Control Panel. Help before I wreck it.

[Teebor]

I kinda feel like I am throwing myself to the wolves doing this but here goes.

Just tell me if I am destined to end up in the Hall.

Here's the idea, and please bear in mind this is still the first version and realistically is a prototype.

The Black colour was just used for reference as the panel will be covered by graphics and lexan/plexi for protection. 

The panel is meant to be two player only with six buttons per player (although I am going to change that now to eight for console compatability).  I have fitted (and routed out the panel for it) 1 Suzo trackball and there will be another trackball which is going to be a modified kid's ball.  These are both to allow for playing some of my fav games two player (Rampart, marble madness, etc)

There is room for a spinner later, but I think it will be a bit too cramped, and I am not in a rush for a spinner as other than DoT which I don't have the sticks for I never used to play many games that had one.

And before you point it out I know that some of the edge cuts are not quite right, but then again thats why its a prototype and my first every bored

So anyway thats enough of the garbage.  Here's the pic of my first prototype control panel.



Of course being as though this is the first part I have made so far (with the wrong tools I may add) scrapping and starting again isn't going to be an issue and is constantly on my mind anyway.

I look forward to your feedback and ideas (I hope)

P.S. It is comfortable to use the trackball where it is and it doesn't interfere with the buttons or the other player who should be using the trackball in a similar location on the right of the panel anyway

[RayB]

Where's the query? I didn't find your question.

[eccs19]

I'm not into trackballs myself, but I would think that it would be better placed between the 2 players controls.  I would think that it's kinda close to where your screen would be, and you may end up bumping into the screen all the time.

[subcriminal]

Yup. Mines too close to the screen... you'll stubb your fingers and swear lots having it there.

[Teebor]

If I put the trackball between the two players where will the second trackball go?  I think the panel might look a bit unbalanced and the player two will be more centralised on the screen while player 1 stands far to the left ??

There will be almost 7 inches  between the ball and the screen once fitted. But I see your point. 
I might have to build the cabinet with the mounting spot for the panel and then rebuild it all again.  I made plenty of mistakes with the wiring at this point in the construction already but thats why its a first try prototype

[missioncontrol]

yep you need to position your trackball between the one and two player controls

[Teebor]

so you are saying to make the panel wider? roughly that will be about 70 inches with both trackballs

But it would mean the panel doesnt have to be quite so deep.

[missioncontrol]

that sounds pretty wide.... you may have too much empty space

[PCtech]

2 Trackballs?

Might get a bit cramped, w 2 trackballs, 2 Joysticls, and buttons.

so you are saying to make the panel wider? roughly that will be about 70 inches with both trackballs

But it would mean the panel doesnt have to be quite so deep.

70 Inches....5Ft, 8in wide CP?...OMFG?...if you have a wife, I hope she is understanding 

a CP that is almost 6' would be a monster, but might be the best solution, if you want all-in-one.

Since you have no problem building prototypes, how about a modular, or swappable design....you wouldn't have to make the CP so big, but could still have the controls you want.

I'm still trying to get the picture of the almost 6' CP out of my mind....

Good luck, can't wait to see it finished!

[Teebor]

LOL it was hard enough to convince her to let me build it so I think smaller will be better.

Because of the size of the screen (and this is off the top of my head cos I cant remember the dimensions) the cabinet itself is going to be over 40 inches wide (big screen )

I really want the two trackballs because I just cant get enough of marble madness and rampart (I think I must be crazy)

I can see that I am going to have problems if I want to change the panel out for four player in the future now.

I think I might sketch one up and build a mock in cardboard and see what happens.  or I could use up some of that wood... mmmm power tools


I was planning for the panel to be removable and replaced easily for when I change to four player so I guess I could just plant the track's into another panel on their own. and then have a four player joystick only panel.

[kelemvor]

If you want to complete sets of controls (including 2 trackballs) I would setup the controls for one player as you have them but move the trackball to the right and below the buttons.  Just so it's not hitting your arm when using the buttons.

