Milling track, step two

Advanced
Concepts

Advanced coordinate systems, solids-based programming, VoluMill, machine simulation, and an introduction to 5-axis.

Watch the introduction module from the course

The course

Take your GibbsCAM skills to the next level

Advanced Concepts takes you beyond the basics with lessons on advanced coordinate systems and solids-based programming. This class drills into the GibbsCAM menus and taps into powerful features that few users know how to use. Our instructor guides you through hard-to-find information, including lessons on creating macros and how to use Machine Simulation for complete confidence in every program.

Led by experienced instructors, our proven curriculum is designed to ensure a practical, hands-on learning experience.

  • Short 10-minute lessons
  • Periodic quizzes
  • Certificate on completion
Curriculum

What the course covers

13 hours across 76 lessons.

  • Specialty Toolpath Strategies
    • 3D Deburring
    • Geodesic Machining
  • Customize GibbsCAM Interface
  • VoluMill Solids
  • Tool Libraries
  • Macros
  • Machine Simulation
  • Introduction to 5 Axis Machining
    • 4 Axis Off Center Machining
  • Facet Bodies/STL Files
  • Custom Stock
  • Advanced Coordinate Systems
  • 2.5D Solids
    • Solid Modelling
    • 2.5D Machining
  • Millturn solid/MTM Setup
  • Feature manager
  • Hole Manager
  • Solids Plugins
  • 3D Solids
    • Solid Modeling
    • 3D/Advanced 3D Machining
    • Plunge Roughing
  • Surfaces
    • Surface Creation/Modification
    • Healing
Your instructor

Derek Frith

17 years in manufacturing, experienced CNC programmer

Derek is passionate about helping students harness the power of GibbsCAM and unlock its full potential. With over 17 years of experience in the manufacturing industry and an experienced CNC programmer, he thrives on teaching students how to tackle and successfully program the challenging parts they have struggled with, enabling them to take their programming skills to the next level.

Support

Someone to ask when you get stuck

Learning a powerful CAM system like GibbsCAM is an investment in your skills and productivity. But great training goes beyond just lessons, it is about having expert support when you need it. That is why our courses include dedicated technical support to help you overcome challenges and get the most out of your learning experience.

Our instructors and support engineers bring decades of hands-on experience in both manufacturing and GibbsCAM. They have been in your shoes and are here to help.

The Cognus Institute instructors

No commercial license? You can still take this course.

Follow along on your shop's GibbsCAM seat, or get your own with the GibbsCAM Student License, a learning seat that unlocks every advanced module so every toolpath example behaves exactly as shown.

Learning seat, not a production seat: no G-code posting, no commercial file formats. Keys arrive by email after a compliance check, 3 to 4 business days, so order ahead. Full terms and details

$150 per seat, per year Add to cart
How to buy

Two ways to take this course

Same curriculum, same instructors. The difference is whether you set the pace or we do.

On-Demand

Learn at your own pace

Recorded video. Start the moment you order, watch anytime.

Live Online

Learn with an instructor

Scheduled Zoom classes with a live instructor.

Starts
The moment you order.
On the class start date.
Schedule
Yours. Short 10-minute lessons you fit around the shop floor.
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific.
Lessons
Recorded walkthroughs in GibbsCAM. Pause, rewind, and repeat any lesson as often as you need.
Worked live in GibbsCAM, with two-way screen sharing so the instructor can see your work and answer as you go.
Access
365 days from purchase.
Matching On-Demand course from one week before class until one week after. Extend to a full year for 50% off.
Price
$595 /year
$1,245 /seat
On-Demand

Buy the course

The most comprehensive video GibbsCAM training course available. Designed to ensure a practical, hands-on learning experience, our on-demand classes feature short, 10-minute lessons that give you the flexibility to learn on your schedule and at your own pace. When you purchase Advanced Concepts, you have access to 13 hours of training through 76 high-quality videos.

Advanced Concepts

  • 76 video lessons, 13 hours
  • Short 10-minute lessons
  • Periodic quizzes
  • Taught by working GibbsCAM programmers
  • Rewatch any lesson, any time
  • 365-day access
$595 per seat, per year Add to cart

Or keep going and save

Advanced Concepts + 4 & 5-Axis Machining

Adds full simultaneous 5-axis motion, indexed work, and multi-axis drilling. The rest of the milling track.

$1,395Save $195
Add to cart
Best value

All-Access Bundle

The entire milling path. GibbsCAM Essentials, Advanced Concepts, and 4 & 5-Axis Machining, start to finish.

$1,595Save $490
Add to cart
Live Online

Upcoming classes

Get the full classroom experience from anywhere. Our Live Online classes cover the exact same material as our On-Demand courses, but with the added benefit of live, instructor-led interaction. Just log in at the scheduled date and time and we will handle the rest. With two-way screen sharing, you will see the instructor's screen in real time, and they can view yours for hands-on, personalized guidance.

June 2 to 122026
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $300 value
$1,245 Enroll Closed
Aug 11 to 212026
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $300 value
$1,245 Enroll Closed
Sept 22 to Oct 22026
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $300 value
$1,245 Enroll Closed

Every Live Online seat includes access to the matching On-Demand course from one week before your class until one week after it ends. Want to keep it? Upgrade to a full year for 50% off and refresh your skills long after the class is over.

Schedule

Full training calendar

Every Cognus class, in one view.

Frequently
Asked Questions

    • Windows 10 or Windows 11 (with all available Windows updates).
    • Intel: Xeon, Core i9 or i7 with four or more cores or AMD: Ryzen or Threadripper.
    • 16 GB minimum; 32 GB or more recommended for complex parts, large assemblies, or multitasking with other software (e.g., CAD programs)
    • A quality Nvidia with 4+GB of video memory with the latest drivers installed. (e.g., GeForce RTX series or Quadro P4000/P5000).
    • 2 GB of available hard drive space (for virtual memory usage and temporary file storage).
  • We recommend starting with the GibbsCAM Essentials class before progressing to Advanced Concepts. However, depending on your experience with GibbsCAM, you may already have the foundational knowledge required for success. If you find this course too advanced, consider revisiting the GibbsCAM Essentials class to build the programming skills essential for this course.

  • No commercial GibbsCAM license is required to take this course. If your shop already runs GibbsCAM you can follow along on that seat. If you do not have access to one, the GibbsCAM Student License gives you a learning seat of your own for $150 per year.

    • Any cancellations or re-scheduling must be made a MINIMUM of 10 working days prior to the course start date in order to acquire full refunds.
    • If cancellation is made within 5 to 10 working days of the course start date, there will be a 50% refund available.
    • If cancellation is made within 5 working days of the course start date, there will be no refund.
    • Cognus Institute reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule courses for any reason. If courses are cancelled, Cognus Institute will provide full refunds.
Where to next

Discover our other GibbsCAM training courses

Advanced Concepts sits in the middle of the milling track.

14 hours, 86 videos

GibbsCAM Essentials

Designed to provide a foundational understanding of GibbsCAM software, ideal for beginners or those looking to refresh their skills.

Discover more

23 hours, 142 videos

4 & 5-Axis Machining

Learn how to leverage the full power of GibbsCAM's 4 and 5-axis capabilities for more intricate and efficient machining processes.

Discover more