newbie CP questions

[unix4hire]

I'll preface the obnoxious questions with a statement that I'm very impressed with the knowledge, creativity, and skills of the great members of this board.  It truly is a joy to read the posts and see what folks create.

So here come the dumb previously-answered (but too generic to search for?) questions:

1.  What is a good, EASY program to use to design my control panel (visio, adobe something-or-other, maya?); and then how do I actually image it to actual size (button sizes accurate, joystick holes, etc)?  Do you all just create it, print it out, see if it fits, adjust hole sizes, print again, compare, adjust, etc?  I guess a tutorial would be best for me.

2.  Does each 4 or 8-way joystick require exactly 4 inputs?

3.  A link to the mod that removes typing "OK" when starting a game?

4.  List of some 4P games (console or MAME) that use more than 4 buttons

5.  Short list of some games that use analog stick(s)

Appreciate the help!  Someday hope to have a project in the project board. --Erich

[RetroJames]

I'll preface the obnoxious questions with a statement that I'm very impressed with the knowledge, creativity, and skills of the great members of this board.

[Stingray]

I use a piece of cardboard and a magic marker. High tech baby.

-S

[NoOne=NBA=]

I lay out my button locations using a combo square, and a pencil, and then drill the holes.
As long as you know where the CENTER of the holes will be, the outlines aren't a big factor--unless space is really tight, and you want to utilize it to the utmost.
Even at that, I will sketch it onto the wood, rather than creating it elsewhere, and transferring it.

For artwork, I use a combination of Photoshop and FreeHand.

[Fat_Trucker]

Hi

This is my first post on these boards and I will also be embarking on my first project shortly (got my cab, just waiting for my controls n stuff).

Been running MAME32 for a while and recently got Command Line MAME running with MameWah (took ages to work it all out since I've never meddled with anything outside the windows GUI before)

Anyway, in response to your question about removing the admin screens (OK etc) if you open your mame folder and then open your mame configuration settings file (open with notepad).

Scroll down until you see this section and set all the skip options that you don't want displayed to '1'.


skip_disclaimer         1
skip_gameinfo           1
skip_validitychecks     1

Then go to file and save.


Bear in mind, games will still display any 'game not working properly messages'

Hope this helps.

[Will]

I was going to do the template route but than i kept asking myself why?I used a straight edge ruler and a pencil to mark out my layout.Came out very good for a first run and I think doing a full template is good for some but totally unnecessary for others.Going to do it same way for my second attempt.

[Shape D.]

I was going to do the template route but than i kept asking myself why?I used a straight edge ruler and a pencil to mark out my layout.Came out very good for a first run and I think doing a full template is good for some but totally unnecessary for others.Going to do it same way for my second attempt.

That kind of depends though, If your going to have a spacious CP then you should be cool. If your CP will end up being cramped it would make more sense to do a mock up first.

[unix4hire]

I'm not so concerned about making the CP itself, but I've seen some incredible artwork on their CP like 8-pointed stars around the joysticks, labels directly below the button, designs, etc.  I wanted to know how those of you that have created such overlays did it and how you got it to line up perfectly with your CP.  I imagine you must have created the overlay and the CP with the same software layout and then placed the overlay on the CP when you did your drilling.  So, what software did you use to design it and how'd you get it perfectly resized?

[Tiger-Heli]

>2.  Does each 4 or 8-way joystick require exactly 4 inputs?

Yes, however you could wire the 4-way and the P1 8-way to the same inputs to save encoder requirements.

>3.  A link to the mod that removes typing "OK" when starting a game?

See reply above.  If you want to remove the Bad Rom and Known Problems screens, search the software forum for BuddaMame (0.92) or use an old version of NoNameMame.  If you want' to "roll your own" see here but I don't know if this still works with the latest source code.

>4.  List of some 4P games (console or MAME) that use more than 4 buttons

MAME - NONE!!

Consoles - Too many to list.  The SNES was 6 buttons and a D-pad and 4 controllers.  Newer consoles are worse.  However, I don't really recommnend console games on a cabinet.  If you want them you could use USB modified original console controllers and front panel USB jacks.

>5.  Short list of some games that use analog stick(s)

Depends what you consider Analog sticks (BTW, I think Zaxxon was a variation of the TRON stick, so not analog) -
True analog sticks:
Afterburner, ummm

Used potentiometers so could be controlled by analog sticks:
Paperboy
Star Wars Series
270 Wheel drining games (OutRun, Hard Driving)
Paddle (but not spinner) games.

Could be controlled in MAME by analog sticks
Mouse or trackball games (I think?)

Used 49-way sticks but MAME uses Analog Sticks to control
Sinistar
Food Fight
Pigskin 621
Arch Rivals

I'm sure I left some out as well