First draft CP, critics welcome - Sketchup and Photoshop files inside

[jimmy2x2x]

This is the first draft of my CP

Top row of buttons are

coin/1up  LMB/RMB  Spinner  Pause  Admin1/Admin2  coin/2up

I wanted to space out the joysticks as far as possible to give each player a little room and also leave plenty of operating room for the trackball



UPDATED LINK(28-08-2011): The final (diff from above pic) sketchup file is here for anyone who might want it
http://hotfile.com/dl/128289122/b071ca8/CP_drill_template.skp.html

[releasedtruth]

Definitely a lot going on at the top of the panel. Having a 14x24 panel I can tell you that while spread is important, no sense sacrificing design too much for it. If you can use a shift button you can eliminate those pesky admin/pause buttons.  1up+Down for Pause and so forth.

[Rick]

Definitely a lot going on at the top of the panel. Having a 14x24 panel I can tell you that while spread is important, no sense sacrificing design too much for it. If you can use a shift button you can eliminate those pesky admin/pause buttons.  1up+Down for Pause and so forth.

I'm a fan of the admin buttons, but I am planning on mounting mine above the CP on an admin panel below the screen.  That way, the only thing you have on your CP is gaming related.

[neil324]

Cant get the feel of distances but are the fire buttons not to far away when using the spinner.Too many top buttons for sure, i use the player 1 start 'shift' on my present cabinet to esc,pause,coins etc. My next adventure will only have an esc button on CP plus player starts.

[severdhed]

i'd lose the admin buttons, except for pause and exit.  i'm not even sure what LMB/RMB are.  cluttered panels are frustrating for other people who use your cabinet

[Rick]

i'd lose the admin buttons, except for pause and exit.  i'm not even sure what LMB/RMB are.  cluttered panels are frustrating for other people who use your cabinet

I'm guessing LMB and RMB are Left Mouse Button and Right Mouse Button.  And I believe he's probably using Admin 1 or 2 for the Exit button.  What the other one might be, I'm not certain.  Maybe a 'Home' button, if he's using Maximus.

[jimmy2x2x]

LMB/RMB = left mouse button / right mouse button

I could easily move the admin buttons to the left side wall of the CP, would be hidden from the casual user.  The main reason that I put the mouse buttons on the CP was for model2 light gun games, that could be solved with a couple of aimtraks

Im a little concerned about the spinner placement too, ideally it should be around player2 stick area

I was thinking about pause (hold to 3 seconds to exit emulator)
admin1 = esc
admin2 = tab

I agree, those admins shouldnt really be on the main CP face

[neil324]

Looks to me like you need some fire buttons next to the spinner if you leave it where it is or move the spinner above the trackball. Both have their plus's, minus

[bkenobi]

• Eliminate the mouse buttons.
• P1/2 start is required, but if you have a coin door then I'd make the coin reject into the coin button.
• I like Pause and Exit on my cab, but some people here hate them.  Your call.
• Spinner looks like it would be hard to use up that high, but I don't have one so I can't really say for sure.
• Button 1 (or 3) may be too close to the joystick.  If so, it may be hard to get the button nut installed.  You may want to shift things slightly.
• What's the loaner button in the top center (between the P2 joystick and the TB)?

[jimmy2x2x]

Well, the mouse buttons are right next to the spinner, they could be mapped for action buttons

I dont think there are any native spinner games that use more than 2 buttons are there?

I really want to keep the space between the trackball and screen glass clear, for trackball operating space

[jimmy2x2x]

• Eliminate the mouse buttons.
• P1/2 start is required, but if you have a coin door then I'd make the coin reject into the coin button.
• I like Pause and Exit on my cab, but some people here hate them.  Your call.
• Spinner looks like it would be hard to use up that high, but I don't have one so I can't really say for sure.
• Button 1 (or 3) may be too close to the joystick.  If so, it may be hard to get the button nut installed.  You may want to shift things slightly.
• What's the loaner button in the top center (between the P2 joystick and the TB)?

