What is the Clipart system in VCarve Pro and Aspire, and how do I use and manage clipart in my projects?

Applies to: VCarve Pro and Aspire 12.5. The Clipart tab and the Sketch Carving toolpath are in both products.

The Clipart system provides access to pre-made 3D components and 2D vector art that can be dragged directly into your design. It is one of the fastest ways to add professional-quality elements without modeling from scratch.

Accessing Clipart

Open the Clipart tab. It provides quick access to V3M files and 2D vector artwork through two browsers:

• Library Browser: gives quick access to folders you use often. Click Add Folder, choose the folder, and its clipart (and the folders inside it) appear in the browser. Remove Folder only removes it from the library, it does not delete files from your computer
• Local Files: shows thumbnails of the project and clipart files (.crv or .v3m) in any folder you pick from the file tree. You can also right-click a folder and choose Add folder to library

Types of Clipart Files

• .v3m: single 3D model component, the proprietary clipart format sold through the software maker's clipart stores
• .3dClip: 3D clipart that keeps the component structure of the piece, so it imports every component that makes it up (Aspire exports it from the Model menu)
• .crv3d: an Aspire project file. Opening it creates a single component from all the visible 3D components in the file
• STL, OBJ and other third-party meshes: imported through the Import a Component or 3D Model tool, which opens an orientation form before they become components

Using Clipart in a Design

Method 1: Drag and Drop

• Drag a clipart thumbnail from the Clipart tab into the 2D or 3D view
• The clipart is imported and added to the Component Tree

Method 2: Double-click

• Double-click a clipart thumbnail to place it in the center of the job

Method 3: Right-click, Import to Level

• Right-click a piece of clipart and choose Import to Level, then pick an existing level or create a New Level (you enter a name and a combine mode). The clipart is positioned in the center of the workspace and added to the top of that level

Other right-click options: Open Containing Folder, and Download (for clipart included in the clipart packs that has not been downloaded yet)

After Importing

The component appears in the Component Tree. You can:

• Resize using the transform handles in the 2D or 3D view
• Change the combine mode (Add, Merge High, Subtract, etc.)
• Apply tilt and fade in Component Properties
• Scale height in Component Properties
• Bake with other components

Included Clipart and Online Content

The software includes clipart packs. Some files are online and have to be downloaded to your computer first. The Cloud icon shows or hides online clipart that is not downloaded yet, and Refresh signs in to your customer portal account to access the clipart available to you (an internet connection is required). More clipart is available from the software maker's Design and Make store and from third-party sources.

Creating Your Own Clipart Library

1. Design a component or group of components
2. Select the model and use Model, then Export as 3D Clipart to export it as a .3dClip file
3. Save it to a folder, and add that folder to the Library Browser with Add Folder
4. The file now appears in the Clipart tab for reuse in any project

Clipart Folder Setup

• Use Add Folder in the Library Browser, or right-click a folder in Local Files and choose Add folder to library
• Consider organizing folders by type (borders, animals, signs) so thumbnails are easy to find

Using 3D Clipart with the Sketch Carving Toolpath

The Sketch Carving toolpath can work from a 3D model as well as a bitmap. It uses the differences in contrast to create a sketching-style carving of the outline, so you get the look of the design without a full 3D roughing and finishing machining pass. Treat it as a different look from a 3D carve rather than an equivalent, and test on scrap.