[Aerojunkie]

I am thinking of either adding Carveco or upgrading my vcarve pro to Aspire. I have a small cabinet shop and use Mozaik (excellent software) along with vcarve for the oddball stuff. The upgrade to Aspire is $1300 and Carveco is $1240 with the code right now. Which one would you chose? To my knowledge either program only adds the 3d aspect of machining, nothing added in the 2d department. My thoughts are to use them for machining any added oddities like carvings, feet, and odd trim pieces. I am also trying to learn Sketchup so I can draw the models of these items to show in Mozaik.

[islaww]

What is the annual cost for Carveco? Is the $1240 for one year and what are the annual charges going forward?

[ger21]

It's a perpetual license, with one year of support. So if you are happy with the current version, there are no costs going forward.

I'd probably lean towards Carvco, especially if you didn't have a Vectric product to upgrade. The upgrade price makes it a tougher decision.

[Aerojunkie]

With the costs so close its hard to decide. I have read that artcam is the more powerful program but aspire is simpler to use. But I have read that either program will do more than most people would ever use.

[asuratman]

What is the annual cost for Carveco? Is the $1240 for one year and what are the annual charges going forward?

That $1240 until 31st May, 2019. After that the price will change, do you think the price will be much more expensive ... about artcam price ?

[ger21]

I don't think the difficulty level is that much different.
3D is hard, and takes a lot of skill to pull off. Regardless of what software you use.

I'd go with the more powerful option.

[ger21]

That $1240 until 31st May, 2019. After that the price will change, do you think the price will be much more expensive ... about artcam price ?

It was $1600 before the sale price. I wouldn't expect it to be much more than Aspire at some point.

[islaww]

First off, I agree that Carveco is a much powerful program. ArtCAM always was, probably always will be.

And, I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that Gerry is correct, a perpetual license with support and upgrades for a year. I am also under the impression that there will be a similar annual recurring fee to continue with upgrades and support.

If you don't pay the annual fee (possibly unknown) do you have upgrades or support? It may not make a difference now, but may in 5 years should one want bug fix or feature upgraded versions. The Carveco website is not overly clear on this aspect. I want it, but am a bit leery of the info that I cannot find.

[Aerojunkie]

I just received an email from Carveco. The annual maintenance/upgrade cost is $1600, if you want it. The perpetual license included in the beginning is permanent. Im leaning to Aspire right now simply from the $400 a year update cost. Carveco is the more powerful program, if I used it everyday the cost would be no issue. But for the little bit of carving I would do the cost is to high. I make my money with Mozaik and the 2d machining part of Vcarve Pro right now.

[islaww]

If I understand it correctly the cost to upgrade Aspire is ~$400 every other year, with no penalty to skip an upgrade or two.

[Aerojunkie]

With Aspire I dont think there is a penalty at all for skipping a few years, you just decide when the upgrade to the current version is worth $400. I was saying if you wanted to stay up to date all th time then $400 a year.

[routalot]

Are you running the latest version of Vcarve?If all you are seeking is extra 3D capability,it may be an answer.The only irritation is that it only imports 3D objects in .stl format.

[Aerojunkie]

I do have the latest Vcarve. I did think about just buying the pre maid files for either ebay or vectric, they are cheap enough. The 3d aspect is a little fascinating to me, I also like the idea of being able to create just about anything I could need/want for a cabinet.

[ger21]

I think what Gary means is that you only have to pay every two years.
Full releases every other year, and .5 releases in between. The .5 releases are free upgrades. (Note that their website says usually, but it's always been the case in the past.)

[routalot]

I would like to add a left field suggestion here;if you really want to get into 3D work why not take a look at Rhino 6? I just checked the pricing and its $995.It will work with all manner of file formats and is a very capable piece of software.You can create the object you want,or download a file and then modify if you need before exporting as an .stl which your Vcarve will happily work with.It might be worth spending a little time looking at the Rhino tutorials on youtube.