DeskProto 是一個 2D 和 3D CAM 程序（CAM = 計算機輔助製造）：基於 CAD 數據創建 CNC 刀具路徑文件的軟件。
DeskProto 可以與任何 CAD 程序結合使用，因為它可以導入矢量數據（DXF、EPS、AI 文件）、幾何數據（STL 文件）並基於位圖數據（數字圖像）生成 3D 浮雕。它可以為任何品牌的 CNC 銑床、3 軸、4 軸和（有限的）5 軸創建刀具路徑。
DeskProto 適用於 Linux、MacOS 和 Windows。
DeskProto 被設計師用於原型設計、珠寶商用於蠟模型、藝術家用於雕塑、醫生用於假肢、模具製造商、木工、教師、學生、業餘愛好者等等。對於業餘愛好者用戶，可以使用低成本的業餘愛好許可證。
Free edition
The following functions are available in DeskProto Free (for one part and one operation):
- Profiling toolpaths over Vector data, with machining depth and free movement height
- Vector toolpath support tabs
- Parallel toolpaths over Geometry data
- Distance between the toolpaths, and stepsize along the toolpath for geometry machining
- Creating a 3D relief based on Bitmap data
- Scaling, mirroring and rotating all CAD data
- Defining and selecting cutters
- Speeds: feedrate and spindle speed.
In addition to the parameters for calculating toolpaths that were just mentioned, the Free edition includes all additional functionality to make it an easy to use program:
- Simulate what the resulting part will look like
- Estimate the machining time
- Choose a user-interface: wizard or dialog-based
- (or create a project with the wizard and then fine-tune using the dialogs)
- Freely add machine-definitions
- Configure your own postprocessor (if needed).
Entry edition
The DeskProto Entry offers al functions listed for the Free edition, with four important additions:
- Using more than one part makes it possible to for instance create toolpaths for two different halves of a geometry (like the left halve and the right halve of a drilling machine), or to build a high model in separate slices
- Using more than one operation makes it possible to create operations for roughing, finishing and detailing a a part
- Roughing layers are required when the part is higher than the cutting length of the cutter. For many materials using layers will be needed anyway to keep the cutting forces acceptable. Using a roughing skin will lead to a higher quality of the resulting surface.
- Pocketing means removing all material within a closed curve (vector machining). For instance when machining a logo like the DeskProto logo in the image above.
Expert Edition
The DeskProto Expert Edition includes all functions shown for the Entry Edition.
In addition the following extra functions are available:
- Limit where the cutter may go using a (freeform) area
- Dynamic feed rate control: automatically reduce for high chip-loads. This may well be called the "Bit Saver feature"
- Many machining strategies available (see below)
- Inverse milling: machine a cavity that fits the geometry in the STL file
- Add support tabs, needed when machining from several sides or with a rotation axis
- Meander/climb/conventional, Ambient skipping, Collet collision check, ...
- For 2D machining you can project the 2D contour on the 3D geometry
- For Bitmap machining you can project the bitmap relief on the 3D geometry
Multi-Axis edition
The extra features that DeskProto Multi-Axis offers (compared to the Expert Edition):
- Continuous Rotation axis machining: during machining the part is rotated by the fourth axis
- Indexed Rotation axis machining: the fourth axis is used to machine the part from several sides
- Five-axis machining (indexed): the model can be machined from almost all sides
| Free | Entry | Expert | Multi-Axis | |
| edition: | edition: | edition: | edition: | |
| CAD-file import: | ||||
| 2D file import (dxf, eps, ai, svg) | V | V | V | V |
| 3D file import (stl, dxf, vrml) | V | V | V | V |
| Bitmap file import (bmp, gif, jpg, png, tif) | V | V | V | V |
| Vector machining options: | ||||
| Profiling | V | V | V | V |
| Support tabs | V | V | V | V |
| Shortest route / climb / conventional | V | V | V | V |
| Pocketing | V | V | V | |
| Drilling | V | V | V | |
| Roughing options | V | V | V | |
| Project 2D curves on 3D geometry | V | V | ||
| Geometry machining options: | ||||
| Toolpaths parallel to X-axis | V | V | V | V |
| Build a model in separate slices | V | V | V | V |
| Roughing options | V | V | V | |
| Toolpaths parallel at angle, Crosswise, Block | V | V | ||
| Circular, Spiral, Offset, Waterlines, Outer contour | V | V | ||
| Meander / climb / conventional | V | V | ||
| Machine a limited area only | V | V | ||
| Freeform areas | V | V | ||
| Nested areas (freeform) | V | V | ||
| Skip ambient area and/or borders | V | V | ||
| Inverse milling (male to female conversion) | V | V | ||
| Support tabs | V | V | ||
