Fusion360

Free
Proprietary
Mac
Windows
Android
Tablet

Fusion360 Alternatives

7
Options
Considered
2021-10-04
Last
Updated

#1 Candle

Free
Open Source
Github
Linux
Windows

Candle is one of the attractive software that acts as a controller application with a G-code visualizer and writing in Qt. The classical function of this platform includes you can monitor CNC-machine state, perform multiple functions like loading, editing, saving, and sending of G-code files to CNC-machine, easily visualizing the G-code files with the single click, fully compatible with CPU with SSE2 instructions set, offer space for storage and many others.

Candle efficiently works with CNC controlled by GRBL firmware, enabling you to solve many problems by using the proper version of GRBL by using configuration. It is utilized in multiple projects such as laser cutters, automatic hand writers, hole drillers, graffiti painters, and oddball drawing machines. Another function of this platform includes it lets multiple full-circle arcs with G2 & G3 arcs; when the speed of multiple operations like M3 or M4 changes, it notifies you as an alert.

#2 Universal Gcode Sender

Free
Open Source
Linux
Mac
Windows
Github

Universal Gcode Sender is one of the classical G-code software that is ideals for binger user to CNC UGS user interface and comes with the basic utilities for sending your G-code to a CNC machine. It is a rich-featured platform that is utilized by the top leading developers, making them connect with advanced CNC controllers such as GRBL, TinyG, g2core, and Smoothieware. It is a self-contained Java application that covers all the external dependencies and runs on every type of operating system.

The exciting function of this platform includes it covers modern color-coded line segments and a special real-time tool for checking the position of line segments, enabling you to analyze the position of every line without any disturbance, check the duration estimates, special support for Gamepads or Joysticks, web pendant interface and many others. Other function of this platform includes it covers 3000 lines of unit test code, and enables you to perform configurable g-code optimization like eliminate comments, convert arcs to line segments and many others.

#3 Lightburn

Paid
Proprietary
Linux
Mac
Windows

Lightburn is cost-effective software that acts as laser engraving or cutting software, ensuring the professionals with the tools to make their designs with laser cuts on different textures. It comes with an effective layout and covers an extensive list of professional editing tools. The key feature of this platform includes you can import your artwork in a variety of common vector graphic and image formats such as I, PDF, SVG, DXF, PLT, PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP; you can arrange, edit, and create new shapes within the editor, ensuring you to perform powerful operations like offsetting, boolean operations, welding and node editing and many others.

With the help of its application settings, it persuades you to set customize power, speed, number of passes, cut order, brightness & contrast, dithering mode, and many others. Other hot function of this platform includes you can directly talk to your laser without using any extra software or hardware, send the result directly to your laser cutter in real-time and supports Ruida controllers include the RDC6442G/S, RDC6445G, RDC6332G, RDLC-320A, and more.

#4 SourceRabbit GCode Sender

Free
Open Source
Linux
Mac
Windows
Github

SourceRabbit GCode Sender is the multifunction cross-platform control software that is suitable for every GRBL compatible CNC machine, enabling the developers to build the controllers of CNC machines on GRBL firmware. It acts as a G-code sender, written in JavaScript, providing highly optimized, event-driven UI and USB serial communication, and can be used with every type of system without any hassle.

It works in multiple progressive steps like you need to create a “var lock” directory with write permission, open the terminal application, run multiple commands like sudo mkdir /var/lock, sudo chmod 777 /var/lock, and others. The main advantage of this platform includes it is fully compatible with all versions of GRBL, use JSSC for serial communication, lets fast, accurate, and non-complex interface, special support from the CNC routers, lasers, plasma cutters, and milling machines, and many others.

#5 CNCjs

Free
Open Source
Linux
Mac
Windows
Github

CNCjs is full-featured CNC controlling software that comes with a modern web interface and is fully suitable with Grbl, Marlin, Smoothieware, or TinyG. It is one of the advanced monitoring software that comes with the latest functions like a 3D visualizer, making you get in-depth details related to the object, allow multiple HTTP connections at the same serial port, responsive view for small screen display with a device having a width less than 720px, command-line interface, ensuring you to maximize the productivity with the single click and many others.

With the help of its multiple language support, it lets you change the language and operate software in your favorite language without any disturbance. Through its classical keyboard shortcuts, it aids you to control multiple operations, helping you to add creativity to your projects.

#6 Ultimate CNC

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Windows
Mac
Java

Ultimate CNC is one of the attractive programs that is designed for the top leading experts, making them control CNC machines without using any extra hardware or software. The adorable function of this platform includes it comes with advanced monitoring to observe all the operations running on your CNC machine, quickly visualizes the g-code, and trace in 3D in real-time, special option for auto revealing the Z-axis, one-click display for duration estimates, and many others.

With the help of its auto-leveling function, it enables you to auto-level your PCB or another conductive surface before milling. Through its ultimate CNC, it lets you probe the warpage and auto-scale your g-code to match the warpage; as a result, you will get a clean & predictable z-position in your milling operations. Other function of this platform includes you can import all of your files in multiple formats like PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, STL, SVG, and many others.

#7 bCNC

Free
Open Source
Linux
Mac
Windows
Github

bCNC is an easy-to-use program that efficiently works with old or slow hardware that acts as CNC command sender, auto leveler, g-code editor, digitizer CAM, and many others.The adorable function of this platform includes it comes with advanced monitoring to observe all the operations running on your CNC machine, quickly visualizes the g-code, and trace in 3D in real-time, special option for auto revealing the Z-axis, one-click display for duration estimates, and many others.

bCNC allow multiple HTTP connections at the same serial port, responsive view for small screen display with a device having a width less than 720px, command-line interface, ensuring you to maximize the productivity with the single click and many others. Other hot function of this platform includes you can directly talk to your laser without using any extra software or hardware, send the result directly to your laser cutter in real-time and supports Ruida controller.