My CP Layout

[Trimoor]

Here is the first beta prototype of my control panel.

Please ignore differences in color, and minute errors in symetry (something my mother was unable to do).

To those who said there isn't enough room for two joysticks and a trackball on a 17" panel, I say:
 

You like?

Also, should the joysticks go up higher, or lower, or stay where they are?

[Goz]

Is button 1 for each player closest to the joys or vice versa? Looks like fingers could collide in a fierce game of Metal Slug.

[Trimoor]

I'm not sure what you mean, but since each player has an opposite control config, hands are not likely to crash.

Forgot to mention, this is for a vertical cab.  No metal slug here.

Is 3 buttons per player enough?
Or should I make it four?

Start/admin buttons will be elsewhere.

[l8nite]

I like your layout, but I might be inclined to move the buttons just an inch or so upwards.  Trying to simulate it on the table in front of me, it felt awkward reaching so much further than the buttons for the joystick.

Just my two cents, and I haven't built my own panel yet so it's worth more like $0.002.

Shaun

[Trimoor]

The buttons cant move upward without hitting the trackball, which is also up as far as it can go.

The sticks however can be moved inward, upward, and downward without hitting anything.

[whammoed]

what games do you want to play on a vertical cab that require two joys?

[Trimoor]

Well, pretty much any plane shooting game has dual player joys.

I guess I can always run horizontal games if needed.

[paigeoliver]

I can't believe you are trying to squeeze a 2 player plus trackball setup into what looks like an Assault or other 18" wide machine.

My honest opinion is that the layout is going to be unplayable. I say drop the second joystick, move the trackball over to the right, and put the buttons in the middle.

[Goz]

I'm not sure what you mean, but since each player has an opposite control config, hands are not likely to crash.

What I mean is is it configured like this

   Joy1                          TB                                Joy2
   
     P1B1   P1B2  P1B3     P2B3  P2B2  P2B1          

*P1B3 = Player 1 Button 3  P2B3 = Player 2 Button 3

3 Buttons is enough for most NEOGEO games.

It just looks like the placement of  P1B3 and P2B3 might mash hands together when playing a game that requires the use of all three buttons in a two player game.

[RayB]

Perhaps you need to decide if a trackball is all that important.

My own CP is quite small as well (compounded by the fact that there are thick wood supports under the edges of the panel which cause me to lose an inch or two on every side.

In the end, I am building a small seperate trackball attachment which I can rest on my lap when I want to play trackball games. It's not ideal, and as much as I love Centipede, there are hundreds more joystick games than there are trackball games, so I decided to sacrifice the TB.

~Ray B.

[neuromancer]

I've got what looks like a very similar cab.

I'm thinking of two panels.

One has 2 sticks with 4 buttons each.

The other has the trackball and a 4way with three buttons.

I just couldn't stand having things so crowded.

Bob

[MoonDog]

is player two going to be ok with the reverse layout (buttons on the other side)?  seems like that might be hard to get used to.

[Martoon]

I'd have to agree with most other people's comments.  You're going to have trouble getting used to both P1 and P2 controls.  Let's say you get used to the stick left hand, buttons right layout of P1 while playing alone, and so does a friend.  If you want to play 2 player, neither one of you is going to want to switch hands for the P2 layout.

Also, there's no place to rest your palm as your fingers are hitting buttons.

I'd either go with two sticks, buttons same for each, or 1 stick and a trackball.

[Trimoor]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Oddly, it doesn't feel crowded at all.
The hand switching thing is no problem for me, I'm used to the keyboard anyway, and my other cab has a right handed stick.

Also, there's no place to rest your palm as your fingers are hitting buttons.

That's the only thing that bothers me now.
I'll try to find a way to move the buttons up.

Thanks!