EMC Documentation Wiki: Cam

see also Cam Post for help with post-processors

[EMC-compatible CAM programs]?

http://cadcamcae.wikia.com/ CAx resource index for developers - CAD, CAM, CAE, etc.

Name Type License Description

[GNU CAM] 2.5D CAM LGPL2.1+ Voxel preview, gerber, excellon, and 2.5D dxf import

[dxf2gcode] [english translation] 2D CAM GPL dxf 2 gcode- simple 2D python program verified to work on qcad-generated dxf files-by Christian Kohlöffel

[vec2ngc] 2D CAM GPL2+ dxf to gcode converter (python) by micges

[Sheetcam] 2D CAM Commercial Native Linux demo version available for download

[GCncCam] 2D CAM GPL Linux CAM Tool for converting CAD DXF-Files to G-Code. Aligns layers to tools.

[Simple G-code generators in Python] Macro GPL3+ Simple G-Code Generators written in Python

[CP1] Macro None Simple G-Code Generators written in Tcl and Tk

[pycam] 3D CAM GPL 3D surfacing of STL models

[TrueTypeTracer] 2D CAM GPL2 outlines TrueType? fonts in gcode

[cxf2cnc][(fonts)] 2D CAM GPL2+ convert stick fonts to g-code

InkscapeHowto 2D CAM CC/GPL Several Inkscape's extensions and tutorials to generate GCODE from SVG paths

[cncOnline] 2D CAM CC/GPL Hugomatic's online gcode generators

[InkscapeBiarcs] 2D CAM CC/GPL Better curve export for Inkscape to generate GCODE from SVG paths

Using Gedit Wiki CC tutorial on using the text editor gedit with emc2. external tools plugin

[Aptos] 3D CAM GPL A project aimed at producing a modern GPL version of the APT programming language

APT Tutorial Wiki CC A tutorial on using Aptos with EMC

[MonoCAM] 3D CAM GPL2 A project in C#, very much early alpha stage. As of Feb 2008 only has rudimentary drop-cutter algorithm for finish paths on STL surfaces.

[xfig] 2D CAM GPL2+ xfig to g-code converter

[REALIZE] 2D CAM GPL2+ Autolispt script that generates G Code directly from Autocad or Autocad clones like Progecad,Intellicad

[CNC Code Generator] 2D CAM GPL imports 2D DXF profiles from CAD. Written in java for milling and turning

[Codeg] 2D CAM GPL 2.5D(?) dxf to gcode intended for hotwire machines

[gcode generators] Macro None C Sources to create GCODE for common features such as pocket, post, bolt circle

[opencam] Wiki Editthis A wiki page about Open Source CAM (links, ideas etc.)

[CamOCC] 3D CAM GPL2+ Uses Opencascade. Not very functional, but a good place to start for anyone who wants to experiment with OCC.

[CAMVOX] 3D CAM GPL A project in C++ and Python, using constructive solid geometry for the design and a voxel space to calculate tool paths. CSG => voxel is currently working.

[ROUGH2.CPP] 3D CAM None Kenneth Maxon's custom dxf to gcode C sources

[upload:EMC2.ZIP] CAM post Mastercam post known to work for at least 2D machining...

[1] CAM post Camworks Post for EMC2 3,4,5Axis machines Subprogram support ...

[OpenCAM] 2D CAM GPL 2D CAM with annoying website

[hp2xx] [docs] 2D CAM GPL2 HPGL to GCODE converter]

[dxf2cnc] 2D CAM None to compile this type gcc -lm cnc.c -o dxf2cnc (Doesn't seem to output emc2-compatible g-code)

[cam.py] 2.5D CAM Non-Commercial SVG DXF STL JPEG Excellon Gerber to multiple CAM formats

[ACE Converter] 2D CAM GPL DXF to GCODE converter (Windows?)

[pcb-gcode] 2D CAM Artistic makes gcode for isolation routing of printed circuit boards in [Eagle] (Yahoo Group [here(old)], user reports [here] and [here])

[gcode.ulp] 2D CAM GPL2+ jepler's eagle circuit board PCB milling ULP script

[mesh2hmap] 3D converter GPL converts 3D VRML meshes (from blender for example) to bitmaps, which can then be run through image-to-gcode

[image-to-gcode] 3D CAM GPL PNG JPG to GCODE, included with emc 2.1+

[imagecarve] 3D CAM GPL simple C equivalent to image-to-gcode

[bmp2cnc] 3D CAM GPL Command line program to convert bitmaps to g-code, runs in Linux, DOS and Windows

[image-to-gcode_modified] 3D CAM GPL modified to support roughing passes

[SPCE] 3D CAM ?? Bitmap to GCODE converter

[libarea] 2D CAM GPL3 clears arbitrarily shaped pockets

[libactp] 3D CAM GPL2 high speed machining toolpath generator based on "adaptive clearing" algorithm

[HeeksCNC] 3D CAM BSD CAM plugin for [HeeksCAD]

[BoardCAD] 3D CAM GPL Java-based CAD/CAM for surfboard design, creates toolpaths for EMC2

[pcb2gcode] 2D CAM GPL A command-line program that calculates machine toolpaths from given PCB layouts.

