CONTROL PANEL.....WHAT SHOULD I ADD TO THIS??

[Bobby115]

Here is a PIC of my CONTROL PANEL.

What should I add to this panel?  Not sure which way to go.........

Any suggestions will help

Right now its a 4 player panel with each player having a joystick and 2 buttons. Also on the panel are 1-2-3-4 player start buttons;

[Bobby115]

THIS WILL BE USED AS A MAME ARCADE CABINET

Thanks for the help


Bobby

[tmasman]

I'd say try and get 6 buttons each for the front 2 players, and 4 buttons each for the outside 2 players. (total, not add that many).

It looks like you may have to get creative to get the 6 buttons on the front right player though...

[hyiu]

its a pretty nice panel....
I would say... keep it the way it is....

if you want to mod.... make another top piece.....
(maybe make it a swappable panel....)
then start over from scratch.... (just that top piece....)

also.... instead of asking what to add....
we can start by 6 buttons for player 1&2... spinner... tball... 4 way.... trigger sticks.... rotating sticks..... lightgun.... (and this list just keeps going.... and going.....)

ask yourself.... what do you want to play on this ??....
then.... suit yourself with the right combo.....

hope it helps....

[Bobby115]

if you want to mod.... make another top piece.....
(maybe make it a swappable panel....)
then start over from scratch.... (just that top piece....)


Any examples of a top peice around?

Thanks for the replies guys

Bobby

[rampy]

I think it definitely needs a caps lock off button *shrug*

rampy

[3dmacman]

There's a lot of space in the middle for a trackball or spinner.   Jus my .02.

[pointdablame]

I would add 2 more buttons to each player and make it swappable. That way, that panel can be your dedicated 4p panel. Then make a swappable top with maybe 2 joys, 6 buttons each. Maybe a trackball/spinner on it too. Or you could make multiple other CPs and have a fighter panel (2joys, 6buttons) a spinner/tb panel.... etc etc etc.

Also, when you said "Any examples of a top peice around?" I assumed you didn't understand the statement. Hyiu was trying to say keep the panel you have intact, and devise a way to simply remove the top piece of the box (the part holding the actual controls) Then make an exact replica of the top panel out of MDF, wood, whatever. Put whatever controls you'd like on this new panel and then you would have 2 tops to the CP box. Depending on what games you wanted to play, simply plug in the corresponding top. Voila!

[Bobby115]

Ok, I decided to modifiy this control panel. It looks like I'm gonna try to put 6 buttons for player 2 and player 3 in the front and 4 buttons each for the 2 in the back. I will also add a trackball to the middle. I have a guy in the neigborhood that will add everything if I supply the parts for $60.

What route would I take to make the 2 front controlers Player one and player 2? the way its setup now is the one on the top left is player 1 and so on.

My main question is how do you think these buttons should be setup? Not sure how I should do this...Any IDEA's?


Thanks

[tmasman]

Since you're going to have to get an encoder, you'll pretty much need to completely replace the wiring on the underside of the CP...

You might be able to salvage some of the existing wiring (Like to the joysticks), but you'll be adding a bunch of buttons anyhow...

Just remember that when you go to hook them up to the encoder (I'm guessing you'll get the IPAC4) to hook up the sticks to the inputs you want them to be.

Your first issue is deciding what hardware you want (sticks, buttons, trackballs, spinners, etc...)  Your next issue is figuring out the layout on your panel. The other issue is connecting the controls to your PC.  From what you are saying, I'd approach all of this in that order...

Sounds like you've already decided the hardware (controls)...

Now figure out the best layout for you...
I'd probably build a whole new top for that CP... The holes that are there aren't exactly in optimal places for a 6 button layout...

Then get your encoder(s) to get all of your controls talking to the PC...
Sounds like the IPAC4 may be your best bet (from what I know), but I'm sure a few others might have some other suggestions. You will also need an interface for the Trackball (if you don't get one with an interface built in)... I'd suggest OSCAR's USB mouse hack if you're on a budget.

Let us know what you decide to do!

[hyiu]

from what I see in your pics... I don't think you can add all the things you wanted by simply drilling more holes....

you'll need to move the joystick locations to make space for the buttons.....

since you're paying that guy $60 + parts for the mod... pay him extra $20 and he'll go buy a piece of wood and make you a new panel....

all you need is unscrew the hinge and that top piece will come out....

player1 & 2's stick is too close for a 6 buttons layout... (from what I see in the pic...)

hope it helps...

and yes... you can probably reuse some of the buttons...
if the buttons are used.... when order the extra stuffs... get some new microswitches...

[Bobby115]

Ok, I'm gonna go with what you guys said. I will take off this control panel and take measurements and build a new one. I will keep the original intact.

Thanks.......Gonna try to start this sunday........What is the best program to design a panel? I have Photoshop 7 and some others...would this be ok?

Thanks