Project Space Invaders (100% Finished)

[jaharr01]

I remember when I was a kid Space invaders on Atari was the first game I beat. I beat myself up trying to think of something really different, then I thought, hey this is for me not everybody else so originality is not really an issue. There aren't that many space invader cabs I could find that were really nice. jahilton 2002 was the one that stands out the most. The theme is set but the graphics aren't set in stone. I have a few days off so I thought I would get started. After some deliberation I placed an order.


10 x   Arcade PRIME™ Black Pushbutton
  - Microswitch: Standard Soft Touch™   $12.00
1 x   Groovy-TB 3" Trackball
  - Ball and Lighting: Standard Onyx Black Opaque - No
  - Encoder Wheels: Standard Arcade - Low Resolution
  - Bearings: Standard
  - Interface Connection: Opti-Wiz Connectors
  - Trackball Style: Standard
  - Special Offers: Mouse Button Harness ($9.95 valu   $63.90
25 x   Blood Red 3/4-inch T-Molding   $10.00
1 x   Black Player 2 Pushbutton   $1.50
1 x   Black Player 1 Pushbutton   $1.50
1 x   GP-Wiz40 MAX USB Compatible Input Interface with Rotary Support
  - USB Device Number: 1 (Use if FIRST or ONLY of this
  - Pro Wiring Set (See Description): No Wiring   $37.95
8 x   CLASSX™ Colors - RED - Leaf Switch Compatible Button
  - Switch Type: GroovyMicro™ Premium Soft-Touch   $20.72
1 x   OMNI2™ 4/8-way Switchable Arcade Joystick
  - Joystick Switch Options: SmoothJoy™ Switches (Installed)
  - Dustwasher: High-Gloss Black Acrylic
  - Ball Color: Arcade Red   $36.34
I also ordered a coin door

[jaharr01]

Btw here is the side view.

[paolinux78]

my space invaders cabinet   

[DarakuTenshi]

I didn't know that you could beat Space Invaders? I thought it was on of those endless games like most from that era... I'll have to go back and try that out.

[BAMBOO]

my space invaders cabinet   

Damn, thats a sharp looking cab you got there.  All clean and crisp.

[jaharr01]

      Man I love your space invaders cab. I want to do the red T molding like that. VERY nice.I thought I had dug through the forum and saw all of the space invaders cabs, but I have never saw that one. As for beating space invaders it was the Atari 2600 version and I think when you got to a certain score it started all over again.I didn't have enough quarters back then to beat the arcade version.
      well it was 60 degrees today so I got some work done. I got side laid out and cut. I used the copying bit to cut out the other side.That is way easier than trying to lay 2 sides out perfect. The Dewalt jigsaw worked like a charm. Much better than that POS Skil jigsaw.
     I also got a slot cutter, and some electrical stuff in today. I will try to a little more tomorrow then it's back to work till monday.

[jaharr01]

I got a little more done today, not as much as I would like to. I got the bottom frame built and mounted to one side. and all of the braces for both sides cut. Also I got a couple of parts today (usb mounting plug and coin door).

[jaharr01]

Update...
Game on Grafix's artist and I agreed on a finalized theme idea. He is doing a modern take on space invaders I hope it looks awesome because it is not free by any means. I can't wait till I see it

[jaharr01]

Hey I was wondering has anyone ever ran into problems with a laptop triggering a smart strip. I was wondering where the laptop is low voltage it would be an issue?

[jaharr01]

Well I guess I'll figure it out on my own

[PL1]

If you haven't bought the smart strip yet, consider getting one that has the adjustment screw.

That will allow you to adjust the strip's sensitivity.


Scott

[jaharr01]

I think I got the one with the adjustment screw. I got quite a bit done today.It was nice to be outside working in my garage. Here is some update pics.

[EMDB]

I think I got the one with the adjustment screw. I got quite a bit done today.It was nice to be outside working in my garage. Here is some update pics.

Looks good although its hard to see as you resized those images to small...

[jaharr01]

Sorry i did it on my phone and accidentally sized them too small

[jaharr01]

 
The theme for my artwork was a modern look for space invaders. After several drafts I think I have it where I want it Here is a look.

[eds1275]

Please, use a bigger screen than the opening on the bezel!

[jdbailey1206]

The monster, planets, text, and the rocky surface seem to almost be an afterthought.  I would try to make them as dynamic as your aliens and the vortex they are coming out of.  And I agree with eds.  I think you are going to have screen issues being that small on your bezel.

[jaharr01]

It's going to be bigger. I haven't  figured out what monitor I'm using

[jaharr01]

Hey where can I find some sample joystick and button layout templates?

[Generic Eric]

Hey where can I find some sample joystick and button layout templates?

Slagcoin.com or the control panel thread here.

[jaharr01]

I was having trouble finding a good place to mount speakers out of the way where you can't really notice them. Small speaker grills are kinda hard to find. I found this http://www.ventmastersstore.com/3-round-plastic-vent-black/#PhotoSwipe1393730738506. I believe I can cut holes in the board that is the bottom place of the marquee. It will be right above my head and face the speaker down through the vent. I may be able to paint the same color as the cabinet. It may not be very noticeable.

