Question for you custom builders.

[dezmond]

Hey Everyone.  Been hanging around for a little while and reading lot's.  Great forum and builders on here.

I want to start to sketch out my first build and it will be a custom cabinet.  My influences are based from Ond's designs.  I work at a Woodshop / Fiberglass shop so I have access to lot's of machines to help me out along the way.

My question is.  When you custom builders are in your design stages, what kind of measurements do you figure out for your cabinets?  ie height of your base to CP, monitor height, etc?

It may seem like a simple question but I want to start off on the right track when I am sketching.

Thanks for any help.

Dezi

[JDFan]

Most of the time I think the cabinet design needs to start with an idea of the parts you are going to use -- ie. most importantly what size monitor and the dimensions of it - then what type of Control panel will it have (ie. is it a single player setup with one or two buttons or a 2 player fighting layout of 6 or 8 buttons or a 4 player design ) so that the CP layout is useable and comfortable - for the CP height consider who will be playing it and make it a height that will be comfortable for someone that height to play for extended periods of time (ie. if everyone playing is 6 foot plus you need it a bit higher than if a bunch of 4 foot tall kids will be playing on it most of the time.

Once those things are decided it makes it a bit easier to think of the other dimensions in the design.

[BadMouth]

I start with other people's designs or original cab shapes as a reference point.
I refer to pics of multiple ones and which parts of them I like or don't like (aesthetically).

 Next, but more important, I figure out the ergonomics; control panel height, monitor height & angle, etc.  My last cab was built for me, so all the ergonomics were optimum for myself without too much regard for anyone else.

Then I try to apply the cab shape I'm going for to the ergonics and see what that looks like.  I don't compromise in the ergonimics.  When you're playing the cab, the placement of the controls and the screen are the only thing you notice.  You aren't admiring the cab shape or side art, although you do have to live with it as art when it's not being played.

From there I look for problems. Is the marquee going to be shining in your face?  Will you have to bend over and reach way under the CP to put a quarter in?  Does anything just look visually unappealing and why?

After that I move onto quirky little personal touches.  I have to hold onto the left side of the cab with my left hand while playing pacman in order to acheive full nostalgia value.  The monitor and monitor bezel have to be recessed enough so my thumb isn't against the monitor bezel.

[BadMouth]

I'll also second the parts you are using playing an important role.  Classic controls like 4 way sticks and concave buttons call for a classic style.  Modern Japanes convex buttons would look out of place on a classic looking cab.

[dezmond]

Good ideas guys.   I plan to have a 2 player CP, 6 buttons for each and maybe incorporate a ball in the middle somewhere or have it as a add-on (modular).

Planning on doing a lot of round and curvy shapes for this one.  Not your traditional cabinet style.  My wife wants to turn the downstairs rec room into a 50's-60's theme so I may carry that a bit into the design.

I will try to do some sketches up by hand and see what you all think.  It's going to be a fun build for sure!!!

Thanks again everyone!

Dezi

[johnrt]

Planning on doing a lot of round and curvy shapes for this one.  Not your traditional cabinet style.  My wife wants to turn the downstairs rec room into a 50's-60's theme so I may carry that a bit into the design.

That I'm looking forward to! How would for example Nintendo make their cabs back in the 50's? Keep us posted.

[DaOld Man]

Good ideas guys.   I plan to have a 2 player CP, 6 buttons for each and maybe incorporate a ball in the middle somewhere or have it as a add-on (modular).

Planning on doing a lot of round and curvy shapes for this one.  Not your traditional cabinet style.  My wife wants to turn the downstairs rec room into a 50's-60's theme so I may carry that a bit into the design.

I will try to do some sketches up by hand and see what you all think.  It's going to be a fun build for sure!!!

Thanks again everyone!

Dezi

I was born in 1957, grew up in the sixties and seventies, dont remember hearing anything about arcades until early to mid seventies, and we didnt have an arcade near me until probably late 70's early 80's.
I do remember pool halls, however I wasnt allowed to go to any of them until I became a late teenager. Momma didnt like the sort of people that hung out there.

