Annoying oversight in Aspire

[dana_swift]

I work with several shopbots other than my own. I upgraded my partworks to Aspire, and I am generally very happy with aspire, however...

I cannot export a design from Aspire to the other people I am working with who only have PartWorks (VCarvePro). Aspire will READ VCP files, but not export. Why? I don't want to buy VCP or PartWorks in addition to Aspire just to help people.

It would be quite acceptable to have a dialog warn me about possible data loss (other programs do this), however as long as I am using features common to both programs- why is it not allowed?

:mad:

[andyb]

Dana,
Will exporting to a DXF file not work for you?

Andy B.

[curtiss]

It would seem the Aspire files could be "saved as" a VCP 5 or 6 file and then exported. However, Vectric may have reasons why this can't be done.

It would be nice to be able to copy a tool path file and related linework from one project to another.

In AutoCAD one can save a file "back" a few versions, say from a version 2010 file to a 2004 version, but that is always changing.

[GlenP]

Hey Guys. Dana I also have run into that problem. I love helping others with the software but because I use aspire they will not be able to open the files. I still have my old partworks which is only 2.0 and most have newer versions so compatibility is an issue. The last few I have helped downloaded the trial of aspire so they could open the file but they cannot save or toolpath with demo. We can export as dxf but I prefer the ones I help to be able to open the file and look and the changes and toolpaths in preview mode. It helps them understand and learn....in my opinion. My coreldraw does the same as Autocad to save as certain version to ensure other users can open. I did ask vectric about this and can't remember the reply. Perhaps Tony or someone from vectric will chime in.
Hope all are well and busy.

[cabnet636]

i am at a loss of exactly what type of help you are wanting to give, vcarve is in aspire and will read older vcp files, i get the impression you wish to make or rework a file and return it. with such a large volume of vcarve users on the vectric forum i cannot imagine this is a problem. i would think it unreasonable for vectric to open the code of thier advanced product to the less featured ones.ost of the vectric crew are in california but i will ask. dana i get the impression you want to make a file in a 2d (VCP) and export it to someone who owns VCP only ?

[burchbot]

The beta testers have raised that question last year and here was Brian’s answer.
The Aspire and VCarve Pro builds have a lot of differences internally and one cant be built as the other, its not just a case that some UI functions are missing.
This is the same reason why the save as CRV would require a lot of work, some of the C++ objects supported by Aspire are not included in the code when VCarve Pro is built. As there is no guarentee that future versions of Aspire will stay in step with releases of VCarve Pro there would be considerable room for confusion.
I hope this helps.
Dan

[MogulTx]

James,

I am just guessing as to what others mean, so I will refrain from speaking for them- however- my desire would be to use design skills to help someone over a hurdle, and to have them be able to use said file. I would like to even be able to make a suggested tool path and then send it to the person who can't figure out how to do it... then have them able to modify it if I did not get it exactly to their liking. My skills are not all that grand, but I have been lucky enough to have had others assist me, and am thankful that I have access to Aspire AND I have my own license for PW, whereas many others do not have one or the other of these programs... or may have older versions.

For me: It is not a matter of beating the SoftWare guys out of a license fee. It is a matter of all the people on this forum being so willing to assist and then running into road blocks that we are pretty certain the SW guys do not intentionally put in our way. And then trying to see ways to work around that. After all- the SW guys would WANT us to succeed in helping others because then the person who needed help does not fail in their desires, and will likely continue to use their ShopBot- and will need to upgrade SW sooner or later. But the user has to have a reasonable expectation that they are going to want and need better software and that it will reward them with greater capability, efficiency, or ease of use- and therefore provide that incentive to upgrade. The SW guys have to walk a fine line of gradiations in product, and interoperability... all while improving the product. Tough deal for everyone, it seems.

[GlenP]

You summed it up pretty good Monty. I love helping others get over hurdles with the software. I have been fortunate that with my background and type of person I am it does come easier to me than perhaps others but I do still need to learn alot and find I do every day. WHen I help someone with a file or toolpath I want them to open it and understand what they were having issues with so they can learn from it and not just hand them the file to cut. It is the beauty of these type of forums.....shopbot and others. I also understand where software developers percheive things and can't imagine the nightmare building these programs. :)

[cabnet636]

i can truley appreciate the need to help someone, it is how i learned, however like dan said we have discussed this on the beta forum and in my experience most ( but not all) request for this are on the hokey side, some of us on the beta team keep our older versions for helping those in need. just out of curiosity (and without revealing the requesters project) what is the problem? i have asked on the beta about this for an update

[cabnet636]

another suggestion, i use "crossloop" i can have a requester dowload this simple program and we can be online together in minutes with either him or me controlling each others computer (or chek view only) and we work thru and train directly online. this is free to the user.

if the issue is to tech or learn give it a try this is a powerful tool

[dana_swift]

Andy: Exporting to dxf works well, however it discards all the material settings, home settings, safe z, and toolpaths. The folks I am trying to assist are new at this and need those other settings.

