Brakeman, I am on a similar task as yourself in that I am studying Mastercam for translations. We use Cadkey 99 currently in our tool and fixture design dept.s. We recently purchased a seat of Mastercam to for our NC programming dept., the other software is CAMAX. Mastercam performs well as a cam package, a draw back is the large sized out-put machine files. I work in solids and export files to the Mastercam station and CAMAX station nearly exclusively. We don't use Mastercam for NC turning, we do alot of contour milling and engraving though. My files come through Mastercam nicely in both surfaces and wire-frame (desolidified solids). I would agree with the other replies you've gotten regarding Mastercam's translators, this in fact was a major influence in our purchase decision. We have the Catia translator but haven't done alot with it yet. Mastercam has stronger translating ability than any other software we've tried. Cadkey 99 has improved greatly but without the Mastercam conversions, I would be working with a lot less useable design geometry. Please keep me informed on any information you dig up. You might also inquire on the Cadkey wedsite for more user input. Regards, Max