In the world of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), simulation technology has evolved from a luxury to what many consider an essential component. As we explore the landscape of CAM software today, three questions consistently emerge: Is simulation of tool paths in CAM truly a must have or merely a nice-to-have feature? What capabilities should we expect from simulation in today‘s modern CAM software and powerful hardware? And perhaps most importantly, what developments can we anticipate in the coming years?