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MillMage Fact Sheet

MillMage is an all-in-one software solution for CNC users that brings CAD, CAM, and Control functions together under one roof, so you can take your ideas from design to finished product all within a single powerful program.

Read on for more information on MillMage's capabilities, the types of machines it supports, and upcoming features in development. See our beginner pathway for information on installation, set up, and getting started.

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CAD, CAM, and Control Capabilities

MillMage is all-in-one CAD, CAM, and Control software, meaning you can use it to design your project (CAD), set up and export toolpaths that tell your machine how to process the design (CAM), and, finally, connect to, jog, and send those toolpaths to your machine (Control).

What's the difference between CAD, CAM, and Control?

There are three software processes involved in any CNC project:

  1. Computer Aided Design, or CAD. In CAD software, you create a precise drawing of your project using vector design and editing tools.

  2. Computer Aided Manufacturing, or CAM. Using CAM software, you apply settings that determine how your machine will cut or carve the different elements in your design, then turn those settings into special instructions (GCode) that a computer in your CNC can translate into electrical signals that control the machine's motion system.

  3. Control. The final step is directly interfacing with your CNC's computer and sending it the special instructions you created for the project. Using Control software, you can jog the CNC around its work area, determine the location relative to which it will cut or carve your project, and tell it to start, pause, or abort a job.

CNC Machine Coordinate Requirements

In order to successfully use MillMage, your CNC machine must:

  • Use the Right-hand rule coordinate space, where the tool moves:
    • X axis: left (-), right (+)
    • Y axis: towards (-), away (+)
    • Z axis: down (-), up (+ towards z=0)
  • Set the Z axis machine coordinates to zero (0) when at the top of the Z-axis travel range. Movements of the Z axis down to toward the work occur in a negative machine coordinate space
  • Have a user-known machine zero (0, 0, 0) location

While MillMage can create and export toolpaths for any machine that uses standard GCode, it can only directly connect to and control machines that run specific types of firmware.

If your CNC's firmware is listed under CAM and Control below, you'll be able to create toolpaths for your machine; directly connect to it; jog, position, and zero its axes; and Start, Pause, or Stop your job from MillMage.

If it's listed under CAM Only, you can use MillMage to create toolpaths for your CNC, but you'll need to export the GCode and transfer it to your machine using compatible software or an external storage device.

  • CAM and Control

    • GRBL ≤1.1 (Compatible controllers will display [VER:1.1h.YearMoDate:] on console connect)
    • GRBL-STM
    • grblHAL
    • FluidNC
    • Smoothieware (Labs feature testing)

  • CAM Only

    • Mach3/Mach4
    • LinuxCNC
    • UCCNC
    • Duet / RRF
    • Masso

Some CNCs come with an onboard computer and built-in control software that MillMage cannot interface with. If your CNC doesn't have a USB port that you can use to connect to it, you won't be able to control it through MillMage.

If you're unsure which type of firmware your CNC runs, consult your CNC's manufacturer, and use our 30-day free trial to verify that MillMage is compatible with your machine.

CAD

MillMage contains a variety of 2D vector drawing and editing tools, including:

MillMage can also import and export graphics in several formats.

  • Import

    • .ai - Adobe Illustrator
    • .svg - Scalable Vector Graphics
    • .dxf - AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format
    • .pdf - Adobe Portable Document Format
    • .plt / .hpgl - Plotter / Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language

  • Export

    • .ai - Adobe Illustrator
    • .svg - Scalable Vector Graphics
    • .dxf - AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format

CAM

MillMage supports 2D and 2.5D top-down milling. You can use it to:

  • Supported Firmware

    • GRBL
    • GRBL-STM
    • grblHAL
    • FluidNC
    • Smoothieware (Labs feature testing)
    • Mach3/Mach4
    • LinuxCNC
    • UCCNC
    • Duet / RRF
    • Masso

    Warning

    MillMage can produce GCode for — but not directly control — machines running Mach3/Mach4, LinuxCNC, UCCNC, Duet / RRF, or Masso firmware.

  • Available Operation Types

    Info

    See Operations Window for information on assigning operations to graphics in MillMage

Coordinate System Support

MillMage assumes a right-handed coordinate system for all machines it supports. In a right-handed coordinate system, positive Z commands move the router up and away from the workpiece while negative Z commands move it in toward the workpiece.

Left-handed coordinate systems are extremely rare — consult your CNC's manufacturer if you are not sure what type of coordinate system your machine uses.

Control

MillMage can directly connect to and control a subset of machines that run supported firmware (listed below.)

Direct control capabilities include:

  • Supported Firmware

    • GRBL ≤1.1 (Compatible controllers will display [VER:1.1h.YearMoDate:] on console connect)
    • grblHAL
    • GRBL-STM
    • FluidNC
    • Smoothieware (Labs feature testing)

  • Warning

    MillMage can create GCode for — but not directly control — machines running Mach3/Mach4, LinuxCNC, UCCNC, Duet / RRF firmware, or Masso firmware.

Future Features

Coming Soon

  • V-Carving (MillMage Pro)
  • Relief Carving (MillMage Pro)
  • Trust Nesting (MillMage Pro)

Not Currently Planned

  • Feature Based Machining

System Compatibility

MillMage runs on the following operating systems:

  • 64-bit Windows 10 (build 1809) or later
  • macOS 11 or later
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For more help using MillMage, please visit our forum to talk with MillMage staff and users, or email support.