Author Topic: -Projected Nexus- It's been a while (Read 40288 times)

releasedtruth · « **on:** August 28, 2006, 12:38:47 am »

Looks like I killed the website hosting all of the images so I'll be putting up some new videos of the arcade once it's back together. We moved and building it in 2 parts really came in handy. The hood was bolted on and came off in a snap, making transportation that much simpler. Somehow the wind tore off the marquee so some new plexi cutting is next, but all is well.

Old image... new coming

Also old, but the Nexus is in pieces currently

theCoder · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2006, 01:46:48 am »

Nice lines.

The front section appears to be horizontal. Are you planning on angling the CP forward?

Do you have any plans for the area between the CP and the monitor? That would be a great place for admin buttons.

Good luck & post lots of pics.

rockworm · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2006, 02:56:16 am »

Quote from: theCoder on August 28, 2006, 01:46:48 am

Do you have any plans for the area between the CP and the monitor? That would be a great place for admin buttons.

If you look at the drawing I think his plan are speakers :-)

MYX · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2006, 10:09:36 am »

Quote from: jimkar on August 28, 2006, 02:56:16 am

Quote from: theCoder on August 28, 2006, 01:46:48 am
Do you have any plans for the area between the CP and the monitor? That would be a great place for admin buttons.

If you look at the drawing I think his plan are speakers :-)

No, those are arcade machine boobies. Don't look at them.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2006, 10:25:02 am »

I originally planned on double Ds, but I think they'll only wind up Bs (5.25" pioneers). The CP is nearly flat and the admin buttons go on the backside of the cp so you won't see those 6 buttons. The only thing on the cp are the 1up/2up and 6 buttons each. Should keep it real smooth-like

zerocle · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2006, 11:31:19 am »

Tucson.... does that mean UofA..... hmmmm great job on the cabinet, maybe not on the school, ASU! lol jk man, to each there own

Taborious · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2006, 11:39:10 am »

Quote from: MYX on August 28, 2006, 10:09:36 am

Quote from: jimkar on August 28, 2006, 02:56:16 am
Quote from: theCoder on August 28, 2006, 01:46:48 am
Do you have any plans for the area between the CP and the monitor? That would be a great place for admin buttons.

If you look at the drawing I think his plan are speakers :-)
No, those are arcade machine boobies. Don't look at them.

Arcade machine boobies!!??
PLEASE tell me this isn't going to be like the Mercury Mistress Car!!! http://www.transbuddha.com/mediaHolder.php?id=432

Looking good so far though...

theCoder · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2006, 08:33:06 pm »

Quote from: zerocle on August 28, 2006, 11:31:19 am

Tucson.... does that mean UofA..... hmmmm great job on the cabinet, maybe not on the school, ASU! lol jk man, to each there own

Go ASU. I hear their grads rock.

Quote from: jimkar on August 28, 2006, 02:56:16 am

Quote from: theCoder on August 28, 2006, 01:46:48 am
Do you have any plans for the area between the CP and the monitor? That would be a great place for admin buttons.
If you look at the drawing I think his plan are speakers :-)

I saw that just as I hit the send button, but didn't feel compelled to add another comment.

WaRpEd · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2006, 08:34:05 pm »

Taborius
OH MY god!
when is the mistress available

releasedtruth · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2006, 08:55:00 pm »

Yeesh, let's leave the college fights outta this. I'd have gone to ASU, but I already had a high school diploma.

theCoder · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2006, 09:53:03 pm »

Quote from: releasedtruth on August 28, 2006, 08:55:00 pm

Yeesh, let's leave the college fights outta this. I'd have gone to ASU, but I already had a high school diploma.

There's a bunch of good come-backs to that one, but in the spirit of "let's leave the college fights outta this" I'll let it slide. And now, back to our regularly scheduled discussion...

mikevangels · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2006, 11:03:53 am »

Nice looking cab. I like the compressed showcase style look. What are your plans for the monitor?

releasedtruth · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2006, 11:47:11 am »

The monitor is the only item that's still in question. I built it large enough for a 27" WG, but I'm afraid it'll look enormous at that view distance. It's also big enough for almost any of the 24" flat tube televisions. My ideal hope was for a nice CGA/VGA 25" arcade monitor, but they don't seem to make them anymore. Thoughts?

