Single Player Plexi CP, looking for opinions on colors

[Tahnok]

I wasn't planning on posting this project until I actually had something done, but I need some outside opinions.

The top is going to be made of 1/8" plexi, painted white on the backside. The curves are going to be tough, but I'm fairly confident I can pull it off (with enough jigs). The sides and understructure are 3/4" white melamine. Ultimarc UltraStick 360 for the joystick (and no encoder). 12" wide, 3.6" tall in the back, 1.8" in the front, 7.6" deep.

Anyway, here's the problem. I was originally going to make the entire panel white, including the controls. However, after seeing that white cocktail cabinet with black controls, I'm considering different colors.

The possibility are white, red, or black controls. I personally think white looks the best, but finding the white balltop is turning out to be a bit of a pain and will probably cost a few bucks. The black should be fairly easy to find, but still cost a little bit. The red is cheap, since the UltraStick comes with red, but I'm kind of unsure about how it looks. Not that any of that really matters, I'm just wondering what other people think looks the best.

BTW, does the actual shape look good? I've been fighting with trying to make it as flat as possible. However, I've had to make it a little taller than I originally wanted.

Edit: The parts have been ordered, in white. Thanks.

[Chris G]

I went with the U360s too and was initially a little irritated at not being able to order them with black balltops.  After I got them, I kind of like the red top - it adds some color.  I like the look of black buttons, but I think I've decided to go with lighted buttons, probably colored to match my to-be-created CP art.

Anyway, I think all three could look pretty cool.  IMO, it depends on what, if any, art you're doing. 

Chris

[theCoder]

If you are planning on going all white, why not use white 1/8" Plexiglas on the panel instead of painting a clear one?

[bfauska]

I think that plexi with the back painted is a different look, it will look like an iArcade or some other recent white apple product I think.  White plexi is just shiny white plastic to the eye, but back painted plexi is like a white panel with 1/8" clear coat on it, really sharp if you ask me.

[Tahnok]

Yes, the actual panel is going to be completely white, no artwork. Although, it would be quite easy to paint something in, if I ever decided to.

I think that plexi with the back painted is a different look, it will look like an iArcade or some other recent white apple product I think.  White plexi is just shiny white plastic to the eye, but back painted plexi is like a white panel with 1/8" clear coat on it, really sharp if you ask me.

Exactly. The panel is meant to have a clean modern look to it. Which is why I can't decide on the control colors; I'm not sure which one would convey the feeling best.

[vrf]

I would lean towards all white on that panel. I think it would fit the clean, modern look you're after.

Byrdo has made a couple of white sticks--shaped wood with a clear overlay. Different than what you're doing, but you can maybe get an idea of what the colors would look like.



http://www.byrdo.org/arcade_joysticks.htm

From your mockup, it looks like you can shave a little room off the bottom of that panel, even with an Ultrastik 360? (I admit I don't know exactly what the mounting depth is, though.)

Looks like a great project, though. Keep us posted with lots of pictures!

[Tahnok]

Yeah, I've was referencing Byro's stuff during the design. Top notch stuff. That's why I originally wanted all white.

I can't shrink it down height wise at all, it's very tight (see profile pic below). About the only thing I could do is make the panel a little wider and deeper, to make it proportionally shorter. Do you think it needs it?

Edit: Just noticed that sketch shows an oval top. Ignore that, it's going to be a ball top.

Edit (day after post): I just got a PM back from ponyboy that he has some white balltops, and for a good price (compared to having to import them). So, I think that just about seals the all white color scheme.