New modular panel pics, also could use some help

[telengard]

I'm finally finishing some modules for my modular panel.  It's taken
way longer than I expected to get this done.  I'm hoping it's worth it.    

What I need some help with is finding lower profile screws ( more
like carriage bolts ).  Since I'm using standard rack mount parts
they have to be 10/32.

I am also having a hard time with air bubbles and the Happs pica vinyl.
I am not very artistic so this is the stuff I use.  Speaking of artistic ability
I'm also looking for someone ( heck I'd even pay ) who can modify some
Defender artwork for me.  I've had two people offer but they didn't
pan out.

Anyone else have modular panels?  How are they working out for you?

This is the marble madness layout:




This is the Robotron layout ( it's even *very* close to the 10" spacing in the arcade ).

[jerryjanis]

Sweet, dude!

Here's a pic of mine...  Making it look nice is a way last priority for me...  (I've still got a lot of work to do - I'd like to make a 4 player version and to clean up the wiring before I would bother making it look better).



Mine is mounted onto wood, so as 1UP suggested once, I just used wood screws to screw joysticks into the underside of the module, so I don't need no ugly bolt poking up.

For the trackball, I couldn't see a good way around it, and it turns out to be a good thing because my trackballs aren't mounted perfectly straight...  Even if they were, it would still be nice to have the bolts as a guide to where "up/down/left/right" are aligned.

Can't help you with the artwork...

Anyone else have modular panels?  How are they working out for you?

Perfectly...  I wouldn't go any other way...  The only games that are important to me that I'm missing right now are Karate Champ Vs, 4-Player Warlords (4 spinners), and 3 player rampart (3 trackballs)...  Might as well throw in 4 player soccer/football (4 trackballs) while I'm going modular!

After a visit the the Funspot arcade in New Hampshire last weekend, I think I've got a good idea for compressing a 4 player modular panel into as small a space as humanly possible while remaining comfortable AND still allowing for a perfectly fine Karate Champ Vs. layout.  I'll draw up an ugly picture and post it here.

[telengard]

Sweet, dude!

Here's a pic of mine...  Making it look nice is a way last priority for me...  (I've still got a lot of work to do - I'd like to make a 4 player version and to clean up the wiring before I would bother making it look better).



Mine is mounted onto wood, so as 1UP suggested once, I just used wood screws to screw joysticks into the underside of the module, so I don't need no ugly bolt poking up.

For the trackball, I couldn't see a good way around it, and it turns out to be a good thing because my trackballs aren't mounted perfectly straight...  Even if they were, it would still be nice to have the bolts as a guide to where "up/down/left/right" are aligned.

Can't help you with the artwork...

Anyone else have modular panels?  How are they working out for you?

Perfectly...  I wouldn't go any other way...  The only games that are important to me that I'm missing right now are Karate Champ Vs, 4-Player Warlords (4 spinners), and 3 player rampart (3 trackballs)...  Might as well throw in 4 player soccer/football (4 trackballs) while I'm going modular!

After a visit the the Funspot arcade in New Hampshire last weekend, I think I've got a good idea for compressing a 4 player modular panel into as small a space as humanly possible while remaining comfortable AND still allowing for a perfectly fine Karate Champ Vs. layout.  I'll draw up an ugly picture and post it here.

Very cool indeed.  I live near Funspot too.  I took tons of measurements last time I was there.
I want to do a karate champ layout too, it shouldn't be too hard although I don't have
4 4-way leafs yet.

Yeah looks aren't the biggest deal to me but I am very envious of the folks on here
with exceptional artistic ability.  The only creative thing I've done is made some
patches for advancemenu.  

That 720 degrees panel is sweet.  I gotta pick one of those controls up on eBay...
That and a tapper handle.   I've got way too many controls as it is.  

My trackballs aren't perfect either.  The modules are 1/8" aluminum blank rack mount
panels.  The thickness means the lip around the trackball isn't totally flush which is
not too bad.  The modules are rock solid though, no slipping or anything.

I'll be curious to see your Karate Champ layout.  Next up for me is a Defender layout.

[jerryjanis]

Hmmm, I dunno, maybe it'll need more thought...  But this is the idea:

http://jstookey.com/images/cp_panels.jpg

Every joystick has the same alignment...  It would be great for Karate Champ...  For 4 player games, I'll just have to build it and find out what's wrong with it!

