Dewayne,
You bet this is the place for this type of question.  Welcome to the world of
PCB design.  IMHO, there are two basic things you must learn to be a successful
PCB designer.  One is all the rules associated with PCB design, that is design
for manufacturing, design for test, design for repair, etc.  and the other thing
is mastering the software used to accomplish item one.  The IPC has several
seminars and training materials along with there certification program.  I have
also found seminars by Mary Sugdan of the Copper Connection, Jim Blakenhorn of
SMT Plus and the annual PCB Designers Conferences (EAST/WEST) to be very
informative.  These types of things along with on the job work experience will
help you with item one.  As far as the software goes, well, good luck.  Try to
find a users group that is active where you can go to get tips on how to use the
tools.  Otherwise it's a case of dive in and play with the software so you can
get it to do what you want.  Good luck.

Jim Bauer
Artesyn Technologies
Madison, WI    USA
53717
(608)831-5500

Dewayne Lawson wrote:

> At the suggestion of  others, I am reposting a message I previously posted
> on TechNet.
>
> I hope this is a valid question for this particular forum.
>
> Recently I have been transferred to the Engineering Department at the
> company I have been employed with for over eight years. This is a promotion
> for me.
>
> I have an A.S. degree in electronics and started out as a calibration/repair
> technician, moved up to Technician supervisor/trainer. I worked in the
> manufacturing side for most of my eight years here.
>
> I have been given the challenge to learn PCB layout. I was wondering if
> anyone could provide me with some ideas on how to get started. I have
> AutoCAD and ORCAD experience, however, I  have never performed any PCB
> design. My company is currently using Protel for the PCB layout software.
> (our former designer relocated, so I do not have the luxury of an
> experienced person in-house).
>
> I appreciate any advice you may provide. My boss signed me up with IPC
> immediately, so I figure that's a good start.
>
> Dewayne E. Lawson
> American Magnetics, Inc.
> Oak Ridge, TN    USA
> 423-482-1056 (Ext. 30)
> [log in to unmask]