Top CNC Design Software for 2024: The Ultimate Guide!

[@henrymach]

I hate subscription based software with a passion

[@SienciLabs]

It's a very situational and personal choice for sure! Thanks for your input!

[@thinkcreate5596]

Yea I love it. Never know when the company your dealing with goes out of business and really would suck right after you renewed your yearly and lost that money and work

[@bend8246]

@@SienciLabs subscription based software is a blight to makers and people it only benefits large companies and corps

[@RichCove]

One thing almost nobody mentions when comparing subscription vs purchase is the upgrade cost. With subscription you get the latest version at no extra costs. With vcarve for example, there is a several hundred dollar cost probably every 2 years to stay uptodate, While you dont have to upgrade software, at some point you will be "forced" to because of bugs not getting fixed or support being dropped. You need to evaluate the upgrade cost for a fair comparison of cost of ownership.

[@MaintDocs]

It's worth mentioning on cost: we are talking about cad(drafting/design)+cam(machining file/cutters involved). These are competing with software with $1,200+ yearly subscriptions that may or may not be just one of those things. a $670 own it for lifetime starts to look pretty favorable in that light, even if it is a big chunk of home budget.

[@SienciLabs]

Bingo! 🙌

[@davidhavemann9303]

This is great video. Thank you! I have a friend about to start his CNC journey and I will send him here. I spent about 5 years with Easel, and I agree that it is a great way to start. I'm now using an MK1 + gSender + Fusion 360. Starting to feel proficient at it, but it is a lot to learn. You guys are running a great company.

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks so much for the referral and kind words! It means a lot to us to hear it right from our customers!

[@pipercub45]

I was considering Vcarve desktop until you mentioned that it only does 24"X24". I have a Longmill 48x30 and eventual plans for making bigger items. I'm going to have to rethink things. Glad you mentioned that though.

[@SienciLabs]

No problem. You can still use the desktop version and make bigger things, you would just need to tile the projects. The decision becomes do you spend more to get Pro with unlimited, or save some cash and get used to tiling? Let us know what you decide!

[@nsksm]

One question that has come to mind in my decision before I pull the trigger on VCarve is how often you've felt the need to upgrade to the "new version", which would again increase your initial cost of VCarve?

[@photonashville]

Really useful info, but tough to watch after a while. Just edit out the mistakes. A few might be funny but beyond that the Max Headroom effect gets old fast. I do appreciate the comparison of each software.

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks for the feedback, we'll keep that in mind for upcoming videos! Cheers!

[@OneInchOff]

Good Video, Scott. I started with maker for about a week then went to Vectric and never looked back. When the wife learned how much I spent on Aspire shortly after buying the longmill, well lets just say I almost didn't make it out alive.

[@SienciLabs]

Ya there’s no “good” way of saying how much you spent 🤪…However, I hope she is happy now that you’re making her all kinds of great gifts! 😎

[@TheCNCDen]

Have you thought about widening the field or an alternative video showing other than the usual bunch?

[@SienciLabs]

Thought about, yes. Unfortunately there's only so many hours in a day and it's hard to get to all the videos we'd like to make. If we can squeeze it in, we'll definitely try! Thanks for your suggestion!

[@keithpovec6462]

I’m using carbide right now, but it isn’t offering enough flexibility for my work. It’s not bad software at all, and should be a good option for beginners. Right now I am looking into fusion 360 for future work.

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks Keith. Fusion is a fantastic choice. There's just a learning curve that goes with it. It's MORE than powerful, you just gotta give it the seat time!

[@AndriyKamenskyy]

Artcam?

[@whidzee]

I'd love to see you do a tutorial for V Carve, showing how to do simple cut, a v carve and a 3d topographic cut.

[@Chris-vc1dh]

I have sainsmart 6050 will vcarve be good for size?

[@ifiwooddesigns]

I actually bought an MK2 arriving tomorrow. New to everything CNC so have been trying out all the software to see what works for me. I’m actually picking up VCarve Pro and also like it a lot. Yes price sucks. So as I loaded it to my desktop and also to my laptop (which will be with CNC), I designed and edited several files a day and wanted to combine them all on a thumb drive. Not only (as you mentioned and I get their point), not being able to run a tool path, I found out even trial version on different computers can not be used on another. So if I designed something on my desktop and wanted to move it to laptop to run, it will not open.

