Asteroids Deluxe Cabaret - Ok, *now* it's really done.

[Louis Tully]

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[wp34]

That looks awesome as usual LT. 

AAE was the emulator.    I'm not sure it was ever finished.

http://pages.suddenlink.net/aae/

[PL1]

AAE was the emulator.    I'm not sure it was ever finished.

http://pages.suddenlink.net/aae/

That's the one -- the author (aae) gave up on it about 3 years ago.   

Biobern edited the source to tweak it for Asteroids and posted the custom build here.

AAE does need some work:
- Keyboard-style encoder inputs are good AFAIK
- Mouse inputs are fairly functional, but still need tweaking
- Gamepad inputs not done
- Analog inputs not done -- SW looks great but no joy on using a yoke with AAE 


Scott

[Louis Tully]

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[PL1]

I can't seem to find a way to get into the frontend

If by "get into" you mean use, just launch "aae.exe" to start the built-in frontend shown below.



If by "get into" you mean edit the gamelist, I think that requires editing the source code.   


Scott

[Louis Tully]

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[jennifer]

      Oh look honey, He shrunk a asteroids cab.... (Giggle), Laugh and Laugh.... OMG, Snort.

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[Generic Eric]

Omigosh
Not enough words.  So cool. 

:No words:

[rablack97]

      Oh look honey, He shrunk a asteroids cab.... (Giggle), Laugh and Laugh.... OMG, Snort.

+1 here, very creepy.......i can never tell if he's talking to himself, and imaginary friend or what.....

[Louis Tully]

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[jdbailey1206]

Are you looking for an original scan of the original Asteroids marquee LT?

[Louis Tully]

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[jdbailey1206]

Good.   I had a copy but didnt have time to get it to you.  Let me know if you still need a good copy of the monitor bezel and control panel.

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[yotsuya]

[Louis Tully]

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[Generic Eric]

Been spending some quality time with sketchup, photoshop, and premiere and I've managed a janky version of a gameplay animation with moving buttons. The video I made first was way too busy. So I made another with less movements, shooting, and whatnot so it wouldn't take me a week to figure out. I had to crank up the brightness of the "monitor" quite a bit because of the perspective in the video. It was tough to really see what was going on. It's not great but I think it's kinda neat. Check it out.




This is the last non-build update, I swear.

How hard is it to change the angle in sketch up of the monitor?

[yotsuya]

I'm never getting a Yotsuya seal of approval. 

Naw, brah, I'm just super jealous of your Sketchup ability!!!!

[jennifer]

      And Jennifer too, Sooo very jealous.... My sketches are usually done in eyeliner on a tear stained cocktail napkin.

[jdbailey1206]

Im not proficient in Sketchup but I imagine you should be able to give us a better camera angle.  Plus one more non build update wont kill anyone.  Well most of us.

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[talkgeek]

Definitely another of your projects on my watch list - looking forward to it starting in earnest (I'm pretty sure you'll find a spot for this.. it's not that big  )

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[jdbailey1206]

Have you learned of safety glasses?   

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[jmike]

 

You sir are the real deal. 

Loving this project. Yes make sure you wear those safety glasses.
I did the same thing and luckily only ended up with a clogged tear duct.

Can't wait for more pics.

 

[AzureKnight]

Build = Awesome!

On the protective eyewear; years ago my father had a metal sliver embed itself in his eye once.  You don't want to have to go through that....

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[jdbailey1206]

I swear by plastic wood.  It has saved my butt on both my builds.  First one for screw hiles and the second one for fixing my t molding slot.  Once it is painted/stained over and the tmolding is installed you wont even notice a difference.

[Louis Tully]

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[wp34]

Looking good as usual LT.  Your ability to make progress quickly always amazes me.

Have you thought about using a subwoofer?  The explosions with Asteroids Deluxe (and the duh, duh, duh with Asteroids) really would benefit from one.

[ChanceKJ]

You know what this build is missing? An intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

Without that it's nothing......

[jdbailey1206]

You know what this build is missing? An intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

Without that it's nothing......

This guy.   

