Shaper Origin Up-date?

[Crazyraceguy]

When I started my Origin this morning, it said it was ready for an update. It gave me the option of now or later. I had time, so I allowed it to go right then. It took the few minutes that I said it would and then just went to the normal screen.
I guess I expected it to tell me what it did? This wasn't the name-change type update, like it has done before, unless I missed something? It has been running Jenner since that downloaded, and if I remember right, there was a bit of a tutorial after?
Did it go beyond Jenner already? K-something? I didn't start it again today to see the screen that shows the version.

 

[nclemmons]

There was a mention on the Shaper Forums that they now offer a 15 day free trial on Autopass.  It might be that this update enables that free trial.

 

[4nthony]

Mine updated today also. It's still Jenner but a point update to 3.7.18.0 (I think that's what it was will confirm when I'm back in front of it).

After the update, I tried to search for release notes but didn't find anything. Like most phone apps, it's probably just "bug fixes and improvements".

I didn't pay attention to what the previous version was but software updates typically go major.minor.revision. I don't know if this was a minor or revision update.

 

[tjbnwi]

Updated this morning, now I’m having issues with Auto Pass. When I tap Auto pass the depth goes to zero, shows 5 passes but no depth. I didn’t haver time to play with it, I’ll check again in a couple of days to see if there is a correction to this.

Tom

 

[festal]

Its the autopass free trial update.  So no new features released except for trying out autopass which should have been available from the start. Oh well

 

[PaulMarcel]

For those who have AutoPass or tried it, how do you like it? Other than the first introductory video of it, I don't know more details. I'd hope that I could encode depth information in software other than Shaper Studio.

I'm okay with the one-time charge for AutoPass, but the subscription for Shaper Studio would be pretty expensive for the few times I'd use it. Maybe I'd use it more, but I guarantee that there'd be a lot of "paid but unused" months between uses. Plus, I doubt they do edge tracing off a photo, my next need.

 

[woodferret]

Skip Studio and encode it in whatever software app you want using the layer naming convention...
https://svgdepth.azurewebsites.net/

 

[rmwarren]

Love it. Not only does it speed things up by removing the need to constantly set depths, ramping into a cut makes a huge difference. Especially with bits that are not made for plunge cutting.

I did 56 counterbores yesterday in 19mm MDF, a 9mm through hole and 8mm deep 17mm counterbore. Helix through a series of holes, then back through the series using AP to counterbore. I'd have had to reset the cut depths 2-3 times for each counterbore without AP. Total took ~ 1 hour, and I never needed to set a depth since that was encoded using Studio. This is a simple example but it's hard to overemphasize the improvement over needing to set cut depths manually.

Similar to Festool, if you buy into the entire "system" (SO/Workstation/Plate/Studio/Autopass) you can really reap the benefits. AP was probably the best $200 spent on the system, to the point of "prying it from my cold, dead..." now.

If you take the free trial, make sure to do it in a time period when you can focus on learning and making a lot of cuts, then make a similar cut without it.

RE: Studio, aside from being dead simple, the real value prop is it avoids the need to design/export/upload. I switched from F360 on a computer in my upstairs office to Studio on a retired Surface Pro 3 sitting in the shop. With F360 I needed to walk inside/upstairs, make the design change, export it, upload to the hub, walk back out to the shop. With studio I make a tweak, turn around to SO and it's there. I absolutely hate the subscription model, but I'll grit my teeth & pay for this one.

RMW

 

[WastedP]

Updated this morning, now I’m having issues with Auto Pass. When I tap Auto pass the depth goes to zero, shows 5 passes but no depth. I didn’t haver time to play with it, I’ll check again in a couple of days to see if there is a correction to this.

Tom

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] , any change on that?  I haven't used my SO yet since the update.  I have AP, so I'll skip the update for now.

It's possible that not every SO user needs Autopass, but if time is money, AP is worth the latter to save a bunch of the former.

Studio is great for making quick changes to a file, and as RMW says, the integration is worth it.  It's very simple software, and pretty easy to learn quick.  It's not perfect; there are plenty of changes and updates I'd like to see.  For more complicated work, I'm using Inkscape, but everything from there gets imported into Studio for tweaking.

