[spott]

What are some good schematic design programs, and do any of them have PCB layout software too? i'm interested in designing my own PCB's and I don't know what software to get

also, i'm kinda on a budget, so price can't be too high.

thanks

 

[Jupiter]

Eagle light edition is free: http://www.cadsoft.de/freeware.htm

There's also a 30-day trial version of Protel DXP: http://www.protel.com/product/trial.htm

Both of these also do PCB layout.

 

[jeffreyj]

Realizing that there is a great variation in opinion on this matter, I would recommend against Protel or Eagle not only for budgetary reasons, but because I don't feel either are any good for doing analog circuit layouts.

I mentioned my particular favorite for a complete schematic capture, circuit simulation and board layout suite called Proteus Lite in the DIY Feedback Links. I've tried many different brands of this type of software - some less expensive but most more - and I consider it to be professional-level quality. And no, I don't work for the people.

Proteus shareware site

 

[stereth]

I've used ExpressPCB for schematics and protoboard layout. (It's for PCB layout but I managed to get it to work usefully for protoboard.)