to manipulate and see the result of positioning, scaling and rotating your 3D components in the 3D view. Where components can be picked up and dragged whilst showing the final result of the composite model in real time. We've also made it easier to adjust the base or shape height of a component by pulling on the drag handles. The base height handle can also be double clicked to reset the base height to zero. The live updates extend out to the tilt and fade functionality too. These improvements to the way we alter our 3D parts in the 3D view ensures a quicker and more intuitive approach to making those fine adjustments to your composite model.

• FREEHAND DRAWING TOOL
The freehand drawing tool is a new tool which closely mimics the flow of drawing with a physical pencil. Allowing you to create quick sketches and trace organic shapes much more easily. Within the form there are various options to control the drawing. the smoothness setting helps with the post smoothing of your vectors and the stabilisation setting helps to stabilise the cursor for a more accurate drawing. We have also included the ability to adjust the fading of your bitmap, saving you the hassle of having to exit the tool to make changes to the bitmap ready for tracing.

• SCULPTING OVER THE FULL MODEL AND TWO-SIDED
In the sculpting tools you now have the option to "show full model" which replaces the old grayscale component overlay. With this option switched on, you are able to see the full composite model in the 3D view, where the sculpting tools are only applied to the selected component. This allows you to see how it interacts with the rest of the composite model live rather than through a grayscale overlay, making it a much easier and more intuitive way of making the final touches to your 3D models.

• SUPPORT READING SVG FILES THAT CONTAIN IMAGES
The software now has the ability to read image data within SVG files, ensuring that you get everything you need from the original file source.

• LEVEL DELETION
It is now possible to delete levels that contain components, where in previous versions the level had to be empty before you were able to delete them, making it a much easier process to remove unwanted 3D objects in your component tree.

• OPENING OF VECTRIC AND THIRD-PARTY MODEL / VECTOR FILES
You are now able to open various file formats directly into the software, without the need to have the software open to begin with. Simply double click on the file, use CTRL + O or drag the file into the software. The file formats that can be opened directly include V3M, 3dClip, V3D, PVC, SKP, STL and SVG with images. To ensure that your file type will always open with our software simply right click on the file and head over to the properties, here you can choose what program you wish to open this file type with. Simply select your Vectric product and going forward windows will always open this filetype in our software.

• CUSTOM VARIABLES IN TOOL GEOMETRY IN THE TOOL DATABASE
Variables can be defined for the tool geometry in the tool database which can then be used in the tools’ naming format. The custom variables are accessible through the tool database ‘variables’ button for each tool geometry. It can then be used in the name format dialog either through using the handy drop-down menu or by typing the variable manually. This is particularly useful for distinguishing between tools with exact geometry, or adding further information to the tool that otherwise isn’t specified by our default tool database format. For example you could add variables that could pay reference to specifics such as the manufacturer, coating or whether your tool is an up-cut or a down-cut, giving you more options to organize your tool database.

• TOOLPATH CALCULATION SPEED IMPROVEMENTS
We’re making better use of the CPU cores in some parts of the pocketing, v-carving and 3D finishing toolpath calculation, noticeably in toolpaths with lots of vectors. This results in speeds up to 2x faster in some cases.

• SIMULATION
When simulating a toolpath the camera can be twiddled around and zoomed in while the simulation is running and animating to allow focus onto areas of interest, ensuring for better visibility of your toolpath moves.

• REPLACE BELOW PLANE DRAGGING
In the replace below tool, we’ve replaced the mechanism of double clicking to select the plane height with a plane which can be dragged up and down to the height required, enabling you to make dynamic changes easily and quickly. All you need to do is simply drag the arrow to adjust the plane.

• SELECT DUPLICATES
The software now has the ability to identify and select duplicate groups and text entities in your file. Making it much easier to clean up duplications ready for use with other features in the software.

• MACHINE & TOOLPATH MENU
The machine menu and part of the toolpath menu has been made available without having any projects open to allow the tool database to be accessible, without having to open or create a new file.

• STL IMPORT SPEED IMPROVEMENT
We have made improvements to the speed at which some 3D models will import into the software, this will become more noticeable on larger models, where import times will be considerably faster.

Everyone running Aspire V10+ on a computer with internet access will see an update notification in the top right-hand corner of its main window. Simply click on the notification link, log in to your V&Co account and checkout the latest V11.5 features.

