Tips and Tricks: Add a Border to Make a Model Larger

Brad Castle

30 May 2025 08:29

Carveco Tutorial: Expanding Your Model with the Add Border Feature

Sometimes your physical material is larger than your design. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add material space to your model in Carveco Maker using the Add Border feature, without shifting the origin or losing alignment.

🔹 Scenario: Model Size vs. Actual Material

Initial model size: 12" x 12", with the origin centered.
Actual material size: 18" x 12" — requires an extension to the right.

🔹 Adding Extra Material Space

Go to Model > Add Border.
Right-click a color swatch (white recommended) to set your secondary color for new material.
Uncheck Symmetrical if you only want to extend in one direction.
Add the desired border size (e.g., 6 inches on the right).
Click OK. Your model expands, keeping the origin unchanged.

🔹 Recentering the Origin (Optional)

Go to Model > Set Position.
Select Center Pixel.
Origin moves to the new center of your model automatically.
Recalculate any toolpaths to reflect the new layout by right-clicking them and choosing Calculate.

✔️ Key Takeaways

Add Border allows you to extend your model without remaking it from scratch.
Use Symmetrical for balanced expansion or uncheck it for directional material additions.
Always right-click to assign your secondary color before adding material in the 2D view.
Recalculate your toolpaths after changing model size or origin position.

🧠 Advanced Techniques

Use Add Border to add tab stock, clamping margins, or material for fixtures.
When adding on a single side, leave the origin fixed to maintain alignment with previously created toolpaths.
For jig or fixture designs, you can simulate material overlaps without affecting original vectors by using different border fills.

🛠️ Troubleshooting

Problem: Border fills with unexpected colors.
Solution: Right-click the white swatch before using Add Border to apply neutral color fills.
Problem: Toolpath appears misaligned after resizing model.
Solution: Recalculate toolpaths after any border addition or origin change.
Problem: Origin not centered after model expansion.
Solution: Use Model > Set Position > Center Pixel to reset the origin.