Vectric Aspire Pro
Version 12.509 · Vectric · Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit) · ranked #247 in the library
Design and toolpathing for computer controlled routers, taking a drawing or a photograph through to relief carving with the machine code written for whatever controller sits on the machine.
Read the installation section below before you start. The order of the steps matters on this release.
About this release
Overview
Aspire covers the whole route from an idea to a cut part on a computer controlled router. Two dimensional drawing tools produce the vector geometry, the modelling side turns that geometry into three dimensional relief, and the toolpath side generates the code the machine runs. It is aimed at sign makers, furniture makers, cabinet shops and anyone carving decorative work, rather than at metal machining.
The relief modelling is what separates the professional edition from the basic one. Vectors become three dimensional shapes through a set of forming operations covering domed, ridged, flat and ramped profiles with weighting and merge behaviour, and those shapes combine, subtract and blend into a composite relief. A greyscale photograph can be converted into a relief directly, and imported three dimensional models can be sliced and mapped onto a surface.
Toolpath coverage is broad for the discipline: profiling with tabs and lead in and out, pocketing with several clearing strategies, drilling, v-carving and prism carving for lettering, inlay, fluting, thread milling and both rough and finish three dimensional machining. Nesting arranges parts across a sheet to reduce waste, the simulator shows the cut result on the actual material before anything runs, and a large post processor library covers the common hobby and professional controllers.
What it does
Feature breakdown
Two dimensional drawing and layout
Vector drawing, node editing, text on curves, offsets, boolean operations and a nesting function that packs parts efficiently onto a sheet.
Three dimensional relief modelling
Turn vectors into shaped relief with forming profiles, combine and blend shapes into a composite model, and sculpt the result with interactive tools.
Photograph to relief conversion
Convert a greyscale image directly into a carved relief with depth mapping and smoothing controls.
Complete toolpath set
Profiling, pocketing, drilling, v-carving, inlay, fluting and three dimensional roughing and finishing, all with tool database driven feeds and speeds.
Cut simulation on the material
Preview the finished part rendered on the actual stock with the selected material appearance before sending anything to the machine.
Large post processor library
Posts for the common hobby and professional controllers, with an editable format so an unusual machine can be accommodated.
Changed in this build
Version 12.509
- New sculpting brushes with pressure support for tablet input on relief models.
- Nesting improved with better packing on irregular part shapes.
- Toolpath calculation multithreaded, cutting wait times on complex three dimensional models.
- Additional post processors added for recent controller boards.
- Clipart library expanded with more decorative relief models.
Installation
Follow these in order
- Disconnect from the network before installing.
- Extract the archive and pause real time protection.
- Run setup as administrator.
- Install the clipart and model libraries when offered.
- Apply the included activation before the first launch.
- Open the application, load a sample job, and confirm a toolpath calculates before restoring protection.
Release notes
From whoever packed it
- Always simulate before cutting, and check the post matches the controller. A wrong post is how a machine gets damaged.
- Set the tool database up with your actual tooling early. Default feeds and speeds are starting points, not recommendations.
- Relief model resolution drives both quality and memory use. Raise it only on the areas that need it.
System requirements
Minimum and recommended
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 21H2 or Windows 11, 64-bit |
|---|---|
| Processor | Quad core or better |
| Memory | 16 GB recommended for large relief models, 8 GB minimum |
| Graphics | GPU with 2 GB VRAM and OpenGL support |
| Storage | 10 GB with the clipart library installed |
Questions about this release
Answered before you ask
- What is the difference from the basic edition?
- The three dimensional relief modelling and the associated toolpaths. Two dimensional work is largely the same in both.
- Can it import three dimensional models?
- Yes, the common mesh formats import and can be sliced or mapped onto a relief surface.
- Does it work with hobby machines?
- Yes, the post library covers the common hobby controllers as well as professional ones.
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