What software do you use for CNC programming?

[ToddF]

Our team has been taking a critical look at how we can best improve our performance. We have identified as providing the most benefit the development of solid modeling skills and CNC fabrication capability in our students. Our mechanical mentors are experienced ProE (now Creo) users, and we can get free student editions of ProE through the FIRST PTC sponsorship. But, we aren't sure what software to use for CNC programming. If the ProE CAM modules were included in the student versions of the software, that would be most ideal. But, I don't think that is the case.

What software are other teams using for CNC programming? Are you able to get it for free? Or do you just rely on your sponsors to provide you with licenses or do your programming for you? Does anyone have a spare MasterCAM license laying around unused?