Home › Guides › AI CAM for Mastercam users

Guide · Updated 2026-10-20

AI CAM software for Mastercam users (2026)

Already running Mastercam? You don't need to switch CAM to try AI. Here's what works inside Mastercam today, what it actually does, and what's on offer if you're thinking about switching.

The short version

Mastercam Copilot is built in. It answers help questions and runs commands (feeds and speeds edits, machine groups) by voice or text. Mastercam says it's included at no extra cost for CONNECT subscribers in Mastercam 2026.R2.
CloudNC CAM Assist is a plug-in that generates machining strategies and toolpaths for 3-axis and 3+2 parts. It supports Mastercam 2025, 2026 and 2027. Pricing isn't published.
Either way, the programmer still reviews and simulates everything before it goes to the machine. Both vendors say so.

Quick comparison

Tool	Pricing (from vendor site)	Free trial / plan	Best fit
Mastercam	Contact; Copilot included for CONNECT subscribers (2026.R2)	Not stated	Shops already on Mastercam with a CONNECT subscription
CloudNC CAM Assist	Contact (Hobbyist/Small Shop/Job Shop tiers, 12-mo minimum)	Not stated	Shops wanting AI-generated 3-axis and 3+2 strategies inside Mastercam
Autodesk Fusion for Manufacturing	Fusion $57/mo billed annually; Fusion for Manufacturing: see site	Yes	Small shops wanting low-cost integrated CAD/CAM with an AI assistant
SolidCAM	Contact	Not stated	Shops designing in SolidWorks that want CAM in the same window
HCL CAMWorks	Contact	Not stated	SolidWorks shops with lots of prismatic parts and repeatable strategies
Toolpath	API: Free $0 (100 DFM/10 estimates/mo); Core $400/mo; Pro $1,500/mo (shop plans: Contact)	Yes	Fusion CAM shops wanting DFM and estimates before programming

Copilot vs CAM Assist: they do different jobs

Copilot is a helper for using Mastercam faster: ask a question, change feeds across operations, build a machine group. CAM Assist goes further into programming itself, proposing strategies, toolpaths, feeds and speeds and cycle-time estimates that you then review and edit in Mastercam. Plenty of shops could use both.

Works inside Mastercam

Mastercam

CNC programming software adding AI-enabled CAM intelligence and productivity tools.

Mastercam Copilot: an AI assistant built into Mastercam 2026.R2. Ask questions in plain language, edit feeds and speeds across Mill, Lathe and Router operations, create machine groups and operations, and search the myMastercam video library. Mastercam says it's included at no additional cost for CONNECT subscribers.

Pricing: Contact; Copilot included for CONNECT subscribers (2026.R2) · Free trial/plan: Not stated · Works with: Mastercam (native)

Rick's take: The one most shops already run, and the one most programmers learned on. The new AI features are worth a look, but the real value is still how deep the toolpaths go once you know it.

Source: www.mastercam.com/ · mastercam.com/solutions/add-ons/mastercam-copilot

CloudNC CAM Assist

AI that generates machining strategies and toolpaths inside your CAM and estimates cycle times; Quote Agent in development.

Mastercam support: Mastercam 2025, 2026 and 2027 (also Fusion, GibbsCAM, SolidCAM 2025 SP4+ and Siemens NX). Licensed per seat, attached to your CAM seat. Prices aren't published. The Hobbyist and Small Shop tiers list a 12-month minimum, and the Job Shop tiers list a 100% money-back guarantee.

Pricing: Contact (Hobbyist/Small Shop/Job Shop tiers, 12-mo minimum) · Free trial/plan: Not stated · Works with: Mastercam 2025-27; Autodesk Fusion; GibbsCAM; SolidCAM 2025 SP4+; Siemens NX

Rick's take: A good starting point for roughing strategies, but still check every toolpath it makes. The 12-month minimum is a big ask for a small shop.

Source: www.cloudnc.com/pricing
techcrunch.com/2026/09/08/cloudnc-raises-20m-to-automate-man · cloudnc.com

If you're thinking about switching

Autodesk Fusion for Manufacturing

Integrated cloud CAD/CAM with automated CAM programming, whole-part strategies and Autodesk Assistant AI.

