I was looking at the system in Fusion and wondering is there a advantage to doing this in Estlcam vs Fusion. It just seems like it would be easier to just do it right in Fusion since that is where my models already live. But I see so many people sending their stuff to Estlcam and setting up the paths there. Can someone shed some light on why this is? I just already have a fusion and don’t really feeling like buying additional software if there is not a significant workflow advantage.
Fusion is an order of magnitude more complicated for CAM than EstlCAM.
General consensus is if you are just learning CAM, it’s best that the software isn’t getting in your way.
EstlCAM lets you learn how to use the tool effectively without having to spend as long learning how to use the software first
Fusion is a lot more powerful, but with that, a lot more complicated.
Plenty use Fusion, but it is an easier path to get your feet wet with EstlCAM.
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There are also some CAM limitations with the Fusion free version I think. Maybe speed limitations or something? I don’t remember the specifics
And you’ll also need to search the forum for the FlyFisher Post Processor for Fusion if you choose that path
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Post Processor is here:
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IMHO, This is the main question right here. I started learning CAM with Estlcam and I am really glad I did. It made the Fusion CAM make a lot more sense.
Even yet, somethings are just so simple in Estlcam I think it is worth it even if you know Fusion CAM.
And the developer is active here so its nice to give back. Its not terrible expensive either. Certainly not comparatively.
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I could have sworn someone in the past made a nice thread that went through some beginning setup to surface the spoilboard and maybe a couple other things with Fusion…
I can’t find it again yet, but I will look some more for it.
Edit: Found it
The free version of Fusion 360 does not have rapids movements enabled. That is non-cutting movements that could move much faster. The FlyFisher postprocessor has the ability of adding back some of those movements based on the position of the router. This lack of rapids has not been an issue for me, but it could be an issue for some kinds of jobs.
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I am too new to have a reliable opinion, but this is my experience. I find estlcam to be very quirky the no CTL-Z thing is very frustrating. I have yet to generate any g-code with it successfully. I try and within 20min I am back in Fusion. Now fusion is no picnic but for some twist of fate, I can hamfist g-code out of it. I have been using Fusion for a few years for 3d printing so maybe bolting on CAM to my passable CAD skills was easier than getting past the quirks os estlcam
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Thanks for all of the input. I will defiantly give the Estlcam a try once I get the thing built I just finished all of my 3D printed parts and will by the rest of what I need when I get paid next week.
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You can use Estlcam for free, it just puts pauses in that get longer the more you use it. Good way to figure out if you like it enough to pay. I’m still using v11, even though v12 is out.
What is the fee structure like pay once updates for ever or until major version? one year? how does it work?
I’m not sure there is necessarily an advantage for one over the other. I personally gave both a fair shot, and for some reason Estlcam confused me every time I used it to the point of getting frustrated and not even wanting to use my mpcnc. I watched a few (very old) videos on fusion 360 cam and it just seemed to stick. However, I know many people use estlcam with great success, so I think keep an open mind, try them both, and use whichever one you like.
I believe it is pay once for the main version like V11 or V12. And you get updates until the next major release is out and then you get, what looks like, currently half price upgrade.
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Correct. 20€ for a major upgrade is really cheap (looking at you, V-carve…)…
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I have used many CAM. And my choice for basic woodworking is ESTLcam, even I could use Fusion or some else. Estl is so simple, there is everything I need and nothing too much 
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Fully agree, I learned both. For simpel woodworking project estlecam is very quick for me. No upfront setup required, just load the dxf file select the tool and “click” on the paths. If I need to do complicated 2.5D cutting I will use fusion since it has more capabilities.
Also I tend to make more errors in fusion then estlcam. Way more steps and chances to forget something or set something up incorrectly