Inventables introduced Easel Pro as a paid cloud-software tier built on its free Easel CNC design and manufacturing software. The launch coverage was listed on October 24, 2017, and positioned Pro for makers and small businesses producing physical projects with a CNC router. Inventables promoted production efficiencies, but its available launch materials provide no measured time savings or independently verified business results.
What was Easel Pro at launch?
Inventables described Easel Pro as paid cloud software that built on free Easel. Easel provides a browser-based workflow for designing a project, previewing it in 3D and sending a job to a CNC machine. Pro added capabilities intended for more demanding carving and production work. The launch-era coverage date is established by Inventables’ press coverage index; it confirms that coverage was listed on October 24, 2017, not the precise release time or availability in every market.
The launch framing emphasized making CAD/CAM software more accessible to makers and helping small and independent manufacturers produce detailed work. Inventables said Pro’s production features could reduce the time required for detailed carving. That is a vendor claim: the available press materials do not supply controlled performance data, a quantified time-saving figure or independently verified evidence of increased income.
Who was Easel Pro intended for?
Inventables’ positioning was aimed at makers and businesses turning CNC work into income, rather than only hobbyists learning to design or carve. The company’s current support overview, written by Paul Stolz and updated September 30, 2026, describes Pro as offering extra tools for makers who generate income from their work. That current description helps explain the product’s commercial orientation, but it should not be mistaken for a quotation from the 2017 launch announcement.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- 【Precise CNC Engraving Machine】This CNC router machine uses a 32-bit STM32 processor and GRBL control, achieving 0.1mm engraving accuracy and speeds up to 1500mm/min. It's perfect for detailed work on wood, plastics, acrylic, and soft metals like copper and aluminum.
- 【Desktop engraving machine】With a overall size of 420x355x280mm and a spacious 300x180x40mm work area, this compact CNC mill is a perfect desktop workshop for beginners and creators, ideal for education, prototyping, and personal projects.
- 【User-Friendly CNC Machine】Wood carving machine operate easily via USB connection. Compatible with popular software like Artcam and Fusion360, this engraving machine is officially supported on Windows XP through Win 10 systems.
- 【Versatile CNC Router & Mill】CNC wood cutting machine with a 775 spindle (7000-9000 RPM) and an ER11 collet that supports 0.5-7mm bits, this machine functions as both a capable CNC router for woods/plastics and a light-duty CNC mill for soft metals.
- 【Peace of Mind: Certified Assurance and Professional Support】The product holds multiple international safety certifications including CE-EMC, CE-LVD, CE-MD, CE-RED, ROHS, FCC-Sdoc, and FCC-ID, guaranteeing quality assurance. The main components are pre-assembled with clearly labelled cables, ensuring straightforward and swift installation. Our dedicated customer service team provides 24-hour technical support, ensuring a seamless experience from assembly to operation.
“Commercial” here describes the intended user and work pattern: producing physical goods for sale or other income-generating work. It is not evidence that the software guarantees commercial success, makes every job faster, or grants legal permission for every possible use of a design or output. Review the current Easel Pro EULA and applicable design rights for the terms relevant to a particular project.
How does free Easel differ from Pro?
The practical choice is whether the work requires Pro’s specialized carving and workflow tools, not whether a user can start designing. Inventables says anyone can design, preview and simulate projects in Easel for free. Its current feature comparison assigns the following capabilities to Basic and Pro; feature allocation can change, so consult the live Easel Pro FAQ and overview before subscribing.
Rank #2
- 23HS2430B Nema23 Stepper Motor: Phase: 2 Phase; Type: Hybrid; Step Angle: 1.8degree; Current: 3.0A; Holding torque: 425oz-in 280Ncm; Shaft: Dual Shaft; Shat diameter: 8mm; 4 Lead Wires; Wirings: A+ to Red / A- to Green / B+ to Yellow / B- to Blue Motor Size: 57x57x112mm
- DM556S Stepper Motor Driver: Current: 1.0A-6.0A ; Driver microstep: 200-51200 subdivision,adopts 32-bit DSP digital processing technology ; Input Voltage: 20-50V DC
- Feature of Driver:Due to the use of built-in micro-subdivision technology, even in the conditions of low subdivision, but also can achieve high subdivision effect, low, medium and high-speed operation is very smooth, ultra-low noise
- 4 Axis USB Mach3 Control Board: USB interface is applicable to any netbook, notebook, desktop, tablet and other PC compatible computers with USB interface. This control board does not require any drivers to be installed; As long as Mach3 can run, the control card can be used; Support computer system:Windows 2000/ XP / Windows 7/8/10
- 400W 36V 9.7A DC switching power supply; Output Voltage:36V ; Input: 110-120V AC or 220-240V AC; 75W 24V DC Switching power supply Input voltage: 100-240V AC; Output voltage: 24V; This 24V power supply is used to power the 4 axis usb mach3 control card
| Capability | Basic Easel | Easel Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design and preparation | Design tools, detailed 3D preview, image trace, and SVG/G-code import and export | Includes Basic capabilities, plus a Pro design library, customizable fonts and text effects |
| Carving methods | Basic carving tools | 3D carving and V-carving |
| Toolpaths and job handling | Basic toolpaths; current comparison does not assign more than one carve/G-code export per week to Basic | Raster carving, ramping plunges, center work zero, more than one carve/G-code export per week, and resume carving |
| Materials and setup | Basic settings | Toolbox for custom bits, materials and saved cut settings; large-material tiling; multiple machine profiles |
When Pro’s features may matter
- V-carving: Pro’s V-carving can use V-bits to create dimensional effects from 2D designs. The right bit depends on the job; the feature comparison does not specify a required brand, angle or model.
