What's the difference between VCarve Pro and Aspire, and which one do I need?

The one-sentence answer

The software maker's own framing: Aspire is VCarve Pro with the added ability to DESIGN 3D models. Everything VCarve Pro does, Aspire does identically: same 2D suite, same toolpaths, same gadgets, same rotary and two-sided machining.

What only Aspire has (the 3D modeling suite)

• Create Shape from vectors (flat/round/angled/smooth profiles)
• Two Rail Sweep, Extrude & Weave, Turn & Spin: building 3D forms from 2D vectors
• Interactive Sculpting & blending brushes
• Create Texture Area, Emboss, Add Draft, Offset Model
• Create Component from Bitmap (turns an image into a 3D model)
• Unlimited third-party 3D model imports (STL/OBJ etc.)

What VCarve Pro can still do with 3D

VCarve Pro is not 3D-blind. It imports multiple 3D clipart models (V3M and similar) plus a single third-party model (STL/OBJ/SKP), and it has the component tools that work on them: Component Tree with Levels, component combine modes, Level Clipping and Mirror Mode, Scale Model Height, Slice Model, Smooth Components, Distort Object, and component baking. It machines the result with the same 3D Roughing and 3D Finishing toolpaths, including in rotary jobs. What it cannot do is create or sculpt 3D shapes from scratch.

Files

VCarve Pro saves .crv files and Aspire saves .crv3d files. A .crv3d file is only compatible with Aspire, so if you may move up to Aspire later, you lose nothing by starting in VCarve Pro.

How to decide

• Buying purchased/marketplace 3D clipart and machining it → VCarve Pro is enough.
• Designing your own 3D reliefs (custom signs with modeled elements, portrait carvings, original models to sell) → Aspire.
• Start with VCarve Pro if unsure: the upgrade to Aspire costs exactly the price difference with no penalty (see the upgrade entry).