A simpler, free alternative to Fusion for hobby CNC
Fusion for personal use is free for non-commercial work, but it limits rapid moves to the cutting feed rate, has no automatic tool changes and keeps 10 documents editable at once. For signs, coasters and cut-out parts, Surfacecraft is free 2.5D CAM in the browser, made for hobby GRBL routers.
Fusion for personal use and Surfacecraft, side by side
| Fusion for personal use | Surfacecraft | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Personal use free (non-commercial, under $1,000 a year); Fusion $680/year | Free; Pro $9/month or $79/year |
| Commercial use | Paid Fusion subscription ($680/year) | Pro ($79/year); Free is personal, non-commercial |
| Rapid moves | Limited to the cutting feed rate | Full rapids (G0) |
| Editable documents | 10 at a time | No limit |
| 3D modelling and machining | Yes | Not offered |
| Learning curve | Full CAD/CAM suite | 2.5D: draw, pick a bit, export |
Fusion for personal use details from Autodesk's own pages, checked : Autodesk: Fusion for personal use, Autodesk: Changes to Fusion for personal use, Autodesk: The 10 document limit. Prices and plans change, so check before you buy.
Stay with Fusion for personal use if…
- Fusion is full parametric CAD with 3D machining. Surfacecraft is 2.5D only.
- If you design mechanical parts, Fusion's CAD is worth learning.
Try Surfacecraft if…
- Rapids run at full speed, so jobs aren't slowed between cuts.
- Selling what you make costs $79 a year on Surfacecraft Pro, against $680 a year for a Fusion subscription.
- Made for hobby routers: presets, feeds and speeds kept under your machine's limits, and a 3D preview of the real G-code.
Switching from Fusion for personal use
Autodesk lists non-commercial, home-based use for people making under $1,000 a year, 10 editable documents, no automatic tool changes, and rapid moves limited to the cutting feed rate.
With Pro, yes. Like Fusion's personal use, the Free plan is for personal, non-commercial projects.
Yes. Designing, toolpaths, the 3D preview and G-code export are on the Free plan with no time limit. Pro adds sending jobs straight to the machine, more machines, AI tools and commercial use.
Set up for your machine
- Genmitsu 3018
- Genmitsu 4040
- Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030
- Genmitsu 3020
- FoxAlien Masuter
- Sienci LongMill
- Shapeoko 4
- 3018 CNC
Other comparisons
Try it on your next project.
Design and G-code are free, with no time limit. Send to your machine and sell what you make with Pro.