[ntww]

I am a week away from being a new CNC Router owner and am trying to determine which software packages I need to buy. The vectric.com website has a gallery. Two images from that gallery encompass capabilities I would like to have:
Aspire Gallery - 1st page, Wine Cellarcarved door panel
PhotoVCarve Gallery - 2nd page, Photo carved by Stefan

With what appears to be overlapping capabilities between some of the Vectric products, I am unclear what package or combo of packages will give me these capabilities for the lowest software investment. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

[ger21]

Aspire contains just about all the functionality of all the other Vectric products EXCEPT PhotoVCarve, plus a whole lot more. But, it's not cheap, at $2000.

The Wine Cellar door is a tricky example. The question is, do you want to make you're own 3D models? The grapes on that door can be purchased for $25, and machined with free software from http://www.vectorart3d.com/store/ind...etail&ID=50216
The V-Carved text would require V-Carve Pro to do, as well as the elliptical inlay. Imo, I don't think the raised panel was cut using Aspire, as it's not a very efficient way to make raised panels, but you could if you want.

PhotoVcarve would be required to do the photos, but it's quite inexpensive compared to Aspire.

As I mentioned before, the real question is do you want to create you're own models, or purchase them. If you want to create your own, then buy Aspire. If you want to purchase them, then buy the bundle with PhotoVCarve, V-Carve Pro and Cut3D.

For the Wine Cellar door, Cut3D can do the grapes, and then those toolpaths can be brought into V-Carve Pro to add the text. This let's you machine it (and save it) as a single project in one program, rather that doing each part in a differerent program.

Now, I don't really like telling people what software they should buy. What you really need to do is download all the demos, learn how to use them, and then YOU decide which ones you need. That's the best way to not spend money twice.

[ntww]

Gerry,
Thanks very much for your detailed answer. Sounds like demos are a must.

One follow-up question for clarity ... VCarvePro includes much PhotoVCarve functionality with V-Groove Machining being the obvious exception. I didn't think the gallery example looked like V-Groove. If correct and I went with Aspire, could I avoid the separate PhotoVCarve expense?

[ger21]

V-Groove machining is what is needed to cut photos, so you would need to purchase Photo VCarve in addition to Aspire.

[jeremy1911]

I am in the same boat and would like to know what vectric software do i need to start making all types of raised panel cabinet doors

[Tony Mac]

I am in the same boat and would like to know what vectric software do i need to start making all types of raised panel cabinet doors

Hello Jeremy,

There's a summary comparison page on the web site that might be helpful,

Vectric Software Comparison >

If you have any further questions or we can help in any way
please email me directly - [email protected]

Tony

[PenAffair]

As I mentioned before, the real question is do you want to create you're own models, or purchase them. If you want to create your own, then buy Aspire. If you want to purchase them, then buy the bundle with PhotoVCarve, V-Carve Pro and Cut3D.

Hi, I'm new and do not yet have a CNC, just trying to work out the total budget to get started. I've looked at the comparison table, and see that "3D Modeling & Sculpting" is the only feature listed not covered by the "PhotoVCarve, V-Carve Pro and Cut3D" combo, but without Cut3D you lose the multi-face carving and without PhotoVCarve you miss the photo carving.

So the question for me is, if I take the 3-pack combo instead of Aspire, what other program could I purchase to let me do the missing Aspire functionality, that would be cheaper than the $1445 to upgrade V-Carve Pro to Aspire later. Does something like Rhino cover this missing functionality?

I'd rather just get Aspire straight off, but if later I see I want the other functions from Cut3D and PhotoVCarve, would not really want to pay another $400 just for 2 functions.

Thanks. Russell.

[ger21]

Aspire is probably the cheapest option that does what it does. Similar programs like EnRoute or ArtCAM costs 2-3 times more.

There are tons of apps that can do 3D modeling, including Rhino. And actually, most modelling programs can do a lot more than you can do in Aspire.

But, Aspire does a lot of things that most modeling programs can't. Mainly sculpting and bitmap texturing, but it goes much deeper than that.

Aspire is designed specifically for modelling 3D reliefs, where as most 3D modelers are for creating full 3D models.

If you spend some time on Vectric's forum in the Aspire section, you'll see that creative thinking can let you do a lot of things in Aspire that aren't listed as features.

No program can do everything. You need to buy what you nee, to do what you want to do.

[TarHeelTom]

Just spent the week at the cnc seminar, and a couple of the guys from Aspire were there, and put on a couple of good demos.

I learned a LOT from their demos, including the answers to all the problems which had been bugging me.

I have Vcarve Pro and PhotoVCarve.

First of all, if you need PhotoVCarve you need PhotoVCarve. If that's all you're going to do, it may be the only software you need.

But don't buy more software than you KNOW that you need. Vectric has a very nice upgrade policy. If you buy a bunch of components, then later decide you need Aspire, they basically credit you with all the money you've already spent, (except PhotoVCarve) less about $50, to upgrade to Aspire.

That seems like a good deal to me.

Tom