What are 25 starting-point Texture Toolpath settings for VCarve Pro & Aspire for wood grain, sandblasted, rough hewn, stone, bark, and decorative effects?

These presets are starting points to test on scrap, not tested recipes. None has been checked with a test cut, so preview each one and adjust. The Texture toolpath does not use Pass Depth; it cuts the Max Cut Depth in a single pass, so keep the depth within what your bit can take. Every setting below is a suggestion, and the random pattern differs each time you calculate.

All settings below use a 1/4" ball nose unless otherwise noted. Start Depth = 0.0 unless texturing into a pocket. Adjust stepover up for faster cuts on large panels; adjust down for finer detail on small signs.

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1. Fine Wood Grain: Soft Species (Pine, Cedar)

Best for: Outdoor signs on softwood, painted cedar panels

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.06" | Min Depth: 40%
• Max Cut Length: 0.5" | Min Length: 30%
• Max Overlap: 20% | Variation: 60%
• Stepover: 0.05" | Variation: ±0.01"
• Angle: 0°

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2. Hardwood Grain: Oak / Walnut Character

Best for: Furniture signs, premium carved panels, stained wood looks

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.10" | Min Depth: 35%
• Max Cut Length: 0.75" | Min Length: 40%
• Max Overlap: 30% | Variation: 70%
• Stepover: 0.09" | Variation: ±0.02"
• Angle: 0°

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3. Classic Sandblasted Sign Background

Best for: Replicating a sandblasted redwood/cedar sign look on MDF or HDU

• Tool: 1/4" tapered ball nose (1/8" tip)
• Max Cut Depth: 0.12" | Min Depth: 25%
• Max Cut Length: 0.6" | Min Length: 35%
• Max Overlap: 40% | Variation: 80%
• Stepover: 0.07" | Variation: ±0.02"
• Angle: 0°

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4. Bold Sandblasted: Coarse Grain on Large Panels

Best for: Large outdoor signs 24"+, viewed at distance

• Tool: 1/2" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.18" | Min Depth: 20%
• Max Cut Length: 1.0" | Min Length: 30%
• Max Overlap: 45% | Variation: 85%
• Stepover: 0.15" | Variation: ±0.04"
• Angle: 0°

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5. Weathered Barn Wood

Best for: Rustic/farmhouse signs, "old wood" aesthetic

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.20" | Min Depth: 15%
• Max Cut Length: 1.5" | Min Length: 20%
• Max Overlap: 50% | Variation: 90%
• Stepover: 0.12" | Variation: ±0.04"
• Angle: 2° (a slight angle avoids perfectly straight rows)

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6. Rough-Hewn Timber

Best for: Heavy log cabin or lodge signs, extremely rustic look

• Tool: 1/2" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.25" | Min Depth: 10%
• Max Cut Length: 2.0" | Min Length: 15%
• Max Overlap: 60% | Variation: 100%
• Stepover: 0.20" | Variation: ±0.06"
• Angle: 0°

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7. Hand-Chiseled Stone Look

Best for: Carved stone effect on HDU or MDF, monument-style signs

• Tool: 60° V-bit
• Max Cut Depth: 0.10" | Min Depth: 30%
• Max Cut Length: 0.5" | Min Length: 40%
• Max Overlap: 25% | Variation: 50%
• Stepover: 0.10" | Variation: ±0.02"
• Angle: 30° (a diagonal may give a stone-chip look)

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8. Slate / Brushed Stone

Best for: Estate signs, architectural plaques, formal stone effect

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.08" | Min Depth: 50%
• Max Cut Length: 0.4" | Min Length: 60%
• Max Overlap: 15% | Variation: 30%
• Stepover: 0.08" | Variation: ±0.01"
• Angle: 45°

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9. Bark Texture: Pine/Fir

Best for: Tree signs, wildlife carvings, nature themes

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.15" | Min Depth: 20%
• Max Cut Length: 0.8" | Min Length: 25%
• Max Overlap: 55% | Variation: 90%
• Stepover: 0.10" | Variation: ±0.03"
• Angle: 90° (vertical strokes suggest bark ridges)

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10. Bark Texture: Deep/Gnarly (Oak / Elm)

Best for: Dramatic carved tree bark, heavy relief pieces

• Tool: 1/2" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.22" | Min Depth: 10%
• Max Cut Length: 1.2" | Min Length: 15%
• Max Overlap: 65% | Variation: 95%
• Stepover: 0.14" | Variation: ±0.05"
• Angle: 85°

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11. Brushed Metal / Aluminum Look

Best for: Industrial signs, shop signs, faux metal effect on painted MDF

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.04" | Min Depth: 70%
• Max Cut Length: 2.0" | Min Length: 80%
• Max Overlap: 5% | Variation: 10%
• Stepover: 0.04" | Variation: ±0.005"
• Angle: 0°

Note: Very consistent, parallel strokes suggest machine-brushed metal

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12. Fine Linen / Fabric Texture

Best for: Decorative background panels, upholstery-look carved pieces

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.03" | Min Depth: 60%
• Max Cut Length: 0.2" | Min Length: 70%
• Max Overlap: 10% | Variation: 20%
• Stepover: 0.05" | Variation: ±0.005"
• Angle: 45°

A second pass at 135° adds a crosshatch feel. The strokes are random, so the two passes overlap loosely rather than forming a true woven grid.

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13. Crosshatch Background

Best for: Decorative panel backgrounds, Celtic or geometric signs

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Run two passes:
• Pass 1: Angle 0°, Max Depth 0.05", Max Length 0.3", Overlap 5%, Stepover 0.08"
• Pass 2: Angle 90°, same settings

Gives a loose crosshatched texture. The random strokes from the two passes are not registered to each other, so for a true grid, draw the grid lines as vectors and use "Use selected vectors as pattern".

