Best CAD for WOODWORKING - 2025

I am looking for a replacement for Vectric VcarvePro, since they are asking nearly full-price for me to upgrade my Shopbot edition.
What do you use to design your woodworking projects destined to be carved on your LowRider or MPCNC? I am not so keen on expensive packages for industrial design of complex metal parts, since they do not have features that woodworkers use (like no V-bits in Fusion’s tool library).

I’ve done some great v-carves with Fusion. It’s my go-to for pretty much everything design-wise. I do have an edu license so it’s less limited than the hobby license, though.

Example vcarve on old lr2,

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And do you still have to define the tool as a “chamfer bit”?

Yes, I think I just made the tip very tiny.
Came across this interesting “recipe”: Recipe for Creating V-Carve Inlays in Fusion 360 - Gallery - Onefinity CNC Forum
Amusingly, I started using V-Carve pro instead recently, so kinda backwards from your goal.

I mostly use fusion but I also use inkscape, blender.
I have freecad and estlecam but I don’t like the interface so far.

I have only used estlcam. Inkscape/tinkercad/freecad for image. (tinker the least)

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AutoCAD for 2D.

Hopefully before the end of 2025 you’ll have the option of millmage from the makers of lightburn

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But that’s CAM, not CAD, is it?

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If it’s like lightburn it’ll be both

And if it’s like lightburn there’ll be a bit of vector graphics as well. I do hope I’m not overselling it to myself!

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Hey, I am only laughing at the Millmage because when I talked to them at Mrrf 2023, they said “Soon” Yeah, not sure what there soon is!

What I’ve seen so far hasn’t been really overwhelming. I also find lightburn okay, but it reminds me of a Mac. Three options to choose from. Take it or leave it. :smiley:

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They’re in beta testing now.

That’s only two. :thinking:

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You wanna discuss semantics here? :smiley:

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There are only 10 types of people, those who understand binary and those who don’t. :grin:

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I’ve never used anything other than FreeCAD for 3D, but I did end up buying QCAD also. It’s super easy for 2D stuff. It’s got that simple drawing app feel, but still powerful enough for precision work. Lightburn is nice, but I don’t really use it for CAD, mainly just as a sender, but I know it’s way more powerful than that.

I have that T-shirt.

Seen https://maslowcreate.org/documentation ? Haven’t personally used, but looks useful for personal and collaborative parametric projects…

A visual no code alternative to OpenScad.

Personally using a mix of Fusion 360, OpenScad, EstlCam. Haven’t gotten far with OnShape, currently know the APIs better than the UI.

Curious what people use for simple fast, create 'n cut now projects, e.g. just need a simple engraved rounded rectangle cut for crawlspace vent cover where width, length and corner radius are known?

Hoping Millmage turns out to be a great option too.

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