Im almost certainly going to be moving the mouse buttons off the top face
I thought about wiring the coin reject to a the credit button, but I like to play seated on stools - this would be a major inconvenience
I think the Pause button will be staying, is pauses games and when held for 3 seconds exits the current emulator
The spinner location is my major concern  
The button layout is an accurate astro city clone, sanwa buttons can be installed perfectly - you use push ins for the middle 2
The loaner button? - the one to the right of the trackball? if so, thats the pause button


If anyone fancies playing with the layout to show a new design, the sketchup file is included in the first post

EDIT: Does anyone have a pic of a similar CP with good placement for the spinner and plenty of operating room for the trackball (think marble madness and golden tee)

[EvilNuff]

You could always consider hidden or recessed admin buttons if you want the buttons but not to have them visible.  For example, if you check out the recessed buttons on this slagcoin image:


If you had, say a black control panel then recessing black buttons on the front or sides (not the top) they could be pretty unobtrusive.

Alternately if your design allows for it a recessed button on the bottom of the control panel sides, reachable where the CP overhangs the sides of the cabinet, might work as well.

Just alternate options to throw out.

[jimmy2x2x]

Cheers!

I recessed the back buttons my giger stick



Works quite well

[severdhed]

just out of curiosity, how do you get your pause button to exit after 3 seconds? i'm assuming that is a function of your front end?

[jimmy2x2x]

Yeah, maximus supports that function

[bkenobi]

You can write a script to do it if your chosen FE or emulator doesn't.  I have something similar that I've used in the past and it works fine using an AHK script.

[ragnar]

Is the left joystick to close to the left edge?  4.5" (114 mm) or more is my rule.  I'm shooting for 5.5" (140 mm) on my first build.

Others: Is there any hand smash risk with that spinner located where it is?

[jimmy2x2x]

Is the left joystick to close to the left edge?  4.5" (114 mm) or more is my rule.  I'm shooting for 5.5" (140 mm) on my first build.

Others: Is there any hand smash risk with that spinner located where it is?

Hi, the left stick is 90.5mm from the edge which feels ok to me - I got the distance from a Sega Saturn virtua stick which I use quite a bit
Its hard to really tell without it being in front of you at the right height etc.

Regarding hand smash, I assume you mean from the trackball? The position of the spinner is the most concerning element at the moment, Im toying with moving it to underneath p2 controls - If you have any other suggestions regarding relocation or panel design I would love to hear them (or see them - the file is in the 1st post)

Cheers

[drventure]

Bender made a fantastic suggestion for the pause and/or exit buttons.

Take the spring out and stretch it out. Then put it back in. You might have to play with it, but you can make the button MUCH harder to press (and so harder to press accidentally.

Worked great for me.

[severdhed]

i thought about stretching the springs, but problem isn't that they get pressed accidentally, it's that my 19month old son likes to reach over and push the exit button, very intentionally over and over again.  i tried an AHK script that i found, it works in windows, but not in mame. perhaps i'll have to switch to maximus

[ragnar]

Is the left joystick to close to the left edge?  4.5" (114 mm) or more is my rule.  I'm shooting for 5.5" (140 mm) on my first build.

Others: Is there any hand smash risk with that spinner located where it is?

Hi, the left stick is 90.5mm from the edge which feels ok to me - I got the distance from a Sega Saturn virtua stick which I use quite a bit
Its hard to really tell without it being in front of you at the right height etc.

Regarding hand smash, I assume you mean from the trackball? The position of the spinner is the most concerning element at the moment, I'm toying with moving it to underneath p2 controls - If you have any other suggestions regarding relocation or panel design I would love to hear them (or see them - the file is in the 1st post)

Cheers

My 4.5" (114 mm) number is possibly too safe.  3.5" (90.5 mm) does seem a bit tight to me though.  Even an extra half inch (12.7 mm), in my opinion, would cause minimal design change and greatly reduce the risk of regret.  Once you do that, what is another extra half inch (12.7 mm) to get to 4.5" (114 mm)?  Anyways, I'll argue for the baby step.  I'd strongly consider the extra half inch (12.7 mm).

