Author Topic: First Arcade Cab Project - UltraLux RGB Button Tip! (Read 32491 times)

JustMichael · « **Reply #40 on:** August 22, 2010, 02:12:18 am »

I vote for ditching the characters and tossing the words too from the wall (the wall looks right for some reason). For the coin buttons, player 1 and player 2 buttons you can get artwork to go right on them. This would also show that player 1 was on the left side so no need to state it twice. What are all the navigation buttons for? The only administrative buttons I have are Select/Exit (selects the game from the frontend and exits Mame to go back to the frontend), Pause, and Reset (for resetting Mame). I use the select/exit and pause buttons a lot but not the 3rd. I have a Mame'd Xevious cabinet so I put in 3 admin buttons because on my cab there is a metal piece up above the control panel that also goes over the lower edge of the glass. The metal piece sits there even if the 3 screws aren't in there so I replaced them with mini-buttons from radio shack.

dawolv · « **Reply #41 on:** August 22, 2010, 11:28:42 am »

Thanks guys for the feedback...I was wondering if it was getting too cheezy. You guys rock!
Ok so here it is without the Lettering and Characters:

Seems a little plain, like there is just something missing maybe less is better..I need to order my Marquee to complete that area and I would like the colors/theme tied into the CP.

What are your thoughts on placement for a Spinner (mostly for Tempest)?

Everything here is available for anyone who would like to have it...However I cannot find the right sketch-up...I think I may over written it!
I did most of the designing on the fly (shelving, divider, shelf pins, drawer, back doors etc) if you need any measurements let me know and I will post them

EDIT: here is the full size picture of the Sketch up..I should probably post this one back on my first post

RTSDaddy2 · « **Reply #42 on:** August 23, 2010, 09:02:38 pm »

Nice looking build - makes me wish I was starting another one!

I will have to agree with the guys, though I initially thought it looked good with the characters, I agree it's more becoming without them...they were distracting from the center artwork for me somehow.

Somebody asked you about using the Birch vs. MDF, and while it's personal taste, I could not agree with you more. At the time we started ours, we had not made a concrete decision of whether we were going to paint it or stain it. We wound up painting, but the patterns in the plywood made it possible to go either way. Plus, like you said, that stuff is easier on the tools but solid as a rock. Ours has been together now for 5 years and the connections are still just as sturdy as they ever were. If we ever move, though it'll take four or five adults to get it out of the house. HEAVY!

ragnar · « **Reply #43 on:** August 23, 2010, 10:19:47 pm »

Do you have a link to where you got the nebula from? I might use the same image but differently.

dawolv · « **Reply #44 on:** August 23, 2010, 10:34:26 pm »

Thanks RTS! Yeah I was in the same boat with Plywood, its so versatile paint it, stain it, ...or in this case laminate it. And so sturdy and lightweight. It definately saved my back a few times when I had to move it in and out of the garage.
Why is yours so heavy?
I think if I do the X-Men Theme Barcade it may be out of MDF just to give it a shot. I may be using MDF on a garage project soon too.

Here is the link to the Nebula Image
If it doesnt work let me know I can send it over.
Cant wait to see what you got in mind for it...its a great picture.

dawolv · « **Reply #45 on:** September 09, 2010, 11:40:01 pm »

ok I came across another two images in my travels, I think they would also make a good Marquee with the Mame Logo centered across it.
I changed the dimensions to 31x15..

Take Two:

And again with a little Red vs Blue flavor:

Seems to be the hardest part....

JustMichael · « **Reply #46 on:** September 10, 2010, 02:24:33 am »

Top control panel if you like space type games. Bottom control panel if you like "fighters". Both panel options look really nice.

PsychoMikey · « **Reply #47 on:** September 10, 2010, 04:37:10 am »

Very nice artwork!

