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Getting started

MillPath runs in your browser: nothing to install. This page takes you from opening it to a program running on your machine.

01 Open or draw DXF, DWG, SVG, sizes, a sample 02 Operations click shapes; Found suggests 03 Simulate checks find collisions 04 Export your post; or send (USB) 05 Run, tell us in the air first, then report your report confirms the post for everyone
The five steps: open or draw, operations, simulate, export, run and tell us.

0. Your units

MillPath is CAM for CNC routers and mills. The first time, it asks only whether you work in millimetres or inches. Change it later in the ? menu (Units and fractions).

1. Open or draw a part

The start screen: open a drawing, draw it, or try the sample.
A new project: open a drawing, draw it, or try the sample.
  • Open a drawing on the start screen (or File, Import a drawing): a DXF, DWG (beta), SVG or an image to trace. Colours and layers of the file come with it.
  • File → Part from sizes: a flange, a plate with holes, a gusset or an L bracket from a few numbers.
  • Draw (at the top): rectangles, circles, lines, text and more, with snaps and dimensions. See Drawing and editing shapes.
  • Or start from a sample on the start screen, or a lesson.
The File menu: new project, import, part from sizes, open and save, projects in your account.

The File menu holds the same: a new project (a new tab), import, part from sizes, open and save a project file (.mpj), and with an account, your projects there.

Set the material under Stock & setup: thickness, the work zero (which corner or the centre) and whether Z zero is the stock top or the table.

2. Add operations

In Toolpaths, click a shape and pick an operation, or let Found in the drawing suggest one for each group: holes to drill or bore, outlines to cut out, text to engrave. Profile, pocket, drill, bore, engrave, V-carve and more: see Operations.

Each operation has its tool, depth and passes. Feeds and speeds are starting values: check them against your tool maker's numbers for your material (Tools and feeds).

3. Simulate and check

Play the simulation under the drawing (2D or 3D). The safety checks run on every change: collisions with clamps and the stock, gouges, material left, rapids into material, and what the post writes. A green Checks OK means none were found; see Safety checks and messages.

4. Export

Pick your controller under the arrow next to Export G-code (the post), then export. Your first G-code downloads without an account; after that, downloading needs a free account: sign in with Google, or with your e-mail (we send a 6-digit code). Plans and the free exports are on Your account. A GRBL machine can also run straight from the browser over USB: Send to machine.

5. Run it, and tell us how it went

New to MillPath on this machine? Run the controller check first, and every new file in the air (above the material) before cutting. After an export, MillPath asks how the program ran. Your answer confirms the post for everyone with your controller and gives a free account more days of Pro: Reports and feedback.