Two easy to use CNC software for beginners
Quick tutorial of Carbide Create and Inventables Easel for new CNC users.
#cnc #software #newusers
carbide3d.com/carbidecreate/
easel.inventables.com/users/s...
0:00 - Intro
0:47 - Carbide Create
09:33 - Inventables Easel
17:52 - Wrap Up
18:28 - BLOOPERS
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Wow! Thanks for making this seem less complicated. You have a great teaching style of including just the right amount of info to not overwhelm.
Thank you Deb! And thanks for watching!
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you!
Thank you - same to you!
Hey mate, I just found you. Thanks for what you do, I was cutting resin for the first time and saw your video, just subscribed, absolutly awesome work. Much appreciated. 🙏
Hello DT - thank you so much! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
Excellent video. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Very nice pace thank you. Usually on tutorials I lose track or get bored and skip ahead. I'm going to use gsender, at what point of the Easel would I create the export? Same place as for the onefinity? Thanks.
Once you complete all your tool paths and you are happy with the simulation, then export your gcode. If you are using the OF, you do not need gsender with the stock controller -- it sends the gcode for you. Thanks for watching!
just a perfect video for beginners !
Thank you Antonio!
Well done on the video, had an interesting thing happen with the OF last week, the time to completion and timer went negative and proceeded to ‘recut’ the project board….I can see why they suggest to be there by the OF when in operation. Have you heard of a OF going negative? Thanks again for taking time and effort to making these videos!
Hi Robert - I have never heard of that. I recommend you let support know in case it is something beyond a one-time fluke. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this step-by-step video. Are the steps the same if I am using a FoxAlien 4040 Mauster? I have no experience with cnc and I am having trouble finding software videos for table top cnc's
Hi Dominique - the steps will essentially be the same regardless of what machine you are using. The only real difference will be how you send the gcode to the machine. I think the FoxAlien uses grbl so it will be similar to the X-Carve. Hopefully the product manual provides you with the details. Let me know if you have other questions - thanks for watching!
nice video man, Im about to venture into the world of CNC, haven't picked a good machine yet, was thinking about the foxalien pro.. what do you think?
Thanks! I have not used the Foxalien so I can't comment directly. From the website, it does look a lot like the Shapeoko. I would highly recommend a Shapeoko, X-Carve, or Onefinity X35 or X50 - all are near the same price point of the Foxalien. The Elite series by Onefinity is certainly a massive notch above them though. thanks for watching!
I loved the simplicity of easel, and didnt mind paying that 155$ for the year, they doubled the cost. So I bought Vcarve Pro, took a while to learn but man is it a great program, I can use it offline and I own my licensed software. I still use easel to send gcode to my xcarve because of the z probe. But I use openbuilds control for my queenbee, V carve has post pricessers for both, it's great
Thanks John - I completely agree. If you need v-carcing, it is certainly the way to go. Thanks for watching!
Great Video's ive been watching them one by one, still have a few to go. I do have a question that maybe you can answer, or if you already have, you can point me to the correct video. If you have 2 or more tool paths that require different bits, how would you change out the bit, is there a way to have the machine raise the router to give you room to change it and then re-zero, or should i just remove the router every time i need to change the bit?? just ran into this issue earlier today and now doing homework on how to best proceed. Thank in advance!
Hi there. After the first file ends, you simply move the machine to a convenient location, replace the bit, zero Z only, and load your new file. Some machines return to home, some return to zero. In either case, as long as you jog with your controller, the machine knows where it is relative to home and zero, so the only thing you need to change is z zero for the new bit. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Y just got a TTC 450 CNC machine, and I would like to know what's the best program to use, If you can give me your opinion. Thank very much
Hello Luis - looks like the machine is a standard grbl machine so Inventables Easel or Fusion 360 will work. You can use Carbide Create if you are willing to pay for pro to download gcode to your machine. I have some videos on all these if you are interested: kzhead.info/sun/pN1-g7WMf593l5s/bejne.htmlsi=bv-mEEWuDe8l7QdS and the Genmistu if that helps: kzhead.info/sun/p8-tc5amonWOY58/bejne.html - thanks for watching!
