Working with CNC Software's

 CAD...  Computer Ad Drafting      CAM.. Computer Ad Machine     CADD ..  CAD + Design

 CAD & CAM - Computer Numeric Control Machine

The Aspire Modeling and Machining Process

Designing and machining 3D projects such as fantastic signs, beautiful custom furniture or decorative carvings with Aspire couldn't be easier. Simply create your 2D design using Aspires vector drawing tools or import designs from other drawing packages and then build 3D shape for your design with the powerful modelling tools. When you are happy with the 3D model create the toolpaths for your CNC machine and turn your design into reality.

Take a look at the guided tour shown below for a more detailed look at how Aspire is used to create a Custom 3D Sign for a Coffee Shop.

What's New in Aspire 2

Aspire 2 is a major new release of the software that includes many new and exciting modeling and machining tools that make the software more powerful and flexible.

The development focus for version 2 has been to produce a complete software package that meets the requirements of commercial CNC machine shop owners who require 3D modeling and machining capabilities.

Aspire 2 also includes all of the new automated layout and machining strategies that have been added to VCarve Pro 5.
Click on the Menu System above to read about the new features and functionality in Aspire 2. Make sure you take a look at comprehensive Video Tutorials that explain what the new features do and how to use them.

Watch the What's New in Aspire Videos

The New Features in Aspire 2 includes:

• 3D model Slicing allowing large / thick models to machined from multiple sheets of thinner material.
• Improved Interactive Sculpting with Pressure Sensitive Tablet & Pen control.
• Export 3D model as a Bitmap image for use with CarveWright, CompuCarve and Laser machines

Plus all of the new functionality in VCarve Pro 5

• True Shape Nesting for maximum material usage
• Multi-colored Toolpath Preview
• Raised Prism machining toolpath
• 2 Tool Pocket machining
• Fluting toolpaths that automatically ramp the cutter in / out of the material.
• Auto-Inlay machining with automatic cutter diameter compensation.
• Open or import 2D DWG and DXF files
• Dog-Bone and T-Bone Filleting for easier and more precise sheet product assembly
• Arc fit and Node reduction on Vector geometry for easier editing and smoother toolpaths.
• Plus much more …

Download What's New in Aspire 2 PDF >

New DWG & DXF Import Interface

A totally new import interface has been developed that supports opening and importing native 2D AutoCAD DWG and DXF files up to and including release 2008.

This provides increased compatibility with other CAD packages and makes it easier to work with customer files.

“Bone” Fillet Option

2 New corner filleting options have been added that help ensure parts cut from sheet materials will slot together after cutting.

The new 'Dog-Bone' and 'T-Bone' fillets allow toolpaths to ‘notch’ the inside corners of slots and grooves, allowing mating parts to fit flush against the true base of the pocket. This technique allows the radius of the cutter to be removed from the bottom of slots.

These filleting tools are perfect for designing and machining furniture, cabinets and model aircraft components etc. where precision fit is needed

Fit Curves to Vectors

A new vector curve fitting tool is available for,

• Reducing the number of nodes on vectors to create smooth geometry within a user definable tolerance.
• Converting bezier curves to arcs for machining
• Converting arcs to bezier curves for easier manual editing
• Converting bezier curves to polylines

2D Pocketing and Profile Toolpaths calculated from vectors that have been converted to arcs will include G2 / G3 circular arc moves. These toolpaths result in smoother and faster cutting on many CNC machines plus smaller toolpath file sizes.

Polylines converted to smooth Bezier curves are much easier to work with when designing 2D projects and modeling 3D components.

True Shape Nesting

Aspire 2 now includes True Shape Nesting that automatically arranges and fits vector shapes into a material size or user definable area, to get optimal material usage and minimum wastage.

Part Nesting is perfect for Sign and Cabinet makers who need minimize material wastage and cut as many parts – letters & cabinet doors / panels – as possible from sheet materials.

Reduce Material Costs = Increased Profits

The nesting routine places vector shapes / parts as close to each other as possible, but ensuring a sufficient gap to allow the parts to be cut out.

Nesting Options for...

• Automatic Tool Diameter compensation ensures the nested shapes can be machined without the cutter gouging adjacent parts.
• Specifying the numbers of shapes / components to be nested. Perfect for adding 'filler parts' to maximize material useage.
• Allowing part rotation and mirroring
• Fit parts inside others if sufficient space
• Nesting direction along X or Y axis
• Rectangular or user definable material shapes
• Tab / Bridge information that’s added to parts is applied to the nested results
• Automatically creates Multiple Sheets to accommodate all nested parts. With each new sheet representing a new sheet of material to be cut on the CNC machine.
• User definable border ensures shapes are not nested against the outer edge of the material.
• Layer information is retained when new copies of shapes are nested making it quick and easy to select and toolpath shapes using the layer information.

3D Modeling

Export Grayscale Image

A 2D grayscale representation of the 3D Aspire model can be saved as a 2D image file for use with machines and processes that convert grayscale images to 3D.

Perfect for owners of:

• CarveWright / CompuCarve CNC routers
• 3D Laser machining
• Saves a bmp, jpg, gif image file

Improved 3D Sculpting Tools  

Aspire 2 includes improved interactive sculpting tools that provide increased control and flexibility when editing 3D designs.

• Pressure Sensitive control when using tablet and pen such as the Wacom range.
• Control the strength of the sculpting brush by pressing harder or lighter with a pressure sensitive pen.
• Easier, faster and smoother workflow.

Note - The pressure sensitive sculpting functionality will only work tablets and pens that incorporate this functionality.