My current project called for a live edge counter top. The project is being built from alder, and I was having difficulty sourcing an alder live edge slab here in Florida. I contacted Michael Mezalick at Carved Details and asked about a 3D model so I could carve one. In short order he sent me a file and I cut it yesterday. I was very pleased with how it turned out and also enjoyed working with Michael. He was very gracious with his expertise, even giving me help and advice with some of the minor midifications I needed to make to the file.
I decided a while back, that even though I have Aspire, I really didn't see myself ever having the time to become proficient at modelling. I'm at a point where I can do some basic manipulations to models to adapt them to my purposes. After that, it's really great to be able to reach out to someone like Michael and take advantage of his talents.
I'll add some more pictures when I've completed the project, for now here are some pictures of the "live edge" countertop. I cut a test piece from some foam first. The counter top started as a 45"x18"x1 3/4" blank that I glued up from 8/4 alder. I surfaced the underside of the blank first on the CNC. I cut a couple biscuit slots in the ends of the blank to use as a hold down. It worked great.