Thanks for the responses, keep them coming, here is where I am:
Autocad: Since this is where I am at the moment with 2.7 boards to the 
point where I have etched, going to try to use "GERBERCON" to convert 
the DXF to Gerber. Does anyone have comments on Gerbercon?

Future: KiCad looks really inviting, and will probably go that direction 
for both schematic and board for future.

Fabrication: Looks like there are numerous vendors out there, haven't 
heard anything bad yet, and there are a couple of favored. Pricing and 
delivery (not critical at this time, a couple of weeks OK), similar, 
depends on size board and options, probably pick closest one (Northern 
Ohio) with good turn around and pricing for what future board sizes 
might be.

Martin Klingensmith wrote:
> Sorry I'm replying to Carl, not Timothy
> AutoCAD can export to postscript, you can convert postscript to just 
> about anything with the right tools.
> I'm not sure how you'd do the drill file though.
> For the future, you may want to check into Eagle like Tim was saying. 
> The free version would probably be quicker than using AutoCAD to make  
> PCB, due to it's having schematic capture and "rats nest" generation. 
> You don't have to think quite as hard about what trace connects what to 
> what.
> I recently used Futurlec.com to get a circuit board made. The prices are 
> pretty much unbeatable unless you do it yourself. They accept Eagle 
> files directly, or Gerbers.
> They are not in the USA (if you care)
> --
> Martin K
>
> Timothy J. Weber wrote:
>   
>> Carl Denk wrote:
>>   
>>     
>>> I will have 3 boards, 2 sided, to be etched and drilled, will be looking 
>>> for 3 or 4 copies of each board. I have Autocad
>>> that I have been working on the prototype boards which I have etched 
>>> with moderate results using the laser printer iron on method. I would 
>>> like to try having the boards fabricated out. Maximum size is 4" square. 
>>> This is in the USA.
>>>
>>> 1: Suggestions on software to either convert the Autocad to Gerber and 
>>> drill files, or use some other software to start with.
>>>     
>>>       
>> I like Eagle; it can do 4" square in the free version, is not too hard 
>> to learn, and is popular among hobbyists.
>>
>> ViewMate is a free Gerber viewer from pentalogix.com that might be 
>> useful in doing a direct conversion.  It imports from a lot of different 
>> file types, including BMP; I don't see DXF listed, but maybe it can use 
>> something that Autocad can export.
>>
>>   
>>     
>>> 2: Suggestions on a house to fabricated the boards, including ones to 
>>> stay away from.
>>>     
>>>       
>> I use Advanced Circuits.  They're not the cheapest, but they're high 
>> quality, very reliable, excellent service, made in the USA, and fast. 
>> (Plus they include free popcorn.)  Their weak point is ordering, from a 
>> hobbyist perspective - there are several different "front door" web 
>> sites you have to choose from if you want to get the best price on a 
>> small quantity.  If you don't need silk screen or solder mask, their 
>> barebonespcb.com site is cheapest and very fast.  If you do, their "3 
>> for $33" at 33each.com is the cheapest.  For more than 3 or 4, their 
>> standard prototype service may start to be cheaper.  I wish they would 
>> just roll this all together into one form, but there it is.
>>
>> Hope that helps.
>>   
>>     
>
>   
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