I had an Idea for my Side art but Someone already did it.

[fjl]

I'm still in the design process of my cab, unfortunately, but decided I wanted to go with dark blue or just plain black for the walls of my cab being that black was the basic color for most cabs. Anyways, I decided on side art for something very simple and basic but that still points out that its an arcade. Back when I was a kid and had my intellivision, my dad bought me Space Invaders. It was the first game I owned. So I kind of wanted to commemorate that with side art from the game. That reason and because the Space invaders aliens are pretty well known icons. So opted for plain and simple with this. Tell me what you think.




But I was going through fotos of old cabs and someone already did something similar. Here...



Regardless. What do you guys think of my cab? The marquee was just for fun. I don't plan to leave it with a Space Invader alien. I will add text.

[leapinlew]

Trying to come up with new ideas while doing something retro is hard to do. Odds are, it's been done before.

Your cab design looks fine, but seriously, who cares? Your the only one who should love it. What I think doesn't matter.

Quit posting renderings and build something already! 

[Hoopz]

I like the Intellivision idea and think it will look great.  BUT, I may be slightly biased.   

[fjl]

Can't, still stuck on the design part. Mostly on how to make the bezel glass stay in place.

And yes, I do care what others think of my cab. I not only want to make this thing for my own pleasure but for others as well. It should be appealing so others would say, "nice work!" Even those that don't know about cab building. Appealing enough so they would want to play it.

But regardless, I will make this cab in baby steps. Once I save money, I will buy the CP parts and build just a control panel first. See how it all works out and get MAMEwah to run and such. Then start building the cab. But for now, I'm still just reading Saints book and looking at other example cabs and getting ideas. I'm going to add as much as I can to this cab making it very versatile yet not bulky and or ugly.

One thing I'm concerned about is trying to get control panel parts that run on USB. But I think there are way too many parts and not enough USB ports. Lets see one USB for the track ball, 2 for each 360 controller, 1 for the ipac, one for the tt2 spinner, 1 for the opti-pac... how many is that already? Do the USB hubs work okay? I don't want to use the PS2 port since I require that I still have use of my normal mouse and the keyboard.

[leapinlew]

I'm going to add as much as I can to this cab making it very versatile yet not bulky and or ugly.

Depends who you ask I guess. There are plenty of threads of guys who's wives don't think the cabs are nice looking. So... no matter how nice you make it - beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Just don't spend too much time trying to make a cab nice for everyone. If you look at the examples page, which I'm sure you have, you'll notice many many different types of cabs.

One thing I'm concerned about is trying to get control panel parts that run on USB. But I think there are way too many parts and not enough USB ports. Lets see one USB for the track ball, 2 for each 360 controller, 1 for the ipac, one for the tt2 spinner, 1 for the opti-pac... how many is that already? Do the USB hubs work okay? I don't want to use the PS2 port since I require that I still have use of my normal mouse and the keyboard.

USB hubs are fine.

At some point, when you think your comfortable, you'll just have to jump in the fire and try to build this thing. You can only plan so much - you'll never find all the hidden gotchas. They aren't problems - they are challenges to be overcome.

Good luck.

[Havok]

If you go the USB hub route - make sure to use a powered one for more than 4 devices. If you have too many devices, they will end up most likely drawing too much current without one, and act funky. Optimally, you would want to get a motherboard that has enough built in USB connections for what you want to do. This is not as hard as you may think: most good motherboards have upwards of 8 connectors. The only downside there is you may need longer cables to connect to them, based on where your pc is located in relation to the control panel...

[steveh]

the only recommendation that i would make would be to change the markee, and give your system a name.  but the retro idea is nice.

[(+_+)]

One thing I'm concerned about is trying to get control panel parts that run on USB. But I think there are way too many parts and not enough USB ports. Lets see one USB for the track ball, 2 for each 360 controller, 1 for the ipac, one for the tt2 spinner, 1 for the opti-pac... how many is that already? Do the USB hubs work okay? I don't want to use the PS2 port since I require that I still have use of my normal mouse and the keyboard.

I have the same question about the USB hubs. Does anybody know if there are any limitations since I'll be using 5 of them in my setup.

