searching for PCB design software (preferably free)

[Dave_K.]

Has anyone here used PCB layout/design software (something preferably free)?  I'd like to layout the "49-way to hall effect" circuit in a PCB design program, let the autorouting do its magic, and print it out so I can etch a prototype board.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Lilwolf]

but there isn't a good way to hack a halls effect joystick to a PC.

So you are planning on getting an arcade game that currently has a halls effect joystick and replacing it with a 49 way?

Or if you want to hack it.  You might consider hacking the 49 -> an PC joystick.  Normal PC joysticks have a 100k Pot.  So you could come up with a simple design that would do it.  

1st find out the pinouts and what happens on the 49.  I don't know if its pin1, then pin1 and pin2, then pin1,2 and 3.  Or if its pin1 then pin2 then pin3 as it moves outside.  But either way you are looking for a conversion to resistence.

good luck

[Dave_K.]

<mod> Oh just in case anyone is confused, this is the Happ 49-way joystick, and not the older sinistar style 49-way</mod>

If you want to understand the 49-way stick, there is a basic writeup on it in the "Controls" section of this site.  The circuit to which I'm refering to is linked under the "Console Controls" section.  I'm hacking a 49-way to an analog joystick on a PS2 Dual Shock.  Its primaily going to be used to play analog PS2 games in my cabinet, but can also be used on a PC/Mame via the USB converter.  

Why the 49-way? I've tried hacking pc analog sticks, with mixed results.   I also just happen to have 3 of them in a cab I got.  But more because, I want a real arcade feel.  The 49-way is design exactly for this.  Is a very good feeling joystick (not like the other Happ analog ones that have a longer throw and stiffer feel the more you move to the edges).  This one is based almost exactly like the happ 360, but uses an array of leds along 2 axis to allow for increasing intensities.

So now back to the original question: I'd like to layout the 49-way to hall effect circuit in a program, auto-route it, and then print it out so I can etch out a prototype board.  I have all the parts needed (including the etching process) but just can't find any good software for the job.

[u_rebelscum]

FWIW, I play around with a free pcb design software from http://www.expresspcb.com/ , but it's built so you can order the board from them.  I don't think it can "print" the pcb on anything but paper or their machines, and the paper prints aren't the best.
<edit-spelling>

but there isn't a good way to hack a halls effect joystick to a PC.

Untrue.  You just need the right power supply and windows driver for a given HE sensor, sort of like a dual strike + drivers for a 5K POT, or a gameport and generic drivers for a 100K POT.  Of course, some HE sensors are better than others, sort of like linear 100K POTs are better than 25K S curve POTs.  *shrug*
Here's an example to replacing POTs with Hall Effect sensors: http://mpgnetz.de/images/cougar/tips9.html  Expensive joystick to start with, but this can be done on other joystick/HE combos.