In　this　paper,　a　software-based　geometric　error　compensation　method　using　the　machining　method　template　is　proposed　to　modify　the　long　and　complicated　G-code　file　with　multiple　machining　features.　Firstly,　an　error　model　is　established　to　evaluate　the　error　distribution.　Then,　a　new　segmentation　method　is　proposed　to　split　the　long　multi-axis　line　into　several　parts　with　the　same　length　to　eliminate　the　nonlinear　effect.　Furthermore,　a　compensation　scheme　according　to　the　machining　method　is　presented　to　determine　which　segments　and　axes　should　be　compensated　when　facing　with　a　long　and　complicated　G-code　file.　In　addition,　a　framework　is　developed　to　process　the　G-code　file　with　high　efficiency.　The　G-code　file　is　firstly　separated　into　the　motion　and　non-motion　command　files,　which　are　then　merged　together　to　form　a　new　G-code　file　after　the　motion　commands　are　modified　by　an　error　compensation　module.　Finally,　a　machining　experiment　with　a　test　workpiece　containing　multiple　features　is　conducted　on　a　five-axis　machining　center　to　validate　the　effectiveness　and　correctness　of　the　proposed　method.　©　2016,　Springer-Verlag　London.