AI: Autodesk Assistant in Fusion lets you ask for work to be done inside the model (per Autodesk). Fusion lists automated CAM programming and whole-part strategies. 30-day free trial.

Pricing: Fusion $57/mo billed annually; Fusion for Manufacturing: see site · Free trial/plan: Yes · Works with: Native CAD/CAM (Fusion)

Rick's take: The cheapest way to get real CAD/CAM into a small shop. Fine for a lot of 3-axis work, but check post-processor support for your machines before you commit.

Source: www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview

SolidCAM

CAD-integrated CAM (iMachining) with an AI CAM offering for CNC shops.

AI: SolidCAM ChatBot, a built-in CAM assistant in SolidCAM 2025 SP4, also available as a phone app. CloudNC CAM Assist also works with SolidCAM 2025 SP4 onward.

Pricing: Contact · Free trial/plan: Not stated · Works with: SOLIDWORKS; Autodesk Inventor; Solid Edge

Rick's take: If you already design in SolidWorks, programming inside the same window saves a lot of back and forth. iMachining is the standout for roughing.

Source: us.solidcam.com/ · solidcam.com (AI assistant news)

HCL CAMWorks

Feature-based CAM with automatic feature recognition and TechDB knowledge-based machining that reuses your best practices.

Pricing: Contact · Free trial/plan: Not stated · Works with: SOLIDWORKS; Solid Edge; 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS

Rick's take: Feature recognition works best on prismatic parts with standard features. It pays off when you build up your TechDB with your own feeds, speeds and strategies.

Source: camworks.com/

Related: AI for quoting from the CAM side

Toolpath

AI-powered DFM, quoting and CAM automation for machine shops, from RFQ to spindle.

Pricing: API: Free $0 (100 DFM/10 estimates/mo); Core $400/mo; Pro $1,500/mo (shop plans: Contact) · Free trial/plan: Yes · Works with: Autodesk Fusion CAM

Rick's take: Ambitious, since it tries to go from the customer's model to a quote and CAM in one place. The free tier is a no-risk way to see whether its estimates come close to yours.

Source: www.toolpath.com/pricing
www.cbinsights.com/company/toolpath/financials

How to test AI CAM without getting burned

Pick three parts you've already programmed and proven on the machine.
Let the AI program them, then compare toolpaths, tool choices and cycle time against your proven programs.
Simulate everything, and prove out on the machine at reduced rapids and feeds before trusting it on a real job.

Quoting is the other place AI is showing up. See best quoting software for small job shops.

FAQ

Does Mastercam have AI?

Yes. Mastercam Copilot is an AI assistant built into Mastercam 2026.R2. It answers questions from Mastercam's help and knowledge base, and can run commands like editing feeds and speeds or creating machine groups by voice or text. Mastercam says it's included at no additional cost for CONNECT subscribers.

Does CloudNC CAM Assist work with Mastercam?

Yes. CloudNC lists support for Mastercam 2025, 2026 and 2027, plus Autodesk Fusion, GibbsCAM, SolidCAM (2025 SP4 onward) and Siemens NX. It generates machining strategies and toolpaths for 3-axis and 3+2 parts that you review in Mastercam.

How much does CloudNC CAM Assist cost?

CloudNC doesn't publish prices. Its pricing page lists Hobbyist, Small Shop, Job Shop and Enterprise tiers. Hobbyist and Small Shop carry a 12-month minimum subscription, and Job Shop tiers list a 100% money-back guarantee.

Will AI CAM replace CNC programmers?

Not today. The vendors themselves position these tools as keeping the programmer in control: the AI proposes strategies or runs commands, and a programmer reviews, edits and simulates before anything runs.

Want this running in your shop?

Amtale sets up and runs AI workflows for job shops, starting with quote follow-up and order status updates.

Book a 20-min shop audit

More guides

Pricing and features change; verify with each vendor. No listing on this page is paid. See all CAM and programming tools.