Often people use inexpensive computers for running the actual Gcode. I had meant the focus of this topic toolpath generation. I would like to export Gcode from Rhino, and then run it on a non-workstation class machine, which will never be hooked up to the internet. Because of the way Microsoft Windows handles updates, there’s no way I would EVER trust it with a CNC machine with a cutting bit, or a burning, or laser: anything.
Oddly, unless you have a machining center, you are might using Mach3 or LinuxCNC. There’s a Mach4, but it doesn’t seem that popular because of the expense and draconian hardware binding.
LinuxCNC doesn’t have the prettiest of interfaces, but its impressively flexible, and it doesn’t appear to conflict with Rhino3D/McNeel’s business model. Still, I need something for toolpath generation.
I guess also that one of my messages is: the idea that 3-axis CNC software is expensive because it’s a vertical market–is becoming threadbare.
Personally, I love Rhino3D. I think that it has the greatest, most intuitive, user interface of any 3D program–ever, and therefore it’s fast to make things in it, all kinds of things. I bought it on a fixed income, a full commercial copy.