Jayhawk · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2006, 12:47:35 pm »

Nice lines-- and I'm definitely impressed with how quickly you put the thing together once you started construction!

releasedtruth · « **Reply #14 on:** September 02, 2006, 09:29:48 pm »

Well gents I have a little more to report. I got my buttons and joysticks in the mail and have a series of other parts on order. I did some painting on the inside of the hood.and setting up of the marquee area. I also updated the web site with some more pics on the progress page so check it out. I'll upload some pictures from today quick like.

http://www.projectednexus.com/arcade

releasedtruth · « **Reply #15 on:** September 13, 2006, 12:13:00 am »

Been working on some control panel items, have a basic look at the CP going so far

MYX · « **Reply #16 on:** September 14, 2006, 08:06:59 am »

Very nice. Clean and quite futuristic n all. Chrome t-molding to match?

EDIT: Hey, nice job on the web site too. What did you use to put that together?

releasedtruth · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2006, 10:37:06 am »

Yes sir, it's actually black-chrome-black t-molding. Put some on last night. I'll get pics. Revised the CPO a bit as well.

I use Dreamweaver for all my html needs. Web design is what's paid my bills the last 7 years. Well, that and selling extraneous organs...

MYX · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2006, 10:02:48 pm »

Quote from: releasedtruth on September 14, 2006, 10:37:06 am

Well, that and selling extraneous organs...

Yeah, who needs em anyway.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #19 on:** September 14, 2006, 11:19:49 pm »

Just a little CPO update. Still toying with it, getting things faded at the right levels.

MYX · « **Reply #20 on:** September 18, 2006, 09:35:05 pm »

Got an idea... Are you using Photoshop?
If you do, If it is a recient version you can put your layers into folders and put a mask on the folder. (So you are not distroying anything) Put the city into a folder.
Above the folder Make 2 new layers. On one do a linear fade from black to white (Black at the top of the screen and white at the bottom) and set it to Multiply. On the next one (below the fade layer) Generate Clouds then set this to multiply too. Merge the 2 layers together (click the topmost of the two, then Ctrl-E). then this layer can be used as a mask for the city. Select all (Ctrl-a) then Copy. Add a mask to the city folder and alt click the mask. Ctrl-A to select all inside the mask. Then paste the B&W stuff you just made. This should distress the city a little. You can scratch up the mask a little more. Just play with it.

If you know all this, then never mind.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #21 on:** September 19, 2006, 06:56:37 pm »

Wow, that's almost exactly what I did on the final version. I'll have it back from print tomorrow which will be noooice. Looking forward to it. Have my marquee almost done. Posting soon

releasedtruth · « **Reply #22 on:** September 25, 2006, 07:16:11 pm »

An update for you, I just sent the marquees off to print. I'll have 2 versions for my various moods. I also recessed the joysticks and drilled all the holes this weekend. Images to follow.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2006, 02:56:14 pm »

Some updates for everyone. I'm still waiting on real slow shipping on my IPAC and chrome rings, but I've wired up half the cp, the leds aren't shown, but the t-molding is on and things are nearing completion. Should have some nice marquee pics when it comes in.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2006, 02:56:15 pm »

Sorry I haven't been uploading the pics as I take them. I'll flood a bunch in and we can get back on topic. I have some challenging ideas ahead of me.

NightGod · « **Reply #25 on:** October 02, 2006, 03:46:38 am »

Interesting choice on the barrier strip there-I thought about doing it, but it just seemed like alot of extra work for no real gain. What were your thoughts on putting it in there, maybe you have a perspective I missed...

releasedtruth · « **Reply #26 on:** October 02, 2006, 12:17:13 pm »

I put the terminal block in there just to make it easier since I'm using a SCSI cable out of the other side for a swappable CP. Just a little simpler to wire everything to a couple of those than solder the wires into the SCSI cable.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #27 on:** October 18, 2006, 10:58:13 am »

Just an update for you all. I have the front end and everything tested and I'll be plugging everything into the cab on Friday. I also added some awesome new lighting to the setup. Pics to come shortly, I promise.

GT

theCoder · « **Reply #28 on:** October 18, 2006, 04:58:33 pm »

Nice job on the CP. Get'n closer.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #29 on:** October 21, 2006, 03:03:24 pm »

Alright, most of these pictures are a few weeks old, but it's an update none the less.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #30 on:** October 21, 2006, 03:03:25 pm »

Arrrgh, double postings...

