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RayB's AMUSEMENT 360 - STATUS: Almost done
RayB:
Finally got some time to work on it.
- Removed the marquee and speaker. Cleaned out that top area.
- Filled in knicks and scratches on the sides, and spackled a large gash in the bottom rear edge.
While that dried, I opened up my Galaga and replaced the corroded fuse holders with new ones. Fired it up... WORKS AGAIN! yes!
RayB:
After much hemming and hawing (say what?!) I have finally settled on button colors. I think I have commitment issues. I'm a perfectionist, and being a perfectionist means over-analyzing and thinking about stuff, and in this case, I'm still trying to decide on cabinet artwork, but I did finally settle on some decisions (phew!):
I was originally going to go with blue buttons (perhaps even 2 shades of blue). But the widest variety of colors are only available for leaf-switch. My control panel is way too cramped for those leaf-switch holders, so I'm going with Happ pushbuttons.
So then i was looking at the blue and purple that they have, and then I thought about what actual arcade games usually used for button color choices (why not copy what the original designers felt was best?).
What I found was that usually they use different colors for different buttons, because it helps the player remember which does what. So that settled it. I'm going with multiple colors and will compensate for the "rainbow" effect through a good CP art design.
My final button colors will be red, green, blue and yellow, placed in a configuration that matches the japanese Super Famicom controllers. There. If ever I wanna play SNES emulators on this cab, I'll be set. ;D
(Uh oh... the american SNES opted for a two-tone button color scheme... HMMMM there goes my mind again...)
~Ray
PS: I had the same "can't settle on a plan" problem for my cab color scheme. As nice as the red and yellow is, truth is I have already purchased blue t-molding. Since I'm in Canada, ordering t-molding isn't the cheapest thing, so I will stick to my original blue T and white sides plan.
RayB:
Got my order from Bob Roberts today. I believe that's the last of the parts I need other than 2 coin mechs.
I got my buttons (Happ/IL microswitch), a joystick template, molex connectors, carriage bolts, two 4x4 speakers, control panel latches, and an AC on/off switch.
I also got parts for my restoration projects: I got an Atari "Big Blue" capacitor so I can continue attempting to fix my Missile Command and 2 new Atari style power cords (to replace the ratty ones on the Missile Command and Dominos). And new leaf-switch buttons for my Galaga (to replace the not-authentic microswitch buttons on there now).
Should see some progress soon...!
RayB:
Have finally designed the layout for my control panel. I have very little room to work with. I am lucky to even have a spinner on here!
Here's how it will look (without artwork):
Here's the "blueprint" version that will let me cut the holes in precisely the right places:
RayB:
Two things:
1. I settled on the name "Amusement 360". That was the name of my favorite arcade when I was a teen. It's also generic enough to apply to a cab. ;D
2. I finally designed the artwork for my control panel (based on the layout you see above).
I came up with 3 variations and would like feedback. In the end I'll combine the best parts of the 3 into my final design. Check them out in the Artwork forum: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,29696.0.html