cncArtistMachines / Makera Carvera
Makera Carvera and Carvera Air
cncArtist for Makera Carvera: CAM for Mac, iPad and iPhone
Native Mac software for designing, simulating and cutting on Makera Carvera and Carvera Air. Free to download. $299 once to cut without limits. No subscription.
Why cncArtist suits Makera Carvera
Carvera owners are often Mac users, and the Carvera has an automatic tool changer. cncArtist has a Makera post that writes the tool changes (M6) into the file.
The Carvera preset assumes an automatic changer. The Carvera Air preset assumes a manual change with a tool-length offset.
What it writes, and how to send it
Makera Carvera post
File extension .nc. The post writes the tool change into the program, so a multi-bit job stays in one file and pauses where you swap bits.
How to send it
Makera's own controller software, or its supported file transfer to the machine. Check Makera's documentation for the current steps.
We have not confirmed the exact way each Carvera model takes files from outside software. Follow Makera's documentation. cncArtist's posts are checked with golden-file tests: the output for a sample job is compared with a saved copy, so a change cannot slip through unnoticed. That is a software test, not a certification on any machine. Run the simulator and an air cut on a new setup before every first cut.
Presets for Makera Carvera
Pick your machine by maker and model and cncArtist fills in the bed size, Z travel, safe height and post. These are the makers' published cutting areas, and you can change any figure.
| Preset | Bed | Z travel | Post |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makera Carvera | 360 × 240 mm 14.2 × 9.4 in | 140 mm | Makera Carvera |
| Makera Carvera Air | 300 × 200 mm 11.8 × 7.9 in | 130 mm | Makera Carvera |
Features that matter on Makera Carvera
Every line checked first
The simulator plays the whole job back in wood, marks gouges on the board and lists each problem with its toolpath or G-code line, before anything reaches the machine.
384 3D pieces, ready to carve
Drop in a relief, size it to your board, and cncArtist roughs and finishes it. Bring your own STL or OBJ too, or sculpt by hand.
Inlays that fit
Male and female parts are cut from one design, so the plug seats tight. V-carve, pocket, profile, 3D, two-sided, tiling and nesting are all in the same app.
Holder check
Before a deep pocket, cncArtist checks that the collet and nut clear the walls, not only the bit.
From design to first cut
- Pick Makera Carvera or Carvera Air in Machine.
- Add the bits that live in your tool changer.
- Design, toolpath and simulate.
- Export and take the .nc file.
- Send it with Makera's software, set zero and run an air cut.
Questions
Which extension?
.nc
Does it change tools by itself?
The post writes the tool change into the program, so a multi-bit job stays in one file and pauses where you swap bits.
Is Carvera Air covered?
Yes, with its own preset.
Coming from Vectric? Read VCarve for Mac.
Free to download.
$299 once to cut without limits.
Design and simulate as much as you like. Your first three jobs export free. Then one purchase unlocks cncArtist on Mac, iPad and iPhone. Commercial use included.
Cut 3 jobs free.
Every design tool, every simulation, and G-code for your first three jobs. No card, no time limit.
Once. Everywhere.
Unlimited export on Mac, iPad and iPhone with one purchase. Free 1.x updates. Family Sharing. Commercial use included.
Launch price $249 until 11:59 pm on Thursday, Dec 31, 2026.
No subscription.
Pay once, cut forever. A paid major version every few years, with an owner upgrade price.