Kicad is by far the best free CAD program out there.
http://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_PageI use it all the time, it's freaking awesome.
No limitations at all, runs on Winblows, Linux and I think Mac.
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "ae5ew" <ae5ew.us@...> wrote:
>
> Hi. I'm new here. How about a list of the 'best' free programs? Charles AE5EW
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "James" <jamesrsweet@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Have you checked into the student/non-profit version? It might be
> > > useful if you qualify. Remember that the parts placement is within
> > > the limits, but traces and text can go anywhere. That might help.
> > >
> > > I'd go for the schematic and layout, but skip the autorouter upgrade
> > > if it saves you money.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > Why anyone would go with one that costs ∗anything∗ or is crippled when there are perfectly capable and completely ∗free∗ packages out there is beyond me though! If my employer were paying for it and a commercial package offered features that would make me significantly more productive then I'd look at costly packages, but I can't fathom spending hundreds in personal money.
> >
>