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Another layout question
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Animeka:
Ok guys... I've been asking in another thread about replacing my metal CP (as seen on http://www.animeka.net/mame.htm) with a multi-fonction ;) panel.

What do you guys think of this layout?

Post your ideas/suggestions/feedback!

DaveMMR:
Well ask yourself this one question: "Do you enjoy playing video games at a 45 degree angle to the TV?".  If you answered "No", then you will hate your layout down the road.  Facing the display straight on is always the best, and an angle is really only tolerated for those oddball 4-player games.

Secondly, I would avoid (running and screaming) 'mirroring' controls.  Player 1 and 2's layout should always be absolutely, positively identical (joystick on left, same number of buttons) lest you be accused of giving yourself a handicap in SFII or similar simo-2p game. 

However, I do like the rounded CP approach and you should definately keep that!   

My advice: lay out your joysticks in the most comfortable manner, giving it priority, then work your other controls around it.   Because, unless you're a 4-way game junkee, those joysticks get the most play out of any of those other controls.
Animeka:
Awesome feedback.... Thing is, no matter how I arrange this, unless I don't center the trackball, I can't have the 2 8ways horizontal and set up in a non mirrored pattern....

Maybe I should go with a smaller trackball... Trade my 3" for a 2.25" ?

As for the shape of the panel, I'm planning on having a similar shaped bottom, with both parts grooved and put in a 1/8" plexi shaped like the panel in between. Either have a marquee type graphics in the panel, backlit, or a dark black plexi with LEDs or something... :)

DaveMMR:
Thanks for the "awesome".   :cheers:

Well, first, can you make the circle a little bigger?  Even a couple of inches might buy you precious space.

Secondly, I recently dropped the "seventh" button off my cp mockup to save room, and it might work for you too.  Unless you're a big NeoGeo fan, it's completely not necessary (there was even a thread where some people admitted to using the coin drop as a select for SNES games).  If this cab is only for playing Mame, you can safely omit a seventh button, because even using a top row button as "D" in NeoGeo will be fine.

A smaller trackball will probably save you an inch or so, but I'd make that a last resort option.

But try and avoid the mirroring.  You're going to see a lot of cross-arm playing on that side if you do.

 
Animeka:

--- Quote from: DaveMMR on July 26, 2006, 09:21:15 pm ---Thanks for the "awesome".   :cheers:

Well, first, can you make the circle a little bigger?  Even a couple of inches might buy you precious space.

Secondly, I recently dropped the "seventh" button off my cp mockup to save room, and it might work for you too.  Unless you're a big NeoGeo fan, it's completely not necessary (there was even a thread where some people admitted to using the coin drop as a select for SNES games).  If this cab is only for playing Mame, you can safely omit a seventh button, because even using a top row button as "D" in NeoGeo will be fine.
 

--- End quote ---

Make the circle bigger? The shape of the panel you mean? I don't want it to extend to far out... Based on your suggestions, my 10 year old son just suggested I put the 2 8 ways and buttons at the top of the panel, leave the tball where it is and put the 4 way, 3 cone buttons and spinner at the bottom. I'll try that tomorrow to see how that looks/feels... That would straighten the 8 way/buttons and return them to non-mirrored state. I'll post pics...

Marc
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