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### An Open Source Solution for Artistic or Industrial CAM with Blender 3D
[](https://riot.im/app/#/room/#blendercam:matrix.org)
[](https://github.com/vilemduha/blendercam)
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### [About](#-about) • [How to Use](#-how-to-use-wiki) • [Features](#-features) • [Post-Processors](#-post-processors) • [Files](#-files-organisation) • [Contribute](#-contribute) • [License](#-license) • [Disclaimer](#-disclaimer)
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## 👁️ About
[**Fabex CNC CAM extension for Blender**](https://blendercam.com/) is an open source solution for artistic, personal, commercial or industrial CAM - Computer aided machining - a g-code generation tool. It was called Blendercam but the name Blender can no longer be used in the name due to Trademark.
It has been used for many milling projects _(artistic, personal, commercial and industrial)_ since its creation in 2012, and is actively developed.
> [!NOTE]
> _If you are a developer who would like to help, check out the section on [Contributing](#-contribute)._
## 👨🎓 How to Use (Wiki)
Fabex CNC CAM extension for Blender (formerly Blendercam) works on Windows or Linux and MacOS.
* [Fabex CNC CAM extension Installation](documentation/Blendercam%20Installation.md)
* [Getting Started](documentation/Getting%20started.md)
* [Panel Descriptions](documentation/Blendercam-Panel-Descriptions.md)
* [Tools](documentation/Blendercam-Tools.md)
* [Example of using Profile and Pocket operations](documentation/Profile%20and%20Pocket%20operations.md)
(The full [documentation](https://blendercam.com/documentation/) can also be found on the website)
## 👌 Features
| Feature | Description | Status |
| :---: | :--- | :---: |
| 2D & 3D Milling Strategies | _Profile, Pocket, Drill, Parallel, Cross, Block, Spiral, Medial Axis and more_ | ✅ |
| Cutter Types | _Ballnose, Ballcone, Bullnose, Flat Endmill, V-Carve, User Defined and more_ | ✅ |
| 3D Data or 2D Images | _Model in Blender, or import any 3D object or Black & White image, and generate toolpaths_ | ✅ |
| Layers & Skin | _Leave material during Roughing to ensure that your Finishing passes have enough to work with_ | ✅ |
| Inverse Milling | _Cut an inverted piece for joinery, e.g. Male to Female connector_ | ✅ |
| Ambient Around Model | _Restrict Cutter to specified radius around the model_ | ✅ |
| Protect Vertical Surfaces | _Cutter moves vertically next to surfaces greater than a threshold angle_ | ✅ |
| Stay Low | _Keeps the Cutter low, if possible, to reduce travel time_ | ✅ |
| Stock Material Setup | _Enter material dimensions & location, or get them from your 3D model_ | ✅ |
| Operation Simulations | _Use your toolpaths to generate a 3D mesh simulation of your finished product_ | ✅ |
| Arc Retract | _Retracts cutter in an arc, rather than straight lines to reduce travel time_ | ✅ |
| Pack Curves | _Auto-arrange all selected curves to fit on a plywood sheet for easy bulk cutting_ | ✅ |
| Slice Model | _Vertically slices model into a series of curves to be cut and stacked to recreate the 3D shape_ | ✅ |
| Automatic Bridges / Tabs | _One click to add Bridges/Tabs to keep your work in place during Cutout Operations_ | ✅ |
| Chain Operations | _Combine multiple CAM operations into a Chain, Export as Gcode, or create a Chain Simulation_ | ✅ |
| Adaptive Milling Speed | _Adjusts the operation feedrate relative to the chipload calculation_ | ✅ |
| :warning: Helix Entry :warning: | _EXPERIMENTAL - Available in the Extension, but not yet fully supported_ | ⏳ |
| :warning: Ramp Down :warning: | _EXPERIMENTAL - Available in the Extension, but not yet fully supported_ | ⏳ |
| :warning: 4 Axis Milling :warning: | _Currently only possible via manual indexing_ | ⏳ |
| :warning: 5 axis Milling :warning: | _Currently only possible via manual indexing_ | ⏳ |
> [!NOTE]
> _All features listed above are for Blender 4.2.1 and up. For previous versions of Blender, check the Releases page._
## 💻 Post-processors
* [GRBL](https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki)
* [ISO](https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:4343:ed-2:v1:en)
* [LinuxCNC - EMC2](https://linuxcnc.org/)
* [Fadal](https://fadal.com/)
* [Heidenhain](https://www.heidenhain.com/)
* [Sieg KX1](https://www.sieg.co.za/)
* Hafco HM-50
* [Centroïd M40](https://www.centroidcnc.com/)
* Anilam Crusader M
* [Gravos](https://www.gravos.cz/)
* [WinPC-NC](https://www.lewetz.de/de/)
* [ShopBot MTC](https://shopbottools.com/)
* [Lynx Otter o](https://lynx-poland.com/)
* ...
