Hi all: 
Is there any affordable designing & machining software out there, like ArtCam Pro (for the hobbiest)?
Thanks.

Have a look at this:-

its 3D cad and its FREE 

http://www.alibre.com/products/

Graham.

And for low cost CAM have a look here :-

http://www.yeagerautomation.com/shop/product.pl?id=54

or

http://www.cadem.com/camlite/camlite.htm

Graham.

Thanks.  I looked at both programs but did not get the impression that they did high-end design then also handles the cam side.
Thank,.

Here are some very good programs made by very talented people.
James Booth is one of my favorites. Macho talented!!!


I would highly recommend using Rhino!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This program now offers CAD and CAM very good price and program

Rhino
http://www.rhino3d.com/index.htm

V-Carve

http://www.vectorart3d.com/VCarve/

Free 2d/3d CAM and other stuff

http://www.vectorart3d.com/

Models
http://www.carve3d.com/

You might want to llok at BobArt: http://www.bobcad.com/index.php?select_page=features_bobartprox&width=1280&click_source=na&campaign=na&content=na&visitor_tag=342540&keyword_page=

Doubt it compares to ArtCAM, but you get what you pay for.