Control Panel Design complete.....?

[Sylentwulf]

Heres what I have done for a control panel so far. Just wondering if anyone has any input, feedback, comments, suggestions?

Visio file - http://www.electricquarter.com/Wulfpanel.vsd
.jpg version - http://www.electricquarter.com/wulfpanel.jpg

Obviously the visio file looks a lot better and makes more sense, but I understand not everyone has visio

Note - The trackball is actually scaled to fit my 2.5 (2.25?) inch trackball mounting plate, even though it's still labelled as a 3", and the top joystick is a four-way. The 2 buttons towards the middle on top are player 1/2, the other four buttons are mame-buttons. Coin insert buttons will either be side-mounted, or hooked up to the coin mech on the cabinet.

[Witchboard]

I can't seem to get either link to work.

[AmericanDemon]

Same here.  No go on those links.  

[Sylentwulf]

Hmm, weird, the first one works fine on both of my computer (downloadable .vsd file, maybe right click and save target as?)

The second one I went through visio and clicked save as webpage, then uploaded it, but yeah, I can't get that one to work either now, heh. I'll go take a screenshot with visio open and publish the screenshot.....

Ugh, looks like my host site is down or having issues, which could explain it. Ahh well, I'll re-post all three files once they sort it all out.

OK, well, for the time being, I can at least put the jpg up on my old geocities site

http://www.geocities.com/sylentwulf2/wulfpanel.jpg

Since it's geocities, you might have to cut and paste, or do weird things to the link to get it to work.


OK, POWWEB decided to cooperate, the original post links should work fine now. Sigh.

[vputz]

That works much better; thanks.

Looks like a reasonable layout (I just finished laying mine out yesterday, so it's of interest to me).  I like the curved button lines (much better than straight rows imho) although I personally like them tilted a little bit as well.  When I did mine, I put the coin/player buttons right above the action buttons for easier access, but having them at a distance like yours isn't a bad idea at all.

I assume the buttons on either side of the tball are mouse  1/2  buttons?  I would put them closer together so that one hand could operate both.  If they are both for example "mouse 1" buttons then having them there for ambidexteridy isn't bad.

I had to see the jpg, so not sure on measurements, but it looks good from here.

-->VPutz

[SteveJ34]

8<---snip
I assume the buttons on either side of the tball are mouse  1/2  buttons?  I would put them closer together so that one hand could operate both.  If they are both for example "mouse 1" buttons then having them there for ambidexteridy isn't bad.

The layout you as presented follows pretty much the same style that I used and has worked very well for me in the last 12-18 months of use.

Only difference is I placed mouse 1/2 buttons above the trackball in the middle. In this manner I can palm the trackball and use easily reach mouse buttons with fingers on same hand.

Of course, mouse button placement is really one of personal preference so whatever fits best for you should be the determining factor.

[Buddabing]

I would move the trackball over about two inches to the right and move the mouse button that is on the right of the trackball over where the trackball was, then add one more mouse button inline with the other two. That way you'll have three mouse buttons to 1) manipulate your chosen user interface, and 2) play Missile Command and Centipede more authentically.

Good luck with your panel!

[Sylentwulf]

Good ideas with the trackball, my hand is SMALL, so putting the mouse buttons above the trackball would be kinda hard. Here's what I came up with after a change or 2.

As for the coin/player start buttons, I like the start buttons to be in a "standard" arcade spot at the top center, I'd prefer to have them closer together, but the 4 way stick gets priority. The coin buttons as I said might end up being on the side ala the hotrod se joystick (I know, blasphemy)

Trackball changes - http://www.electricquarter.com/wulfpanel2.jpg

[krick]

Looking good.  I kinda like the offset track ball idea.

One question though?  Where's your spinner?
Every control panel has to have a spinner.


You might want to try putting the paper in lansdcape mode before you print...

File -> Page Setup -> Print Setup tab -> Paper Orientation - Landscape

I think the pages will break nicer that way.

Only uses 8 pages vs 10 in portrait mode....

[froggerman]

I think you layout looks good. I should, as I have a very similar layout myself. I like what you did with the 3 buttons to the left of the track ball. I am going to look at mine again and perhaps do something like that. I currently have planned for 2 buttons on each side of the trackball but I like your layout better. What functions would the be? Mouse button 1, mouse button 2 and ...? Is there a mouse button 3? I don't think there is on my Mini-Pac.

[GGKoul]

Are you planning on playing any Golden Tee or any other golf games? If so, get rid of the 4way above your trackball.....  As you'll be wacking your hand into the 4way during your upswings.

Also, I find it easier if you mount the mouse buttons above the trackball.

-GGKoul

[ani]

Yea, my cp is very similar as well. Except I have my buttons rotated a bit and my 4 way off to the right so it doesn't get whacked by my friends playing golden tee.

[Buddabing]

Good ideas with the trackball, my hand is SMALL, so putting the mouse buttons above the trackball would be kinda hard. Here's what I came up with after a change or 2.

As for the coin/player start buttons, I like the start buttons to be in a "standard" arcade spot at the top center, I'd prefer to have them closer together, but the 4 way stick gets priority. The coin buttons as I said might end up being on the side ala the hotrod se joystick (I know, blasphemy)

Trackball changes - http://www.electricquarter.com/wulfpanel2.jpg

This is nice, since you have three mouse buttons for missile command and your 4-way is out of the way of anyone playing golden tee on your trackball. The only thing I would do is lessen the degree of arch between the three mouse buttons. If your hands are small it'll be awkward to reach that center button.

You can rig up a coin mech to take coins, or you can rig your coin door to add credits when you press the reject button.

[drunkatuw]

Maybe it's just me, but could you use the player 1 or player 2 buttons for use with the trackball?  That way either left or right handed players can use the trackball and you don't need to clutter the control panel.  Then you can use the three buttons above the trackball for mouse buttons (to navigate windows if necessary).  I have a very similar layout to you, except I kept the trackball centered and only have 2 buttons next to my 4-way.  I can use the player 1 buttons for games like missle command which need 3 buttons and can still use the mouse buttons for PC Golden Tee.