The first set is the foil curve I put behind the marquee. I have a 24" fluorescent tube facing backwards to light the marquee up cleanly. I have a second marquee I'll put in and take a pic of in a bit

The second set is the framing I made to cover the speakers. There's a 15" led strip in each socket and it's super bright so the cover material (stretched black polyester) lets enough through for a cool effect, but protects the speakers. Used some pine stripping, some wood glue, and a tasty staple gun. Came out real clean.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #31 on:** October 22, 2006, 12:52:20 am »

Been working on the front piece for the cab. My IPAC is sorta crappy so I have to get that fixed first. It's 1/4" plexi with a translucent tape, sorta like acetate that will be layed out on the back side, then 2 leds light each plexi piece, green and blue. That'll be the final piece, once the other nagging problems subside.

GT

releasedtruth · « **Reply #32 on:** October 22, 2006, 12:52:20 am »

Control panel sides. Three angles so it wraps around the sides like a hexagon. Adhesive backed vinyl, matte laminate I'm thinking. Can't wait to slap it on!

Ships originals from the Projected Nexus story I'm writing. Modeled in Maya, then traced roughly in Illustrator, imported to pshop. You guys dig?

GT

releasedtruth · « **Reply #33 on:** November 12, 2006, 03:17:06 pm »

Ladies and gents, the unveiling is on Saturday! I have some pics here of the brushed aluminum sides to the control panel I just installed. It's .040 aluminum I cut and shaped to the hexagonal side to the control panel. I'll post pics of the Greylite 31 bezel in just a second!

GT

releasedtruth · « **Reply #34 on:** November 12, 2006, 03:18:18 pm »

Here's the Greylite 31 bezel with retainer clips

GT

Pixelhugger · « **Reply #35 on:** November 15, 2006, 02:29:56 pm »

WOW! A story to go with your cab! My kind of build!! And the aluminum trim... everything is top drawer. And an "unveiling!" WOO HOO!

Man, I love this kind of obsession. It's inspiring!

And a fantastic website as well.

Paladin · « **Reply #36 on:** November 15, 2006, 08:15:43 pm »

Just curious if you based your cab off of the Atari Vindicators design, or if the resemblance was just coincidence. Someone's been trying to sell a Vindicators in my area for a while, and I keep seeing it pop up on Cragslist. When I checked your project I first thought that you had bought one and were modifying it.

I gotta say that yours puts the Atar version to shame!

releasedtruth · « **Reply #37 on:** November 15, 2006, 08:29:27 pm »

Thanks for the comments. Yes Paladin, I had an idea in mind and I looked around to see if there was anything like it so I could compare dimensions and make sure it would actually work in practice. Vindicators helped me refine some pieces into something more functional. Those old 80s Atari cabs were slick. The unveiling right now is slated for 30 people on Sat night. Beers, games, and we'll be playing Robocop on one TV and Die Hard on another and it won't just be guys either! Takes a bold woman to be around that much testosterone. I'll be wearing a suit and I have a huge black sheet covering it so it'll be unveiled at 8pm sharp with much fanfare. I'll share all the pics and the final finished pics in the days to come.

GT

theCoder · « **Reply #38 on:** November 15, 2006, 08:48:48 pm »

Sweet! How did you mount the metal ring around the top right button?

releasedtruth · « **Reply #39 on:** November 15, 2006, 08:54:39 pm »

It's a 1.25" chrome ring so I had to dremel around the button just a wee bit to make it fit. I was going to glue it down, but right now it fits snug around it. The idea is that it's kind of like putting a quarter up to say "I got next" but instead you put the ring around the 2P. There's one on each of course. Better pics to come of everything lit up.

GT

releasedtruth · « **Reply #40 on:** November 17, 2006, 02:51:35 pm »

Withe everything inside the cab it's a real tight fit I'm finding. Everything fits, but it's gonna get hot in there, I can just tell. The sub/amplifier is 2/3 the size of the computer no less. Anyway, I just wanted to caution anyone against using the Happ leds and bases that are sold on byoac. It's a bad idea. They're fragile and break very easily. The color is awesome and they light up great, but I've had 3 break and I'm out of backups for now. I used a 5000mcd 5mm led in place and it's much more blue than teal, but it'll work in the interim until I wire up 5mm leds into the bottoms of the buttons when the leaf switch brackets come in. Just a word of caution.

GT

releasedtruth · « **Reply #41 on:** November 17, 2006, 10:18:51 pm »

Here are a couple pre-unveiling pictures. We're finishing up the side art. It'll be vinyl on sign aluminum so I can mount it perfect-like.