Thanks

[fjl]

At some point, when you think your comfortable, you'll just have to jump in the fire and try to build this thing. You can only plan so much - you'll never find all the hidden gotchas. They aren't problems - they are challenges to be overcome.

Good luck.

Yeah I know. As for looking nice, I don't have a wife so that's already out of the picture.  Although I do believe it will take me a good while to build this thing. Perhaps all of 2007. For now, since I'm just recovering from a money shortage lull, I don't really have money to buy anything so I'm free to design. It's actually a good thing cause if I had the money when the cab building bug bit me, I would already bought the parts then realize there was better options. I was originally getting the super sticks then found out about the 360s. I would have gone with a normal spinner but then found out about that super spinner. Then about all the types of buttons, types of wood, my marquee options and everything else.

I'm going to question everything and find out whats better for my project before buying anything. I usually do that anyways before making major purchases. So far the only thing I've bought fro this project is Saints book. I still need to buy all the tools which will cost a pretty penny I'm sure. And even that, I'm looking into which tools to buy. Researching them. Oof, its exhausting, yet fun! 

the only recommendation that i would make would be to change the markee, and give your system a name.  but the retro idea is nice.

I previously said that Marquee was temporary. I already have a name just need to make the marquee art for it.

[ahofle]

I like the sideart, but add a blast or two from the space invader to better fill the side.
Also, what do you need an optipac for if you are planning on a USB trackball and TT2 spinner?

[Zeppo]

You might want to rethink putting something above the trackball.
If you get carried away during a game, you might jam your finger.
Just ask Frizzle:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=62997.msg626653#msg626653

[fjl]

the gray thing above the trackball is a dedicated ball top four way. Since I'm getting 360's, they have auto switch from 8 way to 4 way to analog, etc., I'm just eliminating the four way altogether. Still have spinner up there though. I'll guess I could move it above the P1 action buttons.

Thanks for the suggestion! Anyone else have any other two bits they want to drop in on my machine? 

[leapinlew]

Did I mention "build it" yet?

If not...

BUILD IT! 

[rockin_rick]

You should run the IPAC to the PS/2 and run a keyboard thru it.  You can skip the opti-pac (unless you have a need that you didn't mention here).  This is then only 4 USB ports, and almost all mobos made in the last few years have at least that many.

I agree, it does take a while to fully research a cab.  There is A LOT of info out there to sift through!  I've been researching daily for about 4 months now, and have changed my mind a few times about stuff/my plan along the way...

Rick

[fjl]

How does that work to run a keyboard through the ipac?
Yes yes. It'll get to that part of building it. I swear 

But just like you, I'm still planning everything out and have a million questions that need answering regarding the structure, ease of use, interchangeable parts, parts to use, type of paint, should i even paint or use laminate, laminate the inside, etc.

I get thoughts in my head and i write them down. I have a huge list. Here is some of the things I still have to ponder and go through. Maybe some of you guys can answer them for me. Of course, some of them are just deciding on a personal preference

lucite or plexiglass
amount of angle on the action buttons
type of casters to use
micro switch or leaf buttons
how to be turn on tv when powering system up
where to add shift and other buttons
where to add power button
Where to get the fluorescent light
adding power within the cab
dust washer above or below
CP surface mount or underneath
mamewah or a different front end
color of t-molding
color of buttons
color of the cab
lighted buttons
speaker grills
5.1 sound system
volume control and where
power cord that doesnt get smashed when pushing the cab towards a wall
etc etc...

[rockin_rick]

How does that work to run a keyboard through the ipac?

I quoted you and this moved....

With the IPAC, you can connect a keyboard to the 'IN' and connect the 'OUT' to the computer.  The IPAC will interleave keyboard use with switch contacts.  Automatically, without intervention.  The Keywiz will also allow a keyboard to connect to it, but it doesn't interleave.  It requires you to flip a switch to toggle between sending keyboard activity and sending switch contacts.  IMO, the IPAC addresses this better as it does it automatically.  With the keywiz, you have to flip a switch on the keywiz everytime you want to use a keyboard.  The keywiz method does allow a few additional inputs due to this method, but if you are not needing more than the 28 that the IPAC allows, then this issue is moot.

