Hi all,
I've been using Mach3 on my BZT CNC router for quite a few years, with CamBam doing most of the CAM work.
Recently my old Windows laptop started becoming unreliable. I basically had two options: buy another Windows laptop mainly to keep my existing CNC workflow running, or find a good CAM alternative for my Mac.
I couldn't really find what I wanted.
There are some very capable CAM packages available, of course, but for most of my CNC work I don't need a huge CAD/CAM suite. I mostly want to import a DXF, set up some profile, pocket or drilling operations, preview the toolpaths and generate G-code.
So, being a software developer as well as a CNC hobbyist, I did the sensible thing and started building my own. :-)
It's called
Cutloom, and it's a native macOS 2.5D CAM application.
Mach3 was one of the first post-processors I implemented, because that's what my own CNC runs. GRBL is supported as well, and the post-processing system is configurable so other controllers can be added without changing the CAM side.
At the moment Cutloom supports DXF import, profile, pocketing and drilling operations, toolpath preview and G-code generation. I'm continuing to add the other core 2.5D operations and features.
The public beta isn't available yet, I hope to have something available soon.
Since there are obviously a lot of experienced Mach3 and Mach4 users here, I'd be very interested in your feedback. What would you consider essential in a straightforward 2.5D CAM application? Are there things your current CAM software does that you absolutely wouldn't want to be without?
Cutloom will eventually be a commercial product, just to be transparent about that. Right now I'm mainly trying to make sure I build something genuinely useful before releasing the beta.
I've put some screenshots and information about the project here:
https://getcutloom.comHappy to answer questions or share more about how it works.
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