• Eagle Grbl Z Depth Scale

2) Layout the PCB artwork in EAGLE. 3) Run the PCB-GCODE.ULP program (from within Eagle layout ) to generate the Gcode text files needed by the CNC machine. 4) Use a Gcode editor/plotter/viewer to verify and optimize the Gcode files. A good one for this is the PCB-GCODE-WIZARD program available at this website for only $18. Pcb-gcode is a User Language Program (ULP) for EAGLE PCB design software produced by CadSoft. Pcb-gcode allows one to make printed circuit boards by using a CNC router. Set Z Down to the depth into the board that the tool should.

Glossary

• LDE:Left Defensive End
• LDT:Left Defensive Tackle
• RDT:Right Defensive Tackle
• RDE:Right Defensive End
• WLB:Weakside Linebacker
• MLB:Middle Linebacker
• SLB:Strongside Linebacker
• SS:Strong Safety
• FS:Free Safety
• RCB:Right Cornerback
• LCB:Left Cornerback
• PK:Place Kicker
• P:Punter
• H:Holder
• PR:Punt Returner
• KR:Kick Returner
• LS:Long Snapper
• WR:Wide Receiver
• WR:Wide Receiver
• WR:Wide Receiver
• LT:Left Tackle
• LG:Left Guard
• C:Center
• RG:Right Guard
• RT:Right Tackle
• QB:Quarterback
• TE:Tight End
• RB:Running Back

Glossary

• P:Probable
• Q:Questionable
• O:Out
• PUP:Physically unable to perform
• SUS:Suspended by NFL or current team
• IR:Injured reserve

In this wiki-page we aim for listing all the available Free and Open Source CAM software. Please note that proprietary software have been moved to their own page. Also see Free software section in Wikipedia CAM. See also Interactive G-Code Generators.

CAM programs can generate several sorts of tool paths, and some CAM/previewing programs are able to transform one sort of G-code tool path into another as an optimization step. Examples of this include high speed machining (HSM) and proprietary systems such as Volumill [1] Page discussing such: http://www.cnccookbook.com/CCCAMToolpaths.htm

Some CAM programs will require the selection of a post-processor. The creation/customization of one is described in: G-Code: Post Processors.

• 1File formats
• 4Tool-path generators
  • 4.12D (Laser or plasma machines)
  • 4.3Images
  • 4.4Joinery
  • 4.5Toolpath strategies
• 10Fonts
• 11PCB
• 15Nesting

File formats

Notes on file formats:

2D

• dxf --- AutoCAD’s drawing exchange format. Older versions are limited to only straight lines, files are either in Imperial or metric mode
• stl --- stereo lithography triangle mesh. Often used for 3D printing stl is a general-purpose triangle mesh which may be processed by many CAM programs
• SVG --- scalable vector graphics are intended for use on screens, so scaling is done in terms of pixels and defining how many pixels there are in a unit of measure is an afterthought, if considered at all. When trying an SVG file from a new drawing program, if possible always include an object of known dimension for scaling purposes.

3D

Eagle Grbl Z Depth Scale

• STEP-->step/stp Standard for the Exchange of Product model data
• IGES-->iges/igs Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
• X3D
• PHIGS-->(Programmer's Hierarchical Interactive Graphics System)
• ACIS
• VRML wrl-->Virtual Reality Modeling Language vector file
• COLLADA dae
• STL Stereolithography file format (binary and ANSI structure) surface triangulations, Standard Triangulated Language
• OBJ Wavefront

Machine languages

• G-code: gcode tutorial is a good reference material to get you started writing g-code by hand. This is a great point of reference once you get into creating your own gcode, or if you need to modify generated g-code. There is a list of editors for G-Code (some of which have syntax highlighting) on the Programming page.
• OpenSBP
• HPGL (Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language)
• Cutter Location (CL) Data, APT

Post-processor

One common need for many CAM applications is a post-processor to convert from and internal G-code representation to a particular variant. Effort to collect them here: https://www.mycampost.com/ (note that it may include some commercial post-processors)[2]

Tool-path generators

Note that some CAD programs are able to directly export to G-code, FreeCAD for example has added a Path Workbench which is particularly capable, and certain other special purpose CAD tools may serve for CAM functions.

2D (Laser or plasma machines)

The simplest use case, software for this may also allow the machine to function as a plotter. Note that Grbl 1.0 and later over-ride M4 to enable lasermode.

A notable example of this potential is the nascent fork of the “MakerBot Unicorn G-Code Output for Inkscape Plugin”: https://github.com/Emerica/inkscape-shapeoko3[3]

See also Font to G-Code CNC VB2005E which allows one to directly convert text using any Windows font into G-code which will cut to a specified depth.

