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elbow room
NAH:
I've designed about four different cabinets so far but haven't actually built anything... yet. My current design is a littler narrower than most cabs. The total width of the machine will be 24". Using 3/4" MDF means a CP width of only 22.5" Does anyone feel like this is too small for 2 joysticks with 6 buttons each in a streetfighter layout? (maybe 7 each) I've measured several machines at local arcades and I just don't my machine to lack elbow room. How close do you think buttons and joysticks can be to the side of the machine? I'm trying to maximize comfort with minimum space... kinda tricky thanks..
rampy:
--- Quote from: NAH on April 08, 2003, 12:04:25 pm ---I've designed about four different cabinets so far but haven't actually built anything... yet. My current design is a littler narrower than most cabs. The total width of the machine will be 24". Using 3/4" MDF means a CP width of only 22.5" Does anyone feel like this is too small for 2 joysticks with 6 buttons each in a streetfighter layout? (maybe 7 each) I've measured several machines at local arcades and I just don't my machine to lack elbow room. How close do you think buttons and joysticks can be to the side of the machine? I'm trying to maximize comfort with minimum space... kinda tricky thanks..
--- End quote ---
I don't think that's too small at all... I think the original SFII cabs (or converted 19" other cabinets) were a simliar width...
I mean it'll be cozy, but it's not unheard of... plus elbowing your buddy is part of the fun/strategery =P
it always helps to layout your controls electronically/paper, and to build cardboard mockups... If it feels right to YOU is the real question here.
Do you have access to visio? I found laying out my CP using Visio and the stencils provided in the download section here invaluable... (even If I goofed/and or made some on the fly modifications)
layout test 1 Visio | gross cardboard mockup sorta (note: my width is just under 23" in the existing/previous CP structure and the only reason I "Teed" out was to fit in a trackball - I coulda fit in 2 joysticks in SFII layout had I wanted to "keep it real, up in the feel")
NAH:
Thanks rampy... I've drawn everything up with autodesk inventor so i guess i'll just print off the control panel and get a buddy to play some make believe mame. I did a little bit of this at the arcade. not playing but just standing there and "feeling" the control panel. I must have looked like a goof... poor kid doesn't have any quarters.....
I just needed some encouragement with the small CP :)
PCC:
You should have plenty of room. Here's a before/after picture of my panel that's about 23.75" wide (I even had room for a 4-way joystick and side buttons). The buttons have just over 5/16ths of an inch of wood between holes. I used a solid oak board to make it strong (overkill, but a 2 foot 1x6 isn't that expensive).
txcanoeman:
it will be fine. my cp is 24" and when I had the 2 joys and six buttons each, there were no problems.