control panel project question

[dubstylee]

I am starting to work on my first from-scratch control panel.  I have done some layout design using the online design tool located here: http://mirrors.arcadecontrols.com/Move360/Launch.htm

I have read elsewhere in the forums here that SketchUp is a good tool to use to design your layout.  I installed it last night but haven't gotten started using it yet.  I am basically looking for feedback regarding what software to use to design my layout so that I will be able to print the controls off for placement on the wood to get exact markings for cutting holes, etc.

Also, I am wondering what would be the right software to use to design artwork for the control panel once I have the design finalized.  I am basically going to be building a control panel similar in design to the x-arcade 2-player tankstick with trackball, with some minor modifications such as Asteroids buttons, etc.  I am going to build the control panel as a stand-alone unit, with a motherboard inside, so that it will be portable and able to connect to any monitor/TV/etc. that has the correct inputs.

Thanks for any feedback! 

[dkersten]

I use illustrator and photoshop, but I am not sure there are any trial or free versions you can use. 

For the measurements and scale layouts, anything that lets you work in some kind of vector format is best. 

For artwork, unless you are well versed in drawing with vector tools, it is best to use a program like photoshop to do your art, even if you are piecing together different pieces of art you are downloading.  There are a lot of free programs out there to "paint" with, but every one of them will take some time to get familiar with and achieve the results you are after.  In any case you should be able to save your vector layout in PDF and bring it into the art program you use as a raster image, just keep the DPI the same so the scale stays the same.  For Control panels and marquees I work in 300 dpi so the print quality will be great, and the side art in 150 dpi which is still decent enough but not so massively huge that your computer will struggle with it.  For reference, your screen is usually 72 or 96 dpi, so if it looks good on your screen, it will look good in print at even 150 dpi.

[dubstylee]

Alright, looks like I will probably be using Photoshop to do the artwork.  I am wondering if I should use Photoshop to design the layout as well?  I basically want to make sure that the layout of the controls matches the artwork exactly, as I am going to be labeling some of the buttons.  I saw that there are sample cabinets and other panels people have made in SketchUp, is there anything like that available in a .psd or something, so I would be able to copy/paste the buttons and things and move them around as needed in Photoshop?

[EMDB]

Alright, looks like I will probably be using Photoshop to do the artwork.  I am wondering if I should use Photoshop to design the layout as well?  I basically want to make sure that the layout of the controls matches the artwork exactly, as I am going to be labeling some of the buttons.  I saw that there are sample cabinets and other panels people have made in SketchUp, is there anything like that available in a .psd or something, so I would be able to copy/paste the buttons and things and move them around as needed in Photoshop?

Almost everybody uses the button / joysticks from Slagcoin:  http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html

you can import the (300dpi) images in Photoshop / Illustrator / ... for the exact locations.

[MaxAsh]

Alright, looks like I will probably be using Photoshop to do the artwork.  I am wondering if I should use Photoshop to design the layout as well?  I basically want to make sure that the layout of the controls matches the artwork exactly, as I am going to be labeling some of the buttons.  I saw that there are sample cabinets and other panels people have made in SketchUp, is there anything like that available in a .psd or something, so I would be able to copy/paste the buttons and things and move them around as needed in Photoshop?

First tip for Photoshop method: if you haven't done so already, make sure your ruler guides in Photoshop are turned on (they're not by default in most cases). This allows you to perfectly size your design work so everything comes out in the printing exactly as planned dimension-wise.

My method was pretty simple. I designed my CP artwork in Photoshop using a whole bunch of layers (background, individual images/characters/etc) and kept them all separate. This allowed me to move things around freely and adjust the CP design as I went. Very useful.

For the button planning I used a similar method. I made sure all my artwork layers were underneath and then created a white (easier to see in my case) button hole to the exact dimensions of what the hole would be on the CP. From there, I began creating multiple layers for the holes in the CP. I initially had them broken down on a per-hole basis, but as I became satisfied with the layout I began merging layers like "Player 1 buttons" and "Start Buttons" etc. Once it's all manageable, you can go ahead and shift things around as needed, controlling the various layers separately. Takes a little time, but in terms of planning it's absolutely great. I found myself, even towards the end, shifting some of the artwork images slightly, or tweaking some buttons here and there. Good luck!

[dkersten]

The reason I chose to use illustrator for the layout is because it allows you to manually enter dimensions of each object, so it was exact.  In photoshop you can set guides and draw your circles and stuff but it could be off by a millimeter or two and you may not notice.  Also if you have a bleed set up in photoshop, your guides will be referenced off the bleed edge, not the edge of your layout line for your control panel, which makes it that much harder to place something in the right spot just using the rulers in photoshop.  Certainly not a "deal breaker" but I found it useful.

