Introducing The Zero Plane - Part 33 - Vectric For Absolute Beginners

Intro to the Zero Plane - Part 33 - Aspire and VCarve For Absolute Beginners
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This is the 33rd in a series of videos geared toward the person who has never worked with CAD or CAM in the Vectric Software before.
In this video, I’ll introduce the Zero Plane in the Vectric software. I’ll demonstrate a scenario in which a 3D finishing toolpath carves some rough, jagged edges. I’ll show you why the toolpath is carving those edges, then show you how to prevent that from happening by using a Zero Plane. We’ll then calculate a new 3D finishing toolpath and Preview it.
As usual, if you have any comments or questions about anything I covered in this video, please put ‘em in the comment section below.
On Sunday, October 13th, I’ll be hosting a LIVE Q&A session, where you can ask your questions pertaining to anything I covered in this video. That Q&A starts at 3 pm Eastern time, Noon Pacific time. Hope to see you there!
Here’s a link: • Q&A #9 - Zero Plane in...
Thanks for watching!
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Link to the Vectric for the Absolute Beginner Playlist: • Vectric for the Absolu...
Link to the 3D Modeling for the Absolute Beginner playlist: • 3D Carving for Beginners
Link to the Vcarving for the Absolute Beginner playlist: • V-Carving for the Abso...
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For more information on, or to download a free trial of Cut 2D, VCarve, or Aspire, visit the Vectric website at:
www.vectric.com/
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I appreciate your support!
This video is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
#Aspire #VCarvePro #Tutorial #Beginner

[@tpsooner7816]

Mark, I love your videos! You go at a nice pace and are very thorough. I sure appreciate it!

[@billypeacock8520]

I just have to keep watching this. Every time I find where I made one more bo-bo. thanks again.

[@larrylambeth8610]

Been struggling with a project for days trying to get rid of that ridge. Someone mentioned Zero Plane and I had no idea what it was. Thank you for the video - this fixed my problem!!!

[@jamesg2382]

Super helpful. Perfect length for the explanation. Much appreciated.

[@jimhester2004]

Great video, Mark! This is the first time I've seen anything about the zero plane that I can get my head around and finally understand some of what it's for. Thanks!

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you, Jim! I'll be doing more videos on the Zero Plane a little later, and some of them may conflict with what I said in this video, but that'll become more apparent as we progress. Thanks for checking it out!

[@michaelryan2622]

If one gets anything in the wrong order like click on model border {which you Have to have} or don't orient the zero plane right or get your base height and model thickness mismatched etcetc everything blows up.

[@agp24432]

Another great video Mark in my opinion your tutorials are the best on youtube easy to follow very concise and a pleasure to watch great work.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you very much for he kind words, Alan! I really do appreciate it.

[@skamp69ab]

You are making me consider changing from carveco to vetric

[@Faridgamerpro]

No sabes lo muuuuucho que estuve buscando solución para este problema! en verdad mil mil gracias, me dedico a hacer guitarras electricas y en especial para los brazos es donde tenia problema, super calara tu información.. tengo la versión 8 de Aspire, espero que eso no sea problema, saludos desde la ciudad de México

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Gracias mi amigo. El plano cero debería funcionar igual en la versión 8. No debería tener ningún problema.

[@block9390]

perfectly explained, excellent vid

[@homoresius]

simple explained and extremely helpful as usual! Thanx!

[@BruceMac]

Vectric should hire you Mark!

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you for the kind words, Bruce, but if they did, I wouldn't be able to go into as much detail. They have to gear their tutorials toward all skill levels at once. I can slow things down and get back to the basics. Still, thank you for checking out the video. I do hope you find it useful.

[@FredStoverink]

Thank you for this.

[@jonwithrow4832]

As always another great instructional video

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you very much, Jon!

[@barrycurtis7962]

Great Video as usual And yes I did learn something from it

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you, Barry - glad to hear it!

[@nexan21]

thank you , very helpful

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you! Your Mancala board looks gorgeous! Nicely done!

[@dennisdonnelly3534]

good job thank you for this information. I would have spent hours trying to figure out why I was having issues with my carvings.

[@cncnutz]

Excellent video. Thanks Mark.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you, Peter! I do appreciate it!

[@dptp9lf]

Thanks Mark! Now that your video is short i can go watch Dave's video... LOL

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thanks, Lyle! (I think... lol)

[@Crite68]

Great stuff. As expected..

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you very much!

[@resorter66]

I will be with you this afternoon also

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Hope to see you there, Jeff!

[@HaribandhuGupta]

Great and indeed the best tutorials shared ever. Please suggest the best components to run this software smoothly.

[@grantclarke4713]

Great info.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you! I hope you found it helpful!

[@HarnealMedia]

Good info Mark

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you, Steve!

[@DaveGatton]

Wait just a danged minute. Only a thirteen minute video?? I want a refund. :-) Great video as usual Mark.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

I know, right? I'm getting sloppy in my old age...

[@MrJeeten15]

Thanks for the video but i am same problem in 3d model, can you have solution for it.

[@b-radg916]

VERY helpful … thanks Mark! So, is there a reason NOT to have a Zero Plane on top of 3D models?

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you! There are cases where a zero plane isn't needed, as they won't give you any benefit, but I can't think of a case where they would cause a problem. If anyone knows of a case where a zero plane might cause an issue, please let me know!

[@stilljustaguy]

I'm importing a STL, its making me set a zero plan. If i go above the zero plane my model is out side the work area. If i set the zero plan in the middle, there is some parts that are under the zero plan that wont be cut. How do I fix this issue?

