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- A software PLC programmable with ladder diagrams easy installation with.deb packages or a Live-CD It does not provide drawing (CAD - Computer Aided Design) or G-code generation from the drawing (CAM - Computer Automated Manufacturing) functions. It can simultaneously move up to 9 axes and supports a variety of interfaces.
- Best Free CNC Software from CNCCookbook. Quick: What’s the Best Free CAD Software out there? How about the Best Free CAM Software? Here’s your guide to the best free CNC software that’s out there. Some of it is ours, some is from 3rd parties. Is “Free” The Right Choice?
- Plastic
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The Best CAD/CAM software
In your opinion, What is the best CAD/CAM software? I enjoy using mastercam myself.
- Titanium
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Been done to death around here. I like HSMWorks a lot, use Fusion 360 at home, and miss some features of Gibbscam from time to time. Nothing's perfect.
- fpworksStainless
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- Aluminum
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My finger-cam and pencil will never be replaced, and my old manual machines can hold their own against CNC any day!
- Diamond
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cad cam
.Originally Posted by AlexTRCCIn your opinion, What is the best CAD/CAM software? I enjoy using mastercam myself.
cad software is different than cam software.
.
Solidworks is much better for assemblies of many parts, is easier to learn and has many books available on learning it. and there are more jobs that use it.
.
Mastercam is ok for cam work and it too has many books available on learning it. and there are more jobs that use it
.
i worked at places that use Unigraphics NX and others that use ProEngineer. both are good at large assemblies and can do cam work.
.
both have a weakness in books are not as easily available on learning them though ProEngineer has more Cad books available than NX. when i looked for cam books on them they were much harder to find. and without books with tutorials they are much harder to learn. and there are much fewer jobs available that use them. - Diamond
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.Originally Posted by grblMy finger-cam and pencil will never be replaced, and my old manual machines can hold their own against CNC any day!
as has been said many times before try engraving numbers with manual machines. obviously cnc can do it much faster - Plastic
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Just my favorite argument that's always seen in these threads. I don't actually own any manual machines ...or any pencils.Originally Posted by DMF_TomB.
as has been said many times before try engraving numbers with manual machines. obviously cnc can do it much faster - Titanium
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Whichever one I can get the boss to pony up for.......I use mostly Gibbs.....some Mazatrol / Mazacam. I imagine the type of equipment you have, the size of your shop, the depth of your pockets and the capacity of your brain are the most important factors. No correct answers......only pissing matches.
- Titanium
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After I posted, this is pretty much what came to mind. This isn't a real question (and it's also a fairly vague thread title), it's an opinion. I wouldn't go back to Mastercam if I had a choice, but I'd take it over CamWorks any day.Originally Posted by toolsteelI imagine the type of equipment you have, the size of your shop, the depth of your pockets and the capacity of your brain are the most important factors. No correct answers......only pissing matches. - Cast Iron
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almost my new hero...DAMIT !Originally Posted by grblJust my favorite argument that's always seen in these threads. I don't actually own any manual machines ...or any pencils. - Stainless
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- csharpStainless
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Originally Posted by rlockwoodOnly BLOWS if you are standing in front of it, stand behind it and it SUCKS.
2.5, 3axis, 3+1 hsmworks
Turning I use smartCAM - Diamond
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FeatureCAM is damn good for milling. Although, I feel it is convoluted once you get past 3 axis, and complex 3-D can be as well.
I use it for turning also. But, miss MasterCAM. Turning in MasterCAM was so much nicer.
From what I remember, that is. I opened MasterCAM the other day after a few years of not touching it, and could not remember how to use it LOL.
For simple milling, FeatureCAM really is very good. - Cast Iron
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At our company which manufactures moulds I have only used NX but some of my coworkers use Mastercam. Other than that I only hear of other softwares from friends who I have no direct comparison with. So...currently I'm using NX10 and started a long time ago using UG9. It was UG until v19 which is when they switched to the NX name and puts NX10 at about v30. Anyways a while back I used to feel some coworkers, who were on MC, were able to handle steel programming a bit easier than I but our NX users were rocking the hell for everything else with solid modeling and trode programming as well as complete mold designs in solid. Siemens has done a lot of enhancing and refining lately and I feel that NX has eclipsed MC in programming and MC never had any sort of design/assemblies/drafting that is in the same galaxy as NX. I think MC still has some nice bells and whistles but overall from what I see NX is fundamentally better. Solids based is the only way to go if you have any sort of designing to do or even small tweaks; surface based is last century tech. I see our MC guys always building additional geometry to extend or isolate their operations which is foreign to me. They have been struggling with how MC is handling the in process model in MC8 and MC9 which has been second nature to NX for a long time. One of our MC programmers recently blew through 32GB of ram while programming a moderately sized STL model! *sigh* Probably the biggest single aspect I like about NX is it can use the entire model for part and then you can simply select faces you wish to machine and that goes for virtually all the various types of operations available. You can easily tell it to extend so you don't have to build all sorts of extra geometry to have the cutter start/stop of the cut faces. If you have the need for power and flexibility a cad/cam system should be able to easily handle solids, surfaces and STL without any hiccups. We have also looked at CamTool software which is nice for hard milling but it lacks for roughing, drilling, is only surfaced based without the ability to handle solids, cannot do STL bodies, has no assemblies, no modeling and to top it off I have heard they haven't really enhanced it much in recent years although that's second hand info.
