Toolpath simulation CNC program setup sheets Posting an NC file Taught By. Try the Course for Free. Explore our Catalog Join for free and get personalized recommendations, updates and offers. Get Started. Learn Anywhere. Carbide Create is an offline software that you can install on your Windows or macOS computers, which is a bonus when you have to run your CNC routers in areas with choppy internet connections.
However, the machining capabilities of Carbide Create are limited to 2. It has a library of common shapes that you can use to create designs quickly and convert them into G-code to run your CNC router machine. The Pro version of Easel lets you work on 4x8 workpieces and allows you to use V-bits for carving with added tools and designs. Easel is also a photo carving CNC software whereby you can turn any image into a carving using its "Image Trace" feature.
Easel is a web-based software that does not require any installation and can work on any OS platform. However, this also means you require an active internet connection to use Easel. Easel is best suited for GRBL based controllers, but it also works with Marlin firmware if you did some tinkering around.
Inventavbles has a large user base and an active online community that helps you find solutions to your queries. Easel is commonly used by CNC hobbyists and woodworkers for cutting, engraving, and milling work.
It is an easy-to-use and easy-to-learn software, and you can refer to the dozens of YouTube videos to make it much easier. In conclusion, Easel is a great free solution for hobbyists and beginners who don't want to fiddle with multiple software programs to operate their CNC router.
Autodesk is popular for its design software programs, and Fusion is an amazing platform for generating 2D and 3D designs. The CAM in Fusion adapts to various machining processes and does not limit the capabilities to certain types of machining like the VCarve Pro. You will need a macOS or Windows computer to install and run the software as it is not cloud-based. You can use the software for free if it is for personal use. The free version allows you to have a maximum of 10 active documents at a time.
The unpaid version does have some limitations. Features like rendering and simulation are disabled in the unpaid version.
In addition, the automatic tool change and rapid feed features are unavailable in the CAM for the unpaid version. Even with such limitations, Fusion provides more capabilities than most free software programs. Fusion has a free student license that can be obtained if your educational institution has a valid Fusion license. If you do not mind the learning curve in mastering Fusion , it will let you use advanced features for CNC machining. It is primarily a design software. CAM functionalities are achieved by installing additional add-ons available for the popular CNC router.
However, due to its wide range of capabilities and features, it is a heavy software. The customer support is good and reliable.
Inkscape is free-to-use offline CAD software that can create vector images. Vector image formats are supported by CAM software programs that create G-code. Inkscape allows you to download and install plug-ins to create G-code from within the software eliminating the need for additional CAM software.
Inkscape is a popular design software, and the official website has many tutorial videos to get you started. Furthermore, you can find videos on YouTube to guide you through your design works.
OpenBuilds is a CNC manufacturing company that started as an online community supporting the open-source maker movement. OpenBuilds CAM is a web-based software and requires you to have an active internet connection to use the software. The bright side is all the processing is done on the server-side, and you do not need to install heavy software that bogs down your computer.
It can also be used to manipulate your CNC machine manually. LinuxCNC has been around for a long time and has been used to develop other software such as the Mach 3 software on this list. It can control up to nine axes simultaneously. However, a USB interface is not recommended as USB communication is slower in transferring instructions than parallel ports.
You can even run it on Raspberry Pi4 and above. It uses the parallel port on your computer to interface with your CNC machine.
You can also use the ethernet port to interface your machine via ethernet breakout boards the most popular ones are from Mesa. However, using an ethernet card such as mesa helps in hardware step generation and encoder counting rather than using just a parallel port cable. LinuxCNC has a large online community, and the software itself has a forum-like feature that lets you post questions to other users around the globe.
It has a graphical user interface that is highly customizable, and it supports touchscreen interface devices and pendant controllers. However, PlanetCNC is a combined hardware and software solution. This controller is then connected to stepper drivers.
If you wish to connect this controller to a parallel port stepper driver like the Gecko , you need to buy the DB25 adapter that's sold by PlanetCNC. Apart from generating G-code, you can also edit the G-code you have imported and scale the design according to your workpiece size. You can download it from the UGS Github page for free. There are two options to choose from, the classic and the platform.
The platform is the recent version and is more advanced than the classic version in terms of the graphical user interface and support for various controllers. It is a control software that interfaces your computer with the CNC machine and is best suited for hobbyists. I liked the graphical user interface to be quite intuitive with a well-organized and clutter-free design. You may also simulate or edit your G-code. You can also use your smartphone to control jogging by connecting it to the same WiFi network as the computer.
It can be downloaded from their Github page for free, and you can install it on Windows or Linux computers. The user interface is minimalistic and easy to use. Furthermore, you can map keys on your keyboard to control the axes.
You can import, view and edit G-code. In addition, you can view the path the tool makes before and while cutting. The interfacing with the controller is via USB. However, it can only support a maximum of 3 axes. It is suited for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. These are software that are run only on the controller hardware of the CNC. This firmware is connected to the computer through a USB connection and does not need a parallel port, which is a major advantage.
Primarily due to the popularity of Arduino. There's a large community of people who contribute to GRBL and that helps in the constant development of the software. These software programs are used for simulating the G-code you obtain from CAM software.
It helps you predict the problems you might face when you do actual machining using G-code. You can visit their website and input the G-code your CAM software generated. NC Viewer is a web-based software. Hence it can run on any OS platform, and hence is a good choice when you need a quick check on your G-code.
You can even use it on your smartphone. It supports 5-axis simulations and has support for a wide range of file types. NC Viewer can also simulate turning operations on lathes. But, a computer with good graphics performance will make things quicker for you. It can be downloaded and installed on Windows or MacOS computers and requires a connection to the internet every four weeks. You can simulate the G-code from your CAM software. G-Wizard Editor will point out the G-code errors and tell you how the G-code can be improved.
It has an extensive library of CNC machines and tools, which makes it suitable for hobby use as well as industrial use. This is a premium software used by leading manufacturers across the globe, and hence you can trust its reliability.
CNCCookbook provides a good amount of training material and troubleshooting guides on their website. Moreover, you can reach the helpdesk and guides right inside the software. It supports a wide range of machines, tools, and controllers. But requires an internet connection to use. You can run it on any computer running Windows 7 and above, and it has an average user interface.
The official website provides tutorials, examples and videos to help you learn and use the software. In addition, they also have an official YouTube channel which can be helpful. The software has a free version with limited capabilities that requires you to visit their website for license renewal every month. It is important to know your application with the software.
For example, if you want complex designs, you will require a dedicated design software. Most CAM software clearly list the features which are supported in them. A controller or simulation software has a fixed number of axes that it can control, so choose a software that can accommodate all the axes of your CNC machine.
Operating any machinery or software requires certain skills, and therefore, it is necessary to consider the skills required to use the software. If you intend to use a professional software like AutoCAD, you need to understand the basic design principles and spend some time learning the software.
On the other hand, software like Easel provides you with a simple design interface where you have access to pre-designed shapes that you can combine to create your designs. You should consider the functions required to create the product and check whether free software can provide them. Paid software provides better official customer support and has a variety of specialized functions, and can be easy to use owing to innovative features.
It is easy to overpay for software with several bells and whistles, but if they were to serve no real purpose for you, the expenditure would be a waste.
Licensing is to be considered carefully. Do you want to pay a certain amount every year or do you want to pay a one time flat fee. Although, even software with perpetual license might charge you for version upgrades like the Vectric VCarve Pro.
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