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Redesign of Main Panel - Critique wanted

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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...

 :cheers:
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.

 :cheers:
Chris

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