Mastercam is quite decent but even while having the most installed seats IMO NX is a much better package not to mention MC needs an additional solid cad software to even be in the same ballpark.
All that being said...I recommend people use whatever is a good fit for them. If you use an underpowered software for your particular work then you're wasting time and money. If you buy overpowered software then you're not using its potential and wasting money as well. - aldepoaloStainless
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The best CAM system is the one you know how to use, hands down.
- wheelieking71, John Stevenson, jrmach, RoboMiller, toolsteel and 6 others liked this post
- Stainless
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That's like saying the fastest horse is the one you're riding.. Works fine until a guy riding a faster horse passes you...Originally Posted by aldepoaloThe best CAM system is the one you know how to use, hands down. - Hot Rolled
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- Titanium
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Originally Posted by rlockwoodThat's like saying the fastest horse is the one you're riding.. Works fine until a guy riding a faster horse passes you...
His horse does me no good if I can't afford it though. - Stainless
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Originally Posted by AlexTRCCIn your opinion, What is the best CAD/CAM software? I enjoy using mastercam myself.Originally Posted by aldepoaloThe best CAM system is the one you know how to use, hands down.When did cost come into the conversation?Originally Posted by jrmachHis horse does me no good if I can't afford it though.
Besides, you're making an assumption that there's a correlation between expensive horses and fast horses..
12+ Best CAD CAM Software Download Reviews If you are an engineer and want to design any jigs and fixtures, then the main software that you will have to use is CAD CAM. You will need certain programming software that will be able to load these files and mill according to it.
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Anyone who has worked with CAD will know just how integral the software is to various industries—ranging from architecture, to engineering and even gaming. CAD gives us the ability to create designs for a range of purposes, from electrical drawings to house plans. This high demand, however, has meant that professional CAD software has become very expensive—particularly for those who just enjoy CAD as a hobby, and therefore don’t want to commit to an expensive package (for instance, this is how much AutoCAD costs).
With that in mind, Scan2CAD has created a list of the top 14 CAD freeware packages, so you can enjoy CAD without having to spend a single penny. We’ve included operating systems, supported file types and even a list of extra packages that didn’t quite make the list. Read on…
We’ve separated this list into two sections:
We begin our list with some of the most popular and free options for 2D drafting. If you’re new to CAD, you probably want to start here.
1. DraftSight
DraftSight is a professional 2D design and drafting program that lets you create, edit and view any kind of 2D drawing. It’s a rather simple and minimal program, so it’s easy to make the transition from another type of CAD application to DraftSight. The only requirement to use the program is to activate it via an email address. This CAD freeware program does have an AutoCAD feel to it—in fact, it even uses AutoCAD’s native file format DWG. It comes with a range of drafting tools to help you create professional plans, with a number of vector entities available including lines and polylines, dimensions, layering capabilities and text.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Ubuntu, Fedora
File Formats: DWG, DXF, JPEG, PDF, PNG, SLD, STL, SVG, TIF
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: DWG, DXF, JPEG, PDF, PNG, SLD, STL, SVG, TIF
Interested?Download now!
Update: As pointed out in our comments. DraftSight will not be offered for free in future releases.
2. QCAD
QCAD is a free, open-source application for CAD in 2D. It can be used to create technical drawings such as buildings, mechanical parts or diagrams. The software was designed with modularity, extensibility and portability in mind, and it comes with an intuitive user interface. QCAD is simple to use, so you don’t necessarily need any CAD experience to start with QCAD immediately—which is a great advantage. It also comes with a variety of useful features including layers, blocks, 35 CAD fonts and a library with over 4800 CAD parts.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
File Formats: BMP, DGN, DWG, DWF, DXF, ICO, JPEG, PDF, PNG, PPM, SVG, TIFF, XBM, XPM
Interested?Download now
File Formats: BMP, DGN, DWG, DWF, DXF, ICO, JPEG, PDF, PNG, PPM, SVG, TIFF, XBM, XPM
Interested?Download now
3. LibreCAD
Image Source: Wikimedia
LibreCAD is a free open-source 2D CAD modeling platform. It comes with a GPLv2 public license, so you can use it, customize it, hack it and copy it with free user and developer support. It’s a community-driven project, so it’s constantly being improved with new ideas. The program comes with high-quality features like snap-to-grid capabilities, which means that you can create straight lines and align objects as you go. It also comes with layers, text and measurements.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
File Formats: DXF, DWG, JPG, PDF, PNG, SVG
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: DXF, DWG, JPG, PDF, PNG, SVG
Interested?Download now!