Rick

[fjl]

Cool I didn't know that. But then I've only done minimal research on the i-pac. But what happens if you need to press both buttons on the keyboard and the control panel at the same time? Or should I just go with the USB type connector for the Ipac instead? Cause I really don't want one input to affect another one.

[leapinlew]

Cool I didn't know that. But then I've only done minimal research on the i-pac. But what happens if you need to press both buttons on the keyboard and the control panel at the same time?

When would that ever happen?!? If for some reason, you just had to push the letter A on the keyboard and your buddy just has to push whatever button was mapped to A on the control panel - you'd hit the A twice and your cab would explode.

[rockin_rick]

I believe that it will send which ever one is pressed first, then the other.  "The same time" is no more of an issue with keyboard button vs CP button as is CP button and CP button.  The keyboard sends a 'scan code' (which button is pressed) in about 1ms.  So even if you pressed a key on the keyboard and a button on the CP with the keyboard being slightly first, it should only delay the CP button press 1-2ms.  And that is only if you pressed them within 1-2ms of each other.  If you pressed the CP button 2 ms after the keyboard button, then the CP button would have no delay (from keyboard interleaving).  The keyboard does not require periodic 'scanning' or querying - it signals when it has data to send, and the host (IPAC) can choose to temporarily disable the keyboard from sending until it is ready.

Besides, what circumstances are you anticipating that have you using CP controls along with the keyboard?  (EDIT - lew beat me to it!)

Rick

[fjl]

zomg It'll explode! 

Well, I'm sure I'll be pressing on both during initial configuration setup and other test stuff. So what happens if I hold a button down on the keyboard then press a button on the cp?

[rockin_rick]

I'm not sure about that, but I don't see any technical reason why it shouldn't work fine (but I don't have any insider info regarding the source code of the IPAC nor do I have an IPAC ...yet).  Perhaps Andy (or someone else) can answer this one.

The keyboard sends a 'make' scan code when a key is pressed and a 'break' scan code when it is released.  It doesn't tie up the ps/2 port the entire time a key is held down (but will send more 'make codes' at the typematic repeat rate if typematic has not been disabled - the IPAC may disable the repeating... I'm unsure).

Rick

[Crowquill]

First--the side art. If the invaders bring back good memories for you, stick to it. Sure people will have an opinion of your cab on here, but you're the one who will be looking at it and playing it in your home every day. If you're REALLY worried about what other people have already done, definitely don't do black with blue t-molding 

You could always use the graphics from "Space Armada" (the INTV Space Invaders knock-off).

I'm pretty sure the invaders shown in the picture of the "other guy's" cab are actually these:
http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=BL-106A

Powered USB hubs are grand.

Part of my problem was that I spent WAY too much time planning. In the end I had a ton of ideas, but most weren't practical in the end. I figured I could fit two six-button layouts and a 2-1/4" trackball on a 24" Frogger control panel. It looked good on the computer, but once I made a mock-up everything seemed crowded. Here's some brief opinions on your list:

lucite or plexiglass - Plexi is cheaper and for what you're using it for it won't matter.
amount of angle on the action buttons - Do you mean the angle of the control panel surface (usually 10? or so) or the angle of the buttons on it? (mock it up and see what's comfortable.)
type of casters to use - I wouldn't use casters again.
micro switch or leaf buttons - I like leafs mainly for the noise factor. It's harder to find shiny, new ones though.
where to add shift and other buttons - as out-of-the-way as possible. I actually don't have shift buttons
where to add power button - On top of the cab
Where to get the fluorescent light - "under-counter" fluorescent fixtures are $8 with bulb @ Walmart
adding power within the cab - do you mean like a power strip?
dust washer above or below - I prefer below, but I butchered my overlay so they're on top.
CP surface mount or underneath - T-nuts look nicer. Mine bolts are above since I have a metal CP
mamewah or a different front end - I like Mamewah, but others like Mala and Atomic have really improved in the last year. Most all now offer ways to customize the graphics.

Pretty much all others are straight personal opinion.

