These links are provided for your reference; we hope you find them useful. While we endeavor to keep them up-to-date, links on the web are susceptible to “link rot” – they change or go bad. Of course, we’re not responsible for what happens on external websites and, like other websites, you use them at your own risk.
Free Mechanical Engineering Software with Motion Simulation
Indexer LPT; HPGL to G-code
File translation between 3D formats; Successor to STLTrans
Parametric software for mechanical design
Multi-level 2D toolpaths for routing, turning stonework, and wire EDM
CAD, NURBs Surface and Solid Modeling Software - some even works on Macs
Autodesk is the maker of 3DS MAX, a popular modeling and animation program for the PC. Autodesk also makes Autocad, one of the first products to bring 3D modeling to the desktop. A broad portfolio of 3D software including some free products (see Autodesk 123D) and some on a "pay as you go" plan
Form Z Bonzai and General purpose solid and surface modelers for PC and Mac
Convert bitmap to vector graphics in Java
Illustrator DXFs to toolpaths
A Linux-based free 3D modeler that is becoming increasingly popular for web applications
A relatively low-cost system for generating part drawings and toolpaths.
Inexpensive 2D CAD
IntelliCAD Cloud-based 2D and 3D design software and "etoolbox" CAD viewer
a Collection of Free Utilities Useful for CNC
Various free programs and info, including a G-code editor and simulator, speeds and feeds calculator
Simulates toolpaths free but expires periodically
Free open-source CAM toolkit for 5-axis machining, based on Gmax
India-based CNC company, has Capsturn and Capsmill CAD-CAM and DNC for CNC machining.
Translation and data repair software
A system for automating the design of printed circuit boards
Cad Standard Lite freeware and inexpensive Pro software
Basic Toolpath Generation from 2D drawings and 3D meshes
Chart and diagram software
Woodworking Software
SolidWorks High-end solids modeling program
Free Draftsight 2D CAD Software, works with DWG files
Leveller® Heightfield Editor
In the Netherlands, Delft Spline is the developer of DeskProto, a very sophisticated yet easy-to-use program for translating CAD geometry (as dxf or stl files) into NC tool paths that CNC milling machines can use directly. With many useful features, like a 2-side wizard, freeform machining areas, a range of strategies like spiral and block cutting, support for 2D linear engraving, waterline toolpaths, and N-sided milling. A fixture that facilitates carving jewelry parts like rings on 3 sides using your 4th axis complements the 123 WaxRing Wizard. Now available at a discount price on this site.
From Octree Corporation A viewer/encoder system for “voxels”, a cubic “voulme unit” that can replace polygons when representing an object in 3D.
The Deskam family of products, including DesKam, DeskArt, DeskNC, and DeskEngrave
3D software for RP, good for repairing STL files
Modeling and Mapping Digital Elevation Model (DEM) software
CNC editor
CNC CAD-CAM now with web-based CAM, Rhino 3dm support
Simplified CAD-CAM for mills and lathes, from the UK
Make accurate stone countertop templates, etc. with a digital camera
CAD-CAM solution for CNC machining and G-code programming of mills and lathes
GNU-licensed Engraving and V-carving Software Handles CXF and TTF fonts, Imports DXF and Bitmap Images
Inc. Lots of “Fast” software, like FastPlot, FastNest, FastCut, etc.
Basic CAM generates G-code from imported files with 250 pre-built post-processors for various machines, entirely free and functional with no time limits
Free CAD-CAM for 2.5D parts
Software for cutting airplane wings and fuselages from polystyrene foam with a CNC hotwire machine
Integrated CAD-CAM software for Windows
Gear Generation Program and Gearheads Forum
Faceting software for gemstones
Jewelry specific 3D modeling software
Free GIS and CAD Software translates DWG, DXF, DEM, DLG,DoQQ, MIF, SDTS
High-end software for model repair and reconstruction (Geomagic Wrap and Studio), inspection (Geomagic Verify and Control), and Geomagic Design Direct (formerly Spark) for 3D scan capture and part rebuilding. All now available at a discount price on this site.
Makers of Powerstation CAD-CAM, Wingraver Pro
Views and converts DEM and other geo formats
Map interpretation software
Makers of Cimagrafi, a high-end 2D art to 3D toolpaths program
Free 3D modeling software from DAZ3d
The TurboCAD Family of Apps
Free Turbocad learning edition
Sells Vector CADCAM, line and arc based machining software.
