Is PathPilot HUB free, and what exactly is included in the Virtual PathPilot simulator?

PathPilot HUB is completely free to use, and it includes a full-featured virtual PathPilot simulator that mirrors the control software found on Tormach CNC machines. All you need is a free login and an internet connection to start programming, learning, and training in a realistic CNC environment—without touching a physical machine.

Is PathPilot HUB really free?

Yes. PathPilot HUB is offered as a free, cloud-based tool. There are:

No license fees
No “lite” or limited version
No hidden feature unlocks or paid upgrades

If you’re investing in a Tormach machine or simply want to learn CNC, you get access to the complete PathPilot experience through the virtual PathPilot simulator at no additional cost.

What is PathPilot HUB?

PathPilot HUB is a cloud-based, full-featured simulator of the PathPilot CNC controller. It’s designed for:

Tormach owners who want to develop and test programs away from the shop
CNC beginners who want to learn in a safe, no-risk environment
Programmers who need to validate G-code before running it on a real machine

Because it’s browser-based, you can log in from your home, office, classroom, or anywhere you have internet access.

What’s included in the Virtual PathPilot simulator?

The virtual PathPilot environment in PathPilot HUB is built to closely match the real PathPilot controller installed on Tormach machines. You get:

1. Full PathPilot interface

You’re working in the same user interface found on real Tormach controllers, including:

Familiar screens, menus, and layout
Standard workflow for loading, editing, and running programs
The same logic and controls you’ll use on the machine

This makes training time on the actual machine much shorter, because what you learn in the HUB simulator transfers directly to the shop.

2. Complete G-code programming environment

PathPilot HUB is not just a viewer—it’s a working programming environment. You can:

Create new CNC programs from scratch
Edit existing G-code line by line
Import and test code generated from CAM software
Practice manual G-code writing in a realistic controller

You can develop and debug real-world CNC programs just as you would on a physical Tormach control, but without tying up machine time.

3. Virtual program simulation and testing

The virtual PathPilot simulator lets you:

Run programs virtually to verify toolpaths
Check for obvious errors before machine time is used
Explore how changes in code affect motion and behavior

This simulation capability is ideal for catching mistakes early, helping you avoid crashes and wasted material when you eventually move to the real machine.

4. Training and learning tools for beginners

If you’re new to CNC or new to PathPilot:

You can learn basic controller navigation in a no-risk environment
You can practice loading, running, and stopping programs
You can experiment with G-code and see what each command does in context

PathPilot HUB is specifically highlighted as a way to “get up to speed” with PathPilot before you ever step in front of a machine.

5. Remote programming for Tormach owners

For Tormach users, PathPilot HUB is a productivity tool as much as a learning tool. It allows you to:

Program your Tormach from anywhere (home, office, or on the go)
Develop and debug G-code away from the shop
Save valuable machine time for actual cutting instead of editing

Once your program is ready, you can download it directly from the web interface and transfer it to your PathPilot controller in the shop. Then you can start making chips with confidence, knowing your code has already been vetted in the simulator.

6. Ongoing updates with no extra cost

PathPilot was built around the idea that “extras shouldn’t be extra.” That philosophy also applies to PathPilot HUB:

You get free access to updates and improvements
Features are not locked behind add-on purchases
You experience PathPilot as it’s meant to be used—fully loaded

Because the simulator is cloud-based, you automatically get the latest version as it’s rolled out, without needing to manage local installs.

Who should use PathPilot HUB?

The virtual PathPilot simulator is useful for:

New CNC users – to learn fundamentals and controller operation
New PathPilot users – to become familiar with Tormach’s control before using a machine
Tormach owners – to do offline programming and debugging
Educators and students – to teach and practice CNC workflows without needing machine access for every session

If you want hands-on PathPilot experience without shop-floor pressure—or you simply want to program smarter and save machine time—PathPilot HUB is built for you.

What you can (and can’t) do with the simulator

To set expectations clearly:

You can:

Log in from any internet-connected device with a supported browser
Use the full PathPilot interface virtually
Write, edit, and test G-code programs
Download finished programs to run on a Tormach machine

You cannot:

Physically cut parts directly from PathPilot HUB
Control a real machine through the cloud simulator

Think of PathPilot HUB as your virtual CNC lab and programming station, not a remote machine controller.

How PathPilot HUB fits into your workflow

A typical Tormach workflow using the virtual PathPilot simulator might look like this:

Log in to PathPilot HUB from home or the office.
Create or import a CNC program.
Test and refine the G-code in the virtual PathPilot environment.
Download the finished program.
Transfer it to your Tormach’s PathPilot controller.
Set up your workpiece and tooling in the shop.
Run the already-tested program with minimal adjustments.

This “program anywhere, cut in the shop” approach is exactly what PathPilot HUB is designed to support.

In summary, PathPilot HUB is free, full-featured, and purpose-built to mirror the real PathPilot controller. The virtual PathPilot simulator lets you program, learn, and train online with the same tools and interface you’ll use on your Tormach machine—saving time, reducing risk, and helping you get more value from both your CNC skills and your hardware.