I dunno that it’s that great an answer — the page gives me a headache looking at it, and I find a lot of it ambiguous (does VCarve Desktop have the same $2,000 worth of clipart as Pro, or do you get $4,000 worth of clipart if you buy the latter?)
They used to have a chart which I found clearer and easier to understand.
I guess the big consideration between Cut2D and Cut2D Pro is if you’re planning on doing projects larger than 24" x 24" w/o tiling — if you are, get Pro.
Aha, I was thinking of the difference between Cut2D Pro and VCarve Desktop not Cut2D! 
In that case, my understanding is:
Just so I’m clear - and to prove I’m still NewToThis - does CC do everything Cut2D Pro does, then?
We have most of the basic functionality of Cut2D/Vectric Vcarve in Carbide Create.
Some notable differences — Carbide Create lacks:
presumably the drawing and layout tools are better in Cut2D (I wouldn’t know, I bought Vectric Vcarve Desktop for one project, but found the interface fussy and annoying and save for testing haven’t used it since).
Thanks, Will. Probably a bit too much to add to the Feature Request forum 
The ‘Pro’ product removes the 24" x 24" job size limit, whether that be Cut2D or VCarve. The whole 2.5d and 3D suite of Toolpath ‘strategies’ (their words) are only in VCarve. If you have any wish to easily do some 2.5D stuff, go VCarve - that was my choice when faced with the same dilemma.
I don’t think I’m so bothered about the size limits, but probably want to do more than 2D carving (I think?) so it looks like VCarve Desktop for now, potentially upgrading to Pro in the future (at least the upgrade path isn’t ‘loaded’.
And, it seems, Version 11 ‘changes’ are being announced in September, so this might become a free upgrade for any new buyers 
Can I use the BitRunner with g-code files exported from VCarve, or is there a ‘physical’ thing I need to do to enable it, please?
As I understand it, CC puts the start/stop code in by default, but I’m not sure about VCarve (and Vectric support wasn’t that helpful in this regard, TBH)
I use a spindle with a VFD and a BitSetter with GCode generated from VCarve with no issues.
The postprocessor pops the relevant instructions in (M3 S0000 or similar) when in the “tool change” fragment.
I used CC extensively for a while, and switching to VCarve had no impact on running jobs using CM.
I’ve got to say… I’m running the Avalon project - edited to reflect my own stock - and it’s working beautifully. I think I’m in love…
EDIT: Except it didn’t prompt for the tool change…?
For the tool change prompt you need to ensure that:
My experience w/ Vectric free upgrades was that one got the same new version (I bought Vectric 9.5 for free, then got 10 for free, then had to pay for 10.5 if memory serves).
Hmm, that might do it. The tool number is the same, but the speeds and feeds are different for each toolpath.
I’m using @neilferreri post-processor, but Vectric provided it.
One new thing, though: the tabs weren’t cut out (in?) so I will need to investigate that, too. Probably user error.
Just as in CC, this is fine. You can override each tool’s defaults inside the toolpath.
When you have a spindle and it is controlled by GCode, it spins faster and slower automatically without any pause in the process. Naturally, you don’t need to stop the machine to do this.
However, the post-processor won’t generate a tool change instruction unless the tool number changes. If you have a router that needs to be stopped in order to change the speed, you will need to think of tool number as incorporating the speed, and have a different tool number for 12K RPM and 18K RPM even though the bit itself is the same.
So, this is more relevant with a router that doesn’t have speed control, as opposed to a spindle that does.
In theory then, the tool database in Vectric could have several 1/8" end mills (for example) each with their own unique identifier, but different only in their speed, and then for each material type? So one end mill could have nine or more entries?
Or am I overthinking it (again!)?
Probably not the right place to ask, but does Vectric support importing tool information from other sources?
For tool libraries for Vectric see:
https://www.shapeoko.com/forum/download/file.php?id=7747
https://www.toolstoday.com/t-cnc-software-library
https://www.amanatool.com/view-amana-tool-vectric-library
(all listed from: Commercial Software - ShapeOko )
One day I hope to know as much - and be able to recall ‘stuff’ - as quickly as you can, Will! Thank you
So, I imported the Shapeoko tool database easily enough, but the speeds seem a little awry? For example, the 1/4"end mill has a spindle speed of 8333rpm, which seems a bit (haha) slow?
EDIT: Actually, I might be wrong here, but I don’t think it’s imported correctly. The spindle speed of the #122 is only 1563rpm. Surely that can’t be correct?
I wouldn’t trust the feeds and speeds — view these as just a convenient way to get the dimensions loaded initially (and which should then be verified).
See Intro to CNC - Part 5: Feeds & Speeds - YouTube for concepts on this and see the series #MaterialMonday: #MaterialMonday on YouTube for specifics.
You should test feeds and speeds in a piece of scrap using the technique at: https://precisebits.com/tutorials/calibrating_feeds_n_speeds.htm
Extensive discussion at: Origin/consistency of chipload recommendations and https://shapeokoenthusiasts.gitbook.io/shapeoko-cnc-a-to-z/feeds-and-speeds-basics with a spreadsheet for this at: Speeds, Feeds, Power, and Force (SFPF) Calculator - #29 by gmack
Sorry Will, I wasn’t questioning the speeds and feeds per se, just the import didn’t seem to be consistent with the S&F from Carbide3D’s own database, is all.
S&F is still a dark art to me, despite several attempts to learn and being provided with links to guidance documents and YouTube videos. I’ll continue to use the Carbide3D defaults (as the majority of the end mills I own are theirs) until I feel confident enough to ‘fiddle’ with the settings.
Those feeds and speeds in those files are not from Carbide 3D — you’d have to check in w/ the folks who made them to determine what machine(s) they are suited for.
Best way to learn feeds and speeds is to start w/ a conservative setting in a sturdy endmill such as a #201 in an easily machined material — get a feel for how the machine sounds when making a reasonable cut w/ a suitable chipload and then look at the math (or adjust the dial and the feed rate override) to arrive at other solutions.