Request for Comments on Control Panel

[[derek]]

Hey everyone, I' have just finished a rough layout for my CP. I'm looking for Comments on the placement of the controls. Right now I am thinking of replacing the  3" trackball with an Ultimarc 2 1/4"(I just haven't figured out the measurements for it yet).

A larger image can be found here: http://derek.uberh4x0r.org/gallery/CthulhuCade/cp

the CP is 40" wide, and 17" deep at the center.  It's a four player layout. Initially I had 6 buttons for players three and four, however, the general consensus seems to be use 4 buttons only.  A few other thoughts I had were placing the credit buttons on the face of the control panel so they dont' take up real estate on the main portion of the panel.

My other thought is adding a 7th button to Player one and Player two, however, What is the main purpose of that? Preserving layout for particular games?

- Derek

[Tiger-Heli]

My other thought is adding a 7th button to Player one and Player two, however, What is the main purpose of that? Preserving layout for particular games?

Mainly, it is used for 4-button Neo-Geo games (fighters).

[pointdablame]

A lot of people (including myself usually) will suggest that you not angle your P3 and P4 joysticks, but instead keeping them parallel to the screen.  My 4p Xmen cab has all the joysticks parallel, but I really think this is more personal preference.  Just make sure you can get used to the angles before you finalize your CP.

I would also move your spinner a bit to the left if you ever plan to play Golden Tee or any trackball games that require big hits.    You don't want to clip your hand on the spinner after your big drive.

Your other concerns are also highly personal preference.  Player start buttons on the front of the CP would work fine.  I personally don't like them above the player buttons as you have them, and would prefer them at the top of the CP... but that is just me.

As for the 7th button, I am a huge NeoGeo fan, so it is a must for me so I can play them the way they should be played.  If you're not a big NeoGeo fighter fan, then it won't make much of a difference to you.  You're not actually "adding" a button, you'd just be doubling up on one, so you aren't losing any games if that is your concern.

Also, if you want to avoid clutter (as you mentioned with the player buttons), you might want to consider using a TStick plus for the player 2 joystick.  You could then get rid of the dedicated 4way.  Just another option.

[zaphod]

My thoughts:

Nix the three mouse buttons above the trackball.  Use the bottom row of player 1 instead.

The placement of the four-way is going to make game playing difficult.  There is no place to rest your arm.  If you play with your left hand, your arm will lie right in line with Player 2's stick.  Righty and you will most certainly be pressing player 2's buttons.  A possible solution would be to move the spinner to the left a bit so its centerline is near the left edge of the trackball plate.  Then shift the 4-way to the left a touch so its centerline is the middle area between the TB and P2 joy.

I think your Player Start buttons need to be a bit further aware from the play buttons than they are.  Perhaps group each with a Coin button a short distance from the player buttons.  The coin buttons at the very top really aren't doing anyone any good.

Stay with the 3" trackball.  I have nothing against the Ultimarc trackball at all, but you have plenty of real estate for the 3" so you might as well include it.

Lastly, I might move the player three and four joys in a little further.  Player 3's joy doesn't leave much room to rest the heel of the hand.

These are just my opinions; feel free to ignore any that you don't agree with.

[zaphod]

Oh, forgot to mention something that I've found extremely valuable: a dedicated pause button.  

[[derek]]

Ok here is a modfied version.  Loved the responses, thanks guys!

I put a slot for 4 administrative buttons, moved the players buttons in a row, and removed the dedicated four way with anticipation of going with an 8 way/4 way.  I also moved the spinner over to the left.

Any other comments?

[Tiger-Heli]

Ok here is a modfied version.  Loved the responses, thanks guys!

Any other comments?

I prefer having coin and start for each player located next to each other, but that's just personal preference.

[walls83]

I agree on the start and coin.  You dont want the 3rd player reaching over everybody else to start their game back up.

[[derek]]

Excellent guys! Thanks, I now have a working layout. Hi res of it here: http://derek.uberh4x0r.org/gallery/CthulhuCade/cp_v3

Next step, drilling and prepping it. Cab is starting to get close..

- derek