Southeastern VA User Group - May 9
When I purchased my ShopBot back in November of last year, I decided that the best way to work myself through the learning curve was networking. I started with the ShopBot forums to find the technical information and answers I needed, which of course, I did. I saw a post for Bill Young’s “User Group” on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and seeing as he is located in my back yard, I decided to go check it out and pick Bill’s brain. About 8 other ShopBotters showed up and while it was all very laid back, it had what I was looking for. We discussed machine and file issues and the occasional ‘how to’ questions in a very informal, unstructured environment. The informality of it gave us all the ability to discuss a broad range of topics and actually get in some Bot time.

Having had a great time and learning a lot, I asked Bill when the next one was. He suggested that I host a user group meeting in a few months. My first thought was ‘But I just got a ShopBot! What do I know?’ but that quickly wore off and I could see the advantage of hosting the group. I asked Bill how to go about it, and he told me to post the event in the ShopBot forums and see what happens! I followed his suggestion, and now my wife and I are hosting our first group on May 9th. --- Angus Hines

You can find out more at
http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/11096/39984.html?1240318699

What's New in PartWorks2?
    
>Nest Vectors  
The Nesting tool will automatically fit vector shapes in the most efficient way it can calculate within the 2D Job area. This is a powerful way to optimize material usage and increase toolpath efficiency when cutting a number of vector shapes.
>DXF/DWG Import Library  
A completely new library has been implemented which adds the ability to import vectors from DWG format files to the other vector file formats available. This also improves the number of DXF and DWG files that can be imported by VCarve Pro. It will now support files written from all versions of AutoCAD up to the 2008 release. This is much more robust than the previous DXF import option.
>“Bone” Fillet Option
This option allows 2 new types of filleting for straight line vector corners. It will create a “bone” shaped area in the corner to allow clearance for another piece of material to be slotted into the part without being obstructed by material left by the radius of the tool.
>Fit Curves to Vectors
This allows the user to fit arcs, Bezier curves or straight lines to selected vectors. This can improve smoothness for some toolpath options and help to simplify data for modelling purposes.
>Two Tools for Pocketing
There is now an option to select a second tool when creating a Pocketing Toolpath. This will be a larger tool that VCarve Pro will use to clear out the majority of the area to be cut. The smaller tool will then come in and cut areas the larger tool could not fit into and all round the shape to finish it off. On large pockets with detailed outlines this can be more efficient than using a single small tool to cut the whole shape.
>Fluting Toolpath
This is a new type of toolpath which is similar to the existing option to profile “on” a selected vector. This feature adds the option to define a ramp at the ends of the selected vector to slope the toolpath up and down. This can be used for cutting standard woodworking “flutes”, for solid surface draining board markings or can be used for artistic engraving effects and even projected onto a 3D model.
>Inlay Toolpath
The Inlay feature will calculate either profile or pocketing toolpaths with automatic compensation for the tool radius to allow the cut-out parts to fit into the corresponding cavities. There are four types of inlay available; Straight, Stepped, Pocket and Hole. Sign Makers, plastics fabricators and woodworkers who want to inlay one piece of material into another will benefit from this feature.
>Prism Carving Toolpath
Prism carving uses an angled tool to create a raised prism shape on the top of the selected vectors. This is typically, though not exclusively used on lettering.
>Multi-Colored Preview
When previewing the effects of each toolpath it is now possible to assign different colors to each one. This can be used to simulate the effects of differently painted areas both as a way to verify the toolpaths and also to provide an image than can be emailed or printed for customer approval.r approval.

Upgrade from PartWorks v1 $150.00; Upgrade from PartWizard $745.00
Read more > http://www.shopbottools.com/software.htm

“A Dream Coming True”
At a recent Camp ShopBot in CA, Russ W. of Oregon was quite happy to point out that he paid for his copy of Aspire on his first job ! (Of course the bad news here is that Russ bought his ‘Bot with the idea of a leisurely retirement, and now he’s got a business on his hands again…).

Follow the story at http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/312/31762.html?1236136582