Proven CAD-CAM solutions for programming ABB, Kuka, Adept, Fanuc and other Robot Arms, works with VisualMill
The IntelliCAD 2001 source for CAD users
Full featured parametric solids modeling programs with advanced mechanical-design and collaboration features. An excellent complement to surface modeling programs, now available at a discount price on this site.
Kipware Conversational G-Code Programming and Machine Shop Business Software for Quoting and Estimating Jobs
Keycreator 3D Direct CAD Modeling
Make 3D plant models schematically
Software unrolls compound-curved surfaces
CNC freeware programming utility for lathes
Now with 5-axis programming
CNC Machinist Software
3-axis milling, mold and die plugin for Rhino
A leading high-end CNC program favored by machine shops
Magics and other software for medical visualization and additive manufacturing
Simple inexpensive CAM software for 2D conversions with a range of 3D strategies as well. Now available at a discount price on this site.
Free software for fixing and editing 3D meshes
Peter Guth’s program for displaying and manipulating DEM files works in 32-bit Windows versions up to XP
Powerstation 2000, Wingraver Pro, Trig-man, QuickLink, and other shop software
DEM converter software Map Explorer and USGS data
Software for texturizing steel molds for plastic parts
Has CAE analysis tools for mold fill and flow, also Rhino Plug-in
Simple but powerful spline-based 3D modeling, now available at a discount from this site
CNC Lathe CAM Software
2 to 5 axis toolpaths, with modeler
G-Code Editor and Backplotter, Stick Font Generator
A Collection of Web-based generative design apps
Silo, inexpensive high-polygon 3D modeling software
Makers of Lightwave, an animation program, and the Video Toaster, for desktop video editing.
From A.S. Thomas—3, 4, 5 or more axis machining software
Hypermill CAM to 5 axes compatible with Think3
A freeware modeler with plugins available
A raytracing rendering tool that is available as a free “public beta” download. Often used with Rhino, it works on most platforms, including the Mac.
Makers of Pro-Engineer; powerful but complex software for engineering applications
Photogrammetry app makes 3d files from photos; features include Rhino 3dm export
Suite of interesting 3D CNC products from France
3D character and figure animation and design software
Configurable Post Processor generates posts for any machine, any system
New version supports solids—free download
Convert PDF and EPS to DXF, LWO, RIB, HPGL, etc.
Multi-platform Open-source CAD from Ribbonsoft
Open-source multiplatform 2D DXF conversion and toolpath generation
5-axis toolpaths using 3dMax script
Makers of Real3d, from Finland
NURBS modeling in Microsoft Windows
CAD CAM for Industrial Robots
Makers of Enroute router CAM and signmaker software
3D CAM software 2 through 5 axis
Makers of WorkNC CADCAM for molds tools and dies
Publish and embed interactive 3D models for sharing
Free 2D Drafting Software from Seimens
Russian-based CAM program makes toolpaths from NURBS surfaces
3D software that runs on Macs
Wireframe Modeling for POV-Ray Rendering engine
2D cell animation and storyboard software
CAM software from Europe
Review, Compare, and approve engineering drawings; Raster to vector conversion software
Download Gmax, a free 3D content creation program for gamers also useful for calculating 5th axis kinematics for CNC
Simulation software for milling machines
Raster to vector conversion tools
Makers of VisualMill for mills, VisualTurn for lathes and CAM plugins for Rhino (RhinoCAM), SolidWorks and Alibre (now Geomagic Design) This program does it all—2D and 3D milling, with support for 2.5D operations like pocketing and drilling, in an easy-to-use Windows environment, which allows toolpaths to be previewed in motion. VisualMill imports Rhino 3dm files as well as polygon formats like STL and DXF, and outputs standard g-code. This comes in several versions: one for basic 3 axis milling, another with support for a rotary 4th axis, and a third with that and many remachining functions. The ultimate version includes support for a 5th axis, with a custom post-processor written to the specifications of your milling machine. Now available at a discount price on this site.
Info on the X3d standard, an open 3D language for 3D communication in real time; a successor to VRML
Synergy Silver CAD CAM Parasolid based system works in Linux
Free polygon modeler exports 3ds OBJ and VRML
3D Maker, limited graphics program for web-site use
Organic polygon modeling with displacement mapping for Windows and Macs; with online tutorials and an enthusiastic online community - now available at a discount price on this site.