rackbox -
Seems like buscht got about 90%+ on the questions you were looking for! I'll add: you can use Coreldraw to do some 2 1/2 D work and still need to get it into G-Code however. I did a short rerview -- you might take a look at the "magazine" section on the 'zone here - "the quest for 2 1/2 or 3D" (or something like that!) or do a search on CorelTrace here and Google. Torchmate has a nice review of using Corel and thats what turned me on to the method.
Best of luck - The answers you've gotten already put you miles ahead of where I was a year or so ago! Cheers - Jim
Experience is the BEST Teacher. Is that why it usually arrives in a shower of sparks, flash of light, loud bang, a cloud of smoke, AND -- a BILL to pay? You usually get it -- just after you need it.