If I don't use Windows or Mac and only use Linux, will I run into a lot of compatibility issues?

• FreeCAD

  234 17,463 10.0 C++

  This is the official source code of FreeCAD, a free and opensource multiplatform 3D parametric modeler.

  

For full 3d check out FreeCAD. https://www.freecad.org/ Again the UI is a bit eccentric in places. It's a huge project and parts of it are under active development so even if you rule it out now it's worth checking out again periodically. There is an integrated 3d CAM built into one of FreeCADs workbenches.

• bCNC

  14 1,520 7.0 Python

  GRBL CNC command sender, autoleveler and g-code editor

For 2.5d, look at bCNC. https://github.com/vlachoudis/bCNC/wiki It is a combined CAM and sender for GRBL based CNC machines. It imports .dxf files and has enough CAM functionality to be useful. The UI is a bit eccentric (A common pattern) but stick with it; bCNC was my go to CAM for years.

• InfluxDB

  www.influxdata.com sponsored

  Power Real-Time Data Analytics at Scale. Get real-time insights from all types of time series data with InfluxDB. Ingest, query, and analyze billions of data points in real-time with unbounded cardinality.

  

• DerpCAM

  3 15 0.0 Python

  A 2.5D CAM package/toolpath generator for 3-axis CNC routers and mills

DerpCAM is what I'm currently using. Disclaimer: a good friend of mine is the lead developer and I've been heavily involved in the testing and feedback process. It's in the relatively early stages of development but it's all I use for 2.5d work. https://github.com/kfoltman/DerpCAM I made a few YouTube videos about it. Eg: https://youtu.be/eU6pck5KVbg More functionality is on the way. Take a look at some of the other GitHub branches to see what's coming.

• grbl

  90 3,933 0.0 C

  An open source, embedded, high performance g-code-parser and CNC milling controller written in optimized C that will run on a straight Arduino (by gnea)

  

Grbl is a firmware for Arduino based microcontroller dev boards. https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki Once programmed you stream the gcode to the grbl controller over USB. It's constrained by the limitations of the Arduino hardware or runs on but it's a great entry point to CNC machines. Note that a 32 bit grbl is under development but pre built control boards are still rare.

• LibreCAD

  48 4,053 9.2 C++

  LibreCAD is a cross-platform 2D CAD program written in C++17. It can read DXF/DWG files and can write DXF/PDF/SVG files. It supports point/line/circle/ellipse/parabola/spline primitives. The user interface is highly customizable, and has dozens of translations.

  

CAD options on Linux are more limited than windows or mac but they do exist. The industry standard for 2d CAD files is the .dxf file format. I use LibreCAD. https://librecad.org/ The UI is a little clunky and eccentric in places but it is feature complete for 2d CAD drawings.

• cncjs

  29 2,189 2.9 JavaScript

  A web-based interface for CNC milling controller running Grbl, Marlin, Smoothieware, or TinyG.

  

I use https://cnc.js.org/ to send g-code to the machine, this uses web page interface to set up the machine.

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