# blendercam
**Repository Path**: chenlh_kwick/blendercam
## Basic Information
- **Project Name**: blendercam
- **Description**: No description available
- **Primary Language**: C++
- **License**: GPL-3.0
- **Default Branch**: master
- **Homepage**: None
- **GVP Project**: No
## Statistics
- **Stars**: 0
- **Forks**: 0
- **Created**: 2025-08-19
- **Last Updated**: 2025-08-19
## Categories & Tags
**Categories**: Uncategorized
**Tags**: None
## README
# CAM Toolpaths for CNC in Blender
### [About](#-about) • [Guide](#-user-guide) • [Features](#-features) • [Post-Processors](#-post-processors) • [Files](#-files-organisation) • [Contribute](#-contribute) • [License](#-license) • [Disclaimer](#-disclaimer)
[](https://riot.im/app/#/room/#blendercam:matrix.org)
## 👁️ About
[**FabexCNC**](https://blendercam.com/) Extension for [**Blender**](https://www.blender.org) is an open source solution for artistic, personal, commercial or industrial CAM (*Computer Aided Machining*) - a G-code generation tool.
It is available for **Windows**, **Linux** and **MacOS**.
Formerly known as **BlenderCAM**, the **Blender Foundation** has requested that external projects no longer use the name **Blender** due to Trademark, so it was renamed **Fabex**!
It has been used for many milling projects _(artistic, personal, commercial and industrial)_ since its creation in 2012, and is actively developed.
> [!NOTE]
> _If you are a developer who would like to help, check out the section on [Contributing](#-contribute)._
## 👨🎓 User Guide
* [Installation](scripts/addons/docs/install.md)
* [Getting Started](scripts/addons/docs/starting.md)
* [User Interface](scripts/addons/docs/interface.md)
* [Tools](scripts/addons/docs/tools.md)
* [Example Chain Workflow](scripts/addons/docs/examplechain.md)
> [!NOTE]
> *You can also view the full [User, Developer and API Documentation](https://spectralvectors.github.io/blendercam/index.html)*
## 👌 Features
| _Feature_ | _Description_ | _Status_ |
| ---: | :--- | :---: |
| **2D & 3D Milling Strategies** | _Profile, Pocket, Drill, Parallel, Cross, Block, Spiral, Medial Axis and more_ | ✅ |
| **Cutter Types** | _Ballnose, Ballcone, Bullnose, Flat Endmill, V-Carve, User Defined and more_ | ✅ |
| **3D Data or 2D Images** | _Model in Blender, or import 3D objects or b/w images, and generate toolpaths_ | ✅ |
| **Layers & Skin** | _Leave excess material during Roughing passes_ | ✅ |
| **Inverse Milling** | _Cut an inverted piece for joinery, e.g. Male to Female connector_ | ✅ |
| **Ambient Around Model** | _Clear excess material around the model_ | ✅ |
| **Protect Vertical Surfaces** | _Cutter moves vertically next to surfaces greater than a threshold angle_ | ✅ |
| **Stay Low** | _Keeps the Cutter low, if possible, to reduce travel time_ | ✅ |
| **Stock Material Setup** | _Enter material dimensions & location, or get them from your 3D model_ | ✅ |
| **Operation Simulations** | _Use toolpaths to generate a 3D mesh simulation of your finished product_ | ✅ |
| **Arc Retract** | _Retracts cutter in an arc, rather than straight lines to reduce travel time_ | ✅ |
| **Pack Curves** | _Arrange selected curves to fit on a plywood sheet for bulk cutting_ | ✅ |
| **Slice Model** | _Vertically slices model into a series of curves to be cut and stacked to recreate the 3D shape_ | ✅ |
| **Automatic Bridges** | _One click to add Bridges/Tabs to keep your work in place during Cutout Operations_ | ✅ |
| **Chain Operations** | _Combine multiple CAM operations into a Chain, Export as Gcode, or create a Chain Simulation_ | ✅ |
| **Adaptive Milling Speed** | _Adjusts the operation feedrate relative to the chipload calculation_ | ✅ |
| :warning: **Helix Entry**:warning: | _EXPERIMENTAL - Available in the Extension, but not yet fully supported_ | ⏳ |
| :warning: **Ramp Down** :warning: | _EXPERIMENTAL - Available in the Extension, but not yet fully supported_ | ⏳ |
| :warning: **4 Axis Milling** :warning: | _Currently only possible via manual indexing_ | ⏳ |
| :warning: **5 axis Milling** :warning: | _Currently only possible via manual indexing_ | ⏳ |
> [!NOTE]
> _All features listed above are for **Blender** 4.2.1 and up._
>
> _For previous versions of **Blender**, check the **Github Releases** page._
## 💻 Post-processors
* [Grbl](https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki)
* [ISO](https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:4343:ed-2:v1:en)
* [LinuxCNC - EMC2](https://linuxcnc.org/)
* [Fadal](https://fadal.com/)
* [Heidenhain](https://www.heidenhain.com/)
* [Sieg KX1](https://www.sieg.co.za/)
* Hafco HM-50
* [Centroïd M40](https://www.centroidcnc.com/)
* Anilam Crusader M
* [Gravos](https://www.gravos.cz/)
* [WinPC-NC](https://www.lewetz.de/de/)
* [ShopBot MTC](https://shopbottools.com/)
* [Lynx Otter o](https://lynx-poland.com/)
* and more...