thanks for great information i haven't decided on a machine yet . im wanting to cut some one piece guitars ; could you recommend a cnc setup to achieve that with if possible? Than you sir
Hello Bruce -- there are plenty of great machines on the market so it comes down to how much you are willing to pay and any additional features you want or need. For guitars you will need a medium sized machine, something in the 1000mm range, so Onefinity, X-Carve, or Shapeoko will all work. The specific model depends on your cost parameters - Shapeoko 4 will be the lowest entry level cost, but Onefinit0 Woodworker or Elite will likely provide better long-term results due to the direct drive. All the machines are very capable and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. If you want to step it up a notch, then a Stepcraft or Axiom would be good choices with plenty of optional convenience features (auto tool changer, high powered spindle, etc.). Of course, they are also a step up in cost (~2-3x the aforementioned machines). I would recommend a spindle over a router, and one with ER20 collet so you can use 1/2" diameter shanks. That will allow you to clear more material in less time. Thanks for watching!
What freeware software do you recommend for Aluminum working? We make aluminum parts for our products, I have my sights set on the Shapeoko Pro 5 CNC router, the large size should allow me to work on aluminum sheet metal as well, I also like the support from the community, however I think Carbide Create does not support hole taps. Is the Carbide Create Pro worth the money?
Any of the software packages will work with aluminum - you just have to get your feeds and speeds dialed in. If you really want to optimize your tool paths for metal, then Fusion 360 is the way to go. Adaptive clearing is a way better approach for metal than any of the clearing strategies in Easel or CC (assuming they haven't added that to either yet). And yes, Autodesk does have a free version of Fusion 360. Thanks for watching!
Does carbide create have lead in/lead out, for making the tool path for cutting with plasma? Or what would be a good program with these features ? Thanks
Hello Gerald - I do not believe it does, but Fusion 360 does. Thanks for watching!
What is the price range, to your door, for your CNC machine? Second question, does the design portion allow tracing a photograph? Thanks for your work.
Hi Sam - the machine was around 2200 delivered. However, that is the not the total cost per se - check out my video on the "true" cost of a CNC machine: kzhead.info/sun/iLqOfbeDnoafloE/bejne.html - there are a lot of things you nee beyond the machine itself. Hope this helps - thanks for watching!
I'm new to this but am wondering with the image scan, if I take a photo of a small plastic box I want to cut 2 holes in( already there) , can I use this tool, will it create my dimensions etc?
Hi. Thanks for watching. I don’t think you need to trace the image to create the geometry for some holes. You might be able to import the image as a canvas, scale it to the right dimensions and draw over the image. I know you can do that with Fusion 360. I will look and report back if I find something useful.
High, I have a onefinity cnc but have not chosen cnc software yet. I have Autocad drawing files that I want to import into cnc software, do you have any advice?
Hi Brian - since you are in the Autodesk universe, you might want to check out Fusion 360 - it has integrated CAD and CAM; you import your Autocad files directly into Fusion. Since Fusion is free for hobbyist, that's probably the fastest way to CAM from your CAD files. Alternatively, you can export DXF files, turn them into SVG using Inkscape and then import your SVG into Easel or other programs. Carbide Create allows you to import (or open) DXF files directly, as do many of the paid options. It's possible some of them even let you open your Autocad files directly. Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!
Hi I've just started with the 3018 cnc but I've been having issues with the cutting bit sometimes just carving across other toolpaths any idea what I can do to remedy this I'm using easel at the moment
I've certainly been there :/. I would make sure all your vectors are closed, and make sure your safety height is set. Always preview the tool path before cutting and look for cross overs. With Easel you don't have many options for heights so it might be impossible to resolve without breaking up the cut into more than one tool path. Hope this helps -- thanks for watching!
Would these programs help adding tool paths and making changes to pre existing stl files?
STL files are for modeling 3 dimensional items -- I believe the pro versions of both can import STL, but you still have to set up your tool paths separately. Thanks for watching!
Thank you ❤. Does this work on the iPad?
Easel is a web site and works in Safari. Never tried it on the iPad. CC is a desktop app, so nope. Thanks for watching!
Can u please explain how to create g-code on easel then to use it on Makermade M2 ?
You can only export gcode from Easel unless you pay for the pro version of CC. Thanks for watching!
I just got a FoxAlien Masuter Pro system. Can I use Easel? I've never done this before.
Hello Tye - yes, you can use Easel. You will need something like universal gcode sender to send your gcode to the machine though. Hope this helps -- thanks for watching!
