CNC CAD Software?

[txagteacher]

I am an Welding/Metal Fabrication Teacher in Texas and currently I have a PlasmaCam. I have used Torchmate CAD/CNC and twiddled in Inkscape, but I am trying to find a reasonable Design program. I have looked at Plasmacam DesignEdge for two grand and they don't have a special price for schools.

Does anyone know of a reasonably priced ($200 - $800) CAD program that I could design in and export the dxf into the plasmacam?

Any comments would help.

Thanks,

[iou]

Have you looked into DraftSight? Its a free open source CAD program that works similarly to AutoCAD. It may be just what you need to get started.

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/overview/

[JJsCustomDesigns]

I use CorelDrawx4 to draw. I know CorelDrawx5 is out now and alot of ppl really like it.

That might be an option too.

[minnfatz]

I'm a little late to the show here, but I use Turbocad and I picked it up for less than $50. It is really powerful software for both 2D and 3D.

[SCHIDTHEAD]

I agree with minnfatz TurboCad is all I use now--MSRP 129.99..got mine at office max.. I work it better than my vector drawing programs and for rendering in 3-D, its pretty cool; its great for the money.