What's new in VCarve Pro, and is a free update from?

Is it free?

Yes. Minor updates within a major version (12.0 → 12.5) are always free. Download from your V&Co portal. (Major version jumps are paid upgrades unless you bought within 12 months of the new release.) Note: per the official FAQ, files saved in build 12.508 or later will not open in 12.507 or earlier, so update all your machines/computers to the same build together. The newest build is 12.511.

What 12.5 added (verified from the official docs)

Design & editing

• Vector, text, fillet, and trim editing directly in the 3D view, so there is less bouncing to 2D for touch-ups
• Edit Dimension objects by dragging control points
• Smart part selection (select everything inside a boundary from the right-click menu)
• Snap grid and guide lines in the 3D view; WebP image import; color-preserving bitmap fading
• Polyline enhancements (arrow keys cycle input modes) and quick node editing with shapes
• Layer improvements: duplicate, drag-reorder, filtering (hide empty layers)

Sheets & nesting

• Sheet-specific toolpaths + transfer toolpaths between sheets
• Duplicate sheet with contents; flexible nesting onto chosen sheets; enhanced Plate Production (optionally one sheet per plate)

Toolpaths & machining

• Optimized pocketing (fewer retracts)
• Acceleration-aware machining time estimates for more realistic times
• Visual toolpath status; tool-inclusive naming; peck-drilling visualization
• 3D Sketch Carving preview and a preview surface color option
• Laser Sketch Engraving (with the Laser Module)

Rotary

• Import orientation gizmo for external models in rotary jobs

3D

• Quick component baking from the context menu

Pro tips

• The acceleration-aware time estimates use your machine's acceleration characteristics, so check your machine configuration for accurate quotes.
• 12.5's sheet-specific toolpaths change multi-sheet workflow, so revisit saved templates from 12.0 jobs.