How do Document Variables work in VCarve Pro & Aspire for parametric sign making and reusable job templates?

Overview

Document Variables let you define named values in one place and reference them in the calculation boxes of your toolpath forms: depths, dimensions and formulas. Change the variable once, recalculate, and every toolpath that references it updates. This is the foundation of parametric toolpath settings, and it is particularly handy for sign shops that make the same sign in several sizes. Document Variables are numbers for calculation boxes. They are not text placeholders and they cannot be placed inside text objects. For batch name or text plates, use the Plate Production tool instead.

Creating Document Variables

Method 1: Edit menu

Edit > Document Variables > New Variable section > type a Name, type a Value > Add

Method 2: right-click any calculation box

Right-click a numeric entry field in a toolpath form that supports variables > Insert New Document Variable > name it and give it a value. It is inserted into the field immediately.

Naming rules:

• Must start with a letter
• Can then contain letters, numbers and underscores
• No spaces or special characters
• Examples: plank_thickness, sign_depth, pocket_depth_v1

Using Variables in Toolpaths

In any numeric field in a toolpath form (Cut Depth, Start Depth and so on), type the variable name enclosed in single curly braces:

{sign_depth}

Or use it in a formula:

{sign_depth} + 0.1
{plank_thickness} / 2

Important: in toolpath fields, do NOT press the = key. Type the variable or formula and it stays a dynamic reference, evaluated when the toolpath is calculated. Pressing = evaluates the calculation immediately and fills the box with a fixed number, which removes the variable link.

In drawing tools: an expression typed into a drawing dimension field needs the = key to evaluate. That evaluates it once to a fixed number, so vectors you have already drawn do not update if you later change the variable. The drawing side is not parametric.

Built-in Letters in Calculation Boxes

Calculation boxes also accept single letters (not case-sensitive) that stand for stored job values:

These are plain letters, not variables, so they are not wrapped in braces. Examples:

• z - 0.1 = 0.1" less than material thickness (useful for not cutting through the spoilboard)
• z / 2 = half the material thickness
• x / 2 = half the job width

Parametric Sign Shop Workflow

Setup:

1. Create a job for the standard sign size
2. Define variables such as sign_depth = 0.25 and border_inset = 0.5
3. Set the toolpath depths using {sign_depth} instead of 0.25

When a customer orders a different depth:

1. Edit > Document Variables > change sign_depth from 0.25 to 0.35
2. Recalculate All Toolpaths. Every toolpath using {sign_depth} updates

When the material thickness changes:

1. Edit the Job Setup and update the material thickness
2. Toolpaths using the z or t letters pick up the new value on recalculate

Export and Import Variables

Variables can be exported to a text file and imported into another job. When importing:

• Existing variables with the same name are overwritten by the imported values
• New variable names from the imported file are added

This lets you maintain a standard "variables template" and apply it to new jobs for consistent defaults.

Deleting Variables

A variable can only be deleted if:

1. No toolpath is currently using it in a calculation
2. No toolpath creation forms are currently open

Close all toolpath forms first, then delete unused variables from the Document Variables dialog.