GRBL post-processor

Discussions around the CAM Add-On of QCAD.

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sancyk
Junior Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2022 7:32 pm

GRBL post-processor

Post by sancyk » Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:33 pm

I've been using qCad Pro for several years now. Love the program. I recently purchased a CNC machine for woodworking and since I won't get it for a few months, I have been playing around with various CAM software packages. Mostly Autodesk Fusion and Vectric vCarve (trial versions). But even if I use those two applications to create toolpaths, I do my initial drawing in qCad. It's simply more user friendly then either of those two applications.

Anyways, I'm on the qCad web site today to ask a question on the forum and as I'm surfing the main page to look at updates for qCad pro, I see that there is a CAM option to create g-code. WHAT? Downloading the trial version now and I hope I will like it as much as qCad Pro and that it will work as well as vCarve.

The CNC I'm getting is the Sienci Altmill, which uses the grbl post-processor. Does qCad CAM support this? It's not specifically listed on the web site.

Thanks

CVH
Premier Member
Posts: 4958
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Re: GRBL post-processor

Post by CVH » Thu Mar 06, 2025 10:52 pm

You can download and install QCAD/CAM trial for free.
Yes there are some grbl based post-processors.

A bare minimal VCarve is far more expensive than QCAD/CAM.
Don't expect that QCAD/CAM is a replacement.
Don't expect 2.5D or 3D support.

Regards,
CVH

sancyk
Junior Member
Posts: 22
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2022 7:32 pm

Re: GRBL post-processor

Post by sancyk » Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:04 pm

Noted for the 2.5D and 3D support. I guess it's more suited to machining metal, which would not typically require 2.5D or 3D carves. Bummer. And yes, those are more expensive...way more. Except for Fusion, which is free for personal use.

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