I personaly like the bottom CP the best. It has a nice dynamic look to it and i like the color changes between player 1 and 2.

emphatic · « **Reply #48 on:** September 10, 2010, 05:12:02 am »

+1 on the bottom one.

megrog2 · « **Reply #49 on:** September 10, 2010, 06:22:16 pm »

Yea def the second cp

dawolv · « **Reply #50 on:** September 19, 2010, 01:35:06 am »

Been busy again lately, but managed to move the Cab indoors as the oustide temps begin to plummet.

I decided to paint the Speaker Grills chrome instead of leaving them matte black.
Also ordered the smokey plexi from estreet plastics..very happy with what I got so far.
I also ordered the 1/8th Lexan (36x18) for my CP from eStreetPlastics.Com along with the Bezel Plexi (24x24) pretty good deal $44 for both pieces with shipping.

I set the Plexi in place with the bezel behind it, I left the mask/protectant on it in case it gets scratched up while finishing.
Hopefully it will look ok LOL

Door Opened revealing the shelves and the PC area:

Another view:

You can see the two back doors to the side there, the intent was for this cab to come apart easily so it could be moved around. So far its been a piece of cake

dawolv · « **Reply #51 on:** September 19, 2010, 01:43:33 am »

Ok so if you were wondering what the heck that stuff is at the top of the speaker area this is what it is:

I went to Michaels and saw this stuff sitting there:

I took it home and cut it..and spray painted it black...DONT SPRAY PAINT this stuff...it causes a wierd chemical reaction.
it sounds like a bowl of Rice Krispies! And it will melt the material.

So I cut this out for the speakers to go in:

You can totally see where it melted due from the spray paint.
The speakers will sit snug and no light shines through the speaker grills so far.

dawolv · « **Reply #52 on:** September 19, 2010, 01:49:11 am »

And finally here are some more renditions/revisions of the CP and Marquee.
All advice appreciated!

CP:

And the Marquee:

The Marquee feels like there is something missing...I tried some color tinting blue and orange but just doesnt seem right yet.

Celsius · « **Reply #53 on:** September 19, 2010, 03:11:35 am »

Mind telling where you got that background...like it alot

dawolv · « **Reply #54 on:** September 19, 2010, 10:40:48 am »

Quote from: Celsius on September 19, 2010, 03:11:35 am

Mind telling where you got that background...like it alot

--- LINKY ---

releasedtruth · « **Reply #55 on:** September 19, 2010, 11:17:01 am »

Marquee has a decent background, but the stretch is a little weird. If you are willing to give the project a name, you could ditch the MAME logo and fill the space a little better

Celsius · « **Reply #56 on:** September 19, 2010, 11:18:44 am »

Thanx...and yes i think this is the better choice

EvilNuff · « **Reply #57 on:** September 19, 2010, 01:44:49 pm »

Thanks for the link, there are some pretty nice wallpapers there.

dawolv · « **Reply #58 on:** September 27, 2010, 04:24:25 pm »

I had some time to begin the cutting out my box for the CP.

The White spot here is Bondo, my clamp slipped a bit while I was flush trimming with the router so I had to repair the chunk that had gouged out.

And yep Im using MDF here, very dusty stuff...but like the mistake above, MDF is easily repairable.

Ive also bondo my edges and have them sanded down to recieve the paint.

I have a few coats of prime on them now and hopefull I will get some paint on them tonight or tomorrow

.

Ive decided to paint the outside of the CP box black and the inside blue, I was debating on going with a white interior but the blue on the shelf at Home Depot looked kinda slick and kind of matches my trim.

For fasteners I tried biscuit and Tightbond II on some scrap MDF but it broke, then I tried a Kreg joint with coarse screws that joint was very brittle.
I dont want the joints to show so I may try Kreg Joint on the bottom and then perhaps toss some biscuits and glue on the bottom panel as well as the side pieces.

Hopefully I will get some more pics up tonight or tomorrow.

dawolv · « **Reply #59 on:** September 28, 2010, 04:38:40 pm »

I got some spray paint on it last night and today, it still needs to dry all the way ... but I couldnt wait to see what it would look like so I slid the pieces together.

Still needs to be fastened and cleaned up, the pictures look pretty bad but it actually looks ok.

dawolv · « **Reply #60 on:** October 09, 2010, 07:29:08 pm »

Another update:
I was able to do some sanding and another coat.

