Button layout question

[ron310]

I current have 4 buttons on my cab laid out in one row, for neo geo games.
I want to redo the cp with a 6 button layout to play some capcom fighters.
What is the best way to layout the buttons? I am torn between doing 7 buttons (4 on top for neo geo, with 3 on bottom) or a 6 button layout using the lower rows first button with the top rows 3 buttons for neo geo games (if that makes sense). Thoughts, suggestions...

[Nephasth]

I like a curved 7 button layout. Old pics, but they work:

[PL1]

Slagcoin + cardboard box test panel FTW.


Scott

[Le Chuck]

I current have 4 buttons on my cab laid out in one row, for neo geo games.
I want to redo the cp with a 6 button layout to play some capcom fighters.
What is the best way to layout the buttons? I am torn between doing 7 buttons (4 on top for neo geo, with 3 on bottom) or a 6 button layout using the lower rows first button with the top rows 3 buttons for neo geo games (if that makes sense). Thoughts, suggestions...

Before you rip it all apart remap buttons 1+2 to Low Punch and buttons 3+4 to low kick.  1+4 for block in MK.  The four by themselves should be the mediums and hards. Then report back if you can still play passably well in MK, SFII, and MvsC.  I've had this hairbrained cheat of an idea for a while but haven't tried it.  I really need to pull out the special move charts and and see if anything is impossible.

I'm a fan of the straight two rows of three and using button 4 (bottom left) as button one for Neo Geo and hitting it with my thumb but if you have the space Nep's is a great layout. 

[Yenome]

I used the sega layout with the top 4th button removed. tho im bout to build a ps3 fight stick and will be putting that button back in for it.

[ron310]

I'm starting to lean towards this layout. This way I can just add the bottom 3 buttons and keep what's already there.
From this
To this


Anyone do something like this?

[TheShaner]

This is all totally personal preference of course, but I prefer a Mortal Kombat / Capcom Mix

[drventure]

Second vote for NEPs curved layout, it just seems to fit better. But, like the shaner said, it's all a personal pref. Try mocking up a layout and seeing if it works well for you.

[paigeoliver]

A lot of people find the curved layouts harder to play on. They didn't exist on American arcade machines until Street Fighter IV came out and even that has a super mild curve, not the wicked half rainbow that a lot of people here are building. The panel on my main machine is one that someone else built with the exaggerated curve and I wish it wasn't that way, I really do.

Also, if you didn't live and breathe Neo Geo fighters back when they were current then you will probably find that putting the 4th Neo Geo button on the right works a whole lot better than putting it on the left does. The Neo Geo button layout wasn't designed for optimum usability it was designed to squeeze a 4th button in on existing 3 button Japanese cabinets and SNK just copied that over to the American layout.

[t3design]

Here is mine:



I had a limited width due to the nature of my cabinet design and wanted two players plus track ball, spinner and dedicated 4-way.

I wanted the ability to play any game, but don't play fighters as a rule so went with less curved and three buttons on top. I haven't played the bottom four buttons since I started being able to use the machine.

T3

[Nephasth]

A lot of people find the curved layouts harder to play on.

A lot of people tend to adapt with what's laid out in front of them.

My layout was created (before testing it out on any games) based off the natural placement of my fingers when spread to distance between the centers of the buttons as laid out by the slagcoin layouts. I also went with this layout to be able to mimic (not exactly duplicate) multiple layouts such as the MK series, NeoGeo, and many others (most games are 2-3 buttons anyway). Even though I can use the bottom row for a "close" NeoGeo layout, my preference is also that of Chuck's when it comes to NeoGeo games: top 3 buttons and the 4th being the first of the second row (not the 7th button) with my thumb. I find the 7th button to be a bit a strectch with NeoGeo games, but I switch between playing the bottom 4 in a row and the top three with the first of the second row from time to time. For some 4 button games (non-NeoGeo) I use the first two buttons of each row. A buddy of mine has a dedicated MK, and even though my layout doesn't match the original and I have U360s in the Beast, he has no problem kicking the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of his opponents on my machine.

Out of the many people who have played on the Beast, nobody has complained about any of the controls (or anything with the machine). Pretty much everyone is just blown away to see an arcade machine in a home environment. So, to echo the majority, it does boil down to personal preference. But I do favor having the 7th button on the lower left like how TheShaner, t3design and I have ours placed. You're the one building the machine, you'll be playing it substantially more than anybody else, you'll know the ins and outs of the hardware and software. If you're happy with it in the end, you did it the right way.

[Cynicaster]

Yeah, I used one of the Slagcoin layouts with 6 buttons and a slight curve.  The 2nd and 3rd buttons of each row are in line, with the 1st button in each row offset downward slightly.  If I built again, I’d do it the exact same way.  My fingers are not all the same length, and the slight arc compensates for this almost perfectly—the buttons sit directly beneath my fingertips at rest without having to strain my hand.  My brother has his buttons in a straight line, and I can’t stand it.  I was playing Bank Panic over there once, and I had to quit because the strain required to keep my index finger inline with the others started causing pains in my hand and wrist.  I don’t play MAME to develop repetitive strain injuries. 

