Cabinet design.

[speeder]

I was never a avid player of arcade (for parenting issues, they until recently forbid me to visit arcades, because it was "land for thugs" or other stuff like that), thus I cannot figure the advantages and disvantages of each design...

Thus, how I design a upright cabinet? What is the best monitor inclination? (or the criteria to choose one?) How I decide the speaker placement? I should have that structure that supports the marquee in the end, or end the cabinet in the monitor? If I have that structure, the marquee itself should be aligned with the cabinet front, or in other position? The controls are better inclined or flat? (btw: my game uses only trackball and buttons, no joysticks, if that matter), The control board is best positioned "outside" the cabinet, or I should push the monitor more inside instead?

And so goes on the doubts...

[drventure]

That will really depend on your tastes, available space, etc etc.

Are you interested more in an upright, a cocktail, Viewlix, slimline cab, etc etc?

Browse around here (Especially the Hall of fame thread) and get some ideas. then home in on specific dimensions based on that kind of design.

Adapt those dimensions to the size of monitor and control panel you'd like (2player, 4p, etc), and you'll start to get a good idea of final dimensions.

[speeder]

I already did that, my issue is not dimensions, but the shape of stuff, and the angle of the monitor, etc...

I already know that the cabinet is upright, with a 19 inch CRT, 8 buttons, 1 trackball. But that is it :/

[BobA]

Go here for lots of cabinet plans
Jakobud Plans

[speeder]

Erm...

The problem is not the plans, I already went there, and then I see all those plans, and I have no clue of what one to use or build based on it.

The problem is that I don't have criteria, I don't know the advantages and disvantages of possible choices.

For example: I saw some games with slanted control surface, while others it is horizontal. What difference it make to the player?

[upprc04]

Erm...

The problem is not the plans, I already went there, and then I see all those plans, and I have no clue of what one to use or build based on it.

The problem is that I don't have criteria, I don't know the advantages and disvantages of possible choices.

For example: I saw some games with slanted control surface, while others it is horizontal. What difference it make to the player?

It's a lot to do with your preference.  Get some cardboard and feel out different setups or go find an arcade machine and see what you like.  Google Sketchup is a good product to start drawing out some ideas.  That or just grab the good ole pen and paper and sketch up some ideas.  There are several examples on here to check out and help figure out what you might like or not like.

[newmanfamilyvlogs]

Another way to think about it is work out the ergonomics of it backwards:

Stand up and put yourself in a 'game playing' position. Now stand there for a minute or two. Are you still comfortable? If not, what hurts? Change the position of that into something more comfortable. Repeat until you find a stance that you find comfortable for a sufficient period of time.

Then measure where the relevant bits of your body are. How high up are your hands? At what angle is your head slanted?

Go find a music stand somewhere, one that can go tall enough and has a tiltable head. Cut out a bit of cardboard the size of the screen you want to use. Move that around and try different heights/angles/distances until you find something comfortable. Work from there.

[speeder]

Btw: The thing is not for me, it is for general public (and me... of course XD), what is confortable for me may be unconfortable for other people.

[BobA]

Since it is just not for you then choose any popular modern design.   It will not be perfect for everyone but a good compromise can be had if you follow any of the modern MAME cab designs.