My Control Panel layout *Finally*

[RayB]

Opinions if any...? Has anyone tried this button layout and had any problems? I'm debating skewing the location of the top and right ones so it's more of a flattened diamond shape...

This layout is the best I could come up with given the usable space I have. The diagram shows the actual CP size, but the blue guide lines show the actual area where I can place controls (anything outside this area is blocked by wood, or other immovable parts). The two Atari cone buttons are actually in this "forbidden" area because I will attempt to cut out some notches in the wood beam that's otherwise in the way.

[RayB]

...and the layout in "technical" format:

My text is too small to read, so here's what the legend says:

 - White is actual parts (like the joystick body, etc)
 - Grey is the hole size required
 - Blue is "clearance" required (for pal nuts, or in the case of the spinner, for the optic board and other stuff that sticks out on the side)

The start buttons are aluminum Atari cone buttons, and the rest is standard: Wico leaf joys, Happ microswitch buttons, and an Arkanoid spinner.

[maraxle]

My panel has the more flattened diamond shape, and I like it a lot.  Yours looks like it would be equally as good.

[JoyMonkey]

Cool! Looks a lot like the trackball panel that I did last year. Mine's a little smaller (7.5"x20") and worked out great!

[RayB]

Maraxle, do you have a thread on here that shows your button layout? How's the spacing?

What I'm trying to figure out with the button placement right now is how better to lay it out for side-scrollers yet still maintain an "up-down-left-right" configuration for Smash TV, Vanguard, etc...

I'm trying to figure out if in a "jump & fire" game, I would want the buttons angled, or side by side. I tried to find some reference, but the best I could find was this:

http://images.webmagic.com/klov.com/images/10/1065235065.jpg

That's from Rolling Thunder, one of my favorite games. The buttons are angled and there's lots of spacing between them... Yet, I remember being able to play very well at this game, so I guess the layout works! And I trust Atari's experience. (also note how far down the joy is in relation to the buttons).

On the other hand, all other side-scroller controls I could find just had the two buttons side by side. but again, usually spaced farther than I have them.

HMM!

[Hoagie_one]

how do you guys design those layouts?  Where do you get the images?

i want to do an exact layout design to be sure everything fits but i cannot, or do not know how?

[RayB]

I used Adobe Illustrator, took very precise measurements of the parts, and then made sure to set the grid and rulers correctly.

I can probably make the file available to people. Then all you'd have to do is move the objects around to where you want...

~Ray B.

[Goz]

Ray,

 Looks good.

If you could make the file available, it'd be great.

 Thanks,

-Goz