Nesting software reduces material waste by rearranging how the design lays on the sheet material. It also reduces the cutting time by arranging the designs so that they share perimeters. This is ... Read more
Not sure whether to use raster engraving or vector engraving in your next laser project? Or what the exact differences are? Having used both extensively during my laser cutter tests for CNCSourced, ... Read more
I have been a professional CNC programmer in a shop for over 15 years, and in this article I’ll explain the basics of CNC programming, how you can learn CNC programming, and ... Read more
In your quest to find the best laser software, you’re likely to stumble across the Lightburn vs LaserGRBL. While both are impressive in their own right, there are some pretty important differences ... Read more
If you’ve ever removed material with your CNC machine, you have come across a variable in your CAM software called stepover size. In this guide, I’ll demystify the relationship between stepover size ... Read more
Whether you’re a seasoned interior designer, a professional woodworker, or an adventurous homeowner, the right cabinet design software can be a game-changer. This article introduces you to the top four cabinet design ... Read more
Are you in search of the best free PCB design software options to elevate your electronics projects? Whether you’re an electronics hobbyist or a professional engineer, these software packages allow you to ... Read more
With such a variety of CNC router software on the market, it can be a pain to figure out which covers your needs without being overly complicated. Easel is likely to be ... Read more
Nowadays, there are more GRBL software options than there are GRBL settings! With so many to choose between, it can be difficult to pick the best GRBL software for your next CNC ... Read more
Laser engraving isn’t controlled manually — it relies on laser cutting software that instructs the laser where to move using g-code. You’ll need software to create and edit your designs prior to ... Read more
Working with the software side of CNC can be intimidating and expensive. CNC software plays an important role from design to physically controlling your CNC motors every step of the way. You ... Read more
CAD CAM software is used by hobbyists and professionals across a wide range of applications, from CNC machining to dentistry. But what exactly is it, and how do you go about finding ... Read more
Woodworking really has changed a lot since the old days. From manually drawing with a pencil, it’s been a big shift to the woodworking design software we have today. Woodworking is also ... Read more
If you’ve been a CNCSourced reader then you’ll know how big a fan of the original 10W xTool D1 Pro we were. Well, now there’s a superpower 20W version, and we have ... Read more
If you are about to cut or mill anything with your CNC machine, understanding feed rates and RPM speeds is vital. They will significantly affect your tool life, surface finish, and machining ... Read more
In CNC machining, precision is key. Even a small error could potentially wreck a project – and one of the best ways to prevent that is by using CNC simulator software. The ... Read more
The controller is one of the essential parts of any CNC, laser, or 3D printer. If you don’t want to buy industrial controllers, you have two choices: you can either turn an Arduino board ... Read more
A G-code editor lets you visualize, test, and edit CAM-generated G-code – making sure everything’s in order before sending it to your machine. But they’re not all created equal. They vary wildly ... Read more
If you’re looking at buying a 3018 CNC machine, you need to have compatible software. But with a ton of different options available, it can be hard for beginners to know which ... Read more
There are plenty of online resources and CAD/CAM software packages that can help you learn and improve. But, not all methods work for improving your CAD skills quickly – some will leave ... Read more
At first glance, learning AutoCAD seems like a daunting task. The many commands, tools, and menus can make anyone’s head spin. It’s easy for beginners to feel intimidated to the point of ... Read more
In a nutshell, yes, you can learn basic CNC (Computer Numerical Control) programming online. You’ll need a decent understanding of basic mathematics, and an understanding of machining, but you can do it. ... Read more
In this guide, I review the best parametric modeling software. We’ll cover both free and paid options, as well as options for amateurs and professionals, to help you find the right software ... Read more
In this article, I’ll compare Mach3 vs Mach4 over its current issues, capabilities, intended audience, price, features, support, and more. I’ll go in-depth here, but if you want a quick summary, I’ve ... Read more
AutoCAD is widely used by architects, engineers, and designers, and as a result, many 2D designs are presented in AutoCAD file formats (DWG, DXF, and DWF). In order to interact with these ... Read more
Personally, I lean towards Onshape. Onshape is better than SolidWorks if you have a team that designs together, and Onshape will also save you a lot of money. But, SolidWorks is more ... Read more
Jewelry design can be a fairly complex and expensive task, but luckily there are steps you can take to make the process easier and cheaper. One of those is using the best ... Read more
AutoCAD and SolidWorks are two of the most widely used CAD programs. But, AutoCAD and SolidWorks are very different, so learning their differences is important for anyone who wants to work with ... Read more
SolidWorks and CATIA are prominent CAD software with a wide range of applications, both made by Dassault Systemes. But, they target different industries, and there are different job opportunities for CATIA and ... Read more
Mechanical engineering is a vast field that covers a range of scales, from nanomechanics at the nanoscale to aerospace at the mega scale. As a result, there are many software packages available ... Read more