@orangeLearner many thanks for your suggestions
@CrossRoads that board does look awesome, although i have slightly different set up. I will be using the LEDs in common-cathode-per-layer configuration. So my columns are anodes driven by the 595's through discreet PNP transistors. I guess the reason I with this approach (for my previous 4x4x4 bi-colored cube) was to save money. Hi-power shift registers are fairly expensive in this part of the world and difficult to find. Shipping to India would be a bummer from digikey or the likes I guess. And honestly i do this purely out of recreational purposes :).
Also, I wish to now get started on doing some home PCB etching. Just that I am too scared to get started on Eagle / KiCad. I have downloaded both but just dont know where to begin. Work has been hectic too. Would be great if you could shed some light on how to go about getting some insight into setting up PCB layouts etc.
Thanks
Nitin