"free and open alternatives which should be available in the next six months"?

[ronlawrence3]

The wiki has some alternatives too here

The Belt Maslow (a.k.a Maslow 4) Manual

5. Toolchain Software This section discusses software for designing and cutting projects. In general, you will need some type of design software (unless you are using someone else’s design without modification), and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software to convert the design into the gcode instructions that the Maslow follows to cut the design. Design software can be as simple as drawing software that creates a 2D pattern which can be combined with the user’s instructions on how deep and …