What do you think about this as a control panel overlay?

[shateredsoul]

I was thinking of adding some type of shape to surround the buttons (may be filled iin sold color or partially see through). What do you think?

[HaRuMaN]

Cool.  Definitely add button surrounds... 

[shateredsoul]

Any templates out there for doing the button surrounds? I'm not too confident I can design a nice looking one on my own.

[HaRuMaN]

Do you have Photoshop?

[shateredsoul]

yes i do

[Jakobud]

IMHO, it will be way too busy.  You won't even see the joysticks and buttons very easily when staring at the CP because there is so much stuff going on.

[t3design]

Given the ratio of height to width, if your cp was 27" wide it would be 20" deep. Does the front wrap over and down?

I tend to agree that it is a little busy, but with surrounds around the buttons it would work. What matters is if YOU like it.

[shateredsoul]

Very good point, it is busy and it's something I'm going to have to think about.  It might work better as cab art, but I am still considering using the surrounds and still using it.  I'll have to think about it.. but if I do use this I was thinking of putting the trackball right in that empty spot next to the piranha plant. To make it fit I would have to increase the size of the image and probably cut out some of the sides. Here are the specs on the control panel I ordered.

    * Control panel is 35" wide and 18" deep.
    *  Panel base is 5.75" tall facing the video source and slopes down to 5" facing the player.
    * This 2 player control panel blank can be customized by you at no extra charge! You just tell us what you want and we will build it!

and here's a pic of how it should look



I am still customizing the button layout (i'm waiting for a draft from the seller). I was thinking of going with 8 buttons japanese style layout, but now that I see your image I might go for what you designed here (it's a neogeo and capcom combined layout right?). If you have any suggestions here is the typical layout this panel usually comes with.

    * The standard controls setup can be 6-7 player buttons for players 1/2, dedicated pause, escape and player 1/2 start and credit buttons. A total of 7 pinball buttons, 3 on each side and a front shooter/plunger button. 2-3 mouse buttons. Panel is fully t-molded on the base ends and the control panel top edge. We use black leatherette t-molding at 7/8" tall with an offset slot cut so the t-molding rises above the panels top surface. This allows you to have a custom CNC cut plexi top that ends up flush on its edges with the t-molding! No unsightly bolts or screws need to hold down your plexi!

[shateredsoul]

also, could you share the button images you have there? so I can give it a try?

[t3design]

Be glad to share the buttons. What size you want em?

[t3design]

Here ya go. These are 1.32" (the size of happ buttons) at 300dpi. you can scale them down if you need to. They are png files which maitain the transparency around the button. They should open in photoshop and you can copy and place them anywhere.

[dkubarek]

no one looks at the buttons when they play. It will be busy as all get out but if you like it who cares.

[t3design]

here is my button layout and one i used as a starting point:

[shateredsoul]

Thanks man! This will be very helpful in desiging my layout!

[BamBam]

I like the artwork, but it seems a bit busy for a CP and maybe hard for guests to find the buttons.