[dubstylee]

Thanks for all of the info guys.  I have seen the slagcoin layouts before, those are very helpful.  Is there anything similar for a 3" trackball?  Or should I draw a square the size of the mounting plate and use that?  I am trying to decide how to handle the mounting plate.  I am going to get a flat top one, so I am thinking of recessing it to be flush with the top of the panel, and then cover it with the artwork.

[lamprey]

I use Visio for a bunch of stuff, so I'm comfortable using that for layouts where sizing matters. If you are familiar or comfortable with Illustrator you can pretty much to the same thing. But, I think Visio is well suited for that type of task. You can also save out as 300 dpi TIFF or PDF to import into Photoshop to make sure the artwork aligns properly before printing (or to help layout the design).

[eds1275]

I use Gimp. I started to because it was free, but then it has really grown on me. It's pretty powerful and can export to photoshop and a bunch of other formats.

[shponglefan]

I mainly use Photoshop for control panels if doing illustration-style art as part of the design.  If all vector art, then I'll use Illustrator.

[JDFan]

The reason I chose to use illustrator for the layout is because it allows you to manually enter dimensions of each object, so it was exact.  In photoshop you can set guides and draw your circles and stuff but it could be off by a millimeter or two and you may not notice.  Also if you have a bleed set up in photoshop, your guides will be referenced off the bleed edge, not the edge of your layout line for your control panel, which makes it that much harder to place something in the right spot just using the rulers in photoshop.  Certainly not a "deal breaker" but I found it useful.

TIP for Easy Button Holes -- Use the Paint brush with a round brush set to 338 Pixels for 1 1/8 inch buttons ( 1 inch = 300 pixels at 300 PPI and 1/8 inch = .125 inches or 37.5 pixels (round to 38) Gets you a perfect sized Circle for the button hole !!   

Thanks for all of the info guys.  I have seen the slagcoin layouts before, those are very helpful.  Is there anything similar for a 3" trackball?  Or should I draw a square the size of the mounting plate and use that?  I am trying to decide how to handle the mounting plate.  I am going to get a flat top one, so I am thinking of recessing it to be flush with the top of the panel, and then cover it with the artwork.

Same as the Tip for 3" Trackball Hole make the round brush 900 Pixels !! (assuming you are making your art @300DPI )

[yotsuya]

Like Dave, I use Illustrator for all my designs. It allows me to be extremely precise, plus I can directly export my files into a .dxf for the plasma cutter. 

[mgb]

I used Paint Shop Pro X for all my art work on my arcade and for other projects.
It's a fairly old version now but I have grown so accustomed to it. It can really do alot.
My artwork had a lot if layers.
Best $50 I ever spent on software.

[dubstylee]

Excellent.  I am starting to design the layout of my control panel using GIMP, since I have it available on multiple computers.  Once I have the layout "finalized" then I will start to mess with the artwork as another layer in the same document.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to get the artwork printed?  I will include the hole placement with the artwork, so that I will have markers for punching the pilot holes before drilling.  Also, what is the best way to get rounded corners on the MDF?  My layout is mostly rectangular, but I would like to round the edges so that there are no sharp corners for the T-molding.  Thanks for all the input so far!

[Le Chuck]

Souldraw is cheap for printing.  Their adhesivie can use a bit of help with some rattle can glue but other than that I've heard nothing but good things for the price.

[dkersten]

A jigsaw and then sanding to smooth it is the easiest way to round a corner.  Use anything round - a cup, a paint can, a dinner plate, whatever you can find that has the radius you want, then draw it on the corner and cut it with the jigsaw and sand it smooth with either a block wrapped in sandpaper, a disc or pad sander, or a stationary sander if you can (to ensure perfect 90 degree sanding).  Use a good quality scrolling blade in the jigsaw to prevent blade drift so your cut will remain perpendicular to the board and minimize the amount of sanding needed.  If you don't feel you can cut a nice perpendicular edge, then use some scrap to cut it the best you can and sand it as close as you can, then clamp the scrap to your piece and use a router with flush trim bit. 

[EMDB]

Draw using a beer glass of your favorite brand (Jupiler in my case), cut using a router (freehand - needs some practice!) and finish with some sanding to get the corners fully smooth.

[dubstylee]

Souldraw is cheap for printing.  Their adhesivie can use a bit of help with some rattle can glue but other than that I've heard nothing but good things for the price.

Would you recommend just the self-adhesive vinyl?  Definitely looks like their pricing is very reasonable.

[mgb]

When it comes to recomendations on getting artwork printed for an arcade control panel. I won't reccomend cheap. I will reccomend the best:
gameongrafix

I couldn't be happier with my control panel and the adhesive holds great.
the polycarbonate paper holds up to anything. My cp looks as good today as it did 2 years ago (and it does look good  )

[yotsuya]

Has anyone bought a Control Panel Overlay from Lucian045?