In July 2018, Autodesk officially discontinued ArtCAM. The company shifted its strategic focus toward comprehensive cloud-based manufacturing ecosystems like Autodesk Fusion. While existing perpetual license holders could continue using the software, technical support, updates, and official downloads ceased. This created a demand in the market for modern alternatives that replicate ArtCAM's artistic workflow. Top Modern Alternatives to ArtCAM
Over its lifetime, ArtCAM was offered in several tiers to suit different needs and budgets. The most common versions included:
ArtCAM is a specialized CAD/CAM software used to create 3D reliefs and decorative artwork for CNC machining. While Autodesk discontinued it in 2018, its core technology lives on through its successor, Carveco . Core Capabilities
Calculating the precise path for CNC tools to follow, with specific strategies for engraving, carving, and 3D surfacing. artcam
Before sending a design to a CNC router, mistakes can be costly. ArtCAM minimizes material waste through:
ArtCAM was originally developed by Delcam, a British software company renowned for its advanced manufacturing solutions. Over the years, it became the industry standard for decorative woodwork, jewelry design, coin minting, and sign making.
ArtCAM changed how artists and woodworkers approached CNC carving. While the original software is no longer sold, its live on through Carveco. Learning ArtCAM’s logic is still valuable — it directly transfers to Carveco, Aspire, and even some Fusion 360 workflows. In July 2018, Autodesk officially discontinued ArtCAM
: Autodesk discontinued ArtCAM in 2018. It has since been rebranded and continued as Carveco , which uses the same codebase and workflows.
While the original software was developed by Delcam and later acquired by Autodesk, its legacy continues through various versions and its spiritual successor, Carveco. Core Capabilities of ArtCAM
ArtCAM is a retired legend. Honor its memory by moving to Carveco, but keep that old laptop running ArtCAM 2012 in the corner—just in case. This created a demand in the market for
Use interactive sculpting brushes to smooth edges, add textures, or hand-model specific details.
Executing a successful 3D carving run with ArtCAM follows a systematic workflow: Action Phase Key Considerations Workpiece Setup Define material dimensions ( ) and establish the machine origin zero-point. 2 Art Import
Throughout the 2000s, ArtCAM grew in power and popularity, receiving the Queen's Award for Innovation and becoming the go-to choice for sign makers, woodworkers, and the minting industry. In 2014, Autodesk acquired Delcam. While this brought new resources, it also led to the eventual discontinuation of the product line. In November 2017, ArtCAM was put on end-of-life (EOL) status, with official support ending in November 2018.
Type3 is a high-end CAD/CAM software focused on artistic engraving, jewelry design, and heavy industrial marking. It provides precise control over texturing, mapping 2D artwork onto complex 3D surfaces, and multi-axis machining toolpaths. 4. Autodesk Fusion