The Clipart Tab

The new Clipart tab provides a quick and convenient way to access and view the contents of your Aspire files. This makes it easy to browse files for re-use of components in other jobs, this will help speed up the creation of new layouts as well as increasing the choices available for "real-time" 3D design. In addition, a second page on this tab allows you to search Vectric's extensive online commercial clipart catalogue at VectorArt3D.com – here you will find hundreds of professionally produced clipart components, created specifically for CNC manufacture.

This tab will automatically show previews of models created in Aspire 3. This can include Windows libraries that allow you quickly see the contents several folders of 3D components in one place. The Clipart tab can be found on the left-hand side of the Aspire main window, alongside the Drawing and Modeling tabs.

Local File Browser

The local files browser allows you to select a folder using the file explorer tree on the Clipart Tab. When the folder contains Vectric files (*.crv3d, *.v3m or *.3DClip), the bottom section of the page will fill with thumbnail images of the 3D components for each item. Note: Files must have been saved by Aspire version 3.5 or later to include thumbnails.

You can "Drag & Drop" a thumbnail into the 2D View and the selected object will be imported at the location of the dropped thumbnail and added to the model's Component Tree. Depending on the relative size of your current Aspire model and the piece of clipart you have imported, the clipart component will need to be resized.

VectorArt 3D Browser

VectorArt3D.com is the gateway Vectric's commercial catalogue of professionally produced 3D clipart models, covering a huge range of styles and designs. This integrated page within Aspire simplifies the process of finding and utilizing pre-created models by professional artists, allowing you to fulfill your (or your customer's) design requirements in an efficient and cost-effective way. Simply enter a search term into the edit box on this page and click the Search button. Aspire will automatically open a web browser window showing all the available models matching your search term. Modeld would be purchased and downloaded as normal from the Vector Art 3D site, once you have purchased a model from VectorArt3D you can use it as a 3D clipart component in as many of your own projects as you like. Note: The VectorArt3D page requires a web browser to be installed and available within Windows, as well as internet access to connect to the VectorArt3D website.

2D Drawing and Layout Tools

Aspire includes all of the 2D drawing and layout tools available in VCarve Pro.

• See the functionality in VCarve Pro

Snap Grid, Rulers, Guidelines and interactive drawing tools make it very easy to design and edit projects.

Import standard vector file formats – DXF, EPS, AI, PDF and raster image formats - bmp, tif, jpg, gif, png.

Aspires powerful vectorization / tracing instantly converts 2D image files into vector outlines ready for modeling and machining.

Create Text using any True Type Fonts installed on the PC or use the Vectric Single Line Engraving Fonts.

Split Imported 3D Model

When importing a full 3D model that has been created in another modeling package, it is now possible to automatically 'split' the model into two components, which are suitable for 3-axis CNC machining. In the Orientate 3D Model page (which is opened automatically when you import a 3D model) set the Zero Plane Position in Model slider to set the plane that will be used to split the model. Check the Create both sides option and click OK. Two components will now be added to your component tree - one for the top surface of your model, and one for the bottom surface. When combined with the existing functionality for Z-Level slicing this makes it easier to create the elements needed to machine large full 3D objects in pieces which can be assembled into a finished part.

Build 3D Shapes from Vector Outlines

Instantly add 3D shape to closed vector shapes with options for working with Curved, Angular and Flat Planes. Add, Subtract or Merge regions to quickly build 3D shapes.

Convert a 3D region into a component that can be independently modified - moved, rotated, scaled, stretched, tilted and faded at any time.

Create realistic 3D shapes using the interactive Tilt and Fade tools that make it very easy to experiment with shape and angle combinations while constructing a project, with the results being instantly updated in the 3D view.

3D design preview instantly updates the model while experimenting with different shapes, heights, tilts, fades and combination modes. Showing clearly what the result will look like without having to guess and make iterative changes.

Interactive Sculpting & Blending

Aspires powerful 3D Sculpting tools provide total flexibility when modifying designs. Models can be manipulated like a piece of virtual clay to smooth out edges and discontinuities, as well as to add extra detail, all helping to create that authentic ‘hand carved’ look for your models.

Interactively modify 3D designs using the sculpting tools with control over brush size and strength, plus options to,

• Smooth, Smudge Deposit, Remove, Erase with options to raise, lower or blend the changes

The option to Preserve Transparency limits sculpting changes to only be on the 3D model surface and not 'bleed out' onto the surrounding flat plane.

Interactive Undo allows the sculpted changes to gradually be returned back to the original state. Allowing changes to be undone on specific local regions without having to undo any changes made to the complete model.

3D Surface Textures from Images

Import 2D (color and black & white) images files – BMP, JPG, TIF, GIF and instantly convert them to 3D component textures that can be applied to 3D models and machined.

Aspire can be used to build an infinite variety of 3D textures from imported bitmap images. The textures can be placed over any required region of the model. Interactively scale 3D textures to any size or height.

Convert and machine images to make high quality Lithophanes.

