DAVE,
"Preferably cheap" can be subjective. Lets put it into relative terms.
Consider what you paid for the machine, tooling, some attachments,CNC controller ( drives/ power supply, cables),
PC. Lets say you that was $2000........ hmm.......lets be honest now
![Lips Sealed :-X](https://www.machsupport.com/forum/Smileys/default/lipsrsealed.gif)
Now comes the software end: Mach $150 +CAD+some type of CAM maybe= how much more do you want to spend.
The software is just as impotant as all the rest, so lets say it's worth 25% of the total package = $500
I will definitely recommend MACH, so that leaves $350.
So check out all the CAD or CAM that's available on the market and see what you can get for that money.
There must be a 100 CAD programas out there from free to big dollars. Start trying some free ones just to get a flavor of CAD.
I use AutoCadd and MicroStation, realisticaly, I probabaly only have to use 5% of these to get done what needs to be done to DXF out a file.
So high end dosn't mean money well spent.
Once you have a flavor of CAD, and have played with the wizards then progress into CAM. Not all software is equal by any means.
You can spend a life time evaluating software. CAM or the combinatioin CAD/CAM is another story, depends on what you want to do.
You won't get a loaded full sized car for a strippped sub-compact price. You can either hate or love or learn to hate some of them.
So work your way into the CAD or CAM. Honestly, I don't think $350 will not cut it when it's all
done and over with. And trust me
![Grin ;D](https://www.machsupport.com/forum/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
I'll never tell the boss
![Lips Sealed :-X](https://www.machsupport.com/forum/Smileys/default/lipsrsealed.gif)
.
RICH
.................................................HE WHO DIES WITH THE MOST TOYS WINS..............................................................