Help with Design/Layout of CP

[scream1973]

I am building a 2 player cabinet based on the mameroom UII cabinet plans.

I am looking for some guidance on layout for the CP. I want to try to keep it to the width of the cabinet which will be approx 28.5" given 3/4 plywood with a 27" opening for accommodation of 28"-29" LCD monitor at 26.4" wide  To start it will be 21" CRT monitor with a bezel.

For the CP i am looking for 2 8 way joysticks with 7 buttons . A dedicated 4 way joy , Trackball + whatever additional buttons are normally required for the 4 way/trackball ( thinking 2 each)  plus 1-4 player start buttons ( players 3-4 will be actually USB gamepads connected when required) (or should i just do 2 player starts and then make 3-4 shift functions on the Ipac ?)


No CP art at this point it will simply be black with plexi top.

Thanks in advance

[Donkbaca]

Have you looked at the layouts over at slagcoin? You just find the one you want, print it out full scale, and viola, layout template.

It seems to me that 29 inches is a little cramped for all of that stuff, my CP is 33" wide and it feels about right for 2 grown men, It seems to me that you may have room for a trackball, or a 4 way, but not really for 2 four ways and 2 trackballs, but to each his own.  I suggest you print the layouts out and mock up a lifesize board to see how usable the layout is.

As for additional buttons for the trackball, you don't need them, just use player one buttons 4 5 and 6 for left, center and right mouse clicks.

The buttons you would need, other than controls, would be start, and exit to get you back to the FE.  Some people also add pause, and you may possibly want coin buttons too.  That's it. 

If players three and four are going to be off the gamepad, I would just have a button on the gamepad be start. 

Try to keep your CP as simple and clutter free as possible, it will save you headaches in the long run if you plan on others playing your cab. You want it to be idiot proof.

[DaveMMR]

Check out the Control Panel topic thread at the top of the forum for some ideas.  

But for now, some pointers:

• With no disrepect to Donkbaca or anyone who says similar, don't make your CP wider than it needs be because of the "it seems a little cramped" mentality.  I've seen overcompensation get ugly in that respect.   My panel is only 25" wide WITH trackball, spinner and two sets of joystick w/ 6 buttons each and there's never been any complaints of crowding - and I'm a big guy.  (Don't forget, you don't have to stand square in line with the controls as long as everything is oriented correctly.)  Best thing to do is make a mock-up based on the actual width of your cab (or slightly wider if the cab style calls for it), get a large friend and test it out.
• I'm not a fan of "dedicated" buttons for individual controls because it starts looking very unwelcoming and overwhelming to visitors.  If you are doing a separate 4-way, you can use your regular buttons for when you need it.  Same for trackball.  Few to none of these 4-way/TB games had major button requirements so no sense in cluttering up.
• Unless it's for feel (physical restriction), you can get by with regular 8-ways or U360's and software mapping.   Just a thought.
• I agree with Donkblanca again on the extra start buttons:  Just map them to the regular controllers.   Extraneous buttons on the panel, especially orphaned, will confuse others quite easily.

[Donkbaca]

I agree you don't want it too wide Its all personal choice though.  Mine is 33"  Very wide, and wider than my cab which is 26 inches, so I hang 3 inches on each side.  The best thing is to see what you are comfortable with.  I just borrowed one of my big buddies and we stood at a blank piece of wood and moved until we felt we were comfortably apart

I am not a fan of dedicated controls, but then again, the main reason I have for having a cab is to have something to share with others, so I like a clutter free, non-intimidating CP.  Personally I don't like dedicated 4 ways, it confuses people, and in my mind if you primarily are in to dedicated 4 way games you should make a 4 way cab.  I am actually not a huge fan of trackballs either, I am not a big golden tee guy, and that seems to be the primary reason people have them.  I have one, and am on the fence about installing it. 

Anyway, enough about me   do what YOU like, just consider the purpose of your cab, who will be using it and make it as simple as possible.  

[JohnEDollar]

I am actually not a huge fan of trackballs either, I am not a big golden tee guy, and that seems to be the primary reason people have them. 

Don't forget about Missile Command, Centipede, Milipede, Marble Madness, World Class Bowling and Cameltry.   (All great trackball games!)

- John

[scream1973]

Thanks for the input.. I didnt wanna re-invent the wheel especially since it sseems to be a common configuration..
Trackball is must havefor me with a lil marble madness , crystal castles , cabal..

I'll take a look at that site as well

[Paul Olson]

Just make it comfortable for you. My CP is 34" wide, and it is great for two player. When I play 2 player on my Neo Geo, it is way too cramped, but the MAME cab is comfortable.

The mock up recommendation is a good one. go get some hardboard at home depot and mount the controls on it. It is cheap and easy to work with. That way you will know if the positioning is right for you before you start building.

[scream1973]

Placed my order last night for the guts.. other than the t-ball as they are outta stock at the moment. But definately will do the mock up layout first i think.
We are thinking about 8 buttons per player now to support N64 games which my son loves to play and for the couple of extra bucks why not.
Probably gonna use this layout for both players




Trackball in the middle and then have to figure out the best spot for the 4 way joy as well