Does carbide create support the generic type 3018 cnc? I like easel, but too much requires pro and its just too expensive.
Hi there. It depends on the type of controller you are using. Carbide Create will output gcode compatible with grbl and most CNCs. That said, you need the pro version of CC to export the gcode. By that metric, if you don't like Easel, CC might not be much better. Fusion 360 is free for hobbyists, but the learning curve is rather steep for beginners. Hope this helps.
@@cyberreefguru it helps, it's just not good news! I was hoping to get cc working, but if i can't export gcode is kinda useless for me. I tried fusion, too complicated for me for the simple things im doing. I'm just keep making new emails to sign up for 30 day trials of easel when i need a pro function. I heard they used to have like 4 free days of pro per month, but stopped doing it. Thanks for the great video and tips, i did learn something!
Hope you get this message. Great video. I am new to CNC machining. I have a Shapeoko Pro XL, which came with Carbide Create (CAD) and Carbide Motion (CAM). Question: once I download my g-code from Easel, how to I get it into Carbide Motion (CM) to run my Shapeoko? Carbide Create (CC) creates files with an extension of ".c2d". These files have the g-code embedded, and CM can read them and extract the g-code. Otherwise, what is the procedure for opening a file not created with Carbide Create? Neither CC or CM are able to open a file downloaded from Easel which has an extension of ".svg". Does this downloaded file have g-code embedded. I can open the .svg file with BBEdit, but it does not look like g-code to me. Hope my question makes sense. Thanks.
Hello -- couple things here. You need to import your gcode into Carbide Motion (not Carbide Create) rather than "open" it like a CC file. Second, you need to export your gcode from Easel rather than export an SVG (Machine->General Settings->Download gcode). Alternatively, you can load your SVG into CC but then you need to create all your tool paths again and then create gcode. Hope this helps -- thanks for watching!
It helps a great deal. Thanks. Take care.@@cyberreefguru
Will this software work with the Genmitsu CNC machine?
Both software products will produce gcode that can be sent to the Genmitsu. I believe, but I am not sure, that Easel and Carbide Motion can send gcode directly as well. That said, Easel will work best with an X-Carve and Carbide will work best with a Shapeoko or Nomad. Thanks for watching!
Are you using Carbide Create Pro because mine doesn't have the save Gcode button
Hello P.J. - I am not using Pro. The save GCode button should be on the Tool path tab under the Show Simulation button. Or at least that is where it is on my version (Build 648, Built on: 2022-03-16, Free Edition).
My husband brought me a mcwdoit 4540 desktop cnc machine and I can’t get the candle software down. Is there a software that I can get that is easier to use?
Hello Tammy. Well, Candle is generally used to send gcode to the machine (and visualize it). If you can't use that, I'd recommend Universal Gcode Sender (winder.github.io/ugs_website). If you are looking for CAD or CAM software, then Easel or Carbide Create are great places to start. If you don't know where to start, I recommend my video series on digital manufacturing where I cover the steps in the process: kzhead.info/channel/PLCVvx3PnAfyf-YXNFPpK-_xpc3OTPB8nz.html. Thanks for watching!
Will this work with a plasma. Cutter and thanks
If your plasma cutter accepts standard gcode, that Easel will work. Unfortunately you have to pay for gcode export from Carbide Create now. Thanks for watching!
Hi, New beginner to CNC. When I creat a project on Easel, I click on the “pro export” tab and download g-code (ZIP). How do I get the gcode file to my machine. I can only get NC files to work. James
Hello James - I am unable to help without further details. What machine do you have? Have you downloaded the gcode from Easel?
I work with 6 sides cnc machine or they called it boring machine , is there any progrsm that I can use to export g code that the machin will accept, the machin accept .scx files extensions.
Hi there. I don't know about about 6 sides - do you mean 4 axis? Fusion 360 can do more than 3 axis but I don't know the limit before you get into paid territory. AFAIK, none of the free or mid-tier CNC CAM sofware packages go beyond 4 for axises. Thanks for watching!