[AzureKnight]

You know what this build is missing? An intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

Without that it's nothing......

+1   

[yotsuya]

You know what this build is missing? An intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

Without that it's nothing......

Here you go, Louis. I'll take care of this for you:

[jdbailey1206]

Its a little late for this question LT, but where did you find your volcano buttons?

[johnrt]

Its a little late for this question LT, but where did you find your volcano buttons?

I can give you a tip. You can buy the Atari Volcano cone from here:
http://www.arcadeshop.de/Parts-Atari-Cone-black-tall_647.html

Then you just need lighted swicthes that fit. And these do:
https://www.elfaelektronikk.no/elfa3~no_no/elfa/init.do?item=35-593-33
(this is from a norwegian site, just google the part numbers to find them locally)

Quite expensive, but it is an alternative. You can always find Atari Volcano buttons on ebay, but they're quite rare.

Also check out this page: (at the bottom of it)
http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Pushbuttons

Edit: Also check with The Arcade Boneyard. They are for example now about to kill a Centipede Cabaret which has a couple of volcano buttons:
http://thearcadeboneyard.com/kill_list.php

[jdbailey1206]

I understand their obscurity John.  Thats why I asked where LT picked them up at.  Usually when someone finds them there is a whole post just on finding the buttons themselves.

And not to hijack a thread (seems to be going around lately right LT?) but I enjoyed seeing your Fix It Felix Junior Jr build.  Any chance we get a write up on our Project Announcement forum?

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[PL1]

You know what this build is missing? An intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

Without that it's nothing......

Maybe some asteroids etched into the speaker panel?   

    *ducks and runs




Scott

[Louis Tully]

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[jdbailey1206]

You know what this build is missing? An intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

Without that it's nothing......

Maybe some asteroids etched into the speaker panel?   

    *ducks and runs

How about speaker holes cut out in the shape of asteroids and silver speaker mesh cut out out to cover the speakers but painted with a black felt pen to match the tmolding?  No?  Fine.

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[johnrt]

I love the smell of plywood in the morning! Good job so far!

[jaharr01]

Hey where did you get those square push for credit buttons at?

[PL1]

GGG has the rectangular CDRs here.



Divemaster has regular and low-profile versions of the rectangular and square buttons here if you want to print your own inserts for them.

The #161 bulbs that come with Divemaster's buttons use the same wedge base as the LEDs used in most LED buttons.


Scott

[jaharr01]

thanks Louis I just ordered one.I was looking for something JUST like that for my pin


Jay

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[jdbailey1206]

LT could you move the "Visual Display Override to the top then place the buttons and wording as the following:

Asteroids
     •
Original

And so on.  I would like to see the two black buttons go with the Asteroid games and the red button to go with Armor Attack since the two black buttons are the same as are the two asteroid games. 

Other than that the back looks amazing with the grill.  It will really help the cabinet breath.  Great work like usual.

[DaOld Man]

Looking good LT. You are the man!

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[opt2not]

Hey LT, sorry to hear about the staining...have you considered Wood Laminate/Formica like the original Asteroid cocktail/cabaret had?
It could get you at least closer to your original concept, and it would look pretty clean if trimmed correctly.

[jdbailey1206]

Wood laminate would really make the cab look great.  +1 on the leaf switches.  I put leaf switches in my FFJR cab and they really respond better than the microswitches I have in my weecade.

[ChanceKJ]

Better idea then laminate: grab a wood grain pattern from the web, print it on an overhead transparency sheet, project that onto the side, then trace over the projection with a rotary tool to create An intricate and redundant pattern. Then fill it in with ball point pen, maybe some fancy brown ones that you'd find in the artistic section of the pen isle at Staples.

 

[yotsuya]

Better idea then laminate: grab a wood grain pattern from the web, print it on an overhead transparency sheet, project that onto the side, then trace over the projection with a rotary tool to create An intricate and redundant pattern. Then fill it in with ball point pen, maybe some fancy brown ones that you'd find in the artistic section of the pen isle at Staples.

 

[Louis Tully]

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[ChanceKJ]

Sure,  won't be as good as ballpoint, but it could work.

