CNC Guide

1. What is VCarve Makerspace Edition?
2. Activating
3. Downloading & Installing
4. Using Files at PPLD

What is VCarve Makerspace Edition?

VCarve Makerspace Edition is a special version of VCarve that enables patrons to use VCarve Pro on their home computers to create projects to use with the CNC located at Library 21c. Patrons can download the trial version of VCarve Pro and connect it to the PPLD Makerspace using a Makerspace connected Vectric account, allowing unlimited use of the trial version. Projects created on the Makerspace Edition can only be used in the Makerspace that they are connected to, but there are no other limits in terms of features or number of uses of the software.

Why do I need an account with Vectric?

After installing VCarve, you will need to sign into the software with a Vectric account. This will enable you to connect your copy of the software to PPLD's Makerspaces and have free access to it. The account is created, stored, and managed by Vectric Ltd and PPLD has no access to it other than to allow it to be used to connect to the Makerspace. Please see Vectric's privacy policy for more information on how your data is used by them.

VCarve on the CNC computer at Library 21c will not open a project from the trial version that was saved without being signed in to your Vectric account and result in the following message. Make sure to save your project while signed in before bringing it to the makerspace.

Note: Prior to version 11.5, VCarve did not require an account and instead used a license key to connect home users to the Makerspace. It is highly recommended that users of previous versions of the software upgrade and create an account as files created in version 11.0 and earlier can have compatibility issues when opening them on PPLD's computers.

Before using the trial version of VCarve, you need to connect it to the PPLD Makerspace by creating an account with Vectric.

1. Go to the link below labeled "Makerspace Invitation".
2. Put in your email address.
3. Open your email and look for an email from vectric.com with the subject "Vectric Makerspace Invitation".
4. Open the email and click on the link in the message.
5. Create an account with Vectric (or log into your existing one if you already have signed up).
6. When you get to the page with a section titled "Pending Organization Invitation", click "Accept".
7. Download and install the VCarve software from the link provided on the next page.

Important! If you have any trouble with this process, contact the Library 21c Makerspace, not Vectric's support.

If you would like to install VCarve on your home computer, continue on from here. If you are going to only be using PPLD's computers for VCarve, you are done.

After creating an account, accepting the invitation, and downloading the installer, you need to install the program and connect your account.

1. Run the installer.
2. Open VCarve.
3. Click the "Sign in" button in the upper right corner and a browser will open.
4. If prompted, put in your username and password for your newly created account.
5. When it prompts you for an Access Request, click "Allow".
6. If you receive the message "Access Request Success", you are now ready to use VCarve.

Important notes about using the Trial version:

• You cannot save toolpaths from your computer - you will have to bring in the VCarve *.crv file. In VCarve, click Save As under the File menu and save the file to your computer. Transfer the file to a USB flash drive or upload it to cloud storage to access the file from the PPLD computer connected to the CNC.
• VCarve will need to authenticate your file as one connected to PPLD's Makerspace, which requires an internet connection. If the PPLD network is down, you will not be able to use your file. PPLD staff cannot override this authentication.
• In addition to the computer connected to the CNC, Library 21c has several computers available in the Edit Bay that have access to the full version of VCarve Pro. These computers can be used whenever the library is open (talk to a staff member to get signed into one). Files created on these computers do not need to go through the authentication process described above and you are able to save toolpaths
• If creating a file at home on the Trial version, remember to sign in to your Vectric account before saving your project.