Help! Anyone here got original Centipede upright?

[Carsten Carlos]

I need the complete measurements badly! If you got one, please help...
I made a drawing on my homepage under "Cabinet" where I'm showing all the measures I'd need.

Many thanx in advance!

Carsten

[Jakobud]

Go here:

3darcade.mameworld.net

This guy has been recreating classic cabinets in 3d Studio Max and I see he has made a Centipede cabinet.  I DON"T know if they are exactly to scale or anything, but you can get ahold of him and ask.

Jakobud

[Carsten Carlos]

This guy has been recreating classic cabinets in 3d Studio Max

Thanx, the 3D-model looks pretty good, just where do I get a trial-version of 3D-studio Max to open it? Got nothing to open the .w3d file - if I could, maybe I would be able to get the missing measures out of it, although it might not be as accurate as taken directly from an original one. Well, I'll try to ask the webmaster about this.

[1UP]

I have Max, and could probably just load the model and  print a screen-grab with a grid for scale, assuming they BUILT it to scale...

I'll check the site now...

[1UP]

Well, there goes THAT theory...

[Jakobud]

Uhhh it doesn't really matter if the 3d model is made in arbitrary units guys.  All you need to know is ONE dimension from the original cabinet.  

Like lets say you know the depth of the cabinet is 60" and that is all you know.  Just look at the 3d model.  THe depth on it is 2.5 units and the height of it is 5 units.  This means the height of the real cabinet is 120".

If the 3d model was made PROPORTIONALLY correct, then that is all you need.  Just use simple math guys.  Ratio highschool stuff.

Anyways, just get ahold of the guy who made the 3d model.  He had to get the dimensions from somewhere (or he might have just eyed it off of image planes).

jakobud

[1UP]

Uhhh it doesn't really matter if the 3d model is made in arbitrary units guys.

[)p(]

I used a new version of max when I made the first cab and had forgot to set the units from inches to centimeter. That is why now instead of 1 unit= 1 inch. It is one 1 unit the system thinks is 1 inch is 1 centimeter.

H,W,D are fairly accurate got them from some website. the rest is by eye.

Sorry that i buggggeddd you 1-up

[1UP]

I used a new version of max when I made the first cab and had forgot to set the units from inches to centimeter. That is why now instead of 1 unit= 1 inch. It is one 1 unit the system thinks is 1 inch is 1 centimeter.

H,W,D are fairly accurate got them from some website. the rest is by eye.

Sorry that i buggggeddd you 1-up

[)p(]

GRRR! ARRGGGH!

[1UP]

Getting way OT, but cool models, by the way!  Gives me an idea for a RD skin, like BFC but with different machines and other arcade imagery in the BG.  Someday, I will have a basement full of rescued arcade machines.  Someday...  Right after my wife leaves me...  

[)p(]

Getting way OT, but cool models, by the way!

[Carsten Carlos]

First of all, big thanx to you for helping, 1up, and certainly also to >p< who made this model - for making it on eye it looks really close!

Also, I have never seen a straight-on shot of any classic cabinets online, so that makes it harder to guess at the finer measurements.  If Carsten had such images, he could easily use them to get pretty close.

Yep, I had only one that isn't very sharp (a gif that was cut on the edges, I'll put it on my page under cabinet), not good enough to take any measures on it.

Anyway, here's a screen grab of the front and side of the model.

Yup, got it! I'll try it now as soon as I'm done typing here!

@>p< Do you know if the depth (got it from the original Centipede-flyer) was including the controlpanel or is it only the depth of the foot?

Carsten, I also like the Centipede shape a lot.  I originally set out to build mine like it.  Since then I've revised the design to allow for different features, and the resemblance is almost gone!

Your cabinet seems to get pretty big, I'm really curious how it'll look completed with this great controlpanel-rotator! You are even lazier then me, I will only rotate the monitor automatically and take the panels out by myself

[)p(]

@>p< Do you know if the depth (got it from the original Centipede-flyer) was including the controlpanel or is it only the depth of the foot?

