Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

CNCjs VS OpenBuilds CAM & Control

Compare CNCjs VS OpenBuilds CAM & Control and see what are their differences

CNCjs logo CNCjs

A web-based interface for CNC milling controller running Grbl, Marlin, Smoothieware, or TinyG. - cncjs/cncjs

OpenBuilds CAM & Control logo OpenBuilds CAM & Control

OpenBuilds CAM & Control are two major applications that enable users to connect, manipulate, and convert drawings for use with DragKnife, CNC, Plasma, or Laser devices.
  • CNCjs Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-21
  • OpenBuilds CAM & Control Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19

CNCjs features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    CNCjs offers a modern interface that is both intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for both novices and experienced machinists.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    CNCjs can be run on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems, allowing users to operate it on their preferred operating systems.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, CNCjs is free to use and can be modified by users, fostering a community around its continuous improvement and customization.
  • Extensive Plugin Support
    The platform supports plugins, enabling users to extend functionalities according to their specific needs and integrate it with other tools and services.
  • Active Community
    CNCjs has a vibrant and active community, providing support, sharing customizations, and contributing to its ongoing development.

Possible disadvantages of CNCjs

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the depth of features available can be overwhelming to new users, requiring a significant learning commitment.
  • Installation Complexity
    For those unfamiliar with development environments, installing CNCjs, especially on some platforms, can be challenging without technical expertise.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is community support, the official documentation can sometimes be limited, making troubleshooting and advanced configuration difficult.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running CNCjs can demand considerable system resources, which might lead to performance issues on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Reliance on Community Contributions
    Being an open-source project, its development heavily relies on community contributions, which can sometimes lead to slow progress in feature updates and bug fixes.

OpenBuilds CAM & Control features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    OpenBuilds CAM & Control features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for beginners and streamlining workflow for more experienced users.
  • Integrated Workflow
    The software integrates CAM and machine control in one package, which simplifies the process from design to production and reduces the need for additional software.
  • Community Support
    OpenBuilds is backed by a vibrant community, offering extensive tutorials, forums, and shared projects that provide valuable support and resources for new and experienced users alike.
  • Cost-Effective
    As a part of the OpenBuilds ecosystem, the software is affordably priced, often being free, which makes it an attractive option for hobbyists and small businesses.
  • Regular Updates
    The platform benefits from continuous updates and improvements, ensuring that users have access to the latest features and enhancements.

Possible disadvantages of OpenBuilds CAM & Control

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to some industry-leading software, OpenBuilds CAM & Control may lack advanced features required by professional users for complex projects.
  • Hardware Specific
    The software is designed specifically for use with OpenBuilds machines, which may limit its functionality or compatibility with non-OpenBuilds hardware.
  • Requires Internet Connection
    Some features and community aspects may require an active internet connection, which could be a limitation for users in areas with unreliable internet access.
  • Learning Curve for Non-Specialists
    Despite its user-friendly design, there is still a learning curve for users unfamiliar with CNC operations, which might require time and effort to overcome.
  • Community-Driven Support
    While community support is a pro, the reliance on user-generated content can also be a downside as it may not always meet the professional technical support standards expected by some users.

CNCjs videos

A quick run through how to use CNCJS with your CNC/Shapeoko or DIY CNC - GRBL

More videos:

  • Review - A quick look at the keyboard function in CNCJS
  • Review - CNCJS - For beginners with Shapeoko 3

OpenBuilds CAM & Control videos

Best CNC Software is OPENBUILDS CONTROL - Cool Features

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to CNCjs and OpenBuilds CAM & Control)
Photos & Graphics
53 53%
47% 47
Tool
54 54%
46% 46
3D
55 55%
45% 45
Development
33 33%
67% 67

User comments

Share your experience with using CNCjs and OpenBuilds CAM & Control. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenBuilds CAM & Control seems to be a lot more popular than CNCjs. While we know about 16 links to OpenBuilds CAM & Control, we've tracked only 1 mention of CNCjs. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

CNCjs mentions (1)

  • Desktop CNC
    Once I have the toolpath file, I load it into a G-code sender. Currently, I'm finding that CNCjs meets all my needs. This application connects to your arduino over serial and sends the right commands at the right time. Source: over 3 years ago

OpenBuilds CAM & Control mentions (16)

  • DIY Printers
    Recently I fell into the core-XY style of printers found this Website for DIY printers and other machine but couldn't find any that fit the budget($$400-$600), and a lot of these build don't even have a parts list. Does anyone know of any printer kit or self-sourced that fall into my budget and also Core-XY. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is there a subreddit for how to make your own 3D printer?
    A few years ago I also designed and built my own 3D printer (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2905423). The Reprap Community, as well as sites like Thingiverse and OpenBuilds (https://openbuilds.com/), were great to get inspiration. There is also a Reprap Wiki with plenty information: https://reprap.org/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Trying to Build a Pen Plotter
    Might be better to ask in a CNC community. Try Lazer cutting. Their builds are probably closest to plotters in terms of speeds and weight etc. You might also like to look at https://openbuilds.com/ specifically their ACRO system as I think this is probably the best system suited to a plotter. Source: over 2 years ago
  • any European shop that ships worldvide extrusions etc.
    Openbuilds.com ships internationally, and they occasionally do free international shipping even. a couple weeks back they had free international shipping even. with black friday sales coming up next week they may redo it. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Benchtop CNC Recommendations?
    Check out https://openbuilds.com/. They have configurations for CNC, 3D printing, laser/plasma cutting, and more. Source: almost 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing CNCjs and OpenBuilds CAM & Control, you can also consider the following products

Universal Gcode Sender - A full featured gcode platform used for interfacing with advanced CNC controllers like GRBL and TinyG.

bCNC - Development

LaserGRBL - LaserGRBL for Microsoft Windows is an all-in-one, open-source GCode streamer for DIY Laser Engraver developed using pure C# code.

Candle - GRBL controller application with G-Code visualizer written in Qt

SourceRabbit GCode Sender - Cross platform 3-Axis CNC Machines control software - SourceRabbit/gcode-sender

TurboCAD - TurboCAD is a CAD software suite, with several different feature levels.