Re: CAD to CNC???

Solid works is like Texas Instruments. They have given their SW to schools in an attempt to get the new upcoming engineers and designers hooked on their SW. BTW I use a HP48G calculator also because it does math the right way. I have been using Mastercam since Version 5 (still have my floppies) I am currently running X3. I personally dislike STL files. I agree that they were meant to used on 3D printers. CAD to CAM files should always be IGS, X_T, or a few others.
And BTW I also use Mastercam for my design work. Solid Works is such a pain to use. It was not code writen by and for designers but created by software engineers who don't have a clue how to build anything.
I have actually sat side by side with a Solid works expert and raced them creating a solid part file from a 2d drawing and then creating the toolpath. MastercamX3 will finish both operations faster and more accurately that SW.

SolidWorks is now included in MX3.

But the above is just my opinion and hopefully does not offend anyone.

BTW, I use a 6 axis grinder and 5 axis (trundle) Mill daily. Programed with MC and controlled with Mach3.