HULK SMASH (a tribute to MAME Abduction)

[cornhairboy]

Hello all

I have been searching the forums and Ive now come to the conclusion I am officially stupid. I cant find a guide to creating a control panel from scratch (i.e. all the computer bits, layout, printing to scale vector art. So can someone please point me in the right direction?

In return I wanted to share my pictures of the machine im working on. Im usually terrible at woodworking but so far so good...

Any comments would be appreciated.... I think im going to call it the hulk... for one reason... its massive but in proportion

Any help will be warmly welcomed

[cornhairboy]

and more...

[cornhairboy]

Most of my inspiration came from TheShaner, very talented and creative....

When I have more I will upload, but welcome any suggestions and advice, its just the CP that's causing me to panic, the curves are now fully in motion and the filling has taken its toll on me though

[johnrt]

Wow! How wide is that?

[vwalbridge]

2 questions:

1. What is this rectangle on the front of the arcade?


2. Does it even fit in your garage without tilting over? Because I'm sure that will not fit in a normal door opening.

[cornhairboy]

I think by my memory its like 970mm, but it had to be this side to have the speakers integrated as per my concept art, it fits really well and seems appropriate, at first I was thinking, should I be making it this wide but it works, me and my friend spent time with this width issue and decided it works, just deliberating on whether to include the trademark circle on the side of the cab.....

[cornhairboy]

2 questions:

1. What is this rectange on the front of the arcade?


2. Does it even fit in your garage without tilting over? Because I'm sure that will not fit in a normal door opening.

Well initially I was thinking about having an opening on the front for the dedicated sony amp, but I scrapped this idea and instead im going to prime and sand the dial and incorporate into the front as to not see the whole amp.

Secondly - yes It has to be tilted to move in and out, but as its staying in the garage it doesn't really matter.... its just my garage is another project to get done, stud walls doors and clear out

[vwalbridge]

Any help will be warmly welcomed

So I actually like the HULK (super hero) theme and I think you should stick with that for the entire cab. To each his own but I REALLY dislike the word "MAME" anywhere on a cab.

[cornhairboy]

Any help will be warmly welcomed

So I actually like the HULK (super hero) theme and I think you should stick with that for the entire cab. To each his own but I REALLY dislike the word "MAME" anywhere on a cab.

I absolutely agree, sorry for the confusion but yes I will keep it as "hulk"

Glad I'm on the right track vwalbridge

[vwalbridge]

I have been searching the forums and Ive now come to the conclusion I am officially stupid. I cant find a guide to creating a control panel from scratch (i.e. all the computer bits, layout, printing to scale vector art. So can someone please point me in the right direction?

I'd start with this sticky thread called: Control Panel Database: Post a picture of your control Panel!

BUT... look at the last post and go in reverse. The first control panel on this sticky thread was from 2006 and isn't going to to be as relevant to modern techniques used today.  Find one(s) you like and dig into their threads to see how they did it.

Spoiler alert: You can skip to Flynn's arcade build by ChanceKJ

[vwalbridge]

I'm also curious how you want to mount your marquee in this space:


Based on the rounded edges, it might actually look better to mount the marquee at a downward facing angle. I dunno, hard to tell what size marquee you need to fit in that space to still be proportional to the rest of the cab.

[Pauly]

Hey there. For me it was a TON of picture viewing on several CP's....But I got it down (I Think)

Decide on Size (Yours looks rectangular)
Measure out your control panel and make a baby box, just like your cabinet. You can purchase some foam core if you'd like and cut that out into shape to see how it fits to your cab. My CP is roughly 4" in height to make room for the Buttons and track ball. If you have any curves on the top of the CP, design it out to scale in your paint program of choice and have it printed at Staples as a Black and White Engineering Print... I should of done this from the beginning...you'll use that print to trace on your wood.

