Schematic and PCB Layout Software Suggestions?

[suppernann]

I´ve been using Cadsoft EAGLE. The best PCB software in my eyes. Its easy to use for beginners.
More informations here: http://www.cadsoftusa.com/eagle-pcb-design-software/

[RossWaddell]

Thanks supermann. I found Eagle CadSoft a few months back and have been using it since. The schematic editor is great, once you figure out how to find the parts you need. As for the board layout editor, I'm finding it a bit tricky in terms of doing the traces and getting it ready for a PCB maker.

[timmers]

I use Easy PC. http://www.numberone.com/easypc.asp
Not too bad for the price and a free try before you buy.
The help desk is quite useful too. We do some pretty big/small designs on it, multi layer etc.

[mackrackit]

I agree with Lester
http://www.designspark.com/page/Desi...-PCB-Home-Page

[Heckler]

Kicad worked for me...
My first design... autorouter (web based) very effective.

bottom line ... they all have a VERY STEEP learning curve.

which ever one you choose, google for any associated guides/tutorials and take advantage of them.

good luck

[dhouston]

bottom line ... they all have a VERY STEEP learning curve.

Not all. Sprint Layout is inexpensive and has an extremely simple, intuitive interface. You can be doing complex layouts almost immediately. It's multilayer.

However, there is no integrated schematic capture and its autorouter is very rudimentary.

They have a demo version: http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/sprint-layout.html