For example, you can use the pencil tool for freehand drawing and simple paths, the pen tool for creating straight lines and Bezier curves, and the calligraphy tool for freehand drawing with filled paths. This program boasts some of the most varied, flexible, and high-quality drawing tools of any free CNC router design software. Vector graphics are generally preferable over raster graphics when working on 2D designs, which makes Inkscape one of the best free CNC router sign-making software. Inkscape is a very CAD software that’s one of the most popular options for designing with vector graphics. Inkscape – Best Free CNC Router Software for 2D Designs & Sign Making Source: Pinterest This has several more advanced features, including multiple machine profiles, V-carving, large material tiling, and toolpath ramping.Ģ. Easel also supports g-code import, so you can design in another program and use Easel simply as a control software.Īs well as the free version, there’s also Easel Pro, which starts from $24 per month. Once ready, you can then use the software to control your machine. In addition, you can preview your designs in HD and 3D, and then autogenerate toolpaths in either 2D or 3D.Įasel’s toolpaths are optimized for maximum efficiency and accuracy, and it has recommended cut settings to help you avoid mistakes. It boasts a variety of high-quality and intuitive drawing tools, including fonts, templates, and image tracing. So while Easel works very effectively with many different CNC routers from other brands, such as Bobs CNC and FoxAlien, it also has the advantage of being optimized explicitly for X-Carve CNC routers.Įasel is a highly intuitive all-in-one free engraving software for CNC router machines that supports CAD, CAM, and CNC control. Easel falls into the latter category, being made by Inventables, which also manufactures the X-Carve range that ranks among the most popular CNC routers. Many software used in CNC router work are not affiliated with any router brands, but some are. Some advanced features limited to paid version Easel – Best Free 3D CNC Software for X-Carve CNC Routers & Easiest for Beginners Source: Inventables So, what is the best software for CNC router machines? We’ll now review the best free CNC CAD software, CAM software, simulation, and controller programs so that you can control the entire process from design to routing at no unnecessary expense. On top of those, while it’s not necessarily essential, many hobbyists also use free CNC simulation software to test out their designs before doing the real thing.
There's a setting in EnRoute to 'follow contour' so the tool will follow the contours even if they vary in z height. You might look for a program that can produce topographical maps off a 3d model and use the contours off that. It would be a lot of work to get your file to where you want it. You would also need to overcut each mask by the radius of the toolbit. The mask must follow the along the intersection of where each droplet intersects the adjacent one or ones. I haven't put a great deal of thought into but I think the only way to get something approaching what you are trying to achieve is to mask each water droplet relief and apply a spiral toolpath unless you want to manually draw in each z contour.
EnRoute can't merge/combine toolpaths as far as I am aware.