[paigeoliver]

Ignore almost everything you see that other people have built and start looking at real arcade cabinets. At some point the community stopped looking at real cabinets and only looked at other mame cabinets and as a result the average build these days has gone way off into the weeds as far as looking or feeling like a real arcade cabinet.

[yotsuya]

Ignore almost everything you see that other people have built and start looking at real arcade cabinets. At some point the community stopped looking at real cabinets and only looked at other mame cabinets and as a result the average build these days has gone way off into the weeds as far as looking or feeling like a real arcade cabinet.

Well said, Paige.

[dezmond]

Ignore almost everything you see that other people have built and start looking at real arcade cabinets. At some point the community stopped looking at real cabinets and only looked at other mame cabinets and as a result the average build these days has gone way off into the weeds as far as looking or feeling like a real arcade cabinet.

Good call.  I think I will do my research on arcade cabs and go from there.  I have lot's of materials so maybe I will make a couple different ones   I suck at hand drawing but I guess that's where it all starts.

See what kind of scribbles I can come up with and hope I can get some input from everyone here   I know in the end it has to make me happy with what I did, but others opinions do matter as well.

[Ond]

Whilst I'm very flattered that you're inspired by my Retro-Futuristic acrade machine design, I'd advise against trying to copy it.  Of course I can't stop you, but it is not with my blessing.  Even with access to CNC fabrication equipment the design is complex and difficult to implement.  Build a "real" arcade cabinet as paigeoliver suggests.  Please.

[yotsuya]

Actually, Paige just recommended that he study real cabinets, which I think is a great idea for somebody trying to decide what they want. I've always recommended to that people trying to design artwork from scratch.

[Ond]

Actually, Paige just recommended that he study real cabinets, which I think is a great idea for somebody trying to decide what they want. I've always recommended to that people trying to design artwork from scratch.

My hope is that the OP does exactly that.

[yotsuya]

Actually, Paige just recommended that he study real cabinets, which I think is a great idea for somebody trying to decide what they want. I've always recommended to that people trying to design artwork from scratch.

My hope is that the OP does exactly that.

Glad to see we're on the same page. I know Paige's post sounds kind of harsh, but I really think research is the key when you don't know what you want.

[harveybirdman]

Personally I like the following syles. Plenty of inspiration in these designs.

Tatio Style
Dynamo
Namco (Galaga, Pacman)
Centipede/Dig Dug

[BadMouth]

There's more than one way to do retro sci-fi.

I always thought a round JVC Videosphere would be a nice shortcut.
Of course I don't think the screen was very big, and it was black and white so you'd want to replace it anyway.

or a flying saucer shaped cocktail cab, or robot, or.....
just modify the Metropolis plans that Ond supplied so that the side art can incorporate half a giant rocket.

[BadMouth]

I work at a Woodshop / Fiberglass shop

On second thought, go the fiberglass resin/stretched fleece route.
It's easy to get organic shapes that way.
build the primary parts where you want them, then stretch fleece between them.
See youtube for tutorials.

[johnrt]

And Atari has lot of great cabinets too!

[dezmond]

Great feedback guys.  I am going to do my homework and build a Original Arcade cabinet.  AND a fiberglass one   But I am doing my homework first on the original cab layout and will start that one.  Might as well have 2 in the toy room.  Maybe 3, 4, ......   

I used to build sub enclosures with fiberglass in my younger days and now we build spinners for Airplanes.  I have access to mold making material, wood, and lot's of cloth and resin. 

But I do agree with you guys.  I will make a arcade cab so I understand everything before I jump into the custom cabinet.

Thanks again.  Looking forward to your input and suggestions along the way

Dezi

[dezmond]

Think I am going to go with a Namco cabinet..  I loved Galaga and Ms. PacMan when I was a kid.  I know my kids would love it as well.

Is this a good cabinet to learn from?

[yotsuya]

Think I am going to go with a Namco cabinet..  I loved Galaga and Ms. PacMan when I was a kid.  I know my kids would love it as well.

Is this a good cabinet to learn from?

They're simple cabs with classic lines. You picked a good one.

