Control panels layout database with detailed and downloadable info?

[OTT]

Is there anywhere a database that allows you to extrapolate details of control panels layout of the original (not repro or custom made) arcade machines? I would be interested in getting info such as the distances of the buttons from the ends of the panel and the distances between the buttons themselves, as well as the same data for the controllers (joysticks, trackballs, spinners, whatever).

To clarify, I am not looking for the layout of ONE panel in particular, but I want instead be able to obtain statistics from a huge number of different control panels, for ex. by processing a txt file (generated or downloaded from the database) with some software tool.

Thanks

[Mike A]

The data you are looking for does not exist. If you are going to build a cab then just use cardboard to make a couple of test control panels. You can figure out what works best for you.

Slagcoin.com has joystick and button positioning templates. That would be a good start.

[OTT]

The data you are looking for does not exist. If you are going to build a cab then just use cardboard to make a couple of test control panels. You can figure out what works best for you.

Slagcoin.com has joystick and button positioning templates. That would be a good start.

First, let me thank you for the reply and for your advice. Yes, I know Slagcoin.con very well but as I wrote in my op post my goal is to gather data for statistics. Building a CP is in agenda, of course, but before that I have to sort out some sort of "research", so to speak.

To tell the truth, I expected that there was no database like the one I'm looking for...but all the same I can't help but find this fact quite disappointing: after more than 20 (30?) years of emulation and self-made cabinets nobody has ever thought (or wanted) to create a banal database where anyone can find valuable and essential info like these quickly and in a detailed and organized way. Yet a lot of people in all these years have invested tens, hundreds or thousands of hours of time to create software tools of all kinds, overlays, bezels, arcade art, etc. etc.

I mean, we have seen everything from the most incredible ideas to the most ingenious creations, both in cabinet building and emu-software development but in 2020 you still have to waste time searching among a thousand sites, google, hundreds of forum posts just to get info that in my opinion should/could have been made readily and clearly available for the masses long time ago. Just my opinion, though.

[Mike A]

You could always go to arcades and start measuring. You could start the database. Maybe there are others who would contribute.

Just start building. You are colossally overthinking this.

[bperkins01]

Is there anywhere a database that allows you to extrapolate details of control panels layout of the original (not repro or custom made) arcade machines? I would be interested in getting info such as the distances of the buttons from the ends of the panel and the distances between the buttons themselves, as well as the same data for the controllers (joysticks, trackballs, spinners, whatever).

To clarify, I am not looking for the layout of ONE panel in particular, but I want instead be able to obtain statistics from a huge number of different control panels, for ex. by processing a txt file (generated or downloaded from the database) with some software tool.

Thanks

What's the goal?  to build a control panel?  or create statistics on control panels that were built?

If your goal is to build a control panel  - then your question is not going to help you.
It would be identical to this:  Take the last 500 #1 hit songs of all time - run some stats on them to create the perfect song.  That's not happening.

There is no perfect control panel - the perfect one is for a single game and playing it
There is no perfect auto interior - everyone is a different size - they all do the same thing
No perfect reading glasses everyone's eyes are different

The Slagcoin ones will give you all of the measurements you could ever need for spacing.. a sample size of 30 or 30,000 isn't going to change the fact that buttons spaced just wide enough apart for your fingers to push is ~1/4"..

[meyer980]

You could always go to arcades and start measuring. You could start the database. Maybe there are others who would contribute.

Agreed, if you think it's something worth having - there's no time like the present! Start making one, and maybe others will find it useful too.