Steve you come across from your post as having no experience of machining.

So I would suggest software that has good simulation. This would allow you to see what happens when you make a mistake in ordering the toolpaths. This all happens before you take it to the machine.

You need to check out demos or in some cases you can have an online demo to see if it suits you.

The zone has forums for the most popular software, there you will see the good and bad side of the programs.

The fact that you are using solidworks, I would start with solidcam.

Phil

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