I have a questions about software for a CNC router. I know with 3D printing you need CAD to draw and a slicer to print, but what about CNC routing? I'm a bit confused. I read that there's 3 programs I need: CAD, CAM, and control software. Does the CAM software generate the g-code and the control software accepts the g-code and runs the machine? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876126#msg-876126 Sun, 06 Sep 2026 14:36:35 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876585#msg-876585 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876585#msg-876585
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CVRIV
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Ohmarinus
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etfrench
I use Fusion 360 to generate 3d models and produce the gcode. My CNC router runs LinuxCNC. It's a hard combination to beat for the price.

I agree, my colleague uses Fusion360 for all his CAM work now and apparently it's a very good piece of software to master, also for modelling and other CAD work.

I got Fusion 360 and it looks a bit like Google Sketchup to me. Ive been using Inventor for so long the Fusion lools a bit dialed down to me.

I started using a program called Estlecam, which is Cam amd control software in one. So far I like. I might end up buying it.

I would still consider learning Fusion360 because it has built-in CAM planning and control etc.

Old tutorial, but it only got better from there on:
[www.youtube.com]]]> Ohmarinus General Tue, 25 Aug 2020 04:40:25 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876576#msg-876576 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876576#msg-876576
Quote
Ohmarinus
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etfrench
I use Fusion 360 to generate 3d models and produce the gcode. My CNC router runs LinuxCNC. It's a hard combination to beat for the price.

I agree, my colleague uses Fusion360 for all his CAM work now and apparently it's a very good piece of software to master, also for modelling and other CAD work.

I got Fusion 360 and it looks a bit like Google Sketchup to me. Ive been using Inventor for so long the Fusion lools a bit dialed down to me.

I started using a program called Estlecam, which is Cam amd control software in one. So far I like. I might end up buying it.]]> CVRIV General Tue, 25 Aug 2020 00:43:02 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876141#msg-876141 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876141#msg-876141 VDX General Sun, 16 Aug 2020 03:41:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876137#msg-876137 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876137#msg-876137
Quote
etfrench
I use Fusion 360 to generate 3d models and produce the gcode. My CNC router runs LinuxCNC. It's a hard combination to beat for the price.

I agree, my colleague uses Fusion360 for all his CAM work now and apparently it's a very good piece of software to master, also for modelling and other CAD work.]]> Ohmarinus General Sun, 16 Aug 2020 03:14:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876136#msg-876136 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876136#msg-876136 etfrench General Sun, 16 Aug 2020 02:49:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876133#msg-876133 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876133#msg-876133
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Does the CAM software generate the g-code and the control software accepts the g-code and runs the machine?
Yep.

The control software for most hobby CNC's is GRBL, which requires a PC to stream G-code commands via USB (unlike 3D printers which can usually run standalone). I use a free program called Universal G-code Sender.

The G-code can be produced any way you like, even writing it by hand in any text editor. I write C++ programs to generate it. There should also be programs to convert vector drawings (Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, etc.) into G-code, but I haven't really looked into it yet. Proper CAD/CAM software is needed for generating G-code from 3D models.]]> dekutree64 General Sat, 15 Aug 2020 23:10:40 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876129#msg-876129 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876129#msg-876129 CVRIV General Sat, 15 Aug 2020 19:17:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876127#msg-876127 Re: I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876127#msg-876127
With the typical 3D-printer-setup used for engraving with G-code it's mostly 2D so could be handled different -- here you can sketch/draw your graphics and convert into G-code with different programs ... e.g. with the OpenSource program inkscape ...]]> VDX General Sat, 15 Aug 2020 16:59:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876126#msg-876126 I have a questions about software for a CNC router. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,876126,876126#msg-876126
I read that there's 3 programs I need: CAD, CAM, and control software. Does the CAM software generate the g-code and the control software accepts the g-code and runs the machine?]]> CVRIV General Sat, 15 Aug 2020 16:47:08 -0400