How does Create Vector Boundary work in VCarve Pro and Aspire, and when do I need it for toolpaths?

Overview

Applies to: VCarve Pro and Aspire 12.5. Create Vector Boundary from Selected Components is in both products.

Create Vector Boundary traces the outermost silhouette of one or more selected 3D components and generates a closed vector outlining that shape. Its primary purpose is to create a boundary vector you can use to constrain 3D Roughing, 3D Finishing, and Profile (cutout) toolpaths to just the area occupied by your components.

How to Use It

1. Select the component(s) you want a boundary around in the Component Tree or by clicking their grayscale in the 2D view
2. Click the Create Vector Boundary from Selected Components icon on the Modeling tab
3. The software traces the silhouette and creates a closed vector (or group of closed vectors) in the 2D view
4. That vector is now ready to use as a toolpath boundary

Multi-component output: If the boundary requires more than one closed vector (for example the component has separate islands), the software creates them as a group. Ungroup before editing individual vectors.

The Two Main Toolpath Uses

1. Limiting 3D Roughing and Finishing

When setting up a 3D Roughing or 3D Finishing toolpath, you choose a Machining Limit Boundary:

• Model Boundary: the combined boundaries of all the components in the job (the area of the composite model that has components on it). It is not the boundary of just your selected components
• Material Boundary: the boundary of the entire material block
• Selected Vector(s): uses the vectors you have selected
• Selected Level: uses the combined boundaries of the components on the selected level

Use Create Vector Boundary when you need Selected Vector(s) mode with an exact fit to one or more specific components (not the full composite). For example: you have a background dome plus a foreground clipart, and you want the finish pass to cover only the clipart, not the entire job.

2. Profile Cutout Around a 3D Component

Generate a boundary vector, then use it as the drive vector for a Profile toolpath to cut out the component's footprint. This is a standard workflow for cutting 3D relief plaques to shape.

Workflow:

1. Select the component
2. Run Create Vector Boundary and a closed vector appears
3. Add tabs if needed (Edit Tabs on the Profile toolpath)
4. Set up a Profile toolpath with that vector as the drive, cut direction = Outside, depth = material thickness

Also Works for Mirror Mode Compositions

If you have used Mirror Mode to create a symmetrical composition, you can still create a vector boundary for it: select the components that are visible in the 2D view and apply the vector boundary. This makes it easy to create a cutout that matches the mirrored footprint.

Vector Boundary vs. Manual Drawing

You can manually draw a rectangle or shape to use as a toolpath boundary, but Create Vector Boundary is faster and more precise when:

• The component has an irregular shape (clipart, imported STL)
• You want the boundary to match the component exactly, not approximate it
• You have multiple components and want a single boundary that encompasses all of them