Sorry this got so long.

[rockin_rick]

First--the side art. If the invaders bring back good memories for you, stick to it. Sure people will have an opinion of your cab on here, but you're the one who will be looking at it and playing it in your home every day. If you're REALLY worried about what other people have already done, definitely don't do black with blue t-molding 

Check this out:

http://www.homearcade.us/blog/

Perhaps you could have the spaceship on the marquee (since it is at the top).

I'm pretty sure the invaders shown in the picture of the "other guy's" cab are actually these:
http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=BL-106A

I think that thinkgeek also sells these, not sure if the price is better or worse....


Here's something ELSE to think about....

Considering cab design/artwork - I was thinking along your lines for a while until I ran upon this thread -
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=44706

koolmoecraig decided to make retro theme mame cabs of a q*bert and rally-x.  I love these and have convinced me to make a scratch built replica cab for mame.  It really spoke to me how he modded the CP to fit more controls as the CP could have been designed had the game required that many controls.  I really like how it has authentic arcade looks along with mame-ability.  It also solved my issue with coming up with an appealing artwork theme...  I decided this was the way to go and haven't looked back.

Perhaps you should consider something like this...

Rick

[leapinlew]

If you're REALLY worried about what other people have already done, definitely don't do black with blue t-molding 

Crowquill is giving you good information. It just goes to show you - you aren't going to make everyone happy all the time. My showcase cabinet is black with the blue t-molding. To me, it's a classic. Like a red Ferrari.

If you don't have much money - do some cardboard mockups. Those are real fun and just require you to find a few boxes, a pen, and a razor blade. You can even make a small one to scale. Sketchup is great, but until it becomes real 3d - it's all subject to change.

[fjl]

Damn, someone else also did the Space Invader side art thing

It's cool though. Think I'll still stick with that side art anyways including the blue t-molding and black cab. But who knows, I might change it. It was originally yellow like the Q-bert cab since I made it to be close to the Q-Bert cab in commemoration that Q-Bert was the first arcade game I ever played. Or at least recall playing. 

And I already did the cardboard mock up of the control panel. Seems decent so far. It's 10" x 26.5"  It's got enough space I think.

[leapinlew]

And I already did the cardboard mock up of the control panel. Seems decent so far. It's 10" x 26.5"  It's got enough space I think.

Build a whole cab. I agree- thats enough space. A nintendo wide body is just about 26.5" wide. Perhaps you can find one of those and convert it.

[mccoy178]

I wanted to offer my two cents about the usb hubs.  I had two issues.  1) I used those for about a year, and mine reset the mouse and spinner assignments everytime the arcade was turned back on.  2) and the biggest pain, my motherboard wouldn't boot to the hd's with them plugged in.  I had to unplug them everytime I restarted the cabinet.  It was a huge pain. 

I would highly recommend getting a usb card for the motherboard and getting cheap usb extenstions off the internet.  I bought two pci cards with five inputs each and they handle everything beautifully.  It was a little more expensive, but not much.  Each card was $20 and I paid $3 ea. for extensions.  I'm sure they could be had for better deals with a little research.

[fjl]

amount of angle on the action buttons - Do you mean the angle of the control panel surface (usually 10? or so) or the angle of the buttons on it? (mock it up and see what's comfortable.)
type of casters to use - I wouldn't use casters again.

Yeah I meant the angle of the action buttons.

As for the caster thing, why wouldn't you add them again? What problems did you run into in the past and what do you use now to prevent damaging the bottom of the cab when moving it?

[fjl]

Here's a small update to the cab...

Original,


New

[leapinlew]

I think you should build a showcase. That trackball is for sure going to break someones finger.

As for your new cabinet designs - if it's going to have a qbert marquee - it should have the qbert side art. I like the color yellow - it's a nice bright cab.

[missioncontrol]

omg yellow cabinets r teh roxers !!!!!1111111eleventy

[Mattiekrome]

Personally, I love the cab... As a matter of fact, I have the exact same alien as my laptop background.  I also thought of using the space invaders as a theme for the mame when I decide to build it, but thats shaping up to be quite a ways off.  It's simple and clean, looks good!