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14. Gentle Background Texture (Subtle, Paintable)

Best for: Signs that will be painted, adding tactile interest without dominating

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.04" | Min Depth: 50%
• Max Cut Length: 0.4" | Min Length: 50%
• Max Overlap: 20% | Variation: 50%
• Stepover: 0.12" | Variation: ±0.02"
• Angle: 0°

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15. Deep Chisel Background (High Drama)

Best for: Bold carved signs for restaurants, lodges, custom art pieces

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.20" | Min Depth: 20%
• Max Cut Length: 0.6" | Min Length: 25%
• Max Overlap: 50% | Variation: 80%
• Stepover: 0.08" | Variation: ±0.02"
• Angle: 0°

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16. Quarter-Sawn Wood (Ray Fleck Appearance)

Best for: Oak-style signs, craftsman aesthetic

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.07" | Min Depth: 60%
• Max Cut Length: 0.3" | Min Length: 50%
• Max Overlap: 10% | Variation: 30%
• Stepover: 0.06" | Variation: ±0.01"
• Angle: 90° (perpendicular to the grain you are imitating)

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17. River Current / Water Flow

Best for: River, fishing, or nature-themed signs

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.08" | Min Depth: 40%
• Max Cut Length: 1.5" | Min Length: 40%
• Max Overlap: 30% | Variation: 70%
• Stepover: 0.10" | Variation: ±0.03"
• Angle: 15° (a slight diagonal suggests flowing water)

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18. Aged/Distressed Wood

Best for: Antique, vintage, or farmhouse style signs

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.15" | Min Depth: 10%
• Max Cut Length: 1.0" | Min Length: 10%
• Max Overlap: 60% | Variation: 100%
• Stepover: 0.11" | Variation: ±0.04"
• Angle: 0°

Maximum variation settings give an irregular, aged look

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19. Leather / Hide Texture

Best for: Western/cowboy signs, saddlery-themed pieces

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.05" | Min Depth: 30%
• Max Cut Length: 0.25" | Min Length: 20%
• Max Overlap: 35% | Variation: 80%
• Stepover: 0.06" | Variation: ±0.015"
• Angle: 0°

A second pass at 90° may add a pebbled leather feel

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20. Driftwood / Beach Wood

Best for: Coastal signs, beach house, nautical themes

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.12" | Min Depth: 15%
• Max Cut Length: 1.8" | Min Length: 10%
• Max Overlap: 45% | Variation: 100%
• Stepover: 0.13" | Variation: ±0.05"
• Angle: 5°

Very long strokes with maximum variation suggest weathered driftwood

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21. Rough Plaster / Stucco

Best for: Mediterranean, Tuscan, or mission-style signs

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.09" | Min Depth: 40%
• Max Cut Length: 0.35" | Min Length: 30%
• Max Overlap: 40% | Variation: 90%
• Stepover: 0.09" | Variation: ±0.03"
• Angle: 45°

A second pass at 135° adds to the stucco effect

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22. Hammered Copper / Pewter Look

Best for: Artisan metalwork signs, decorative plaques

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.06" | Min Depth: 45%
• Max Cut Length: 0.2" | Min Length: 40%
• Max Overlap: 30% | Variation: 60%
• Stepover: 0.07" | Variation: ±0.02"
• Angle: 0°

Paint metallic copper or pewter over the carved surface after cutting

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23. Smooth Wenge / Dark Wood Fine Grain

Best for: Elegant, minimal signs, modern aesthetic

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Max Cut Depth: 0.05" | Min Depth: 55%
• Max Cut Length: 0.6" | Min Length: 60%
• Max Overlap: 12% | Variation: 25%
• Stepover: 0.05" | Variation: ±0.008"
• Angle: 0°

Low variation gives a refined, even grain

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24. Knot-Pattern / Burl Wood Swirl

Best for: Artisan pieces, burl wood simulation on flat stock

• Tool: 1/4" ball nose
• Method: draw or import the swirling burl grain vectors yourself. Create Vector Texture only makes rows of wavy lines at one angle (with amplitude, wavelength and noise controls), so it cannot draw swirls or knots. Select your vectors and check "Use selected vectors as pattern".
• Max Cut Depth: 0.10" | Min Depth: 30%
• Max Overlap and Stepover do not apply in vector-pattern mode; only Max Cut Depth and Min Depth are available.

Use a clipping boundary or your own vectors to limit where the pattern cuts

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25. Rope / Wicker Texture

Best for: Nautical signs, basket-weave decorative panels

• Tool: 1/8" ball nose
• Run three passes:
• Pass 1: Angle 30°, Max Depth 0.08", Length 0.4", Overlap 25%, Stepover 0.1"
• Pass 2: Angle 150°, same settings
• Pass 3: Angle 90°, Max Depth 0.05", Length 0.3", Overlap 10%, Stepover 0.15"

Three layered passes give a rough, woven-looking surface. The random strokes are not registered, so this is a loose effect, not a true weave.

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Pro Tips for All Texture Presets

• Always preview in 3D before cutting. The pattern is random each calculation, so calculate again if the first result looks off.
• Save settings using the Save button in the Texture Toolpath form; the Load button reloads a saved set for future jobs.
• Feed and plunge rates: the cuts are shallow, so raise feed and plunge as far as your machine runs smoothly. A slow plunge rate adds a lot of runtime across many short strokes. Test on scrap first.
• Clip to the background only using vector selection. Do not let the texture run over raised letters or 3D elements.
• Project onto 3D Model (available once a 3D model is defined) for curved backgrounds, so the texture follows the surface.
• Stack two texture passes at different angles for a richer texture. It adds cut time.