best software for pcb design
The best layout program.....if I had a penny everytime I've heard this question. I've been doing layout for over 15 years now. The other poster had the right idea about schematic capture. You want the schematic to work well with the layout package. There is no doubt there are going to be changes in your design that you will want to make during or after your layout. Another thing to consider for layout is complexity. Are you doing thru hole, surface mount, mixed? Simple decals or will you be doing 256 pin BGA's? The real answer to your question is.....the best layout package is the one you decide to use. You will learn everything there is about it. Bugs, shortcuts, etc. I've used many and at the time I used them, well I thought they were the best package out there. After using some I can look back and see things I liked more from one to another. But the bottom line is that there is no package that has it all. Personally I used PadsPcb right now. Have been for 7 years. Before that it was PCAD, Eagle, and some that aren't even around anymore. (I'm aging myself so I'll stop there) Hope this helps a little.
Rick DeMorrow