Free, easy software for your new CNC.
Unboxed your router and found it came with no design software, or a trial that already ran out? Surfacecraft is free CNC design and G-code software in your browser. Draw or import a design, pick a bit, see the cut in 3D and download a file your machine can run.
Nothing to install. Mac, Windows, Linux and Chromebook. Works with GRBL routers: Genmitsu, FoxAlien, 3018 kits and more.-
1 · Design
Surfacecraft Draw or import, choose a bit for each shape. Feeds, speeds and toolpaths are worked out for you.
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2 · G-code
job.nc One file per bit, with a header that says which bit to load and where to zero.
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3 · Send
Your sender Candle, gSender or Universal Gcode Sender streams the file to the machine. Or Surfacecraft Pro, over USB.
Your CNC needs two kinds of software. Most kits include one.
The program on the USB stick is usually a sender: it moves the machine and runs G-code. It can't make the G-code. For that you need CAM software, which turns a drawing into toolpaths for a real bit. That's what Surfacecraft does, free.
Makes the G-code
Draw or import a design, set each shape's depth and bit, preview the toolpath, export G-code. This is Surfacecraft.
Runs the G-code
Jog, zero and stream the file to the machine. Candle, gSender and Universal Gcode Sender are free. Surfacecraft Pro sends over USB too.
Already on your machine
GRBL, on the controller board. It reads G-code and drives the motors. Nothing to do here.
Set up for the machine you just bought
What to know about your machine, the preset to start from and a good first project.
Genmitsu 3018
3018-PRO, 3018-PROVer and PROVer V2
Free software for the Genmitsu 3018 → SainSmart · 400 × 400 mmGenmitsu 4040
4040-PRO
Free software for the Genmitsu 4040 → SainSmart · 400 × 300 mmGenmitsu PROVerXL 4030
PROVerXL 4030 V1, V2 and 4030S
Free software for the Genmitsu PROVerXL 4030 → SainSmart · 300 × 200 mm (V2: 300 × 205 mm)Genmitsu 3020
3020-PRO MAX and 3020-PRO MAX V2
Free software for the Genmitsu 3020 → FoxAlien · 400 × 400 mmFoxAlien Masuter
Masuter Pro
Free software for the FoxAlien Masuter → Sienci Labs · MK3: 32″ × 32″ (30 × 30) or 49″ × 32″ (48 × 30)Sienci LongMill
LongMill MK3, MK2.5 and MK2
Free software for the Sienci LongMill → Carbide 3D · 17.5″ × 17.5″ (Standard), 33″ × 17.5″ (XL), 33″ × 33″ (XXL)Shapeoko 4
Shapeoko 4 Standard, XL and XXL
Free software for the Shapeoko 4 → Generic · usually about 300 × 180 mm (check your listing)3018 CNC
Vevor, Mostics, Two Trees and other 3018 kits
Free software for the 3018 CNC →Not listed? If your machine runs GRBL, start from the generic GRBL router and enter its work area and top speed. Shapeoko, X-Carve and LongMill have presets too.
From unboxing to first cut
Pick your machine
Choose a preset and the work area, top speed and start code are filled in. Every job stays inside your bed.
Draw or import
Text, shapes or an SVG from Inkscape, Canva or a clip-art site. Give each shape a depth and a cut: outline, pocket or V-carve.
Choose the bit
Pick from a library of common end mills and V-bits. Feeds and speeds come from the bit and your material.
Preview and download
The 3D preview is built from the real G-code. Download it, zero where the header says, and run it.
Free means free. No trial clock on the basics.
Everything you need to go from an idea to a G-code file is on the Free plan. Pro is for when you want Surfacecraft to run the machine too.
Free
- Design, import SVGs, text
- Profile, pocket and V-carve
- Automatic feeds and speeds
- 3D toolpath preview
- G-code download
- One machine per studio
- Personal, non-commercial projects
Pro
- Everything in Free
- Send to your machine over USB
- Unlimited machines
- AI image tools and assistant
- Private projects
- Sell what you make
Switching from another program?
Got a diode laser too? Free laser software guides →
Questions
Yes. Surfacecraft is free CNC design and G-code software that runs in your browser. Draw or import a design, pick a bit for each shape, check the 3D preview and download G-code. The Free plan has no time limit.
Many desktop CNC kits ship with a sender, a program that streams G-code to the machine, and sometimes a trial of design software. A sender can't make a design, and a trial ends. You need CAM software to turn a design into G-code.
CAM software (Surfacecraft) turns your design into toolpaths and a G-code file. A sender (Candle, gSender, Universal Gcode Sender) streams that file to the machine and lets you jog and zero. You need both. Surfacecraft Pro can also do the sending, over USB from Chrome or Edge.
Yes. Surfacecraft runs in the browser on Mac, Windows, Linux and Chromebook, with nothing to install.
CNC routers that run GRBL or grblHAL, which covers most hobby machines: SainSmart Genmitsu, FoxAlien, 3018 kits, Shapeoko, X-Carve, LongMill and more. There are ready-made presets for the popular ones.
No. Choose your bit and material and Surfacecraft works out the feed and spindle speed, kept under your machine's limits.
Make your first cut today.
Free in your browser. Every new account starts with a 14-day Pro trial, then stays free.