How to create a carved recess in Aspire in Vectric software | Modeling Tools

Overview

This tutorial shows how to create a recessed, custom faux hand-carved dish using the outside profile of an imported component or composite layout. It covers vector-based dish construction, converting the shape into a subtractive recess, and smudge sculpting the edge for a carved look.

Steps

Start a new Aspire file. Use a single-sided job, 10“ x 8“, material thickness 0.75“, zero from the material surface, XY centered, modeling resolution set to Very High, and material set to Canadian Maple.
Import the 3D model horsehead_model.crv3d.
Select the horse head component. Add a small base height of 0.005 to get definition around the neck, then scale the entire composition shape height to 0.5".
Resize the model to about 7“ using the bottom-right sizing handle. Use Align Selected Objects to center it on the material. Re-check the shape height after resizing and set it back to 0.5" if needed.
Add a zero plane: hover over Create Flat Shape Component and hold Shift while clicking. This creates a flat zero-height component across the material to prevent machining issues around the dish rim.
Select the horse head, go to the Design tab, and choose Create Vector Boundary Around Selected Components. Hide/show components and vectors as needed to inspect the boundary.
Offset the boundary outward 0.5". With the original boundary still selected, offset it again outward 0.1". Keep all three vectors: original, +0.1“, and +0.5“.
Hide the horse head. Select the two outer vectors and create a smooth shape component using Blend to Inner Vector. This creates the raised dish base shape. Set its shape height to 0.5". Use the base handle to smooth/round the top edge of the dish.
Close the dialog and convert this component into a Subtract component so it becomes a true recessed dish. Bring the horse head back and verify the fit.
Select the dish and the zero plane together, then open the Sculpting tool. If prompted, click OK for “Component must be big before it can be edited.”
Choose the Smudge sculpting tool. Adjust brush diameter, smoothness, and strength for your part scale. Optionally save the brush setup as a preset.
Hold the left mouse button and push outward from the horse head profile, moving perpendicular to the model, to create a hand-carved edge around the dish. Work around the whole profile. Use Ctrl+Z to undo strokes if needed.
If any area of the horse head rises above the dish, select the dish component and slightly increase its shape height so it is deeper than the relief, for example 0.525".
Turn 2D vectors back on. Delete the construction vectors since they are no longer needed. The model is now ready for toolpathing around the carved dish shape.

Key Points / Warnings

Use Very High modeling resolution to preserve detail when creating or scaling 3D components.
Resizing a component can change its shape height. Always verify the shape height after scaling.
The zero plane is hidden in the 2D view by default so it doesn’t cover vectors. Manage visibility in the Layers Manager.
When offsetting, keep the original vectors. Do not replace or delete them until the dish construction is complete.
In sculpting mode, only selected components are edited. Select the dish and zero plane, not the horse head, to avoid damaging the relief.
The message “Component must be big before it can be edited” is normal. Click OK and continue.
A stylus/tablet gives much better control with the smudge brush, but the process also works with a mouse.
Slightly deepening the subtractive dish ensures small high spots in the relief do not stick up above the carved dish surface.