[@SienciLabs]

Welcome to the family! We hope you love your LM as much as we do! You should be able to install a paid version of Vcarve on up to 3 computers, so I think that limitation releases once you have the paid version. Make sure you share your cnc journey with us on the socials!

[@stanleykubrick8786]

If a person is learning and becomes good at Fusion 360, can they eliminate the use of Vectric, Aspire for carving work or is there still some benefit to learning and using this as extra software?

[@SienciLabs]

You got it! Fusion has the ability to save out gcode files so you don't need another CAD/CAM software. Fusion can be a little daunting to pick up if you're unfamiliar with that type of software. That's not to say you can't go that route, we just want to raise an attention flag so you're not caught off guard! But lots of people choose Fusion right off the bat even though it's harder to learn, because of how powerful it is and how cheap it is! (Free for personal use!)...Hope that helps!

[@sylvainforget2174]

I have VCarve Desktop and like it a lot. The one thing that nags me is that when a (completely) new version comes out I will have to pay half of what I already paid to keep up with the updated tutorials from my favourite KZbin content providers.

[@SienciLabs]

That is a common point of concern amongst Vcarve users, and we tend to agree. The software is fantastic, the pricing hurts...a lot...Thanks for your feedback!

[@doug9121]

Great Video. Would love to have V carve Pro but the initial layout is costly. Retired on a fixed income. They should try to make a payment plan I would be the first to sign up. But thanks for the advice.

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks Doug, maybe they will do that one day 🤔

[@iwannaapple7190]

I have the newest CCpro and there is an option to save the gCode file. Maybe not in the free version any longer but the pro version yes you can save the gCode file without having to jump through hoops. The real downside (not often though) is that I cant see what the tool is going to do. It shows me the finished product but it doesn't show me the cut simulation which does have its advantages. That has led to mishaps like cutting where its not supposed to do but that only happened on a wrench I was making. Other than that I like it a lot. It makes things quite easy. I can even have multiple 3d objects and I have tiling. I think its a good deal.

[@SienciLabs]

You are correct, Pro can save gcode. That's what I was trying to say. Thanka for sharing your experience! That's some great insight for others to learn from 🙌

[@BuckysCustoms]

Thank you for sharing this, Scott! I cut my teeth on Easel Pro but, I eventually realized Maker was much better so I kept at it. I struggled at times and would even bounce back to Easel from time to time until i didn't need it anymore. Last year I switched to V Carve for my inlay Series and really found it much easier to master (I also found it to be much more intuitive, as you say). I still have my Maker Sub. and I still enjoy using it for a lot of projects but, I really think that will change! Always enjoy your video's!

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks Dana! Appreciate the kind words 😀…And thanks for sharing your journey, we know lots of people listen when you teach! Keep up the great work!

[@3DCNCGUITARS]

Thank you, and.. why speak too fast?🤪I've been working with VCarve for years and a big disadvantage that was missing was mentioning the impossibility of importing more than 1 3D object. I really don't understand to this day. When version 8 or 9 came out, I don't remember, I found a way to import more objects and I made a video about it and Vectric wrote to me asking to remove it. What do you mean Vectric? Lol Of course I didn't remove it! Even importing several 3D objects would not make it close to the Aspire and its resources.

[@troywalker8078]

Well, you made that easel. Thanks

[@n2fastcars635]

Just wondering could you use any of these to machine metals?

[@SienciLabs]

yup! realistically, any of them. it's a matter of using the correct bits, feeds and speeds!

[@carlitossierras3808]

Hello friend, I congratulate you for your video. I recently bought a Workbee 1500 x 1500 cnc. Will the vcarve software work for that size?

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks for the compliment. Vcarve pro will work with they size machine without limits. or you can buy the desktop version and using tiling.

[@rogerwa123]

Maker did add 4th axis not that long ago if I am not mistaken. For me, I started with carveco and am comfortable with it. I like the subscription model and I get everything but tiling in the base version. I cannot see spending for the Vcarve pro and then to pay again for updates. VCP doesn't give me anything more than maker - at least that I use or have found.

[@SienciLabs]

You are correct about Maker's 4th axis - however, we recorded this basically at the same time as its release and it didn't maker the cut then. We're happy you've found a software that works for you. That was the point we were trying to drive home in the video. To each their own! Thanks for the input!

