Beginners software

Greetings,

I have been toying with microcontrollers with the idea of being able
to control a drilling machine I created.

It is designed to drill into shafts, so there is only X and Z axis,
no Y axis.

Can someone recomend a beginners software to let me control a couple
of Stepper motors, set some limit switches and control some solenoids
to lock the part in postions?

My experiance is much more mechanical than electical. I'm just
starting out.

It seems there is a higly involved milling, tool path, type of
software but not a simple package.

Any help/suggestions are appreciated.

Dave