 

[ElectricFeet]

For those who have AutoPass or tried it, how do you like it?

It’s a game-changer, frankly. Makes every complex task easier. I resisted at first, but eventually decided to take the plunge and wouldn’t go back. I wish it were free, as it makes the tool more complete, but given they’ve made the decision to separate it out as a separate purchase, it is worth adding on.

It reduces errors and reduces the possibility of errors. Even if you don’t code the depths in the svg file, just setting all the passes at once at the beginning of the process, rather than in between the passes makes it all much easier — you’re doing all the arithmetic once and then doing all the cutting/controlling once, rather than interspersing the two of them. I find it cognitively less stressful as I can relax and concentrate fully on controlling the machine / feeling how it is reacting etc, rather than trying to remember what the next cut-depth will be.

I'd hope that I could encode depth information in software other than Shaper Studio.

You can. Set the path-names in, for example, Affinity Designer and then run the svg through this utility (see the help section for what you need to do to make it work). It works a treat.

Affinity does everything Studio does and it’s a one-off payment. The interface is — of necessity — much more complex, as it does much more. With Studio, you’re paying for a simple interface and integration with the machine. Good if you’re a newbie to vector design. One unique thing that Studio does is allow you to see how the cut will look, with the Plan tab. But I can live without that. I may revisit this decision in the future if they make major additions, but for now I’m good with Autopass without Studio. YMMV.

 

[jeh]

Updated this morning, now I’m having issues with Auto Pass. When I tap Auto pass the depth goes to zero, shows 5 passes but no depth. I didn’t haver time to play with it, I’ll check again in a couple of days to see if there is a correction to this.

Tom

It takes money to maintain software with bug fixes and enhancements. They do not charge for version upgrades so paying for a single feature is more than fair. No one likes to pay, but if you write software (or do anything requiring ongoing work) you do like to get paid. $200 is nothing when you drop $3K for the tool. Plus I want continuous improvements and will pay when I need what they are peddling.

 

[jeh]

For those who have AutoPass or tried it, how do you like it? Other than the first introductory video of it, I don't know more details. I'd hope that I could encode depth information in software other than Shaper Studio.

I'm okay with the one-time charge for AutoPass, but the subscription for Shaper Studio would be pretty expensive for the few times I'd use it. Maybe I'd use it more, but I guarantee that there'd be a lot of "paid but unused" months between uses. Plus, I doubt they do edge tracing off a photo, my next need.

$99/year works out to $8.25/month and it meets two requirements for many: easy to use and cost effective. Some do not have the time to learn Affinity or the others and can start working immediately with Studio while they hone their skills in any of the other options.

 

[tjbnwi]

Updated this morning, now I’m having issues with Auto Pass. When I tap Auto pass the depth goes to zero, shows 5 passes but no depth. I didn’t haver time to play with it, I’ll check again in a couple of days to see if there is a correction to this.

Tom

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member] , any change on that?  I haven't used my SO yet since the update.  I have AP, so I'll skip the update for now.

It's possible that not every SO user needs Autopass, but if time is money, AP is worth the latter to save a bunch of the former.

Studio is great for making quick changes to a file, and as RMW says, the integration is worth it.  It's very simple software, and pretty easy to learn quick.  It's not perfect; there are plenty of changes and updates I'd like to see.  For more complicated work, I'm using Inkscape, but everything from there gets imported into Studio for tweaking.

I have not had a chance to use the Shaper since I had the issue with the update. Been busy figuring out this one….

[attachimg=1]

I need to make a few small parts this week with the Shaper, I’ll let you know what I find.

Tom

 

[rmwarren]

It's not perfect; there are plenty of changes and updates I'd like to see. 

Agreed. What's surprised me is the slow pace of changes. I'd assumed the SAAS/cloud model would mean they'd iterate and improve rapidly/frequently. Since its release, I think there has been one minor update and a couple bug fixes. There have been many requested/suggested features that are really promising ideas, & all we get are crickets.

Overall, love the tool & system but I'm disappointed at the approach to updates.

