# 🟩 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.
Some CAM functions require the GUI to be loaded.
No examples shipped with FreeCAD.
No examples on the wiki |
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# 🟨 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.
Recomputes are inconsistent. Sometimes triggered when not needed. Sometimes require manual recompute.
Recomputes are inefficient. Cannot, for example, recompute just the dressup or just the finishing pass. |
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# 🟦 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 |