cp layout suggestions

[hooded_paladin]

once again, I need suggestions and advice from experienced people for my standalone CP layout.
I've decided on a 4 player panel, with the side players angled in, but the center joysticks can be angled to match the outside ones for two player dual joystick games*  The center ones are Happ supers, and the outer ones are J-Sticks from Ultimarc, normally in 4-way mode except for 4 player 8-way games.  In the center is a PC trackball - the cheap blue translucent one. (www.softwareandstuff.com/h_acc_mactrack.html)  I don't have the money for an arcade one, but I may replace it later.

The button layout for the center joysticks is:
1.  take a 3x2 capcom fighter layout
2.  add one to the left of the lower left one, a straight neo-geo line
3.  add one in the standard slanted neo-geo line, right below and between the lower left and the one just added.

this weird layout is for playstation:  if you picture a playstation controller turned 45 degrees left, you can see that the rightmost buttons and the two added ones are L and R buttons, the rest are shape buttons.  (I'm using a playstation hacked interface)

the outer joysticks have only 4 buttons.

at the top is room for a spinner, and 4 pairs of coin/start buttons in front of each station

*I don't like the look of carriage bolts, so I'd use wood inserts for each joystick.  The center ones would have two sets of them - one straight, one angled, so I can change their orientation without chewing up the wood.

the panel would be topped with lexan spraypainted black on the bottom.  I may add little bits of printed artwork, maybe just for the joystick direction arrows.  The sides would just be melamine (is that the wood that's sort of already laminated?)  painted black to match.

I don't want to spend very much ( because I CAN'T)  but I think this is a good layout for me.  Enough buttons for playstation, 8 ways in the center, 4 ways on the sides, and all switchable in the rare case of a 4 player or 2 player dual joystick game.

All in all the question is:  any problems you can see?  anything I should look out for?

*edit*  preliminary template is down at the bottom now ...

[AlanS17]

I'm pretty sure most people here have the same tips, but here's one that may be a bit different. Most TB hacks use much less room than a genuine arcade trackball. Even if you hack a TB make sure you leave enough room if you plan on using a real one in the future.

[Daver4676]

Hey hooded -- I had the same general idea as you (using players 1 and 4 for 2 player/dual joystick games such as Smash TV, et al).

I don't know how that'll work with the angled joystick though seeing that their north would be your northeast (or something like that).  Or if you point them north but still angle it then the players will moving things kinda awkwardly.  Forgive me if I missed the point though -- I may be imagining something different.

Anyway I'm trying to model my 4-player panel after the NHL Hitz!, NBA Jam and NFL Blitz Gold panels, which seem to be straight across (although I have to look closer).  I'm still testing that out to see if it's actually feasilble with respect to space, comfort and panel size.  While perhaps a little more crowded that an angled cp, it may prove beneficial for those occasional bouts of Smash TV with a friend (without the need for yet another joystick).

I know you asked for experienced people, and I answered despite being in the planning stages of my first cab -- but I figured I'd share my ideas.

Now I have to go find a suitible icon and quote if I'm to continue posting....  

[hooded_paladin]

as I see it, a lot of those midway (or is it midway?) ones... (especially gauntlet legends, which I like A LOT)  they've got rectangular panels but somewhat angled controls, which is a bit awkward.  Before, I thought a pure rectangular one would be simpler and ideal, but I decided I don't want a big log of controls, because there's no hanging over the sides so the board has to be big to accomodate everyone comfortably.  So, I'll make a normal slanted type.

About the joystick angling:
the center joysticks are normally facing forward
the side ones are angled in
I can turn the center ones to the side, to create two pairs of joysticks parallel with eachother but facing inward.  Basically, the center ones can either point straight ahead or match the others.

This is the site that gave me the idea of using two sets of thread inserts:  http://www.geocities.com/brian_coney/4PlayerPanel.html

Question:  is it okay if I print out small pieces of artwork (the little directional arrows that go around the base of a joystick)  and yet spraypaint the back of the lexan black?  And, when drilling holes in the panel, can I: lay my lexan sheet atop my wood, put my templates on the lexan, drill small guide holes in the center and then drill with a spade bit?  Sounds like the best way... but I don't know the correct sequnce for drilling holes in your lexan safely, so please help.

[night]

look at my CP in the project forum.
works beautifully for smash TV, etc.

i just got the lam on it and am finally finishing this thing up.

[hooded_paladin]

I've made a layout in Word (I don't have any good drafting software ... know of any good stuff that's free?)

I know, it's not a final draft and it does look kinda funky ... could anyone tell me what needs changing?

by the way, the control panel is 40"x16"... and half-scale in Word because Word wouldn't accept a 40" page.

[hooded_paladin]

and here's the word document of it... rename it to .doc, I had to change it so the server would host it.

[hooded_paladin]

I know I haven't made the perfect layout.
So, uh, bump.

[Tiger-Heli]

I know I haven't made the perfect layout.
So, uh, bump.

I like it.  Looks a little cluttered, but . . .

The Playstation button arrangement is pretty clever and original.

[TalkingOctopus]

I think you should probably make it a bit wider.  Otherwise everyone will be giving eachother the flying elbow drop while playing a 4 player game.  The best way to find out if you have enough room between players is to make a full sized model (of cardboard or something) and try it out with 4 people.

Good luck!

[Molloy]

I'd just go for 6 button layout. It'll free up some room and there are no arcade style games on the PS that use l2 and r2.

Putting the left two down a bit is also good. No one ever bothers doing that on these cabinets and it helps alot for Neo Geo games and the various Sega fighters.

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