- Long or detailed jobs: Resume carving and additional toolpaths may suit workflows that need those controls, but the available sources do not quantify how much time or material they save.
- Large stock or varied setups: Tiling and multiple machine profiles address larger-material and multi-machine workflows, respectively. Confirm that the particular machine and setup are supported before planning a job around them.
What does Easel Pro cost now, and can you try it free?
These are current terms from the support FAQ updated September 30, 2026—not launch-era 2017 prices or trial conditions. The listed subscriptions recur automatically and are before applicable sales tax.
| Billing option | Price listed September 30, 2026 | Billing interval |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $24 | Every month |
| Annual | $216 | Every year |
| Three-year | $599 | Every three years |
Inventables says new users automatically receive full access to Pro carves during a trial period; the cited FAQ does not state a trial duration in the material summarized here. Basic design, preview and simulation are available free. Check the live FAQ for current terms before starting a subscription or trial.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- All-Metal Z-Axis & 0.1mm High Precision - Upgraded metal Z-axis with T8 backlash-eliminating lead screws, 0.1mm positioning accuracy, no shaking during engraving. Better stability than nylon Z-axis models, supports aluminum/brass sheet processing
- 15Lbs Lightweight & Small Space Friendly - Only 15 Pounds and 420x355x280mm compact size, fits any desk corner. 300x180x40mm working area meets DIY, personalized nameplate and small business production needs
- GRBL CONTROL BOARD, USB WIRED CONNECTION - 32 GRBL control board with USB data port for direct wired PC connection; no built-in TF card slot, no Bluetooth, no 2.4G/5G WiFi wireless functions supported; only transfer .nc/ Gcode files via attached USB cable; compatible with Windows XP/7/8/10 operating systems.
- All-in-One Kit & Ready to Create - Include 10 standard cutters, ER11 collet (0.5-7mm), 775 spindle motor (7000-9000RPM) and professional tools. No extra purchase, start your first project in 10 minutes
- STEM Education & GRBL Compatibility - 40+ precision components full disassembly kit, learn XYZ-axis motion principles while assembling. Compatible with GRBL, ArtCam, Fusion360 and Windows/Mac OS, perfect for DIY, school education and maker training
Will Easel Pro work with a particular CNC router?
Easel’s current product page describes a browser workflow for designing, previewing and sending jobs to supported machines, and says the software works with most GRBL machines. “Most” is not “all”: machine compatibility and setup requirements vary. Check Inventables’ current supported-machine information and the requirements for the specific CNC before relying on Easel for a project.
What the launch claim does—and does not—establish
The 2017 launch positioned Easel Pro as a way to make commercial CNC project work more accessible and efficient. Inventables’ materials make qualitative productivity and income-oriented claims, but publish no attributable launch-impact statistic or measured business outcome. Readers can treat those claims as the company’s rationale for a paid tier, not as a guarantee that Pro will increase output, cut job times or generate revenue.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- All-Aluminum Structure & Enhanced Stability: Engineered with an all-metal framework and linear rail Z-axis, the FoxAlien Masuter Pro offers superior precision, durability, and stability for detailed engraving and cutting on wood, acrylic, MDF, nylon, and more.
- Upgraded Dust-Proof Controller & User-Friendly Design: Features a compact, dust-resistant controller box with easily accessible emergency stop and home buttons for safer, more convenient operation.
- Versatile Spindle Compatibility & Customization: Includes two spindle clamps (52mm & 65mm) compatible with 60W and 300W spindles, as well as custom upgrade options like 65mm router or 1.5KW spindle for advanced carving needs. It also supports the 69mm spindle clamp, please buy separately.
- Quick Assembly & Pre-Wired Components: Main parts are pre-assembled with pre-wired wiring to the controller, plus a detailed step-by-step manual—set up in just 10-15 minutes, ideal for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts.
- Large Working Area & Expandability: Features a generous 15.75” x 15.75” x 2.36” (400 x 400 x 60mm) engraving surface, with optional Y-axis extension kit, perfect for larger projects and versatile woodworking applications.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
