Plans for a cabinet ID website

[Crowquill]

As much fun as they can be, it seems quite often that there are the "what was this originally" posts for some beat-up converted all-black cabinet. Many times they are common cabinets such as a Centipede or a Dynamo cab. So I thought it might be useful to put together an organized site of cabinet silhouettes to help identify conversion cabs. I'm thinking the right side is probably the most identifiable.

I'd like to eventually get it to be fairly comprehensive (a hundred or so designs at least), but even if you can't find the exact shape of your cab, then you might be able to find a similar design from the same manufacturer that would point you in the right direction. I'd also like to point out the variations between similar cabs when possible. What is the difference between a Centipede cab and a Dig Dug cab? KLOV will always be cross-referenced.

While the first version will probably basic HTML pages, I'd love to do a flash based version that would be more intuitive. I figure cabinets have to at least be categorized by manufacturer and type (upright, cocktail, etc). Year would be helpful too.

The silhouettes will just be traces of photos in Illustrator. Should be pretty quick to do. Due to perspective in the photos, it's going to be hard to make it EXACT, but they should be close enough for the purpose of ID'ing a cab.

Below are a few to show what I'm talking about. I'm still debating how big the silhouettes need to be to show enough detail.  I'm thinking that keeping the cabinets' size relative to each other might be better for IDing purposes.

How many can you ID?

[RayB]

I'd also like to point out the variations between similar cabs when possible. What is the difference between a Centipede cab and a Dig Dug cab? KLOV will always be cross-referenced.

This could be fun! Centipede, Dig Dug and Kangaroo all share same design, but a Centipede has different coin door than Dig Dug and Kangaroo, leaving the latter too difficult to distinguish.

[Crowquill]

I'd also like to point out the variations between similar cabs when possible. What is the difference between a Centipede cab and a Dig Dug cab? KLOV will always be cross-referenced.

This could be fun! Centipede, Dig Dug and Kangaroo all share same design, but a Centipede has different coin door than Dig Dug and Kangaroo, leaving the latter too difficult to distinguish.

Don't forget Arabian. Food Fight is also based on the same design, but they added the shape of the food to the outline of the cab. Food Fight is always the crappiest looking conversion cabinets imaginable.

You've got a good point on the coin doors. They can also be a good indicator when identifying a cab. I just realized the other day that pretty much all of the Sente cabs use the "midway" coin door. I guess it's really the "Bally" coin door after all.

Does anyone think having a dedicated resource for this type of info would be useful?

[karlpenney]

I would say that a site with this info would definitely be useful.  I have been looking myself for dimensional information regarding the differences between the Centipede, Dig Dug and Kangaroo cabs, but so far have not found anything.  The side panel profiles are slightly different between them.

[Crowquill]

And those are just one example. This thread on Nintendo cabinets is also along those lines:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54939.0

The worst part is that I don't have that many cabinets at my disposal. I made it a point to take pictures of the profile of several cabinets at the auction I went to today. But realistically this will start out very simplified. Someone can find a silhouette that matches their black (or whatever) conversion cab. They will then know the general type and manufacturer, and known cabs that use that style. Just like any database, it'll take some time and some input to grow and become increasingly more useful.

What little bits of info pop up is just really scattered. A couple weeks ago, Jeff AMN picked up a cabinet converted to Bubble Bobble. At first glance it appeared to be a Pac-Man/Galaxian cab but was originally Rally-X.  Pac-Fan in passing mentioned that Rally-X cabinets are about 6" less deep than the vertical games. I'd just like to get all of this info consolidated eventually.

[Kremmit]

Left to right:

Pac Man, Defender, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Tempest, Stargate, Taito, Stern, Dynamo, Nintendo.

(I had to go look in the garage to verify two.)

[sphetr2]

There's no need for a site like this; we all know Centipede has the best design. 

Seriously, though, this can help in both identifying a cabinet and deciding on a shape for a build.

[Crowquill]

There's no need for a site like this; we all know Centipede has the best design. 

Seriously, though, this can help in both identifying a cabinet and deciding on a shape for a build.

Hadn't thought of that aspect of it. That's not a bad idea.

Centipede was such a great design that Dynamo copied it and sold it for many years (although they did add front access which is very nice). I've got together about 20 silhouettes so far. I figure I'll get up to about 50 and then start working on getting the site laid out. Here's one of the pics I took at the auction. Can you guess what it was? 

[RayB]

Oh come on. You already posted the answer to that one.

[yugffuts]

I'm curious...

So, if I have an unknown arcade cabinet that I want to identify.  I have no idea what it is, what year it's from, who made it, etc. So, the solution is to click through 100+ cabinets pictures, until I see one similar?  How is this easier than just asking (since it seems most people get a response fairly quickly)? 

I just don't see how this database can be efficiently searched since the whole point is that the user doesn't have any information? 

Not trying to be negative, just trying to understand how this will work...

[Crowquill]

Oh come on. You already posted the answer to that one.

Yes I did, but nobody has guessed any of the others from the first post. Besides, it's still probably the ugliest conversion cab imaginable. I guess I just wanted to make a point. 

So, if I have an unknown arcade cabinet that I want to identify.  I have no idea what it is, what year it's from, who made it, etc. So, the solution is to click through 100+ cabinets pictures, until I see one similar?  How is this easier than just asking (since it seems most people get a response fairly quickly)? 

I just don't see how this database can be efficiently searched since the whole point is that the user doesn't have any information? 

Not trying to be negative, just trying to understand how this will work...

