If have experience with JavaScript or similar programing languages then TPL will be very easy to learn. It supports a CNC programming system called TPL (Tool Path Language) that makes it much easier to create GCode. Using CAMotics and TPLĬAMotics is a free and Open-Source CNC simulation software.
A quick Internet search will yield guides on using other software. In this guide, we will focus on using CAMotics and TPL.
You can use commercial programs such as Fusion360 or MasterCAM but there are also free and Open-Source solutions such as CAMotics, Inkscape's gcodetools plugin and p圜AM. Once you have a drawing saved in DXF format you will need to convert it to GCode using CAM software. There are many guides online explaining how to install and use these programs.
The first step in that process is to create a drawing using a CAD or drawing software such as LibreCAD (2D) or Inkscape (2D). When you first get started with your CNC you will probably try cutting a few preexisting GCodes but soon you will want to make your own.
