04. Getting Started - One-Time Setup

One-time setup

Before we can begin, however, we must complete a couple of one-time steps to ensure your newly installed software is correctly configured. We will start by showing you how to log in to Vectric's online portal, V&Co. Here you will be able to download many other tutorials & projects, clipart packs and software updates. It is also the place you will find your personal product license code and you can return to it any time should you need to recover this licence information or use the main product installer again for any reason in the future. We will also use V&Co to access our online Machine Database. We can use this to automatically configure your software for the make and model of your CNC machine. Licensing and configuring your software typically only needs to be completed once and if you are online they can both be completed almost entirely automatically with just a few clicks.

Licence Management & Your V&Co Account

It is important that your investment in our high quality CNC software is protected and that Vectric can continue to create great software in the future - you will, therefore, have a unique personal licence for the software that you have purchased.

This licence is associated with your Vectric V&Co account, and can be accessed at anytime via https://portal.vectric.com. To log in to your V&Co account you will need to use the email address (which must be uniquely yours) and password that you registered with us when your account was created - please keep these details safe. Your registered email address is the way by which we can verify your ownership of the software.

Important Note: you can reset your password at any time using your registered email account and the forgotten password link provided on the V&Co log in page. If you need to change your registered email address it is important to do this before you lose access to the one to which the software is registered. If you can no longer access your registered email, you will need to contact us directly at support@vectric.com but please note that you will now need to be able to provide independent and alternative proof of your identity and purchase.

Within your V&Co account there is a unique digital code for each piece of Vectric software you have purchased. When you first run our software on your laptop or PC you will be prompted to provide this information. If you are installing onto a computer that is online (i.e. with unrestricted internet access available) you can complete this process almost entirely automatically - this is the fastest and easiest method.

The software will simply launch your web browser and prompt you to log in to your portal account. The software will then show the appropriate license that is available to be linked. Simply accept the link and you're good to go!

Once you have completed this process after initial install you will not be required to do it again unless you change computers or need to re-install the software afresh. Your software is now uniquely licenced to you and your details will always be shown in the main interface - even when you are offline, or online but not logged-in.

You can also log into your V&Co account from within the software at any time when you are connected to the internet to enable additional online features and services such as your clipart collection or online tool database.

When logged-in, your software will indicate this in the top right corner of the main window. Please note, the one-time licensing of your software and routinely logging in when using your software are independent concepts. Your personal product licensing is unaffected by your V&Co logged-in status.

We have also ensured that you can complete the software licensing process without having a live internet connection. The process is less automatic and details of the steps can be found here.

CNC Machine Tool Configuration

The software supports hundreds of different types of CNC machine, so the the next thing we will need to do is configure the software for your particular make and model. Correct configuration comprises two elements - appropriate tool settings in the tool database for your CNC machine and setting the 'translation' file (the Post-Processor) needed to create a toolpath file that your specific machine tool controller can understand.

Base de données d'outils

Configuring the software will create a default tool database with tool definitions include cutter movement speeds ("feedrates") that *should* be a reasonable starting point for you to edit the entries for the tool types that you have, according to the recommendations from your CNC machine manufacturer for each material. Appropriate tool settings are the result of a complex interaction of the tool's shape and design, the nature of the material you intend to cut and the strength and power of your CNC machine. Don't use any default settings without first considering whether they are appropriate for your circumstances.

We will look at the Tool Database in more detail in the Toolpath Creation section below.

Post Processors

Your software can create toolpath files for hundreds of different CNC machines and controllers. To achieve this, the software creates an internal representation of a toolpath. Only when this toolpath is saved does it get 'translated' into the specific format required by your CNC machine.

The translation instructions are contained in file called a Post-Processor (because it *processes* the toolpath *after* it has been created).

Post-Processors also determing whether the toolpath movements will be presented to the machine using metric or imperial units. This must typically match the units mode you have set on your CNC machine's controller (seek advice from the manufacturer if needed). Note, however, it doesn't matter what units where used to create the original toolpath within the software - any required conversion is automatically applied when the toolpath is saved through the Post-Processor.

Job Setup - Axis Orientation

Our software is specifically designed for 3-axis CNC Machines (with additional support for an optional rotary axis). As you look at your CNC machine, the normal conventional is that left and right movement is controlled by the X-axis, forward and backward movement controlled by the Y-axis and up and down movement is controlled by the Z-axis.

In our software the width of your job will typically be equivalent to the X-axis of your CNC machine and the height of your job to its Y-axis.

Be aware that some machines are orientated so that the X & Y axes are swapped as you look at them - left to right movement may be controlled by the Y-axis and vice versa.

Use your machine's control software to jog your machine independently in each axis to make sure your expectations are correct.

Although unusual, it is possible that some post-processors will swap the X & Y toolpath coordinates après you have created your toolpaths - effectively changing the apparent orientation of you job - but this is only recommended for users who are confident of their machine's configuration and usage and not recommended for the majority of users who might not be aware of the other issues this can cause. Check with your machine tool manufacturer if you have any doubts.

It can help Orientate yourself so that when you stand before the machine, when you jog the machine to move to a higher X position, it is moving Left to Right infront of you. This can help visualise how the project design you have made in the software will translate to the bed of your machine.