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More importantly, what do you use for toolpath generation? I haven't found anything open source that really works...

harvie 2y ago
I've been long-term contributor to bCNC https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/ https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/ But FreeCAD seems to be interresting choice lately as well...
WillAdams 2y ago
Opensource options include: - Solvespace --- limited to 2D last I checked - FreeCAD has a workbench for CAM/toolpath generation - BlenderCAM is a plug-in for Blender which is well-regarded, and together w/ CADsketcher/BlenderCAD works well for some folks - Kiri:Moto - pyCAM --- a venerable option, it worked well ages ago when I used my son's gaming computer to make toolpaths. Rather rough (possibly outdated) list at: https://old.reddit.com/r/shapeoko/wiki/cam https://old.reddit.com/r/shapeoko/wiki/cam
- deleted 2y ago
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- phkahler 2y ago
  Another might be gcad3d https://www.gcad3d.org/ https://www.gcad3d.org/
Joel_Mckay 2y ago
In general, FreedCAD has 3-axis tool path support, and I've met the kind local guy who started the original Path toolbox. For 2.5D there are several engraver options with the inkscape mightyscape plugins (scorchworks etc.) YMMV with the island-routing and surface probing routines: https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcode.git https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcode.git https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcodeGUI.git https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcodeGUI.git Also, we are currently evaluating: viaconstructor, inkcut, GCAM ( https://github.com/blinkenlight/GCAM.git https://github.com/blinkenlight/GCAM.git ) If you want 3D contouring operations, than you could also try: git://pycam.git.sourceforge.net/gitroot/pycam/pycam And note, if you patch CAMotics to compile on ubuntu 24.04.x it still has a number of Qt5 GUI problems (not entirely unexpected with Qt impact on LTS programs.) There are also direct gcode generator macros that support the LinuxCNC/emc language extensions. This is the most accurate methodology for turning and milling ops. Best of luck, =3
alnwlsn 2y ago
FreeCAD. Or, if it's simple enough, I write it by hand and use Python to do loops. I've got a handful of Python scripts that can mill holes, make square pockets, write text in a vector font, etc.

I've been long-term contributor to bCNC https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/ https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/ But FreeCAD seems to be interresting choice lately as well...

WillAdams 2y ago

Opensource options include: - Solvespace --- limited to 2D last I checked - FreeCAD has a workbench for CAM/toolpath generation - BlenderCAM is a plug-in for Blender which is well-regarded, and together w/ CADsketcher/BlenderCAD works well for some folks - Kiri:Moto - pyCAM --- a venerable option, it worked well ages ago when I used my son's gaming computer to make toolpaths. Rather rough (possibly outdated) list at: https://old.reddit.com/r/shapeoko/wiki/cam https://old.reddit.com/r/shapeoko/wiki/cam

deleted 2y ago
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phkahler 2y ago
Another might be gcad3d https://www.gcad3d.org/ https://www.gcad3d.org/

Joel_Mckay 2y ago

In general, FreedCAD has 3-axis tool path support, and I've met the kind local guy who started the original Path toolbox. For 2.5D there are several engraver options with the inkscape mightyscape plugins (scorchworks etc.) YMMV with the island-routing and surface probing routines: https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcode.git https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcode.git https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcodeGUI.git https://github.com/pcb2gcode/pcb2gcodeGUI.git Also, we are currently evaluating: viaconstructor, inkcut, GCAM ( https://github.com/blinkenlight/GCAM.git https://github.com/blinkenlight/GCAM.git ) If you want 3D contouring operations, than you could also try: git://pycam.git.sourceforge.net/gitroot/pycam/pycam And note, if you patch CAMotics to compile on ubuntu 24.04.x it still has a number of Qt5 GUI problems (not entirely unexpected with Qt impact on LTS programs.) There are also direct gcode generator macros that support the LinuxCNC/emc language extensions. This is the most accurate methodology for turning and milling ops. Best of luck, =3

alnwlsn 2y ago

FreeCAD. Or, if it's simple enough, I write it by hand and use Python to do loops. I've got a handful of Python scripts that can mill holes, make square pockets, write text in a vector font, etc.