[mGcodeGenerator] 2D, 2.5D, 3D CAM It is a script for Blender to gcode / cnc / ngc. [wiki]

[grecode] gcode filter GPL A command line tool to modify gcode: shifting, rotating, aligning, ...

[NCCL] 2D CAM no cost Small language that create Gcode (Windows .EXE)

file format conversion software:

Name Type License Description

[MeshLab] 3D converter GPL Mesh Processing tool to convert STL to/from many formats. Include mesh checking/repairing abilities

[stl-to-dxf] 3D converter GPL2+ convert STL to 3D DXF

[FigEpsPdf] 2D converter None EPS to misc formats

[VectorSection] 2D converter Perl/GPL command line drawing format converter (alpha)

[ps2gc] 2D CAM Non-Commercial Postscript to G-Code converter

CAD programs for Linux:

Name Type License Description

[BRL-CAD] 3D CAD LGPL? 3D solid modeler with simulation capabilities

[CADRA] 3D CAD Commercial CAD that runs in Linux

[blender] 3D modeler GPL powerful NURBS/mesh artistic modeler

[blenderCAD] 3D CAD GPL add-on scripts to make blender more cad-friendly

[salome] 3D CAD LGPL 3D solid CAD for finite element analysis

[Synergy] 3D CAD/CAM Commercial CAD/CAM that runs in Linux

[gCAD3D] 3D CAD/CAM Freeware hard to use; some interesting sheet metal operations

[SagCAD] 2D CAD] GPL2 comparable to qcad

[Varkon] 3D CAD/CAM GPL/LGPL CAD/CAM code library and development environment

[PythonCad] 2D CAD GPL2 2d drafting, not quite there yet

[CADvas] [upload:cadvas-0.2.2.tar.gz] 2D CAD GPL2+ a small python drafting program that teaches a lot about programming in python-the source code is easy to understand

[QCad] 2D CAD GPL 2D drafting, native DXF format

[camexpert] 2D CAM Commercial addon for qcad to output GCODE

[PythonCascade] CAD lib Freeware python interface to Open Cascade libraries

[Open Cascade] CAD lib Open Freeware Massively huge 3D CAD library, mostly C++ and Tk

[FreeCAD] 3D CAD GPL/LGPL CAx RAD based on OpenCasCade?, QT and Python (alpha)

[VariCAD] 2D&3D CAD Commercial VariCAD? is a 3D/2D CAD system for mechanical engineering that runs in Linux or Windows and supports STEP, STL, IGES, DWG and DXF file formats

[OpenSCAD] 3D CAD GPLv2 OpenSCAD? is software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Apples OS X.

programs to run windows software under linux:

Name Type License Description

[Wine] emulator GPL run windows CAD/CAM apps on Linux without installing windows

[Crossover] emulator Commercial a commercial version of Wine

[Qemu] emulator GPL a virtual machine that lets you install many operating systems on your computer

[VMware] emulator Commercial another virtual machine

[Win4Lin] emulator Commercial another virtual machine

[DOSBox] emulator GPL allows use of DOS based apps and can video capture your DOS session.

