Well I keep a Windows computer around for running programs I like
on Windows such as Rhino. If Rhino ever becomes avialble for Linux
I will dump Windoze all together.

Here is one of half a dozen "front ends" for EMC. I like this one
the best so far. 3D tool paths. If you don't like this one there
are five more to choose from.

-- 
Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

I know what you mean, I'm in the windows boat w/ my SolidWorks also.
That screen-set looks nice, the one feature that I like w/ MACH is that the
screens are totally customizable. It has a side program called Screen-designer
so you can creat all your own screen set's for whatever your prefer's mode of
operation is.  I think that alot of these NC programs actually have all the same roots.

It seem's to me that MACH might even be an off-shoot of EMC. I'll have to look back
and find where I read that... I do know he [ Art the creator of Mach] started w/ an
open source code and improved it for his own use and then found a market for it
and has been improving it continually since. I think it just comes down to
what you like and feel are critical needs and which system fits the bill! The thing
that swung me towards Mach was the cheap price [ its not free like EMC but its
only $159], the amazing tech support, free or nearly free upgrades to the next program level
[ Ie; Mach 2 to Mach 3 is free  Mach 3 to IV is supposed to only be $50 or something]
almost daily updates and upgrades to  service pack's,  excellent reputation
amoungst user's,  and something like 4000 users. Above it all, however was
the tech support.. Art replies to questions on a hourly basis.. not days, and you can search the
history for previously asked and answered questions via Yahoo. Also to simplify the
setup of the system he has about 10-15 video's on his site showing how to do it all,
and they are each about 10-15 minutes long. It seemed like the right choice.

I hope to hear how EMC works for you! I'll let you know if Mach cause's me issue's  :-)

Jarrett

OK Jarrett.