Easel just launched a new feature to let you search tens of thousands of popular U.S. lakes by name and carve a depth map. Easel draws the shoreline and up to five depth passes as stepped pockets, so the finished carve reads like a scale model of the lakebed. Add the lake's name as text with one checkbox, then import the whole thing as a grouped stack, ready to cut.

The depths are a real bathymetry, not a stylized outline, so Tahoe comes out deep and steep-walled, Okeechobee wide and shallow.

You can use the app now by opening "Apps" from the toolbar and selecting "Lake Map" app.

Don't see your lake? Ask for it in the feedback box and we'll add it. Check out this Lake Michigan made using this new tool.

Check out the Easel Podcast. Most people making things with Easel are figuring it out alone. The Easel Podcast changes that. Every week, Zach Kaplan CEO of Easel Software sits down with real makers to hear what they're building, how they're solving problems in their shop or studio, and what's happening across the digital manufacturing world. One hour of honest conversation about the craft live, unfiltered, and built for makers to help them go from learning to earning.

Easel now supports italic style for all fonts (including your own imported ones) and bold style for select fonts in available in Easel Pro.

You can access the variant styles in either the text tool or in the Shape tab of the properties box when editing text.

This is available to everyone now. You can send us feedback on the feature at https://easel.com/features/italic-and-bold-fonts

Easel can now directly connect to your CNC machine without the need to install any software (the Easel Driver). This means you can now connect from more devices, including Chromebooks and older Mac or Windows computers.

Opt In to Test

This feature is in early access testing. To activate it in your account, click the "Enable Feature" button on this screen and refresh your browser.

How to Use

If you are using Chrome, Edge, or Opera and do not have the Easel Driver installed, you will get a new screen when you click the Carve button that looks like this:

​This will open a list of ports where you can authorize Easel to connect:

​Automatic Reconnect

Some machines identify themselves uniquely to your computer and Easel will reconnect to them automatically. Others will ask you to re-authorize the connection each time you plug in. You still have the option to install the Easel Driver if your machine falls into the latter category.

Firefox and Safari Not Supported

This feature relies on behavior only available in Chromium-based browsers (e.g. Chrome, Edge, Opera). Firefox and Safari are NOT supported.

Already Have the Easel Driver?

If you've already installed the Easel Driver but want to use the new rapid connection functionality, you have the option to uninstall the Easel Driver.

Give Us Feedback

Since this feature is in early access, we'd love to hear your feedback. Let us know how your experience was using the feedback box below. We'll use this feedback to address any important gaps in functionality before releasing the feature to all users.

You can now simplify shapes in your design to reduce the number of points, making transformations easier and toolpath generation faster. Just right-click a shape and choose Simplify from the menu.

In the Simplify modal, you’ll find a slider that lets you control how much the shape is simplified. Drag it to the right for a more aggressive effect. As you adjust it, you’ll see a live preview along with before-and-after point counts.

When you click Apply, the selected shape will be replaced with the simplified version.

For even better results, try using the Separate option first to break a shape into smaller parts, then simplify each one individually.

Simplification works especially well with natural, organic, or smooth shapes. For more technical designs with sharp edges, it may introduce some distortion. It’s worth experimenting to find the right balance.

Try it out today at easel.com

You can now draw freehand shapes directly in Easel, giving you a faster and more natural way to create custom geometry. Just select the Freehand tool from the Pen Tool dropdown and start drawing on the canvas.

As you draw, your strokes are automatically converted into editable paths. You'll see a live preview as the line follows your cursor, making it easy to sketch fluid shapes or rough ideas without worrying about precision upfront.

When you release your cursor, the shape is finalized and you can adjust it like any other - move nodes, refine curves, or apply sharp corners. This makes it easy to go from a quick sketch to a polished design.

Give it a try and see where it takes your designs!

Basically the title. Can I use easel and my xcarve on either a linux or chromebook?

This new update allows users to click and drag linked measurement lines to place them where ever is convenient for your design. Check it out at easel.com

Easel Pro now supports the selection of Milling Direction for each cut. It works for both fills and outlines:

Default: The direction of cuts is variable.

Climb (CCW): Forces a counter-clockwise toolpath. This method typically creates a cleaner surface finish and is easier on your bits.

Conventional (CW): Forces a clockwise toolpath. This method can be useful for preventing tear-out on certain materials and reducing backlash.

Ask questions and give feedback directly on a project with the Project Chat feature.

When you share your project or publish it to the Gallery, other makers will be able to view your project in the Sandbox and send messages via the chat panel. Simply click the chat icon in the top right corner to open the chat panel, and send a message to start the conversation.

Note: Messages are public and will be visible to anyone with access to the shared project. Commenting access can be revoked by setting shared projects to Private*.*

Hey, I noticed there hasn't been any update to the software in a while and very few posts on the forum. Is development on that software paused?

I was really enjoying it, but it's missing a lot of features. Wondering if they stopped developing it, if so I will invest my time on another solution.

Easel just shipped a small but super useful update to the Easel Gallery, a Follow button.

Now, if you find a creator whose work you love, you can easily stay in the loop whenever they publish something new.

How it works

1. Go to a user’s gallery profile page
2. Click the Follow button
3. Every time a designer you follow publishes a new project you'll get an email and alerted inside Easel.

We’re excited to make it easier to discover and keep up with great work in the community. Let us know what you think, and who you’re following first!