[Louis Tully]

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[Superfrog]

You nailed it Louis 

Look very classic to me.. great artwork also 

[ChanceKJ]

Ok that i really like.  The nice glow of an old CRT.  Reminds me of my Apple IIc. 

[talkgeek]

I've been messing with the background and overlay.



Has an old school Apple feel to it.

While I get the aesthetics of CRT's over LCD's, I have tended to stick with LCD's (even replace with - yes I know  ) I use the excuse of weight / bulkiness / reliability / power consumption as reasons, but truth is it's just down to being too dam scared of them (received too many belts off CRT's in the 90's - I'm amazed I have kids) 

But this project is making me coveting a cab exactly like this! So I guess I'm going to have to get over my fear of CRT's

- I'm really impressed with your build LT, love the look of the game, the CP and Bezel look amazing 

[yotsuya]

I've been messing with the background and overlay.



Has an old school Apple feel to it.

While I get the aesthetics of CRT's over LCD's, I have tended to stick with LCD's (even replace with - yes I know  ) I use the excuse of weight / bulkiness / reliability / power consumption as reasons, but truth is it's just down to being too dam scared of them (received too many belts off CRT's in the 90's - I'm amazed I have kids) 

But this project is making me coveting a cab exactly like this! So I guess I'm going to have to get over my fear of CRT's

- I'm really impressed with your build LT, love the look of the game, the CP and Bezel look amazing 

See, I'm the opposite - the last few builds of mine have been strictly CRTs just because I like the look of them.  Only my first MAME cabinet and my HaRuMaN cocktail use LCDs.

[taylormadelv]

Awesome vector emulation! I love the trails and glows. Looks like you have tweaked AAE pretty nicely!

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[Superfrog]

Now what? 

Take a break and enjoy your builds 
Do you keep all the builds or do you sell them after a while ?

Or you will have a big man-cave for putting all your build in there 

[Louis Tully]

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[yamatetsu]

Now what? 

Now that you have finished another awesome build, you might consider to post it in the "I completed my project! I posted a pic and a link to my project thread" sticky so that future generations may gaze upon it in awe   

I'm serious. This thing is awesome. Please post it in the sticky.

[PL1]

It reminded me of some game I played in school a long time ago. There was a little turtle in the center of the screen and you had to type long strings of commands. Something like F50, R35, F15, L45, etc... and then you'd hit enter or something like that and it would draw a pattern on screen based on the code. F=forward, R=turn right, L=left, blah blah blah... To say the memory is fuzzy is an understatement. But it was soemthing along those lines. I think. 

The programming language is called Logo.

There were a number of programs that allowed you to draw on the screen or command a robot equipped with a plotter pen.

If you used an Apple ][, you were probably using this program. (Works in MESS)



I remember reading about Logo and "turtle graphics" in an old TRS-80 mag like 80 Micro, Feb 1983, pg 116 here and/or some other article that talked about controlling a "turtle" robot.




Scott

[talkgeek]

Now what? 

Now that you have finished another awesome build, you might consider to post it in the "I completed my project! I posted a pic and a link to my project thread" sticky so that future generations may gaze upon it in awe   

I'm serious. This thing is awesome. Please post it in the sticky.

Totally Agree!   

[rockyrocket]

Agreed, looks lovely - well done!.

[markc74]

Beautiful work. Just wish I had the space to have one of these. (Even though it wouldn't look as good!)

[Louis Tully]

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[jdbailey1206]

Love the audio.  Did you consider having it say the whole name?  ie "System override to sector Asteroids Original?" 
Also LT do you find it hard to reach into the cab to change the game as opposed to having it on the CP or above the coin door?

Looks good.  Watching the gameplay I forgot how annoying the little asteroids can be.  I also hope you arent done with the build.  It sounded like you were unhappy with the black paint.  Get some wood veneer to finish the cab.  It will male a great cab look even better.

[ChanceKJ]

I so totally remember Logo!

I miss my Apple IIc, 

I remember the little plotter robot too, we never got to use it because of "reasons."