[@nickvreeland]

@@SienciLabs I appreciate the additional 'maker' pun in your reply lol

[@AcrylicMemories]

I design in Adobe and then use Carbide to make my tool paths........ but then again I have been an Adobe user for 20+ years

[@SienciLabs]

Yup! I hear you. It took me a little while to grt comfy with designing vectors in Vcarve vs Ilustrator. Now it's become very project specific. Thanks for the feedback!

[@MS-dr9et]

What about LinuxCNC ? Can you review it ?

[@customwalldisplay]

From day one of my cnc journey Carveco Maker !!! I love it and I came in with zero experience. Great video buddy !!

[@SienciLabs]

Maker certainly has some amazing features. We're glad you've found a groove with it! Thanks for the feedback!

[@joseguevara184]

Gsender is wonderful, I love it, is very useful and the most easier, complete and good looking software to program a CNC. Excellent. Also for me, the most logical package is Aspire Pro, expensive but I use it for the toolpaths as I am a graphic designer and use Coreldraw or Affinity for vector drawing and Altair Inspire Studio for 3d modeling. SCIENCE LABS, thanks.

[@SienciLabs]

Great feedback! We're glad you enjoyed the video!

[@leestringer]

Awesome video. One question. I don't know if you've used Adobe products (like PHotoshop or Illustrator), but if you have, and you had to chose one of those that was most similar, which would it be? Just watching the video I would guess V-Carve, but I'm just guessing. I ask because I'm used to ADobe, so I'd like to get one that was closest, so the learning curve wouldn't be quite as high.

[@SienciLabs]

Scott here...I have a lotta years experience with Adobe products, so I get what you're asking. I am at a point now where I don't really use illustrator to create my vectors for CNC projects anymore bc VCarve does such a good job. Hopefully that helps out! 🙌

[@leestringer]

It does. Thanks. @@SienciLabs

[@joeking5211]

Has anyone ever been able to get sense out of Carbide Copper, @ 6:05 in the video you notice it asks for a RS247X, should that not be RS274X, if so in the many years the site has been there has no one noticed/corrected this as I believe there is no RS247X gerber format, and feeding it a RS274X, ie the industry standard these days, it errors with 'Are you sure the file you dropped is the correct format'. So as you are doing this recommendation vid can I ask 'Have actually tried it' ?, as over the years at odd times of trying this I have never got a result. I am open to be corrected on the RS247X format that it is asking for if valid, but even AI search tools tell me there isn't one. ????

[@SienciLabs]

I have not actually tried Carbide Copper...But I wanted to bring attention to it for people who might be interested. That's unfortunate that your experience hasn't been great with it. Perhaps talking to someone from CC or on their forums where there is bound to be more experience might help? Hopefully you get the answers you're looking for!

[@ArtduGravoirJL]

hello good evening, I would like to know more about the Vcarve Pro program, how do I configure the machine LOngmill MK2 48 X 30, I just finished assembling it and I want to make my first design on the machine, but do not understand how to do it, thank you very much for your help.

[@SienciLabs]

Hey there! Open vcarve, under the machine tab, click search for machine online Then follow the steps in the next dialogue box. Once you have chosen your machine, click download to load the profile. Hopefully that helps!

[@ArtduGravoirJL]

@@SienciLabs

[@ApexWoodworks]

VCarve Pro all the way!

[@SienciLabs]

Me too 😎🙌

[@jdinnis]

A few yeas ago I started with the free version of Easel. It was fine for getting started, but as I got further along, Easel started making some features that used to be free into PRO only. Now the free version is not even a good place to start for beginners. And it is WAY too expensive for beginners. No G-code output is a non-starter for Carbide. Also I will NOT buy a software subscription. If I buy software I want to buy it once. Software subscriptions are not a reasonable thing for hobbyists. Yes, the Vcarve price SEEMS high, but that is only 13 months of Easel subscription. My biggest issue is that I only do maybe a dozen CNC projects a year, and I don't want to have an auto-renewing subscription for something I am not using that much. I think this is a MUCH bigger consideration for beginners than most of the other things you describe here. All of these cost more for one year of use than my hobby machine did to purchase.

[@SienciLabs]

There are a lot of different variables to consider and not really a "one size fits all" answer. We just tried to provide as much info in a concise way as we could! Thanks for your comment 👍

[@amadidaniel6474]

How about SprutCAM

[@DCano01571]

It will be great idea propose a free CNC software, usually CNC's programs are very expensive..... Thbaks

[@SienciLabs]

We do, Carbide Create 6 is free. V7 is also, but they changed the way gcode is saved.