See also the Windows tool G-code Optimizer lists on the G-Code Utilities

http://www.hci.rwth-aachen.de/visicut --- https://github.com/t-oster/VisiCut

K40 Whisperer: Control software for the stock K40 Laser controller with M2nano controller board --- alternative to the the Laser Draw (LaserDRW) program that comes with the cheap Chinese laser cutters available on E-Bay and Amazon. Reads SVG and DXF files interprets the data and sends commands to the K40 controller to move the laser head and control the laser accordingly.[6]

c.f., https://github.com/mbugert/laserscad (interface for OpenSCAD.[7]

• http://laser.woutvdd.be/ --- laser support for Carbide Create[8]

Plasma

http://plas.mx/ --- open-source pure javascript CAM for plasma cutters [9]

Multi-function

Kiri:Moto https://grid.space/kiri --- combination CAM tool [10] and slicer for FFF, lasercutting and rotary spindles. Noted as working well w/ OnShape.[11]

https://cam.openbuilds.com/ --- https://github.com/OpenBuilds/cam --- based on: https://github.com/LaserWeb[12] or maths it leverages off Clipper https://sourceforge.net/p/jsclipper/wiki/Home%206/ openjscad may be used for parametric work.

Images

Note that some 2.5D programs listed in the next section are also able to import images for CAM.

Also see: CAD: Image Depth Maps

Processing technique: Image_Engraving: The Gold Method

Another option is to start with a 3D model, and then render that into a grayscale pixel image: https://www.reddit.com/r/CNC/comments/63eayp/how_to_create_this_type_of_gray_scale_image_for/dfuac1m/

See also:

• bmp2cnc --- command line program to convert bitmaps to g-code, that runs in Linux, DOS and Windows http://www.mr-soft.net/en/bmp2cnc.html[13]
• imagecarve --- takes a PGM image and outputs a G-code program that carves that image
• Image-to-gcode and Image-to-gcode modified --- mills 'depth maps'
• DXF Halftone 2.1 --- GPL program to convert a halftone to a .dxf.
• OpenVoronoi --- conceptual code on GitHub
• http://clonerbox.com/image_3D_converter.php[15] --- image to stl converter
• http://3dp.rocks/lithophane/ --- Lithophane : images (greyscale) to 3d print or CNC mill as low relief ('bas-relief') or lithophane [16][17]

Matlab

• https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a7uknxazwlkekcp/AAC2kRnseymtWMLjjmDCzKfBa?dl=0 --- Matlab code to generate G-code from image.[18]

Joinery

Dovetails

Hole Tolerance

Toolpath strategies

Overview of terminology: https://www.cnccookbook.com/3d-cnc-milling-machining-cam-toolpaths/ (written by Robert Grzesek, author of MeshCAM, it is excellent as an overview of terminology used in that program)

Peel milling

Trochoidal milling

• https://www.cnccookbook.com/trochoidal-milling-feeds-speeds/

2.5D

See also:

• https://github.com/tmpvar/text2gcode --- command line tool under the MIT license to use a TrueType font to create the G-code to cut a given text w/ user-specified parameters
• DeskEngrave --- converts text set in TrueType fonts, saves as DXF or G-code. Also available from: http://yertiz.com/cnc/text2.htm

Nascent: https://github.com/nathanielstenzel/bucket_mill

Forked:

Note that LaserWeb now supports CNC milling and has extensive documentation: http://cncpro.co/index.php

Note that CamBam has an old version which is freely available as noted on the Commercial Software page.

See also http://www.artcam.com/free/index.asp

2D CAD to tool-path

See also the PostScript to G-Code conversion tool ps2gc, listed under Programmatic G-Code Generators.

See also dxf 1.1.1 a Python library to generate DXFs and DXF Halftone 2.1 mentioned above. Cf. Using AutoCAD file formats with open source libraries (IBM Developer Works article).

See also http://www.dewittindustries.com/cgibin/metavector/ and http://www.lindsayengraving.com/other_interests/gcode/index.html

https://github.com/lemgandi/3mf2stl --- 3mf to stl converter for Linux[27]

3D

Merging the boundaries between 2D and 3D, CAD and CAM, there's http://www.flatfab.com/ Fabrication Design Software that helps you design and fabricate 3D objects. Ideate and draw in 2D, fabricate in 3D.

https://github.com/koppi/stl2ngc/blob/master/stl2ngc.cpp --- STL to G-Code converter in C++[33]

Note that GrblGru v3.5 is able to slice an STL into layers so as to create a stair-stepped version of an STL.[34]

https://grid.space/kiri --- combination CAM tool and slicer for FFF, lasercutting and rotary spindles.

