VCarvePro 8 ! :)

[scottp55]

Downloading the brand new VCP 8 as I type:)
Should be REALLY interesting!
Got an E-mail into Shopbot asking how it applies to our 2 "Shopbot Editions"
Time to play and see what they've come up with:)
scott
http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21935

[Burkhardt]

Wow, LOTS of new and useful features. Obviously also lots of opportunities to make mistakes :)

[scottp55]

Problem at the moment with the free trial version it seems.
Thanks Brian and Vectric. Amazing upgrade:)
scott
http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21936

[barrowj]

Doesn't appear to be available yet to shopbot users, I attempted to see if there was an update via the "Check for Updates" and none available. I have 7.5 from Shopbot.

[adrianm]

It's not provided as an update via the Check for Update mechanism. It's a complete new program that is installed from scratch. As far as I know the Shopbot versions haven't been released yet.

[scottp55]

Got this from Shopbot today.

"You’re going to have to wait though, as there’s a small glitch in how we can get this to our customers. Vectric has changed the way they do it and it might take a bit to get it to our customers."

The Desktop we bought last year qualifies as a free upgrade, My personal one bought in 8/2013 does not.
WELL worth the $175 though:)
Thanks Adrian,
scott

[Steve Wonser]

I sent an email to Vectric yesterday inquiring about the availability of the ShopBot version VCarve Pro v8. Here is their reply:

Hello Steve,

Thank you for your inquiry.
We are still working on the update to VCarve Pro - ShopBot Edition and ShopBot will make an announcement when this version is ready.
This should be with in the next two weeks.

I hope that this helps.

Regards,
Mark.

So, it is getting close!

[barrowj]

Great, thanks for following up Steve.

Joe

[scottp55]

Thanks Steve,
Kinda like a Duck,
Doesn't look like they're doing much on the surface....But working like Crazy under the surface to get it to us:)
LIKE how they integrated VCP with Partworks 3D !
scott

[harryball]

Get Aspire 8, don't walk RUN to your nearest browser and go get your upgrade, it is worth the cost for the clip art alone! If you are using VCarve Pro, consider Aspire! It's the only software that does a CNC machine justice.

Sorry to sound like a commercial, but this is one of the best releases ever.

/RB

[ttwark]

I have two questions on Partworks/VCP/Aspire. FIrst, I'm using Partworks 3.5, how far behind am I? And second, I do almost all flat panel work. 3/4" Melamine and redi-lam prelaminated Plam panels. Every day there never seems to be enough time to get it done, much less research and learn what's better, but every set of cabinets that I program I think to myself "there has to be a better way". Having said this, because of my familiarity with Partworks, if I were to purchase and upgrade to Aspire, is this a good program to be used for cabinet parts layout, design and nesting? I do do some misc parts Programing and cutting, but mostly cabinet work.

[adrianm]

To be honest Aspire would be overkill for that type of work. It's identical to VCP as far as the 2D side of things go so if you were to buy it then your learning curve for what you're doing now would be the same as upgrading to the latest version of VCP/PartWorks.

I think Partworks 3.5 is the same as VCP 6.5 so there have been major upgrades at 7, 7.5 and 8 all of which added new features and enhancements which would make the work you do easier and faster. For me one of the biggest time savers was the ability to drag and drop VCP files into a job. That enabled me to create a library of standard parts which can be quickly placed onto a sheet, nested and (with toolpath templates) create the toolpaths with one button click.

http://www.vectric.com/media/docs/products/vcp/whats-new/v7/WhatsNew_VCP7.pdf
http://www.vectric.com/media/docs/products/vcp/whats-new/v75/VCarve_Pro_Whats_New.pdf
http://www.vectric.com/media/files/products/vcp/V8/WhatsNewVCarvePro8.pdf

[Tim Lucas]

I have two questions on Partworks/VCP/Aspire. FIrst, I'm using Partworks 3.5, how far behind am I? And second, I do almost all flat panel work. 3/4" Melamine and redi-lam prelaminated Plam panels. Every day there never seems to be enough time to get it done, much less research and learn what's better, but every set of cabinets that I program I think to myself "there has to be a better way". Having said this, because of my familiarity with Partworks, if I were to purchase and upgrade to Aspire, is this a good program to be used for cabinet parts layout, design and nesting? I do do some misc parts Programing and cutting, but mostly cabinet work.

