Plexiglass vs textured CP, preferences?

[subzero23]

(Feel free to skip most of the stuff about my CP and just answer which you prefer)

Mostly a poll of opinion but which do you prefer? Plexiglass or what most games came with originally apparently, a layer of textured vinyl or something of the sort. I know most Midway games in the 90's came with plexiglass so not all games were texture only originally, and you'd be hardpressed to find many games without plexiglass today so I don't really know what's "Traditional" so I guess it's a matter of how it feels and looks. What do you all think?

I'm thinking if I go with my gem shaped CP (which might be better cuz of spaciousness right?) like this
  ________________
 /o         O   oo         o\
/                                  \
\       ooo          ooo     /
 \  O  ooo    O   ooo    /
  \__o_______o____/
I might go with a classic textured design. The design (which probably will go for anyway I go) is to have it a simple background design like you'd find on a Street Fighter cab or something (btw did Street Fighters come with plexiglass or texture originally? texture right?) but like a top half would be sort of an amalgam of Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga themes in a rectangular area around the Reunion 4-way + 2 red buttons. I think it'd be a cool combo.

The other option for me was to complete the cabinet's theme of Midway design (I love the cabinet shape) and go with the regular rectangle, which I'm not sure I want, since this is a home arcade game with extra controls, with gem style you can slip your hands anywhere you want without t-molding getting in the way.
_________________
\                                \
\\                                \
 \\________________\
  \|________________|

Obviously this isn't going in a public enviroment and won't receive heavy gameplay by strangers.

[Hiub1]

My personal preference would be a textured CP. I think it feels a lot nicer, and is almost more friendly and upscale than having plexi covering the CP. I also love the SF CPO, for some reason it just screams cool with the little capcom logo there. As for the shape of it, I think angles are a good way of making space where there is none, so if that is the case with your layout then it would probably be a good idea. It also looks a bit more snazzy, but be prepared for the extra work involved in cutting angles anf stuff. Remember, measure twice, cut once. If you're not pressed for space, a regular box never looks out of place. I like the simplicity they offer as well.

Let us know what you come up with! Fred.

[subzero23]

My dad's is/was a cabinet maker (now a corian countertop guy) so it'll be very professional, more professional than the $5500 premade cabinets......

But I wonder if the gem style is odd or ackward looking? Untraditional?

Would it be better if it was

 _________________
|                                  |
|                                  |
 \                                /
  \_______________/

[AmericanDemon]

It only matters if you are comfortable with it.  

I did the Corian bit myself.   Great product but I hated the smell of it whenever I ran a router down the edges.  Ugh.

[Gunstar Hero]

Plexi is tougher, and worth it to protect that printing job. Plus it makes it easy to insert instruction cards or button overlays after the fact.

Textured CP looks nicer (especially after that plexi has been beaten up a bit) and is less of a pain to set up.

[RayB]

Assuming your overlay is "industrial quality" (like what original games used) then I vote no plexi.

[Minwah]

Assuming your overlay is "industrial quality" (like what original games used) then I vote no plexi.

Me too.  Plexi scratches far too easily for my liking.  CPO's will take a hell of a beating.

[subzero23]

It only matters if you are comfortable with it.  

I did the Corian bit myself.   Great product but I hated the smell of it whenever I ran a router down the edges.  Ugh.

How funny! My dad says I was nuts and he couldn't smell anything. I've had to work with him/help him with jobs so many times and I HATE the smell off certain colors.
Was it a whitish corian?

[subzero23]

Ya ok I think I'm definately going to with Textured, I might go with mamemarquees.com and create one where the basic area is a scattered black on blue background (like a generic Street Fighter cpo) but at the top, there will be a solid blue rectangle with ms. pac-man and galaga art for the joystick/buttons for that game

[jdjuggler]

Hmm... I didn't even know that texture CP's were an option.  I did look at mamemarquees and saw what they had for sale.  It certainly appears that you can design your own.
I'm not sure I know exactly what it looks for feels like.
Is the textured CP material have like a melamine feel to it?
Any close up pics of a Textured CP?
How thick is the material?
Thanks,
JD

[wj2k3]

I vote Corian Control Panel!!!  

[whammoed]

I vote Corian Control Panel!!!  

Ha...off topic but reminds me of ebay listing i saw:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13716&item=6130248510&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

[wrxh8r]

Heres a pic of a cp from mamemarquees that i took outside in the sun.It isnt actually grainy the printing is absolutly awsome.What you can actually see is the sunlight on the rough surface.I dont know how to explain it but the texture is very slight.Alot of mouse pads have a similar surface on them.As for thickness 10mil i think or whatever that is.Its in another thread that i read just lately something like .25mm

[fredster]

Plexi will protect the art. It keeps it looking good.

You can always replace the Plexi, but the art may be harder.

[jdjuggler]

Plexi will protect the art. It keeps it looking good.

You can always replace the Plexi, but the art may be harder.

Isn't that the whole idea of going with a textured CP.  You wouldn't need the plexi over a textured piece of artwork.
JD

[fredster]

No, you don't need it. The art will just wear off after a while.

They put plexi on it to prevent cigarette burns and spills too.  There seems to me to be no other reason for plexi.

[subzero23]

it feels nice
well both feel nice
but yeah
I'm conflicted of course
although it seems stupid to get one printed out without having a really nice design for it

[Iori]

They are both good, but like the feel of the textured cp panel and it looks a bit nicer without any extra unnecessary bolts or clamps in my opinion.  Not to mention the fact that it is a bit easier to do it without the plexi cover.  

[RayB]

Covering a nice textured vinyl overlay with plexi is kind of like buying a nice expensive couch and then covering it with one of those clear plastic couch covers. What's the point?

[jdjuggler]

Well, I think I'll be going with the textured CP... Lots of advantages, I think.
Although, I've never heard the comment that the "artwork can wear off"...  I thought the artwork was protected by the clear texture???

JD

[Stingray]

No, you don't need it. The art will just wear off after a while.

Not true. The textured material, goes over the artwork like a laminate. The artwork is not printed on top of the texture. IMO real classic arcade games used textured overlays. The only cabs I remember during the height of the '80s arcade craze that had plexi control panels were cheap conversions.

-S