CAM programs, surface/solids driven vs. line driven

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Hi,
I'm trying to decide on a CAM program, the g-code generator. If I've
got it right it seems that there are 2 main ways of defining the
part to be cut. Lines, arcs, polylines, etc., and surfaces or
solids. I've demo'd both types of programs. I haven't demo'd one
that does both though. My first thought is that I wouldn't really
want to have a program that only does it one way. It seems that both
would be the better choice if possible. Does that make sense. And I
don't want an "automatic" g-code generator type of program. I want
to really learn this stuff and be able to get into the machine
program and tweak it if need be. I demo'd a couple "automatic"
programs and I didn't like it. I couldn't get into the machine
program and mess with it if I wanted to.

If it helps I'm sort of angling toward either VectorCAM or
VisualMill at the moment. I demo'd Vector many months ago, just
tried VM last night. I have the newest Vector demo and will be
installing that in the next week or so.

Any other CAM programs that I might want to look at? VM has the
price advantage at the moment (I do want to have surfaces). $2000 is
over budget, but I would stretch it if it was worth it.

My machine will be a Taig mill to start with.

Thanks,
Monte