Is there a feature/automated method to add countersunk holes with a standard endmill? It would be very helpful to have a script generate a spiral or even stepped toolpath on a hole without needing to go into full 3d milling, v-carving, or tool changes.

The only "manual" Easel method I know of currently is to create a handful of concentric circles with increasing depth and decreasing diameter, but that requires a bit of math, especially if you want to match an 82 degree bolt head for example.

I'm trying to make a 7mm relief of a brain but whenever I get too small easel skips random details. I'm using an engraving bit to cut ~0.2mm. I need Pro to use any V bit so I'm just telling it that I'm using a 1/16" end mill, which seems to work fine for the most part but it's randomly leaving out some details, the areas circled in red. This doesn't make sense to me because other areas with even smaller detail it's not skipping and it's cutting fine. Why doesn't it just follow all toolpaths? What can I do to override Easel's decision making and force it to follow the paths? You can see when I bump the size up above 0.35 or so it captures the detail. I cannot pay for Pro, I used this last years ago and probably wont again for years and I'm broke. I know Pro would probably solve my problem somehow but I can't so I'm hoping there's a work around for this. Any ideas?

Easel now has an option to separate shapes into individual components directly in Easel. It's the lastest in a series of more powerful and intuitive vector design and editing tools including the ability to trim line segments, snap alignment, straight lines, curved lines, arcs, select nodes, replicator, and offsetter.

Simply right-click any shape and select Separate from the menu, or find the tool under the Edit menu.

• Fill Shapes: Non-touching shapes will be split into individual components.
• Outline Paths: These will be separated into independent paths, even if they overlap.
• Text: Text objects will convert into individual letters. The selection is preserved so you can immediately group them to maintain their alignment.
• Groups: You can also separate entire groups of shapes using these same rules.

Leave feedback on this feature here: https://easel.com/features/shape-separation-in-easel

Valentine’s Day is coming up. Check out these cup cake toppers designed by Katie Cleveland https://easel.com/gallery/koOl_8NW she has a site called addicted to DIY https://addicted2diy.com/diy-valentines-day-cupcake-toppers/ check it out!

https://easel.com/gallery/koOl_8NW

Learn more about the Easel Pen Tool from this Toolbar Tip!

Learn more about using the Easel shape tool from this Easel Toolbar Tip!

These new Getting Started in Easel YouTube videos will get a new user up to speed and productive with Easel Software.

A new Easel Driver is available: Version 0.4.5!

Download and install: https://easel.com/downloads

To ensure your device is able to connect to a CNC machine for carving after January 16, 2026, users are required to download and install the latest version of the Easel Driver.

FAQ:

Why do I need to update?

• The latest version provides essential security updates to ensure a safe connection between your device, your CNC, and the Easel software.

Is my device compatible?

• See device requirements here: What are Easel’s System Requirements?

Do I need to update to the latest version of MacOS or Windows OS?

• It’s important to note that Windows 10 is no longer officially supported by Microsoft. Users on Windows 10 are advised to upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible. Windows 11 is not strictly required for this driver update right now, but we cannot guarantee Easel software will work on Windows 10 moving forward with future feature updates.

How do I update the Easel Driver?

• View the process here: Download and Install New Easel Drivers.

What happens if I don’t update before January 16?

• Technically, nothing. Your account and projects will be unaffected, and you will be able to download and install the latest version of the driver at any time. If you attempt to connect your CNC machine to Easel, Easel will require that you download and install the latest version of the driver to proceed.

What if I need more help?

• Contact Easel Customer Success Team here: https://support.easel.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

The Modular Tool Organizer Collection is a coordinated set of CNC-cut organizers designed to create a clean, flexible shop storage system. Each piece is engineered to work seamlessly with the others, allowing you to build a cohesive tool wall while maintaining the freedom to customize your layout over time. The collection includes dedicated racks for screwdrivers, hex driver bits, corner clamps, and bench dogs, keeping frequently used tools visible, accessible, and neatly arranged.

All organizers can be cut from birch plywood or MDF using a CNC machine, ensuring consistent fit and precision across the entire system. Each organizer is provided as a separate workpiece within the project, making it easy to mix, match, and expand your setup as your tool collection grows. Designed for wall mounting, this modular approach allows your shop storage to evolve without requiring a complete redesign.

Check out all of Allan's projects he has some really cool stuff.

The winners of the Easel Holiday Design Contest have been announced! https://easel.com/pages/holidaywinners2025 Thank you to everyone for participating and congratulations to all the winners!

In this video, we walk through making a custom cribbage board using a design from the Easel Gallery, starting right from the setup in the software. The template is loaded into Easel and adjusted for material and layout, showing how easy it is to get started without designing everything from scratch. Here's a link to the template int he Easel Gallery: https://easel.com/gallery/U6A95FOv

The process highlights how straightforward it is to go from a gallery design to a finished project. We have an entire category dedicated to Cribbage boards you can browse to find inspiration, one to carve, or one you want to remix. Use it to make your own functional cribbage board and post your version below.

One last new feature before we close out 2025 at Easel. Today the team added an option to remove path segments. When in path editing mode you can now hold Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl (PC) to click away segments of the design you want to get rid of. This will speed up cleaning the imported designs and splitting shapes. The feature is available for on-path cuts only. Pocket fills, outside and inside cuts are not supported. It just launched so check it out and give some feedback. If you notice anything fishy the team will take a look on Jan 5th. Happy New Year!

Here is a quick guide on how to make a few simple ornaments in Easel. Happy Holidays!