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

You have almost perfect timing. I'm going to discuss this very thing on my Live Q&A on Sunday, July 7th at Noon Pacific time, 3pm Eastern time. I hope you can join us, as I'm going to answer your question directly. It's a common question, but it's way too much to try to type out in text.

[@stilljustaguy]

@@MarkLindsayCNC yes I will have to sit in. Thanks

[@davidtownsend1039]

Thanks for another great tutorial, Mark. So the burning question I have is why doesn't the software add the zero-plane component at material creation? Adjustments could then be made to the component as needed further into the modelling.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Good question, David. The main reason is because the software doesn't know what you're going to do with the project (if it's going to be 3D or just 2D flat work.) If you do create or use a 3D model, it doesn't know your intended use of it, so the automatic addition of a zero plane might interfere with your plans. Some folks create models for export in file formats that can be opened by other CAM software (STL files and such,) and a zero plane would get in the way of that. The zero plane is an option to be added if needed. Not every file or model will need one, so they leave it up to you to decide when to use it.

[@davidtownsend1039]

@@MarkLindsayCNC Makes sense. Thanks for the quick reply and clear explanation.

[@eitantal726]

Think of it as "white" vs "transparent". Initially, Your height map is colorless at the edges, not white. (Even though it looks white) After adding the zero plane, areas which were previously transparent, are now white. when the tool path gets calculated, transparent areas have no input on the path, but white areas do. It would have been obvious & intuitive if transparent was assigned a special pattern. (Transparent is often shown a checkerboard in other programs)

[@eitantal726]

If a zero plane was always present, converting model to vector will always give you a rectangle vector of the entire material

[@resorter66]

Mark Another great Video. Do you have plans on talking about the new features in Vcarve Pro 10

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

I don't plan on demonstrating all of the features in one video, Jeff. Vectric has already done that, so I'd just be making their video in my voice. I don't see any value in that. I will be demonstrating new features as I run across them in the course of making my tutorials, if it's relevant to the topic.

[@resorter66]

@@MarkLindsayCNCthat n.v takes sence.

[@EightiesTV]

Why not just revolve a profile using the Turn And Spin function, creating a clean, parametrically-defined shape instead of a scaled multifaceted object?

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Mainly because VCarve users don't have the Turn and Spin function that Aspire users have - the Zero Plane is available to VCarve users. You can certainly do that in Aspire, and it's a great option. This video was meant to be an introduction to what the Zero Plane is and what it does. One icon to click to add a Zero Plane takes care of most issues that people who are just getting into 3D carving encounter when trying to carve a dish shape into a material.

[@selwynadelson]

Hi Mark - another excellent video. Would you need the zero plane if you were modelling a dome rather than a dish?

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Thank you, Selwyn. No, you don't need a Zero Plane for a dome. I demonstrate further in later videos, but basically a Zero Plane is used in cases where you're carving a 3D recess. If you're carving away the surface of the material to leave a model standing proud, projecting upward, a Zero Plane is almost never needed. There are special situations where you would use one, but I get into that in other videos down the road.

[@selwynadelson]

@@MarkLindsayCNC Thanks Mark - as I thpough

[@jamesmerideth6305]

So I’m confused. Does this actually affect how the project is carved by the cnc or only how it looks in the software?

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

It actually affects how the project is carved by the CNC router. What you see in the preview, is what you'll get on the machine.

[@jamesmerideth6305]

@@MarkLindsayCNC thanks for the quick response Mark. You have created a fantastic library of training and knowledge on your site and it is appreciated. I have to admit though I can’t quite picture in this case how the machine would actually creat this ragged edge.

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

The toolpath that the software calculates follows the pixels that make up the model. Without the zero plane, the toolpath will carve down to the last pixel found in the model. The zero plane fills in any gaps between the top of the model (in this case, the edge of the dish) and the surface of your material.

[@michaelplisch8202]

When trying to create the vector boundary I get a no vectors selected box over and over again I know I’m missing something but I can’t figure it out

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

If you're having trouble creating the vector boundary, make sure you have the model or component selected, then click the Create Vector Boundary Around Selected Component icon in the Modeling tab. If you're trying to use that vector boundary, try going into the toolpath first, then select that boundary vector, set up the toolpath, and calculate.

[@rvabarndoors]

Is limit plane the same thing as zero plane?

[@michaelryan2622]

still confusing and sometimes just plain doesn't get rid of the jaggies. If I redo it, it works, go figure.

[@BBQGuru1008]

Another great video Mark. In a prior video (3d part #19) where you used the Zero Plane the toolpath extended across the entire material surface and not just inside the selected vector. What did you do different in this video? Thanks!

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

In that other video, I didn't machine to the selected vector. That was a mistake on my part. Good eye!

[@BBQGuru1008]

@@MarkLindsayCNC Thanks for the follow-up video, I made the project in video #19 and the bit started hitting my hold-downs since it was running across the material surface. This video was very timely! Thanks again!

[@LadyandCarpenter]

If you reverse the dome and take away everything outside of the vector it leaves jagged edges on the walls. How do you make that go away?

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

I'll be doing a video on the Zero Plane with an Additive Combine Mode in a couple of weeks. I'd like to try to replicate your situation and use that for the demonstration. Please shoot me a message through my website, because I have a couple of questions about your situation that I need to make sure I get right for your situation. Thank you for watching, and thank you for the question!

[@mamoonnaseer1886]

Do you any plan to do videos on vcarve for laser machines?

[@MarkLindsayCNC]

Not at the moment, no. I don't have a laser, so it would be impossible for me to demonstrate one.

[@mamoonnaseer1886]

@@MarkLindsayCNC Oh I though I saw a video where you demonstrated small desktop laser machine