CAM software

CAM software for CNC routers, made for people who'd rather be cutting

CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) turns a drawing into the G-code your CNC router runs. Cutline Studio's CAM takes a DXF or SVG, works out the toolpaths, and saves a G-code file for Grbl or Mach3/Mach4 machines. It runs on Windows 10 and 11.

In short

Input: DXF (lines, arcs, polylines, circles, splines, blocks) and SVG.
Operations: pocket, profile inside, profile outside, engrave (follow path) and drill.
Holding and fit: tabs on profiles, dogbones for inside corners, plunge or ramp entry, climb or conventional cutting.
Output: G-code in inches or millimetres for Grbl and Mach3/Mach4, with travel optimized between cuts.
Two ways to work: a guided Basic mode, and an Advanced mode with the full operation and property table.

Basic mode: answer a few questions, get a file

Basic mode is for people who have never set up a toolpath. It asks what you're cutting (the plywood thickness, from presets like 1/4", 1/2" or 3/4"), which bit you're using, which shapes are parts to cut out, which are holes and which are pockets. It suggests feeds, speeds and depth per pass for your machine and adds holding tabs so parts don't come loose. Then it shows the toolpaths and saves the G-code.

Advanced mode: every setting in reach

Advanced mode gives you the full workflow: select elements in the 2D view, choose an operation, adjust its properties (tool diameter, target depth, step down, step over, feed, plunge rate, spindle speed, tab height and length, entry method, direction, pocket pattern), generate the toolpath, place tabs and entry points by hand, and press Optimize to cut travel time. Keyboard shortcuts move, scale and rotate artwork without leaving the view.

Built for real machines

Pick your machine and Cutline uses sensible limits for it: cutting area, maximum feed, how hard the frame can push, and router dial settings for trim routers. Presets include the Shapeoko 4, Sienci LongMill, X-Carve 1000, Onefinity Elite Foreman, OpenBuilds LEAD 1010, 3018 desktop machines and 4×8 ft gantry routers, and you can add your own. See CAM for Grbl and Mach3 machines.

And if you don't have a drawing yet

CAM is half of Cutline Studio. The other half is design: describe a project in plain words ("a 36 by 24 inch cupboard with two shelves") and Claude designs the parts, sizes the joints to your plywood, nests them on your sheets and hands the result straight to CAM. See AI CNC project design, or try one design free in your browser.

FAQ

Is Cutline Studio free CAM software?

It's paid software with a 7-day free trial that includes everything, including saving G-code. After the trial, designing and toolpaths keep working, and saving files needs a licence: $15 a month, $129 a year, or $149 once.

Which file types can it import?

DXF and SVG. DXF files from Fusion, Inkscape, LibreCAD, QCAD and most CAD programs work, including arcs, splines and blocks. SVG files from Inkscape, Illustrator and similar programs work too.

Which G-code does it write?

Standard G-code for Grbl and Mach3/Mach4 controllers, in inches (G20) or millimetres (G21). Files are saved as .nc by default, and other common extensions work.

Does it do 3D carving or laser work?

No. Cutline's CAM is 2D and 2.5D routing: profiles, pockets, engraving and drilling. That covers flat-pack furniture, boxes, signs and most sheet-goods work. Laser, V-carving and 3D relief carving aren't included.

Does it run on Mac?

Not yet. Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit.

Try Cutline Studio

Design one project free in your browser, or download the 7-day free trial for Windows 10 and 11.

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