Recommended software. Whether you love it or hate it, software is often part of your maker project. Perhaps you need to design your project, and need something a bit better than paper and pencil, or you need to control a CNC 3-axis milling machine. Below is a list of Fuse33 recommended software and when to use them.
Inkscape
Adobe Illustrator
Uses:
● Design your project in something better than paper, but then still build your project
manually
● Design 2D cuts for the laser/plasma/cnc-mill
● Design etching for the laser/cnc-mill
● Design and generate files for an embroidery machine
Common File Formats:
In: svg, dxf
Out: svg, dxf
Pros:
● It’s free
● It’s popular, so lots of good information on the internet
● Fairly simple to use for doing simple designs
Cons:
● Adobe Illustrator seems to be more popular than Inkscape with Fuse33 member, so it
can be hard to find someone to help with a problem.
● Doing dimensional drawings can be tedious
● Limited to 2D design.
Links:
Uses:
●Design your project in something better than paper, but then still build your project
manually
● Design 2D cuts for the laser/plasma/cnc-mill
● Design etching for the laser/cnc-mill
Common File Formats:
In: ai, svg, dxf
Out: svg, dxf
Pros:
● It’s popular, so lots of good information on the internet
● Popular with Fuse33 member, so easy to find help
● Fairly simple to use for doing simple designs
Cons:
● It cost money
● Doing dimensional drawings can be tedious
● Limited to 2D design.
Links:
https://www.adobe.com/ca/products/illustrator.html
Fusion 360
RDWorksV8
Uses:
● Design your projects in 2D and 3D
● Create appropriate files for manufacturing your project using laser/plasma/cnc-mill/3D
printer
● Create blueprints
Common File Formats:
In: f3d, dxf, stl, obj
Out: f3d, stl, obj, nc, gcode, dxf, pdf
Pros:
● Its free (hobby version – some minor limitations)
● It’s popular, so lots of good information on the internet
● The most popular CAD/CAM software at Fuse33 (but still not many members know it)
● Fairly simple to use for doing simple designs
● Good for 2D designs due to the use of dimensions
● Can handle almost all of your CAD needs!!!
Cons:
● Limited capability for drawing etching images (though can be imported from other
programs)
● Can be intimidating if you aren’t familiar with CAD software
Links:
https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview
Uses:
● Connecting your computer to the Bodor Laser (big laser cutter)
● Design your cuts in other software (Illustrator, Inkscape, Fusion 360), and import the
AI or DXF file into RDWorksV8.
Common File Formats:
In: rdl, ai, dxf
Out: rdl
Pros:
● Its free
● This is the only software that works with the Bodor Laser
Cons:
● Some version don’t consistently connect to the laser over WIFI
● Older files aren’t compatible with newer versions of the software.
Links:
https://rdworks.software.informer.com/8.0/
OpenBuild Controller
Lightburn
Uses:
● Connecting your computer to the Scienci CNC Mill (little cnc mill)
● Design your cuts in other software (Fusion 360), generate g-code, and import g-code
into OpenBuildController.
● Support GRBL, a popular CNC controlling standard
Common File Formats:
In: nc, gcode
Out:
Pros:
● Its free
● Good graphical interface
● Easy to learn
● Provides an online g-code generator in order to make g-code from dxf/svg files.
Cons:
● Can get glitchy after long cuts
Links:
https://software.openbuilds.com/
Uses:
● LightBurn is the layout, editing, and control software for our Thunder laser cutter.
Common File Formats:
AI, PDF, SVG, DXF, PLT, PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP)
Pros:
● Arrange, edit, and even create new vector shapes within the editor, with powerful features like offsetting, boolean operations, welding, and node editing
● Apply settings like power, speed, number of passes, cut order, brightness & contrast, dithering mode, and much more
● Send the result directly to your laser cutter
Cons:
●
Links:
https://lightburnsoftware.com/