I am a certified Solidworks Associate, but my only previous use of Solidworks is to send parts to a 3D printer.  I am now interested in adding a CNC Wood Router to my workshop.  I think that I have solved the hardware side of the CNC wood router process, but now I need to know how you get a Solidworks part into a form that a CNC router will accept.  Is there a Solidworks output file format that is required to send to a CAM software product that will generate the proper G code?

I though that the expense of purchasing a CNC router was going to be the hardware, but now I think that the cost of the CAM software might be just as important.

I have been advised by a Solidwork's representative that either Mastercan or Solidcam are the best interface products for Solidworks designs.

Since, this is for my home workshop, the cost is an important part of this process.

Anyone that has experience in designing a part in Solidworks and has sent it to a CAM software product, please direct me in the right direction.

Thanks!