[paigeoliver]

Actually, Paige just recommended that he study real cabinets, which I think is a great idea for somebody trying to decide what they want. I've always recommended to that people trying to design artwork from scratch.

Right. certain things tend to get implemented certain ways over and over again among real cabinets. This forms a sort of general set of design rules for arcade cabinets. While not every factory cabinet adhered strictly to these unwritten design rules most actually stayed pretty close. When you stray too far from the formula the cabinet starts looking wrong, and many of these wrong looking things actually make the cabinet worse in some fashion that is more than just cosmetic (strength, stability, reliability, functionality, etc).

Things the community pretty regularly gets wrong include.

#1. Basic dimensions of the cabinet style they are building. This includes trying to build a cabinet with a separate top and bottom section.
#2. Distinguishing between the type of cabinet that has a separate control panel box, the type that doesn't, the dimensions of those boxes and how those control panels should match up with the cabinet and the box.
#3. Monitor installation, including how to make a widescreen monitor still look good in a cabinet style designed for 4:3 (for those that insist on using them).

[johnrt]

I think Paige is right to a certain extent. However, arcade machines are still being made even today. These will be the classics for the next generation. Of course we that were born back in the stoneage tend to build/buy cabs that were popular back then. But don't forget the coming generations. We dinosaurs seems to hate anything new. Don't do that. If we do, this community will sooner or later die.

[yotsuya]

I think Paige is right to a certain extent. However, arcade machines are still being made even today. These will be the classics for the next generation. Of course we that were born back in the stoneage tend to build/buy cabs that were popular back then. But don't forget the coming generations. We dinosaurs seems to hate anything new. Don't do that. If we do, this community will sooner or later die.

Interesting points, John. However, I tend to disagree with you that this current generation will have the same feelings towards these machines they're playing at Dave and Busters that we do. For them, it's all about the payoff, the tickets, if you will. Most of the new games that I see are just big touch screen adaptations of games you can play on your phone. And of course, they all give you tickets or credits. I don't think the kids really care about the games so much as much as what they get from it. That's just my observation, I hit a local arcade very frequently, and everything that I see new is Redemption based.

For us old guys, the challenge is getting a high score or beating the game, and that tended to lead to a lot of replayability and effort on our part. Now? It's how many tickets can I get so I can get that giant stuffed animal behind the desk.

[winnydapoo]

I think Paige is right to a certain extent. However, arcade machines are still being made even today. These will be the classics for the next generation. Of course we that were born back in the stoneage tend to build/buy cabs that were popular back then. But don't forget the coming generations. We dinosaurs seems to hate anything new. Don't do that. If we do, this community will sooner or later die.

I agree with you john, we can't let nostalgia stifle creativity 

[opt2not]

Interesting points, John. However, I tend to disagree with you that this current generation will have the same feelings towards these machines they're playing at Dave and Busters that we do. For them, it's all about the payoff, the tickets, if you will. Most of the new games that I see are just big touch screen adaptations of games you can play on your phone. And of course, they all give you tickets or credits. I don't think the kids really care about the games so much as much as what they get from it. That's just my observation, I hit a local arcade very frequently, and everything that I see new is Redemption based.

For us old guys, the challenge is getting a high score or beating the game, and that tended to lead to a lot of replayability and effort on our part. Now? It's how many tickets can I get so I can get that giant stuffed animal behind the desk.

Yots is right on the money.  Most of the new arcade games are all touch-screen adaptations, rhythm-based games, or conversion cabinets like Vewlix's and Lindbergh Universals.  The only newer cabinets being built are mainly racing (see Batman, Mario Kart, 3D Storm Racer) and massive gun shooting games (Terminator Salvation, Aliens Extermination, House of the Dead 4 DX, Time Crisis 5) OR...shooting game theatre cabinets (Luigi's Mansion, Star Wars: Battle Pod). 
I highly doubt the next generation of cabinet builders are looking at these types of cabinets as classics, nor are they good design candidates for an "all-in-one" mame-style cabinet. Except for the Vewlix's and their clones of course.

[yotsuya]

Yeah, I think the last generation that's going to treasure these games is the JAMMA generation, and they're already here.