It did not state that if I remember correctly...I assumed it was including the cp...I will check it tomorow and also look at the dimensions of the 3d model...

Peter

[Carsten Carlos]

I will check it tomorow and also look at the dimensions of the 3d model...

Thanx Peter, I'll look ahead for your post! Also started a question on the collectors-newsgroup, you never know.
What is emberassing, on some pictures looks straight up, on some it got a more or less angle forward in it.

[1UP]

According to the model, the depth is the footprint depth, not including CP or marquee.  If it did include those, it would be a really thin cabinet!!  Seems like it would fall right over.

[1UP]

Your cabinet seems to get pretty big, I'm really curious how it'll look completed with this great controlpanel-rotator! You are even lazier then me, I will only rotate the monitor automatically and take the panels out by myself

It's actually not that much bigger than the Centipede dimesions you have.  The width and height is the same, but it's a bit deeper (36") so I can put in a 27" monitor later on.  Still, that's only about 3" deeper than the older cabinets.  Here's the latest pic:

More of a Defender profile now!  I found that the coin door was going to interfere with the CP rotation, but I wanted to have a little foot room.  The top still looks a little like Centipede though!  

BTW, Glad I could help!

[larry smith]

I have a centipede upright that I'm using for a mame conversion. I haven't done much cutting on it yet so I should be able to get most if not all you need. Where is your homepage so I can see what you need?

I need the complete measurements badly! If you got one, please help...
I made a drawing on my homepage under "Cabinet" where I'm showing all the measures I'd need.

Many thanx in advance!

Carsten

[Jakobud]

I don't understand why you guys want to build cabinets based off of old cabinets like centipede.  Doesn't make much sense to me.  They are so odd looking and you are quite limited in control panel space.  

For me, I based my cabinet dimensions off of a Mortal Kombat cabinet.  This cabinet was actually used for many games by Midway.  It's a great size and really good shape, and with the way the control panel is on it, there is a lot more space to put on whatever I want.  I have controls for 4 players, a 3inch trackball and an oscar spinner with plenty of room left over.  This is the same shape that LuSid's arcade flashback cabinet was based off of.  And I know that his cabinet has been the basis for more homemade cabinets on BYOAC than any other.  Anyways, hope you figure out those exact dimensions.  I can't imagine it would be that hard to just find dimensions for such a classic cabinet online.

jakobud

[larry smith]

nevermind , I found it.
Here are the dimensions you asked for (inches):
A=33.5  B=36.25  C=39.75   D=41.25  E=54.25  F=62.5
G=69.25  H=27  I=56  J=27.75  K=24.25  L=31.5  M=26.5
please note that the dimensions I gave you are of the side panel not the inner control panel or backglass.
Also all corners are rounded so measures are at center of rounds.
the depth is 32'' at B
the width is 25.25'' and the interior width (control panel) is 23.75''
if you need any more measurements just ask.
Your project is similar to mine (centipede, rotating computer monitor, changeable control panels) if you find or make good sideart let me know!

[1UP]

I don't understand why you guys want to build cabinets based off of old cabinets like centipede.

[)p(]

Larry Thanks for the dimensions I will update my 3d model with that... One question though. When you look at the sidepanels is the lower front (A in Carlos's) drwawing completely vertical like the back?
Thanks

[Carsten Carlos]

Larry Thank you so much, Larry! You can't imagine how much this helps me!

[Carsten Carlos]

So, finally got some time to write longer answers.

1UP Yep, reminds a bit of defender, but looks pretty cool! Not so big as I've expected 'cause of the rotory-panel! The extra-footroom is always a good thing, especially when sitting on a barstool!

