grey cat - survey says: XXX they do not need to be blowed-up. I used to think they had to be, but it just ain't so. In fact, exploding them and then exporting them leads to all kinds of flipped-normal nightmares. Sharen - you have already been of great assistance, but I wish I had queried you about export protocols before attempting to reverse-engineer your treasure chest tutorial. Foxhollow - I use what I have, and what I have six years experience in using. I am a trained machinist and professionally experienced mechanical draftsman. ACAD works, but it is certainly not dummy-friendly. I suspect Unigraphics Solutions Solid Edge will eventually kick ACAD out of the mechanical drafting/engineering market because it is more powerful, more versatile, more broadly compatable with CAM systems, and MUCH easier to learn how to use proficiently. (Pity UG can't get their act together with UG (CADCAM) - it is a persnickety bugger). However... can't afford another $3000 program right now. Oh, well. I will be upgrading my computer soon, and picking up a bunch of additional programs. Do you recommend Max? Why?