control spacing

[struby]

I haven't really been able to find this, but what is the typical spacing from the biginning of the cp up towards the buttons inthe direction of the screen, like what would be that distance from cp edge to button edges, or if possible, could somone just send me a template of their 4 player cp with measurments cuz I can't seem to find good layouts.

edit: I'm asking all this quick cuz i'm drilling my cp today, but anyway, also, I can't remember if the joysticks are crooked or straight mounted with respect the the screen for players 3 and 4 if the buttons are angled in.

[ahofle]

edit: I'm asking all this quick cuz i'm drilling my cp today, but anyway, also, I can't remember if the joysticks are crooked or straight mounted with respect the the screen for players 3 and 4 if the buttons are angled in.

My advice, based on the questions you are asking, is that you shouldn't even be thinking about drilling today.  Ideally you should prepare a mock CP out of stiff cardboard and try it out, make adjustments, etc.  Make sure you have all the controls you want for the games you like in the proper places, etc.  I would spend a lot of time on this part of the cabinet before you 'set it in stone'.

And the vast majority of 4p cabinets have the joysticks all facing the same way (ie. not angled).

[Chris G]

I don't have a 4 player template for you, but I wanted to make a recommendation.  It sounds like you're planning to cut your final CP right away.  I would strongly urge you to create a test CP first so you can "try it before you buy it".  Even if you have someone else's proven design to work from, it may not feel right to YOU.  I've seen a lot of people do a cardboard version - I'm doing a 1/4" hardboard sample for mine.

Good luck!
Chris

EDIT: I'm too slow! 

[WLVRYN]

I agree that building a test CP is helpful.  I used 3 layers of cardboard glued together with wood glue for my test CP.  It actually worked very well and is pretty sturdy.  The good thing about using it is that each layer is just about 1/4", so 3 layers approxiates the depth of 3/4" MDF, which can give you a good idea on construction sizing and button/joy/trackball placement. 

[javeryh]

I echo everyone else's sentiments about building a mock up before you drill your CP.  The cab I'm working on now went through multiple CP revisions and I ended up building three different ones out of MDF before I found the layout that felt right to me - and all I have on there is one joystick, 3 action buttons and 4 admin buttons!  I couldn't imagine nailing a 4P control panel on my first try.

[struby]

ugh well I don't have alot of opportunities to work on it and one came up so there is still a good chance i'm doing th drilling today, i've done some cardboard stuff a while ago but never actually put the buttons in it, but i might have time to make one today, but lets say my only option is drill today, while you guys are pry right, and it is good advice, i looked at a bunch and most 4p joysticks were angled in, are you sure they aren't supposed to be, any more feeback on that, basically, i'm going to have 6 buttons facing the screen for 1p and 2p and 4 buttons for 3p and 4p both angled in at 40 degrees, so ur saying my joysticks should in fact not be angled at 40 degrees with the buttons?  my wood and metal are cut, and the shape is final, and the shape lends itself to a trackball in the middle as planned, those buttons, a start and a coin for each player, 3 buttons above the trackball, and 3 buttons on top for misc stuff like quit etc..., whatever i might want to assign to them, my buttons and joysticks are going off the streetfighter template i found on here cuz I figure that is the the marvel vs. capcom one and that's what i'm going for, any other feedback to make my potential drill today successful?

[ahofle]

i looked at a bunch and most 4p joysticks were angled in, are you sure they aren't supposed to be,

Which 'bunch' did you look at?  I just searched MAWS and everyone with 4 players and joysticks (so far) that I looked at are all the same direction (look at the carriage bolts):

http://www.mameworld.net/maws/img/mrdocab/bucky.png
http://www.mameworld.net/maws/img/cpanel/crimfght.png
http://www.mameworld.net/maws/img/cpanel/ddtod.png
http://www.mameworld.net/maws/img/cpanel/gauntlet.png
http://www.mameworld.net/maws/img/cpanel/ga2.png

[struby]

none of those links worked, it said off network linking not allowed, but I just went to the cp picture thread and looked at all the under views of 4p angled controls i could find, and they were all angled towards the screeen

[struby]

this guys also, angled in, i'm not saying ur wrong, i'm just saying the ones i see are angled in, you pry know more than i do, how were they angled on like tmnt and games like that?

[(+_+)]

none of those links worked, it said off network linking not allowed, but I just went to the cp picture thread and looked at all the under views of 4p angled controls i could find, and they were all angled towards the screeen

If they are the 2 outer players, then yes, you would have to angle them. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules about the exact angle. Your goal is to try and angle them so those 2 players will have proper screen visibilty. Stand on the sides of your CP and determine what you think a comfortable playing angle is based on your screen position. Also be careful not to place buttons to close to another players joysticks otherwise you'll ruin the playing experience because of the constant bumping in each other.

