06-17-2025 Q&A: Bowl Foot Design, Laser Fill Confusion, and Sketch Carve Setup

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In this week’s Q&A Meetup, we explored advanced 3D modeling techniques for a two-sided bowl project, clarified confusion around the new laser fill repeat feature, and looked at methods to create dimensional text on a barrel lid using both Aspire and VCarve. We also reviewed the Sketch Carve toolpath and discussed challenges with grid layouts on spoilboards, gluing techniques, and sourcing clock movements and veneers.

Key Tips Learned in this Q&A:

• Using Two-Rail Sweep for Bowl Feet: The two-rail sweep tool is ideal for designing curved feet on bowls, especially when asymmetry is required to match an undulating shape.

• Draft vs. Two-Rail Sweep: Using the Draft feature is faster but less visually elegant than a two-rail sweep for complex base shapes.

• Laser Fill Tool Clarified: In Aspire 12.503, “Number of Repeats” in the Laser Fill toolpath starts at 1 by default—it does not mean additional repeats unless increased.

• Sketch Carve for Details: The Sketch Carve tool can quickly outline 3D features like barns or animals without needing manually drawn vectors.

• Creating 3D Text with a Dome Effect: Both Aspire and VCarve can create curved text effects by combining dome components and vector clipping—despite common myths about VCarve’s limits.

Questions Answered in this Q&A:

• 00:02:05 – How do you create a curved foot for a bowl with 3D contours?

• 00:09:29 – How visible are glue lines in laminated blanks, and how to reduce them?

• 00:18:46 – What are the best movements for dependable, accurate clock projects?

•  00:20:53 – How to raise and lower portions of 3D text to enhance visibility?

•  00:32:54 – What does the “number of repeats” do in the Laser Fill toolpath?

• 00:38:14 – Why am I only seeing dots instead of lines on my spoilboard grid?

• 00:43:34 – How do you create alignment holes for a two-sided project?

• 00:46:12 – Where can I download or find additional Vectric gadgets?

• 00:53:38 – Why is a V-bit cutting too deep for narrow-spaced text?

• 00:55:47 – How to convert an AI-generated image for use in Sketch Carve?

Keywords:

two-sided carving, aspire modeling, foot design, bowl project, glue-up tips, laser fill, sketch carve, dome text, vcarve workaround, spoilboard grid, alignment holes, vectric gadgets, veneer sources, clock movements, ai to bitmap, curved foot, vectric q&a