VCarveTutorial - Revision history

BradfordBenn at 04:30, 31 August 2022

2022-08-31T04:30:02Z

Jstutz at 02:15, 26 July 2017

2017-07-26T02:15:32Z

Jstutz: /* Saving your GCode */

2017-07-26T02:13:05Z

‎Saving your GCode

Jstutz: /* Saving your GCode */

2017-07-26T02:12:45Z

‎Saving your GCode

Jstutz: /* Creating the Toolpaths */

2017-07-26T02:04:04Z

‎Creating the Toolpaths

Jstutz: /* Creating the Toolpaths */

2017-07-26T01:55:43Z

‎Creating the Toolpaths

Jstutz: /* Creating the Toolpaths */

2017-07-26T01:33:29Z

‎Creating the Toolpaths

Jstutz: /* Creating the Toolpaths */

2017-07-26T01:21:41Z

‎Creating the Toolpaths

Jstutz at 00:31, 26 July 2017

2017-07-26T00:31:28Z

Jstutz at 23:32, 25 July 2017

2017-07-25T23:32:39Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 =Overview=
-VCarve is one of the many tools you can use to create designs for the X-Carve CNC. MakerFX has a fully functional Makerspace edition of VCarve Pro on the CNC controller computer which is available for members for use. To learn more about VCarve, visit [http://www.vectric.com/products/vcarve.htm their website].
+MakerFX has a fully functional Makerspace edition of VCarve Pro on the CNC Router controller computer which is available for members for use. To learn more about VCarve, visit [http://www.vectric.com/products/vcarve.htm their website].
 =Tutorial=
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 * Saving your GCode
+==Note: These screen captures do not reflect the current software (Bradford Aug 31, 2022)==
 == Creating a new VCarve Job ==
@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 = Next Steps =
-At this point you're done with VCarve! From here you will take the GCode file you created and load it into the CNC USB Controller software to be sent to the CNC machine. For more info on how to do this, see the [[Maker FX X-Carve 1000mm CNC Router Instructions]] page.
+At this point you're done with VCarve! Next is to load the file onto the CNC Router computer to cut the material.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:15, 26 July 2017
Line 71:		Line 71:
	#*: [[File:XCarvePostProcessor.png]]		#*: [[File:XCarvePostProcessor.png]]
	# Click the '''Save Toolpath(s)...''' button and select a name / location for your file.		# Click the '''Save Toolpath(s)...''' button and select a name / location for your file.
		+
		+
		+	= Next Steps =
		+	At this point you're done with VCarve! From here you will take the GCode file you created and load it into the CNC USB Controller software to be sent to the CNC machine. For more info on how to do this, see the [[Maker FX X-Carve 1000mm CNC Router Instructions]] page.

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 # If not already selected, choose the one of the X-Carve post processors. There are two, one for MM and one for inches. ''' Be sure to use the right one!''' For this tutorial, we used MM, so select "X-Carve (mm) (*.gcode)"
 #*: [[File:XCarvePostProcessor.png]]
 # Click the '''Save Toolpath(s)...''' button and select a name / location for your file.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:12, 26 July 2017
Line 63:		Line 63:

	== Saving your GCode ==		== Saving your GCode ==
		+	When all of your tools paths have been created, it's time to create your GCode, which is the code that will be used to send movement commands to the CNC. To create your GCode:
		+	# First, select each of the toolpaths you wish to be included in your GCode. For this tutorial, there is only one, but more complicated jobs may have more.
		+	#: [[File:XCarveSelectToolpaths.png]]
		+	# Click the '''Save Toolpath''' button to open the ''Save Toolpaths'' panel
		+	#: [[File:XCarveSavePaths.png]]
		+	# If not already selected, choose the one of the X-Carve post processors. There are two, one for MM and one for inches. ''' Be sure to use the right one!''' For this tutorial, we used MM, so select "X-Carve (mm) (*.gcode)"
		+	#*: [[File:XCarvePostProcessor.png]]
		+	# Click the '''Save Toolpath(s)...''' button and select a name / location for your file.
		+
		+	That's it!