Then duplicte that and make a second copy for player two.  Then center them in the space available.  You can use your artowrk or design to make a drawing that will make it visibly obvious that there are two sets of controls and not random stuff going on.

I'd have to draw it out to see what will fit but you should be able to do it.  Or you could put the trackball below the buttons and a bit to the left.  that whay when one hand/arm is on the joystick and one is on the buttoins, the bal would be in between the two.  But then the stick might be in the wya of the ball if you have to make fast movements in that direction.

[Mark70]

definately go trackball below the buttons.

The ball itself takes up very little room when it sticks up throught he acrylic.  The challenge you will have is leaving enough clearance underneath to wire the buttons and the trackball without interference.

[Teebor]

below and to the right.  hmm I shall give it a go and knock up some measurements this week.

I can see how that would work quite comfortably.

Interference shouldnt be an issue as the trackball I have is very small and neat underneath.  A few wire extensions might be needed though.
And it would also allow me to correct some of the mistakes that I made already..

[eccs19]

This may sound like a stupid suggestion, and I have never seen anything done like this before (hence the stupid suggestion), but what about building a box that houses just the trackballs, and make it so that it is removable, but will quickly mount / connect to the front of the control panel, then when your not using it, a quick couple of latches undo, unplug wiring harness, and they are now out of your way.

[TOK]

I did a layout very similar to yours, a cut corner Bally panel. I used a 3" Happ ball and mounted it down low (I also have the Suzo like yours, but had problems with it).
Given that your panel is larger than mine, I'd push the 1 & 2 player controls a bit further apart.
The plexi is all smudged up in the pic, but you can get the idea.

[Teebor]

This may sound like a stupid suggestion, and I have never seen anything done like this before (hence the stupid suggestion), but what about building a box that houses just the trackballs, and make it so that it is removable, but will quickly mount / connect to the front of the control panel, then when your not using it, a quick couple of latches undo, unplug wiring harness, and they are now out of your way.

I have the option of holding the panel down with some velcro that came my way.  Before you laugh this stuff is industrial strength and when oriented correctly it can hold Major KG's (for velcro) on even a one inch strip.

so the possibilty of having the panel swappable is there.  I was hoping that an all in one might be achieved.

Looking at your layout TOK on mine I could shift the player 1 ball left and then put the player 2 ball in a similar position on the right hand side of the panel as suggested by kelemvor.

So the sticks would be furthur forward then they are now, which I wouldn't mind.  But I can see the panel possibly becoming a little deeper then it is already.  Which is not a problem.  Although it might just fit in the space already there. 

Much measuring required I think.

[PCtech]

This may sound like a stupid suggestion, and I have never seen anything done like this before (hence the stupid suggestion), but what about building a box that houses just the trackballs, and make it so that it is removable, but will quickly mount / connect to the front of the control panel, then when your not using it, a quick couple of latches undo, unplug wiring harness, and they are now out of your way.

I don't think it stupid at all....I was wondering if I could do something similar with a steering wheel.

Sounds like a great idea....if anyone has successfully done this, please post deatils.

Good idea!

[kelemvor]

This may sound like a stupid suggestion, and I have never seen anything done like this before (hence the stupid suggestion), but what about building a box that houses just the trackballs, and make it so that it is removable, but will quickly mount / connect to the front of the control panel, then when your not using it, a quick couple of latches undo, unplug wiring harness, and they are now out of your way.

I'd definitely do this for the extra acessories like a steering wheel, gun, etc.  You can wire the cables and such through a standard CAT5 keystone jack thing and just plug it in when you need to use it.  Then you can set it aside when you are done.  Would just have to find a way to attach it that would work well and not look bad when it wasn't attached.  Could have it hang off the front of the machine with some brackets or something maybe...

[Teebor]

A lot of cabinet designs that I have looked at (like Mortal Kombat 2) look from the side like the control panel is added after the main cabinet construction.

Building it like that then would prevent it from looking out of place, as long you build the control panel square. (by square I mean 90 degree angles)