Diptrace is free for non-commercial use, up to 250 pins.
http://www.diptrace.comAfter you install it, email them and tell them you are on the Homebrew_PCBs list and they'll send you a free registration code that enables it up to 500 pins, same limitations on non-commercial use but otherwise unlimited.
I found it very easy to start using, I've even made a few new part patterns. It seems to have every PIC made in there and a lot more ICs.
Steve Greenfield
no connection, just a happy user of the free version
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew Deschenes" <andybob_2@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there!
>
> I'm trying to teach myself to design and etch PCBs and I was wondering what software should I start with? I've been messing around with FreePCB and it seems pretty good, although if I understand it right it doesn't have any auto-routing function built in to it. Is there something decent (and FREE) that I can get that will handle the routing or is there a better overall software package I should be learning?
>
> Note: Whatever I use it must be freeware, as I don't have two nickles to rub together right now.
>