How does Scale Model Height work to fit the whole 3D model's depth to my material thickness?

Overview

Scale Model Height applies a global scaling to your final composite model. It lets you fit a design within the available material, or manage the depth of cuts, without adjusting the height of each contributing component individually. It changes the Z height only, not the X and Y size. All visible components scale together, so the relationships between them are preserved.

Rule of thumb: design at whatever height feels right, then use Scale Model Height at the end to make the whole design fit the material.

Accessing Scale Model Height

For the entire Composite Model:

• Use the Scale Model Z Height command in the Model menu, or the Scale z height of model icon on the modeling toolbar.
• Or, in the Material Setup form, click the Set... button in the Scale Model Height section. This opens the Set Model Height form. Enter a new height, click Apply, check the 3D model, then click Close to return to Material Setup.

In VCarve Pro the Model menu command is named Scale Model Z Height.

For individual components:

In Component Properties (double-click a component), use the Shape Height slider or type a percentage. This changes only the selected component, so one component gets taller or shorter relative to the others. Use it mid-design to adjust specific elements.

When to Use

• An imported STL or clipart model is too tall for your material.
• You want a more or less dramatic relief depth.
• After assembling several components, the overall model is taller than intended.
• You want to standardize models to a specific height for consistent results.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Scale Model Height (Model menu, modeling toolbar icon, or the Set... button in Material Setup).
2. Drag the Scale Height slider to increase or decrease the model height as a percentage of its original height (the height when you opened the tool). 100% is no change, 50% is half the starting height and 150% is one and a half times.
3. Or click Set Exact Height... and type the height you want in the current working units. This is more precise than the slider for production work. For example, if the material is 0.75 inch thick and you want the model 0.5 inch deep, type 0.5.
4. In a two-sided job, tick Scale Both Sides to scale both sides. If it is unticked, only the side you are working on is scaled.
5. Check the result in the 3D view, then click OK/Apply to keep the change. Close/Cancel exits and discards the change.

Level Base Heights are scaled proportionally when you scale the composite model's height.

Common Examples

• Fitting to material: you imported a clipart model 1.5 inch tall but your material is only 0.75 inch thick. Click Set Exact Height, enter a height that leaves some material below the model (for example 0.6 inch), and apply.
• A shallower carving: a customer wants the depth reduced from 0.5 inch to 0.3 inch. Set the slider to 60% and apply.
• Repurposing a deep relief for thin material: instead of rebuilding a relief designed for 2 inch stock, enter the new target height, recalculate toolpaths and preview.
• Combining two designs: Scale Model Height brings the whole composite up or down. To change one design relative to the other, adjust its Shape Height in Component Properties instead.
• Two-sided jobs: untick Scale Both Sides if the top and bottom need different depths.

Scale Model Height vs. Offset Model

Scale Model Height is a proportional change in depth (VCarve Pro and Aspire). Offset Model (Aspire only) grows or shrinks the whole surface by a set distance, for example for mold clearance. See the entry on Offset Model.

Typical Starting Heights by Material Thickness

These are starting points to test on scrap, not rules. The right height depends on the design and the detail you need.

The model height should not exceed your material thickness. If it does, increase the material thickness in Job Setup or Material Setup, or use Scale Model Height to reduce the model. Always preview your toolpaths after scaling to confirm nothing unexpected happened to deep detail areas. The model must be thinner than the material. The Material Setup form shows the model thickness and lets you position the model within the material with Gap Above Model or Gap Below Model.

Pro Tips

• Scale first, then sculpt. Sculpting at the wrong height wastes effort if you scale afterward.
• Check the model thickness against the material thickness in Material Setup before creating toolpaths.
• In thin material (half an inch or less), the practical maximum height is small, so test how much detail survives.