Redesign of Main Panel - Critique wanted

[DaveMMR]

If you saw my Project Announcement thread (don't have time to look for it right now), I planned on initially creating two panels - one with just joysticks and the other with two trackballs but only three buttons (space limitations).

However, after thinking about it, I realized that visitors (party, for example) may not be inclined to switch an entire panel to play a simple trackball (or, in a pinch, spinner) game - though they may want to considering the cab is designed after Centipede.  Also, I hated the idea of whipping out the two ball panel for single player games.

Basically, I'm simplifying things a bit.  I'll still make a dual-trackball panel down the road - but only for those rare two-player TB games.

I'm incorporating a 3" trackball into the main joystick panel.  Here is the layout with and without graphics (the CPO need clean-up and I may work the border around the TB - otherwise, forgive the crudity)...




The panel size is 25" wide by about 10-1/4 inches deep.  As you can see, I'm going to have to install the TB without the mounting plate (which is just going to be a heck of a lot of routing).   The joysticks are U360s, by the way.

I plan on doing a cardboard mock-up this weekend - and a dry run on wood should I have time and confidence.  In the meantime, anyone see any problems or concerns with this layout -- or have additional input? 

[Chris G]

Looks pretty good to me.  My only concern would be the amount of room you'll have for your wrist below the trackball.  Hard to tell without knowing the measurements, but looks like you only have a couple inches.  Or maybe you're just planning to rest it over the edge...

 
Chris

[SGT]

Can't you rotate the mounting of the u360s 90 degrees to give yourself a little more room?

[DaveMMR]

Thanks for the comments thus far.

Just to let you all know - the grey areas on the layout represents space on   the panel that I can't utilize because of obstacles (e.g. panel supports, lip, etc.).

You know, I forgot I can turn the bases sideways.  That'll definately buy me a couple of precious inches.  I don't know if it's enough to use a mounting plate, but we shall see.  I'll play around with it tonight and see if anything improves.  Thanks SGT.

And the trackball is about, guessing now, 3-1/2 inches away from the edge (the grey accounts for about an inch).  How much front space do I need?

Thanks again.

[Chris G]

I believe I ended up with 6 inches from the bottom of the panel to the center of my trackball.  Of course, it's all personal preference - you'll figure out what's comfortable when you do your mock-up.

 
Chris

[javeryh]

The green outline that now runs through the trackball should be modified to follow the contour of the cutout otherwise it kind of looks like a weird placement of the trackball.  Things look better when you design the art and layout together, IMO.

[DaveMMR]

The green outline that now runs through the trackball should be modified to follow the contour of the cutout otherwise it kind of looks like a weird placement of the trackball.  Things look better when you design the art and layout together, IMO.

Totally agree with you there.  One challenge is that the artwork is very location specific.  So if I move the joystick even 1/8 of an inch, I have to move corresponding mushroom.  Not too hard since I made separate layers for almost every element on the CPO, but still something I have to make sure I don't forget to do.

However, I didn't bother fixing the green line around the trackball until after I'm positively sure I have the TB where I want it.  I was originally going to have the line wrap around the top of the ball, but I may just have the lines cut off cleanly around the ball. 

Insert Quote
I believe I ended up with 6 inches from the bottom of the panel to the center of my trackball.

More than likely impossible on my panel since it's only 10 inches deep to begin with.  But as you said, I have to test it out and see if it's comfortable.  I'm imagining now and I kind of envision that my hand is going to be resting on the ball most of the time anyhow - though I do admit I never really paid a whole lot of attention during gameplay on real machines.

[DaveMMR]

Okay, reworked it a little.  I turned the joysticks and worked in the mounting plate (which may make life easier).  Here's two new pictures (once again, artwork still needs clean-up).




The leftmost joystick is 3 inches from left with the leftmost button 3-1/4 inches away from the stick on both sides. TB is horizontally centered with plate as low as possible.   The right most joystick is at 17-1/2 inches (5 inches away from the center of the ball). 

Also, I did slightly go over the gray, but I was being conservative when I made those bad areas.  I actually only lose 3/4" on the sides (I currently have it at a 1-1/2" loss per side).

Yes, the start buttons need symmetry.  Not really worried about those too much right now.

Once again, comments and opinions welcome and encouraged.

[vidmouse]

Not sure what joystick you are using but if it's like mine,
you can't put the left one that close to a wall (assuming that
grayed out area is a wall like you implied).

The joystick may mount ok but you won't have room
for your microswitch terminals... (or harness quick
connects if you use them)

[DaveMMR]

Not sure what joystick you are using but if it's like mine,
you can't put the left one that close to a wall (assuming that
grayed out area is a wall like you implied).

The joystick may mount ok but you won't have room
for your microswitch terminals... (or harness quick
connects if you use them)

- I'm using U360s - no microswitches. 

- The gray areas are not walls.  It's space available on top of the CPO, but which may not be available underneath because of obstacles such as the supports or lip. And it was conservatively measured.  I actually have slightly more space than I alloted.

Thank you for helping though.