Let me see if i can apply what little i know on the subject.. this is actually where i'm having my bigest problems right now.. software...
ok, first you need software to draw what it is you want to cut. this is your CAD. then you need CAM software, this converts the drawing into gcode. then you need controller software, ie Mach3. what the controller software does is reads the g code, and puts the commands out (like with mach 3 throught the parallel port) as electrical pulses to the motor drives.
now i have read about some software that has the cad and the cam all in 1, but i cant speak on its effectivness, as i haven't tried it.
i'm trying to use rhino for my cad, and i'm definately using mach 3 its the inbetween part that i'm having troubles with... so far i have playd with lazy cam, and it would be ok for simple stuff, but it chokes on the things i'm drawing..
good luck to ya.. oh, and just a tip, if you think your asking a "been asked" kinda question, do a couple searches for it and see what you come up with, then if you still have questions, you can still ask them ofcourse, but it might save you some time waiting for people to answer...
Grizzly X3, CNC Fusion Ballscrew kit, 3 500oz-in bipolar steppers, 3 203v Gecko's, Linear power supply from Hubbard CNC, Mach 3, BOBcad Pro Art V22, Rhino.