CNC ENGRAVING SOFTWARE

CNC Engraving Software: Free Online GRBL CAM & Sender

Powered by XING CAM — supports 3018, 4040, 6040, 1610 and most GRBL-based CNC routers

Looking for usable CNC engraving software? XING CAM is a completely free online CNC control software and CAM tool. It connects directly to GRBL / Marlin / Smoothie from your browser, imports DXF / DWG / SVG / PDF, and provides spindle RPM, feed rate, step-down, roughing/finishing, tool compensation, and probing — everything you need for CNC engraving, with no install required.

What makes good CNC engraving software?

Traditional CNC engraving workflows need two pieces of software: a CAM tool (Fusion 360, Vectric, EstlCAM) to turn designs into G-Code, and a sender (Candle, UGS, OpenBuilds CONTROL) to stream G-Code to the machine.

XING CAM combines both. You do CAM programming and G-Code generation in the browser, then send G-Code directly to your CNC engraver via Web — no install, no registration, no fees.

If you are searching for "CNC engraving software", "CNC router software", "free CNC software", "3018 control software", "Candle alternative", or "UGS alternative", XING CAM is a ready-to-try option.

Core capabilities (tuned for CNC milling)

Full CAM programming

Contour (inside / outside / open), pocket, drill, V-bit engraving, island machining — all in one canvas.

Spindle & feed control

Independent spindle speed (S), XY feed (F), Z feed, clearance height, and safe Z per operation.

Step-down & rough/finish

Auto layered cutting, rest machining, rough with stock-to-leave, finishing pass — all sequenced in one job.

Cutter compensation

Tool radius compensation, climb / conventional, lead-in/lead-out, ramp and helical plunge to reduce bit breakage.

Probing & tool setup

XYZ touch-off, Z probe, edge finding, G28/G30, G54-G59 work coordinate systems.

GRBL sender built-in

Use XING CAM as a free GRBL sender — direct Web connection with real-time position, progress, alarms.

Simulation & collision check

Preview toolpaths and runtime, catch out-of-bounds conditions before cutting.

DXF / DWG import

Engineering-friendly DXF / DWG / SVG / PDF import with layer / color recognition for process mapping.

Supported CNC machines

XING CAM supports most desktop CNC engravers running GRBL firmware:

3018 / 3018 Pro / 3018 Pro Max

Popular entry-level CNC routers for acrylic, PCB, wood, and seals.

4040 / 6040 / 6090 CNC

Mid-size CNC routers for wood carving, signage, molds, and light aluminum.

1610 / 2418 / 2028

Small-format CNC routers and mills for jewelry, pendants, badges.

DIY CNC engravers

Any Arduino + GRBL based DIY CNC with steppers and limit switches.

Wood / signage CNC

GRBL-controlled wood CNC, signage CNC, and acrylic cutters.

Process parameters (spindle / step-down / feed)

Unlike laser software, CNC engraving software is all about spindle speed (S), feed rate (F), step-down, tool diameter, and V-bit angle. XING CAM provides a complete parameter panel per toolpath.

Typical settings: wood — 10000-24000 RPM, 600-2000 mm/min, 0.5-2.5 mm step-down. Acrylic — single-flute end mill, low RPM, high feed. PCB — V-bit or 0.8-3.175 mm end mill, 0.05-0.2 mm step-down. Aluminum / brass — coated 2-flute, coolant, 0.1-0.4 mm step-down.

Common setups can be saved as process templates and re-applied to future jobs, eliminating feed/speed lookups.

Compared with Candle / UGS / grblControl

DimensionXING CAMCandle / UGS / grblControl
PriceFreeFree but CAM not included
InstallBrowser, no installDownload & install required
CAM programmingBuilt-in CAM, one stopRequires Fusion / EstlCAM separately
Vector importDXF / DWG / SVG / PDFMost only stream G-Code
ProbingGraphical probing / edge findingVaries
LocalizationNative zh/enEnglish mostly
OSWindows / macOS / Linux / ChromeOSOften Windows only
UpdatesCloud hot updatesManual download

CNC engraving software — FAQ

Free CNC engraving software recommendation?

XING CAM is completely free online CNC engraving software with both CAM programming and GRBL sender built in — no paywall, no watermark.

What software should I use with a 3018 CNC router?

3018 / 3018 Pro / 3018 Pro Max (GRBL based) work out-of-the-box with XING CAM: open xingxyz.com, connect via USB, program CAM, and send G-Code.

How is XING CAM different from Candle / UGS?

Candle / UGS are GRBL senders without CAM. XING CAM provides CAM + sender in one browser page, and is fully free.

Can it generate G-Code directly from DXF / DWG?

Yes — import DXF / DWG / SVG / PDF, assign per-layer processes (contour / pocket / drill / V-bit), and export G-Code.

How powerful does my computer need to be?

Modern Chrome / Edge runs smoothly on typical laptops. For large DXF / complex projects, 8GB+ RAM is recommended.

Can it handle PCB / acrylic / aluminum?

Yes — full toolpath, step-down, and spindle control. Adjust feed and step-down per material.

Can CNC and laser share the same software?

Yes — XING CAM is laser software + CNC software in one app; switch modes per layer in the process panel.

Try this CNC engraving software now

Free, no download, no install. Open the browser, connect your CNC engraver, finish your first cut in minutes.

Open XING CAM

Related