We use AutoCAD for all our lasers at work… kinda
AutoCAD drives all our CO2 lasers, but we transfer the files to LaserCAD for the YAG’s…
Pretty fun stuff there; but programming doesn’t take that long, even for complex designes… I’ve done a 24x18" Firebird Formula WS6 Logo all custom done and it took me longer to get everything arranged the way I wanted it and crosshatched (for patterning in the fill-in areas because I only cut the outside, and etched the centers) than “programming it”, which took a hit of the print button and some editing of the paramaters.
As long as it’s a 2D design with etching and cutting, it’s not really a “programming” task persay, but more of a layout and print. If we’re talking a 5-axis (3D) Laser system than that’s an ENTIRELY different animal and needs to be programed like a true CNC machine.