GT

ptpeter · « **Reply #42 on:** November 17, 2006, 10:36:32 pm »

thats tits man.

dstone · « **Reply #43 on:** November 17, 2006, 10:41:42 pm »

Very, very nice. I love the surrounding glow. I did that (unintentionally) with my cocktail setup.

theCoder · « **Reply #44 on:** November 17, 2006, 11:09:30 pm »

I really like the front artwork. I think you made a good call going with grey/black instead of your original green/blue colors. Very clean cab.

Pixelhugger · « **Reply #45 on:** December 08, 2006, 09:14:44 pm »

WHAT THE?!?! No unveiling pics?? Whappen???

releasedtruth · « **Reply #46 on:** December 08, 2006, 10:04:35 pm »

I know, I know! My little sister brought her badazz camera and all the pictures are on it and she hasn't given them to me! Pisses me off fierce, but I promise I'll get them from her as soon as I see her (hour away). I do have pics of my new chrome dustwashers though. Just made them tonight. Pizza cutter I popped the wheel off of, drilled out, dremeled the edges, then dropped on the cab. It looks better than these hobo pics, but enjoy and thanks for the continued interest. I have a new marquee coming Monday!

GT

releasedtruth · « **Reply #47 on:** April 06, 2007, 11:03:17 am »

Hah, I know it's been a while but I found a couple pics I took. I want to update the site with all the finished pics, maybe I'll get off my lazy azz and do it soon. Been playing with friends, still working fantastically 6 months after birth.

Big pics, well, 1/3 the original size

javeryh · « **Reply #48 on:** April 06, 2007, 11:17:56 am »

Woah... awesome! Very nice work!

Pixelhugger · « **Reply #49 on:** April 06, 2007, 03:37:10 pm »

Fantastic! That second pic looks like a print ad.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #50 on:** September 04, 2008, 09:09:30 pm »

It's been a while, but I thought I'd post a few new pics. Finally updated the site a little bit so check the link.

koinsatx · « **Reply #51 on:** September 04, 2008, 09:57:02 pm »

Very impressive work! I love the color scheme and ambient lighting produced. What type of monitor was used?

releasedtruth · « **Reply #52 on:** August 19, 2010, 11:46:43 am »

The Nexus is still running a Toshiba 24" Flat tube TV via component input, but I have been looking at the 24.8" multisyncs from Nieman displays. Shame they aren't 800x600 though which means I only gain so much, but at least the tub is flat, seeing as my bezel is currently black bordered Greylite 31 with no angle.

Oh yeah, I'm planning on adding a spinner and AimTrak system since I ditched the old LCD topguns.

drventure · « **Reply #53 on:** August 19, 2010, 11:01:47 pm »

Nicely done. I love the blue lighting!

releasedtruth · « **Reply #54 on:** August 20, 2010, 11:22:30 am »

Thanks, since it was already in pieces, I took the control panel apart last night. Hurt to do, but must be done. I had a SCSI controller that could be detached connected to the IPAC for the possibility of a second control panel, but I know now that'll never happen. I built new control panel artwork and will be adding a spinner and doing away with the SCSI controller. Will be adding the Aimtrak immediately after Andy completes the housing for the led unit.

Also adding an arcade PS to power all of my many leds. The button leds are being changed from the Happ wedge system plugged into the side of the buttons to flat top 5mm leds plugged into the bottom. Timing is good because I'm finally replacing my microswitches with the Happ leaf adapters. I considered a whole new control panel, but in an apt, it's too much work.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #55 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:29:02 pm »

Okay, I should have done this ages ago, but I never quite found the right method. The plexi panels are 1/8" and I have some flat top 3mm leds that will work great if I can find a way to make it look good. Attached are some pics. My first thought was to notch the plexi a little, then secure the leds into the 2 slots, but I don't know where to run the wiring cleanly or how to mask the front face of the led that will be visible. You can see how the CP fits into the opening. There's room for wires, but not a very clean solution. Drilling into the face is an option, but that pristine kitchen grade lam may not like it.

Any ideas would be appreciated, lighting or wiring methods.

releasedtruth · « **Reply #56 on:** October 06, 2011, 05:18:00 pm »

I never did post my adjustments to the marquee retainer and lit panels. The retainer is now angle aluminum, looks much better. Lit the panels with a pair of 3mm leds. Not super bright or distracting.


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