# 3d carving first time

**URL:** <https://community.inventables.com/t/3d-carving-first-time/72091>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [April 21, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/3d-carving-first-time/72091 "2019-04-21T21:49:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JohnLaplante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90ced4/32.png) [@JohnLaplante](https://community.inventables.com/u/JohnLaplante)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/3d-carving-first-time/72091/1 "2019-04-21T21:49:31Z")

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hi everyone. trying to do true 3d carving. I have already bought some 3d files online, but I need to learn how to generate g-code. what is the easiest/cost efficient program to use. also I have been thinking about buying vcarve desktop or aspire. whats the best combo to use together. I just got my x-carve in December along with easel pro. thankyou

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**Author:** ![MartinW.Mcclary](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/martinw.mcclary/32/63385_2.png) [@MartinW.Mcclary](https://community.inventables.com/u/MartinW.Mcclary)\
**Post date:** [April 21, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/3d-carving-first-time/72091/2 "2019-04-21T22:20:45Z")

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I have been using Rhino3d for over 12 years now but it isn’t a cheap program. Many people use this these days and I believe it is free unless you generate a lot of cash from it. For the CAM end of things I like Meshcam as it works very well. Meshcam has been around for years too.

> **[Compare Fusion 360 vs Fusion 360 for Personal Use | Autodesk](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/personal)**
>
> Compare features and functionality between Fusion 360 for personal use and Fusion 360 and learn which CAD, CAM, CAE and PCB software is the right solution for you.

Meshcam:

> **[MeshCAM - CNC Software - CAD/CAM Software](http://www.grzsoftware.com/)**
>
> GRZ Software makes CNC software for non-machinists. You can try our software for free for 30 days- no limitations!

CamBam is another program that I use for g code generation when it is 2.5 D as opposed to 3D.

> **[CamBam CNC Software](http://www.cambam.info/)**
>
> CamBam CNC software, best value for money, feature rich, CNC Software for G-Code generation on CNC Routers, CNC Mills, Homemade CNC machines, for 2D pocketing, 2D profiling, Text Engraving, Photo Engraving and 3D carving. Free CNC Software and Free...

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**Author:** ![MarkA.Bachman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MarkA.Bachman](https://community.inventables.com/u/MarkA.Bachman)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2019, 1:43am UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/3d-carving-first-time/72091/3 "2019-04-22T01:43:34Z")

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I am very happy with Vectric V Carve Desktop. It lets you import STL and OBJ files and scale them as you need to before creating tool paths.  
However it does not let you create 3d designs.