3D Component Manager

Unique ‘component’ based modeling approach gives enormous flexibility when creating complex designs. Components can be copied, stretched, rotated, tilted, faded etc with no loss in quality.

Change the visibility of components and the way they interact with each other within a project, or modify the properties of each component or group of components - Fade, Tilt, Combine mode and Material Type for 3D co lour shading,

Group components and apply changes such size, height, tilt, fade, base height. Plus change how groups interact with other components and groups of components – Add, Subtract, Merge, Mirror, Copy, Tilt, Fade, Planes, and Height.

Multiple Block Copy & Paste 3D components interactively using keyboard shortcuts and along / around vectors.

Instantly update the 2D grayscale preview for a component to reflect how it interacts with other components in a group.

Extrude 3D Shapes

Extrude between 1, 2 or 3 different cross-sections along 2 rails to model 3D shapes, with options for,

• Controlling the direction of the drives rails to ensure correct results.
  
• Capping the start or ends of the extruded shape.
  
• Leaving the 3D extrusion at the calculated height or scaling to an exact Z height.
  
• Blend smoothly or linearly between cross-sections.
  
• Link corresponding nodes between cross-sections to give more control over the shape being extruded.

Windows Explorer Thumbnail Support

From Aspire 3.5 onwards, CRV3D files automatically include thumbnails when they are saved. Windows Explorer can make use of these thumbnails to show you a preview of each file when you browse a folder in Windows Explorer

Aspire 3.5 also supports Windows drag and drop functionality to quickly add pieces of 3D clipart into an existing model directly from Windows Explorer. With Windows Explorer and Aspire both open, simply click and drag the 3D clipart thumbnail of the file you want from the Explorer Window into the 2D View window of Aspire. The selected 3D Clipart file will be imported automatically and added to the Component Tree of you model. Note: You will only see thumbnails for CRV3D files saved from Aspire version 3.5 or later.

Intelligent Clipart File Format (3DClip)

Aspire's standard CRV3D file format saves all aspects of a file but when importing the 3D model from a CRV3D file into another job it does not preserve any of the component structure used to create the file's composite model – it simply imports the finished design as a single Component. The new 3DCLIP file type lets you save the 3D Components as a model that retains the individual component elements used to create it. For example you may have a design that you often use with or without its background texture or central motif. Rather than save several individual files to cover all the permutations, it is now possible to export a single clipart file that preserves the structure of the components. The visibility of individual components can then be altered, even after the design has been imported into a new model. This in effect is way of creating "Intelligent Clipart".

To export a 3DClip file, first group all the components that you wish to include in the clipart design. Right click the new component group in the Component Tree and choose Export as 3d Clipart from the pop-up menu.

To import a 3DClip file, use the Clipart Local Files tab to browse to the folder containing your 3DClip files. Drag and drop the 3DClip thumbnail image from the clipart browser into the 2D View.

Drag & Drop

Aspire supports Windows drag and drop functionality to quickly add pieces of 3D clipart into an existing model directly from Windows Explorer.

With Windows Explorer and Aspire both open, simply click and drag the 3D clipart thumbnail of the file you want from the Explorer Window into the 2D View window of Aspire. The selected 3D Clipart file will be imported automatically and added to the Component Tree of you model.

Note: You will only see thumbnails for CRV3D files saved from Aspire version 3.5 or later. If you are only able to see the default Aspire file thumbnail, you should open and re-save the file using the normal File>Open and File>Save commands in the latest version of Aspire.

Wrapped Models & Rotary Machining

Aspire has the capibilities to draw a fully shaded wrapped model in the 3D view to see how your wrapped design will look. As well as this users can unwrap an imported 3D model ready to be machined all the way around using a rotary toolpath.

Visualize a 'Spiral' Wrapped Job

Aspire now has added support for visualizing a 'Spiral' wrapped model in the 3D view.

Printing & Print Preview

The contents of either the 2D or 3D view can now be printed using the Print command on the File menu. Simply select the view you wish to print (2D or 3D) and then click the Print command. The standard Windows printer dialog allows you to select the printer and adjust its properties. When the OK button in this dialog is clicked, the view will be printed.

The Print Preview command on the File menu allows you to check the layout of your page before you print. If you are happy with the preview, use the Print… button to begin printing the document directly from the Print Preview page. The printed view is always scaled to exactly fit the currently selected page size (including allowance for margins). Drawings are not, therefore, printed at actual size and are not printed across multiple pages.

Performance and Efficiency

The advanced modeling engine used in Aspire harneses the power of multiple processors found in many of today's computers, providing class leading speeds for 3D modeling operations. As well as this, user will benefit from an advanced shape calculation algorithm that is up to 4x faster on multi-core processors, compressed file data that saves up to 50% for complex models, and DXF & DWG file support compatible with AutoCad 2010.

The Aspire DVD contains over 30 hours of video tutorials, taking you step-by-step from first principles, to advanced CNC modeling & machining techniques.

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