Need Help building buttons for a USB Control Panel

[malibumike]

I need to create buttons that reference options in a Photo Booth. The box holds 5 buttons and needs to reference (Ctrl-Z, Ctrl-J, Ctrl-K, Space Bar and Ctrl-P). I have already created the box and simply need the button components created. I am a graphic and web designer but have no experience in building these. If someone can help I would love to pay for these services. I am sorry for posting here, I don't have many friends and didn't know where else to go. Thank you...

[drventure]

easiest option is to buy a KeyWiz, or some other USB Keyboard encoder, just google arcade keyboard encoder for all sorts of options.

Essentially, you can hook it up via USB to a PC, and it looks just like a keyboard. There's simple software that comes with that will let you map any input to any keystroke.

Then, just connect a ground and signal wire to each button and to the encoder and you're done. There's easy instructions that are included, and there's lots of topics here about hooking up keyboard encoders too.

And welcome to the forums!

[PL1]

Welcome aboard, Malibumike.

This project sounds like a perfect fit for an I-Pac from Ultimarc.



Programming utility can be downloaded here.

You could program the IPac inputs like this:

1SW1 = Ctrl (default--already programmed)
1SW2 = Z

1SW3 = Ctrl
1SW4 = J

1SW5 = Ctrl
1SW6 = K

1SW7 = Space Bar

1SW8 = Ctrl
1Strt = P

Jumper input 1SW1=>1SW2, 1SW3=>1SW4, 1SW5=>1SW6, and 1SW8=>1Strt with 4 pieces of wire -- don't worry, it won't hurt the inputs.

Connect inputs 1SW1, 1SW3, 1SW5, 1SW7, and 1SW8 to the 5 momentary pushbuttons like this diagram. (+2 switches)


When you press the first button, ground is applied to input 1SW1 and jumpered to input 1SW2, giving you a "Ctrl" and a "Z".

Ultimarc also has classic arcade-style 1 1/8" pushbuttons in various colors.



You can easily drill the button holes using a 1 1/8" spade bit, hole saw or forstner bit.


Scott