The nice thing about a modular panel is that so much work goes into the modules that building and rebuilding the main panel seems pretty easy!

[Nannuu]

Well I just vectorized a defender control panel.  What did you need done while I am in the Defender mode?

[telengard]

Well I just vectorized a defender control panel.  What did you need done while I am in the Defender mode?

Well I need vectorized versions of the sideart and marquee ( someone had these
but I can't get in touch with him now ).  I'd like the text on both of them
changed from "DEFENDER" to "STURCADE".  I'm no photoshop guru so that's
pretty hard for me to do.

I'd appreciate any help you could give me.    

[Nannuu]

If you have a good rasterized version I could copy from that would save me a lot of time looking

[telengard]

If you have a good rasterized version I could copy from that would save me a lot of time looking

Hehe, I believe I do.  I will dig them up and put them up on my web space.  Just curious,
what are you doing w/ the vector'ed cp artwork?

[telengard]

If you have a good rasterized version I could copy from that would save me a lot of time looking

Ok, I've put up the pdf I have that is a bunch of defender stencils.  The marquee
is up top.  If you can't extract what you need from it let me know.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bsturk/defenderstencil.pdf

thanks a bunch

[Apollo]

I also need vectorised versions of the Defender front and side art. I have PM'd you can you let me know if you are going to do it?
Thankyou.

[Nannuu]

I'm making a Defender/Stargate control panel for a friend.  I used Jake Stookey's jpeg as a model

http://link.mywwwserver.com/~jstookey/arcade/defendercp/defendercp.html

then changed it around on the right and left side to more closely match others I've seen.  I kept his button layout so that Stargate can be played as well and coins can be added.  I will come back to it in a few days for more tweaking as I tend to catch more mistakes by giving myself some days off.  And I haven't put the stars on yet either.  When I get it to where I want it I'll post the eps file on my site.  If anyone is interested in a file without the two extra buttons I'll make another file for that as well.

It'll probably take me a week or so to mess around with it.

[telengard]

If anyone is interested in a file without the two extra buttons I'll make another file for that as well.

It'll probably take me a week or so to mess around with it.

Good job on the artwork, looks great.  That font on your site
will come in handy too.

Hehe, I was thinking I would like it with the inviso but without
the 25 cents.  I'm not sure that I can find a 10U blank panel to make a complete defender module though.

Is that pdf file going to work OK for you?  If not I can dig up some other pics.

[pathdoc2]

Modular is a great idea.  I'll have to consider this when buiding my next cab.

[SirPoonga]

I've been thinking of a modular design for my second CP.  It will be like this.  Each control will be on a standard module.  The modul will be 1,2, or 3 units wide.  I will have 1 unit spacers.  A trackball will end up taking 3 units.  a joystick 1 unit, 6 buttons 2 units.  I plan on holding it down like jelloslug does.  

The hole in my CP will probably be 10-12 units wide.

[telengard]

I've been thinking of a modular design for my second CP.  It will be like this.  Each control will be on a standard module.  The modul will be 1,2, or 3 units wide.  I will have 1 unit spacers.  A trackball will end up taking 3 units.  a joystick 1 unit, 6 buttons 2 units.  I plan on holding it down like jelloslug does.  

The hole in my CP will probably be 10-12 units wide.

Sounds like a good plan.  I did some work tonight and am getting excited about trying
it out.  What did jelloslug use for holding it down?  Is it sturdy?

[Nannuu]

Good job on the artwork, looks great.  That font on your site
will come in handy too.

Hehe, I was thinking I would like it with the inviso but without
the 25 cents.  I'm not sure that I can find a 10U blank panel to make a complete defender module though.

Is that pdf file going to work OK for you?  If not I can dig up some other pics.

That file should work just fine.  Is that the same file everyone uses as their paint stencil?  If so, I'm assuming it is detailed enough?

As simple as the Defender art is (yellow and red).  It would be a lot cheaper to just break that into two eps files, take it to a sign shop and have them cut yellow and red vinyl.  Vinyl is easy to apply and extremely durable.  Printing is much more expensive.  I'll do the sideart, marquee and front art no problem, just a suggestion (but this will look a tad less authentic given the edge of the vinyl).

When I make the eps file I will fill the surrounding  area with black to print as well so when you apply to your cabinet I guess you can either fill the entire side to make it uniform or cut around what you want and risk the black print being shades off of your cab.  Deoh, this now leads to another question:  Do you want just a very large rectangular shape, the shape/size of a standard Defender cab, or create an contour around the artwork that you could cut to?

