CAD/CAM Software Directory

Almacam is a comprehensive CAD/CAM software system designed to optimize production processes like cutting, sheet metal fabrication, and robotic welding. It is the flagship product range of Alma, a French software company with over 45 years of history in manufacturing technology. The company’s mission from the outset was to develop advanced automatic nesting algorithms – software that efficiently arranges parts to be cut from raw materials – to reduce waste and improve manufacturing productivity. Today, Almacam represents the culmination of that mission, offering an integrated suite of CAD/CAM solutions that serve thousands of users worldwide.

Alphacam is a CAD/CAM software system widely used for programming CNC machine tools. Developed with an emphasis on ease of use and flexibility, Alphacam enables manufacturers to design and generate toolpaths for cutting and shaping wood, stone, metals, composites, and other materials. It supports operations ranging from simple 2D profiling and drilling to complex 5-axis machining, making it a versatile solution for a broad range of industries. The software is part of Hexagon AB’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and has a long history in the CAD/CAM market.

ArtCAM is a specialized CAD/CAM software known for blending artistic design with precise machining capabilities. Unlike traditional CAD/CAM tools aimed at engineers, ArtCAM was created to empower artists, designers, and craftspeople to bring intricate 2D and 3D creations to life on CNC machines. By 2018 Autodesk decided to discontinue ArtCAM as an official product line. In a rare move, the ArtCAM technology did not simply vanish; instead, Autodesk licensed the code to a new company formed by former ArtCAM team members. This venture, Carveco, took up the mantle to continue developing and supporting the software for its loyal users.

BobCAD-CAM is a CAD/CAM software platform that has carved out a niche as an affordable, user-friendly solution for programming CNC machines. Developed by BobCAD-CAM, Inc., a software vendor based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, the system integrates both CAD and CAM functionality into a single interface. This all-in-one approach allows users to design parts and then seamlessly generate toolpaths, run simulations, and output the G-code needed to drive CNC machinery​. The software is used to program a wide range of CNC equipment, including milling machines, turning centers, routing machines, and even specialized cutting systems like waterjets, laser cutters, plasma cutters, and wire EDMs.

CAMWorks is a professional CAM software system designed to generate efficient toolpaths for CNC milling, turning, and other machining processes directly within a CAD environment. In contrast to standalone CAM programs, CAMWorks is fully embedded within CAD platforms like SOLIDWORKS and Solid Edge, meaning the CAM data and the CAD model coexist in one file. This tight integration allows design changes to automatically update machining operations, eliminating translation steps and reducing errors. The vendor behind CAMWorks is currently HCL Technologies, a global IT and engineering company headquartered in India.

CATIA is a flagship CAD/CAM/CAE software suite developed by the French company Dassault Systèmes. First released in the early 1980s, CATIA has grown into one of the most prominent solutions for product design and manufacturing in industries such as aerospace, automotive, industrial machinery, consumer goods, and more. Dassault Systèmes — the vendor behind CATIA — is a multinational software company headquartered in Vélizy-Villacoublay, France, known for its 3D design, engineering, and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software portfolio.

Cimatron’s software is primarily used in the tooling industry – that is, the design and manufacture of the molds, dies, and fixtures required to produce finished goods. A hallmark of Cimatron is its strength in injection mold design for plastics and stamping die design for sheet metal. For example, automotive suppliers use Cimatron to design the intricate injection molds that form plastic components like car dashboards and interior trim, which often involve hundreds of precisely interlocking parts.

Creo is a comprehensive computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software suite developed by PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation). As a fully integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE platform, Creo enables engineers to design products in 3D, simulate their behavior, and directly generate manufacturing instructions within one environment. In practical terms, Creo allows a company to take a product from initial concept and detailed design all the way to toolpath generation for CNC machines and even 3D printing, without needing to transfer data between different applications.

DCAMCUT has spent over three decades carving out a unique niche in the CAM software market. It provides an advanced toolset for programming 2-axis to 4-axis wire EDM machines directly from 3D CAD data, enabling manufacturers to fully exploit the capabilities of their EDM hardware. The software is used worldwide across industries – from tool-and-die shops and mold makers to aerospace and medical device manufacturers – wherever intricate, high-precision parts must be produced with wire EDM.

Edgecam is a leading computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software system used for programming CNC machines to produce precise components. Developed originally in the United Kingdom, Edgecam specializes in generating toolpaths for milling, turning, and multi-axis mill-turn machining centers. It enables manufacturers to create, optimize, and verify NC (numerical control) code for a wide range of machining applications – from simple 2-axis operations to complex simultaneous 5-axis cutting. Today Edgecam is part of Hexagon AB’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, following a series of acquisitions over its long history.