List of CAD/CAM Software

[EddyCurrent]

Check this one out, free but you have to revisit each 60 days, CAM and simulator
http://cncsimulator.info/

[EddyCurrent]

DOS based "8 axis CNC interpreter", alternative to Mach3 ?
http://www.dakeng.com/turbo.html

[NB70]

G-code ripper now has an auto probe function for cutting 2D designs on uneven surfaces (like the mouse in the picture).

[EddyCurrent]

multi axis CAM - it's open source

http://www.cnc-toolkit.com/

http://www.youtube.com/user/cnctoolkit/videos

you might need this too, cnc-toolkit is a plugin
http://www.turbosquid.com/Gmax

[Robin Hewitt]

multi axis CAM - it's open source

I looked at a video...

He drew a back and forth XY tool path in 2D
He projected it down on to the surface of a sphere to get 2.5D
He turned the tool so it stayed perpendicular to the sphere surface to get 4.5D
He ran it in software emulation, well it seemed to do something
He exported part of a G code using cut and paste.

I don't think you have to be a geek to see this is somehow lacking.

[EddyCurrent]

I don't think you have to be a geek to see this is somehow lacking.

Yes, being open source it's lacking in cost. But in any case I like to keep adding to this thread which I think is useful for eveyone.

[Jonathan]

CNCtoolkit has been mentioned on this forum before. I've played with it a bit and it is quite capable - though I've not cut anything with the code it generates. This member on youtube however has made some worthwhile toolpaths using it: