I'm learning a lot while trying to get my CNC producing decent output. Having to delve into schematic capture and PCB design, which I've not done since uni days, followed by conversion to gcode, levelling and milling.
In gcode the learning curve is basically Y10 (
sorry, bad joke).
I picked kicad because I don’t like the idea of being beholden to Autodesk, and I’m a Linux/Mac person, but it’s pretty complicated. Quite a lot to take in!
And for “isolation routing” I’m using FlatCAM, which eats gerbers and spits out gcode. And the last bit is bCNC, which controls the actual CNC.
I love that the full stack is free, but didn’t bank on so many layers!
@m0puh I’ve been using Eagle since version 4, but I refuse to buy subscription-based software. At some point I’ll have to decide between keeping an old computer running to stay with v7.7, spending thousands to switch to a pro system, or learning how to use KiCad. The fact that #2 is a viable option should tell you what I think of KiCad.
@kr4dio Some pretty strong feelings!
I'm hoping that it'll be less painful if I start with kicad, I have no intention of spending any money, especially when I don't really know what I'm doing 
I'm also hoping kicad 6 makes things easier.
@m0puh It's been a couple of years since I looked at kicad -- maybe it's time to check it out again. I like this note in the v6 roadmap doc "when in doubt about any particular UI solution, check how it has been done in a certain proprietary app that is very popular among OSHW folks and do exactly opposite"
@kr4dio sounds like fun advice! I’d be interested in hearing how you think they compare.