EasyShape5000 Documentation
Browser-based CAM for CNC routers — profile cuts, pockets, drilling, and engraving from SVG designs
What is EasyShape5000?
EasyShape5000 is an open-source, browser-based CAM tool for CNC routers. It takes SVG designs and generates G-code for common 2.5D operations — profile cuts, pocket clearing, drilling, and engraving. A simpler, browser-native alternative to tools like Easel or Carbide Create.
Like its sister app EasyTrace5000 (built for PCB fabrication), everything runs client-side. No installation, no cloud, no accounts. Your files stay on your machine.
v1.0 — First Release
Profile, pocket, and drill operations are working. Engraving and pattern generation are coming shortly. Advanced operations (v-carve, 3D relief) are planned for future releases with a dedicated 3D preview system. Report issues on GitHub.
Operations
EasyShape5000 assigns operations per shape. Select shapes in the scene tree, pick an operation type, configure parameters, and generate toolpaths.
Profile Cut Working
Cuts along the outside, inside, or directly on a closed shape boundary. Supports nesting detection for shapes with holes.
Pocket Clearing Working
Clears material from the interior of closed shapes using concentric inward offsets with configurable stepover.
Drilling Working
Converts SVG circles and obrounds into drill holes or milled slots. Auto-selects peck or mill strategy.
Engraving Coming Soon
Follow-the-path engraving at a fixed shallow depth. Traces open or closed paths without offsets.
Pattern Generator Coming Soon
Repeats shapes in grid, radial, or custom layouts for production runs and decorative patterns.
V-Carve Future
Variable-depth carving with V-bits using medial axis transforms. Requires the planned 3D preview system.
3D Relief Future
Heightmap-driven relief carving from STL or image sources. Requires the planned 3D preview system.
Supported File Formats
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)
Full SVG path support including lines, arcs, quadratic and cubic Bézier curves. Group hierarchies from Inkscape, Illustrator, or Figma are preserved in the scene tree. Clones and clip paths are not yet supported.
STL (Future)
Planned for 3D relief operations once the 3D preview UI is in place.
Quick Start
- Import: Drag and drop an SVG onto the canvas, or use Actions → Import SVG.
- Select: Click shapes on the canvas or scene tree. Shift-click or marquee for multiples.
- Assign: Choose an operation type from the right sidebar tabs.
- Configure: Set tool, cut side, depth, stepover, and other parameters.
- Generate: Click the Generate button. Offsets appear on canvas and in the operations list.
- Preview: Click Generate Preview for a tool-reach simulation.
- Export: Open the Export Manager, select your post-processor, and download.
For a detailed walkthrough, read the Workflow Guide.
EasyShape vs EasyTrace
EasyTrace5000
Purpose-built for PCB fabrication. File-per-operation model. Board-level transforms (rotation, mirror, origin). CNC and laser pipelines.
EasyShape5000
General-purpose CNC router CAM. Scene-graph model with per-shape operations. Group/ungroup, per-shape transforms, full undo/redo.
Keyboard Shortcuts
View
- F / = / Home Fit to view
- + / - Zoom in/out
- G Toggle grid
Selection
- Click Select shape
- Shift+Click Toggle selection
- Ctrl+A Select all
- Alt+Click Select leaf (bypass group)
Scene
- Ctrl+G Group
- Ctrl+Shift+G Ungroup
- Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Shift+Z Undo / Redo
- Delete Delete selected
Navigation
- F6 Cycle focus zones
- F1 Help screen
- Esc Close modal / deselect
Post-Processors
EasyShape5000 shares its export pipeline with EasyTrace5000:
Stable
GRBL — tested on real hardware.
Experimental
grblHAL, Marlin, LinuxCNC, Mach3, UCCNC, Makera, Roland RML. Syntactically correct but not verified on real machines. Always dry-run first.
Project Sponsors
EasyShape5000 is open-source software (AGPLv3) supported by community sponsors.