CAD file in, G-code out

step2gcode converts STEP, DXF and SVG files into machine-ready G-code for CNC milling and laser cutting, right in the browser – for GRBL, Mach3 and LinuxCNC. Built for 2.5D parts – plates, front panels, brackets and cut-outs. In a STEP solid, pockets and holes bring their depth along; parts with freeform surfaces are rejected. No installation, no account, first model each month free.

The tool does not load in this view without JavaScript. To generate G-code, open www.step2gcode.com in your browser.

Like a slicer, but for router and laser

In 3D printing the path is obvious: STL into the slicer, pick a profile, print. In CNC machining, a full CAM package traditionally sits between the CAD file and the machine. step2gcode applies the slicer principle to routers and lasers: upload the file, choose material and tool, download the G-code.

Why not just classic CAM?

  • Many manual clicks: In classic CAM, every pocket, hole and contour is created, assigned and parameterized as a separate operation. step2gcode detects the machining features automatically from the geometry.
  • Error-prone: A forgotten toolpath, a wrong depth or an overlooked detail often only shows up at the machine. Because step2gcode creates all operations automatically, such slips never happen in the first place – and you check the complete result in the 3D preview.
  • Expert knowledge required: Classic CAM packages demand training and onboarding. Here, material and tool diameter are enough – sensible feeds, speeds and step-downs come from the presets.

What step2gcode does

  • Contours, inner contours, pockets, holes and chamfers are detected automatically from the geometry
  • Nesting: arrange multiple parts with quantities space-efficiently on one sheet and machine them in a single job
  • Holding tabs, ramp entry and material presets from wood to aluminum
  • 3D preview of the complete toolpath before download
  • Laser mode for DXF and SVG: cutting and engraving with dedicated material presets
  • Post-processors for 15 controllers: GRBL, LinuxCNC, Mach3/Mach4, UCCNC, Marlin, Smoothieware, RepRapFirmware, Fanuc, Heidenhain, Centroid, Dynapath, Philips, OpenSBP (ShopBot), EstlCAM and NCCAD

Your file stays your file

No cookies, no tracking, no sharing: uploaded files are processed solely to generate the G-code and deleted automatically after 24 hours at the latest. Hosted in Germany.

Frequently asked questions

Which file formats can I upload?

step2gcode processes STEP/STP (prismatic solids: pockets, holes and steps bring their depth along, while freeform surfaces are rejected), DXF (2D contours, depth is specified during generation) and SVG (graphics and logos, e.g. from Inkscape). All three formats work for milling; DXF and SVG additionally work in laser mode.

What happens to my uploaded file?

Your file is processed solely to generate the G-code and deleted automatically after 24 hours at the latest. There is no analysis, no sharing and no permanent storage. The site sets no cookies and no trackers and is hosted in Germany.

Which controllers is the G-code suitable for?

Fifteen common controllers, and you pick the post-processor before downloading: GRBL, LinuxCNC, Mach3/Mach4, UCCNC, Marlin, Smoothieware, RepRapFirmware, Fanuc, Heidenhain, Centroid, Dynapath, Philips, OpenSBP (ShopBot), EstlCAM and NCCAD — hobby machines and industrial controls alike. If yours is not in the list, it will often still understand the GRBL or LinuxCNC dialect; check the first lines of the program before you run it.

Can I use milling and laser cutting in the same tool?

Yes. The mode switcher toggles between CNC milling (STEP, DXF, SVG with endmill or V-bit) and laser mode (cutting or engraving DXF and SVG, with kerf compensation and material presets for power and speed). That way the aluminum front panel and its matching acrylic cover are made in the same browser tab, without switching programs.

What sets step2gcode apart from other free G-code generators?

Based on our research (as of July 2026), step2gcode is the only free browser tool that combines STEP import and integrated nesting with G-code generation. You upload STEP, DXF or SVG, arrange multiple parts material-efficiently on one sheet and get ready-to-run G-code for GRBL, Mach3 or LinuxCNC, without installation and without registration.

How does nesting work?

Upload multiple DXF, SVG and STEP parts with quantities, specify the sheet size, and step2gcode arranges the parts space-efficiently, with rotation and adjustable spacing. The G-code for all parts is generated in a single pass, without intermediate exports.

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