Author Topic: Agonizing over CPO design (Read 7583 times)

Saneless · « **on:** October 01, 2014, 02:30:43 pm »

So, I'm pretty committed to the layout of the Space Paranoids control panel that has been floating around for years and years. I like the labeling, I like the layout, I like the good placement of pinball flippers, etc. I've built part of a prototype and it feels just fine to me.

However, I'm not sure what I want to do about the overlay. While I think the Space Paranoids artwork is amazing on its own, I'm not really a tron guy all that much. I like it and all, but not enough for it to be my artwork.

Again, I love the labeling and such that's there, just not necessarily the background art. Can anyone recommend a good place to get something cheap/free that has a clean look, maybe some game art that's not overwhelming, something fairly muted. I just need a decent background so I can get printing on it from gameongrafix. I have everything else, just can't really finish my project until I get the CPO.

Thanks

yotsuya · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2014, 02:36:16 pm »

Here you go....use the one on the bottom....

Saneless · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2014, 02:39:04 pm »

I've read just about every 4-player design post on this site for the last 7 years. I've seen the comparison enough

It won't really look that bad given the cabinet is going to be about 31" wide to accommodate the TV. What's another 7 1/2 inches on each side of the cabinet?

It'll fit nicely in a 50" cutout part of the room where the return vent juts out.

yotsuya · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2014, 03:29:41 pm »

Just ---smurfing--- with you bro! Good luck with the design!

lamprey · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2014, 10:22:16 pm »

Not sure what you are looking for, but maybe something "simple" like a hex or grid pattern?

Some examples for thought:

EDIT: There was another hexagonal one I couldn't find, but I found it in this thread:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,121743.0.html

Saneless · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2014, 03:14:38 pm »

That's pretty neat actually. I might try to work in a hex design somehow.

For now I have this cleaner version of SP. Very hard to see any details because of the lowered resolution but I still like it. I was going to put on some characters but I think it's got enough going on already.

yotsuya · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2014, 06:28:06 pm »

Personally, I like it as is. I wouldn't put any characters on it.

Saneless · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2014, 09:08:11 pm »

Lamprey inspired me to add some hex texture. I found some patterns and quickly became familiar with how to deal with them. I've used photoshop more the past few days than I ever have in my life (previous time is 2 minutes, not very difficult to pass).

The hardest thing was actually settling on a pattern size that I liked.. didn't want to go as big as Tron because it's not really that styled, didn't want to go tiny so you couldn't see it at all.

Here's the final result. It suits my style, being not too flashy and just simple but textured. Nothing too dramatic and nothing that I'd get tired of staring at everyday.

Thanks again to Jarrett Heather for the initial design, I couldn't have done anything without that.

Saneless · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2014, 09:54:20 pm »

Actually I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do a smaller version of the hex. At full size it makes more sense.

SkunkMcFrog · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2015, 04:04:49 pm »

Well, it would have been really nice if I had known you already had a cleaned up version of this before I hand cleaned out the background for this sucker by hand by myself starting 6 months ago!!!

That being said...I absolutely love, love, love this layout, and after cleaning out the background I also did a few other mods: Switched the Credit/Start buttons so they were uniform going across. Switched the orientation of the P3/P4 joysticks to be player oriented not machine oriented (yes, I'm in _that_ crowd...die hard!), changed the border colors to match my purple t-molding, then added a killer background. Mixed two all-time favorites...Street Fighter and Super Mario Bros. Add in a bit of lightning, and bam!

Tell me what you think. :-)

(Ignore the 1-Up mushrooms...used the extra blank space to get a vinyl topper for my homemade spinner.) :-)

yotsuya · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2015, 04:56:43 pm »

Quote from: SkunkMcFrog on August 25, 2015, 04:04:49 pm

Well, it would have been really nice if I had known you already had a cleaned up version of this before I hand cleaned out the background for this sucker by hand by myself starting 6 months ago!!!

That being said...I absolutely love, love, love this layout, and after cleaning out the background I also did a few other mods: Switched the Credit/Start buttons so they were uniform going across. Switched the orientation of the P3/P4 joysticks to be player oriented not machine oriented (yes, I'm in _that_ crowd...die hard!), changed the border colors to match my purple t-molding, then added a killer background. Mixed two all-time favorites...Street Fighter and Super Mario Bros. Add in a bit of lightning, and bam!

