Celtic Weave In Vectric's VCarve

Overview

This video explains how to create a custom Celtic Weave border in Vectric Aspire/VCarve, moving beyond built-in circle/square examples. The workflow uses vector drawing, node editing, layering, offsets, and manual trimming to produce a unique weave around any shape.

Steps

1. Set up boundary and guide vectors

   • Create or import an inner and outer boundary vector around the desired shape.
   • Offset the inner vector outward by the centerline distance (e.g., 0.75″ if the weave area is 1.5″ wide).
   • Offset the inner vector outward and the outer vector inward by a small guide distance (e.g., 0.25″) to create the arc guides.

2. Create and place chevrons

   • Draw a triangle sized to half the weave width (e.g., 0.75″ × 0.75″).
   • Delete the bottom vector to form a chevron.
   • Copy the chevron along the centerline vector, spacing them edge-to-edge (e.g., every 0.75″).
   • Manually adjust chevrons around corners to keep the spacing visually even.

3. Offset the chevrons

   • Offset each chevron outward by the guide distance (e.g., 0.25″).
   • Avoid selecting all chevrons at once; overlapping vectors cause problems. Offset every other chevron, or do them individually.

4. Draw the connecting arcs

   • Create a new layer for arcs.
   • For each chevron, draw an arc from the top point to the right, ending where it meets the offset of the adjoining chevron.
   • Repeat for the bottom side of the chevron, using the inner guide line to set the arc curvature.
   • Extend any short guide vectors as needed.

5. Explode and join vectors

   • Use the Explode Vectors gadget to break the chevrons into individual vectors.
   • Place the exploded vectors on their own layer.
   • Join the left side of each chevron with the top arc, and the right side with the bottom arc, using Join Vectors.

6. Offset the joined vectors

   • Offset every other joined vector outward by the guide distance (0.25″).
   • Repeat for the bottom set.
   • Join the common vectors into one continuous undulating vector.
   • Minimize the number of nodes where possible.
   • Extend the ends so they overlap the neighboring vectors.

7. Prepare the V-carve spacing

   • Copy the sets of vectors to a new layer.
   • Offset the top set outward by a small value (e.g., 0.04″).
   • Offset the bottom set inward by the same amount.
   • The offset amount controls the V-carve line spacing; adjust by trial and error.

8. Clip and trim to reveal the weave

   • Identify a repeating shape, such as an inverted “J,” and delete intersecting vectors around it.
   • Use the snipping tool to remove unwanted vector segments.
   • Hold the left mouse button while snipping to delete faster.
   • Continue trimming until the weave pattern looks clean.

9. Clean up corners and transitions

   • Node editing and vector cutting may be needed wherever the weave changes direction or turns a corner.

10. Create toolpaths

• For rough lumber, make a pocket toolpath first.
• Then create a V-carve toolpath using the final weave vectors.
• Optional: create additional vector sets to produce a flat-bottomed pocket with V-carved side walls, suitable for resin or inlay.

Key Points / Warnings