[struby]

that shouldn't be an issue, the cp is 48-50 inches wide, so ur saying the buttons and joysticks should both be angled to view, or just the buttons, with the joysticks still facing the same directions as the one and two players?

[Hoopz]

You need to do a mock up to see what feels best about angling them or not.  On one CP, I put P3 & P4 joys at an angle but found that people didn't like it.  I re-did the CP and everything is square to the monitor.  No one has ever said that it was difficult to play on.  Had people over Saturday night that ended up playing for awhile. 

I found it was difficult getting your hand to move in a different direction than what you want your character/ship on screen to move.  Even if its a slight angle or up to 45 degrees, most people said it was not intuitive. YMMV.

[(+_+)]

I thought mine was wide at 44, mind you I loose 3 inched overall due to the thickness of
the controller frame. Now that you mention it being that wide, I'd also check to be sure your outer 2 players aren't "outcasted". What I mean by that is, the further the players are from the center, the worse the viewing angle will be. Is your control panel deep or is you monitor very large. If you CP is deep enough, it may be ok since players 3 and 4 will be pushed back further and have a better angle. If your monitor is larger, the viewing edge will be closer to the outer players. Considerations, considerations, they can drive you mad.

[struby]

haha i know, that's why i just wanna make it, i just wanna play, i think i'm gonna not angle the joysticks, i have no finished cab for it so it will be a free to take wherever cp and if i wanna change the joystick angles i'll jus have a set of holes through my cp, oh well.

[(+_+)]

I can't wait to the pics of your "fly by the seat of your pants" project. Mistakes are made even when careful consideration and planning is done. I worry for you. 

[struby]

i think mine is 48, i started this so long ago, um, that's with a trackball in between 1 and 2 p, and the cp i think is nice for the tools i has, that's without the holes, i'll see how it goes with the holes, i'm cutting it today, i'm gonna face the joysticks all the same way, and I'll post pictures mr. negativity haha, i worry for me too, but i think it will go ok, i just need to stop thinking about it, i just wanna get it done, then i have to decide if i wanna attach it to my cab which is sitting int he basement, primered.

[ahofle]

none of those links worked, it said off network linking not allowed, but I just went to the cp picture thread and looked at all the under views of 4p angled controls i could find, and they were all angled towards the screeen

Personally I'd look at actual arcade games control panels, not pictures of peoples' homemade control panels.  I will attach the pics I linked so you can see.

[ahofle]

And you asked about TMNT (also not angled):

[Chris G]

I, for one, fully respect (and am somewhat envious of) your decisive, git 'er done attitude.     I'm too far to the other side of the spectrum.

That said... keep in mind that you may have to live with this for a while, especially if, as you said, you don't get a chance to work on it too often.

[struby]

well I drilled my pilot holes and will be off to drill press in a couple days, and will have the trackball hole cut tomorrow, hold on I'll try to throw a pic on, the metal work isn't too pretty, but I like the rugged look in some ways.

[struby]

edit:  and thanks for the respect, I personally respect those who like the tinkering, but I wanna play some games, ok here are a few pictures:






there's also still pencil lines that will come off and any sharpie lines you won't see

what does anyone think?

[javeryh]

Wow you've got guts!  I hope everything works out for you.  Based on the pics you posted I might be a little concerned how close you put the trackball to the edge - I'd probably be breaking my hand during Golden Tee but that is probably due to my own spazziness after I have a few beers.    Also, your button layout looks a little big but that's a YMMV thing - I only leave a 1/8" gap (or less) between the buttons but I've seen others with 1/4" or 3/8" who like it like that. 

Nice progress for one day - and metal too!  That's really cool.  How are you planning to finish the top?

[struby]

well they are just pilot holes, i did it based on the sf2 layout i got off here, i think they are 1.5 inches apart center to center, 1 1/8 inch holes, so that's what, 3/8, i guess, plus the little skirts, they will be close enough I think, does it look ok, I kinda like the metal look.

edit:  and as of now, I have no extra plans besides buttons, joysticks, and the trackball to finish the top, I'm more ready to play, besides, what would I put on stainless steel, if I cover it up it would almost defeat the purpose of making it out of steal, and it does have flaws, but I think it gives it character.

[struby]

catastrophic failure, did i spell that right, we didn't have the bit power for stainless steel plate, so though, we went into it with my Dad's, "the devil hates a coward" attitude, we are gonna redo it with a plexi top.