You really should look at ecabinets, as this would allow you to draw and nest cabinets 100 time faster.
Tim

[harryball]

I agree with the other posts, VCP if you are not going to explore the 3D capabilities of Aspire would do just as well for you. However, if you have some time to add flourishes, the 3D in Aspire can add a whole new dimension to your work even if you only use the clipart and not create your own 3D files.

eCabinets is nice, I've used it some for mostly personal projects. My only problem with it is finding the right hardware to fit the pre-drills it does, i.e. hinges, drawer slides etc... I leave them off and manually drill for whatever I can find at home depot. If I purchased in bulk and found the right setting once I'd be fine, but I don't, so I purchase a box of hinges or some drawer slides from what's on the shelf and drill to fit. Been a while since I've used it, but I do have a couple of closets I'm building out so I'll be using it again soon.

/RB

[bleeth]

Just about all Euro hinges use the same drill pattern and location as Blum. Grass used to differ but I don't think they do anymore.
If you use 3832 side mounts (Accurides) and set it up so, for example, your slide is always mounted 3/8" above the drawer bottom then you have a fixed height location for them as well based on your drawer bottom location. I have used a cabinet drawing database and toolpath template for all cabinet sides while cutting tops, bottoms, and stretchers on the saw for years now and get the same daily yield as those nesting all parts through e-cab. With a single head spindle, a 5mm bit from Centurian, and vacuum holddown I can program 30 cabinets in a matter of minutes and cut the whole batch in a day. As we moved more into higher end residential and less commercial I created a new database for the undermounts. Once you get the basic parameters worked out it goes pretty quick as well, although I also have the Blum Dynaplan software which outputs a dxf of the parts I can drop right into the cad/cam package I use.(Artcam-different from Vectric but conceptually the same for this purpose) I put the drilling on one vector layer, dado on another, and cut-out on another. The toolpathing happens based on sheet number and vector layer name. Takes seconds.
I am just using butt construction. Where e-cab really shines is if you build the boxes with blind mortise construction and have a toolchanger or at least a separate drill head.

[adrianm]

I agree with the other posts, VCP if you are not going to explore the 3D capabilities of Aspire would do just as well for you. However, if you have some time to add flourishes, the 3D in Aspire can add a whole new dimension to your work even if you only use the clipart and not create your own 3D files.

That's the beauty of the new version of VCP you can add the flourishes using the 3D clipart directly in the same way as you can with Aspire.

[jTr]

Hope they finish the SB version soon - I have a job in the works that would be perfect for the new drawing feature for texture vectors- Anxiously watching this thread for the moment someone says "It's here!".

(I'm counting on you, Scott!!! ;) )

jeff

[steve_g]

I’m starting to feel like a stepchild…
It seems incongruous that a major upgrade would proceed without an upgrade path for a significant number of faithful users!
Anybody hear any rumors about problems between ShopBot and Vectric?
SG

[Dianne]

Hi All,

Thought I'd better chime in to let you all know that we're waiting on the new version with our post processor, and a couple of other items. As you can imagine Vectric has been swamped with their own upgrades, but they are working diligently at getting us our version as soon as they can. We'll do our best to get everyone updated as soon as all is ready. Sorry for the delay

-Dianne

[steve_g]

Dianne…
Thank you. I feel less like a stepchild already!
SG

[scottp55]

Thank You Dianne!!!
Pretty good post for a "4 post Newbie" :) :)
scott

[Tim Lucas]

I agree with the other posts, VCP if you are not going to explore the 3D capabilities of Aspire would do just as well for you. However, if you have some time to add flourishes, the 3D in Aspire can add a whole new dimension to your work even if you only use the clipart and not create your own 3D files.

eCabinets is nice, I've used it some for mostly personal projects. My only problem with it is finding the right hardware to fit the pre-drills it does, i.e. hinges, drawer slides etc... I leave them off and manually drill for whatever I can find at home depot. If I purchased in bulk and found the right setting once I'd be fine, but I don't, so I purchase a box of hinges or some drawer slides from what's on the shelf and drill to fit. Been a while since I've used it, but I do have a couple of closets I'm building out so I'll be using it again soon.

/RB

Try A&M Supply out of Jacksonville, Fl - no min quantity's - they beat home depot cost hands down
Tim

[Steve Wonser]

It's here!!!

I just got my email from Diane with the serial number for the ShopBot edition of VCarve Pro v8. I can't wait to try it out.

[bleeth]

A & M is in Atlanta as well.

