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This is exactly where Ponoko (https://www.ponoko.com/ https://www.ponoko.com/) went wrong. They're a 3d printing and cutting as a service company. They're still

This is exactly where Ponoko (https://www.ponoko.com/ https://www.ponoko.com/) went wrong. They're a 3d printing and cutting as a service company. They're still around, but in a much reduced size. The end product is fine, but the problem is that it's just so damn hard to build anything to be cut on the computer, since you have to use an svg editor (so either Inkscape or Illustrator), and use different colours and thicknesses for different cuts. What they really needed to focus on at the start was building an easy to use application (whether web or desktop) that could be used to easily make and mock up designs for cutting and/or 3d printing.

abakker 9y ago
An easy cutting applications: Vectric Vcarve Pro. The trouble is that their toolpathing is really only OK for woodworking. They don't have any of the nicer adaptive clearing or constant tool load things. However, in 2.5D, they handle a lot of things very nicely, and very intuitively. I still use it for 2d outline cuts in wood, drag knife work, and 2D vector laser engraving. edit to add: Don't use SVGs or Illustrator for anything except art. They're really a horrible input for any kind of CNC, better to just use CAD ASAP. Fusion360 is a great free option (for now), and Vectric Vcarve Pro is really nice if you want something really easy in 2.5D.