I've been using Rhino 3.0 in the demo version for the past week, and have about two saves left in the package before I have to register or lose it. I've been impressed, and probably enough to spring the 200$ loose for the student version.

The Solidworks student version is about 200$ as well.

Either of these two, to my understanding, will be an adequate CAD package.

I've been demoing both VisualMill 4.0, and DesKam for CAM packages. Visual seems to be VERY capable and very intuitive. I especially like the summary window with each of the milling actions on the left side of the screen. Since it won't let you process anything, I don't know what it puts out, and can't get a feel for ease of use.

Deskam seems easy to use, but it is cumbersome to do a bunch of different milling operations. If all I wanted to do was one operation (say "pocket", or "drill") it works well, but when I want to do more than one (cut a pocket, then drill holes) it tends to lose an operation. The easy way around this is to save multiple programs full of G-Code, and run them sequentially, or edit them manually. Still a pain in the butt.

Now for the questions.

I've been using Rhino, and find it very easy for me to use. For $200 I can buy it. I still need a cam package...

Visual Mill 4.0 Basic is offered with Rhino for 1000... Seeing as how I'm a student, that is way out of my league... I can spend at most $500 on software at this point.

Do any of the programs out there offer a complete student Cad/Cam package (Mastercam or OneCNC?) with both design and Cam?

Does anyone make a capable Cam package (like Visual Mill 4.0) at a student rate?

I spent my working money on a Taig Mill with the MicroProto controller. For what I want to do, it works quite well, and is very easy to use from Dos. I just need capable design and Cam package that I can afford.

Thanks for any help.