[scottp55]

Steve, Just got a copy of Kirk's E-mail Too:)
Looks like the Portals for all the 3D libraries are in there too!!!
Almost $2,000 worth of 3D models Vectric said:)
WELL WORTH the $175 upgrade price for mine! (missed it by a few months:(
Have Fun:)
scott

[scottp55]

Just called ShopBot today(Dianne) and paid my $150 :)
Got E-mail in 10 minutes!
***NOTE*** copy/pasting user name/password did NOT let me into Shopbot site---Manually entering info Did. Mentioned to Dianne and she said they've had a few calls with the same problem, but don't know why it's happening. Just a heads up.
When I ordered, I questioned the $150 as Vectric says $175. Shopbot Edition! They also mentioned it doesn't matter what version you are upgrading from?
IF so, then now's the time to upgrade as it seems a Major upgrade, what with incorporating Many new features. Going to be nice to engrave a font on a dome or dish etc.
Took almost 2 hours just to download the art that's included, but of course that is Maines high:) speed internet.
All 3 computers synched now.
It was nice to see that it was the latest patched version that was just released 3 days ago(?) 8.013
scott

[steve_g]

Well Scott… I’m glad you got the new update! I had a bad day trying to get the update…Most of the day the phone company said the number I was dialing had been disconnected. Later in the afternoon, I got through only to be shuttled to voicemailL
I’ll try again next week…
SG

[scottp55]

:(
Know how that goes....spent a total of 2 hours Monday on hold for a Maine Gov dept. and STILL didn't get a person.
Did try a novel approach today---asked for 44 Desktop "Grande's" and asked if they shipped on credit:)
When they stopped laughing I said "Well, as long as I have you on the line....." :)
Now if I can just figure out how to get my old artwork to display as easily as the new stuff!
Going to take a little getting used to...as well as some searching in the new "Help"
Good luck Monday Steve!
scott

[Nancy]

Can I hijack this thread to apologize for the phone problems? We switched to another phone company and the changeover happened earlier than expected. Phone service was sporadic yesterday afternoon. Some calls got through, then cut off. Some we couldn't hear. Calling out was challenging (Dianne tried to call Texas and got the message that she couldn't make an international call!) Everything seems OK now but it may take some practice with the fancy new phones.
Steve, please try again Monday.

[scottp55]

See Steve!
Not Shopbots fault you guys seceded for an afternoon:)
Thanks Nancy

[steve_g]

The phones were working at ShopBot today… I got my VCP8 update and spent the day familiarizing myself with it… First question… Where’s the Gadgets tab? Can we not wrap output for indexers with this version?
SG

[scottp55]

Steve, Don't know how I missed THAT!
At first I thought it was because all the gadgets had to be redone for VCP8, BUT just downloaded all the new V8 Gadgets and installed them and No Joy:(
Also tried to do an auto update on this on-line laptop and got This?
24699

Going to a little Vectric hunting to see if I can find anything before contacting Vectric Support.
Where's Adrian when you need him:)
Let us know if you figure it out?
I'm assuming it's operator malfunction on my part at this point.
scott

[steve_g]

Good morning Scott!
I did discover that the help pdf shows a gadget tab… hopefully just a quick fix needed for the SB version…
Another issue I’m having… The “scissors” trim tool isn’t closing my vectors even though I have that option checked. On a project I did last night, out of 200 trims only two were automatically closed…
SG

[bob_dodd]

I read over on Vectric forum that the CRV. files , that there is a setting in the control panel that is still directing them to Vcarve 7.5 or something , I could not resolve this ,

[scottp55]

Thanks for pointing out Steve, same here:(

Yeah Bob, can't seem to get any of my purchased OR free .crv's to show up. OR any of my .eps that were purchased.
V3M format transfered and previewed correctly once put in the correct folder.
Your .stl's don't show up no matter where I seem to put them:(
Can either of you do an online update?
Haven't notified Vectric Support yet.
Still going through forum.
scott

[steve_g]

Scott…
I get the same error message as you when trying to update…
I’m kinda getting the clipart tab to work… it was disappointing to find out that 2D files must be in a .crv format and the 3D must be in the V3M format. These proprietary formats aren’t what anything is purchased in.
SG

[scottp55]

Thanks for the .crv clue! :)
Vectric advent calender transferred:)
Need a new folder now and do a little work, BUT it's doable! :) (PITA but doable)
scott

[scottp55]

Steve,
Downloaded all Gadgets direct from Gadget Library again so I would have VCP8 modified ones.
Installed them all, but they went into VCP 7.514 folder?
Manually copied to VCP 8 and now have Gadgets on toolbar:)
Got it from this thread.
http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=21904&p=155780&hilit=VCarve+Pro+8+Gadgets#p155780

[steve_g]

Update now works and the gadget tab is there!
SG

[barrowj]

It's the same issue with Aspire 8, the patch is available and the Gadgets tab is now showing up....

[Nancy]

Info on patch to take VCP-Shopbot Edition 8 to VCarvePro ShopBot Edition V8.014 here
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/showthread.php?21351-Patch-for-VCarvePro-ShopBot-Edition-v8