I don't have a trackball, so my expertise are limited but it's current potion does seem a bit risky.  In my novice opinion, I have no suggestion.  Just some questions.  How wide is the cab?  How much wider are you willing to make the CP?  730 mm (28.74 inches) seems a bit skinny to me.  By adding about 4 inches, I think you could improve the left hand stick position and add more real estate to the center such that the hand knocker issue is resolved.

My cab is going to be 26.5" (673 mm) wide and have a CP about 33.5" (850 mm) wide.  Which means only 3.5" (89 mm) protrudes beyond the sides of the cabinet.  Thinking about it, a 3.5" (89 mm) protrusion on each side of something 26.5" (673 mm) wide should not result in something that looks like a strange bulky thing hanging off a cabinet.

Just my two cents.  DISCLOSURE: Cab Novice

[jimmy2x2x]

My 4.5" (114 mm) number is possibly too safe.  3.5" (90.5 mm) does seem a bit tight to me though.  Even an extra half inch (12.7 mm), in my opinion, would cause minimal design change and greatly reduce the risk of regret.  Once you do that, what is another extra half inch (12.7 mm) to get to 4.5" (114 mm)?  Anyways, I'll argue for the baby step.  I'd strongly consider the extra half inch (12.7 mm).

I don't have a trackball, so my expertise are limited but it's current potion does seem a bit risky.  In my novice opinion, I have no suggestion.  Just some questions.  How wide is the cab?  How much wider are you willing to make the CP?  730 mm (28.74 inches) seems a bit skinny to me.  By adding about 4 inches, I think you could improve the left hand stick position and add more real estate to the center such that the hand knocker issue is resolved.

My cab is going to be 26.5" (673 mm) wide and have a CP about 33.5" (850 mm) wide.  Which means only 3.5" (89 mm) protrudes beyond the sides of the cabinet.  Thinking about it, a 3.5" (89 mm) protrusion on each side of something 26.5" (673 mm) wide should not result in something that looks like a strange bulky thing hanging off a cabinet.

Just my two cents.  DISCLOSURE: Cab Novice

My cab is 580mm wide, so thats a 75mm overhang on each side.  Like you I didnt want my cab to look like an undertaker carrying a coffin

Moving the left stick away from the edge wouldn't cause any major issue issue, and you may well be correct here I will have an experiment with it.

Could you please elaborate on how you find the trackball position risky?

Thanks

[jimmy2x2x]

Well I decided to go for it!

Removed the 2 mouse buttons and 2 admins buttons, exported from sketchup as a PDF and emailed it to my printer.

1 hour later I collected it



Printed to scale on a piece of A1

3 hours later I have this



I need to cut the T moulding slot, then I cant really do much until my plexi arrives!

Got the weekend to try and get some artwork together!

[severdhed]

looks great

[jimmy2x2x]

Thanks!

This is where I am up to with the design, im no artist - so Im relying on photoshop to make something not too offensive for me!
 
Any ideas?

[bkenobi]

If you're not an artist, you certainly know the PS tools well!  I tried to do some of that stuff way back, but couldn't figure it out.  When you finish up, could you upload your PS image so that some of us could take a look at the tools you used?  Thanks!

[jimmy2x2x]

NP here is the photoshop file as you see it

Im not too sure about overlapping the silver surround in some areas, but I might call it done here unless anyone has any suggestions?


Turn on the 'line art' layer to see the drilling template - this shows the positions of the controls and outline of the panel etc.

There are also a couple of unused layers in there

Its quite a large file, so I have RAR'd it to half its size, and its a huge image (a1 paper size 23.4" × 33.1")

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7VR90QTP

Would love to see some improvements graphically if anyone is up for it!

[jimmy2x2x]

Another version, tweaked up some aliasing issues on the inside of the bottom curve and added a familiar logo

FULL CREDIT TO ARTIFACT FOR HIS AMAZING LOGO
see the majestic machine here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68794.0



I think the logo really works well here, feeling a lot more confident with the design now it has some actual design in it

Thanks Artifact!

