The making of a Slickstick

[ssdesigner]

I want to be able to build one control to play them all (kind of sounded Lord of the Ring-ish didn't it?...no? nevermind then) so here is a link

http://www.arcadecontrols.com/reviews/images/slikstik-classkeycfg.jpg

....what the slickstick in the above link has I want. I was just curious if anyone has a template that pretty closely matches it anywhere that I can download and print out. I want to make sure I have the proper spacing of everything...make sure my buttons aren't to close to eachother etc. etc.

-SS

[eightbit]

Is that drawing to scale?

[ssdesigner]

I don't think so 8bit....it was from a controls review page where the guy rated and documented all the available commercial controls out there so I doubt it was. Just wondering if anyone has one like this and has blueprinted it out. I know alot of the spacing is determined by your overall playing style but I want to make sure all the allignments are right so my buttons don't get all crammed together or touch eachother after installed....stuff like that. I'm pretty handy with building, just the overall layout that scares me.

-SS

[zaphod]

This isn't the layout of the SS, but I used the various sections successfully.  The distances between buttons and between buttons and joysticks were perfect for me.  This also prints out to scale.  I just selected a section (eg. a joystick and 6-button configuration) and printed that out.  Repeated for trackball, spinner, etc.  Makes laying them out easy.  Would ensure none of your buttons touch.

http://mtrello1.tripod.com/images/CP_Pics/cp1.2-port.pdf

[PedroSilva]

Hi ...

Just a question:
Doesn't Mouse1 and Mouse2 buttons send the same keycodes has LeftCtrl and LeftShift ?

Thanks,

[eightbit]

Hi ...

Just a question:
Doesn't Mouse1 and Mouse2 buttons send the same keycodes has LeftCtrl and LeftShift ?

You can program them in mame to do the same actions but in Windows they are going to be mouse buttons. Whether you need them or not is up to you.

I recomend doing a cardboard mock up of your control panel. Simulate playing on it, if its a 2 player have someone stand next to you and flail there elbows. This is the best way to test a panel.

[PedroSilva]

Hi ...

Just a question:
Doesn't Mouse1 and Mouse2 buttons send the same keycodes has LeftCtrl and LeftShift ?

You can program them in mame to do the same actions but in Windows they are going to be mouse buttons. Whether you need them or not is up to you.

I recomend doing a cardboard mock up of your control panel. Simulate playing on it, if its a 2 player have someone stand next to you and flail there elbows. This is the best way to test a panel.

Perfect ... Windows will be hiden anyway ...
Thanks

[ssdesigner]

This isn't the layout of the SS, but I used the various sections successfully.  The distances between buttons and between buttons and joysticks were perfect for me.  This also prints out to scale.  I just selected a section (eg. a joystick and 6-button configuration) and printed that out.  Repeated for trackball, spinner, etc.  Makes laying them out easy.  Would ensure none of your buttons touch.

http://mtrello1.tripod.com/images/CP_Pics/cp1.2-port.pdf

Wow...what can I say, thanks Zaph!! I've been searching for something like that for weeks!! Looks great

So, if I want to swap out a couple things (like an Oscar Pro Spinner) that should be no problem right? Was your first step ordering all the buttons and parts you wanted...then see how big of an area you need to mount them and lay it out from there? Also, did you hack a PC keyboard or get the (sorry i forget the name of it) converter card? Thanks again Zaph!!! Much appreciated!

-SS

[zaphod]

The PDF doc was one I used, but isn't my layout.  Can't remember where I found it.  Personally, I printed out the pieces of paper and laid them out on my table first, to decide on how big the controller needed to be.   I then ordered the parts (from Bob Roberts).
I cut a practice board to lay it all out on (http://mtrello1.tripod.com/images/CP_Pics/110-1034_IMG.JPG).   Then I tweaked the final layout over the course of a couple weeks, as I kept changing my mind.

Ultimarc's IPac is the interface I used.  Excellent product.

Make sure you look at the many, MANY excellent examples on this site for possible layouts before committing yourself to a final design.