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My latest control panel design
Timstuff:
I moved the 4-Way and buttons up a little like you reccomended. If I moved it a full 6 inches though, I'd have to move it all the way to the top (which would leave little space for rotation and be a long reach) and I'd have to bring the normal buttons further down.
markrvp:
There's no perfect solution. I know I built what I thought was the perfect panel, but I rarely play it the way I intended because some of the buttons are in the way. I'm currently in the process of building multiple panels for better gameplay.
daveg2000:
What are the 3 buttons on the top right of the track ball?
Just utility buttons?
(only a suggestion) but if you plan to use them for
missle command, it feels VERY awkward to have the ball
and buttons at differing heights.
Especially if they are VERY far apart... then you will look
silly playing the game. ;)
I had my trackball mounted, and then took piece of paper with
3 circles on it and moved it around till I found a comfortable
spot for it (which didnt feel right until I had the buttons at an
equal height as the trackball...)
Just another 2cents...
Timstuff:
The three buttons you see are mouse buttons. I printed the layout up full-scale, but I must say I am not at all satasfied with their current position. I quickly noticed that in a game like Centipede or Missile Command, even if I were using my right hand for the buttons instead of the trackball, it would be very uncomfortable because it would be sandwiched between my left hand and the player 2 joystick. As for using my right hand for the trackball? Fuggeddabadit. I may well go back to having the buttons directly above the trackball the way they are in the Project Arcade book and my first design. I really have trouble imagining how it could be a problem with golden tee golf, because the buttons will be pretty flat and there will be at least 3 & 1/2 inches between the ball and buttons because of the mounting plate. I'll have to print it up fullsize and see how I feel about it.
markrvp:
Remember that you don't have to have mouse buttons to play the games. You can use any of the buttons 1-8 on either side of the panel for centipede and Missile Command. Just map them in MAME.
The only reason you need mouse buttons is for Windows navigation. Paige pointed out to me the other day that you can actually wire your P1 & P2 start buttons as the Left and Right Mouse buttons. When you're in Windows that works great. As soon as MAME launches, you just map P1 start to Mouse 0 and P2 start to Mouse 1.
(I know that sounds wrong, but if you think about it for a minute it makes sense)