Introduction 

The idea behind our projects is to provide a themed collection of 4- 5 separate models that have endless options for custom layouts. These are made so our customers can machine one of the models as an individual part or to easily assemble them into a more interesting design. Depending on how they would be used there are many possibilities for each project and when combined with other models (we call this a hack) the sky’s the limit!

Doing all of that and offer them at a good price point to make them appealing.  

We think we have done it and in the process come up with a very compelling product.

The Models

The individual models included with each project have been professionally modeled so that they can be easily combined to make multiple layouts. This requires us to create a model that looks good as is but also has smart features built into it, to make the files easy to overlap and merge together. This gives you the flexibility to mix and match models included within a project along with models from other projects or models that you may already have in your library in interesting new ways.

The Assembled Layout

To get you up and running right away each project includes an "assembled" layout, using models from within the project.  This can be machined “out of the box” or can be used as a base to build on. In most cases this model will be easily customized with a bit of V-Carved text. Along with the “Project Ideas Sheet” included with each project this also acts as design inspiration for your own custom design!

The Project Sheet

The "project sheet" has lots of ideas to get you inspired.   These are a great to keep around in case you need a bit of help putting together a layout or to get your creative juices flowing.  

If you are in business these are the perfect pre-sales tool to get your customers thinking. 

What level of experience will you need?

To create an assembly of models you will need a reasonable working knowledge of the 3D layout tools in your software. Our Getting Started Video uses Vectric’s Aspire but the logic and many of the tools are transferable into most software used to create tooling from bas-relief models like we offer here (brief list below under file types).

Choosing appropriate tooling and getting your machine to output a good final piece, that is up to you. Although most good software will provide a preview of the toolpaths created to show what the part should look like when you machine it. After that you need to choose appropriate material, speeds, feeds, hold-down etc. Your machine and tooling manufacturers or software supplier should be able to help you with those type of questions though.

We do have a "Frequently Asked Questions" page or FAQ to help with some common items that crop up for first-time users.  You might want to check there before you spend too much time crafting that email.

Getting Started Videos

Looking for more to watch?  Check out our video page for more help:

• Extra help videos
• Project specific videos
• Hack of the Week videos
• Out and About event videos
• and more

Software Supported

The videos we will be posting will focus on our projects being used in Vectric's line of software: VCarve Desktop, VCarve Pro V8 or Aspire.  That does not mean that you can't use our models in other packages, although they are designed to work best with Vectric software.  Below is a list of the file types offered and what software you can use them with. This is not a complete list but should help.  

.v3m - for use with Vectric's VCarve Desktop, VCarve Pro V8 and Aspire software.

.stl - most other CNC modeling or machining packages will import these. ArtCAM, Rhino3D, Gemvision Matrix, EnRoute, DeskProto, MasterCam and many others.

.png - Grayscale bitmap files for use in software like CarveWright or other software that can create a bas-relief model from a grayscale image.

Lets Get You Started

For new users we have created one project that we give to you for free with instruction and a video tutorial. This project used with the video will answer a lot of questions a new user may have get you off on a good foot.  All of the other projects will reference this for help unless of course there is special information that you might need for that particular layout.    

Once you get you head wrapped around how to use the FREE Heart and Ribbon project (link for downloading below) you can move onto the other free projects available in the Project Shop.  Maybe even purchase one you need for that next weekend CNC project

Question or need additional info?

Feel free to contact us after you have watched all of the tutorials and have tested your software with the free mini project.  Make sure to be clear on what you are having trouble with or the question you have.  Please reference the software and version numbers if needed.  

The project below is to accompany the "Getting Started" videos.

This project is provided for free to help you get comfortable with our projects, to insure software compatibility
and to help you get started off on the right foot!  

The Free Heart and Ribbon project contains
 5 models, a project sheet and License Agreement.