CP Layout: Please Review

[Cfour]

This is my first try at creating my own CP layout.  I did this in Visio with some templates I found on the site here.  The dimensions are 32" wide, by 11" tall.  This leaves approx. 2.5" overhang on each side and about 3.5" overhang on the front.  I have p1/2 coin/start for each player and for admin buttons I have menu, pause, and exit.   Also, next to the trackball are two mouse buttons.  If possible, please address the following questions:

1.  Did I use the proper templates in Visio?  My hardware includes UltraStik 360s, SlikStik spinner, and Happ's 3" USB trackball.  Are 3 mouse buttons recommended?

2.  I think most of the stuff should work out where I have it.  However, I'm more concerned about the placement of the spinner and mouse buttons.  Any past experience/tips here will be greatly appreciated.  Also, what is the recommended distance between buttons and joysticks?  The center of my joysticks to the center of the first button is 3", and each button is 1.5" apart.

3.  The buttons appear to be on the edge, however there IS a 1" gap between the edge of the board and the buttons.  I'm not sure why it took that part off when I saved it to JPEG, so if any of you can tell me why that would be great too.

4.  How to I make rounded corners in Visio?  I would like to round each corner on my control panel to not give such a "boxy" look.

5.  How "deep" should I make my box in the front?  I want it to be 6" high in the back.. so what would be the proper "incline" from the front?  Something like 4-4.5"?

Thanks guys.

[More Cowbell]

I like the layout although I would put the spinner on the other side so it is not right behind a joystick.

[Cfour]

I thought of that, however then I would be playing left-handed.  If possible I want to keep the spinner on the right side.  But I see your point, it might have to be moved because of joystick locations.

[Odin]

Looks good to me, although I would want to put a 4-way joystick in the upper left open area for the classic games.

[Cfour]

With the UltraStiks I shouldn't need a dedicated 4-way because they are 8/4 way switchable and seem to have gotten good feedback in most games played.

[Chris G]

Will offer a few thoughts, since I'm in CP build-mode too...

1.  I would recommend NO dedicated mouse buttons, unless you have some special reason or just love lots of buttons (you already have a lot!).

2.  Recommended distance between buttons and joysticks is whatever is comfortable for YOU.  As a related example, you mentioned 1.5" between your buttons, which is common - but when I tried that, it felt too far apart for me.  That's probably a good starting point, though.

3.  I've found that having a little more room on the edges is a good thing.  Might want to consider trying it with a little more than an inch.

Your best bet is to get a starting point from some example CPs/templates that you like, which it sounds like you've done.  Then just go build some test panels.  See what works, what doesn't work for you and make modifications.  It's part of the fun of this process.  I'm on my 4th (and hopefully final) version.  Good luck!

 
Chris

[Cfour]

Okay here is the art and here is the final CP layout before I begin doing a test, so please provide feedback to me.  2 button next to spinner are mouse1, mouse2.  Do you think the position of the spinner is OK?  Once again, the border on the top is 1", the left and right are now 2.5", and the joysticks are 3" up from the bottom.

With the art, I want to do some kind of blue rounded rectancle around the joystick and buttons on each player, but I'm not sure how to do that.  Other than that, I'm keepin the CP layout clean and simple, matching the bezel and marquee that I have created.  Thanks again guys.

[WLVRYN]

I would go with a Turbo Twist 2 from GGG for your spinner.  That gives a smaller footprint and allows a little more room on and under your CP since it fits into a button sized hole.  You can then move your spinner down and right towards you P2 buttons.  I have my TT2 above the left hand P2 buttons and it works fine.  I just updated my project announcement thread with pictures if you want to see what my CP looks like.

[Jeff AMN]

Are those Happs Ultimate joysticks? Is there a reason you chose those sticks?

[JoyMonkey]

A lot of people really don't like the feel of Happ Ultimate joysticks too.  Might want to consider Supers. I bought a couple for my very first cab for the sole reason that the name "Ultimate" made them sound like they were better than the others - how wrong I was.

There's a handy comparison on Retroblast:
http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happultimate.html

Edit: SNAP!

[Jeff AMN]

Yeah, I'd go with Supers or Competitions. Personally, I love the Perfect 360s, but they are pricey and just a tad trickier to install (not much though).

[Cfour]

I've already purchased a SlikStik so I'm goning to have to go with that.  The joysticks are UltraStik 360's, I was under the impression the footprint was the same as the Happ's 8-ways (but that's why we do test pieces)! If not, could somoene direct me to the visio templates?  Thanks.

I'm more looking for feedback on the layout and the artwork, as all the hardware has been purchased.  Thanks.

Tony