pro/desktop esxpress DXF export - any use?

I recently grabbed a copy of pro/Desktop Express and played with it
some. I like it - especially the price.

So now I come to design a part and want to have it machined at work. The
guys there say - create a DXF file of the part. Create a drawing looking
down onto the part at the face to be milled (it has a recess and five
holes to mill out).

I have spend several hours tonight with as many demo bits of software I
can get my hands on and I cant get a DXF file out of pro/Desktop that
any of them can read and turn into G codes. Now I know that DXF is a
very moveable goal with any number of variations but this is just daft.

I am not sure what software they use at work but I will eventually want
to do this stuff at home and none of the affordable stuff seems to be
working for me here.

Can pro/Desktop do what I want or should I toss it? How do I know what
type of DXF file is right? Are there any alternatives - such as IGES?
Should I just give up and buy a new hacksaw and a set of files?

Tired, fed up, going to bed. Please help :)

Pete
Peter Harrison
http://micromouse.cannock.ac.uk/