Lusid's control panel - monstrous?

[soulblazer28]

I now have all the parts needed to begin construction of a mock control panel. Now just one thing missing: the design!

I notice that there are many projects based on Lusid's design. In the end, I will probably base my cab on that design simply because it saves me the trouble of reinventing the wheel.  But I have some reservations regarding the control panel on that design.  Now, I know that I can modify to my liking, but I'd really like to get some feedback from those who have implemented the design.  Judging from the photos, it seems like that control panel has so much empty space between the controls and the player.  I just can't imagine myself sitting on a stool and having my arms outstretched that far.  What is the rational behind such a design?  Is it comfortable to play?

Anyway, why do these cabs not have a beer holder on the side

[AtomSmasher]

My cab is based on the LuSid design and I spread my controls as far out as  I the design would let me.  Frankly I wouldn't want it any other way, moving the joysticks closer to the center would make it too crowded playing 2 player and would put one stick too close to the trackball.  If you want to see a big control panel, take a look at the ultimate arcade 2 plans.

Heres my design, which I'm very happy with:

[AMDman13]

AtomSmasher

God I love your layout.. As you know I am mocking (or should I say mucking) up my layout the same as yours. I'm not a pro at paintshop and I'm trying to bring your layout to scale. Patience is virtue I suppose.

Thanks for making it available.!

[quarterback]

I didn't use Lusid's design, but I'll throw my CP out FYI because it's an example of a smaller design (afaik).  It also doesn't have the full-on 7-button layout because I don't play fighters but everything is pretty tightly jammed in there.

The interior of the 'box' on mine (into which all the parts must fit) is 23"x11"

The overall CP top dimensions are something like 30"x16" at the widest points.

[AtomSmasher]

AtomSmasher

God I love your layout.. As you know I am mocking (or should I say mucking) up my layout the same as yours. I'm not a pro at paintshop and I'm trying to bring your layout to scale. Patience is virtue I suppose.

Thanks for making it available.!

If your just copying the layout, then picture quality wouldn't matter much and you could just resize my layout to 4312 pixels by 2312 pixels and it would be done to scale.  Actually thats not quite my final layout since I moved the pause and exit game buttons further in, but everything else is the same.

[AMDman13]

If your just copying the layout, then picture quality wouldn't matter much and you could just resize my layout to 4312 pixels by 2312 pixels and it would be done to scale.  Actually thats not quite my final layout since I moved the pause and exit game buttons further in, but everything else is the same.

Sweet! That just saved a good weeks worth of blood sweet and tears.. Thanks!

[jcroach]

This layout is nearly identical to the one I'm working on.  I'm adding a spinner to the upper right area, but other than that dimensions are right on.  Very clean and comfortable.

My cab is based on the LuSid design and I spread my controls as far out as  I the design would let me.  Frankly I wouldn't want it any other way, moving the joysticks closer to the center would make it too crowded playing 2 player and would put one stick too close to the trackball.  If you want to see a big control panel, take a look at the ultimate arcade 2 plans.

Heres my design, which I'm very happy with:

[edge]

Mine is very similar as well.  In my case, however, I ended up ditching the dedicated 4-way joystick at the top. 

The template shows T-Stick Plus joysticks, but I will be converting to 49-ways (using RandyT's digital restrictor goodness). 

Just something else to think about.

[lovespicyfood]

My cab is based on the LuSid design and I spread my controls as far out as  I the design would let me.  Frankly I wouldn't want it any other way, moving the joysticks closer to the center would make it too crowded playing 2 player and would put one stick too close to the trackball.  If you want to see a big control panel, take a look at the ultimate arcade 2 plans.

Heres my design, which I'm very happy with:

Atomsmasher: I've just begun to cut out the wood for my cab and have started to think about the cp.  I'm curious, I see this type of design "look" a lot.  Are you using the cp design program available from mameroom.com?  Thanks for you input!

[soulblazer28]

Those are great designs, but It was not the amount or spacing of the controls that concerns me as much as the depth of the overhang. There is not only wrist support but in case of the buttons whole arm support. Why so much overhang?

I am not critisizing, just trying to understand the reason. If it is just style, then i can live with that, but if there is some ergonomic reason I am not fathoming, then inquiry minds wanna know

[AtomSmasher]

Those are great designs, but It was not the amount or spacing of the controls that concerns me as much as the depth of the overhang. There is not only wrist support but in case of the buttons whole arm support. Why so much overhang?

I am not critisizing, just trying to understand the reason. If it is just style, then i can live with that, but if there is some ergonomic reason I am not fathoming, then inquiry minds wanna know

Mainly just style I think, you really don't need it to go out that far, but since its angled it doesn't get in your way at all.

Atomsmasher: I've just begun to cut out the wood for my cab and have started to think about the cp.  I'm curious, I see this type of design "look" a lot.  Are you using the cp design program available from mameroom.com?  Thanks for you input!

Actually I designed it in Photoshop, if you have a copy of the Project Arcade book, look in chapter 6 on the cd.  It has full size templates for most of the controls you'll use along with the empty control panel.  All I did was put the pictures together in photoshop.

[lovespicyfood]

Actually I designed it in Photoshop, if you have a copy of the Project Arcade book, look in chapter 6 on the cd.  It has full size templates for most of the controls you'll use along with the empty control panel.  All I did was put the pictures together in photoshop.

Atomsmasher: Thanks, I do have Project Arcade so I'll definitely check it out!