Straw poll for CNC Mill software

[IMK1230]

Hello,
I am putting together a CNC based on a Syil X2 and I guess Mach3.
But I need the rest of the software to create my designs/drawing and I guess G-Code generation software.

Now I have been looking around the web now for three days trying to put together the package I need and just getting more and more confused. It seems there are a number of very good packages out there at the $3000 plus price that I simply can not justify buying for the little work I shall get out of them. Or lots of freeware that some how just don’t seem to have enough function like the very nice G-Simple as I need to create Island in Pockets.

So does anyone know of a good design/G-code generation package in the £250 region and or some freeware downloads that would come together to make a nice solution.

Basically: What do you use please?

Many thanks IMK

[Bubba]

IMK,
For a cad solution, there is the freeware Progecad ( www.progecad.com) that is available for private use. It is a close lookalike to Acad and produces dxf files that can be used in Sheetcam (£85 www.sheetcam.com) and the developer is now doing a re-write of the program (SheetCam TNG) that can be downloaded now (beta) for free from the same site.

As for my controller, I personally prefer Turbocnc which is a DOS based program.
(www.dakeng.com)