Its an essay!!I started this project in may 2007 and have enjoyed every bit of it. But I think I've reached the end of the road as far as this is concerned so this will be my last post. This has been my second arcade cab, the first being Neverland that I made in 2002. A lot changed since 2002 when I finished and posted pics of my original, the technology, the acceptance of new ideas and the people. It took a while for me to think about another cab until "BubbleGum Betty" came along. It was lots of fun starting a new project especially as I had a lot more experience and lots of new ideas. However between my custom arcade artwork and innability to post on the boards with out being accussed of trolling for profit the fun has gone out of this hobby for me. I've spent a few weeks just playing on Betty, (mostly NBA Hangtime and Space Channel 5 Part 2) after all thats why I built her and thats where I found the fun again. So I'm going to get back to the fun! It's time for a break from all of this and to enjoy what I have made. BubbleGum Betty stands as complete as I am presently happy with. She acts as my home jukebox, arcade machine and P2P server (you probably are getting emulation stuff from her right now and don't even know!) She still has lots of scope for extras. I already have produced 2 custom guns for her and now that I have finished the quick swap interface I can produce an endless amount of CP's for her. Those I will keep to myself as apart from the detailing I will do they are pretty well documented already. I've tried to only document things on this thread that I believe are useful to other people and unfortunately many things that I have had to do on Betty have been mundane and samey. So without further ado onto the last post and the end of project "BubbleGum Betty".
I finished soldering all the points for the quick swap interface. It acts as a large junction with 4 db25's routing different control modules to both the computer and dreamcast within the cab. Now all I need to do to swap control panles is remove the db25 plugs from the junction and swap em over. The led lighing is also wired by db25 so that I can use the same controller to light the other panels. The only fixed buttons and wires are player 1+2 as these are permanently connected to the top CP. I finished mounting everything inside the cab and added a fan at the back as when the dreamcast and computer are running together betty generates a lot of heat. I finished the internal lighting for the computer as I like to be able to show off Betty's insides when friends come over.
Daytime and Nightime insides Now the project is "officially" finished I'd like to extend a big thanks to:
CountZero: for the coin mech. Havent heard from him in a while, but he did manage to change my perspective of the forum.
Javeryh: big thanks for showing that a pink cab could be cool. Without his input Betty would probably have ended up with generic Streetfighter images on it.
MsJersey: for all the input and putting up with this project for almost a year!
NoddyP + VictorMeldrew: for all their wonderful support. Above and beyond the call of duty.
Lastly huge thanks to all the forum members who stopped by to look and comment on this project. Comments both positive and negative have really moved this project forward and have made it very special and enjoyable.
Enjoying the Touchscreen Final BubbleGum Betty Specs:Bubblegum pink 19" Candy Cab
Touchscreen VGA Arcade monitor
2.8TB raid array (emulation)
500GB HD (jukebox)
Flush mount swappable metal CP's and quick swap interface
Led Happs style pushbuttons with custom diffusers and graphic inserts
Custom Sanwa Joysticks with led bubble ball and custom dust washers
Custom Actlabs VGA lightgun/Mame
Custom VGA Lightgun/Dreamcast
LCD display with jukebox graphic equalizer
Custom Dreamcast and Dreambox VGA + analogue/digital switching interface
Mars coin mech and credit acceptor token enabled (presently programmed for Yen)
Removable kickstand for Japanese candy style
Custom sound reactive module
Ultimarc IPac2 for digital control interface
Sidewinder Dual Strike Interface for analogue control interface
Ultimarc PacDrive for LED control and exterior lighting.
Custom laminate vinyl sideart/kickplate/multi-CP and sound reactive marquee
Wireless / Ethernet network enabled + media serv for home lan
Albumplayer Jukebox and Mala Frontend with video previews (thanks emumovies)
Betty Complete
Running and freely P2P Serving from Arcade Cab:Custom Mame (always latest version)
Fusion 32X/MegaCD/MegaDrive
PSX 1.13
Wmplayer from GameEX site (for music video play through Mala)
Zsnes
Zinc (showing its age)
Various Touchscreen games and software (for my toddler)
Complete set of selfboot dreamcast CD's all VGA enabled
Until the next project (However long it takes to decide to do another one) I'll leave you with a video of Betty "doing her thang"
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0c9m6slbH0[/youtube]
Excuse the doodgy video and my 2 year old trying to sing along.