[fjl]

Showcase?

I'm removing the four way and moving the spinner away from the trackball. And its not really yellow. Kind of a yellow-orange. And Q-bert marquee is just for show. I'm adding my own marquee.

[Crowquill]

amount of angle on the action buttons - Do you mean the angle of the control panel surface (usually 10? or so) or the angle of the buttons on it? (mock it up and see what's comfortable.)
type of casters to use - I wouldn't use casters again.

Yeah I meant the angle of the action buttons.

As for the caster thing, why wouldn't you add them again? What problems did you run into in the past and what do you use now to prevent damaging the bottom of the cab when moving it?

Let me clarify. While I was working on it, the casters were very handy. Once it was finished, it makes the cabinet move too freely and in my case it made the control panel a bit too high. Maybe if you had recessed casters that would lock it would solve the problem. It also looks kind of goofy next to my JAMMA cabinet (Primal Rage has a lower control panel than most games anyway). I keep putting it off since I have to at least remove my computer monitor (70lbs worth) to flip it over and take them off.

I'm just not a fan of the blue-on-black. It just says "I'm a MAME cabinet" to me. The only cab I ever remember seeing that had blue-on-black was NFL Blitz. I wanted my cabinet to look fun from a distance so I went with red cab and classic black t-molding. The yellow will definitely stand out in most any room. I don't see that as a bad thing. Hell--if I were to scratch-build a cabinet I'd probably make it look like Flamin' Finger. That is one of the coolest look cabinets I've ever seen (and it came out in 2003!)

http://www.namcoarcade.com/nai_gamedisplay.asp?gam=flamfing

Here's a pic of mine side-by-side. In this pic the front panel is missing on the MAME cab making the elevation even more apparent.

[_) (V) (-)]

Ya'kno what would look really cool with your sideart?

Them plastic lens things that make a picture appear to move when you tilt em! (Think about the little prizes you'd get in a box of Cracker Jacks)

You could have your space invaders graphics, one for each state of their 'steps', and as you walked up to of past the cabnet, they would animate.

Retro yet original!

I have no clue how to do it, but it would be a cool low tech way to add some pizazz to the sideart.

[fjl]

Let me clarify. While I was working on it, the casters were very handy. Once it was finished, it makes the cabinet move too freely and in my case it made the control panel a bit too high. Maybe if you had recessed casters that would lock it would solve the problem. It also looks kind of goofy next to my JAMMA cabinet (Primal Rage has a lower control panel than most games anyway). I keep putting it off since I have to at least remove my computer monitor (70lbs worth) to flip it over and take them off.

I'm just not a fan of the blue-on-black. It just says "I'm a MAME cabinet" to me. The only cab I ever remember seeing that had blue-on-black was NFL Blitz. I wanted my cabinet to look fun from a distance so I went with red cab and classic black t-molding. The yellow will definitely stand out in most any room. I don't see that as a bad thing. Hell--if I were to scratch-build a cabinet I'd probably make it look like Flamin' Finger. That is one of the coolest look cabinets I've ever seen (and it came out in 2003!)

http://www.namcoarcade.com/nai_gamedisplay.asp?gam=flamfing

Here's a pic of mine side-by-side. In this pic the front panel is missing on the MAME cab making the elevation even more apparent.

When I decided to add the casters, I looked for just the right ones I wanted and took their dimensions and added it into my 3d model. As such, I took into consideration the extra height it was going to add and shortened the cab a bit to accomodate. So it won't be any higher adding the casters. here's a Pic of how they will be added. The red cylinders represent the swing radius of the front swivel casters. It will also have those back side tilt and drag casters.



As for the style of my cab, I just might stick with making it yellow like the Q-Bert cab. But I might change it back to my original dark look. Like others have already said, it is my cab and I should do it how I want.

That flaming finger is some cab. But it has no controls! Don't really like its style though.

Them plastic lens things that make a picture appear to move when you tilt em! (Think about the little prizes you'd get in a box of Cracker Jacks)

You could have your space invaders graphics, one for each state of their 'steps', and as you walked up to of past the cabnet, they would animate.

