Solid Edge Origin as a Design Tool to feed a CAM Program?

First, I want to thank and encourage those of you who are responding
to my initial post. I will accumulate these and probably post some
document in the future with the information I have distilled from
these email exchanges...

I do not have enough of an understanding to know if this is all I
need. I do not believe that it generates any G code so I would still
need another product to do that. So, for starters, let me ask for
your feedbacl on this product for its suitibility as a CAD product
for my application which is to eventually design and CNC Machine
small parts for robots.

One of the products that was recommended to me in the robot forum
(PARTS) is Solid-Edge.

While, I am sure that the full product is probably many many
thousands of dollars, they have two products that mey be of interest
to hobbyists. I will share what I know and ask, that if you know
anything about these products, to please post your comments.

First of all, their starter product, Solid-Edge Origin is available
for free here: http://www.solid-edge.com/Origin/

Solid Edge Origin is a free, limited-function version of their
complete Solid Edge software. The "Save" is functioning, but the
software has to be obtained through a CD request and not download .
It includes 3D modeling of basic parts, a complete 2D drafting
system, import and export of 2D CAD data, and tutorials.
Created by Unigraphic Soultions.

Other than running through the tutorial to make a bucket for a
frontloader, I have not tried to export anything into another product
so that I could create tool paths. I do not even know if this initial
Free product will allow that. My expeience is limited so I'm not sure
of what to look for.

THE NEXT STEP UP, ONCE YOU GET HOOKED, seems to be the Solid Edge
Origin Plus for $495 at http://www.solid-edge.com/Origin/3d.htm



Comments welcome and I'm happy to share what I learn.,

-Eric