Mame Function Buttons

[mpm32]

I am planning my control panel for my cab and I have been looking at many examples.  I have noticed that most have a row of "function" buttons across the top; esc, tab, ~, etc.

If an IPAC is used can't these functions be accessed using the shift function?  Is it necessary to put these extra buttons on when using an IPAC?  Anyone using an IPAC with no additional function buttons along the top care to share their views/experience?

[Smittydc]

I've found the shift functions work great.  

But, I am adding 2 small atari cone buttons for "coin" and "escape" so I don't have to explain the shift-versions to everyone who visits.

[Brad Lee]

I have a small set of buttons like youre describing. Since I'm not using all 8 buttons of both players that the Ipac provides for, I went with the 'alt' setting. This way I could map p1 buttons 1-5 normally, than use 6-8 and all the p2 buttons(I only have a 1P side right now) for esc, f2,f3,tab, and whatever else is needed

[eightbit]

I'm using an Ipac and don't have any extra buttons for administration. My coin slots are wired and working but I also have coin buttons hidden under the front overhang.

I also have a trackball with mouse buttons wired so thats what people use to select games and they use the shift method to Escape. Explaining one shifted key isn't to confusing for most people.

[Smittydc]

I wired my trackball mouse buttons to two of my player-1 buttons.  Nothing wrong with having them serve different in-game and out-of-game purposes.

[mpm32]

I wired my trackball mouse buttons to two of my player-1 buttons.  Nothing wrong with having them serve different in-game and out-of-game purposes.


I wondered about this.  What if for example I wired the trackball/mouse left click button to button one of the IPAC for the fire button.  Would pressing the fire button also the left click button repeatedly cause any problems i.e. exiting the game and such?

[Smittydc]

I wondered about this.  What if for example I wired the trackball/mouse left click button to button one of the IPAC for the fire button.  Would pressing the fire button also the left click button repeatedly cause any problems i.e. exiting the game and such?

That's exactly what I did -- the fire button is wired to both the sw1 input on the IPAC and the left mouse button on my Opti-pac.  Hasn't caused any problems -- and it's fun surfing the net with my trackball.

[ErikRuud]

I am a fan of the classics, so I did not set up my CP for four players or six buttons per player.  

I used the extra I-Pac inputs for a row of buttons at the top.  most of these buttons are set up to serve a dual purpose using the shift function. I did not want to have to explain (or remember) what that shift player1 button 1 was the tab key.

Across the top I have Pause, Advance, Coin 1/shift, Start 1, Start 2, Coin 2,On Screen Display(~),Config(tab),Enter

The shifted functions are Escape, Reset, shift, Start 1, Start 2, Coin 3, Save, Load, Enter.

Escape and Reset are shifted so that they cannot be hit accidently.

[neuromancer]

I am planning my control panel for my cab and I have been looking at many examples.  I have noticed that most have a row of "function" buttons across the top; esc, tab, ~, etc.

If an IPAC is used can't these functions be accessed using the shift function?  Is it necessary to put these extra buttons on when using an IPAC?  Anyone using an IPAC with no additional function buttons along the top care to share their views/experience?

If you're using MAME, the "shift" function is built in. My newest control panel is a USB gamepad hack and has no additional function buttons across the top.

Bob

[lordsub]

I had a question concerning this two.  On games like X-Men, TMNT, Simpsons, etc...  The 4 coin slots seem to matter, because you get to play the character depending on which slot u put the coin...So does that mean you need 4 coin buttons as well as 4 player start buttons?  if so, i can see a shift key being handy here.  

[hyiu]

actually, if you want, you can assign the same key as coin and start....

so, when you press, you insert coin and start at the same time.... it will work for most games....

somehow, some old games will not work.... needs separate coin button.... donno why...

[SirPoonga]

I am planning my control panel for my cab and I have been looking at many examples.  I have noticed that most have a row of "function" buttons across the top; esc, tab, ~, etc.

If an IPAC is used can't these functions be accessed using the shift function?  Is it necessary to put these extra buttons on when using an IPAC?  Anyone using an IPAC with no additional function buttons along the top care to share their views/experience?

Don't even need an ipac to do the shift stuff if you use just mame.  
Look at my cab, all I have is Quit(Esc), power, and Pause.  They will be labelled at some time. That way when friends come over they don't ask how to quit or pause, there is a single button to do that.

[gajaman]

I didn't want a load on admin buttons either so I wired a shift button and put it between the speakers below the marquee (it's a black button on a black panel so blends in nicely).

Theres a pic on my site of the speaker panel if it helps in the cab section. www.firenza.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/arcade