CNC Software
There is a wide range of CNC software available, which can understandably be daunting for new users to navigate. Whether you’re looking for free CNC software, CNC software for woodworking, CNC software for beginners, or CNC programming software, it helps to know what’s out there, what you really need, and the differences between competing programs.
In this post, we’ll break down the essentials of CNC software to help you get started, whether you’re using CNC software for Mac or exploring open-source CNC software.
To get the most out of your CNC machine, it’s important to understand the three main types of software you’ll work with: CAD (design), CAM (manufacturing), and Control software (operations). Typically, CNC CAD software is used first, followed by CNC CAM software to generate tool paths, and finally, CNC controller software to execute those commands on your machine.
CAD (Computer Aided Design):
This software is generally the starting point, where customers will build a 3D model from a vector graphic made elsewhere, or from scratch. Some examples of this are SolidWorks, Sketchup, and AutoCAD just to name a few among many options out there.
CAM (Computer Aided Machining):
Once a model is made in CAD, or if Cad is not used and a customer only wants to cut a 2D vector made in something Adobe Illustrator or something of that nature, then it is time for CAM software. Using this, you will take your design and create "toolpaths" that your CNC will follow through Gcode commands. Some examples of this are V-Carve, Carveco Maker, DeskProto and Aspire among other options out there.
Control:
Once you have a Gcode file exported from the CAM software and ready for your CNC, you would then need to load up a Control program. This typeof software would allow you a direct connection to your CNC through a USB cable, so you can control your CNC and feed it files from your computer. Some Examples of this are Candle, UGS (Universal Gcode Sender), and OpenBuilds Control.
The general workflow should be that you made a 3D model in CAD, and then export that 3D model to be imported to the CAM software, which in turn exports a Gcode file that the Control software can open and run. It can sound a little daunting when the process is described as above, but this is a tried and true process used countless CNC users for many years.
Even so, there are some alternatives for those who might want a more streamlined process, which combine some or all of the above 3 options. Should this be of interest, here are two for consideration:
This software, which is free for personal use, is a combination of CAD and CAM all in one program. It has a bit of a steeper learning curve than most programs, but it is reliably good once you master it.
This program does it all, CAD, CAM, and Control. As well, since it is run out of a browser page, no installation is needed other than a driver. This is a great program for beginners, but has limited functionality compared to Fusion, or other programs listed above.
For Operating System Compatibility for all of the above programs, please see this table:
| Software | Windows OS | Mac OS | Linux OS | CAD | CAM | Control |
| SolidWorks | √ | √ | √ | Yes | No | No |
| Sketchup | √ | 12-14 Only | X | Yes | No | No |
| AutoCAD | √ | √ | X | Yes | No | No |
| V-Carve | √ | √ | X | Yes | Yes | No |
| Carveco Maker | √ | X | X | No | Yes | No |
| DeskProto | √ | √ | √ | No | Yes | No |
| Aspire | √ | √ | X | Yes | Yes | No |
| Candle | √ | X | √ | No | No | Yes |
| UGS | √ | √ | √ | No | No | Yes |
| OpenBuilds | √ | √ | √ | No | No | Yes |
| Fusion 360 | √ | √ | X | Yes | Yes | No |
| Easel | √ | √ | √ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
We can tell you that all of the software above is compatible with our machines, but we will not be able to tell you which is compatible for your needs. Especially when it comes to paid programs, we strongly suggest customers look into the developer and maybe seek out some guides for a given program to get a better feel for what you can and cannot do with a specific one.
Laser Software
The below is for LED lasers, and not for any fiber laser machines we sell. Those are not compatible with the below, having its own proprietary software included with the machine.
When it comes to laser software, things are a bit more straightforward. There are really only 2 programs to know:
This is the free, basic program that allows for some extremely basic design ability, as well as much the same functionality you expect from Candle or UGS, allowing you to control the CNC and feed it programs to run. LaserGRBL is only compatible with Windows operating systems at this time.
This is does everything that LaserGRBL does, but more and better, with much more advanced functionality. It costs $99 USD to purchase, and you own it for life once you have it, though it stops getting new updates after one year. This software is strongly suggested, as it has most everything you need for laser projects and is compatible with Windows, Mac, and even Linux computers.
Aside from those two programs, customers may need to look into other software to supplement for the needs of some advanced projects. For example, Adobe Aspire can be useful for creating complicated vector graphics and then you take the SVG file from that into Lightburn or LaserGRBL, or Adobe Photoshop can be useful for adjusting the brightness/sharpness/saturation and other variables to make an image turn out better when being engraved than it would otherwise.
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