So you need 5 axis programming and 3D surfacing? People do this all the time. "Mastercam is $22,000". Well it really depends what you need to do , or want to do.
Mastercam is upgradable. The cost to add on later is the same cost as buying it all up front.
Tell me what kind of machines you have, How many axis they have and what kind of parts you need to make?
If you walk into a car dealer and say I want this car with all the options, it will be expensive. But do I really need the heated seats if I live in Arizona?
Get what you need now to do the work you do now. Add functionality when you need to add functionality. I've seen people say "I want the 5 axis module, because I might get a 5X machine someday". That means, you dont need it now, so dont buy it now.
You'd be surprise just how much you can get done with a $6000 mill level 1 for everyday "job shop" work and rotary indexing. Make some money with it, then upgrade.
Hope this helps. Let me know what about your machines and parts.
Mike Mattera
Tips For Manufacturing Training CD's, DVD's for Mastercam, SolidWorks, Inventor, G-Code Training & More
http://www.tipsforcadcam.com