Author Topic: Pam's Casino Project (Read 8134 times)

lastrega · « **on:** September 22, 2011, 02:22:41 pm »

I am making my wife, Pam a casino/mini arcade for Christmas and I am looking to the group for ideas and feed back as the project progresses:)
I am going to start on the construction Oct 1, here are some drafts I 3d modeled last night what do you think,?

Generic Eric · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2011, 03:47:08 pm »

What casino games are you going to install?

BobA · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2011, 04:10:39 pm »

Put in a touchscreen. Makes the slot machines (new style) play more realistic. Also great for a jukebox too. Reel Deal slot programs are great for a home built slot.

lastrega · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2011, 11:44:39 pm »

Well, the slot and poker games are all Amcoe. For 3 reasons. 1 Amcoe Slot machines are pretty, and Pam has played many real Amcoe machines, and likes them.
2. They use a universal button system. Other brands have various control panels ranging from 7 buttons to 15. So by using one brand she will have 25 different ones to use. I will install a separate set of buttons for the card games, and Amcoe's card games are also universal:) Therefor making it wife friendly and easy to use:)
3. mame don't seem to like alot of other brands too well but runs ALL Amcoe machines with ease.

I do need some advice though I want to install a thermal printer for Awesomeness , and the "REAL" effect and since I can't do a hopper system with mame, will mame export to a usb thermal printer for the fake winnings tickets ?

Ps I thought of a touch screen but the wife wants the authentic buttons and all that jazz, so touch screen is SADLY out:( I wanted it too! hell that is why the front is purple for Pete's sake

Well Fed Games · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2011, 12:06:44 am »

Quote from: lastrega on September 22, 2011, 11:44:39 pm

I want to install a thermal printer for Awesomeness , and the "REAL" effect and since I can't do a hopper system with mame, will mame export to a usb thermal printer for the fake winnings tickets ?

Hey, I know very little about printers, but I took one out of a Fruit Bonus '96 machine a while back. It is an epson that has the old style printer connection (not usb)... reminds me of the kind of thing that prints out receipts at the grocery store. Was attached to a "d.u.c.k.y." board. Works (printed out version info on startup) but not sure how it worked in the context of the machine. Anyway, I've got the printer, printer interface board (if that is what you call it) and this piece of metal that mounted it vertically. Let me know if that would help in your project at all- would send it your way for the cost of shipping, I have no use for it.

Looking forward to the build- sounds like an awesome Christmas gift!

lastrega · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2011, 03:18:25 am »

well thank you , I need to see if that would work for this project, if it will I will be glad to take you up on the offer:)
Here is my updated draft, with the proposed control panel.
The top keys are for slots while the bottom ones are for card games, the buttons on the side are the starts buttons, and enter exit keys.
blue ones are the 2 fire keys and the red one is a pause, tentative of course, but I think it looks groovy.... Thanks for any feed back on layout:)

quintinbiker · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2011, 03:57:59 am »

This could be an interisting build, also thought of doing one for my girlfriend a while ago, but did my mame cabinet but never even got to think of anything since then.

lastrega · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2011, 02:21:27 am »

Thanks I think it will be an awesome creation:) I hope for my sake anyways, Anyway here are some updates to my frame and how the laptop will fit in:)
I am using a Dell with a centrino as the mame machine, Saves space and runs ultra quiet, and beside I had the laptop just collecting dust , So I thought I would put it to use:) My blueprints should be done in a day or two, if any one wants the model to use for their own project, I will send the OBJ files when I done should be in like 2, 3 days tops:)

And again any feedback is welcomed:) thanks friends

lastrega · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2011, 03:31:27 am »

A little ahead of schedule, so I got my basic concept design done and modeled, The plasma globe is sound reactive and will strobe with the sound effects, the little cd's spin like in a juke box,............ just some last second ideas , I am enclosing my model in OBJ and LWO if any one wants my plans as an idea point for their own project:) ENJOY and all feed back is welcomed:) thanks to you all:)

lastrega · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2011, 12:56:40 pm »

So does anyone who if MAME can output to a printer, by any chance:) I am getting ready to make a space for a thermal receipt printer. I checked the one that was offered has no way to connect to a pc, or not that would cost friendly. so a usb thermal would function if mame can output to it..... if anyone has built a home made slot machine, or has ever testes if mame CAN output to a printer , Please hit me up....I really want to order the part, but I need this info first...... I have a printer , but oddly enough it is out of commission for the moment, or else I would have already tested on a regular printer.

