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Author Topic: Rotating Control Panel question...  (Read 1194 times)

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dema

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Rotating Control Panel question...
« on: April 26, 2004, 05:17:47 pm »
Over the past few weeks I've been asking a ton of questions regarding how to interface a PC and an Xbox into the same control panel, and I've found so many of you to be extremely patient, helpful, and insightful. While I was doodling my layout on a piece of paper just now I realized that I was going to try making a cabinet with a rotating control panel and I because of that I didn't need to beat myself over the head trying to integrate everything into one type of panel. Instead I could make a "fighter panel" for MAME games; a panel with the trackball, spinner, and a 4-way controller; and I could devote the last panel to an XBox layout, in which case I wouldn't even need to wire things together through a db cable at all. I could just wire the Mini-Pacs to the MAME-devoted controls, and the XBox hacked controller PCBs to the XBox control panel, since it can only use the standard controls. Rather than needing a switch box and a video switch I could just go with a video switch and then rotate the panel to the appropriate system, again without needing to swap things out, really.

Then I got to wondering why those who have built rotating control panels in upright cabs have only built three-paneled controls and not more. I have forgotten all about geometry in the 12 years since taking it, so maybe I'm clueless by asking, but what's stopping people from doing a square or pentagon shaped panel, especially if you remove the "backsplash" which could hamper the rotation? Has anyone done the math on this to determine if a square or a pentagon is possible? I'd like to get one or two more panels so my current plan for a second panel wouldn't be as cluttered. I know it would require a larger panel circumference and a bigger rotational circle, but it wouldn't be too hard to do, would it?

Thanks for any help.

I'm probably overthinking things.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2004, 05:24:45 pm by dema »

patrickl

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Re:Rotating Control Panel question...
« Reply #1 on: April 26, 2004, 05:27:52 pm »
Several people tried Cp's with more surfaces than 3. I know of at least UncleT and xiaou2. The end-result doesn't really look like a classic cab anymore though.

There was  a thread a while back about a 4 sided CP in a defender style cab. Dunno what became of it.

:edit: found it (or at least one) It's 1hookedspacecadet's rotoquad (or read the thread)
« Last Edit: April 26, 2004, 05:32:53 pm by patrickl »
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dema

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Re:Rotating Control Panel question...
« Reply #2 on: April 26, 2004, 05:47:23 pm »
Yeah, a lot of the multi-paneled cabinets do lose the look of an authentic cabinet, and I'm definitely interested in keeping that general upright cabinet look. And while I think that the Rotoquad is extremely creative and I admire his willingness to give such a design a try, I'd like to keep it a little simpler. I want to make sure that the process of changing panels isn't more complicated than just swapping one cable out and another in.

patrickl

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Re:Rotating Control Panel question...
« Reply #3 on: April 26, 2004, 06:36:58 pm »
I'm going for swappable panels myself. I guess I could stash 5 or 6 panels in the bottom part of the cabinet. At least that will allow me to have more authentic(ish) panels then with a 3 sided rotating CP (I guess 3 is the max for a regular looking cab).

I have to say Doc's modular panels look pretty cool too. It's probably the most versatile option available, but I *must* have artwork.
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dema

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Re:Rotating Control Panel question...
« Reply #4 on: April 26, 2004, 09:07:37 pm »
It's probably the most versatile option available, but I *must* have artwork.

Artwork is a must for me as well.

Lilwolf

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Re:Rotating Control Panel question...
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2004, 08:31:34 am »
Artwork could be FUN with a module panel.

Get one of the kids books where the faces mix / match... but lining them up right.

I see getting the graphics for a bunch of Street fighter game babes (plus blanka and zangief for fun) laying down.  Try to stretch them out so they are about in the same area.

Or something like that..

or games across the panel panel... have arcade characters holding hands... but they change in order.  But this would be funny for a few minutes... then get annoying..

Consider hotswappable control panels.  I believe they are easier to build.  But they aren't as versitale as module... (and aren't as convient at the end as rotating)... but very very expandable.