4. Draft IT
Best Free Cad Cam Software For Cnc
Draft IT is a 2D system, which is primarily most useful for people who are just starting out with CAD. It has no 3D and/or modeling capabilities, so you shouldn’t be expecting anything too complex. It’s essentially a system that is useful for creating plans and diagrams. That being said, some of its features are disabled in the free version, e.g. layering and polylines. To be able to do more, you would have to upgrade to the Plus or Pro version. So, if you’re looking to do serious, detailed work you might want to consider other software.
Best Free Cad Cam Software For Sale
Operating System: Windows
File Formats: DWG, DXF
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: DWG, DXF
Interested?Download now!
The world of free CAD software is no-longer limited to 2D drafting applications. As we’ll discover below, there is a wealth of exciting 3D Modelling options available and many of these new solutions are focussing on making a previously complex solution much simpler and easier to use.
5. SketchUp Make
Image Source: SketchUp Community
SketchUp Make is a 3D modeling program that covers a range of applications such as architecture, interior design, civil engineering and even video game design. It comes with an open-source library of models and a 3D warehouse which is the world’s biggest library of free 3D models. The software is incredibly easy to use, and the SketchUp website provides extra help with tutorials and videos. You can even customize your SketchUp with extensions, or by upgrading to SketchUp Pro. If you’re interested in creating more advanced projects, you will have to upgrade to the Pro version, which gives you access to features like simulated film cameras and solid modeling tools.
Operating System: Windows, Mac
File Formats: 3DS, OBJ, DAE, DWG, DXF, FBX, KMZ, WRL, XSI
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: 3DS, OBJ, DAE, DWG, DXF, FBX, KMZ, WRL, XSI
Interested?Download now!
6. OnShape
Image Source: OnShape
OnShape is a force to recon with when it comes to making 3D modelling more accessible to the masses. If you’re not new to CAD, you’ve probably heard of the leading 3D modelling CAD software, SolidWorks , OnShape was started by SolidWorks CEOs Jon Hirschtick and John McEleney, plus their founding team and they continue to carry the torch of SolidWorks’ innovation and quality.
OnShape is unique to many other options in that it runs in your web browser. But don’t be fooled into thinking a browser-based solution is limited. The software boasts a list of enterprise-level manufacturing companies as users so if their features are enough for these companies it will likely be enough for most entry-level users.
Although OnShape offers a premium solution, they also offer a free plan with limited features, but be warned; everything you store in OnShape under the free plan is automatically open source.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux (Runs in most web browsers excluding IE and Edge)
File Formats: STP, IGS, 3DM, STL, OBJ & more.
Interested?Visit OnShape
File Formats: STP, IGS, 3DM, STL, OBJ & more.
Interested?Visit OnShape
7. FreeCAD
Image Source: DIWO
FreeCAD is a 100% open sourced 3D parametric modeler. It’s predominantly aimed at mechanical engineering and product design users because its features are adapted to mechanical engineering. However, it can be used by anyone interested in creating 3D models—in fact, you don’t even need to have had any CAD experience to use the program comfortably. As with other 3D modelers, it does come with 2D components, but direct 2D drawing is not its focus. It has a variety of features ranging from 3D solids, to support for meshes, to a robot simulation module that allows you to study robot movements. If you’re comfortable with SolidWorks, you’ll find FreeCAD easy to use.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Ubuntu
File Formats: DAE, DXF, Fcstd, IFC, IGES, OBJ, OFF, NASTRAN, STEP, STL, SVG, VRML
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: DAE, DXF, Fcstd, IFC, IGES, OBJ, OFF, NASTRAN, STEP, STL, SVG, VRML
Interested?Download now!
8. Sweet Home 3D
Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application that gives users the chance to draw floor plans, arrange furniture and look at the final results in 3D. Users can change color schemes, use models from the catalog and even create a movie of the 3D model to be exported to SVG. In addition, any changes made to the 2D plan are simultaneously reflected in a 3D view. These models can then be looked at from an aerial view point, and from a virtual visitor view point.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
File Types: JPEG, OBJ, PDF, PNG, SVG
Interested?Download now!
File Types: JPEG, OBJ, PDF, PNG, SVG
Interested?Download now!