Oh man, blast from the past for sure.

[jdbailey1206]

I miss my Apple IIc, 

Still got mine.  Box and all.  Should fire it up and see if it still works.  Ah when floppy disks were still floppy.   

[Generic Eric]

omigosh! what am I doing with my life?  That is awesome!

Love the audio.  Did you consider having it say the whole name?  ie "System override to sector Asteroids Original?" 

+1

[jennifer]

    *** (Jennifer does her robotic monotone).... That is pretty awesome cadet.

[rockyrocket]

Anyone else reminded of Robbie?.

[jdbailey1206]

It would be cool to hear "Would you like to play a game?" via War Games when the cab starts up.  Silly I know but funny none the less.

[rockyrocket]

It would be cool to hear "Would you like to play a game?" via War Games when the cab starts up.  Silly I know but funny none the less.

Let's play global thermonuclear war?.

[yotsuya]

Once you start using samples from popular movies, it becomes too hacky. Now, if it were re-recorded, that would be different.   

[jdbailey1206]

Once you start using samples from popular movies, it becomes too hacky. Now, if it were re-recorded, that would be different.   

From the sounds if it LT has the software and know how to make it happen.

[Louis Tully]

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[emphatic]

This cabinet looks flawless.

[AzureKnight]

Of course you have a link for that. 

I am now convinced Scott/PL1 is actually Google....

LT, you did a great job.  The modifications to the game itself make it look really cool! 

[ChanceKJ]

You had to be convinced?

[DaOld Man]

Turned out perfect, just like all your projects LT!
 

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[SpaceHedgehog]

Looks fabulous Mr Tully 

[Nephasth]

Excellent craftsmanship!

[jdbailey1206]

I gotta ask LT.  Does your screen sit lower than most standard screens on a regular cab?  And if so do you find yourself feeling strained after playing it for any amount of time?

[Louis Tully]

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[yotsuya]

Your best project yet, even better than the Mario pedestal. 

[Louis Tully]

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[talkgeek]

Cab looks amazing  well done

Just hoping you have found a place to play in "inside"

[jdbailey1206]

I'm not sure, man. I've never actually seen a cabaret cab in person. I've never noticed any issues with the screen placement.

Here's a shot of me playing. I'm 5' 11" on a good day

The reason I ask, my tattooed friend, is I am really on the fence on rebuilding my weecade.  I learned a lot from it but after building my father his own Nintendo cab I am wondering if I want to build a desktop Nintendo Cab as johnrt and Superfrog have or if I want to go and build a Nintendo cabaret like Phetishboy did over on KLOV.  I want to stay small so I can move it around the house if it gets in the way.  I feel as though if I were to do a cabaret my neck would start to hurt after playing it after a while.  I have seen a cabaret next to a Nintendo cab and the angle of the monitors are not far apart from each other.  I may just have to set up a temporary solution for each monitor and play a little bit to find out. 

Anyway thats where I am at.  Great build.  Did you leave the exterior black or did you purchase wood veneer to go on the sides of the cabinet?

[ChanceKJ]

Your best project yet, even better than the Mario pedestal. 

I would almost agree.  Both projects are just ---smurfing--- sweet, however i still feel that this lacks an intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

But it is spectacular none the less.   

[Louis Tully]

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[Louis Tully]

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[yotsuya]

Both projects are just ---smurfing--- sweet, however i still feel that this lacks an intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool. Then filled in with ball point pen.

But it is spectacular none the less.   

 


Another brofist is in order, methinks.

Your best project yet, even better than the Mario pedestal. 

Is it too late to say I still think v1 of this concept is the best one?

You need to make V1 at some point in time, bro. 

[Louis Tully]

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[Generic Eric]

You need to make V1 at some point in time, bro. 

Maybe a driving cab, if I fall into large sums of money in the future..

A logitech g27 is only $191.xx today.

[ChanceKJ]

Yeah, Think Mario Kart driving Sim.

sit down in a real kart, with a Pico projector mounted on a "roll bar" above your head displaying to a screen just in front of the kart.

[yotsuya]

You look exactly how I pictured you.