@@ Line 58: / Line 58: @@
 #: [[File:XCarvePocketDetails.png]]
 # When all of your settings are correct, click '''Calculate.''' The Pocket Toolpath settings will close and be replaced by the ''Preview Toolpaths'' panel.
 == Saving your GCode ==

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 # There are several different types of Toolpaths you can use. For this tutorial we'll use the Pocket Toolpath by clicking on it. The ''Pocket Toolpath'' panel will appear.
 #: [[File:XCarvePocket.png]]
-# The ''Pocket Toothpath'' settings contains all of the
+# The ''Pocket Toolpath'' settings contains all of the settings specific to the type of toolpath you have selected. For the Pocket Toolpath, there are four settings we want to address:
-#: [[XCarvePocketDetails.png.png]]
+#* ITEM 1: Sets the ''starting depth'' and ''cut depth'' of this toolpath. If the cut depth is deeper than your material, you will cut all the way through and into the board! Accurate sizing of the material is key!
 == Saving your GCode ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:21, 26 July 2017
Line 40:		Line 40:

	== Creating the Toolpaths ==		== Creating the Toolpaths ==
		+	Once your design is done, you need to create the Toolpaths, or the instructions the CNC will use to mill your object. Depending on the complexity of your design, you may only need one toolpath or you may need several. Each toolpath defines parameters such as:
		+	* The type of bit that will be used
		+	* The speeds and feeds of the cut
		+	* The depth of the cut
		+	* The pattern the tool should follow.

		+	To setup a tool path:
		+	# Select the object or objects you wish to be a part of this path. You can select multiple object by SHIFT + Left Clicking each object. CTRL + A selects them all.
		+	# If it is not already expanded, click on the '''Toolpaths''' panel in the upper right corner of VCarve.
		+	# There are several different types of Toolpaths you can use. For this tutorial we'll use the Pocket Toolpath by clicking on it.
		+	#: [[File:XCarvePocket.png]]
		+	# From the ''Pocket Toothpath'' settings panel, we can

	== Saving your GCode ==		== Saving your GCode ==

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 =Tutorial=
-This is a very simple tutorial that steps you through the process of creating a new VCarve file through preparing the GCode for the CNC to use. This tutorial is broken down into the following sections:
+This is a very simple tutorial will demonstrate how to use the CNC to design a file that will cut two "channels" for t-track from a piece of lumber, from creating a new VCarve file through preparing the GCode for the CNC to use. This tutorial is broken down into the following sections:
 * Creating a new VCarve Job
 * Drawing your designs
 * Creating the Toolpaths
 * Saving your GCode
 == Creating a new VCarve Job ==
 # Open VCarve using the shortcut on the desktop
 # Either open an existing model, or create a new one. For this tutorial, we'll create a new one.
@@ Line 23: / Line 28: @@
 == Drawing your designs ==
 == Creating the Toolpaths ==
 == Saving your GCode ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 25 July 2017
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	#~~REDIRECT~~ [[~~MakerFX Wiki!~~:VCarve ~~Tutorial~~]]	+	=Overview=
		+	VCarve is one of the many tools you can use to create designs for the X-Carve CNC. MakerFX has a fully functional Makerspace edition of VCarve Pro on the CNC controller computer which is available for members for use. To learn more about VCarve, visit [http://www.vectric.com/products/vcarve.htm their website].
		+
		+	=Tutorial=
		+	This is a very simple tutorial that steps you through the process of creating a new VCarve file through preparing the GCode for the CNC to use. This tutorial is broken down into the following sections:
		+	* Creating a new VCarve Job
		+	* Drawing your designs
		+	* Creating the Toolpaths
		+	* Saving your GCode
		+
		+	== Creating a new VCarve Job ==
		+	# Open VCarve using the shortcut on the desktop
		+	# Either open an existing model, or create a new one. For this tutorial, we'll create a new one.
		+	#:[[File:XCarveNewFile.png]]
		+	# From the JOB SETUP panel, you need to enter the details of the material you'll be using. The image below shows the most important settings:
		+	#* ITEM 1: the width and height of your stock
		+	#* ITEM 2: the thickness of the stock
		+	#* ITEM 3: the XY "starting position" of the tool for the job (NOTE: this needs to match where you actually plan to align the tool head when setting up the machine)
		+	#* ITEM 4: the units you are using when setting up the job.
		+	#*:[[File:XCarveJobSetup.png]]
		+	# When you are done setting up your job, click the '''OK''' button. The Job Setup panel will close and you will be shown a blank VCarve design screen.
		+	#:[[File:XCarveBlank.png\|800px]]
		+
		+	== Drawing your designs ==
		+	== Creating the Toolpaths ==
		+	== Saving your GCode ==