Flatcam (see PCBs below) is noted as being generally useful.[35]

https://github.com/ahmetcemturan/SFACT --- formerly Skeinforge (also known as SF-ACT), Python

3D Slicing for Additive Manufacturing

See: 3D Printing: Software

Multiple Axis

http://genericcam.sourceforge.net/ --- multi-axis, reads STL, GTS and DXF

http://cncsimple.wordpress.com/download/ --- also listed on CAD page since it includes CAD functionality, includes lathe support

Ezilathe: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/uncategorised-cam-discussion/263938-cnc-forum.html[37]

CNC Wrapper is a commercial program which has a number of free utilities associated with it: https://www.cncwrapper.com/freeware/ which are useful for 4th axis and lathe work.

See also Aptos on the Programmatic G-Code Generators page

Fonts

StickFont v1.1 http://ncplot.com/freetools.htm --- converts text to G-Code (or DXF) using a single stroke font.

The Hershey fonts are supported by Inkscape

https://nationalparktypeface.com/ being based on a router template is especially well-suited to being cut out by the machine.

Online

http://www.microtechstelladata.com/TextToNCcode.aspx --- tool to create G-Code for single line text

PCB

http://community.carbide3d.com/t/pcb-eagle-plugin-pcb-gcode-3-6-0-4/149/9

http://cirqwizard.org/ --- cross-platform open source software designed to control PCB prototyping machines. Gerber to GCode converter, also controls the machine and guides a user through the processes of PCB manufacture.[43]

http://www.pentalogix.com/viewmate.php --- ViewMate Gerber Viewer

gcam --- Software for generating gcodes from gerber files https://github.com/bubbapizza/GCAM forked into a 2.5D program[44]

See also:

Tutorials:

Leveling

An interesting alternative to tramming or flattening one's workarea is instead to use special software to modify G-code to match one's bed: AutolevellerHackaday: Mill Warped PCB Blanks On An Uneven Bed. Also: http://martin2250.blogspot.de/2014/12/grbl-height-probing-tutorial.html and https://github.com/synthetos/TinyG/wiki/ChiliPeppr-PCB-Auto-Level as well as bCNC.

bCNC also has a facility for this. https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/wiki/AutoLevel

Thread Cutting

Note that this may require a special 'threadmill' endmill.

See the forum discussion thread milling with shapeoko2?.

• Guhring ThreadMillCNC CNCGenerator.

• Example code for 20 threads per inch.

• http://www.varmintal.net/alath.htm --- includes gears calculating Visual BASIC programs.

Drag Knife Support

Note that dxf2gcode (see below under Conversion programs) has added support for drag knives.

If a design will accommodate rounding all of the corners, one can cut it without the need for special cornering action moves. Without them, any CAM software should give you a workable result with a Drag Knife. Simply use an engraving style (follow) toolpath which follows the line in your design which you would wish to have cut.[49]

Fret cutting

Nesting

Note that there are opensource scripts for some commercial apps, see the Commercial Software page.

Discussion of techniques: http://www.packomania.com/[55]

Cut lists

• http://www.maxcutsoftware.com/ --- commercial program with free version --- also does nesting

Other programs

https://github.com/arpruss/gcodeplot --- Generate 3-axis plotter gcode (or HPGL) from HPGL or an SVG subset. See http://www.instructables.com/id/Use-3D-Printer-As-a-Plottercutter/

https://github.com/evil-mad/stipplegen/releases/tag/v2.31 example image at: http://www.shapeoko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=8211&p=64435#p64433

http://kokompe.cba.mit.edu/ --- set of software tools for personal fabrication, intended for use with machines common to fab labs, includes Tools to design 2D and 3D objects, Functions to generate 2D and 3D toolpaths, GUIs workflow from design files to machine commands

https://github.com/1944GPW/ptap2dxfhttps://github.com/1944GPW/ptap2dxf/blob/master/Documentation/PTAP2DXF_User_Manual_v1.0.pdf --- generates DXFs for cutting workable 8-level, 5-level and other-level paper tapes using a normal home CNC craft stencil cutting machine

Testing

Other

A welcome feature would be automatically returning to the origin, say by adding G0 X0 Y0 Z0 at the end of files (prefaced by a G0 Z<safety height>).

Note that GrblGru = Free 3D-Simulation for ShapeOko2 has added CAM functionality as of v2.[57]

Open source computer aided manufacturing algorithms library: https://github.com/aewallin/opencamlib Explanations of the algorithmic details at: http://www.anderswallin.net/category/cnc/cam/[58] Used in stl2ngc.cpp listed above.

The ShapeOko 3 (and Nomad 883) are directly supported by Carbide Create a CAD/CAM program developed by Carbide3D (available under a free license).

Toolpaths: https://www.cnccookbook.com/3d-cnc-milling-machining-cam-toolpaths/