Curtis: Agreed.. it SHOULD be possible.

Glen: Glad to know there are others with this same problem.. maybe Vectric will fix it.

James: Exactly, either I need to create a file on their behalf, or examine one, or handle the difficulty they are having and send it back.

Burchtree: As I said in my original post, I dont expect only the features supported by VCP to be exported back.

Monty: I am not beating anybody out of a license fee, I bought Aspire, and pay for each upgrade as it becomes available. Not everyone has this program, and I should not be required to buy BOTH Aspire and VCP. It is in Vectics interest to expose VCP and PartWorks customers to the advantages of Aspire, rather than discourage using it around them.

Glen #2: Indeed, half the battle for a newcomer is seeing that something can be done, so they will WANT to figure it out for themselves.

James #2: Aspire should not isolate other Vectric product users.

James #3: Screen sharing is a good idea, however on both of the other shopbots PW is on the same computer as SB3. Neither of these computers is on a network, they are dedicated to SB operation.

---

Thanks all for the comments.. Does ArtCam export to earlier versions of the program, or "lesser siblings?"

[Gary Campbell]

Dana...
I seldom see a post of yours that I disagree with, but this is one, my friend. Since Aspire has 3D capabilities, is much higher priced, and has many more features, if I were the developer I surely wouldnt allow my Aspire userbase to save back compatible files. This would allow an Aspire user to send files to VCPro users to toolpath. Wont happen.

ArtCAM is not back version compatible either.

[Brady Watson]

The backwards compatible thing is nothing new. With Aspire, you can open up PartWorks and VCarve Pro files. But not the other way around. Same structure applies to ArtCAM, Insignia and PartWorks.

Not for nothing...but a quick Camtasia video of you setting up the file in the software (doesn't matter what version, interface is close enough), does the trick. I have been doing this exact thing for 10 years. Customers 'get it' the 1st time and every time, since they can go back to review the steps again and again. This way better than doing it for them...

-B

[curtiss]

I think for learning any new software, it is best to have someone "show you in person" the first 20 to 30 things you need to know.

That may cover 85% of what you need most of the time and the remaining few hundred things are learned one or two at a time.

Many have never watched the video tutorials for the software they are using... one can always try that....:confused:

[michael_schwartz]

Download the V-carve pro trial. You can export CRV files for them but you can't export code to run the machine. If you need to do that you can import the file into Aspire.

[adrianm]

Files created using the VCarve trial can only be opened on the PC they were created on.

[cabnet636]

one more thought is that i personally will never again run code i did not write

[dlcw]

WOW Jim!

That looks like a definite problem of bit loitering in one place to long. :eek:

Glad you were able to stop it and get the fire put out.

[erik_f]

Vectric products are so easy to learn when it comes to the CAM side of the process I can't imagine with a few lines in the email explaining set up, anyone having too hard of a time getting things the way you intended them to be. There are surely some more difficult software packages to use out there. I own a few of them and with I could find someone to buy them :D

[cabnet636]

a fellow came to see the machine and brought one of his own files, like a "dumbass" ( no easier way to say it) i ran it witout checking his file !!!!!!

bit travelled into material and broke, we removed the bit went into the office to correct the file and left the vac running,

it was just an ember, the bit had already been removed. what you see is after the panel product had been removed the entire smolder was between the panel and the spoil board

[Gary Campbell]

Hey Jim....
Ask Dana what happens when his files were run on my machine. I think he still owes me some bits! ;)

[cowboy1296]

This rookie is still struggling along and up until now i have been happy with partworks 3.0 and 3d. Chances are i give more stuff away to vet groups and churches then i sell, and there have been very few sells. But i am biting at the bits to upgrade to aspire 3. i am still too dangerous to try and help someone with a file so i doubt that i would ever be sending out files to try and assist someone with. so i am guessing that based on your comments y'all like aspire enough for me to want it. FYI i do like working in 3d and it appears that aspire has a lot to offer there. so if y'all aren't willing to hide my credit card from me i guess i will in the very near future.