note: a few of the links are copied from http://www.linuxwiki.de/EMC

Name	Type	License	Description
[GNU CAM]	2.5D CAM	LGPL2.1+	Voxel preview, gerber, excellon, and 2.5D dxf import
[dxf2gcode] [english translation]	2D CAM	GPL	dxf 2 gcode- simple 2D python program verified to work on qcad-generated dxf files-by Christian Kohlöffel
[vec2ngc]	2D CAM	GPL2+	dxf to gcode converter (python) by micges
[Sheetcam]	2D CAM	Commercial	Native Linux demo version available for download
[GCncCam]	2D CAM	GPL	Linux CAM Tool for converting CAD DXF-Files to G-Code. Aligns layers to tools.
[Simple G-code generators in Python]	Macro	GPL3+	Simple G-Code Generators written in Python
[CP1]	Macro	None	Simple G-Code Generators written in Tcl and Tk
[pycam]	3D CAM	GPL	3D surfacing of STL models
[TrueTypeTracer]	2D CAM	GPL2	outlines TrueType? fonts in gcode
[cxf2cnc][(fonts)]	2D CAM	GPL2+	convert stick fonts to g-code
InkscapeHowto	2D CAM	CC/GPL	Several Inkscape's extensions and tutorials to generate GCODE from SVG paths
[cncOnline]	2D CAM	CC/GPL	Hugomatic's online gcode generators
[InkscapeBiarcs]	2D CAM	CC/GPL	Better curve export for Inkscape to generate GCODE from SVG paths
Using Gedit	Wiki	CC	tutorial on using the text editor gedit with emc2. external tools plugin
[Aptos]	3D CAM	GPL	A project aimed at producing a modern GPL version of the APT programming language
APT Tutorial	Wiki	CC	A tutorial on using Aptos with EMC
[MonoCAM]	3D CAM	GPL2	A project in C#, very much early alpha stage. As of Feb 2008 only has rudimentary drop-cutter algorithm for finish paths on STL surfaces.
[xfig]	2D CAM	GPL2+	xfig to g-code converter
[REALIZE]	2D CAM	GPL2+	Autolispt script that generates G Code directly from Autocad or Autocad clones like Progecad,Intellicad
[CNC Code Generator]	2D CAM	GPL	imports 2D DXF profiles from CAD. Written in java for milling and turning
[Codeg]	2D CAM	GPL	2.5D(?) dxf to gcode intended for hotwire machines
[gcode generators]	Macro	None	C Sources to create GCODE for common features such as pocket, post, bolt circle
[opencam]	Wiki	Editthis	A wiki page about Open Source CAM (links, ideas etc.)
[CamOCC]	3D CAM	GPL2+	Uses Opencascade. Not very functional, but a good place to start for anyone who wants to experiment with OCC.
[CAMVOX]	3D CAM	GPL	A project in C++ and Python, using constructive solid geometry for the design and a voxel space to calculate tool paths. CSG => voxel is currently working.
[ROUGH2.CPP]	3D CAM	None	Kenneth Maxon's custom dxf to gcode C sources
[upload:EMC2.ZIP]	CAM post		Mastercam post known to work for at least 2D machining...
[1]	CAM post		Camworks Post for EMC2 3,4,5Axis machines Subprogram support ...
[OpenCAM]	2D CAM	GPL	2D CAM with annoying website
[hp2xx] [docs]	2D CAM	GPL2	HPGL to GCODE converter]
[dxf2cnc]	2D CAM	None	to compile this type gcc -lm cnc.c -o dxf2cnc (Doesn't seem to output emc2-compatible g-code)
[cam.py]	2.5D CAM	Non-Commercial	SVG DXF STL JPEG Excellon Gerber to multiple CAM formats
[ACE Converter]	2D CAM	GPL	DXF to GCODE converter (Windows?)
[pcb-gcode]	2D CAM	Artistic	makes gcode for isolation routing of printed circuit boards in [Eagle] (Yahoo Group [here(old)], user reports [here] and [here])
[gcode.ulp]	2D CAM	GPL2+	jepler's eagle circuit board PCB milling ULP script
[mesh2hmap]	3D converter	GPL	converts 3D VRML meshes (from blender for example) to bitmaps, which can then be run through image-to-gcode
[image-to-gcode]	3D CAM	GPL	PNG JPG to GCODE, included with emc 2.1+
[imagecarve]	3D CAM	GPL	simple C equivalent to image-to-gcode
[bmp2cnc]	3D CAM	GPL	Command line program to convert bitmaps to g-code, runs in Linux, DOS and Windows
[image-to-gcode_modified]	3D CAM	GPL	modified to support roughing passes
[SPCE]	3D CAM	??	Bitmap to GCODE converter
[libarea]	2D CAM	GPL3	clears arbitrarily shaped pockets
[libactp]	3D CAM	GPL2	high speed machining toolpath generator based on "adaptive clearing" algorithm
[HeeksCNC]	3D CAM	BSD	CAM plugin for [HeeksCAD]
[BoardCAD]	3D CAM	GPL	Java-based CAD/CAM for surfboard design, creates toolpaths for EMC2
[pcb2gcode]	2D CAM	GPL	A command-line program that calculates machine toolpaths from given PCB layouts.
[mGcodeGenerator]	2D, 2.5D, 3D CAM		It is a script for Blender to gcode / cnc / ngc. [wiki]
[grecode]	gcode filter	GPL	A command line tool to modify gcode: shifting, rotating, aligning, ...
[NCCL]	2D CAM	no cost	Small language that create Gcode (Windows .EXE)