Re: more on CADCAM raw material

I think that what you are looking for is the ability to draw the
shape of your starting material, kind of like if you were starting
with a casting, something that already has the rough shape?
For 90% of my machining requirements (2-2.5D) I would use Dolphin
CadCam.
For milling, to define the material starting shape I would draw the
outline of the material (rectangle/circle/complex profile), maybe
increasing the size of this by the cutter radius to allow the cutter
to step over the edge. Then I would draw the finished component
inside this. To machine it, select 'area clear', the material
starting shape would be the 'outside contour', the finished component
would be selected as an 'island', select which machining strategy is
to be applied, and the tool only cuts material, no 'fresh air'
cutting.
For turning, draw the starting material, draw the finished component.
To machine it, select 'turn', select the machining strategy, select
the finished profile, select the blank material profile (starting
material, rectangle/complex profile), again only material is cut.

HTH

Dave Pearson