Huh...

In the message board a discussion about layout tool was started (http://www.8052.com/forum/read.phtml?id=131862) and since I do not want to clog the original thread with off-topic stuff...

Question: What is your recommendation for layout tool?

Background: I'm a beginner that tries to learn how to design microcontroller based circuits.

Prior experience: I've tried to make PCB in Altium DXP, and so far have manually designed few simple single-sided boards (nothing more complex than a few IC components and a handful of passive elements). It is, however, to my experience very cumbersome way of designing a proper layout.

Reason for asking: I'd like to do complete design-deploy cycle to get acquainted with common problems/solutions along the way. I am aware that layout is part of the process that is usually done by a tech personal, bit I am still interested to try it for myself because:

1. I'm limited to kitchen-table level of design so I need to design my boards for myself, hence manually routed single-sided boards.
2. it will give me necessary insight into the process

Note: I've opted to start a new thread although there is already thread about schematics programs in general chat since it looked to me that layout problem would be off-topic there too. I'm using DXP for schematics too, and beside occasional quirks, it gives me no major trouble (aside from making my library from scratch)...

And a little side-topic: In the original thread I've received answer from Andy (thanks) which raised a few more questions so to start with one...
From your profile as well from previous posts I've understood that you are VHDL expert. Since I'm new to VHDL too (just simple counter/register/wishbone transceiver with elementary testbenches), and since I'm using (guess what?) DXP for that matter, I'm interested in your opinion (why have you excluded it and what is your recommendation)?

Thanks in advance,
Best luck,
CN