Brian Scearce wrote:
>
> All the recent talk about AP circuits inspires me to ask: what is
> a good tool for a hobbyist to use for doing PCB layout?  APC offers
> Easytrax, is that a good product?
>
>
Brian,

Since I'm sort of a hobbyist myself, I may see things more
from your angle.
About EasyTrax by Protel: Probably the only FREE product.  Alas,
it runs under DOS, which disqualifies it for me.
Drivers for common printers and graphic cards are included.
An alternative is:

1. Protel Advanced PCB. (www.protel.com).  Fully working demo,
   but limited to 200pads or 20 components.  Takes some learning,
   but is excellent i.m.o.  You can have more than 20 components
   if you draw them using discrete pads. Might be a good idea
   learning this one if you plan to work in the industry.

   Note that it is licensed for evaluation only!  I don't think
   anyone would mind if a hobbyist makes one or two PCBs for his
   own use, though.  The full version is expensive, so perhaps
   you want to read on:

If you're prepared to pay a wee bit, there are two good
alternatives, both very intuitive.

2. PIA. (www.waldherr.com) About 70 USD, If I remember right.
   Nice.  Definitely worth the buck (quid?) and good enough
   for a hobbyist.  Look at the downloadable demo! Save disabled.

3. SuperPCB by Mental Automation
http://www.mediawhse.com/mentala/mentala.html).    Definitely nice.
Save disabled in downloadable demo.  Price is
   like 170 USD or thereabouts.
   Used and recommended by several subscribers to this list.

My PCB strategy is to make single-sided cards, with most components
on the component side (how about that) but all resistors
surface-mounted on the foil side.  Since the PIC has centralized
power leads, it's easy and advantageous to fit a surface-mounted 0.1uF
cap under the PIC, between Vdd and Vss.  If you haven't tried SMD and
don't have ready access to components, I'll gladly send you coupla
hundred resistors for nothing.  Mail me directly, not the list.

Good luck

Gustaf