@@cyberreefguru thank you replying to me I will send the video link of the same machine that I work with it, if you have any idea please tell me. kzhead.info/sun/nJp_n7qwp2OdnJE/bejne.html
do you have a video like that but with letters as example.i amtrying to make a small nameplates
Hello Frank - I do not believe I have a video with letters for Easel or CC, but I have shown how to emboss with Fusion 360: kzhead.info/sun/aq5uqs2ylneKjI0/bejne.html. With easel, you can put some letters down and do a pocket to remove the material where the letters are. If you want them raised, then put a rectangle around the letters and pocket the rectangle. I created a sample project here for you to reference: easel.inventables.com/projects/Z6m2QUTT_HHUK0qPCYHeww. Hope that helps!
Wow good learn
Thanks for watching!
Can we generate g code in unlike aspire
Both Fusion and Aspire can generate gcode no problem. It is possible the trial edition of Aspire cannot generate gcode, but the free version of Fusion will not have any problems (though there are limitations).
Hi how do I find my z axis length of my genmitsu 4040
Hello John - you mean the total travel of the z-axis? Should be able to measure the distance from the bottom of the collet to the waste board when the z gantry is at the highest position. If you mean something else, not sure :). Thanks for watching!
Will these work with the masuter pro? I'm a complete "newbie" & all this software stuff is flying over my head at a high altitude.
Hi there -- they should. I believe the Fox Alien machines are driven by grbl, which both Carbide 3D and Inventables uses. Recommend you check out my digital manufacturing series (kzhead.info/channel/PLCVvx3PnAfyf-YXNFPpK-_xpc3OTPB8nz.html ) to understand the end to end and all the parts in between :). Thanks for watching!
Hello, this link isn’t working. I also just received my masuter pro and haven’t even been able to do the test g-codes in candle. So I was wondering if candle is what you would normally recommend or is there a better software cnc controller?
@@mlcyane8446 I fixed the link -- for sending gcode I always recommend Universal GCode Sender (winder.github.io/ugs_website/ ) - hope this helps.
I tried to figure out whether carbide create can be used on non carbide 3d machines. it would appear not. am I mistaken? Like your vid BTW. very informative.
Hello - Carbide Create can certainly be used on non-Carbide 3D machines -- it produces generalized gcode good for just about any machine. Carbide Motion likely cannot and any "sending" abilities of CC might be limited to the Shapeoko and Nomand series machines. Thanks for watching!
13:29 what's this tool use for " outliner "
I don't understand the question. The outline tool does just that - outlines the vector you provide.
can this software be used on different machines like shark
Hi Robert -- if the machine accepts standard gcode, you can use it for the certain CAD and CAM processes. You cannot, as far as I know, control the Shark with Easel or Carbide Create directly. If you experience otherwise let me know. Thanks for watching!
One thing you could do is instead of carving out the middle you just cut the inside in one block as a bulk material removal, unless you need a back for the inside.
Yep, depending on the material you have to work with, that saves a lot of time and material. Thanks for watching!
GatorCAM for CNC is really easy!
GatorCAM is offline. No internet needed. It gets rid of extra travel during pocket tool paths.
@@TheRainHarvester Hi there -- I will check it out and report back!
Hi There, Very interesting your video . Quick question. is any version of Easel free.. I bought my CNC from INVENTABLE, Install the software and play around for a month, after that ask me to become a member ($$$$) and my email account is not working anymore with the Easel software.. and in order to use I create other email account but this is very inconvenience and annoy. any solution available. Once again, very nice video. Gilberto
Thank you Gilberto - yes, Easel is free (for now). However, Inventables makes is very difficult to tell that is free (they clearly want you to subscribe to the pro plan). Go to the bottom of the page here -> www.inventables.com/technologies/easel#plans and you can see it says "Free to use after Easel Pro Trial". It would be a real shame if @inventables were to remove the free plan, or neuter Easel like Carbide Create has been. Thanks for watching!
Hi I use a Longmill 30 x30 Ive done the same projects before with a 60% bit in easel I go thruogh the set up Have a check mark under change bit Do the setup till end & click carve & nothing happens,. Anybody bknow why it won,t carve Thanks
Hello Robert. I don't know what you mean by a 60% bit - you mean a 60 degree v-bit? Regardless, have you connected to the machine and ensure it is configured in Easel? I would recommend posting on the Inventables forums -- KZhead is not well positioned to provide this kind of support. Thanks for watching!
