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GibbsCAM
Essentials

Part setup, toolpaths, and turning. Takes a new hire from their first part to confident, independent programming.

Two ways to take this course

On-Demand 86 lessons over 14 hours, watch anytime $495/year Live Online 8 classes over 2 weeks with an instructor $1,245/seat
See dates and pricing See what is covered

Watch the introduction module from the course

The course

Master GibbsCAM basics

GibbsCAM Essentials is a comprehensive foundational course that will teach you how to leverage GibbsCAM to its fullest potential, helping you create efficient machining strategies while adopting best practice skills. Led by experienced instructors, our proven curriculum is designed to ensure a practical, hands-on learning experience. Periodic quizzes help you remember what you learn and keep you engaged.

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

What the course covers

26 topics across 86 lessons.

  • GibbsCAM Interface
  • Drawings and Dimensioning
  • Viewing Options
  • Tool Creation
  • Processes and Operations
  • Plugins
  • Post Processing
  • Solid Modeling
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Documentation
  • Preferences
  • Toolpath Generation, Milling and Turning
  • Machining Strategies
  • Workgroups
  • Tool and Process Lists and Libraries
  • 4 and 5-Axis Positioning
  • Polar and Cylindrical Machining
  • VoluMill™ / VoluTurn™
  • Custom Stock
  • Advanced Tool Creation
  • Engraving
  • Customize GibbsCAM Interface
  • Threadmilling
  • Multi Process Machining
  • Simulation, Graphics and Animation Options
  • Linear/Rotary Broaching
Your instructor

Andy Barney

Applications Engineer

Andy combines his vast industry technical experience with many years of machining and programming experience in multiple different CAM software solutions. His training and technical background lets him understand our customers' technical needs and how to solve their issues.

  • 25Years in CAD/CAM software and manufacturing
  • 17Years of training and technical experience
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
$495 /year
$1,245 /seat
See On-Demand options
See upcoming classes
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 GibbsCAM Essentials, you have access to 14 hours of training through 86 high-quality videos.

GibbsCAM Essentials

  • 86 video lessons, 14 hours
  • Short 10-minute lessons
  • Periodic quizzes
  • Taught by working GibbsCAM programmers
  • Rewatch any lesson, any time
  • 365-day access
$495 per seat, per year Add to cart

Or keep going and save

GibbsCAM Essentials + Advanced Concepts

Adds advanced toolpaths, solids-based programming, and simulation. The next step on the milling track.

$995Save $95
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.

Sept 1 to 112026
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $250 value
$1,245 Enroll Closed
October 6 to 162026
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $250 value
$1,245 Enroll Closed
Dec 1 to 112026
8 classes over 2 weeks, 9am to 12pm Pacific
Tuesday to FridayIncludes 50% off the matching On-Demand course, a $250 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.

Event times are listed in your local time zone:

Frequently
Asked Questions

  • What are the computer requirements?

    • 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).

  • Are there prerequisites for this course?

    GibbsCAM Essentials is a comprehensive, introductory training course. There are no pre-requisites for this course.

  • Do I need a GibbsCAM license?

    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.

  • What is the cancellation policy?

    • 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

Ready to take your training further?

GibbsCAM Essentials is where the milling track begins.

13 hours, 76 videos

Advanced Concepts

A deeper dive into the powerful capabilities of GibbsCAM including working with solid models and coordinate system control.

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
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