PCB layout now days is made much simpler, when I first started it was tape and scalpel work and often long long hours.

I use 3 professional schematic capture program depending on what I need to do and how many layer of track I require and simulation work.

There is lots of Spice type program and the most easiest to use I found is from Linear Technology or LTC.

LTspice IV

Can be found here.

www.linear.com/designtools/software/#LTspice


Many other freebee can be found here.



download.cnet.com/s/pcb-layout-programs/


I prefer Proteus, with Orcad and whilst at Hughes Micro Electronic and Naim Audio I used Mentor Graphic.

Mentor Graphic is not for the faint hearted and is bloody hard to use.



www.mentor.com/uk/


www.orcad.com/

www.labcenter.com/products/pcb/pcb_overview.cfm


Some of these company will allow you to download a Demo or student version free but beware lots of limitations.



Now go have fun chaps.