Laser Engraving, CNC Router & Maker Tools
Hobby lasers, desktop CNC routers and resin work have turned garages and sheds into small workshops. These free tools cover the jobs makers do most, and every one runs in your browser: images and files stay on your computer.
For diode lasers, start with the settings calculator. It scales starting speed and power to your laser's optical watts (not the advertised figure) and writes a material test grid as G-code and SVG, which is the quickest way to find the right setting for your own machine. Image to Laser G-Code then turns a photo into dithered or grayscale engraving G-code for GRBL lasers, with overscan and a time estimate.
For CNC routers, the feeds and speeds calculator has presets for machines such as the 3018, Shapeoko, WorkBee, X-Carve and Onefinity, with router dial settings. Image to V-Carve G-Code turns a photo into V-bit grooves that get wider where the picture is darker, with a preview of the finished carving.
The DXF tools draw parts, signs and patterns for laser, plasma or router cutting and price the job, and the epoxy calculator works out how much resin a river table, mould or set of coasters needs, split into part A and part B, with pour layers.
All the numbers are starting points. Run a test on scrap first, keep a fire extinguisher close to any laser, and never laser PVC or vinyl.
Start here
Calculators
Free, browser-based and no sign-up needed.
Laser engraving and cutting
Diode Laser Settings
Starting speed, power and passes for diode lasers on wood, slate, leather and acrylic, plus a test grid G-code and SVG.
Open Calculator: Diode Laser SettingsImage to Laser G-Code
Photo to GRBL laser engraving G-code: Jarvis, Stucki, Floyd-Steinberg or grayscale power, overscan and time estimate.
Open Calculator: Image to Laser G-CodeImage to DXF Converter
Convert hand-drawn sketches or images into vector DXF files for CAD/CAM.
Open Calculator: Image to DXF ConverterDXF Sketcher
Draw simple 2D parts online with snaps and exact typed sizes, then export DXF or SVG for laser, plasma or CNC.
Open Calculator: DXF SketcherDXF Part Maker
Make flat-part DXF and SVG files: plates with hole patterns, flanges, gaskets, spur gears, sprockets and washers.
Open Calculator: DXF Part MakerCNC router and carving
CNC Router Feeds & Speeds
Router rpm, feed and depth per pass for wood, MDF, ply, acrylic and aluminium, with Makita dial and a chip-load check.
Open Calculator: CNC Router Feeds & SpeedsImage to V-Carve G-Code
Photo V-carving G-code: darker = deeper V-bit grooves. Wood-look preview, run time, GRBL .nc download.
Open Calculator: Image to V-Carve G-CodeG-Code Engraving
Generate G-Code to engrave serial numbers, text, and labels using a built-in single-line stick font.
Open Calculator: G-Code EngravingG-Code 3D Viewer
Interactive 3D simulation of G-code toolpaths, with full support for drilling canned cycles.
Open Calculator: G-Code 3D ViewerSheet Cut Optimizer
2D nesting optimizer for packing rectangular parts into standard sheet materials (plywood/metal).
Open Calculator: Sheet Cut OptimizerResin, pricing and printed parts
Epoxy Resin Calculator
Resin volume for river tables, moulds, coasters and flood coats, with part A/B split, weight, pour layers and kits.
Open Calculator: Epoxy Resin CalculatorDXF Cut Cost Estimator
Quote laser, plasma, waterjet or router parts from a DXF: cut length, pierces, cut time, material and price per part.
Open Calculator: DXF Cut Cost EstimatorImage to Lithophane STL
Turn a photo into a watertight lithophane STL: flat, curved or lamp shade, with frame, stand and backlit preview.
Open Calculator: Image to Lithophane STLText & Sign to STL
Make raised or engraved text signs, name plates and keyring tags as watertight STL, plus DXF outlines.
Open Calculator: Text & Sign to STLGuides
How to Make DXF Files for Laser & Plasma Cutting
Make clean DXF files for laser, plasma, waterjet and CNC router cutting, with worked examples using three free tools.
Engineering Plastics Guide
Machining Delrin, PEEK, and Nylon without melting, wrapping, or stressing the part.
Reference charts
Frequently asked questions
- What settings should I use on a diode laser?
- It depends on the optical power and the material. As a rough start, a 10 W diode engraves basswood at a few thousand mm/min and low power, and cuts 3 mm plywood at about 300 to 400 mm/min in one or two passes. The Diode Laser Settings calculator scales this to your laser and writes a test grid so you can find the exact setting.
- How do I engrave a photo with a laser?
- Resize the photo to the engraving size at one dot per line interval (0.1 mm is typical for a diode), boost the contrast, then dither it so the laser can make dark and light areas from dots. Image to Laser G-Code does all of this and writes GRBL G-code with overscan.
- What is photo V-carving?
- The CNC router cuts parallel grooves with a V-bit and goes deeper where the photo is darker. Deeper V grooves are wider, so dark areas look darker on a light board. Image to V-Carve G-Code makes the toolpath and shows a preview of the carving.
- How much epoxy do I need for a river table?
- Multiply the river length by its average width and depth, then add about 10 % for waste. For example 1800 mm × 150 mm × 40 mm is 10.8 litres, so allow about 11.9 litres. The Epoxy Resin Calculator splits that into part A and part B and plans the pour layers.