This fun project is intended to inspire you to make a face! A Tree Face, that is. The included project files have eyes, nose and a mustached mouth ready to carve, as well as a couple customizable files to get you started.

You can make your own models in Aspire using photos of faces as a reference. Photos are imported into Aspire, vectors drawn and the shapes are made from the vectors. You can use Aspire’s Sculpting Tools to blend, smooth and add some details. (That’s what I did.)

If you’ve never done anything like this, please refer to the excellent modeling tutorials on the Vectric website (vectric.com) for some great tips and how-to instructional videos to help you along!

found on the internet

Vectric Project Tutorial

Main items you will need:

1) The Project Files (included):• Face_1_Parts.crv3d

2) Board with the following dimensions:

3) Sandpaper, outdoor acrylic paints and construction adhesive

4) A Dremel-type rotary tool with assorted sanding wheels and bits to sand small details and speed up preparation for finishing.

• Eye-and-Brow_Only.crv3d*• Nose-Mustache_2.crv3d*(*optional customizable design files)

PVC 1x6 Trim Board: 0.75 " x 5.5 " x 14 "

www.vectric.com

Sample Carved with:

ShopBot Buddy

www.shopbottools.com

®

PRSalpha BT48

Compatible withCurrent Version of:

Designed by Michael Tyler - April 2017 A-85

Project TutorialFor more FREE projects visit - www.vectric.com

PASSIONATE ABOUT CNC

CNC Bits used for the Sample:

" 0.125 " Tapered Ball Nose (BN)0.25 Down-Cut End Mill (EM)

Designed for Vectric™ by Michael Tyler

Go Ahead - Make A Face!

This mounted faceis about7 " x 9 "

STEP 1 - Open and Review the Project FilesStart your Aspire software and open the project file(s). (fig. 1)

Carefully review all the toolpaths and make any necessary changes to suit your particular bits and machine. The toolpaths are currently set with feed and speeds that were used in creating the original sample. Please don’t use them directly until you review them for your own setup.

You can edit the tools and change the settings to your own preferences and requirements. It is very important to recalculate all toolpaths after making any edits/changes. Once you have recalculated for your own machine and bits, reset the preview, then preview all toolpaths again to visually verify the project outcome on-screen.

The project is designed with tabs to hold parts in place during the final part cut outs. You may delete the tabs if you use some other reliable hold-down method.

NOTE: Feel free to customize and use the optional eye and nose-mustache files, or create your own original face designs!

STEP 2 - Run the ProjectWhen you are satisfied with your settings, save the toolpaths to the appropriate Post Processor for your machine. Place your material on your machine bed and proceed to run the files. (fig. 2a, 2b)

Page 2

(cont.)

STEP 3 - Separate Parts from MaterialSeparate the parts from the material. Sand off tabs and undesirable toolmarks. (fig. 3a, 3b)

fig. 2a

fig. 2b

fig. 1

Roughing Pass machined

Finish Pass machined and parts cut out

Vectric Project Tutorialwww.vectric.com

Face_1_Parts.crv3d

fig. 3a

Separate the parts from the material

fig. 3b

Sand off tabs and toolmarks.

NOTE: Carved PVC trim board has a naturally very fine, sandy texture.

Make A Face!

Page 3

STEP 4 - Apply FinishApply your choice of finish. Here’s what I used on the sample Tree Face made of PVC trim board:(fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d)

• Applied base coat of outdoor acrylic craft paint and stippled various shades of brown, tan and white randomly over the surface to simulate tree bark

• Applied darker shades of paint selectively to enhance detail and make a subtle hint of bark/wood grain and painted the backsides a dark color (I chose black)

• My tree had some lichen/moss on the bark’s mounting area, so I speckled/dabbed some pale green paint on the parts to match

STEP 5 - Mounting Face Parts To A Tree1) Determine position of parts and make note of the contact areas. I rubbed each part firmly on the tree to scratch the backside where contact was made. (fig. 5a)

2) Sand off the paint on the back where the contact areas are. (fig. 5b)

3) Apply a glob of Construction Adhesive. (fig. 5c)

4) Press the parts onto the tree bark. You can use some painter’s tape to hold parts from slipping, but I didn’t need to - the adhesive held the parts firmly! (fig. 5d)

IN CONCLUSIONI hope you enjoyed making faces! Happy Carving!

Michael Tyler

fig. 4a

fig. 4b

fig. 4c

fig. 4d

Vectric Project Tutorialwww.vectric.com

(cont.)

Make A Face!

Applied base coat of outdoor acrylic craft paint

Stippled on various shades of paint to simulate tree bark

Applied darker shades of paint selectively to enhance detail

Speckled/dabbed some pale green paint to simulate tree bark lichen

Position parts and note contact points

fig. 5a

fig. 5b

fig. 5c

fig. 5dfig. 5d

Page 4

• 3M Radial Bristle Discs from mcmaster.com or amazon.com(stack 3 discs at a time on your rotary tool mandrel) 80-grit: part # 4494A19 220-grit: part # 4494A18

• • Construction Adhesive• Sandpaper• Disposable Brushes and Paint Rags

1x6 Trim Board (actual 0.75 " thick x 5.5 " wide )

Items Purchased at Home Depot™ or Lowes™

Vectric Project Tutorialwww.vectric.com

Materials Source Page

• Acrylic Craft Paints for Outdoor Use

Items Purchased at Hobby Lobby™ or Michael’s Arts & Crafts™

Construction Adhesive(several kinds available - this one dries clear)

Page 5

The trademarks, service marks and logos used and displayed in this document are registered and unregistered Trademarks of Vectric and others.

RESOURCES...There are numerous resources for Vectric software owners to make their experience with their products more enjoyable. The Vectric website includes video tutorials and more, to provide a good overview of the software products and how to use them. Please visit the Support page for a complete listing of available resources for you.

Vectric Support: http://support.vectric.com/

Vectric User Forum:

Every owner should join the Vectric User Forum where fellow users share their experience and knowledge on a daily basis. It is a FREE service that you will surely appreciate. A handy Search Feature helps you find answers to any questions you may have. There are Gallery sections as well, where you can post and view photos of projects created with Vectric software.

IMPORTANT: Before outputting any toolpaths you should carefully check all part sizes and the material setup to make sure they are appropriate for your actual setup.You should also check and re-calculate all toolpaths with safe and appropriate settings for your material, CNC machine and tooling.

Terms of Use: This Project and artwork is provided on the understanding that it will only be used with Vectric software programs. You may use the designs to carve parts for sale but the Files and/or Vectors, Components or Toolpaths within them (or any derivatives) may not be converted to other formats, sold to, or shared with anyone else. Copyright 2017 - Vectric Ltd.

http://www.vectric.com/forum/

This project was created by Michael Tyler and is

Vectric Project Tutorialwww.vectric.com

Additional Resources