That's actually a pretty cool idea! How would one go about getting something like that anywas?

[freckleface]

Though I wouldn't move it much, I very much like the idea of casters.  You could make the panel in front removable and you could get locking ones. I'm in the same boat of designing the thing. My tastes make it more complicated though.  Plus I have a few different monitors - I could make three different cabs, I could make a huge cab with three heads....too much to decide.  But I don't have all the parts yet, either.

[leapinlew]

Showcase?

Yep, one of these bad boys:


You said it yourself, you got time... might as well dream. 36" television, big sound... GO GO GO

[fjl]

That's cool but a little too bulky. Would seem hard to move. I like mine cause it looks more like a classic cab plus I like the idea that its more mobile with the casters than that thing could ever be.

[leapinlew]

That's cool but a little too bulky. Would seem hard to move. I like mine cause it looks more like a classic cab plus I like the idea that its more mobile with the casters than that thing could ever be.

Yes, because I move my cab ever couple minutes. I think you'll be surprised at how often you don't move your cab.

It's bulky because it's got a HUGE screen in it. I built one last year - love it. Try fitting a 36" into a classic.

 

[fjl]

Perhaps in due time. For now I just want a classic cab. Then perhaps a table top. After that, who knows! 

[leapinlew]

Perhaps in due time. For now I just want a classic cab. Then perhaps a table top. After that, who knows! 

Have you thought about possibly finding a cab and converting it? Bar none it's the cheapest way to go and a great way to earn some experience.

[daywane]

all my cabs have weels.
all were arcades before I got them.
weels only in the back. Lift the front and roll. let front down and it sits on the front legs. nice and level, will not move.

aracdes really do not get moved that much.

a few posts back ... as far as usb hubs go...
It depends on your layout. One cab I have a pci slot usb card
works great in the cab. but I wanted tge PC out of sight.

In living room (main TV room) I have a console PC and a 32 inch TV
I went with a hub. (7 ports)
I am not worried about hiding the PC. In fact I am showing it off.
I wanted the hub up front (under the TV in plain sight) EZ to get too.
grab a console pad. allready pluged into the hub, fire up AtomicFE and play
In a cab you could have the Hub right under the CP.
would be handy for a 3rd or even 4th player. These poor saps could get by with game pads while you kick there buts with arcade controlls

[fjl]

What do you use for front legs? And how do you move cab foward if the tilt wheels are in the back?

[leapinlew]

What do you use for front legs? And how do you move cab foward if the tilt wheels are in the back?

tilt the cab back... walk forward - like a dolly.

[fjl]

Allow me to rephrase myself, "how do you move the cab forward if its already up against a wall preventing it from being tilt back until its moved away from the wall?"

[Crowquill]

Allow me to rephrase myself, "how do you move the cab forward if its already up against a wall preventing it from being tilt back until its moved away from the wall?"

To do that you have to drag it on the floor to slide it out from the wall before tilting it back. It's not as bad as it sounds unless you're doing it on hardwood floors. Then there might be some scratches left in the floor.

I always liked the cabs where the manufacturers were thoughtful enough to add the "dolly wheels" (as I like to call them). Most of the big manufacturers did this. If I were scratch-building a cab I'd probably try to utilize casters this way. But considering my carpentry skills and the cost of buying an existing cab, I'll probably never scratch-build a cab.

I think you should definitely reconsider the swivel casters. Think of it this way--once it's done, how often is it going to need to move? In the end you'll want it to be a big, heavy, rock-solid monolith of gaming. At least stick to straight casters that preferably have a locking mechanism.

[fjl]

How about swivel casters that lock? Do you have experience with both type of casters?

[jfunk]

First--the side art. If the invaders bring back good memories for you, stick to it. Sure people will have an opinion of your cab on here, but you're the one who will be looking at it and playing it in your home every day. If you're REALLY worried about what other people have already done, definitely don't do black with blue t-molding 

Check this out:

http://www.homearcade.us/blog/

...

w00t!  Someone referenced my cab in a thread!  Whoohoo! 

As you can most likely guess, love your theme choice 

Now, back to your regularly scheduled conversation...