Tell me what you think. :-)

(Ignore the 1-Up mushrooms...used the extra blank space to get a vinyl topper for my homemade spinner.) :-)

I think without a picture I can't tell you what I think. I can tell you, though, that by your description I'm not too hopeful.... "player oriented"?

PL1 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2015, 05:12:44 pm »

Quote from: yotsuya on August 25, 2015, 04:56:43 pm

I think without a picture I can't tell you what I think.

My bad. Missed approving the attachment when I approved the post.

Scott

vwalbridge · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2015, 05:28:12 pm »

Your lighting is getting clipped here:

...and here:

Also, Ryu's hadouken looks odd to me. I don't recall it having a reflection of his hands burried in it. Is that new?

I've also never been a fan artwork that contains games that don't cross over like Mario and SF. But that's just me. To each his own and just my observations.

(I resisted the urge to talk about the angled joysticks.

)

yotsuya · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2015, 05:32:05 pm »

Thanks for posting.

Good luck with your build!!!

vwalbridge · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2015, 05:35:56 pm »

Quote from: yotsuya on August 25, 2015, 05:32:05 pm

Good luck with your build!!!

I'm starting to pick up what you are putting down now.

yotsuya · « **Reply #15 on:** August 25, 2015, 05:36:49 pm »

Quote from: vwalbridge on August 25, 2015, 05:35:56 pm

Quote from: yotsuya on August 25, 2015, 05:32:05 pm
Good luck with your build!!!

I'm starting to pick up what you are putting down now.

Stay positive, my friend!

vwalbridge · « **Reply #16 on:** August 25, 2015, 05:53:45 pm »

I also forgot to mention the edge trimming around Mario's face (and other areas) need work. Without good edge trimming, your characters look disjointed from the rest of the art. Also, you need to have all the artwork in 300+ dpi. This artwork is quite large and its jarring to look at your crisp joystick outline next to a blurry Mario face.

SkunkMcFrog · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2015, 09:43:48 am »

I'm working with the artwork. It's definitely not _mine_, I'm just using it, so tried to get it as large as possible to fit into the 300dpi control panel with minimal upscaling. I haven't sent anything off for printing, yet, as it's still a work in progress.

I feel you on the mixing of characters and such. Yes, if this were something I was selling I would keep it professional and single-themed, but this is just for me and I didn't want to decide between the two. :-)

Ryu's hands in the haduken is just part of the original fan art, and not part of the game...I don't mind it. It's supposed to be an energy extension of himself, so I like it. :-)

Now, for the two of you against the angled joysticks, I'll would love to hear your thoughts on it...really. I am so vehemently opposed to it, personally. Here's a little graphic of why I feel this way...would you hold your controllers like this? [see attached] No...no you wouldn't. :-)

Malenko · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2015, 10:21:10 am »

Quote from: SkunkMcFrog on August 26, 2015, 09:43:48 am

Now, for the two of you against the angled joysticks, I'll would love to hear your thoughts on it...really. I am so vehemently opposed to it, personally. Here's a little graphic of why I feel this way...would you hold your controllers like this? [see attached] No...no you wouldn't. :-)

Two? Anyways, its easier to know that towards the screen from the center of the stick is exactly upward. Its preference, not getting into this debate. Angle your sticks and deal with it. Good luck with your build.

vwalbridge · « **Reply #19 on:** August 26, 2015, 10:31:52 am »

Good luck with your build!

yotsuya · « **Reply #20 on:** August 26, 2015, 11:47:26 am »

The yotsuya from a different time stream would get into it with you regarding angled joysticks. This one, not so much.

JDFan · « **Reply #21 on:** August 26, 2015, 11:49:09 am »

Quote from: yotsuya on August 26, 2015, 11:47:26 am

The yotsuya from a different time stream would get into it with you regarding angled joysticks. This one, not so much.

I miss the old Yots !!

yotsuya · « **Reply #22 on:** August 26, 2015, 11:51:07 am »

Quote from: JDFan on August 26, 2015, 11:49:09 am

Quote from: yotsuya on August 26, 2015, 11:47:26 am
The yotsuya from a different time stream would get into it with you regarding angled joysticks. This one, not so much.

I miss the old Yots !!

We're keeping it positive, superstar!

Do what you want, Brother! Angle your joysticks, smoke a couple bowls, and play some four player games by yourself listening to Rush! Video games is awesome!

drventure · « **Reply #23 on:** August 26, 2015, 12:27:11 pm »

As one that did the outside sticks angled on my build, if I had it to do over again, I'd make them parallel to the screen not angled.

