08-12-2025 Q&A: Clipping Components, Multi-Color Inlays, Scaling Drawings, and 3D Design Adjustments

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This Q&A session covered a range of CNC design and machining topics in VCarve and Aspire. We discussed importing and combining multiple project files, diagnosing unexpected toolpath depth issues, creating inlays across multiple sheets, welding vectors to avoid overlap errors, clipping and adjusting 3D components, banner placement on 3D plaques, multi-color inlay strategies for complex designs, and methods for scaling scanned drawings accurately. The call wrapped up with practical woodworking tips and real-world project examples.

Key Tips Learned in this Q&A:

• Merging Multiple Designs: In VCarve v12, use the Duplicate function instead of Copy to bring multiple designs into one sheet without overwriting.

• Preventing Overcuts: Always verify Z-zero after tool changes; setting it to the spoilboard instead of the material top can cause deep unintended cuts.

• VCarve Inlay Printing: Place the plug and socket vectors on separate sheets to generate clear job sheets for both.

• Overlapping Vectors Fix: Copy vectors to a new layer and weld them before toolpath creation to avoid calculation errors.

• Multi-Color Inlay Method: Treat each color as a separate inlay pass, removing excess between steps while keeping the female part fixed on the CNC for alignment.

• Scaling Drawings: Import a reference ruler or draw dimensioned boxes in VCarve to match known measurements, then stretch the image proportionally.

Questions Answered in this Q&A:

• 00:01:19 – How to combine multiple single-part projects into one sheet for cutting.

• 00:02:41 – Why a texture toolpath cut through the material and spoilboard unexpectedly.

• 00:07:26 – Printing both plug and socket sheets for VCarve inlays.

• 00:12:56 – Toolpath approach for intertwined hearts with overlapping vectors.

• 00:19:24 – Making the intertwined hearts design double-sided.

• 00:20:48 – Do profile toolpaths automatically cut inside first without separate toolpaths?

• 00:22:51 – Adjusting height and clipping a 3D dog plaque and adding a banner with text.

• 00:36:01 – Best way to stain only part of a carving without bleed-over.

• 00:42:47 – Removing background and placing a VistaSculpt badge on a raised circle.

• 00:46:31 – Creating a multi-color inlay of a tiger design with precise registration.

• 00:58:05 – Tracing and clipping just the raised portion of a 3D model for separate machining.

• 01:01:49 – How to scale a scanned or drawn part to actual size when dimensions are missing.

Keywords:

vcarve, aspire, duplicate function, z zero, spoilboard cutting, vcarve inlay printing, multi-sheet toolpaths, welding vectors, intertwined hearts, double sided machining, profile toolpath order, 3d component clipping, banner placement, staining carving details, vista sculpt badge, multi color inlay, offset vectors, cnc alignment, scaling scanned drawings, reference boxes, cnc project tips