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New user & looking for control panel layout feedback
cryoguns:
Hello!
About a month ago I decided to seriously start the arcade cabinet I had been thinking about (and occasionally gathering parts for) for the past few years. The cabinet design is basically an Asteroids replica and it's mostly a weekend project. Plans at the moment include using a PC and also tossing an old Playstation and N64 inside with use of a video switcher to go between the three. Below is a picture of where I am currently at on the cabinet itself as far as assembly:
I believe I have most of the remaining assembly worked out for my build. However, the past week or so has been working primarily on designing the control panel (approx 23.5" x 10.25"). I'm planning to go pretty much with OptiMarc components (3" trackball, Ultrastick 360s, buttons, Opti-Pac). Since it is my first control panel, I wanted to seek out some feedback from members of the community for things I may want to change or at least consider revising.
Here's my plan so far:
And a few items I wanted to note in particular:
* The trackball and both joysticks will mount from underneath, the bases are shown just for clarification of placement under the panel.
* The sides of the cabinet rise above 1/2" above the control panel surface. I was concerned about the amount of space I was leaving for the left joystick and my arm being comfortable that near to an edge. Right now, is about 2 1/8" from the left side to the center of the left joystick.
* The left side buttons are a bit closer to the trackball than I would like, but I don't anticipate my hands sliding much and don't believe it should be a problem. Center of the last button to the edge of the trackball is about 2".
* There should be about 3" from the bottom of the second row of the joystick button cluster to the front edge of the control panel. I think this will probably be fine for resting my palms on but really couldn't find any distance recommendations.
* The right side joystick and buttons should not pose a problem. My wife will probably be player 2 most of the time and she's 5' with very petite hands :)
* I could downsize to 6 buttons if needed (7th is just for Neo-Geo games) but I wasn't sure I wanted the joysticks any closer to the other 6 buttons. It's about 3" right now from the center of the joystick to the center of the first column of buttons.
Generic Eric:
That is a common configuration for what you are trying to accomplish.
Do you have any of that hardware? The buttons, joysticks and trackball? I don't have a 3" track ball, but I think its very close to the button. Do you have your keyboard encoder? Where will you put it? I didn't consider that when planning my CP and had to fit it in. It was even more of a challenge when I was making room for 2 KADEs.
I made a test CP before my cab. It helped. If you can make a test box the size of your CP to test your layouts, I think it will help in understand where everything goes. YMMV.
DaveMMR:
That's pretty much how my panel was: the buttons were pretty much practically on top of the mounting plate. Worked fine for most TB games.
My only suggestions are:
- Remove the "Restart Game" button. Unless you have a compelling need for it, it seems like a useless function. If you do need it (you like to reset the game), mount it off panel somewhere like the back of the cabinet or under the bottom panel so you're not hitting it accidentally.
- IMO mouse buttons (or dedicated TB buttons) are gratuitous, confusing and you will never be able to use them comfortably the way they are laid out. The main buttons are way more comfortable.
-If you find a cheap coin door, you can rig up the rejects to act as buttons.
Otherwise, solid. Do test it out though. I know with my layout, the bottom row was less comfortable to use than the top, so the seventh button may end up being useless if you find that true for yourself as well.
harveybirdman:
Do you really need two pause buttons?
mgb:
The cabinet progress looks great. Do you plan on painting or laminate for the sides. I couldn't tell if you slotted for t-molding or not but you'd be best to do soon.
That's a good standard cp layout.
Personally, if it were me, I'd get rid of the game reset button as well as one of the pause buttons. I'd also ditch the coin buttons and use a coin door or similar.
I also see little reason for the mouse buttons. You can just use your regular player buttons for trackball games. Besides those mouse buttons will prove real uncomfortable for use with the trackball.