[@DCano01571]

@@SienciLabs thnaks a lot master, You provide us with good knowledge 😀

[@DCano01571]

@@SienciLabs Forgive me friend, I was studying the Carbide program and I realized that it doesn't let me generate G-code, it only saves .c2d files that my CNC machine doesn't recognize. I could save the file in G-code format if I buy the pro version. I'm sorry for bothering you, I'm lost right now. Greetings.

[@SienciLabs]

@DCano01571 You can save your file as V6 and then save gcode from V6…Or, you can just use V6 straight up and not worry about V7 at all.

[@DCano01571]

@@SienciLabs thanks, i´ll try it

[@koalakarvings]

thank you so much for the detailed explanation of the softwares available

[@SienciLabs]

You're very welcome! We tried to narrow it down to help beginners find their feet. We're glad it was helpful!

[@w8one]

Vectric line of software are upgradeable. Just pay the difference from one version to the next.

[@SienciLabs]

Yup! Nailed it!

[@MrBwest9376]

You didn't talk about the free V of Vcarve

[@SienciLabs]

It is mentioned in the video around the 10:50 mark.

[@karibou_lou]

This was helpful, thank you. And it was very funny! Do you have a video that also goes over different CNC Machines? Currently looking at the FoxAlien Brand.

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks for the compliments! We don't have a video that reviews other cnc's though. We think the LongMill and AltMill are pretty great machines if you haven't checked them out yet! sienci.com/product/longmill-mk2/ sienci.com/product/altmill/

[@karibou_lou]

@@SienciLabs appreciate the suggestions!! ✌️😁

[@AllenHorn0507]

lol😂 you cracked me up

[@pfleischman2471]

No Linux version of VCarve so is not an option for me.

[@SienciLabs]

Ya that's a tricky one unfortunately. Have you found a software that you're able to use yet? LinuxCNC might be an option? Let us know!

[@AG-cg7lk]

If you can break free from feeling the need to have an integrated sender, the learning curve gets steeper but definitely worth it. Subscription payment schemes can get bent. I will never, ever buy into a subscription for software use. Carbide sucks. Easel sucks. Fusion is free for non commercial use and is very powerful, despite some niggles. Vcarve is very good, for wood. I use a combination of Fusion, Vcarve and dedicated sender and cnc control. Best of all worlds and flexible depending on whether I'm machining wood or metals. If you only cut wood, Vcarve all the way. It's not perfect but reasonably priced.

[@SienciLabs]

Thanks for giving your input about your journey. It's such an individual thing, so we're glad you've found a system that works for you!

[@Reign_In_Blood_963]

If you break it down as a comparison, V-Carve is only $12.50 a month for 2 years, or $25 a month for 1 year. It's only issue is the cost is up front, but if you just dropped a couple of grand to get into CNC, you shouldn't skip on the software.

[@SienciLabs]

It's a great way to look at it! That's why it's such a personal choice, everyone has different expectations and circumstances. Thanks for your input! And we hope you're enjoying VCarve ;)

[@darceyweimer3171]

I concur Pricey, but very good

[@SienciLabs]

Yup. Nailed it! ❤️

[@ClintonCaraway-CNC]

People don't realize that V-Carve is Carveco 2014. These softwares are kinda half-brothers so to speak... Carveco use to be called ArtCam but was purchased by the employees from Autodesk. Maker and Maker Plus are the hobbyists/small business levels of real Carveco which is a MICH MORE industrial level software with a cost and learning curve to match. However different features keep trickling down into the lower levels. For example the rotary axis feature is now available in basic Maker.

[@SienciLabs]

I just learned that the other day! I wasn't aware of their sibling nature lol. Thanks for the info, it's good to know where these things developed from.

[@SuperLovedoctor69]

ok nice .

[@cunninghamguitarz5216]

👍

[@Alidesuga]

Carveco Maker Is basically a Knockoff Of Artcam 2018,

[@SienciLabs]

Yeah as far as we're aware they're the same company, they just rebranded

[@Alidesuga]

@@SienciLabs artcam was made by Autodesk no?

[@SienciLabs]

In not totally clear in it, but they claim on their site to have taken over maintenance and improvement for ArtCam via Carveco