07-08-2025 Q&A: Pocket Inlays, STL Cleanup, Drawing Tablets, and Custom Bar Rails

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This session explored techniques for VCarving inlays inside pockets, converting CRV files to STL, and cleaning up imported 3D STL files with severe drop-offs. We walked through Aspire's sculpting, fading, and two-rail sweep tools to refine STL art, and answered hardware-related questions like drawing tablets and RichAuto controller upgrades. We wrapped up with a discussion on creating bar rail moldings using the molding toolpath or custom tooling.

Key Tips Learned in this Q&A:

• Carving in Pockets: To carve inlays at the bottom of a pocket, reset your Z-zero inside the pocket and carve as if it’s the new material surface.

• CRV to STL Export: You can’t export a full CRV file to STL—export only the 3D components using Aspire’s “Export as 3D model” tool in the Design tab.

• 3D STL Cleanup: Use the Sculpt tool with preserve transparency OFF to pull out stretched pixels, then fade and trim to control edges and improve blend into backgrounds.

• Drawing Tablets in Aspire: Wacom and other tablets (like Xencelabs) work great with Aspire. Enable them via Edit → Options → “Use a graphic tablet.”

• Bar Rails: Bar rails can be machined with molding toolpaths or a large custom bit. Double-sided machining is an option but takes setup; Pete shared his approach using molding toolpaths.

Questions Answered in this Q&A:

• 00:00:12 – How do I VCarve an inlay in the bottom of a pocket?

• 00:02:46 – How do I export a CRV file to STL in Aspire?

• 00:04:33 – How can I keep a rotary model’s tab (zero plane) from cutting off a horse head?

• 00:10:25 – Where can beginners learn about double-sided machining in Aspire?

• 00:21:58 – How do I clean up hard drop-offs around an imported STL model?

• 00:31:53 – What’s the best way to draw accurate outlines or modify flat heads in Aspire?

• 00:36:01 – Can you open a version 12.5 Aspire file in Aspire 12?

• 00:37:16 – Is the Wacom tablet useful for pixel editing and Aspire sculpting?

• 00:43:15 – How can I model or machine bar rail corners using Aspire or CNC?

• 00:46:35 – What’s the difference between “gap” and “offset” in copy array?

Keywords:

vcarve inlay, aspire stl export, rotary tab, zero plane, aspire sculpt tool, drawing tablet, wacom, xencelabs, vectric double-sided machining, bar rail, molding toolpath, offset vs gap, node editing, aspire trace bitmap, pixel editing, aspire import stl, gear hub modeling, 3d fade tool, cnc joinery, aspire vector editing