Mastercam is a leading CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software suite. It is widely used in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and in the motorsport/automotive DIY space primarily for generating the machine instructions needed to produce parts on CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines.
Why Use Mastercam?
The core strength of this software is generating G-code toolpaths and machine code for CNC equipment, making it an industry standard for subtractive manufacturing processes, however, Mastercam’s capabilities extend beyond just CNC machining:
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Wire EDM: Specialized modules allow for precise cutting of hard materials, often used in tool and die making.
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Lathe and Turning: Dedicated tools for programming CNC lathes and turning centers.
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Mill-Turn and Swiss Machining: Integration of milling and turning operations, and support for Swiss-style CNC machines for high-precision parts.
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Simulation and Verification: Integrated tools for visualizing and verifying manufacturing operations before actual machining, helping to prevent errors and optimize efficiency
While Mastercam integrates both CAD and CAM capabilities, its main strengths are on the CAM side of things, which is why it is commonly paired with CAD software like Fusion (aka Fusion 360). It's worth noting this is not a strike against Mastercam, as Fusion also has CAM capabilities yet its main strength is CAD. It's really just a difference in core focus behind the scenes between the two options.
System Requirements
At the time of posting (2025) these are the current recommended system requirements directly from CNC Software, LLC, the creators of Mastercam.
| ITEM | MINIMUM | MAXIMUM |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit Professional | Windows 10 (version 20H2 or later) 64-bit Professional |
| Processor | Intel® or AMD 64-bit processor, 2.4 GHz or faster | Intel i7 or Xeon® E3, Kaby Lake or later, 3.2GHz or faster |
|
Memory |
8-12 GB | 32-64 GB |
| Video | OpenGL 3.2 and OpenCL 1.2 support with 1 GB memory. No onboard graphics. | NVIDIA RTX or AMD FirePro™ / Radeon Pro card with 4 GB (or higher) dedicated memory. |
| Monitor | 1920 × 1080 resolution | 1920 × 1080 resolution, dual monitors |
| Storage | Hard drive with at least 20 GB free; USB and/or DVD drive (depending on installation media and licensing method) | Solid State Drive (SSD) with at least 20 GB free |
| 3D Mouse | — | 3Dconnexion 3D mouse |
Pro Tip
Everything on the list above is important, however the one component that has the biggest impact with CAD/CAM software is your video card (aka graphics card). We strongly recommend you do not use 'onboard' video cards and that you get the best component you can afford at the time. It is easier to upgrade something like RAM later on than it is a graphics card.
If you want to learn all the work that goes into 3d modelling parts with software like Fusion or SOLIDWORKS before sending them to platforms like Mastercam for the CAM work, enrol instantly and start learning today.
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