I'll also do three versions of the cp.  1) What I have done 2) With no 25 cent 3) With no 25 cent or Invisio

What size is a standard marquee?  Or more importantly, your marquee?  I will slightly oversize just in case so you don't have a chance of light showing.

Sorry sorry sorry, highjacking the thread here!

[jerryjanis]

I'm making a Defender/Stargate control panel for a friend.  I used Jake Stookey's jpeg as a model

http://jstookey.com/arcade/defendercp/defendercp.html

It'll probably take me a week or so to mess around with it.

Hey, when you are done can I add your cleaned-up version to my web site (with due credit, of course)?  Looks good!

-Jake

[telengard]

That file should work just fine.  Is that the same file everyone uses as their paint stencil?  If so, I'm assuming it is detailed enough?

Dunno, I got this from someone way back.  It seems
detailed enough to me but just a little smaller.  The
marquee seems big enough too.  I'm no expert on
graphics and stuff so for all I know this might not
be enough.

As simple as the Defender art is (yellow and red).  It would be a lot cheaper to just break that into two eps files, take it to a sign shop and have them cut yellow and red vinyl.  Vinyl is easy to apply and extremely durable.  Printing is much more expensive.  I'll do the sideart, marquee and front art no problem, just a suggestion (but this will look a tad less authentic given the edge of the vinyl).

Either way is OK with me.  Whatever is easier for you.
Being durable is definetly a good thing.  I had my
current artwork printed and then laminated and I
don't like how it looks and it's peeling off.  

When I make the eps file I will fill the surrounding  area with black to print as well so when you apply to your cabinet I guess you can either fill the entire side to make it uniform or cut around what you want and risk the black print being shades off of your cab.  Deoh, this now leads to another question:  Do you want just a very large rectangular shape, the shape/size of a standard Defender cab, or create an contour around the artwork that you could cut to?

The rectangle sounds fine.  I don't have exact measurements of my cab ( but I can take some ) the
link below has pics of my cabinet if that will help any.

I'll also do three versions of the cp.  1) What I have done 2) With no 25 cent 3) With no 25 cent or Invisio

Cool!  I just order 2 5U panels so I'm going to use them
to make a Defender only panel.  I already have the 2 way and translucent buttons.  Thanks for doing this.

What size is a standard marquee?  Or more importantly, your marquee?  I will slightly oversize just in case so you don't have a chance of light showing.

My marquee is  23 5/16" X  6 5/8".  Not sure if this is a standard size of not.  I made my original marquee 2331x662 for 100DPI, not sure if that was correct either.  It's been quite a while.

Sorry sorry sorry, highjacking the thread here!

[Nannuu]

I'm making a Defender/Stargate control panel for a friend.  I used Jake Stookey's jpeg as a model

http://link.mywwwserver.com/~jstookey/arcade/defendercp/defendercp.html

It'll probably take me a week or so to mess around with it.

Hey, when you are done can I add your cleaned-up version to my web site (with due credit, of course)?  Looks good!

-Jake

Sure!  I'm sure glad you'd done it before me.  I couldn't find any pics that weren't from some strange angle.

[Nannuu]

Telengard,
  I'll get to it then!  Lot's'o'files to make.

[jerryjanis]

Yeah, I was surprised to only find a very few pictures and they were all poor quality or at a bad angle...  I wasn't looking for much, but even still I had to slap together a lot of different bits and pieces and draw some myself...  Man I hate drawing.

Anyway, I don't know if it would help you, but here are the pictures that I used.

http://link.mywwwserver.com/~jstookey/arcade/defendercp/lotsapix/

[telengard]

Telengard,
  I'll get to it then!  Lot's'o'files to make.

Nannuu you are "da man".  Much appreciated!

[Brax]

If it helps......

[telengard]

If it helps......

Hehe, this makes me now want to also change my
glass bezel.  I doubt the "front" artwork would
fit on my cabinet.  I have a sente cab with a Pac-Man
coin door I believe.

[SirPoonga]

I've been thinking of a modular design for my second CP.  It will be like this.  Each control will be on a standard module.  The modul will be 1,2, or 3 units wide.  I will have 1 unit spacers.  A trackball will end up taking 3 units.  a joystick 1 unit, 6 buttons 2 units.  I plan on holding it down like jelloslug does.  

