Cabinet Mock Up

[Lucky S.O.B.]

All,

I starting the planning phase of my build and I see a lot of different ways people are mocking up their builds... What software are people using to do these 3-D designs that they can rotate and view from different angles?

Also there used to be a site with templates for the different controller/button layouts is this still around?

Finally I have seen a few mock ups done full size in cardboard, cant decide if they are geniuses or wasting time... Thoughts?

[n3wt0n]

People around here typically use sketchup for their 3D stuff. http://www.sketchup.com/
Autocad also makes a free modeling software called 123d www.123dapp.com/

The site with button layouts is slagcoin. There is a lot of other good info on that site as well but here is a link to the buttons page. http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html

I don't think a full size cardboard mockup is necessary but some people do. If you are doing something radically different I can see doing a trial or a 1/2 size mockup. I do cardboard mock up of smaller pieces to make sure the lines are right but then again I don't take the time to do any 3D modeling. Totally a personal call on that one.

Good luck. I hope to see your post in the project announcements soon. 

[JDFan]

All,

I starting the planning phase of my build and I see a lot of different ways people are mocking up their builds... What software are people using to do these 3-D designs that they can rotate and view from different angles?

Also there used to be a site with templates for the different controller/button layouts is this still around?

Finally I have seen a few mock ups done full size in cardboard, cant decide if they are geniuses or wasting time... Thoughts?

1. Pretty much any 3d modeling software can be used if you are familiar with them as mentioned sketchup is pretty widely used and there is a pretty good library of cabinets that can be downloaded as a starting point but also 3ds max or Blender could also be used.

2. Covered by n3wt0n

3. The cardboard mockups are a good idea if building something different to test the actual look and feel without spending $ on it and then finding out it is not comfortable to play on etc.

[matsadona]

I have done downscaled cardboard mockups for my builds. Perhaps I'm old school, but it gives med a better feeling for the design to actually "see" it.
But since then I have learned Sketchup and got myself a 3D printer, so perhaps it will be done digitally for the next build...