CAM (G code generation) programs - MaslowCNC/GroundControl GitHub Wiki
MaslowCNC Wiki: Electronics | Firmware | Mechanics | Software | Community Garden
| Name | Free (yes/no): | Website: | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXF2GCODE | Yes | https://sourceforge.net/projects/dxf2gcode/ | Simple program to convert DXF shapes to G-Code paths. Runs on your PC. |
| MakerCAM | Yes | www.makercam.com | No longer a good place to start. Somewhat infuriating. Uses Flash so support in all browsers is rapidly drying up (or already gone) and Adobe will formally withdraw Flash in 2020. |
| JScut | Yes | www.jscut.org | Slightly more advanced than MakerCAM |
| Heeks CAD | No | https://sites.google.com/site/heekscad/ | Slightly more advanced than JScut, offline |
| Fusion 360 | Yes | How to get a Fusion 360 School/Enthusiast license MaslowCNC Post processor download here | Compatible with Windows and Mac. Proprietary licence, but free for educational or hobbyist use. Requires internet connection, Cloud based, but allows file export. |
| PyCAM | Yes | http://pycam.sourceforge.net | Was cross platform, but now Linux only. Reasonably powerful but simple. Works well with .svg files from Inkscape. |
| Easel | Yes | http://easel.inventables.com/ | Cross platform web based CAM from SVG imports. Large community of users for help |
| VCarve / Aspire | No | http://www.vectric.com/products/compare.html | Success using "Intelicam GCode" as the post processor. More experimenting needed testing GRBL options |
| LaserWeb | Yes | https://laserweb.github.io/LaserWeb4/dist/ | Online or offline, Windows, Linux, Mac. Opens .DXF and .SVG files |
| FreeCAD | Yes | https://www.freecadweb.org/ | Offline CAD/CAM, Windows, Linux, Mac. Under Development, so expect bugs. Forum friendly and helpful |
| BlenderCAM | Yes | http://blendercam.blogspot.cz/ | Cross-platform, powerful, but development seems dormant. |
| KaryaCNC | Yes | https://github.com/ryannining/karyacnc | Cross-platform, Tight integrated with inkscape, color code path operation (Cut, Pocket, Engraving, Vcarving) support CNC router, Laser |