The hole in my CP will probably be 10-12 units wide.

Sounds like a good plan.  I did some work tonight and am getting excited about trying
it out.  What did jelloslug use for holding it down?  Is it sturdy?

Look carefully, he has rails in the big hole.  With an openning in the middle.  Then hooks under each module that is secured when run along the rails.

[)p(]

Very cool indeed.  I live near Funspot too.  I took tons of measurements last time I was there.
 a Defender layout.

could you also measure the key deminsions of some complete classic cabs. Then we could make the 3dmodels more accurate because for most of them bo exact dimension of the relevant parts was availalbe when we made most of them...i was planning to visit retrokade in the uk and take detailed measuremnts of most classic cabs when i was in the uk last week bit it sadly did not went through... so if you or someone else could make some that would be great  

peter

[telengard]

I've been thinking of a modular design for my second CP.  It will be like this.  Each control will be on a standard module.  The modul will be 1,2, or 3 units wide.  I will have 1 unit spacers.  A trackball will end up taking 3 units.  a joystick 1 unit, 6 buttons 2 units.  I plan on holding it down like jelloslug does.  

The hole in my CP will probably be 10-12 units wide.

Sounds like a good plan.  I did some work tonight and am getting excited about trying
it out.  What did jelloslug use for holding it down?  Is it sturdy?

Look carefully, he has rails in the big hole.  With an openning in the middle.  Then hooks under each module that is secured when run along the rails.

Ahh, I think he had sent me his pics a long time ago.  I just realized those were from
jelloslug.  I have rails also but I screw the modules down.  I really wanted something
solid.  I didn't seem like the tab would be sturdy enough although I've never tried it.
I tend to be a little too rough on games like Robotron and Time Pilot.    

[telengard]

Very cool indeed.  I live near Funspot too.  I took tons of measurements last time I was there.
 a Defender layout.

could you also measure the key deminsions of some complete classic cabs. Then we could make the 3dmodels more accurate because for most of them bo exact dimension of the relevant parts was availalbe when we made most of them...i was planning to visit retrokade in the uk and take detailed measuremnts of most classic cabs when i was in the uk last week bit it sadly did not went through... so if you or someone else could make some that would be great  

peter

Definetly!  Just let me know which cabs you'd like me to take measurements of.  Here's
the list of games they have ( not sure if it's 100% up to date though ):

http://www.funspotnh.com/gms-classic.htm

I'm hoping to go in the next few weeks once the weather around here cools down
a little.

[SirPoonga]

Well, you don't pull up on controls too much, jut have joystick controls to really worry about.

[telengard]

Well, you don't pull up on controls too much, jut have joystick controls to really worry about.

Very true.  Joysticks are the only thing I was worried about too.  I have friends
who are even tougher on joysticks, especially when playing the new "fighter"
type games.  I didn't want to chance it so I went with modules I could lock down
hard.

One advantage I see w/ jelloslug's method is not having to deal w/ screws like I do.
The worst panel I figured is something like Robotron, 2 controls + buttons.  To get the exact spacing I had to use a lot of 1U blank panels.  I finally got around to playing a game of Robotron earlier today and the new modules are just as sturdy and solid as my swappable panels so I'm psyched.

I also didn't notice the screws while playing.  I thought they would bug me but
I didn't even feel them.  As usual I stressed out over nothing.  I think lower profile ones will even be better.  I am **very** happy I did this.  It's easier to store, build, and swap controls now for me.  Plus I get the benefit of being able to play a lot of these games with their original ( or as close to it as I can get ) controls and layout.  Can't wait to build a little Vanguard button module.  

Gotta go... need to catch up on some gaming!  I've been working on this new panel
setup for waaaay too long.    

[)p(]

Definetly!  Just let me know which cabs you'd like me to take measurements of.  Here's
the list of games they have ( not sure if it's 100% up to date though ):

http://www.funspotnh.com/gms-classic.htm

I'm hoping to go in the next few weeks once the weather around here cools down
a little.

for me personally i would like to see measrements of  the classics until about 1985. only for galaxian, defender and centipede i currently have detailed measurements...

peter

[Howard_Casto]

I would like highly detailed plans of a stock midway mortal kombat cab.  But I also want a million dollars.  

[Brax]

I would like highly detailed plans of a stock midway mortal kombat cab.  But I also want a million dollars.