I got into CNC milling about 9 months ago. SVG to 2.5D problems are easy, and get you to a lot of cute solutions, its about as close to the work flow of 3D printers as you can get.
But the really interesting stuff is when you get to CAM. Multiple tool paths, genuine 3D cutting. Moving the work between paths etc. Its like going from juggling 3 balls (2.5d) to 5 balls (3D).
I haven't seen any competitive opensource CAM products, and its the main reason I continue to use Fusion 360 instead of OpenSCAD or SVG for my designs.
> I haven't seen any competitive opensource CAM products...
Solvespace is open source and claims to export tool paths as gcode with cutter radius compensation, though I have not used this feature. I found cutter radius and export 2D section but it's not cooperating right now!
> preparing CAM data — export 2d vector art for a waterjet machine or laser cutter; or generate STEP or STL, for import into third-party CAM software for machining
Thats been my experience with all of the OSS CAM: g-code for 2.5D, or STL so that a 3rd Party can do the really heavy lifting.
Have a look at FreeCAD Path Workbench. You won't use it to run your 200000$ 5axis mill, the 3d kernel has limitations, and the UI isn't polished and has rough spots, but it is usable.
But the really interesting stuff is when you get to CAM. Multiple tool paths, genuine 3D cutting. Moving the work between paths etc. Its like going from juggling 3 balls (2.5d) to 5 balls (3D).
I haven't seen any competitive opensource CAM products, and its the main reason I continue to use Fusion 360 instead of OpenSCAD or SVG for my designs.