. thanks for any help from the group................ML

lastrega · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2011, 12:33:01 pm »

It has been over two weeks since my last post, Can I please have any ideas for my slot machine

I have all my wood and have started my build, but I still need an answer on weather I can use a printer with MAME before I cut out for one... Thanks any help would be nice:)

PS Can regular contact switches like the ones sold at radio shack be used with an IPAC? SEE LINK FOR EXAMPLE) Thanks again:) http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062510

Nephasth · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2011, 12:38:57 pm »

The pushbutton from you link would work with an IPAC. It's a normally open and momentary switch.

drventure · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2011, 01:22:11 pm »

No idea about a printer hooked up to mame. I've never heard of anyone doing that, so I'm guessing there's a strong possibility the answer's no. There may be some MAME outputs for that, and if so you might do some research on MameHooker (it hooks into the mame outputs somehow, but I've never really used it).

If it's a slot machine, are you going to put a big pull handle on the side? Gotta have one of those!

lastrega · « **Reply #13 on:** October 15, 2011, 03:17:19 am »

Thanks for the information on the buttons, I have an idea for those:) , ALSO THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION ON THE PRINTER........ Really thanks alot... it sorta changes a few things:) Like for one I need to test now if I can set any Amcoe slot games to NOT print.
It seems Amcoe slots on mame seem to crash it, when you hit the payout button.... I guess it is because it is awaiting some input from the printer and if it don't get it it makes MAME sad..Hence I was hoping by adding a USB thermal printer that it would solve the issue, but if MAME don't export to a printer port then I suppose the answer is no .... Sadly ..........

Anyway I am sure it has some menu , it not can anyone recommend a brand of vid slots that WOULD work with mame? And does not export to a thermal printer, or can be disabled? Thanks again to all whom have listened

your the best........

Ps No it wont have a handle, 99.9 % of vid slots don't:) but the other extras will make up for it:) the pics above are still the working design.

lastrega · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2011, 03:31:01 am »

Hi All, Here are some progress pictures:) Hope you like...........................ML

Funnel · « **Reply #15 on:** November 04, 2011, 02:55:58 pm »

Nice! This has inspired me to finish my own build. I sent a PM about a doubt I have and hope you can clarify it.

lastrega · « **Reply #16 on:** November 14, 2011, 11:30:41 am »

Thanks I aim to inspire:) Here are some new pics of the finished top with the goodies installed:) ............. enjoy

lastrega · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2011, 03:17:28 am »

Taking this to the print shop

HaRuMaN · « **Reply #18 on:** November 15, 2011, 12:26:43 pm »

Umm.. no offense, but as quality as your workmanship is, that marquee is going to detract from it.

EightBySix · « **Reply #19 on:** November 16, 2011, 04:40:58 pm »

Came across this and thought of you
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-Portable-Embedded-Thermal-Printer-w-TTL-Interface-/350501288459?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519b813a0b#ht_3229wt_970

You could always modify mame to interface to a printer....

BobA · « **Reply #20 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:15:50 pm »

Some Amcoe games seem to need the printer to operate while others work quite well as long as you do not hit payout. Seems to be a bit hit and miss how they are setup.

lastrega · « **Reply #21 on:** November 17, 2011, 11:41:50 am »

Yeah I noticed that as well. However they also have a service menu and you can disable the printer all together. Action2000 has an auto print feature, that I could not bypass so I killed the printer support and it works well now:) Thank goodness I found a site that has ALL the manuals for the amcoe slots and it tells you how to do such things.
I have a thermal printer and I am going to install it with a (for the time being) non functioning payout button, the problem I have I can't get mame to print, It don't have any support for it that I am aware of.... So untill it does I will have to mod them to just NOT print for time being, besides its a novelty machine anyways........
The reason I am making this machine is because, In biddeford (the town we live in) they recently rejected a new casino..... Therefor my wife has to go ALL the way to bangor to pay her nickle slots............ So I said Screw that I will bring the slots to her
;0