| Automatic speed reduction for high chiploads | V | V | ||
| Collet collision check | V | V | ||
| Bitmap machining options: | ||||
| Bitmap-to-Relief conversion | V | V | V | V |
| Lithophane machining | V | V | V | V |
| Project bitmap relief on 3D geometry | V | V | ||
| User interface: | ||||
| Two interfaces: Wizard and Non-wizard | V | V | V | V |
| Easy tree navigation with light bulb icons | V | V | V | V |
| Show undercuts (downward faces) | V | V | V | V |
| Scripting | V | V | ||
| Custom wizards | V | V | ||
| Other features: | ||||
| 64 bits version (for very large STL files) | V | V | V | V |
| 3D simulation (preview of the resulting part) | V | V | V | V |
| Postprocessors configurable using dialog | V | V | V | V |
| Send toolpaths directly to (Roland) machine | V | V | V | V |
| Translation options (set the WP zero point) | V | V | ||
| Number of axes: | ||||
| Two axis machining (for Z pen-up / pen-down) | V | V | V | V |
| Full three axis machining | V | V | V | V |
| 4th axis support: continuous rotary machining | V | |||
| 4th axis support: indexed machining | V | |||
| 5th axis support: indexed machining | V | |||
What hardware/software is needed
DeskProto is available for Microsoft Windows, for Apple MacOS and for Linux.
For Windows it needs Win7, Win8, Win10 or newer. On 64 bits Windows versions a 64 bits DeskProto will be installed, otherwise a 32 bits version. Minimum required hardware is a Pentium PC with 1 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space: faster/more is better. The graphics card needs to supportOpenGL V2.1 or newer. A special build for Win XP (SP3, 32 bits) is available on request.
For MacOS it needs Sierra (10.12), High Sierra (10.13), Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11) or newer. DeskProto for MacOS always is 64 bits. Here as well minimum hardware requirement is 1 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space: faster/more is better.
The MacOS version does not include the "Custom Wizards" nor the option "Send Toolpaths directly to machine" (each of these a rarely used feature). As Apple's implementation of OpenGL is incomplete the commands "Print Image" (File menu) and "Generate Contour" (in the dialog to graphically set the Operation Area) do not work in the MacOS version,
For Linux it has been developed and tested using Ubuntu 18.04 (64 bits), still it should also work on most other popular Linux distributions. Only 64 bits versions are supported. Here as well minimum hardware requirement is 1 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space: faster/more is better.
The Linux version does not include the "Custom Wizards" nor the option "Send Toolpaths directly to machine" (each of these a rarely used feature).
The screenshots in this Manual / Help file have been made using Windows, still for MacOS users and for Linux users these images will be completely clear as all screens are very similar when using one of these operating systems.
Specifications Required operating system (Microsoft Windows):
Windows 7 / 8 / 10 or newer.
The Setup will install the 64 bits build of DeskProto (called x64), except when it detects that a 32 bits Windows is running, then it will install the 32 bits build of DeskProto. Both builds behave identically, you can only find out which version by looking in the About box. The 32 bits version of Windows calculates a bit slower, and limits the memory use to max 2 GB per application, which may be a problem if your are working with large datasets. A special build for Win XP (SP3, 32 bits) is available on request.
Required operating system (Apple MacOS)
MacOS Sierra (10.12), High Sierra (10.13), Mojave (10.14), Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11) or newer. DeskProto for MacOS always is 64 bits.
Required operating system (Linux)
Tested on Ubuntu. It should also work on most other popular Linux distributions. Only 64 bits versions are supported
Required hard disk space:
Minimum 1 GB: about 100 MB for program only, plus at least 900 MB for projects
Required internal memory:
As much as possible, recommended at least 1 GB
Required graphics:
A 3D graphics card (or on-board graphics) that supports OpenGL V2.1 or newer, The screen resolution of the computer needs to be at least 1024x768 pixels.
Supported Project files:
DPJ , version 2.0
DPJ, version 3.0 / 3.1
DPJ, version 4.0 / 4.1
DPJ, version 5.0
DPJ, version 6.0 / 6.1
DPJ, version 7.0 / 7.1
Version 1 DPJ files (Windows 3.11) are no longer supported.