My machine has a conversational controller and will read *.dxf and *.m files. No matter what cam software is used, you still need the post processor. I can't see spending a lot of money on cad/cam software and more time to learn it, when my "gray matter" software seems to be working. No doubt down the road I will get caught up to 20th century technology.....:doah:
Regarding your profession--I had the pleasure of working for a time with the techs, scientists and engineers at Naval Surface Weapons Center-Dahlgren. These folks worked with our students at my middle school where I was principal. What these guys did in their spare time was absolutely amazing not to mention the weaponry were building and testing. The electromagnetic "Rail Gun" just blew my mind. Hobbies ranged from gunsmith-ing to full-on restorations of classic cars to intricate machine modeling.