I just bought and paid for my upgrade to Aspire 9. So far I'm not completely thrilled with the new drafting features although they are much better than they were in earlier versions. 

 

Anyone who is interested can download their free trial to check and see if the new features will be worth investing in.  

 

4D

Edited July 18, 20178 yr by 4DThinker

Thank you for the heads up!

...and I downloaded VCarvePro ver 9 this morning.

Be sure and check the HELP feature... now instead of a local PDF it is all online. Wondering how well that will go over with those who keep their PC off the internet.   Many features and live key clues not yet demonstrated shown in there though. 

 

4D

Edited July 18, 20178 yr by 4DThinker

4D,

Don't know if the upgrade is worth it or not - EXCEPT -- you can't open files with an older version if they are made with a later version than what you have.  

What I do when I'm opening an existing 8.5 file is save-as and add V9 to the end of the file name.  That leaves my older file intact and since V9 doesn't overwrite 8.5 I can still open those files using 8.5.  

 

So far I'm a fan of the single or double sided file choices, the very much enhanced drafting/smart snap features, the 2 sided (at a time) rendering engine (which also seems much faster),  the added spin/turning modeling feature, and the dimension entry while you are drawing a line or shape, etc..

 

There is more yet that I haven't played with.  Array copy toolpaths for example.  When 8.5 came out the single feature that made it worth the upgrade price to me was the moulding toolpath.   V9 has much more in it than 8.5 does, but if 8.5 does all you need it to then that $400 may be better saved for something else.   

 

4D

What I do when I'm opening an existing 8.5 file is save-as and add V9 to the end of the file name.  That leaves my older file intact and since V9 doesn't overwrite 8.5 I can still open those files using 8.5.  --Quote 4D

 

But..... if you make a file in v9 -- any other lesser version won't open it if their habits are true to form.

11 minutes ago, honesttjohn said:

But..... if you make a file in v9 -- any other lesser version won't open it if their habits are true to form.

True.  But that has been true for every previous upgrade except for some of the minor bug fixes.

 

To me it doesn't matter.  Having the latest version ensures I can open a file from any previous version AND the same latest version.  If my vectors are needed by someone who doesn't have V9 then I can export as  .DXF which can be opened in most CAD programs. 

 

4D

I don't have any of the Vectric line of products but I'm wondering if it has the feature like CorelDraw to save as an earlier version.  I have CorelDraw X8 (18) and I can save files all the way back to version 11 or any version in between.  I regularly save files as X6 for the laser shop so they can open my files.

 

David

 

Not yet, David.  They add a numbered periodic save feature during the 8.5 update. Not the same. You do have a few export options to output what you have selected though including:  .DXF, ,PDF, .EPS, .AI. .SVG.  You can Save Aspire file (.CRV3D) as simpler VCarve files (.CRV) if your Aspire file doesn't have any Aspire specific features in it. 

 

4D

Edited July 20, 20178 yr by 4DThinker

Is there more clip art included in V9?

25 minutes ago, honesttjohn said:

Is there more clip art included in V9?

Yes, but only for Aspire owners/updaters.  I can't tell you exactly what is included (yet) because I haven't been able to figure out where they are saved to after unzipping the file on my laptop. 

 

4D

I found where they are saved, and among all the clipart there are several dated 7/5/2017 which I assume are the new ones added.  Number of new files in the following subfolders:

 

The names of new files in each folder:

3D tabs:
_Circular
_Rectangular
_Truncated

Animals:
Winged_Lion-50611-A
Horse_Head_6-50472-A
Horse_Head_4-50440-A

Borders:
Ornamental_Border_15-57691-A
Oval_Burst-50426-A
Splat_Frame-50516-A

Decorative:
Round_Flourish_2A-58031-A
Scroll_2-57983-A
Simple_Fleur_1-57647-A
Horizontal_Flourish_11-57574-A
Swag_2-57471-A
Staff-57458-A
Floral_Drop_2A-57438-A
Floral_Drop_and_Bow-50379-A
Crown_and_Shells_2-50318-A
Roman_Fasches-50299-A

Objects and People:
Cherub_4-57238-A
Dance_Paire-57161-A
Jewelers_Graphic-50484-A
Skull_3-50165-A
Skull_2-50130-A

Plants and Fruit:
Stylized_Thistle-58464-A
Stylized_Shamrock-58463-A
Panel_of_Roses-58193-A
Fiddleheads_2-50241-A

 

4D

Edited July 22, 20178 yr by 4DThinker

There is also a new folder called Vector Art 3D Bonus Pack that contains 20 models in 3 formats for a total of 60 models.  If any of you have the Vector Art 3d Sample Pack 16/48 of the models are the same.

There is a Rose in the Bonus pack that is also included in the Plants folder and the Bear waving sign is now a design and carve file worth $25 just for the type A file.  Of course you did fine the othe new ones by checking dates like I did so there are a few.  All depends if you will use them or not.

 

I have used the 2 sided feather and like it, I do a lot of two sided projects so this is a plus to me.  I am having a hard time finding time to check out other enhancements but the smart cursor will probably be nice and geometric snap will be nice but if you have too much geometry then it might be a headache, at least they made it where you can turn it off if you don't need or want it. 

Version 10.019 is now the latest from vectric.com.   I have NOT upgraded from my current 9.519 version as I don't have much use for the new features, but as the upgrade costs the same no matter which version you have I may be interested when 10.5 comes out. 

 

4D

A side benefit of Aspire (I'm still using version 9.519) is the ability to export 3D models (components) as .STL 3D files.  I own a 3D printer and greatly appreciate that feature as I can 3D print the .STL files.  I've been making models of handles for some jigs/tool fences, prototypes of an invention I'm working on, replacement parts for broken knobs and switch levers, etc..   I used to use Sketch-Up, but am aggravated with the tendancy to move to online software and monthly licensing fees. 

 

4D