Pirate's Arcade - updated Control Panel Progress

[JDFan]

Looking good.   

One minor tweak to consider is widening the red and dark red outlines a bit more on the apostrophe to match the other text.


Scott

Hmm - thought I had made it the same but maybe not (think I scaled it down a bit to fit in place after placing) This should be closer :

[PL1]

    


Scott

[korbitz]

Have you not thought about just calling in 'Pirate Arcade' that way it has the same chars per side, might help to balance left and right, atm left has the focus a bit, just my 2 cents, looking good so far though

[JDFan]

Have you not thought about just calling in 'Pirate Arcade' that way it has the same chars per side, might help to balance left and right, atm left has the focus a bit, just my 2 cents, looking good so far though

I was actually thinking  "Pirate's Arr!!Cade" Similar to below (ignore the background text as I don't have a copy of the art without the text layer right now so just made a temporary pic for concept) - but not sure if it would be something dandro would be interested in and it is his cab !

[dandro]

I think we are good to go on the marquee 

I should be receiving the wiring harness this afternoon. Since I have my PC ready to go for the most part, the JPAC, etc.. I should be able to get the monitor hooked up and make sure that all works. I know the monitor works when hooked up to a Jamma PCB, but now I need to make sure it all works hooked up to the PC. Next week I'll order some controls for the CP and get working on that artwork  If anyone has any ideas on that, I would be happy to hear them! LOL.

[dandro]

oh yeah, I forgot to mention that one, about painting the back of the glass, that came across my mind as well... seems that it could be a nice touch! Is the technique still painting it black, then shooting silver over that to prevent light? Appreciate the feedback!

I just taped it off and painted it black with a standard roller and a couple coats.  Then used an exacto knife to make straight edges just in case it was too thick for the tape.  No light comes through and I think it has a very clean look.  Here's a pic of what mine turned out like.  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=128354.0;attach=276549;image

ok, so I am about ready to buy the glass and tint it, so my question is do people paint over the tint? or tint over the paint? just something I haven't thought of until recently...

[maffewl]

I bought the glass pre-tinted.  If I was doing it myself, I would apply the tint first, then paint.

[dandro]

that was my thought as well, thank you.

[dandro]

Progress!

Yesterday when I got home, the Jamma harness was in the mailbox (yay!). Had to cut off the molex connector for the video and solder on the one from the monitor, 5 minutes. Started looking at the harness and realized that I need to brush up on my Japanese, apparently Paradise Arcade understands this language better than I. Back on track, figured out which way was what on the harness, connected it up to the JPAC. After 3 hours of *^$#ing around with the video, resolution, etc., I have this:



Let me tell you, this was a pain in the --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules--. I am still seeing something weird. Since I had my LCD attached to the DVI port of the video card (Radeon X1600 Pro) and the JPAC connected to the VGA port, the video displays on the arcade monitor just fine (@ 320x240 32 colors). When I disconnected the LCD via the DVI port and even disabled the screen in the display properties of Windows, the arcade monitor won't come on. Plug the LCD back in (still disabled) and the arcade monitor works flawlessly...    so..at that point I was pretty tired 10:30pm and had to be up at 03:30 this am.. I'll have to play with this more.

Monitor Calibration Question:  If anyone is using an arcade monitor with the 320x240 resolution, what on earth are you using to calibrate the colors? Guess connect, re-enable LCD and get something over to the other screen? The resolution is so horrible for Windows, that it really renders a keyboard just about useless... Which reminds me, that cool slide out keyboard tray may very well just come out, I can't see any reason for one on these things. I hadn't expected to network this PC, but it appears i'll be tossing in a wireless card for VNC'ing into it (remote).

[Endprodukt]

Calibration of colors is done via pots on the neckboard or chassis of the monitor.

[dandro]

Calibration of colors is done via pots on the neckboard or chassis of the monitor.

right, okay what I meant was, a calibration screen that one can normally select up on a jamma board via the service switch so you can calibrate the monitor:

like this:

[Endprodukt]

You can find a Nokia test screen around the Internet. Check it out.

[dandro]

I was trying to over think this one.. Just grabbed an image and resized it to 320x240... we'll see how that goes.