## 📒 Files Organisation
```graphql
.
├── config/ - # 'startup' and 'userpref' blend files
├── documentation/ - # How to Use (Wiki) - files
├── Examples/ - # Bas Relief & Intarsion operation demo files and images
├── scripts/
│ └── addons/
│ └── cam/ - # Main Addon Folder
│ ├── operators/ - # Blender Operators
│ ├── post_processors/ - # CAM Post-Processors
│ ├── presets/ - # Quick access to pre-defined cutting tools, machines and operations
│ │ ├── cam_cutters/
│ │ ├── cam_machines/
│ │ └── cam_operations/
│ ├── properties/ - # Blender PropertyGroups to store Machine, Operation, Cutter data
│ ├── tests/ - # Developer Tests
│ │ └── test_data/ - # Test output
│ ├── ui/ - # Blender User Interface
│ │ ├── icons/ - # .png files for custom icons
│ │ ├── menus/
│ │ ├── panels/
│ │ └── pie_menu/
│ ├── utilities/ - # Low level helper functions
│ └── wheels/ - # Python Dependencies (as binary wheels)
└── static/ - # Logo
```
## 🤝 Contribute
#### Fabex CNC CAM extension for Blender is in active development.
Originally created by [Vilem Novak](https://github.com/vilemduha), the addon is currently maintained by [Alain Pelletier](https://github.com/pppalain) and a team of contributors.
If you are a developer who would like to contribute to the project, please fork and open pull requests.
If you wish to contribute to the addon, your code must be GPL or a more permissive license (e.g.: MIT, Public Domain).
> [!TIP]
> _If you need help or want to discuss about BlenderCAM you can join the [Chat Room #BlenderCAM:matrix.org on Matrix](https://riot.im/app/#/room/#blendercam:matrix.org)._
### Contributors
### Additional Contributors & Acknowledgements
Hirutso Enni, Kurt Jensen, Dan Falck, Dan Heeks, Brad Collette, Michael Haberler, dhull, jonathanwin, Leemon Baird, Devon (Gorialis) R, Steven Fortune, Bill Simons, Carson Farmer, domlysz, Mihai Moldoveanu
## 🪪 License
Fabex CNC CAM extension for Blender is licensed under GPLv3, __UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED__.
> [!NOTE]
> _Some files in this addon use code from other sources, see the file docstring a the top of each file for attribution and license information._
>
> _Please ensure that you read and abide by the license terms given for each file._
## 🤕 DISCLAIMER
> [!WARNING]
THE AUTHORS OF THIS SOFTWARE ACCEPT ABSOLUTELY NO LIABILITY FOR
ANY HARM OR LOSS RESULTING FROM ITS USE.
>
> IT IS _EXTREMELY_ UNWISE
TO RELY ON SOFTWARE ALONE FOR SAFETY.
>
> Any machinery capable of
harming persons must have provisions for completely removing power
from all motors, etc, before persons enter any danger area.
>
> All
machinery must be designed to comply with local and national safety
codes, and the authors of this software can not, and do not, take
any responsibility for such compliance.