[Cory]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

No machining tool I've seen uses AutoCAD -- rather, they typically use GCode. Such code can be written by hand or generated automatically based on drawings created in any number of CAD packages. It is true that most CAM packages can read AutoCAD's DWG format, though it is by no means the only format they'll accept.

In our lab, we use a variety of programs in conjuction with the different machines.

Our CNC mill runs on GCode generated using MasterCAM V. 9, which in turn uses DXF or DWG formatted files that I can export from Solidworks.

Our laser cutter acts similarly to a printer and so we use Microsoft's Visio as a CAD/CAM application. It allows us to draw basic shapes easily, but also can import DXF or DWG formatted files from other CAD packages.

Finally, our plasma cutter is set up to use SheetCAM to generate GCode based on DXF or DWG files.

There are some machine tools that have native support for DXF files and can create the g-code for the part themselves, without using a CAM package.

As to the original question, I hate AutoCAD for it's lack of parametrics, liked Inventor, and love Solidworks.