9. TinkerCAD
Image Source: 3D Drucken
TinkerCAD is a 3D design and 3D printing application. It’s used to create everything from toys, to prototypes, to home decor and even jewelry. It’s a web-based application, so no downloads are necessary. It’s predominantly used for simple projects—it comes with 3 basic tools to create basic shapes. Its biggest advantage is that it can create 3D models for immediate 3D printing—with its CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry) feature, you can get a 3D model in 10 minutes! Users can design models from scratch, or use ready-made models. The application is limited, however, as it cannot be used for complex projects.
Operating System: Browser-based
File Formats: OBJ, STL
Interested? Check it out here!
File Formats: OBJ, STL
Interested? Check it out here!
10. 3D Crafter
Image Source: decapod99
Free Cad Cam Software Download
3D Crafter is an intuitive, real-time 3D modeling and animation freeware program. It incorporates a drag-and-drop approach to 3D modeling. It can create complex models from simple 3D primitives or by using its shape building tools. The program can also be used to create animated scenes, which can be viewed in real time and recorded to a video (AVI) file. While it has many capabilities, you might need to upgrade to 3DCrafter Plus or Pro for more advanced features.
Operating System: Windows
File Formats: 3DMF, AC, ASC, COB, DXF, GEO, LP, LWO, NFF, OBJ, MA, RAW, RBS, RWX, STL, VRMLL, XGL, ZGL
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: 3DMF, AC, ASC, COB, DXF, GEO, LP, LWO, NFF, OBJ, MA, RAW, RBS, RWX, STL, VRMLL, XGL, ZGL
Interested?Download now!
11. Sculptris
Sculptris is a 3D modeling freeware program created by industry expert Pixologic. It’s not a general-purpose drafting program; instead, it was designed for 3D sculpting. It was created with the intention to be accessible for every type of artist—from beginner to expert. The program comes with a professional user interface, alongside two main navigation methods: right-click navigation and free moving navigation. Not only that, but it comes with a number of sculpting tools such as symmetry mode and dynamic tessellation. There’s also a variety of sculpting brushes that draw, grab, smooth and flatten. Needless to say, there’s a lot to take advantage of!
Operating System: Windows, Mac
File Formats: OBJ
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: OBJ
Interested?Download now!
![Free Free](/uploads/1/2/6/6/126645527/305005545.jpeg)
12. OpenSCAD
Image Source: Peak 5390
OpenSCAD is a 3D modeling CAD freeware platform. Unlike most 3D modeling software, it doesn’t focus on the ‘artistic’ aspects of 3D modeling. Instead, it’s more suitable for creating 3D models of machine parts, and working as a 3D compiler that describes the object and renders a 3D model from a script file. It gives the designer full control over the modeling process to make designs that are designed by configurable parameters. However, while the software is very intuitive, it’s still too limited for complex projects—so you might have to go elsewhere if you want more advanced features.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux, Ubuntu, Fedora
File Formats: AMF, CSG, DXF, OFF, PNG, SCAD, STL, SVG
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: AMF, CSG, DXF, OFF, PNG, SCAD, STL, SVG
Interested?Download now!
13. Blender
Blender is a free and open-source 3D modeling program. It’s more of an artistic 3D modeling program than a general-use drafting program. It comes with a wide set of capabilities ranging from photo-realistic rendering, to fast modeling, to realistic materials. Blender even allows designers to make use of an extensive animation toolset to turn still characters into animations. And if that wasn’t enough, the program also comes with simulation capabilities and video editing. While it is a steep learning curve with Blender, it is worth it.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
File Formats: 3DS, BVH, DAE, DFX, FBX, LWO, OBJ, PLY, STL, SVG, VRML/97, x, X3D
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: 3DS, BVH, DAE, DFX, FBX, LWO, OBJ, PLY, STL, SVG, VRML/97, x, X3D
Interested?Download now!
14. LeoCAD
Image Source: LeoCAD
LeoCAD is a CAD freeware program used for creating virtual LEGO models. While you might think that the software is geared towards children, you would be very wrong. This piece of software allows users to create anything from the simplest to the most complex of projects—the above screenshot is a model of the Tower Bridge with over 4,000 pieces! It comes with an intuitive interface, designed to make the process of creation easy and time-efficient. Plus, it comes with over 6,000 different pieces to create 3D models from—so there are no limits to what you can create! Obviously, the LEGO angle is very niche, but it’s perfect for those wanting to create something a little bit different.
Operating System: Windows, Mac, Linux
File Formats: LDR, DAT
Interested?Download now!
File Formats: LDR, DAT
Interested?Download now!
Honorable Mentions
There’s a huge variety of CAD freeware available, so there are many that didn’t make our final list—but that certainly doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t check them out! Take a look at our list below for even more free software applications to take advantage of:
As an added bonus, the following 3 picks are only free for students—but they include some of the most well-known programs on the market:
Don’t forget to try out Scan2CAD’s blog for the latest news—covering everything from CAD Freelancers to Top 3D CAD Models to Try Out to Sites with Free DXF Designs!