Which CNC functions in the DP CAM software

What does the DeskProto CAM software offer.

DeskProto has been created to offer CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) to users with a different (non-CAM) profession. Like a designer needing a prototype, a jeweler needing a wax-model, a medic needing a brace, etc. DeskProto will quickly calculate toolpaths to be sent to a CNC milling machine.
It's key feature is ease-of-use, even for the most complex geometry. Novice users follow the wizard interface, experienced users can also directly change any setting (dual user interface). This ease-of-use and the low price have made DeskProto a popular CAM program for hobbyists.

DeskProto offers a complete set of functions: 2D vector machining, 3D geometry machining and bitmap relief machining, all in one program, for a very low price! DeskProto can be combined with any design program (CAD) and with any CNC milling machine.

The DeskProto Multi-Axis edition also supports 4-axis machining and 5-axis machining. Using a rotation axis (4-axis machines) is fully supported: both continuous rotation and indexed machining. Support for 5-axis machine is limited: DeskProto can only work with machines that make the part rotate, and for 5-axis toolpaths DeskProto only offers indexed machining.

This perfume bottle has been transferred from 3D CAD to DeskProto by STL file.
On the left DeskProto screen the triangles can be seen. On the right screen a rendering of the bottle is shown: the default visualization by DeskProto.

For which applications can DeskProto be used

Current users show a wide variety of applications:

Industrial designers use DeskProto for Subtractive Rapid Prototyping (RP). Stereolithography machines and other additive RP systems are far too expensive for in-house use, however a small NC milling machine combined with DeskProto is affordable: offering Desktop Prototyping.
Jewelers use DeskProto to machine detailed jewelry wax models. These are ready for casting immediately (very high surface quality) and are made much faster than on any 3D wax printer.
Woodworkers use DeskProto both for simple shapes and for intricate relief carvings in wood.
Medical professionals use DeskProto for products like prostheses, insoles and braces.
Schools use DesProto for all the above applications, but most of all to teach students about CNC technology within a time-limited curriculum.
Hobbyists use DeskProto for many applications, include scale models, lithophanes and wood-reliefs.
For great examples of these and other applications see the Gallery of example projects.

Four editions of DeskProto are available: Free, Entry, Expert and Multi-Axis. The first two offering a subset of DeskProto's functionality. The last one adding support for rotation axes (four-axis and five-axis machine). You can compare the features of these editions in the Comparison table.

The toolpath that has been calculated by DeskProto.
These movements will be sent to the CNC milling machine in an NC program file.

How does the DeskProto CAM software work

The starting point for DeskProto is a CAD file. Three types of CAD-data are supported:

Vector data: (2D drawing containing lines and arcs, stored as DXF, EPS, AI or SVG file. DeskProto offers Contouring (the cutter follows each curve), Pocketing (the cutter removes all material within a closed curve), V-Carving and Drilling.
3D Geometry data: 3D geometry defined as a collection of triangles (facets) that describe its outer surface (polygon data), stored as STL or DXF file. DeskProto will calculate a series of toolpaths that will machine this surface. Various strategies are available in the Expert and Multi-Axis editions.
Bitmap data: any digital image (BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIF, WEBP). DeskProto will convert the image to a 3D relief, using a Grey-value to Z-height conversion. The relief then can be machined just like a 3D geometry.

So in fact DeskProto offers three CAM programs for the price of one !
DeskProto will load the CAD file and display its contents. It is possible to load more than one file. At this point you can scale, translate, rotate etc. After entering some milling parameters (cutting tool, required accuracy, etc) DeskProto will calculate the toolpaths and save them in an NC file. Send this NC file to your CNC milling machine and you will have your part ready within a short time!

Left: the CNC milling machine is milling a bottle model in tooling board, which is a very easy material to machine. Right: two separate halves glued together make a complete model.

Which functions are NOT present in DeskProto

In order to avoid misunderstandings it is also good to briefly state what DeskProto does NOT offer:

With DeskProto you cannot create CAD data: for designing a CAD program is needed instead (see the list on our Links pages ).
With DeskProto you cannot create slices for a 3D printer.
DeskProto is not meant for high-tolerance mechanisms, like a piston in a cylinder or two mold-halves having a curved closing surface. DeskProto's strength is in machining artistic shapes rather than mechanical designs.
DeskProto does not output step and direction pulses to directly drive a milling machine: for that you need Control software instead (see the Introduction to CAM software ).

Which hardware/software is needed to run DeskProto

DeskProto Version 8 is available for Microsoft Windows and for Apple MacOS.

For MS Windows DeskProto V8 needs Win10, Win11 or newer. DeskProto is a 64 bits application. Special builds for Win 7 and for WinXP (SP3, 32 bits) are available on request.
Minimum required hardware is a Pentium PC with 1 GB RAM and 100 GB of free disk space (the Setup only installs ca 130 MB of data, however you will need much more for your STL files and NC files). In order to minimize waiting times a fast machine with more memory is recommended.

For MacOS DeskProto V8 needs Catalina (10.15) or newer. For MacOS as well it is a 64 bits application. Here as well minimum hardware requirement is 1 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space: faster/more is better. The MacOS version does not include the "Custom Wizards" nor the option "Send Toolpaths directly to machine" (each of these a rarely used feature). As Apple's implementation of OpenGL is incomplete the commands "Print Image" (File menu) and "Generate Contour" (in the dialog to graphically set the Operation Area) do not work in the MacOS version, see faq.php#graphics8.

For Linux DeskProto V8 has been developed and tested using Ubuntu 20.04 (64 bits), still it should also work on most other popular Linux distributions. Only 64 bits versions are supported. Here as well minimum hardware requirement is 1 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space: faster/more is better. The Linux version does not include the "Custom Wizards" nor the option "Send Toolpaths directly to machine" (each of these a rarely used feature).
The 3D graphics card in your PC needs to support OpenGL (Version 2.1 or higher):

In many cases graphics problems can be solved by downloading and installing a more recent display driver. A powerful graphics card is recommended as that will speed up drawing.
The screen resolution of the computer needs to be at least 1024x768 pixels.

DeskProto (V7 or newer) supports the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse series of products (also called 3D Mouse and SpaceNavigator), see the DeskProto Help file for more information.