I am one of the most unimaginative people that I know. I can’t seem to figure out how to create any creative files on VCarve and I haven’t made a successful project yet. Is there anywhere that I can purchase files that are easy to work with?
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Before you throw in the tile,check the series of tutorial videos that Mark Lindsay has on YouTube. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLuYLaC3-QRNuVTej2P5emp1D4_Tm774p He has probably the best VCarve tutorials around. I suffer from unimaginatively too but I have made quite a few items after watching his videos. I have become quite apt at making small boxes, some signs, and even box joints (using an added free gadget). I am sure you will enjoy his playlist Vectric For The Absolute Beginner. Good luck!!!
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I will check out his videos. I appreciate that. Thank you
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Vectric themself have a lot of projects and free downloadable that you can get also on Etsy you can type in 3D CNC STL 3D CNC STL files
There are a lot of available there and I agree on watching tutorial videos
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I do custom designs. @hamdiggity can vouch for me.
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Like @GregoryG mentioned Vetric makes a ton of free stuff available to their users, check out their YouTube channel, many good step by step walk through demos.
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I have learned quite a lot watching these free videos on YT. There are small nuances in V-Carve, that do not get covered on other tutorials. Last night watched one on adding two 3D images to Blender and then importing/editing, something that usually prompts to upgrade to Aspire. He takes user problem files and explains how to make more efficient carve files.
https://www.learnyourcnc.com.
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Chris - I just did a video on good places to find models and also projects that are pretty close to ready-to-use. Hope it is helpful.
-Tom
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Hey Chris,
Check out this site. https://www.learnyourcnc.com/
Rarely see him mentioned in the forms but hands down the most well structured interactive CNC / Vetric how-to on the web that I’ve found…
Good luck
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Start slow. My first 2 projects were ring trays on scraps. Basically make a shape then use the offset tool to shrink same shape 3/8 of an inch or so. then your done with 2d move to toolpaths. Use a bowl bit to carve out the center using the smaller of your shapes and a 1/4" compression or downcut to cut larger on the outside.
This was a pretty easy project and I learned the basics doing it. I even engraved a name on the second one.
after that I flattened a cutting board and cut a juice groove. its a learning process.
I am highly unimaginative but I can copy others ideas.(not for profit, for home use)
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+1 on Mark Lindsay, he is a fantastic instructor. Etsy is a great place to find SVG vector files for things that interest you, and are cheap. One word of caution, do not run any gcode (toolpaths) that you did not generate yourself (sorry for the PSA).
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Start out small and work your way up. My first projects were inspirational quotes that I borrowed from a net search. I took scrap and ‘V’ carved them into the wood which gave me a feel for the machine. Then I searched out patterns, 3D4all is a great site for inexpensive and creative patterns. 3D4all patterns are usually around $ 2.50 each.There are other good sight as well, Etsy has some good stuff but they tend to be $ 5 and upi
Then I combined some of the sayings that I appropriated (plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery) with the patterns. Every piece of wood I pick up has a hidden design in it waiting to be discovered.
The learning curve can be daunting but Vetric software and Onefinity CNC make a great combo.
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I am creative but also struggled with vectric. I spent days designing a kitchen cutlery tray that didnt quite work as my 1st project. I am about 1 year into it with the OF. I have learned so much and looking back could design that tray in minutes. Still have allot to learn…stick with it.
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Im in the same boat with you.
My advice is, DO NOT BUY ANY FILES!
Keep pushing and you’ll get their, that’s why you pulled the triger and bought the machine.
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It’s funny how often we expect really good results from something we’ve never done before I always told my CNC classes that they’d spend most of their time with the design, prep and finishing processes. The actual machine time is a fraction of the total. And like anything else, practice turns a newbie into an expert. No one starts at expert.
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@JimHatch, almost like preparing a big meal. So much more time is spent planning & cooking the meal compared to how long it takes to eat it.
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Inventables has files you can use.
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I’m aware of a number of sites including Inventables. However, having done this for a decade now, I don’t often find myself prowling the file shares. But it is something that perhaps the OP could look into. Also, just about any of the laser folks (Trotec, Epilog, etc) have files as well which can be downloaded and run into Vectric for CNC carving instead of lasering. Another source are the scroll saw folks where there are a lot of old books of designs (non-copyright) that can be traced by Inkscape or Vectric and used.
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Hey Chris, what do you need to help you get going?
If you have Vcarve, and the OF post processor installed in either Metric or Imperial it should be OK.
let me know what your trying to carve, attach pic and show what’s going wrong.
My Journeyman should be here first half of July (fingers crossed)
I am happy to work with you… or anyone to provide tested files/gcode you can just load on usb stick.
It’s easy to get files to work with, but not easy to get good files if what you want.
I currently have access to an Iconic cnc and am using the Vectric software.
If you want to just message me directly, I am ok with that too.