Carveco

What Carveco is

Carveco is Windows CAD and CNC machining software for designing and manufacturing artistic 2D and 3D products. Its product range serves different kinds of CNC work: Maker is positioned for hobbyists, woodworkers, sign-makers, and small businesses using routers or engravers, while Maker Plus adds tools for 3D design and production. Carveco Pro is intended for professional decorative work, from individual pieces through production at scale.

Maker includes vector drawing and editing, bitmap-to-vector conversion, relief design, machining strategies, toolpath simulation, and export. Maker Plus adds relief sculpting, nesting, drill banks, batch calculations, and toolpath operations. Carveco says its software directly supports over 300 CNC machine tools, with dedicated post-processors for many machines. Export formats include G-Code, STL, AI, DXF, EPS, SVG, PDF, image formats, and several 3D formats.

The software does not include a CNC controller or software for sending or streaming G-Code, so users need a separate compatible controller application. Subscriptions require internet access for activation and a connection to the licensing server at least once every 21 days. Maker subscriptions start at $17.50 a month, and new customers can get a 30-day free trial. Carveco was formed in 2018 and provides training, tutorials, a Help Centre, FAQs, and a user community.

Who it suits

Maker is aimed at hobbyists, woodworkers, sign-makers, and small businesses using CNC routers or engravers. Maker Plus suits users who need additional 3D design and production tools, while Pro is for decorative design and manufacturing from one-off work to production at scale.

Limits

The entry-level Maker monthly subscription is $17.50 a month and includes a 30-day free trial for new customers; the trial converts to paid unless cancelled. Subscription software requires internet access for activation and must reconnect to its licensing server at least once every 21 days. Carveco AI tools are available with subscriptions, not perpetual licenses.

Getting started

1. Visit the Carveco website and choose a product and license type.
2. For an eligible new-customer subscription, start the 30-day free trial and cancel before it converts to paid if you do not want to continue.
3. Install the software on Windows.
4. Connect to the internet for subscription activation and licensing checks.
5. Use a separate compatible controller application to send or stream G-Code to the CNC machine.

Verdict

CNC users designing artistic 2D or 3D products should choose among Maker, Maker Plus, and Pro according to their workflow and production needs. Look elsewhere if you need software that runs on another operating system or includes CNC controller and G-Code sending tools.