PS thanks for props on my workmanship it made me smile:) if anyone can help me design a better Marquee that incorporates slots and a mini arcade, I am open to suggestion:) thanks for the feedback I really need it

It needs to 20x5

lastrega · « **Reply #22 on:** November 18, 2011, 04:04:26 am »

I have another question? now that I am close to completion of the build , I am beginning to set the machine up.
I have this geared up to use hyperspin. Can I set up 2 instances of MAME? or shall I say 2 mame wheels that link to the same MAME:) What I want is on the main menu the ability to select the casino style games, and on another menu classic Arcade titles...

The reason for this 1) I need multi wheel mode to activate the jukebox software. and 2) I dont want arcade and casino games on the same wheel....
This machine has to Wife friendly if you get the drift:) So she needs to be able to select the style of games with out the GENRE button, that would confuse the poor dear I am afraid.....

Anyway any help would be great I am going start setting up hyperspin on the machine over the next few days while I wait for my shipment of goodies from andy:) ..............ML

lastrega · « **Reply #23 on:** November 22, 2011, 07:35:49 pm »

My CP draft, I went with round instead of sqaure for 2 reasons. 1 cost, 2 size there are 21 buttons on this 20 by 6.5 CP so to reduce the clutter I am using the rounds I hope the cards add some flair , I need a way to keep more res, when I scale them down though, I am using gimp any ideas?

lastrega · « **Reply #24 on:** November 25, 2011, 10:19:35 am »

No hyperspin ideas? I had like 5 days to work on this, and no one ever reponded to my question? yet I post my marqee, and theres always that one guy who will chime in just to tell ya , it looks like crap...... well like most things I will find my own solution I recon:) Anyway contruction 99% done, got all my goodies from andy, will post final construction photos in a day or two.................ML

Well Fed Games · « **Reply #25 on:** November 25, 2011, 10:55:45 am »

Well, for the art, my only tips are to make it at a high resolution (300dpi or whatever), and only use art assets that are high resolution, that don't have to be stretched. It may take a while to google/find everything you need, but anytime you notice pixel-ness (stair stepping) around the edges of your elements, it may be time to find something at a higher resolution. Like the way the project is coming together!

OverRide · « **Reply #26 on:** November 25, 2011, 11:07:46 am »

AFIK you can use two instances of MAME with HS. As long as the wheel and the corresponding XML's have a separate name.
There is always one quick way to find out. Setup a second MAME directory with a few roms that work and setup a new MAME wheel in HS.

lastrega · « **Reply #27 on:** November 27, 2011, 12:25:05 am »

Thanks Guys, Any help is welcomed.... Hope to have her completed or the construction at least in a day or two, i will focus on the programming then:)...........

lastrega · « **Reply #28 on:** November 27, 2011, 11:47:44 pm »

lot of wiring on this little baby huh?

lastrega · « **Reply #29 on:** November 27, 2011, 11:49:38 pm »

complete

lastrega · « **Reply #30 on:** December 03, 2011, 11:58:01 am »

Just a little trim, and programming left, but the construction is complete..... Hope the little lady likes it......... and if the marquee distracts from this little beauty................SO BE IT........... it still looks better than 2/3 of the kits you can buy.............. so to all whom think it's to hard to build your own cab, it is soooooooooooo worth it when you can sit back all admire your months of labor:)..........Anywho , project started on Sept 22 as a draft. Project complete on dec 3, as a kick ass slot machine and mini arcade............ Not bad I think..... anyone who wants the plan for this build PM me and I will send detailed layouts and 3-D bleuprints..................... or download them from this post..........Thanks for all who helped out during this process.

Well Fed Games · « **Reply #31 on:** December 03, 2011, 12:07:43 pm »

Nice job! I bet she will love it!

I wish I was as far along on my gift bartop!


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Author Topic: Pam's Casino Project (Read 8134 times)

Nephasth