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Lacados LAKManual Vectric Aspire V12

How to use the texture toolpath in Vectric software | 2.5D Toolpaths

Overview

Section titled “Overview”

This video demonstrates how to use the Texture toolpath in Vectric Aspire V12, a 2.5D toolpath that uses the selected tool shape and a customizable algorithm to generate textured finishes. It covers applying textures to the whole job, using selected vectors as a pattern, adding start/end ramps, and combining the texture toolpath with other toolpaths in sign work.

Steps

Section titled “Steps”
  1. Open a file, then go to the Toolpaths tab.
  2. Click Texture under Toolpath Operations.
  3. If no vectors are selected, the texture will be applied to the whole job.
  4. Select a tool, for example a 1/4″ ball nose. Use Edit to adjust feeds/speeds or cutting parameters for this toolpath only.
  5. Set the Start Depth:
    • Use 0 for the top surface.
    • If cutting inside an existing pocket, enter the depth already cut (e.g. 0.125).
  6. Optionally enable Use selected vectors as pattern if you want to drive the texture with selected vectors.
  7. Set the Maximum Cut Depth and Minimum Cut Depth.
  8. Set the Maximum Cut Length and Minimum Cut Length.
  9. Set the Overlap percentage:
    • 1% = almost no overlap between scallops.
    • 50% = scallops machined halfway over adjacent scallops.
  10. Set the Variation slider to control how random the overlap is:
  • High variation = more random.
  • Low variation = more constant pattern.
  1. Set the Stepover to control spacing between parallel lines of scallops.
  2. Set the Angle:
  • 0 = parallel to X-axis.
  • 90 = parallel to Y-axis.
  1. Click Calculate, then preview the result. Undo and tweak settings as needed.
  2. Use Save to store texture settings for reuse, or Load to reload saved settings.
  3. To use vectors as a pattern:
    • Select the desired vectors.
    • Enable Use selected vectors as pattern.
    • Adjust the available depth/ramp settings.
    • Calculate and preview.
  4. To add a fluted effect, enable a ramp at start and end so the tool ramps in, cuts, then ramps out.
  5. To combine with other toolpaths in a sign:
    • Preview existing toolpaths and note the pocket depth.
    • Create a texture toolpath and set the Start Depth to that pocket depth.
    • Select a suitable tool, e.g. 1/8″ ball nose.
    • Adjust cut depth, cut length, overlap, variation, stepover, and angle.
    • Calculate and preview.
  6. If the texture cuts into text or borders, undo, then set a Boundary Vector Offset to create a “halo” gap. For a 1/8″ tool, an offset around 0.07 was used.

Key Points / Warnings

Section titled “Key Points / Warnings”
  • The texture toolpath is highly interactive; experiment with settings and different tool shapes for different results.
  • If no vectors are selected, the texture covers the whole job.
  • Editing tool settings in the texture toolpath affects only that toolpath, not the stored tool database values.
  • When using selected vectors as a pattern, some options are greyed out, but you can still control cut depths and