Vectric
English CAM and design software for CNC routers, with V-carving, nesting and 3D relief toolpaths from Vectric Ltd
Quick Overview
| Company | Vectric Ltd |
|---|---|
| Category | CAM Software |
| Headquarters | Alcester, United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom (company number 05382596, England and Wales) |
| Data Location | Desktop application |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | V-carving, 2D and 2.5D toolpaths, 3D roughing and finishing, true shape nesting (Pro), 3D model import, image tracing, Mac edition (Spark), free lifetime support |
| Pricing | See website; prices are loaded dynamically. Upgrades priced as the difference between products. |
| Best For | Router-based workshops, sign makers, woodworkers and makerspaces |
| Replaces | Mastercam (router work), Fusion CAM for 2.5D carving |
Detailed Review
Vectric concentrates on one job: turning a drawing or a 3D relief into toolpaths for CNC routers. VCarve handles 2D and 2.5D work with V-carving and inlays, Aspire adds 3D modelling, and Cut2D is the entry product for plain cutting. The company also publishes a macOS product called Spark.
The legal entity is Vectric Ltd, Precision House, Arden Road, Alcester, registered in England under number 05382596. Its software licence is an agreement directly between the user and Vectric Ltd.
Desktop or Pro
VCarve comes as Desktop, limited to a 24 by 24 inch work area, and Pro, which removes the limit and adds true shape nesting, toolpath merging, templates, gadgets, job setup sheets, keep-out zones and array copy. The Compare page shows the same split for Cut2D.
Because upgrades are priced as the difference between products, a shop can start on a lower tier and move up.
2.5D and 3D relief
Toolpath options cover profiling, pocketing, auto-inlays, drilling and thread milling, plus roughing and finishing of 3D models. VCarve imports Vectric 3D models and one third-party model, while Aspire is the product Vectric lists for 3D modelling.
Web-based tools on the homepage start from a ready-made template or build a 3D relief from your own photo.
Support and community
Vectric states free lifetime support, free minor upgrades and a trial before purchase. Its forum is listed with more than 25,000 users, and the company publishes free CNC projects every month.
Limitations to Consider
Vectric targets router and engraving work. The pages checked show 2D, 2.5D and 3D relief toolpaths but no 5-axis or mill-turn programming, so machining shops with metal parts should look at hyperMILL, Tebis or GO2cam. Prices are loaded by script on the pages checked, so they are not quoted here. The macOS product is a separate, smaller edition.
Who Should Use Vectric
Workshops, sign shops and makerspaces with CNC routers that want a UK vendor and a tool where drawing and toolpath creation live in one program.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Drawing, nesting and toolpaths in one program
- Desktop and Pro tiers with upgrade at the price difference
- Free lifetime support and free minor upgrades stated
- Free monthly CNC projects and an active forum
- A macOS edition exists
Cons
- Router and engraving focus, no 5-axis on the pages checked
- Prices not readable without scripts
- Nesting and templates only in Pro
- The Mac product is a reduced edition
Alternatives to Vectric
Other European cam software worth comparing before you decide:
GO2cam
France · Lyon-made CAM range from milling to Swiss and wire EDM
TopSolid
France · Integrated CAD/CAM from France for machinery, tooling, sheet metal and wood
hyperMILL
Germany · Modular CAM from OPEN MIND for 5-axis, turning and automation
Tebis
Germany · CAD/CAM, CAQ and MES for mould, die and production machining
See all European cam software or compare them directly against Mastercam (router work) on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Desktop is for machine beds of 24 by 24 inch or smaller. Pro removes the size limit and adds true shape nesting, toolpath merging, templates, gadgets, job setup sheets, keep-out zones, inlays and array copy.
Vectric Spark is published for macOS. The other products on its Compare page list Windows.
The pages show router toolpaths with 2D, 2.5D and 3D relief strategies. They do not describe 5-axis or turning, so metal production shops usually need a different CAM package.