This paper discusses the use of expert software which directly programs Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling equipment from engineering style Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) drawings. Currently available software provides only semi-automatic programming based upon strict drawing format, user selected tools and user supplied tool path information. Direct Programming System (DPS) derives part feature, tool selection, and tool path from “loosely” specified CAD drawings without direct user control. Other CNC programming methods are error prone and are slow to produce accurate CNC programs. The new technology eliminates programming error and completes processing in seconds rather than hours or days, thus providing for a true Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) environment. DPS is in use on various 2D and 3D milling environments as well as on several types of small or personal computers and CAD systems. Additional systems and environments can be supported. DPS is designed to operate efficiently with AutoDesk, Inc.'s AutoCAD and Hewlett Packard 9000/320 ME-10 (HP-UX) based drawings. An additional implementation is running on SCO XENIX/386. This paper presents technology and productivity improvements for various classes of DPS systems available today. Examples of actual use, productivity improvements and product dependencies are discussed and illustrated.