If you run Aspire on a computer without internet access, you can still access your account and download version 11.5 from any other internet enabled computer by visiting the V&Co site directly using your web browser.
https://portal.vectric.com/

Please note: V11.5 is a complete installation that will install alongside and independently of your existing software. Once you've installed V11.5, your previous version will still be available so make sure you are running the latest version by checking the text in the main window title bar (top-left). As soon as you are happy with your update, you can go ahead and uninstall your previous version.

Forgotten your V&Co password?
Just follow the forgotten password link under password entry box on the V&Co login page to reset it.

Forgotten your V&Co username?
This is usually the email address you registered with us when you first purchased your software. If you're still not sure, follow the link to email support and we can help you get back up and running.

Enjoy V11.5 from everyone at Vectric

[dennoh]

Whilst I am reminded, at the top right hand corner of my screen, that I have an 11.5 upgrade available, as of yet I only get as far as a box containing my licence text. I have not been able to actually download the software.

Can you help?

[Adrian]

Whilst I am reminded, at the top right hand corner of my screen, that I have an 11.5 upgrade available, as of yet I only get as far as a box containing my licence text. I have not been able to actually download the software.

Can you help?

Scroll down a bit and you should see the following. That's what you need to download.

[drewactual]

the graphics in the 3D tab are all jacked up- pixilated... I'll fall back to 11.0 until this gets fixed.

[gregk]

the graphics in the 3D tab are all jacked up- pixilated... I'll fall back to 11.0 until this gets fixed.

Hi drew actual,

Sorry to hear that you're not happy with V11.5. May I ask if this is happening during toolpath preview? If that is the case then please increase the toolpath preview quality settings.

I hope that helps,
Greg K

[drewactual]

the graphics in the 3D tab are all jacked up- pixilated... I'll fall back to 11.0 until this gets fixed.

Hi drew actual,

Sorry to hear that you're not happy with V11.5. May I ask if this is happening during toolpath preview? If that is the case then please increase the toolpath preview quality settings.

I hope that helps,
Greg K

it's not that i am not happy- i don't think i've even been unhappy with a vectrics product.

i haven't had to change the quality of toolpath setting since vcarve was my primary way back when- even during large scale upgrades and regular updates... but, that is what it was! back to good!

[gregk]

the graphics in the 3D tab are all jacked up- pixilated... I'll fall back to 11.0 until this gets fixed.

Hi drew actual,

Sorry to hear that you're not happy with V11.5. May I ask if this is happening during toolpath preview? If that is the case then please increase the toolpath preview quality settings.

I hope that helps,
Greg K

it's not that i am not happy- i don't think i've even been unhappy with a vectrics product.

i haven't had to change the quality of toolpath setting since vcarve was my primary way back when- even during large scale upgrades and regular updates... but, that is what it was! back to good!

Glad to hear that you got it working
Greg K

[Ernie Balch]

Quick note
Aspire version 11 worked fine on my laptop with xp-pen tablet but version 11.5 does not run at all. I removed the tablet and uninstalled the driver software and version 11.5 now works fine. I can live without the tablet until there is a fix.

[Seachaser]

Download question; When I check for updates, it tells me that I am running the latest version, however I have version 11.016. Have tried the member portal, and get the same results. What to do now??

[misterx]

Hi, I just downloaded the upgrade and clipart in my documents and have 11 version, but nothing happened, I opened aspire and when to check for updates and it says I have the latest update. What am I doing wrong. Thanks

[Rcnewcomb]

I just downloaded the upgrade

Did you go to portal.vectrc.com and download the 11.5 installer? Did you run the installer?

V11.5 is a full, new installation, so it is not done through the check for updates upgrade option in V11.

After you have run the V11.5 installer you will have both V11 and V11.5 installed on your system. At some later point, when you are satisfied with the installation, you may uninstall V11.

[Luv2fly]

My 11.501 version keeps crashing. It just does it sporadically. Anyone else having trouble? It has crashed loading a few times and sent error reports. Luckily i have the old version still there. Any help would be great.

[valleywar]

I am running Aspire 11.016. I ran the update download file and after the auto search....
I get a message, "Software not Found, patch can only update V11-V11.502"
Any ideas?
thank you!!

[martin54]

You can't update to 11.5 the same way you would with a patch, it's a completely new install. Log into your portal account & the download for 11.5 should be in there, download & install & you will then have both V11 & V11.5 on the computer, once you are happy with 11.5 you can uninstall V11

[valleywar]

I think I got it now! I had to install the software installer and not the "file update" at the bottom