I've played with them for a while now, and I've had other people over and watched how they are typically used. People expect them to NOT be angled. It sure made sense to angle them when I was building it, but, not so much anymore.

As Yot said, it's your build.

If it was me, I'd hedge my bets and route out space underneath to mount them either way, plus I'd go ahead and put in extra insert nuts so it'd be a simple "unscrew rotate screw back in" to change the angle.

I'd thought about that way back when, wish I'd done it now.

yotsuya · « **Reply #24 on:** August 26, 2015, 12:46:17 pm »

If the gentleman in question really wants to know what's up with angled joysticks, he just has to search this site. It's been hashed out before, and quite frankly I'm at the point where I don't give a crap what people do with their joysticks any more. I don't have to play the machine, so why do I care? It's not my job to save people from bad design decisions.

opt2not · « **Reply #25 on:** August 26, 2015, 01:25:51 pm »

Quote from: yotsuya on August 26, 2015, 12:46:17 pm

If the gentleman in question really wants to know what's up with angled joysticks, he just has to search this site. It's been hashed out before, and quite frankly I'm at the point where I don't give a crap what people do with their joysticks any more. I don't have to play the machine, so why do I care? It's not my job to save people from bad design decisions.

What happened to positive Yots?

yotsuya · « **Reply #26 on:** August 26, 2015, 01:27:46 pm »

Quote from: opt2not on August 26, 2015, 01:25:51 pm

Quote from: yotsuya on August 26, 2015, 12:46:17 pm
If the gentleman in question really wants to know what's up with angled joysticks, he just has to search this site. It's been hashed out before, and quite frankly I'm at the point where I don't give a crap what people do with their joysticks any more. I don't have to play the machine, so why do I care? It's not my job to save people from bad design decisions.
What happened to positive Yots?

Hey, that's some solid advice there, rockstar!

SkunkMcFrog · « **Reply #27 on:** August 26, 2015, 02:23:55 pm »

I did catch on that "Good luck with your build!" == "Bless your heart". :-P

"Oh you want to angle your joysticks? Good luck with your build!"
same as:
"Oh you want to angle your joysticks? Bless your heart!"

I feel "special" now.

I will probably route out a rotated version of them underneath, just in case I happen to change my mind.

Thanks for all of your input, though. I wouldn't have asked for it if I didn't want it. :-)

drventure · « **Reply #28 on:** August 26, 2015, 02:32:54 pm »

Cool. That'll take you an extra 10 minutes or so, but, you'll be glad you did if later on down the line, you decide that making them straight might work better.

I like the CP overall, I'd probably go with "character-less" art, but hey, it's all good.

opt2not · « **Reply #29 on:** August 26, 2015, 02:41:04 pm »

I was thinking, it would be neat if one could make a mounting plate that allowed you to adjust the angle of your sticks for 3/4 player situations.
The thought came to mind while I was looking at getting a famicom XE-1 pro joystick:

yotsuya · « **Reply #30 on:** August 26, 2015, 02:41:37 pm »

Quote from: SkunkMcFrog on August 26, 2015, 02:23:55 pm

I did catch on that "Good luck with your build!" == "Bless your heart". :-P

"Oh you want to angle your joysticks? Good luck with your build!"
same as:
"Oh you want to angle your joysticks? Bless your heart!"

I feel "special" now.

I will probably route out a rotated version of them underneath, just in case I happen to change my mind.

Thanks for all of your input, though. I wouldn't have asked for it if I didn't want it. :-)

I like you, bro. No butt-hurt with you. You ever need anything, just ask.

harveybirdman · « **Reply #31 on:** August 26, 2015, 05:45:56 pm »

Quote from: yotsuya on August 26, 2015, 11:51:07 am

Do what you want, Brother! Angle your joysticks, smoke a couple bowls, and play some four player games by yourself listening to Rush! Video games is awesome!

Congratulations P. IMHO you just won the internets.....

lamprey · « **Reply #32 on:** August 28, 2015, 05:58:48 pm »

Quote from: opt2not on August 26, 2015, 02:41:04 pm

I was thinking, it would be neat if one could make a mounting plate that allowed you to adjust the angle of your sticks for 3/4 player situations.
The thought came to mind while I was looking at getting a famicom XE-1 pro joystick:

That's kinda cool. Probably more effort than it's worth for a CP (at least to me). But, I do like the idea from an ergonomic perspective.


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