[dandro]

Little weekend work update:

Got the monitor squared away with 640x480 resolution YAY! I uninstalled the ATI drivers, reinstalled, reloaded soft15k and it worked like a champ... ?? Still cannot figure out why monitor, connected to DVI output still needs to be plugged in, not on, just plugged in, in order for the VGA port to function. Under investigation at this point.

Cabinet, cut holes in the rear for the ventilation system going in. I'll have to get pictures of this one, it's not your ordinary PC fans. Since the cab will be in my garage and if I can stand playing in the heat during the summer, it will get seriously hot in there, so circulation will be a must.

Also installed the speaker shelf. Wanted to get another few coats of paint on this thing, but just ran out of steam. After fighting the monitor thing for hours, I was done.. LOL 

[JDFan]

Little weekend work update:

 Still cannot figure out why monitor, connected to DVI output still needs to be plugged in, not on, just plugged in, in order for the VGA port to function. Under investigation at this point.

Might be that when you installed the video drivers you had a monitor hooked up to the DVI port so that was set to the default - try uninstalling the video card driver (so that windows substitutes the generic VGA driver) - shut down the system - unhook the DVI connected monitor leaving just the VGA port monitor plugged in and then reboot (hopefully the VGA monitor will work at that point and you can reinstall the video card driver.

[dandro]

OKay, got the video sorted out, just changed the cables from DVI to vga and have just the one monitor now..

With that being said; I got the dreaded email from the wife "no buying of ANYTHING!!! funds are tight this month, writing out the budget for groceries and gas".. so looks like my project is on budget-hold. 

[yotsuya]

OKay, got the video sorted out, just changed the cables from DVI to vga and have just the one monitor now..

With that being said; I got the dreaded email from the wife "no buying of ANYTHING!!! funds are tight this month, writing out the budget for groceries and gas".. so looks like my project is on budget-hold. 

What do you need, my friend? Some of us might have parts lying around.

[dandro]

Thank you for asking Yotsuya;


pretty much all I need that is store bought (stuff I can't get or make) is:

• buttons, going with 2 player CP, 6 buttons each + 1P/2P
• Joysticks, since I am on a modified budget, looking at the competition 8 way $8.95/each jobs bat style.
• coin door, but since I am making the front easily removable, I can always add that later. Love the idea of making the eject button, the coin in..
• T-molding, going to get 3/4" black. I suppose I need the standard 20' roll

Ordered from GameMolding.com

• Plexi/acrylic/lexan, something to cover the 32x19" CP since I will be printing my own CPO and sandwiching it in.
• Smart Strip, Home Depot has a Belkin that will do the job nicely, $30
• 26"x24" glass for monitor, Lowes has the exact size for $8.95. SO I will need to get that as well as tint.
• Marquee lighting, looking at the GGG Nova Matrix

not a whole lot of $$ here, but it adds up. THe good ol' IRS (taxes) are reaming us this year.. 

I guess and in all, not such a bad thing, need to work on the CPO graphics anyhow

[dandro]

I am officially stumped on the control panel art... any thoughts from you creative geniuses? I keep tossing stuff together, but bleh,,... The control panel is 32w x 19h so it's a nice canvas sizem just can't get into the rhythm I had with the Marquee

[griffindodd]

I am officially stumped on the control panel art... any thoughts from you creative geniuses? I keep tossing stuff together, but bleh,,... The control panel is 32w x 19h so it's a nice canvas sizem just can't get into the rhythm I had with the Marquee

I'd take away the skull and the lettering from the Marquee and use that as the base, that circular compass art is screaming out to have the trackball in the middle of it.

[Le Chuck]

[mcseforsale]

Don't worry, Dandro.  You're in really good hands with these 2.

AJ

[Nephasth]

Would be cool if you could find something like these in the right size to swap out with a trackball...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80mm-3D-Laser-Crystal-Ball-Sphere-Halloween-Skull-Base-/330892201706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0ab64eea
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIG-HEALING-SINGING-SONG-SKULL-INSIDE-CRYSTAL-BALL-/400441599520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3c2de620

[dandro]

Would be cool if you could find something like these in the right size to swap out with a trackball...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80mm-3D-Laser-Crystal-Ball-Sphere-Halloween-Skull-Base-/330892201706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0ab64eea
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIG-HEALING-SINGING-SONG-SKULL-INSIDE-CRYSTAL-BALL-/400441599520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3c2de620

oh yeah, that would be slick!! I think the trackball is something i'll have to add later due to cost. 

