Are there any open source PCB CAD projects?

I've tested many different free PCB design programs and demoed a few pay programs, including Pulsonix. I'm currently using the freeware version of Eagle and will be purchasing the full version of it's board editor soon.

However, what has struck me about all of these programs is how poorly designed their user interfaces are. Many reek of a slightly polished DOS program. I keep seeing, in every one, things that I could do better and features I wish I had. They all make the simple task of drawing lines insanely difficult.

I used to dabble in C (self taught, never learned C++), but have not done any programming in quite some time. I'm seriously thinking about getting a good C++ book and one on Windows GUI programming and starting my own open source project. I have seen TinyCAD, but it is strictly a schematic editor.

Are there any open source projects along the lines of Eagle? If not, I'll be heading down to my local book store tomorrow. If I were to do this, would anyone here be interested in working on it with me?

It would start simple, with a schematic and board editor, before moving to more advanced stuff like SPICE and autorouting. It would have a very simple user interface, reminiscent of a drawing program, with multiple windows and clearly understandable tools grouped into dockable floating windows. I would make sure that learning it did not require a degree, so no headaches, blurred vision or throbbing temples.

kicad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kicad

GPL, lots of libraries available... schematic editor as well as PCB layout, so it can remind you if you've forgotten or mangled a trace... did I say GPL?

I am really starting to give this some serious thought. While I hate reinventing the wheel, there has just got to be a better and easier way to do PCB routing. My issue is and has always been the terrible and difficult to learn user interfaces and the restrictions the software companies impose, which 99.99% of the time is for their financial gain and not due to PCB manufacturing restrictions. So, that's where I'd start. This project is clearly over my head, but that's never stopped me before and I like a challenge.

The list of features that I currently want is:

1.) Up to a 1 meter x 1 meter board size.
2.) A minimum trace width of at least 50 microns, possibly smaller.
3.) No component or pin count restrictions, save for available memory issues.
3.) A user interface very much reminiscent of Adobe Illustrator and the like, with clearly defined tool icons, multiple floating windows and tools that look and act like what you see in a commercial drawing / illustrating program.
4.) A HAND TOOL! I don't know who it was that decided for all of us that a hand tool was a thing of the past, but I want to find him and beat the crap out of him!
5.) A component editor that actually makes sense and doesn't require a college course to figure out. Again, see #3.
6.) Up to 256 trace layers. I know, very excessive, but it fits into a byte and you'll never run out. Besides, this would make it somewhat future proof.
7.) The ability to make any object, text, rectangles, circles, polygons, etc., a legitimate and usable trace and / or component pad without the DRC screaming at you. Why doesn't Eagle allow this? Who knows.
8.) No restrictions on SMD pad sizes. I know of one instance where someone couldn't make a SMD inductor component in Eagle because the inductor's pad size exceeded Eagle's undocumented maximum. There was and still is no good workaround.
9.) One version, one license (free), no restrictions!


What would you guys like to see? What has been bugging you with your current software? What have you seen that you think could be done better?