Jakobud 1up said it almost (and better that I could do). I grew up in the area of PacMan & DonkeyKong, and actually I've never seen a Streetfighter/Rampage or whatever in original. Those cabs have the great advantage that they got really big controlpanels with much place on it (Rampage), but although I played Rampage very often on my AtariST, as I've never seen it in real, it just hasn't that authentic feeling for me. For Centipede, it has a very classic but also its really own cabinet-style, and I just like it!
Out there in germany there's still one Centipede-cabinet that owes me 5 marks that got stuck in the slot when I was a child.


The Internet works 'cause people share and that is what is is all about. Thanx to people like Larry, and to almost everyone here, who are willing to invest some time and who are willing to share. Otherwise you won't find nothing but dumb commercials everywhere on the net!
Okay, so far my boring thoughts!

<p> I gavered the measurements on my homepage so you might print them out from there & could use them easier for your model-update!

[larry smith]

ok here are more measures:
O=H=27'' the bottom part is straight
P=71.25'' height
R=3'' the distance from bezel to monitor is approx 2.5''
S=29'' to top of door itself 30'' to top of door frame

here are a few others that might help:
distance from bottom of marqee to bezel 12.5''
distance from side panel front back or top (not control panel) .125''
the control panel doesn't follow the side panel profile exactly. there is about .5'' between the top of the CP and the top of the cab side. Also the front of the panel is not straight in front like the side panel it about 1'' deeper at the top than at the bottom. Lastly the bottom of the control panel is a little sharper angle than side panel, it connects to the front panel higher than height A on the diagram. I think that distance was about 2''.
I say was because i cut the front panel down a little to give the controls enough clearance to put a keyboard in there (the control panel).

I mention the stuff about the control panel for historical accuracy. If you follow the side panel profile no one would know the difference.
Since you are building this out of wood may i recommend using 1'' quarter round on the top front corner of the control panel to approximate the bent in the original metal panel.

PS no homepage yet but i plan on putting one up when its done.

[1UP]

1-upyeah we need a database like that badly. I did post a while back on the collector's newsgroup but did not get much of a response.

Yeah,

[Carsten Carlos]

Thanx again, just updated my homepage with your new measures -well, with most of them, I've to add something to my drawing to add the rest of them, which are also very helpful!

How are you satisfied with the controlpanel-height? Many cabs have it to low for me, but maybe I'm just a tall person. I'll think about if I just add rolls at the bottom of the cab, this would make it approximately 6cm/ 2,5" higher.

i recommend using 1'' quarter round on the top front corner of the control panel to approximate the bent in the original metal panel.

Good idea, I always wondered how to make this, as I want to make the switchable controlpanels with a front included, e.g. to make a panel which supports flipper-buttons in front.

[larry smith]

The height is ok for me, i'm 5'8'' but it could be higher
I think the classics had the CP's a little lower than todays games.

the way my panels swap the front including the curve is fixed, the top clamps from below and the bottom folds down to allow access to the clamps and to act as a keyboard shelf. The advantage is that the swappable part is easy to make.

[)p(]

Yeah,

[1UP]

Looks cool!

[)p(]

Looks cool!

[Jakobud]

Yeah I totally understand what you guys are saying about the cent. cab being perfect for some people but not others.  For me, I wouldn't really like it because it would quite limit what size TV/monitor I would put in it and it would limit my CP space. My cabinet IS the larger mortal kombat sytle one.  I made it like that because I'm able to put in a super nice 24" TV in it.  Anyways, yeah I was into fighters for a while, but I was definately into the classics too.  I play them more on my cabinet than anything.

Anyways, walking by the small restaurant tonight in Solana Beach/San Diego, I saw...an ORIGINAL Centipede cabinet in there.  When I saw it I immediately thought of this post...  Should I go there and make some measurements or what?  I will if I have time and enough of you really want me to (and if the owner of the place doesn't mind me doing it).

Jakobud

[)p(]

Anyways, walking by the small restaurant tonight in Solana Beach/San Diego, I saw...an ORIGINAL Centipede cabinet in there.