I am by no means an expert, in fact I am not even a spurt, but I am headed exactly where you are. My machine will need to be much heavier and larger than yours would because I will be carving gunstocks. The way I have my machine laid out right now is a 4 axis with the x axis being the long axis and carrying the 4th axis rotary system. Like you I am seeing another machine in the future but it will be a minature 6 axis for doing minute carvings in wood, wax and maybe gold. I am thinking of jewelry here! If you spend enough time here the guys and Jennifer will give you most all the help you will need.
I am learning Rhino v 3.0 with Flamingo for my 3d modeling. I am waiting to see if v.19 of Bobcad can carve from one of those models and do it easily. If not, I will either go with Onecnc or Rams for my cams program. Rams currently has a full 4 axis program for somewhere around $1000 +/-. If you are interested in the Rhino, pm me with your email and I will hook you up with the best prices in the nation unless you are a student.
Do you do your own cad work. If not that is something that can be outsourced. I am having one done from my Rhino file to Solidworks now. The shop that is going to do some carbon fiber work for me likes the stl from Solidworks. I can't tell you why cause I have no idea.
turmite
No greater love can a man have than this, that he give his life for a friend.