Joystick Button Layout
For me, I just did a google search and found tons of templates to follow. After that it's really about what feels good to you. Google Findings. Here is a tip, if your going for a Player 1&2 can have as many buttons as you please. For player 3&4, if you go that route - really only need 4 buttons max. Here is the layout I wen for P1 and P2


Guts

• IMPORTANT: You'll need a keyboard controller that all your joysticks and buttons connect to, you'll want to mount this in your CP somewhere:
  
  
  • For a 2 player cab purchase the iPac2 from Ultimarc
  • For a 4 player cab purchase the iPac4 from Ultimarc
• Purchase all your buttons from Paradise Arcade Shop, Groovy Game Gear or Ultimarc (If you want to go all LED crazy Paradise or Groovy is your best choice here) - The buttons generally come with microswitches which send the "Someone hit me" signal to the iPac
• Ultimarc makes GREAT joysticks, I recommend the J-Stik and if you want to get fancy, the ServoStick (switches automatically from 4 to 8 way control), if you want LED flashy, head over to Paradise
• Ultimarc makes a top notch trak ball if you want one of those

See a pattern?

• Ultimarc - Your controllers (iPac)
• Paradise Arcade Shop - Buttons and wiring (LED's galore as well)
• Groovy Game Gear - It's like a Ultimarc Paradise Arcade mash-up, great quality gear

Printing
PM this guy Lucian45, he is somewhat the go to printer for cabs and very reasonable. He'll work with you and let you know what he needs to make your artwork shine. Here is some of his great work.




Also check out the other retailer in the "Retail Vendor" section of this forum. There are other options out there, but this is where I started. Hope this helps.

HULK SMASH!(my vote for your cab name.)

[cornhairboy]

Thank you Pauly and vwalbridge for the input, it really gives me a start on what to do next. I will continue to update with progress! I think the 'hulk smash' is the way forward!

In terms of the marquee yes I'm planning on having a slight tilt towards the control panel. I decided on this to offset the thickness of the curve and remain in proportion.

So I have managed to look at the layout of the buttons, is there a way I can print this out over two pieces of a4? Its simple things like this that throw me.

[vwalbridge]

+1 on Lucian045. His prints are top notch.

However, for a cab this size...and if you do a full side artwork set...be prepared to spend over $200 US maybe closer to $300 for prints.

[cornhairboy]

Yes I have thought about the costs of side art but laminating just seems a more sensible option as I don't really have that kind of money, however if I did I would prob go with side art.

I'm just in two minds to either put together a very dramatic hulk smash cp art or go along the lines of 8 bit pixel characters with lots of decals around the buttons.

I think considering the size it probably needs to be a bit dramatic. What do you guys think?

[rablack97]

   Laminate is what 70.00 - 80.00 a sheet times x 4 sheets, your still at the same price as side art.

[Nephasth]

Joystick Button Layout

Stop posting 8 button layouts!

[Pauly]

Joystick Button Layout

Stop posting 8 button layouts!

lol, my bad! I forgot how much you hated these. I use this layout but remove the top left button. Flows nicely.

On another note OP, you could consider doing the side art like this Dragon's lair where it's a very small area, but gives that cool factor. In any case, you can always measure it out and send a PM to Lucian and see what it will run you. Did you have a price in mind?...But I mean, you GOT to paint your cab lime green at high-gloss! (drool). ChanceKJ has a Super Donkey Kong on here that is killer purple that makes me tear up everytime I see the photo.

[cornhairboy]

Pauly,

yes I have already been to the paint shop and got the front panel colour matched to the t moulding with some funky software they use. Its sitting in my garage waiting to be used :-) I will def consider your suggestion with smaller side art though.

Rablack97, I will only be laminating the two sides, in the UK the laminate is still generally expensive but I managed to source some black sheets in total for £95 including delivery. I mean I might change my mind between now and when I get to that point (its taken me 4 months to get this far so its a slow build) I know I can do a good job prepping though, me and my sandpaper have a long history together.

Once I have finally got the front prepped I will post some more images.

I have found some ideas for more cp art.... anygood?

[Pauly]

I really like the first image. The second one is busy for the CP, but that is only my opinion.

[cornhairboy]

Did we mention we wanted high gloss right?