I am also liking the other ideas, I guess it would make too much sense to have the CP and Marquee somewhat fluid and similar in style and design. Maybe have the button layout, faded black with the red outline as the lettering...

[Le Chuck]

I am officially stumped on the control panel art... any thoughts from you creative geniuses? I keep tossing stuff together, but bleh,,... The control panel is 32w x 19h so it's a nice canvas sizem just can't get into the rhythm I had with the Marquee

I'd take away the skull and the lettering from the Marquee and use that as the base, that circular compass art is screaming out to have the trackball in the middle of it.

The map is gorgeous but so busy it would be hard to get the components blend properly perhaps.  Dunno.  The trackball would look sick tho.  I think that going with some nice dark sea tones on the CP would be a good palette to work from.  Also I thought about an open treasure chest and having the buttons be the cursed doubloons from the first film. 

[griffindodd]

Maybe have the button layout, faded black with the red outline as the lettering...

There you go Stella, you're starting to get your groove now

[mcseforsale]

Adding a track ball later would be difficult, IMO.  I'd at least plan it into the design with the proper cutouts.  I bought my trackball used on fleabay for 15 bux a few years ago.  It was a re-card Happ, too, so it'd been already updated. 

When you're ready, at least you'll have the measurements.  I think this works with Betsons, too, but I don't know:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119081.0.html

AJ

Would be cool if you could find something like these in the right size to swap out with a trackball...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80mm-3D-Laser-Crystal-Ball-Sphere-Halloween-Skull-Base-/330892201706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0ab64eea
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIG-HEALING-SINGING-SONG-SKULL-INSIDE-CRYSTAL-BALL-/400441599520?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3c2de620

oh yeah, that would be slick!! I think the trackball is something i'll have to add later due to cost. 

I am also liking the other ideas, I guess it would make too much sense to have the CP and Marquee somewhat fluid and similar in style and design. Maybe have the button layout, faded black with the red outline as the lettering...

[dandro]

Since I am waiting for $$ and parts, I gave the cab another 2 coats of paint and added the front panel. I also managed to score a free sheet of tinted Lexan from a buddy who had left overs. I went to Lowes home improvement store on Friday to see about the glass, HOLY COW!! you def. get what you pay for! That sheet of 24"x26" glass was as thin as paper, no way would it have survived the ride home and if it managed to do so, first time someone smacked it (kids) it surely would have broke.

The marquee is just a printed off version for mock up.

Anyway here it is today:

[JDFan]

I am officially stumped on the control panel art... any thoughts from you creative geniuses? I keep tossing stuff together, but bleh,,... The control panel is 32w x 19h so it's a nice canvas sizem just can't get into the rhythm I had with the Marquee

Maybe something similar to this :

[griffindodd]

Ummm, why does Kiera Knightly have a joystick for a nose, and Johnny Depp a trackball?

[PL1]

Maybe something similar to this :

ONLY if you re-compose the photo so that P1 buttons aren't covering eyes and P2 joystick isn't sprouting like a "witchie-poo" nose.   




Scott

[griffindodd]

BURN HER!!!

[dandro]

you guys are crazy.. lol.. 

[maffewl]

I would take Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom off it completely.  Sparrow is the franchise.  If you needed other characters, I would go with Barbosa/Davy Jones/Blackbeard, and of course Jack the Monkey way before those two made it to my control panel.

[griffindodd]

now...if you move the joystick hole to Kiera's mouth....... erm.... I've said too much already

[maffewl]

now...if you move the joystick hole to Kiera's mouth....... erm.... I've said too much already

[yotsuya]

I liked the idea of the treasure map CP, especially as the flat area of the CP reminds me of a table. You could have a map, some items, really do it up.

[dandro]

yeah,.. I have been messing around with it, nothing worth while has evolved from these hands... but I am working on it.

[dandro]

okay, this is what I am liking so far,... can't seem to get the layout right for buttons etc, so not sure what I'll do with that, yet. I know I want 6 buttons for both players, 1P/2P, 8 way joys. I'll go investigate what else should be on here without cluttering it all up.

[Nephasth]

I like it!