After a few days of letting it sit I brought it inside to see what it would look like:

Out in the Garage for a few days:

Some quick pics on the table:

and one with a Plotter Print out of the CP on the cab:

I still need to clean it up a bit, then apply some protection...one step closer

severdhed · « **Reply #61 on:** October 09, 2010, 10:58:59 pm »

looking good

dawolv · « **Reply #62 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:56:28 am »

Well after a small break and alot of weather delays Ive dusted the old cab off and FINALLY got past one of my hurdles...the art work.
With some help from Vlad over at Game On Graphics it is finally completed

Here is the FINAL art:

Here are the Marquee lights (from GGG) mounted..I used Tinfoil with Packing tape to protect it from ripping:

Here is the Artwork and the Marquee Lighting:

I also cut out my CP, Art, and Plexi:

Now onto the rest....

DirtyDachshunds · « **Reply #63 on:** January 31, 2011, 11:44:39 am »

I'm glad you changed the artwork. I don't know what it is about planets and marble looking paper that everyone has to have it on their control panel.

dawolv · « **Reply #64 on:** February 07, 2011, 09:22:19 am »

Yeah me too Dachshunds! I really like the Homebrew Fusion art.

I put my order for Ultimarcs PAC LED64
It will be a little awhile before I get to play with it...but cant wait to try it out!

In the meantime I've been making some progress while the temps have been in the balmy 20-30s

This is what I used to attach my CP to the Cab, they are quick release and work very well!
I got them from Rockler..they were blue so they matched haha

Checking overall fit:

Smoky Plexi:

Erik · « **Reply #65 on:** February 07, 2011, 10:53:09 am »

Looking very nice! How do you like the led marquee backlighting?

Gatsu · « **Reply #66 on:** February 07, 2011, 02:30:03 pm »

thats turning out awesome man. great job.

keep up the good work!

dawolv · « **Reply #67 on:** February 07, 2011, 09:54:47 pm »

Quote from: Erik on February 07, 2011, 10:53:09 am

Looking very nice! How do you like the led marquee backlighting?

Love it! My camera on the other hand...

Here is the "250mm" Fan

Room lights On:

In the Dark:

Yeah my camera really sucks!

britinva · « **Reply #68 on:** February 07, 2011, 11:13:00 pm »

Coming along sweet!

Interested in some details on your CP layout as I'm having trouble deciding on mine (just looking a a 2 player like yours).

I see your using U360 (UltraStik 360?) Joysticks ...... are you using 2? And is this for the auto switching of 4 to 8 way?

I understand the UltraStik 360 has 8 button inputs but see you have total 19 buttons - so are you adding another encoder?

Thanks,
Mark

dawolv · « **Reply #69 on:** February 08, 2011, 08:40:38 am »

Thanks Mark!

I will be using two U360s, I have one now and one on the way each one will have its own encoder harness

I just need to remember I have to assign them an ID before I plug them both in.
So far it automatically adjusts itself to the game, pretty slick!
I do rememember there was a file you could edit to assign each game a 4 way, 8 way, 2 way or Qbert diagonal..that file could have been in the frontend but I havnt had to use it yet.

I am using an Encoder for 6 of the 8 inputs, it operates like a gamepad and Mame, Hyperspin and GameEx have all recognized the buttons.
However I did buy the IPac for Coin in, Pause, P1, P2 start etc. The minipac may have worked but ...

Once I get both the U360s installed then I can give you a better of how they are getting along

Let me know if I can help!

I see your project is also starting

britinva · « **Reply #70 on:** February 08, 2011, 09:21:22 am »

Yes - my project is starting, first purchase today (slot cutter - got same as you off Amazon)/ Looks like going to be warm this weekend so will be getting MDF and cutting oin drive.

A few more Q's if you don't mind:
1) I assume the U360 comes with the harness - said on website its optional (assume means you don't use it if your not connecting buttons as couldn't see it in the store)
2) Did you get yours dirtect from Ultimarc - are they best deal?
3) You say "automatically adjusts itself to the game" - so your using GameEx and your not have to tell it to switch betwenn 4-way & 8-way?

