🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello,
  I was waiting for a FAQ to be posted, but didn't see one, so I am
going to ask this though it is most certainly a FAQ.

Is there Software Available in the Public Domain for drawing scehmatics
and producing optimized layouts for PC boards.  When I say optimized
I mean minimum jumpers to avoid overlaps, weighting certain connections
in importance of shortness of line, etc.

I realize this is a tall order for Public Domain, if not is there something
cheap.  If this is not available what is the next best thing? 

Second how could I get my hands on it.

Third,  with this software, what is the most efficient way to etch it.  I
would specifiy that this would be for one or two working boards of a 
given type probably only one in most cases.  In some cases up to four or
five but that is it.


I have read the resist pen on a plotter, and milling bit on a plotter.
What about laser printer on acetate, I heard there are resist fluids
that can be hardened with UV light(black light), rinse, than etch?  Is this
the way it is normally done?

Why am I interested?  I am a PChem Grad Student and often end up building
small digital circuits for pulse delays and such.  Right now I use circuit
stick, or something like that, and 22 gauge wire.  Very sloppy!  Sometimes
some higher speed projects have a lot of cross talk.  I realize that printing
the circuit won't eliminate that immediately but I think it would go a
long way towards simplifing the debugging process, and may on its own eliminate
some of the problems.  Also keeping track of completed schematics is a problem
of mine, having them in a computer would help.

Thanks in advance,

Mitch Dernis