All software below either knows how to interface with (or how to generate g-code) for Smoothieware.

3D Printing

  • Slic3r - 3D printing slicer
  • Cura - 3D printing slicer and host.
  • Prusa Control - A beginner-friendly interface for the Slic3r engine.
  • Pronterface - 3D printing host. See the guide on the Wiki : Pronterface
  • 3Delta Printer Control - 3D printing host especially suited for delta printers.
  • OctoPrint - Awesome web interface ( Host ) for 3D printer control. On the wiki : Octoprint
  • Simplify3D - Closed source 3D printing slicer and host. On the wiki : Simplify3D
  • Fabrica - Easy to use web control interface ( Host )
  • Smoopi - Host specifically written for Smoothieware, runs on rpi with touch screen or a desktop.

CNC

  • bCNC - On the wiki: bCNC Open-Source CNC host with great preview and other operations. Set machine type to smoothie, and add Grbl_mode true to your smoothie config or even better use the firmware-cnc.bin build of smoothieware (Note: You must update to the latest version of Smoothieware to ensure compatibility with bCNC).
  • OpenSCAM.org - Open-Source Simulation & Computer Aided Machining (Free 3-axis CNC Simulator which understands G-Code)
  • CNC.js - Open-Source CNC host with lots of features, running in your browser.
  • OpenSCAD.org - Open-Source CAD software.
  • GCode plug-in for InkScape - CAM, Output GCode from SVG files in Inkscape.
  • PyCAM - Open-Source CAM software.
  • jscut - Open-Source in-browser CAM software.
  • CamBam - Closed-Source, but cheap and feature-full CAM software. Widely used by hobbyists. Video Tutorial
  • Fusion360 - Closed-source CAM with very advanced features, free for hobby/fablab/small business.
  • Fabrica - Easy to use web control interface ( Host )
  • Kiri:Moto by Grid.Space - Free web based toolpath generator with support for FDM, Laser Cutting and CNC Milling.
  • V-carve is compatible if using this post-processor.
  • More links at ShapeOko.com.
  • Smoopi - Host specifically written for Smoothieware, runs on rpi with touch screen or a desktop.
  • FlatCAM - CAM software for working with PCB design milling
  • Tux Plot - A free general use CNC tool for small businesses
  • Candle - Open-Source Gcode sender for CNC mills, designed for GRBL but should work fine with Smoothie in grbl mode
  • Universal G-code Sender - Set machine type to Smoothieware, and add Grbl_mode true to your smoothie config or even better use the firmware-cnc.bin build of smoothieware (Note: You must update to the latest version of Smoothieware to ensure compatibility with UGS).

Laser

  • GCode plug-in for InkScape - Laser/CNC CAM : Output GCode from SVG files in Inkscape. Video tutorial.
  • Visicut - Full laser control application ( Host and CAM ), has Smoothieware interface. Video tutorial.
  • LaserWeb - Web-based full laser control application ( Host and CAM ), use to generate GCode but not recommended to use as a streamer of rasters as they do not support streaming the smoothie way.
  • Fabrica - Easy to use control interface ( Host )
  • V-carve is compatible if using this post-processor.
  • Fast streamer - use for streaming raster images from a host to smoothie. Avoids the pauses when using LW to stream. Can handle upwards of 1,000 pixels/sec.
  • Smoopi - Host specifically written for Smoothieware, runs on rpi with touch screen or a desktop.
  • Lightburn - LightBurn is layout, editing, and control software for your laser cutter..
  • LaserGRBL - For laser engraving and cutting, particularly advanced for engraving
  • Polygonia - A tool to easily create repeating patterns for laser cutting : Online tool

Chaining

  • This plugin for Fusion360 allows you to start your Gcode files from within Fusion360 directly using Universal Gcode Sender ( skipping the step of first saving the file in Fusion360, then opening it in Universal Gcode Sender )

Lexicon

A few words you will see in this documentation that require a bit of explanation :
  • «Host» software is software that is used to “talk” to your Smoothieboard. It allows you to control the machine ( for example “jog” the axes ), to “stream” a G-code job, or to upload it to the SD card, things like that.
  • «Slicing» software is software that is used to take a 3D model file, and based on some settings you input, “slice” it into layers, and generate a G-code file that the Smoothieboard can then execute to print a thing.
  • «CAM» software, or «CAM Package», for Computer Assisted Manufacturing, is software that is used to take a 3D or 3D file, and based on some settings you input, transform it into a list of tool movements ( G-code file ) for a machine that uses a tool to remove material from a workpiece.