## 📒 Files Organisation
```graphql
config/ - # 'startup' and 'userpref' blend files
Examples/ - # Bas Relief & Intarsion operation demo files and images
scripts/
└── addons/
├── cam/ - # Main Addon Folder
│ ├── operators/ - # Blender Operators
│ ├── post_processors/ - # CAM Post-Processors
│ ├── presets/ - # Quick access to pre-defined cutting tools, machines and operations
│ │ ├── cam_cutters/
│ │ ├── cam_machines/
│ │ └── cam_operations/
│ ├── properties/ - # Blender PropertyGroups to store Machine, Operation, Cutter data
│ ├── tests/ - # Developer Tests
│ │ └── test_data/ - # Test output
│ ├── ui/ - # Blender User Interface
│ │ ├── icons/ - # .png files for custom icons
│ │ ├── menus/ - # viewport menu and sub-menus
│ │ ├── panels/ - # primary UI
│ │ └── pie_menu/ - # complete Pie Menu system
│ ├── utilities/ - # Low level helper functions
│ └── wheels/ - # Python Dependencies (as binary wheels)
└── docs/ - # User, Developer and API docs
└── _static/ - # Images for docs and README
```
## 🤝 Contribute
#### Fabex CNC CAM extension for Blender is in active development.
Originally created by [Vilem Novak](https://github.com/vilemduha), the addon is currently maintained by [Alain Pelletier](https://github.com/pppalain) and a team of contributors.
If you are a developer who would like to contribute to the project, check out the [Developer Guide](https://spectralvectors.github.io/blendercam/developers.html), fork the repository and open pull requests.
If you wish to contribute to the addon, your code must be GPL or a more permissive license. *(e.g.: MIT, Public Domain)*
> [!TIP]
> _If you need help or want to discuss about **Fabex** you can join the [Chat Room #BlenderCAM:matrix.org on Matrix](https://riot.im/app/#/room/#blendercam:matrix.org)._
### Contributors
### Additional Contributors & Acknowledgements
Hirutso Enni, Kurt Jensen, Dan Falck, Dan Heeks, Brad Collette, Michael Haberler, dhull, jonathanwin, Leemon Baird, Devon (Gorialis) R, Steven Fortune, Bill Simons, Carson Farmer, domlysz, Mihai Moldoveanu
## 🪪 License
Fabex CNC CAM extension for Blender is licensed under GPLv3, __UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED__.
> [!NOTE]
> _Some files in this addon use code from other sources, see the file docstring a the top of each file for attribution and license information._
>
> _Please ensure that you read and abide by the license terms given for each file._
## 🤕 DISCLAIMER
> [!WARNING]
THE AUTHORS OF THIS SOFTWARE ACCEPT ABSOLUTELY NO LIABILITY FOR
ANY HARM OR LOSS RESULTING FROM ITS USE.
>
> IT IS _EXTREMELY_ UNWISE
TO RELY ON SOFTWARE ALONE FOR SAFETY.
>
> Any machinery capable of
harming persons must have provisions for completely removing power
from all motors, etc, before persons enter any danger area.
>
> All
machinery must be designed to comply with local and national safety
codes, and the authors of this software can not, and do not, take
any responsibility for such compliance.