[gibson22]

oky fellers now i got my machine moveing in mach3 what programs to use that r free CAD / CAM witch one first or do i get them both .... remember free iam learning and free is good

[ger21]

Fusion 360

[dune1982]

oky fellers now i got my machine moveing in mach3 what programs to use that r free CAD / CAM witch one first or do i get them both .... remember free iam learning and free is good

As far as I know there is no really good free software out there. Everything that is really good, helpfull and not a pain in the a.. has a price.

I would recomend to start of with a basic FILOU NC Version or a Hobby License if you're not makeing money with your machine. Spend a few $$ and learn something right and enjoy it instead of haveing a hastle and not getting anything done.

[routalot]

I have been looking around for the same thing for quite a while.For basic shapes cut from sheet material you may be ok with DXF2CNC and for engraving text there is a bit of free stuff around.If you need to cut 3D objects and have stl models of them,Pycam is a free download although it seems to take quite a while to compute the toolpath.Another one worth a look is the latest update of Freecad (version 0.16) I had an older version and found it a bit frustrating,like other parametric software,then my computer reminded me that a new version was available and I installed it.I was very pleased to find it now includes a CAM workbench and I will be experimenting with it in the next couple of weeks.

[SteveWill]

The older version of CamBam is free, I used it , but am finding the free hobby lic that fusion 360 has, is working better for me.

[Jim Dawson]

Fusion 360 is professional package and it free to hobbyists.

[gibson22]

The older version of CamBam is free, I used it , but am finding the free hobby lic that fusion 360 has, is working better for me.

thank you steve i just done loaded fusion 360 hobbyist i guess it is free for one year after that can i still use it for free if i register thank u