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QUICK START TIP: use Inkscape to draw something with no fill. Export as a regular .svg (not inkscape svg) Upload that to Krabscam.com build paths for the tools that you have and then Export as a .nc Gcode file which can up uploaded to your Maslow.

This file is a place to share software recommendations that have been useful. All costs listed are estimates reported by contributors and have not been checked. Good opensource programs are listed first in each category otherwise no particular promotion is intended and all links have been submitted by community members.

Maslow needs Gcode instructions to work. There are many ways to generate those. Gcode is a human readable programming language that consists of a list of instructions that are sent to a machine to tell it how to move. They are mostly x,y,z coordinates and how to move between them. Instructions include curves, straight lines, and speeds. 3D printers and many other robots use gcode.

You can open a Gcode file up in a text editor and edit it by hand if you need to. You could cut parts out. Only run half of the program, change distances and speeds all by typing in numbers in the Gcode code system. It is not hard to learn the basics. (insert Gcode library link)

THere are many many options to get to a sucessful Gcode for Maslow4 Some programs can do all of the steps, some can only do one or two.

Generally a design will start in a program that lets you draw or specify the shapes for your design. You could use a 2D Vector drawing program like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator or a three dimensional program like Blender or Autodesk. Key words for these programs are Vector drawing or Computer Aided Design CAD programs. Files can be ..dxf .svg .stl but generally not .png or .jpg (bitmap pictures)

Once you have a mathematcially defined shape, it needs to be translated into Gcode. The programs that can do this are called Computer Aided Machining or CAM programs. Examples are Krabzcam on the web, a wonderful and effective 2 dimensional free project. Autodesk and Autocad can do this too. In these programs you would describe the geometry of the router bit that you are using and the type of operation that you would like to do to the wood, like drilling or a profile cut or a shallow pocket cut and then the program designs a pathway for that particular router bit to leave the wood or material behind that you need as it cuts. The resulting file needs to be a .nc Gcode file.

There are many good programs that can do both authoring and generate machine instructions often called CAD CAM programs.

Abundance is a CAD CAM sister project of Maslow that aims to make a procedural genrated design program that can then output meaningful Gcode files all in the web. https://abundance.maslowcnc.com/ It is being developed now and is already fun and useful.

We would like to add programs that people feel are useful maybe in weird ways. For instance Pepkura Designer that is a specialized program for unfolding 3D polygon shapes into flat panels. It was designed for paper models but it is great for wood as well. Three D printers use programs called slicers that cut three dimensional shapes into a stack of 2D slices. Maslow could cut slices in wood or foam to be stacked. What other odd programs have you found useful in generating desgins to cut?

Useful external links

SOFTWARE LIBRARY

To add a Program start a new entry with a title started by three ### hash symbols then add pictures, advice and description and links. Still working on what is a useful format here, use your judgment. If we use the heading system built into markdown it will automatically create a table of contents in the top right corner of the reading pane.

Example Program entry heading text

PICTURE

ALL IN ONE CAD CAM

Abundance

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FreeCAD

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2D Vector Design programs

Inkscape

PICTUREScreenshot from 2025-10-26 10-58-50

Adobe Illustrator

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Corel Draw

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3D Design programs

OnShape

OnShape_007

Blender

Screenshot from 2025-10-20 17-34-38

OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. Instead it is something like a 3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders the 3D model from this script file. This gives you (the designer) full control over the modelling process and enables you to easily change any step in the modelling process or make designs that are defined by configurable parameters.

OpenSCAD provides two main modelling techniques: First there is constructive solid geometry (aka CSG) and second there is extrusion of 2D outlines. Autocad DXF files can be used as the data exchange format for such 2D outlines. In addition to 2D paths for extrusion it is also possible to read design parameters from DXF files. Besides DXF files OpenSCAD can read and create 3D models in the STL and OFF file formats.

FlatFab

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CAM Gcode machine path

Krabzcam

Screenshot from 2025-10-27 11-56-06

Kiri:Moto

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UGS Universal G Code Sender

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HeeksCNC

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CamBam

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CarbideCreate

Screenshot+2024-02-21+at+8 24 43%20AM_005

Estlcam

Screenshot+2024-02-27+at+11 50 07%20AM_008

-Estlcam is a paid ($59 to own) CAM software. The interface looks a bit more well thought out than others and the creator is active in our forums if you have any questions.

Other useful programs

Pepakura Designer

PICTURE

Donkektools Drag knife stuff

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