V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?


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Thread: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

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    Member Tomcat104's Avatar
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    Default V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    I am a disabled NEWBIE who has Photoshop, Illustrator and AutoCAD. I was in the graphics business for over 20 years so am very familiar with them.

    I've seen a ton of YouTube videos and V-CARVE looks like the best program for me (pure hobbyist).

    I will be using Mach3 to run my router and I assume it will "play nice" with V-CARVE?

    Anything that I have missed that you guys would suggest I look at?

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    Member ger21's Avatar
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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    If you're good at AutoCAD, you can do your drawings in AutoCAD, and import them into V Carve Pro. AutoCAD is far more powerful for most things, but V-Carve handles text much better. I use a combination of the two. Yes, V Carve outputs Mach3 code just fine.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
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    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Member Tomcat104's Avatar
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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    I'm no expert with AutoCAD but I consider myself well above average in ability.

    I was really wondering about the text. V Carve Pro seems like it would handle it easier & better to me.

    Do you use the Pro version or would you recommend a different version?

    Thanks for the help so far!



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Depends on what features you need. Note that the desktop version is limited to 24"x24" projects.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Glad you piped in....I didn't see that and the CNC I ordered has a 36"x24" bed!



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    You can always start with the cheaper desktop version, and upgrade to the pro version later, and it won't cost you anything more. Pro is $700, Desktop is $350, and the upgrade is $350.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Vcarve works great with mach3 I use the generic gcode processor with the .tap extension. While AutoCAD is more powerful as a cad, I find vcarve does almost everything I need. I haven't opened my cad in years

    Dave

    In the words of the Toolman--If you didn't make it yourself, it's not really yours!
    Remember- done beats perfect every time!!


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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Prior to building my cnc router, buying VCarve Pro & Mach3 I had 30+ years experience with AutoCAD. I've had very few problems with either program. The few problems I've encountered, I easily found solutions in various forums.



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Thanks for all the comments guys!

    Sounds like I will have little to no problems.



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tomcat104 View Post
    Glad you piped in....I didn't see that and the CNC I ordered has a 36"x24" bed!
    You could work around that as well...



  11. #11

    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Quote Originally Posted by louieatienza View Post
    You could work around that as well...
    OK Louie.... How?



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Output the job in multiple sections, with different origins.
    Not ideal, and not always easy.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Quote Originally Posted by Picktool View Post
    OK Louie.... How?
    Draw everything as normal, then scale it down to 66.6666% size (including material thickness) for example 36 x 24 x 1 would be 24 x 18 x .6666. Create tools 2/3 size. Output g-code. Then scale all axes in Mach to 150%.



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Personally, since you are just getting started, rather than running through the scaling issues I would start with the desktop version. Try it for awhile till you are comfortable and actually need the 36 inch job then upgrade. It costs the same and can be done in an hour or so. Good luck and enjoy

    Mike



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike 1948 View Post
    Personally, since you are just getting started, rather than running through the scaling issues I would start with the desktop version. Try it for awhile till you are comfortable and actually need the 36 inch job then upgrade. It costs the same and can be done in an hour or so. Good luck and enjoy

    Mike
    I was asked LOL... though doing that would be kludge. The thing is, just because one has a 36 x 24 table doesn't mean that the entire table can be accessed. I agree that I wouldn't worry about it until it's needed. As a guy who paid a LOT of money as a hobbyist for a CAM system (aside from VCarve Pro which I also own along with Cut2D) I'm not one to circumvent anything myself though it's not hard to figure it out... it's a Filipino thing...



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Thanks Mike.



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Can anyone tell me what v-carve can do that cannot be done in say, Fusion 360?

    Irish Chippy Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9au5WqhB_BQUcEn-VCMHaw?


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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    V Carving? Fusion 360 can do it, but V Carve Pro is much better at it.

    Also Text handling. V Carve Pro is much better at sign type work, as that's what it's really designed for.

    V Carve Pro is much simpler, and for some operations, would be much faster.

    They are really two very different programs.

    There is no single CAD/CAM program that does everything well. You'll find that professionals use a wide variety of packages, using the best tool for the project at hand.
    You really need to download the V Carve Pro trial, and do some projects in both V Carve Pro, and Fusion 360. That's the best way to find out which is a better fit.

    Since Fusion is free, you could first try all of your projects in Fusion 360. Then try doing the same thing in V Carve Pro, and see if it's easier-faster-better.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    As Gerry said, if what your doing leans more toward sign making, crafts, then VCarve Pro may be the better choice. If you're doing more mechanical things and parametric modeling, then Fusion360 is probably better. You'll have more control of toolpaths with Fusion360, but VCarve Pro is a lot simpler.



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    Default Re: V-CARVE PRO for a Newbie?

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    V Carving? Fusion 360 can do it, but V Carve Pro is much better at it.

    Also Text handling. V Carve Pro is much better at sign type work, as that's what it's really designed for.

    V Carve Pro is much simpler, and for some operations, would be much faster.

    They are really two very different programs.

    There is no single CAD/CAM program that does everything well. You'll find that professionals use a wide variety of packages, using the best tool for the project at hand.
    You really need to download the V Carve Pro trial, and do some projects in both V Carve Pro, and Fusion 360. That's the best way to find out which is a better fit.

    Since Fusion is free, you could first try all of your projects in Fusion 360. Then try doing the same thing in V Carve Pro, and see if it's easier-faster-better.
    Thank you Gerry. We are a small charity with very limited budget for this program.
    We do get WIN 10 pro free (well $10 a shot).
    Fusion is also free to institutions and charities like ours who teach. We even have a dedicated email and help/training section.
    Vectric, on the other hand charge the full amount for all their licences regardless if it is a charity, institution or business. This it the first time I have come across this policy from a software company.

    Anyway, for teaching students, I am pretty convinced that Fusion 360 is the better choice for our proposed program. From a design in your head to G code on the other end, is the way I see it.

    Pascal

    Irish Chippy Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9au5WqhB_BQUcEn-VCMHaw?


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