Mike,
Yes the quote for MasterCAM was at Westec in L.A. this year for a three-axis version that works as an add-in for Solidworks 2009. BTW Solidworks CAM software was about the same cost as MasterCAM. I have never used Alibrie.
I have been using Solidworks 2000 for about nine years. Previous to Solidworks I used Autocad 14…talk about a paradigm shift with a lisp. In High school I did take a drafting course that used Tsquares and triangles. Remember the various pencil grades H,HB,6H, etc? My main purpose for buying Solidworks 2009 is that I wanted Solidworks Simulation (FEA analysis software) so that I could completely model and optimize my product on the computer before building my next prototype. I had to buy a current seat of Solidworks in order to get Solidworks Simulation for assemblies and also for non-linear simualtion. The good thing is that Solidworks Simulation is an add-in that works seamlessly from within a Solidworks on a Solidworks part or assembly and one doesn't have to be an FEA Guru in using SW Simulation (I am an EE and find SW simulation very easy to use). BTW every seat of Solidworks has SimulationXpress for simulating and optimizing a single body part. Also I can run a linear FEA simulation (called a study in SW) and then easily run a nonlinear FEA simulation from the same data set by simply drag and drop the conditions (material, model, loading, fixturing, meshing, etc) onto the new nonlinear study. In Solidworks Simulation there is also an optimizing function so that I can set limits on the results and have Solidworks automatically vary part and or assembly parameters to find an optimized solid model that fits within the limits that were set. For example, I plan to optimize for minimum weight of my product while maintaining a set of performance conditions by milling slots or machining holes in the various parts. Or automatically change the dimensions (like thickness) or geometry (also use varying materials e.g. use BeCu instead of SS) of the 36 flexural strips used in my product. The problem now is that I need a new fast PC with a lot of memory in order to run simulations and optimizations in a timely manor. The Dell precision series of PC workstations with 64 bit OS are looking like just the ticket.
Solidworks is extremely powerful software with many add-ins available such as SprutCAM that can be called from within Solidworks. I bought Solidworks Premium version that also has extensive add-ins like Toolbox and Photoworks. Toolbox has a vast library of predefined parts such as fasteners and bearings. These smart parts can be easily dragged and dropped then automatically mated to holes created with Solidworks Hole Wizard. Or a smart part such as a subD electrical connector can be dragged and dropped onto an assembly in which the hole for the connector is automatically created along with the fasteners (screws, washers, nuts) to mount the subD connector. There are many companies that support 3D Solidmodels downloadable from the web. The Photoworks add-in allows for some pretty awesome photo realistic rendering to be done.
So Solidworks is not just parametric 3D modeling software, it is an extremely powerful design and modeling tool. BTW Solidworks also supports 3D scanners such as NextEngine directly into a solid model. See:
https://www.nextengine.com/indexSecure.htm
Don