Design Visually.
Generate Instantly.
Free CAD-to-CAM Tools

No CAD experience needed. Simple, friendly UI for makers.

Why MIDILLI CAD-to-CAM Tools?

All-in-One Workflow

One central, visual CAD workflow covering laser cutting, CNC routing, and 3D printing. Also used in-house.

Free & Open

Free for personal use with no vendor lock-in and open JSON format you can inspect. The visual designer is even open-source.

Rapid Prototyping

Fast prototyping to production with 2D canvas + 3D preview, grid snapping, and precise parameters.

Zero Learning Curve

No learning curve, just a simple, friendly web-based UI for designing. Power users? We've got you covered with advanced CLI arguments for fine control.

Cross-Platform

Generator tools work on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Use your preferred OS.

Switch Anytime

One JSON file for all methods. Start with laser, switch to CNC or 3D printing with zero redesign.

See What You Can Create. Same Design, Different Manufacturing Tools.

SVG Generator (Laser Cutting)

Precision-cut boxes with recess support and kerf compensation.

G-Code Generator (CNC Routing)

Custom sides milled from wood or metal, with optional bit diameter and shape compensation.

STL Generator (3D Printing)

Printed boxes with adjustable wall thickness and optional open sides.

Key Features

Visual 2D Designer

Grid & snap, keyboard shortcuts, dark mode for efficient layout. Open-source. Web-based. Real-time 3D visualization.

Free for Personal Projects

Use the code PERSONALUSE at checkout to access all features for free on personal projects.

Cross-Platform Support

Generators are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Works seamlessly across all major operating systems.

Interactive 3D Preview

Orbit controls: Rotate, pan, zoom, helper cube for visualization.

Component Editing

Rectangular & rounded components, text, drill holes, recesses, screws, rotation.

Export JSON

Project metadata and per-side components for transparent integration.

Generator Compatibility

One JSON file for all methods. Started with laser cutting? Switch to CNC or 3D printing later with zero redesign work.

Undo/Redo Support

Edit confidently with full undo/redo stack and project load/export. If you like coding, you can also modify the JSON directly.

Advanced Tuning

Fine-tune outputs with detailed CLI arguments e.g., kerf compensation, bit-diameter, or bit shapes for GRBL.

How It Works

1

Design in Browser (CAD)

Open the web-based visual designer directly in your browser. Set dimensions, add components (holes, text, recesses), and position them with grid snapping. No installation needed for this step!

2

Export JSON File

Click "Export" to save your design as a JSON file. This file contains all your project metadata, dimensions, and components in an open, readable format.

3

Run Generator Tools (Windows/Mac/Linux)

Download and install our generator tools on your computer. Run the CLI command with your JSON file to create manufacturing-ready files:

SVG Generator (for Laser cutting):

$ SVGGenerator --json-file YourProject.json --output-directory .

G-Code Generator (for CNC routing):

$ GCodeGenerator --json-file YourProject.json --output-directory . --cut-depth-per-pass 1

STL Generator (for 3D printing):

$ STLGenerator --json-file YourProject.json --output-directory .

Run with default values or check the manuals for advanced settings (kerf compensation, bit shapes, or other detailed settings).

4

Fabricate Your Design

Load the generated file (SVG/G-Code/STL) into your laser cutter, CNC machine, or 3D printer. Start manufacturing your physical product! The generated files are also compatible with free and open source tools.

Download Tools

Get the generators for your operating system and start creating!

Explore our other free tools.

Free for personal use. Use code PERSONALUSE at checkout. See license here.

Technical Specification

If you like coding, here is a JSON Structure Example (For full specifications check this page):

{
  "Generic": {
    "width": 10,
    "length": 10,
    "box_height_3d": 30,
    "material_thickness": 3,
    "outer_sizing": false
  },
  "MyPart_Front": {},
  "MyPart_Back": {},
  "MyPart_Top": {
    "myComponent": {
      "call_name": "Hello",
      "silkscreen_font_size": 12,
      "location_x": 5,
      "location_y": 5,
      "visible_width": 1,
      "visible_length": 1,
      "drill_width": 1,
      "drill_length": 1,
      "rotation": 0
    }
  },
  "MyPart_Bottom": {},
  "MyPart_Left": {},
  "MyPart_Right": {}
}

Full Feature Comparison

SVG Generator

For Laser Cutting

  • Laser Kerf Compensation: Automatically adjust design if your laser software doesn't support kerf
  • Layered Output: Separate files for outlines, cutouts, text, screws, and recesses for different engraving/cutting settings
  • Vectorization: Convert SVGs to vectorized format using Inkscape integration
  • Text Engraving: Add text with customizable font sizes and rotation aligned to components
  • Recess Support: Create flush surfaces for button caps and screw heads
  • Customizable Cutouts: Precise holes, rectangular cutouts, and screw holes with rotation support
  • Box Flexibility: Up to 6 sides, omit any side, inner/outer sizing options

G-Code Generator

For CNC Routing

  • Bit Diameter Compensation: Supports both straight and V-shaped bits for exact dimensions
  • Feedrate Control: Set custom feedrate for movement on axes
  • Layered Outputs: Separate component, recess, and outline layers for step-by-step machining
  • Recess Support: Create flush surfaces for button caps and screw heads with precise depth control
  • Material Thickness: Adjust for accurate cuts and fits on wood or metal
  • Customizable Cutouts: Precise holes, rectangular cutouts, and screw holes with rotation support
  • Box Flexibility: Up to 6 sides, omit any side, inner/outer sizing options

STL Generator

For 3D Printing

  • Single or Multiple Parts: Print as one solid box or separate individual sides
  • Text Engraving: 3D embossed text with adjustable depth, font size, and rotation
  • OpenSCAD Export: Generate editable OpenSCAD projects for advanced fine-tuning
  • Recess Support: Create flush surfaces for button caps and screw heads
  • Material Thickness: Adjustable wall thickness for structural integrity
  • Customizable Cutouts: Precise holes, rectangular cutouts, and screw holes with rotation support
  • Box Flexibility: Up to 6 sides, omit or separate any side, inner/outer sizing options

FAQ

Yes. Visual Designer is free and even open-source and the SVG/G-Code/STL generators are free for personal use and available for download. Use the code PERSONALUSE at checkout to access all features for free on personal projects.

We built these tools for our own manufacturing needs. By making them free for makers and hobbyists, we give back to the community that inspires us.

If you are interested in integrating our tools with your software or using them commercially, please contact us. We'd be happy to discuss licensing options for commercial applications.

Designer can work in inches but the tools work in centimeters internally. The conversion is handled automatically. Don't worry. Simply enable Use Inches setting on the right panel of the designer.

Generic metadata and per-side component lists (positions, drill/cut dimensions, visible outlines). Generators read that JSON as canonical input.

Ideally, we want to provide a seamless experience across both interfaces. However, some tasks are better suited for the command line, especially when it comes to manufacturing, automation and scripting. The command line tools can be more easily integrated into workflows and can handle larger datasets more efficiently.

Please report bugs on our GitHub repository. We appreciate your feedback!

Need more details? Check out our comprehensive documentation for in-depth guides and tutorials.