Before a CNC cutting device can cut, mill, or engrave a pattern, there needs to be a digital version, usually prepared with CAD software. Once the design is ready, it must then be converted into DXF, DWG, SVG, or a similar file format, where the design would be measured in terms of 2D or 3D specifications. This file is then sent to CAM or CNC software, which will convert it into a G-code script, which is a set of instructions that tells the machine how to cut or engrave the design.

For all these processes to run smoothly, the original file has to be clean and in good condition. A good CNC design should be cut-ready, resizable, and scalable so that it can be adapted to all needs. However, when reducing the size, make sure the surfaces that need to be cut, milled, or engraved don’t become smaller than the diameters of the bits, beams, or waterjet.

Now that we know a bit more about the process, let’s get to the sites!

If you’re looking for a website that cuts straight to the chase, try DXFforCNC. It offers designs in a variety of categories, like automobile and machinery, home decoration, animals and nature, fire pits, sports, and more.

A customer can buy all the designs in any one category for $1,000+, whereas single designs are priced from $7.  There’s also a free section with about 400 designs. All are cut-ready, resizable, and usually available in DXF or SVG formats.

• Types of models: Automobiles, machinery, home decoration, animals, nature, sports
• Number of models: ~3,000 (about 400 are free)
• Pricing: Free and paid ($10-$200 per file)
• Ease of search: Very easy; individual designs appear on the home page, with more accessed by checking out the “Collections” menu.
• 2D files: Yes

Supplied by design professionals and students, CNC Cutting Design is a virtual storehouse of eye-catching 2D and 3D screens, panels, decorative models, photo frames, and vintage vector designs. Though the company is relatively new, the people behind this venture have been in the business for over a decade.

The designs are mostly for decorative screens, panels, and frames but they’re scalable and can be used for other purposes as well. CNC Cutting Designs offers purchasing models in both individual and bulk packages. The “Free Zone” offers a few models, mostly of panels. Additionally, there are different membership options priced between $40 and $150 annually, which include free download benefits.

• Types of models: Screens, doors, panels, photo frames
• Number of models: ~2,000 (about 25 are free)
• Pricing: Free and paid ($1.50-$5 per file, with bulk packages at $20-$40 and annual memberships at $40-$150)
• Ease of use: Easy; designs appear on the home page, categorized by free, 2D, 3D, and bulk packages.
• 2D files: Yes

With over a million 3D models and designs available on its site, CGTrader is one of the go-to sites for quality models. For CNC cutting designs, the options at CGTrader are vast, with a good range for both the paid and free options. Additionally, all designs are accompanied by the designer’s name and customer reviews.

Note that when downloading or purchasing designs, customers get a royalty-free license to use, customize, and put them to commercial use. However, the designs cannot be uploaded on another site for resale.

In addition to the model collection, CGTrader has many special areas of the website including What’s Hot, Challenges, and Tutorials.

• Types of models: Home decor, wall panels, toys, jewelry
• Number of models: 1,000,000+ (about 800 are free)
• Pricing: Free and paid ($3-$50 per file)
• Ease of use: Moderately easy; it’s huge marketplace, but it doesn’t have a designated CNC section. Your best bet is filtering by model type.
• 2D files: Yes

Scan2CAD is CAD software that helps in editing and conversion of design files into other popular CAD and CAM formats. As part of its holistic offering for the designer and maker community, it also maintains a Free DXF Files library, which is updated with new design files every week. You can find photo frames, dragons, flowers, and more!

These designs can be downloaded by creating your free account at Scan2CAD. You can use these designs for any purpose except for redistributing to other websites.

• Types of models: Animals, tanks, flowers
• Number of models: ~20,000
• Pricing: Free
• Ease of use: Moderately easy; locating the design of your choice involves exploring its collections.
• 2D files: Yes

Marking its beginning in 2013, MyMiniFactory emerged a little late on the scene compared to other 3D design sites. But over the years, it’s evolved as a marketplace for creative designs and a community of makers and creators.