[jaharr01]

I actually bought a few extra to use as vents for my fans

[jaharr01]

Got the artwork printing ordered, I got two coats of primer on the cabinet, and I got the control panel drilled.I can't decide what color to paint the cabinet.The artwork covers most areas. I was going to paint it red but I don't think it would look right with red cabinet and red T molding, although there is mostly blues in the artwork . I was going to paint it deep blue but I don't know.There is always black.

[jaharr01]

Thought I would give an update. Waiting for vinyl to arrive.I have most everything to put it together. Today I made the monitor opening larger to fit a 27" LCD TV instead of a 20 inch computer monitor. The opening looked too small with the 20" monitor.I had the TV I don't know why I didn't use it in the first place.Anyway here are some pics.

[jaharr01]

Hey I have a question for anyone who may know. I'm using a 27 in LCD TV. How do you turn it on without a power button or remote. Is there usually restart after power out setting. If not what do I do. Any help will be appreciated

[Generic Eric]

Hey I have a question for anyone who may know. I'm using a 27 in LCD TV. How do you turn it on without a power button or remote. Is there usually restart after power out setting. If not what do I do. Any help will be appreciated

Put it in one of your constantly hot outlets on your power strip?  Turn power on and off at the strip.  If that doesn't work, could you elaborate as to why you can't use a remote?

[DeLuSioNal29]

Love the modern artwork on that thing!  I tried making a very simple space invader design on mine.  Getting inspiration for the color solely on the Galaxian Green T-molding.   

DeLuSioNaL29

[jaharr01]

Thanks Delusional.I like your cab too, it looks awesome. Are you the same delusional that does the maximus arcade themes? Are you still using Maximus arcade? Have you ever made a space invaders theme for MA? For the prior question, you know how with a monitor you can leave it on and it will hibernate or sleep with the computer, and you move the Joystick and it fully powers up with the computer? I was wondering if there is a setting on lcd tvs that when power is returned to the unit it will start up without hitting the power button or the remote. I don't care to use a remote but the ir window is on the bottom front that will be mounted against the wood. I would have to put a IR extender or drill a hole to clear the IR window.Option 2 would be to possibly hack the switch and put a remote switch on the front of the cab. Option 3 would be to wire the switch always on and let the smart strip control it. Any experience with this or ideas would be appreciated.
                                                                                    Thanks

[DeLuSioNal29]

Yup.  Same Delusional.  LOL.  Unfortunately I no longer use Maximus Arcade, so I don't create themes for them anymore.  And I never made a Space Invaders theme.  This cab is the last one that used Maximus Arcade as a matter of fact.
As for your hibernation question, that is beyond my scope of knowledge since I've always disabled everything relating to hibernation on my cab.  It's either on when I power it on or off when I power it off.  I prefer if my arcade is completely shut down when not in use.
Perhaps there is a wake on lan setting or similar that if you press a button the computer turns on?
As for the TV, I doubt it will turn off by itself or go into standby unless it's a computer monitor.  Usually when a computer monitor detects no signal it will go into standby mode.  A TV will just display "no signal" and stay on.

DeLuSioNaL29

[jaharr01]

So do you use mala or HS. I would guess u don't use gamex,kinda buggy like maximus? The reason I want to leave it hibernated is so my kids can easily use it.What do you think about hacking a switch to always on and turn off and on with the smart strip?

[DeLuSioNal29]

So do you use mala or HS. I would guess u don't use gamex,kinda buggy like maximus? The reason I want to leave it hibernated is so my kids can easily use it.What do you think about hacking a switch to always on and turn off and on with the smart strip?

I use Hyperspin in my main Horizontal cabinet ( I need to update my videos at www.youtube.com/delusional2971 ).  The only reason that I used Maximus in the past for my vertical arcade was because HS was made primarily for horizontal setups.  Moving forward though, I will probably create a custom vertical skin for HS.  I'm so used to the extra power that the front end gives you.  It's a steep learning curve at first but HyperLaunch 3 makes it way easier.  Either that or I may use mala for my vertical needs.  Game Ex felt too much like "windows" to me.  I wanted it to look more like a real arcade machine.

As for powering up my cabinet:  I have a power strip setup.  I also have a regular arcade button (with a normal microswitch) on the top of the machine that I connect to my PC's power button wires.  When I press the button, it turns on the PC.  The power strip then "detects" that the PC is powered on and automatically supplies power to my monitor and speakers and they turn on.  However, you'd have to experiment and see if your TV will turn on automatically when the power is cut on and off.  Use a normal power strip to test it before you invest in the smart strip.

Here's a vid on made a while back on how I achieve this:


DeLuSioNaL29

[jaharr01]

Hey delusional a may give HS a try. I just want to set it up so my kids can navigate around on it. Your video cleared a lot up for me.My only issue is i have an acer I5 ultrabook i was going to use.I probably will have to take the battery out and wire around it.I hope it has enough voltage to trigger the smart strip.

[eds1275]

Hey I have a question for anyone who may know. I'm using a 27 in LCD TV. How do you turn it on without a power button or remote. Is there usually restart after power out setting. If not what do I do. Any help will be appreciated

I leave mine on. It goes into standby after about 10 minutes, and fires up when I turn on the computer.

[jaharr01]

I'll try that tonight. I'm excited my artwork came in today.

[jaharr01]

Here is the cab with the artwork applied minus the CP

[jaharr01]

more pics

[jaharr01]

More pics

[jaharr01]

Even more pics

[jaharr01]

lastly, one more pic

[DeLuSioNal29]

Looks great!