Control Panel Layout

[Projammer]

Just looking for some advise on control panels.

I really don't care for the look of frankenpanels so my plan is either to have changeable control panels or a rotating one.

I figure the primary board should be two 8-way sticks with 6 buttons each. A second would be a combination trackball and spinner and maybe a 4-way. No real plans beyond that.

I've found some layouts online, but they're mostly unclear about button functions or aren't really what I'm looking for. Plus some information overload trying to sort through everything I'm turning up.

So I'm looking for some suggestions for boards or links to organized collections.

Thanks again!

[mgb]

Have you thought about a simple 2 joysticks, each with 6 buttons (Street Fighter layout).
and for the joysticks, you can use Sanwa JLWs or Seimitsu LS-32s which are switchable from 4-way to 8-way (true restrictor)
or you can use Ultimarc Magsticks (modified Sanwas?) which can be switched by pulling and rotating stick.
Or of course the Ultimarc U360 which can be mapped for 4 or 8 way.
just some ideas. otherwise, search the forums here, there are many examples of every type of setup; Simple classic setups, Fighters, swappable, modular and of course Frankenpanel
good luck

[Nephasth]

If you're fan of Mortal Kombat and/or NeoGeo games, you might like a 7 button layout like this. (Sorry guys, recycling pics)

[lordnacho]

If you're fan of Mortal Kombat and/or NeoGeo games, you might like a 7 button layout like this. (Sorry guys, recycling pics)

Mortal Kombat?  Do you mean newer ones?

[Nephasth]

Guess if you consider MK3 a newer one...

[Vigo]

The board that Nephasth posted is a great layout, I personally would not put in the lower 7th button; it is great for playing NeoGeo in the native control style, but is not necessary. I would also have 6 buttons for player 2 as well for head to head fighting.

Each Player will also need a start button. For putting in credits, you can also go with a button, and you will probably want a seperate credit button for each player. Credits can also be taken care of by adding a real coin door, or by adding them as a "shift command" if you are using an encoder like an iPac to connect your controls to a computer. So if you held down the start button and then pressed another button, it would register that as a credit. The same goes for exiting, you can either make an exit button or use a shift command to exit.

Some people also add other "admin buttons" as well for tasks like 'pause'. Those buttons are optional as well.

[lordnacho]

Isn't Mk3 6 buttons?  Sorry, I'm wondering if I need another button hole

http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/111/1115576909.jpg

[mgb]

Vigo,
 Remember though that Nephasth's cab has two panels and two monitors

[Vigo]

Vigo,
 Remember though that Nephasth's cab has two panels and two monitors

Ah, yeah....I wasn't connecting that at all in my mind until you pointed it out. Thanks.

Isn't Mk3 6 buttons?  Sorry, I'm wondering if I need another button hole

http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/111/1115576909.jpg

7 buttons are not needed for mk3....it is just to keep the original layout. You don't use the top center button, but instead use the 7th button as the run command.

[Nephasth]

The board that Nephasth posted is a great layout, I personally would not put in the lower 7th button; it is great for playing NeoGeo in the native control style, but is not necessary. I would also have 6 buttons for player 2 as well for head to head fighting.

You beat me to it mgb!

For those who don't know, that CP is one of two CPs for my dual monitor project. The 7 button layout is player 1, the 4 button layout is player 3. There is an identical CP for players 2 & 4. In 2 player games, each player has their own screen.

Isn't Mk3 6 buttons?  Sorry, I'm wondering if I need another button hole

http://www.arcade-museum.com/images/111/1115576909.jpg

Correct. But in that pic, the top middle button is unused, leaving 6 playable buttons for MK3. For MK and MK2 the run button would be unlit and unusable. In Street Fighter, the top middle would be lit white and usable, and the bottom 7th button would be unlit and unusable. And the top row of buttons is unlit/unusable for NeoGeo, effectively making it a 4 button layout. I use this layout to mimic as close as possible original button layouts and colors for most games.

[Vigo]

Hehe, yeah sorry about that, Nephasth...I have actually been watching your conversion/build (and really like it). I had a momentary lapse of reason and didn't think about that was actually only half of your cp.

[lordnacho]

For those who don't know, that CP is one of two CPs for my dual monitor project. The 7 button layout is player 1, the 4 button layout is player 3. There is an identical CP for players 2 & 4. In 2 player games, each player has their own screen.

Friggin' awesome

[mgb]

You beat me to it mgb!

Sorry, I guess I got a liittle too excited  

[Nephasth]

Hehe, yeah sorry about that, Nephasth. I had a momentary lapse of reason and didn't think about that was actually only half of your cp.

Sorry, I guess I got a liittle too excited 

All is forgiven.

I have actually been watching your conversion/build (and really like it).

Friggin' awesome

Thanks guys!