Students and teachers can obtain (including X9, though newer versions are recommended). This requires:
| Software | License Type | Approx. Cost | Key Strengths | |----------|-------------|--------------|----------------| | | Subscription | $545/year (or free for hobbyists/startups) | Integrated CAD/CAM, cloud-based, post library | | SolidCAM | Perpetual or subscription | $4,000+ | Seamless SolidWorks integration | | FreeCAD + Path Workbench | Open source (free) | $0 | No post-configuration needed; good for 2.5D | | EstlCAM | One-time payment | $65 | Simple, great for hobby routers | | Mastercam 2025 (current) | Subscription or perpetual | Contact reseller (≈$5,000–$15,000) | Full modern feature set, new toolpaths | mastercam x9 license key