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