[jimmy2x2x]

Last image for this thread (I hope..)

I think this is now final and ready to be sent to the print shop tomorrow

Do you think the '1up' and '2up' logos are too much?

[The Lumberjackass]

hey jim jim,

i like the layout and all the work so far. the only thing i personally would remove is someone else's name or logo on the cp.
im not saying this as a bad thing , in fact i think the logo is really nice and well done , i just couldnt put someone else's name on my cab.

one of the reasons why my cab doesnt have any logo's or written art , is because i see it as a distraction to the overall theme.
less is more in my view , and i'd go with something a little bit more graphical but without the lettering.

but, as you know, im just giving my 2 cents as to what i'd do. overall its completely your choice as to what you want on your cab.
but feedback is important and i personally dont like the 1up and 2 up text. i'd rather see the likes of a game character each side of the trackball.

[jimmy2x2x]

Thanks for the reply!

Im in a real quandary with this, I didnt like the 1up/2up design much either - So I have taken a screen shot of galaga and copied the font pixel by pixel into my matrix - it looks a lot nicer and better proportioned than my freehand effort - but im still not sure about it.  I think the panel needs something in those areas, I was thinking about silhouettes of game characters coming from under the silver surround onto the panel, not too garish but identifiable.

The lost identity of someone elses logo is another sticking point too, I have been trying to create something suitable but always fell short ;(

I love the artifact logo, and the meaning really suits a retro multi system machine - but its still not like having your own!

[The Lumberjackass]

i would suggest you try and match, or come close to matching, the side art of the cab to which you want to fit the cp to.
if you had that readily available , i bet people would have loads of idea's as to what would suit better.

i do understand where your coming from with the logo issue , is there any possibility that the logo can be made into something
which you like or want ? eg - the codename of the cab or name of the cab ??

artwork though, is a real pain in the butt. the art i settled on for my cab, i originally loved it, but when it was printed outt full size i felt it wouldnt work.
there were pixels everywhere and looked too oversized . but , because most cabs are used to play old games, it suited the theme a bit better
ive grown to like it, rather than choosing it , but if i could go back and change it i would.

i hope you get something suited to your tastes though, because the final finish of a cab is more important than the original cab design itself.
if you stick something on it that your not sure of , you could end up hating it . spend alot of time on this and dont settle for something unless
your full sure you like it.

[jimmy2x2x]

I tried and tried to get a better look, but couldnt ;(

So I tweaked up a little, bit the bullet, took it to my printers and Im very happy with it!

Cutting out the holes was a bit nerve-racking



Still waiting for my plexi before I can move on!

[EVEGames]

Looks great to me, Jimmy.  I always liked land-meets-sky type designs.  What's the marquee going to look like?

[jimmy2x2x]

Thanks!

I was toying with the idea of have a print on my screen glass of the sky changing through to the stratosphere into the blackness of space, and continuing the space theme onto the marquee area with the artifact logo on there, and maybe a monolith

[EVEGames]

Thanks!

I was toying with the idea of have a print on my screen glass of the sky changing through to the stratosphere into the blackness of space, and continuing the space theme onto the marquee area with the artifact logo on there, and maybe a monolith

KILLER, man.  I love it already.  I'm very biased, because I'm a huge astronomy enthusiast, but I think if it's done right, that could be a beauty. 

[The Lumberjackass]

looks great jimmy , looking forward to seeing it on the cab

[chemicalviper]

Anyone have a rehost of the sketch up mock?

[jimmy2x2x]

Sure, here it is

http://hotfile.com/dl/128289122/b071ca8/CP_drill_template.skp.html

[chemicalviper]

Sure, here it is

http://hotfile.com/dl/128289122/b071ca8/CP_drill_template.skp.html

Thanks I love your layout/colors everything. Exactly what I had in mind for mine. Gonna do a different color scheme, but mucho cudos for yours. Did you have your printer print it on any speciality paper? Or did you do a sticker vinyl?