That's also why I'm posting this here. To see if anyone would think it's useful. From most cabinets I've seen, it's rare that you have absolutely nothing to go on. Usually there's SOMETHING that has the original manufacturers name on it. Whether it's a worn serial # tag or a copyright on a left-over PCB. Obviously there are a ton of different designs for cabinets throughout the years. But when Company X made 100 cabinets of Super Samurai Smashers and Midway made an estimated 100,000 Pac-Man uprights, you can guess which one you'll find more conversions of. I'm thinking the "generic" show-everything page will be sorted roughly by the popularity of their original game because of this. The pages I expect people to get the most use out of are the ones sorted by manufacturer. But even on a page of 100 different designs, how long will it really take to look through 100 thumbnails? Think about how long it takes to scan over the default list of 50 items per page on eBay.

[RayB]

Yes I did, but nobody has guessed any of the others from the first post. Besides, it's still probably the ugliest conversion cab imaginable. I guess I just wanted to make a point. 

Hmmm...

Galaga, or Pacman, or Galaxian or Ms Pac
Robotron
Gravitar
Crystal Castles,
Gyruss
Stargate
Any Taito
Stern
Moon Patrol
Space Invaders

[Kremmit]

Yes I did, but nobody has guessed any of the others from the first post.

?

Left to right:

Pac Man, Defender, Centipede, Crystal Castles, Tempest, Stargate, Taito, Stern, Dynamo, Nintendo.

(I had to go look in the garage to verify two.)

[Crowquill]

Somehow I glossed over your post (don't know how).

Not Defender, not Tempest, not Dynamo, not Nintendo. All others are correct.

[Kremmit]

Somehow I glossed over your post (don't know how).

Not Defender, not Tempest, not Dynamo, not Nintendo. All others are correct.

Upon closer inspection, the one I ID'd as Tempest was a Reactor.  That was stupid, and I really do know better, I just answered in a hurry.

I had to check RayB's answers to get Moon Patrol- or it could be a Joust.  I'd love to see your outline of a Dynamo to compare to it, they're sure close.  I'm still not sure about #2 and #10.  #2 matches one of the Robotrons on KLOV.  #10 isn't a SI, the top on those is slanted.  I'm trying to think of a game with a flat top like that, I know I'll be smacking my forehead when somebody gets it.

Anyway, neither of us got 'em all right, which just underscores the need for the site you're planning.  Get to work!   

[Crowquill]

Ray had most of them right.

From right to left:

Ms.Pac/Galaga (angled top is different from Pac/Galaxian). I think Bosconian is also a variation on this.

Sinistar/Splat/Robotron

Centipede/Dig Dug/Kangaroo/Arabian

Crystal Castles

Gyruss  If you add a cut-out in the side it's the same as Track & Field too.

Stargate

Taito

Stern

Moon Patrol/Joust

Space Invaders - After mentioning it, the top is wrong on this. One of the few I didn't verify.

I actually took almost all of those from the Arcade Vector Art Library files. I think that's why SI was off since it was trying to show the artwork going over the edge. The Ms. Pac needs a bit of work too. I was trying to make up for the perspective in the photo, but it's definitely a bit off still.

One thing I was thinking might be nifty to implement once I get the flash version together would be a simple game of guessing the silhouettes.

Kremmit--as you requested (and a few others):

[Kremmit]

Really, Gyruss?  Wow, I'm officially embarrassed.  Shows what I get for posting without verifying. 

Also, curse your proposed flash game, as I'm obviously going to stink at it. 

  Just kidding, that's a great idea you've got there.  Heck, I'd even install that game on a cab if it were polished enough- be a fun one to try on other arcade dorks.  Now, if only there were somebody that codes flash games lurking around this thread...

[RayB]

Now, if only there were somebody that codes flash games lurking around this thread...

[u_rebelscum]

... we all know Centipede has the best design. 

Seriously, though, this can help in both identifying a cabinet and deciding on a shape for a build.

I love the similar Pole Position (Atari upright -hint,hint- ), Dynamo, and Centipede outlines.  There's something about the combinations of angles used that add up to "near perfect" to me.  Or maybe it has something to do with what games/cabs were in the arcades I went to as a kid.    Neo Geo is almost as good, but it's missing "something" IMO.  But I'm still messing with it, searching for perfection for my cab.

It would be great to see many of the different (and close-but-not-the-same) outlines and compare them to each other.  Thank you for the ones already done.   

[hucklebuck73]

I am a newb here but I have a few arcade games and yes tring to find out what certain ones are, the production numbers and all the great history can be a pain. I think a site that had all that info would be great. Cabinet side pics as discussed first, along with some history and production numbers. I realy enjoy this hobby and would also enjoy to know more about the games I keep for myself.   Jake

[Crowquill]

I think we've established that there could be potential in this site to help the community, so I'd better get to work!

The trickiest part is trying to find good pics of the cabs. Atari ones seem to be easier since there are lots of photos of the sideart. The other factor with photos is how perspective can throw things off. Pics taken from a short distance away at a higher resolution seem to work better than the ones right up on the cab. Not that I'm obsessed with making them 100% accurate. They'll be as close as I can get them, but since most of the source material for these silhouettes is found around the web, results may vary.

[Kremmit]

I wonder if you could pull side shapes from the cab models for the 3dArcade/Emulaxian frontend:

http://3darcade.mameworld.net/

[Crowquill]

I'd thought of that, but the models are somewhat simplified. Sometimes those little differences could be the thing that sets a cab apart. There really are plenty of pics on the web and I can always beg for more if there's some I can't find.

Drawing them in Illustrator is the easy part.