I think I win too. I just made my bank account a little thinner and the Vectric coffers a bit fuller. I consider it a necessary evil to pay the piper occasionally. In this case it was a software upgrade. I just moved from the 3.5 version of Aspire to the newest which is 4.0 or a few fractions higher. The incremental decimal upgrades are gratis but when they hit a new integer, there is an upgrade cost.

I don’t mind as the software is excellent and I depend on it a lot for my CNC router work. Here is a link if you don’t know what or who Vectric is all about. http://www.vectric.com/  Highly recommended by Dan Kautz.

Since I have opened the topic I want to add a few comments. I use Vectric software, mostly Aspire to produce some really unique carved work and products. Although it is machine automation software, it is still a creative artistic process that creates the results. There is no button to push that says, “MAKE” until the very end of that creative design process.

So computer software is an artist tool just like any other tool. I usually start from scratch but I don’t have too. Some folks sell bits and pieces of their art that can be added to my work. The web site offers complete projects and I have cut a few. I do add my own touch though.

For an artist like me, who is losing the fine motor skill dexterity in my arms and hands to a disease, it is wonderful to still be able to create with modern tools. Yes, I win.