In eagle I can run a ulp which yields all the SMD pad centre coords for a CNC solder paste dispenser (so I can do something like this ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG_Sy0FT3EA ).....is there any equivalent to a ulp for diptrace or am I limited to the export options to get such stuff? (by the looks of it the pick and place export won't likely give me what I need which is the XY coords for each pad centre, not as it seems what the pick an place export outputs - the component centre)

There is no equivalent option in DipTrace. Idea is good, I will keep it in mind.