The short answer to this question is yes, as long as:
Easel is already open.
The project is loaded.
The Easel Driver is installed and running.
While internet access is required to load and save Easel projects and to finish setting up a CNC machine profile, once a project is loaded, internet access is not required to work with or complete a carving.
Easel is designed so that core carving operations run locally on your machine, enabling you to design, generate toolpaths, and carve projects even in environments without reliable connectivity, such as workshops, garages, classrooms, or job sites.
Note: If you do make changes to an Easel project while working offline, you will need to reconnect to the internet to save them before closing the tab/window that the project is running in. Otherwise, these changes will be lost.
What happens if my Wi-Fi drops during a carve?
Nothing. The carve continues uninterrupted because machine control is local.
Why Internet Access Is Not Required For Carving
Easel separates cloud-based features from local machine control.
When you carve a project, the following critical components operate locally:
1. Design & Toolpath Data
Once a project is loaded in your browser:
The design geometry is already downloaded.
Toolpaths are generated within your browser session.
All carve instructions are computed locally.
No external server communication is required to execute the carve.
2. Machine Communication via Easel Driver
Easel uses a local communication bridge (the Easel Driver) to:
Connect your computer to your CNC machine via USB.
Send G-code and motion commands directly to the controller.
Monitor carve progress in real time.
This communication happens entirely between:
Your Computer ↔ Easel Driver ↔ CNC Machine
It does not pass through the Internet.
3. Real-Time Machine Control
During carving:
Movement commands are streamed locally.
The machine does not rely on remote servers.
If your Internet disconnects mid-carve, the job continues uninterrupted.
When Internet Access Is Required
Internet access is required for certain actions outside of active carving, including:
Logging into your Easel account
Opening projects stored in the cloud
Saving new changes to the cloud
Accessing shared projects
Installing updates
Using certain cloud-based features (e.g., Pro tools, asset libraries)
However, once your project is loaded and carving has started, the carve process itself is fully local.