I'm going to have a total of 20 buttons (I think

) I need to decide if to use a separate control or use a 'shift' button like emphatic has mentioned in my thread.

4) What swayed you to a separate encoder?
5) What one are you using?

OK enough questions

Thanks,
'Mark

dawolv · « **Reply #71 on:** February 08, 2011, 11:04:55 am »

Lets see if I can help..

1) No, it does NOT come with a harness you have buy those seperately. Those are $8 each. With a little patience, you can make your own if you like.

2) I got mine from Ultimarc however you can also purchase them state side from Arcade Emulator , it ships really fast from Ultimarc in the UK!

3) Yep auto does it!

4) I wanted seperate buttons to perform seperate functions and the ability to add more if I needed. Also I could just use the Ipac2 instead of the harness if I ever wanted too. I only ended up with 6 extra buttons (P1 Start, P1 Credit, P2 Start, P2 Credit, Pause, and Back). I may add one more to bring up CP Wizard...so yeah future expansion I guess.

5) IPAC2 from Ultimarc

Keep em coming

britinva · « **Reply #72 on:** February 08, 2011, 11:45:44 am »

Hey - you might regret saying that

Thanks for answers.

dawolv · « **Reply #73 on:** February 15, 2011, 07:19:13 pm »

/sigh another road block...

I drilled out for 1 1/8 and tried a Happ, Generic, Spectralight, and a Ultralux, I settled on the Ultralux and ordered all Ultralux buttons with the RGB connectors!
For me the Spectralight was a very close first choice...however I really like the PAC LED64 board and how easy it would be to connect it with the RGB harness (School/Work/Family = No time

).
But ... the Ultralux's I recieved are about 1/8 too large! The ones I recieved will only fit a 1 1/4 hole!!

Very very frustrating!

The white ultralux is not the same as the blue ultralux - The white one is 1/8 larger, has a jewel like rim, and the 'collar' is much more longer.

On the plus side, I got my additional U360 and now have both installed...but a fruitless victory without my buttons!

Ok I need to go and breathe now while Andy works on what went wrong and hopefully gets me a quick ETA

britinva · « **Reply #74 on:** February 15, 2011, 07:30:53 pm »

Wow - what a PITA. I'm sure things will work out in the end - albeit a bit slower.

Dlude · « **Reply #75 on:** February 15, 2011, 10:45:33 pm »

Hey awesome build so far......pity about the oversize button, maybe a bit of Dremel work might help.

Got your PM dawolv, but I cant reply for some reason.....can you use the email addy I sent you.

Cheers

n88n · « **Reply #76 on:** February 16, 2011, 09:38:08 am »

great looking build. I never get tired of seeing the black and blue cabs. So Sharp!

dawolv · « **Reply #77 on:** February 19, 2011, 11:03:56 am »

Ok so what to do when the Temps plummet again?

...Play with the PAC LED 64 and LED BLinky!

The board is about 3 inches by about 2 inches. Those harnesses is just simply awesome!

Man my camera stinks haha

Nephasth · « **Reply #78 on:** February 19, 2011, 01:10:21 pm »

Quote from: dawolv on February 15, 2011, 07:19:13 pm

But ... the Ultralux's I recieved are about 1/8 too large! The ones I recieved will only fit a 1 1/4 hole!!

Crazy, the specs on the buttons say the diameter is 28mm, just an RCH under 1 1/18".

What's the total number of LEDs you'll be controlling with the PACLED64?

dawolv · « **Reply #79 on:** February 19, 2011, 01:18:22 pm »

Yeah Andy got the buttons figured out, seems I was sent the wrong ones he is re-sending the correct ones (hopefully I will get them soon), he is also letting me keep the old ones.

I will be controlling 18 RGB lights


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Author Topic: First Arcade Cab Project - UltraLux RGB Button Tip! (Read 32491 times)

Nephasth