So I have a mill right this software won't work or will it I don't see it in the machines tab
Hello. Please help - which software are you referring to?
@@cyberreefguru carbide create
@@bradkuhlemeyer8422 You need version 6 or lower; version 7 has moved the ability to save generated gcode to the paid version. Worse yet, it seems they have removed all the older versions from the website so even if you have the link, you cannot download them. Perhaps one of THE most consumer unfriendly decisions ever. You need to pay for that feature (which I am sure is the reason they did it), or find an older copy on the web (but do be careful of malware). AFAIK, you can still down load gcode from Easel (for now).
@@cyberreefguru yea got easel now but I'm an idiot and having trouble figuring it out not very good with computers I have been watching the videos and it has been helping
Ive just D/L easel for my alienfox i can get so dar with it, then when i send the file to the cnc it just spins the bit for a few seconds yhen stops, then spins again... I have clearly not set something, but i cant figure it out... 😂
Hi Dave -- you might want to ensure you have your spindle set properly to Easel generates the spindle commands in the gcode. Or add them manually after you export the gcode. Thanks for watching!
Is Carbide totally free cad cam
Hi there - Carbide Create has a completely free version that does both CAD and CAM. However, if you don't have a Shapeoko, you need to pay for the pro version to export gcode. It is possible CC works with any grbl based CNC, but I'm in no position to try it directly.
1st thank you for making this video. I just got a 3018-pro and the software candle does seem a little daunting. 2nd thing and maybe it's just me but people that make videos usually for people like me not a clue! but you're talking so fast and making changes that I'm not sure superman could keep up with you! I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but newbies like me are still stuck on the thing you said .05 seconds ago and you are now 3 operations ahead, I think I may have worn out my pause and rewind buttons on my remote😬. Just my opinion mind you. Thank you.
Hello Clete - thanks for the feedback. I am working on an updated series that will go into further detail and hopefully will be a little slower paced. However, pacing is difficult as others complain that I take too long to explain things! You can watch the video in slow motion if you want (gear icon -> play back speed). All that said, I believe there are much better options than Candle. In my 3018 video I used Universal Gcode sender, which I find much more intuitive -- your call though. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
please review galaad
Hi there -- I will look into it- thanks for the suggestion!
I hear people praising Easel all the time, but this video sure makes it look a lot clunkier to use than Carbide's.
Hi there - from my seat, Easel is a great intro-level solution to get up and running fast with CNC. When I started, I had to learn all sorts of CAM terminology, purchase a bunch of extra software, and then learn through failure. Easel has very much lowered that barrier to entry, and all there "apps" make some tasks literally mindless -- still to this day some of them are unparalleled event in CC or paid software. I'm not defending Inventables in anyway, just stating my experience. With CC, you get a more "traditional" CAD/CAM experience in a cross platform, offline solution that will likely take your farther. But that does come at the expense of some simplicity. So, I will make the same recommendation I always make - start with the most simple, least cost solution and move on when you exceed its abilities. That is code for: don't run out and purchase a 1000 CAD program when something free (like Easel) will get you up and running. 0.02 :)
should have something in the start of the video, saying you need to PAY in order to save the Gcode file.
Well, ok - I think I covered that in detail when I discussed CC. Thanks for watching!
just so the net guy knows that to export to gcode you have to pay for it
Thanks!
Carbide create vs Easel
Great summary :)
This was supposed to be for beginners but it sounds like a foran language
Hello. Perhaps watching my series on digital manufacturing will get you up to speed with some of the CNC terms --> --kzhead.info/channel/PLCVvx3PnAfyf-YXNFPpK-_xpc3OTPB8nz.html
@@cyberreefguru I will and thank you , that was very nice of you
Slow down a bit, not everybody is a pro like you, I do not understand why everybody that instructs has to rush thru these tutorials.
Hi Robert - it's always difficult to gauge timing and still keep the video moving along so people don't click away. Thanks for the feedback and watching!
Watch it in half speed
@@jpennel25 Excellent suggestion -- one I never thought of :) Thanks for watching (half or full speed)!
Great video. Thank you.
Thanks for watching Hank!
Really helpful! I´ll using a CNC Oscillant knife machine, will Carbide could work on this machine?
Hello! See my other response -- I don't know -- the friendly folks at @carbide3d might know since they recently added one to their lineup. Thanks for watching!