For CNC cutting, you’ll find many great designs such as a Asanoha pattern, lampshade, and Hufflepuff desk display. There are thousands of 3D designs and models that can be an inspiration and starting point for your CNC projects.

However, searching can prove a little tricky if you’re looking for models that are specifically designed for CNC cutting as there is no filter for this. At the same time, MyMiniFactory claims that all designs listed are checked (cut or milled for CNC or 3D printed) before being added to the site. Users get a standard digital file store license.

• Types of models: Lampshades, wall art, desk displays
• Number of designs: ~500
• Pricing: Free and paid ($3-$20 per file)
• Ease of use: Moderately easy; the site predominantly features 3D printing designs and models. You’ll need to know what you’re looking for as searching for “CNC” gives you 3D printed parts for your CNC machine!
• 2D files: Yes

Thingiverse is perhaps the largest repertoire and community of designs for 3D printing. Part of the Makerbot brand, Thingiverse has roughly 2,000,000 3D designs and a three-million-strong community of designers and makers on its site. This is primarily a platform to share user-created design files.

For CNC cutting, Thingiverse has a large number of designs for different cutting technologies. You can find thousands of awe-inspiring CNC designs including a travel bedside phone holder, kids animal heads coat rack, and a wide-tooth comb.

You don’t need an account to download a design but for uploading a design or accessing other features, you’ll need one.

• Types of models: Jewelry, wall art, toys
• Number of models: ~200,000
• Pricing: Free
• Ease of use: Okay; thanks to the huge repository of models, there are many CNC cutting designs, but they can be a bit difficult to find because there’s no designated CNC area or filter.
• 2D files: Yes

As the name suggests, Instructables is not only an online community of designers and makers with a huge pool of digital designs and models but also often visual tutorials about each of them. With multiple pictures and step-by-step detailed instructions, these projects are all approachable.

For CNC cutting, there’s a large number of digital design files available, ranging from common goods to beautiful panels and screens. For example, you can find metal flowers, a stomp pad for a snowboard, and even a telescope!

Instructables designs are free for download but you’ll have to either sign up with Instructables or use your Facebook, Google, Twitter, or Autodesk account.

• Types of models: Art pieces, lampshades, fabric designs
• Number of models: ~20,000
• Pricing: Free
• Ease of use: Easy; navigating the site is simple, as there’s a designated CNC section (under “Workshop”).
• 2D files: Yes

Etsy is an online marketplace of creative goods made by individual craftspersons. In addition to products, there are more recently expanding into different areas, including digital designs for CNC cutting.

Some of the design examples that can illustrate the range would include a clipart dog heart, the Catan robber, and a collection of panels, partitions, and screens. As you’ll be buying from individual sellers, keep in mind returns and exchange policies will vary.

• Types of models: Mandalas, birdhouses, toys
• Number of models: ~20,000
• Pricing: Paid (prices vary widely)
• Ease of use: Easy; this site is well designed and intuitive to navigate. You can search for designs by keywords and filtering.
• 2D files: Yes

If it’s about design, how can the image-sharing powerhouse Pinterest not have its fingers in the pie? A simple Google search can lead you to Pinterest but to explore the site, you’ll need to sign-up.

For CNC cutting designs, you can start a search on Pinterest for relevant keywords. Like all social media platforms, Pinterest has an unbelievably large amount of content, and in this case, that’s CNC cutting designs.

Here’s a small sampling of CNC cutting designs available via keyword searches: panels, screens, and partitions, acrylic toys, home decor, and metal flowers. Some designs can be downloaded for free, while others are posted by design entrepreneurs and businesses. You can contact the members or sites mentioned for purchasing something you like.

• Types of models: Home decor, panels, screens, decorative pieces
• Number of designs: Countless
• Pricing: Free and paid (prices vary widely)
• Ease of use: Okay; you’ll need to check out the different websites that Pinterest searches lead to.
• 2D files: Yes