| # 🟩 Core Essentials | |
| *Features present or expected in a basic CAM package and necessary to perform the required tasks* | |
| | Feature | Description | Assessment | | |
| | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | |
| | Python/Macro Support | Allow scripting or automation via Python or macros | Limited.<br>Some CAM functions require the GUI to be loaded. <br>No examples shipped with FreeCAD.<br>No examples on the wiki | | |
| --- | |
| # 🟨 Professional Grade | |
| *Features usually present or expected in the state-of-the art applications* | |
| | Feature | Description | Assessment | | |
| | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | |
| | Parametric Workflows | Operations update automatically in response to model changes | Partial. <br>Recomputes are inconsistent. Sometimes triggered when not needed. Sometimes require manual recompute.<br>Recomputes are inefficient. Cannot, for example, recompute just the dressup or just the finishing pass. | | |
| --- | |
| # 🟦 Next-Level CAM | |
| *Features that would exceed industry standard* | |
| | Feature | Description | Assessment | | |
| | ----------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | | |
| | Headless Batch Jobs | Run toolpath generation/export without UI interaction | Limited | | |
| | External Workflow Integration | Embed CAM pipeline into other automated systems | None | | |