RMW

 

[tjbnwi]

Updated this morning, now I’m having issues with Auto Pass. When I tap Auto pass the depth goes to zero, shows 5 passes but no depth. I didn’t haver time to play with it, I’ll check again in a couple of days to see if there is a correction to this.

Tom

It takes money to maintain software with bug fixes and enhancements. They do not charge for version upgrades so paying for a single feature is more than fair. No one likes to pay, but if you write software (or do anything requiring ongoing work) you do like to get paid. $200 is nothing when you drop $3K for the tool. Plus I want continuous improvements and will pay when I need what they are peddling.

I purchased Auto Pass within a few months of it being introduce. Had/have no issue paying for it. Never had an issue with Auto Pass until the last update.

Hell, I pay for the full version of Fusion 360, matters to me not what it costs as long as it works. It does what I need it to do and then some so I wont be using Studio.

Tom

 

[rvieceli]

That thing looks really nice Tom. Is it cranking out carcass parts yet?

I notice a stack of ply on the back end, does the machine auto feed those in?

Ron

 

[tjbnwi]

That thing looks really nice Tom. Is it cranking out carcass parts yet?

I notice a stack of ply on the back end, does the machine auto feed those in?

Ron

Thanks.

The installer/set-up person got done with his part on Friday about 3PM. We cut one cabinet carcass. This has allowed us to make some tweaks. Shelf pin holes not located properly was the only issue on that case.

We have the next job loaded into the units software. We have it set to load a sheet, machine, vacuum the piece, push the piece onto the unloader, vacuum the spoil board a second time, load the next piece, then dwell/rest. This will allow us to examine each sheet more closely and correct any issues instead of wasting 37 sheets of 3/4 pre-finished.

Once we’re comfortable with the machine and our ability to program the machine (Cabinet Vision creates the NC code as the design is being created) will load and unload the cut bed automatically. Once on the unload table the parts get labeled and loaded into carts.

There are certain operations we’re working through if it will be easier on the CNC or using the shaper and saws like we do now. 

Tom

 

[rvieceli]

Super. Sounds like a game changer once you get going.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member] I like it a lot. I went with the Studio subscription fairly early after the release and it has made a big difference for me. I use the Origin much more, more often, and in more complex ways, since learning it. That prompted me to go with Auto-Pass. The two of them have made improved my experience a lot.
The one note that I would make about its use is to be more aware of your starting place. It seems, to me at least, that it works much more smoothly if I start in an open straight area. I like it to be at the full depth of the ramp before I encounter a corner. This will also end and retract in that straight area. You have to feel it a few times to learn to judge how much distance that takes. The entire feeling of the machine is different than when it just plunges down to the depth you tell it.
As it is now, Auto-Pass does not function during pocketing mode. If you already have AP turned on and switch to pocketing, you will get a warning screen (and have to switch it off)
This makes a little sense, I guess. It would have to know that the entire pocket was in fact cut to the first level before moving on. I suppose it could do that by the blue cut-history? But that would force you to have to cover 100% of the pocket, every time. I would imagine that they are working on this?
What I would really like to see is control of the Z axis while cutting. The helix and ramping of AP both show that it's possible. Then it could move more into the range of carving. I would like to see it to be able to make square corners with a V bit at least.

[member=4105]tjbnwi[/member]
That's a good looking set-up you have there. It's similar to the main unit at my work, with a few key differences. Yours appears to have a height adjusting infeed table, though it's not obvious (to me at least) what moves the sheet onto the rollers?
Ours brings the sheets to the rollers from overhead via a crane with vacuum pods. Then the rollers move it up to the point where the CNC machine's gantry can lift/pull it with two more vacuum cups.
Another difference is in the outfeed belt. Yours looks much longer. Ours is 12 feet, about 4' before the overhead extraction and 8' after it. It has a laser across the exit to stop the pieces as they reach the end, advancing as you remove parts.
Does yours have a downward dust extraction area as it goes from the spoil-board to the outfeed belt?

 

[tjbnwi]

[member=3513]PaulMarcel[/member] Auto Pass is worth every penny, if you use your Shaper it is worth the investment.

Tom