Which Software

[Ricardoco]

Ok I'll try to be more helpful but other than fork yokes you haven't told us anything and fork yokes can be done on any of the cheaper CAM programs..

Fork yokes was just an example, Do I have to learn CAD before i can progress? Bit like the chicken and egg question as I dont know what the machine is capable of, Im not sure what I will be doing, but if i have to wittle it down to its most basic i would have to just say 3D aluminium I suppose.
All i would like to know really is where would a beginner begin? i have looked at many of the programs suggested, I do keep returning to the aspire page because looking the tutorial videos I can see that this software is within my capabilities, Cut3d and Vcarve do look very capable. Im not too worried about buying software, but suggestions like Autocad and solidworks would not be helpfull... I am happy to hear peoples experiences with the more sensibly priced software with a lesser learning curve and maybe this will help me make the decision on what to spend my dollar on..

In no order and you will have to do the homework on Google for links.

Vectric Cut2D
Sheetcam
Cambam
Dolphin
Sharpcam

All these cost.

One free way with a bit of furkling about is to download the demo of Flashcut, this is a program similar to Mach in that it's a controller and requires a £1,000 signal box to work however the CAM side is not restricted as you need the box.

So load your DXF into Flashcut, answer all the boxes, tool, feeds, speeds etc and it will generate the code but won't cut it because there is no box.

Sooooooo, do a copy paste into Mach and you are away.

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From what i understand I use a CAD program to produce a model...or DXF file
I then use a CAM program and the DXF file to prepeare and convert the DXF file to G-Code
I then use Mach to interpret the G-Code into movements that produce the part on my machine.

Other than that there are the multi use programs CAD/CAM sort of stuff..

My knowlege is basic as i said...