I use a NextWave CNC router for wheels and body parts, and making names. This machine is powered by Vectric’s Aspire design software.
CNC toolpaths require a lot of design work. Though software creates the path the cutting bit follows, the design is human driven.
The machine operates in three directions, X,Y,Z. X is side to side movement, Y is away and toward the operator movement, while Z is up and down.
When setting things up, the three axes are zeroed based on where the cutting bit is located, so the CNC brain knows exactly where the bit is in relationship to the work piece.