[yotsuya]

Another vote for Slagcoin. I wouldn't do it any other way. No 7th button for me, either.

[ron310]

Thanks for all the input. I decided (for now) to drill the 3 new holes and cap the top 4th. I'll eliminate the capped button when I redo it down the road.
I started by routing space for the extra 3 buttons.


Then I moved the encoder


The I drilled the acrylic

I took this to give an idea of how thick the acrylic is

Now I'm waiting for the delivery of my buttons, wire and connectors.
I'm also going to do the cp overlay in a 3d vinyl of white carbon fiber.
I'll post more when it's done.

[ron310]

These are my 2 options



I'm leaning towards 6 buttons and cap

[BadMouth]

I prefer the first option because I automatically put my index finger on the upper left button and assume it's the first button (A).

Go with your own preference though.

[ron310]

I was not really sure what row the "a" button should be on. I never had more than 1 row on my control panel, but i actually feel like the bottom row first button should be "a". What do most people do?

[paigeoliver]

The upper row is normally the first button, not the lower row. I often go through and remap game by game. So in Galaga all 7 buttons are shoot, in Final Fight the buttons will alternate between attack and jump, etc, basically I like to eliminate dead buttons. It is helpful for new players.

[Nephasth]

The upper row is normally the first button, not the lower row. I often go through and remap game by game. So in Galaga all 7 buttons are shoot, in Final Fight the buttons will alternate between attack and jump, etc, basically I like to eliminate dead buttons. It is helpful for new players.

You and PBJ... What a bunch of weirdos...

[yotsuya]

My lower left button, not top left, is my 'A' button. LED-Blinky helps show what buttons are active.

[paigeoliver]

I am going by the wiring of the six button capcom arcade games. Jamma button 1 is the upper left button. Same thing in Mortal Kombat but with a stranger layout.

The upper row is normally the first button, not the lower row. I often go through and remap game by game. So in Galaga all 7 buttons are shoot, in Final Fight the buttons will alternate between attack and jump, etc, basically I like to eliminate dead buttons. It is helpful for new players.

You and PBJ... What a bunch of weirdos...

[wcndave]

My layout was created (before testing it out on any games) based off the natural placement of my fingers

I also went with this layout to be able to mimic (not exactly duplicate) multiple layouts such as the MK series, NeoGeo,

Even though I can use the bottom row for a "close" NeoGeo layout, my preference is also that of Chuck's when it comes to NeoGeo games: top 3 buttons and the 4th being the first of the second row (not the 7th button) with my thumb. I find the 7th button to be a bit a strectch with NeoGeo games, but I switch between playing the bottom 4 in a row and the top three with the first of the second row from time to time.

As i am building my first, whatever I build will become what me and my buddies get used to.  So with no muscle memory history been trying a few.  All up for 6 buttons on a gentle arc, and much of what nep said, however some things confuse me.

From your text, other than "time to time", you never use the 7th?
I thought it was there for neogeo layout... Also how do you get(as a few ppl said) mk layout from this?  I can only think you make one of the middle buttons block, transfer run to where it was on 7th, and have one middle idle?

If that is correct, then with no baggage, i will make top middle block and bottom middle run, and for neogeo use 2nd row left as 4th with thumb.

I had seen so many 7 button layouts, i thought it was "the done thing" for a better reason?

Happy to be elucidated!

[Nephasth]

Also how do you get(as a few ppl said) mk layout from this?  I can only think you make one of the middle buttons block, transfer run to where it was on 7th, and have one middle idle.

See the first pic I posted in the second post in this thread. It shows my buttons lit up for MK3.

From your text, other than "time to time", you never use the 7th?

Game play wise, it's rare for me to use my 7th button. I don't play neogeo games nor MK3 often, but it's there for when I do. Cabinet wise, I use the 7th button everytime. I have it as a shifted admin button to exit MAME back to Hyperspin and it is also my exit button in Hyperspin.

[wcndave]

Thanks, so it seems that your curve pushes the middle button to near it's original position.  That's cool to maintain an MK layout, however given I didn't really play in arcade, think it's easier to stick with the standard 6.

Do appreciate your help, I've been using my prototype CP with the standard 6, and wondered what I was missing!  Seems the answer is not much as I never really played neo-geo or MK in arcades, so can adapt to a non-standard layout.

thanks again!

Dave

[Yenome]

for the straight 6 in MK with a run. i would suggest making block the middle bottom and run the middle top. makes it easier to do sub zero slide and fatality. its how i config'ed mine but then again i played mk in the arcade and that seemed like an easy way to get the best of both worlds

[Mental]

Study the Slag Coin page and make your decision from there. (http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html)

[ron310]

I finished the new control panel using a seven button layout. It's setup as if there  are only six buttons though...
The top 4 buttons are good for neo geo, while top 3 /bottom 3 are good for cps1&2 games. The easiest way to do this without configuring each game was to wire the top right button and the lower left button as "button 4". Hope this makes sense. Here are the pics:

[ron310]

Fin

[amendonz]

Curved layout takes more space generally than flat...

It ergonomic, less strain.