** ARTIFACT Game Museum ** GIFT: Sketchup plans and... ARTWORK!

[ARTIFACT]

I just placed my oder for Marquee & CPO from www.MameMarquees.com woooooowww ..........

[ARTIFACT]

... waiting for mamemarquee CPO + marquee ...
Apparently they are on holidays and will resume printing next week.. NEED ... PATIENCE!!!

OH I plugged the trackball's LED to my PC power supply (12V) and ** WOW ** this rocks. I will take some pics and post them here tonight if I can ... the translucent blue rocks.

I did a quick connection test with 2 buttons per player (for now) and fine-tuned the way I control MALA. Here's the best configuration so far:

. Use Mala "Tree" configuration

. Trackball = scroll list up/down (THIS ROCKS! you can THROW the ball and ZOOOOM thru the list)

. Player 1 Joystick up/down = scroll list A -> Z (letters)

. Player 1 Start = Select item

. Exit button (red on top left, 4 inches from start) = Exit current tree node (go to parent)


This is consistent to how it works inside the games too (P1 start = start; Exit = go back to menu)

[psychotech]

Awesome! 

I'm sure Jack will be happy in that phunky cab

Great job 

psychotech

[ARTIFACT]

thank you!

What is JACK?

[psychotech]

Heh

« Reply #150 »



Bomb Jack ...

psychotech

[ARTIFACT]

ahh yes!

i love bomb jack

im a liiiiittle disapointed by the list of trackball games though...
half of it is variants of bowling or golf, many of which im dont like that much. i went thru the list (mala reported about 80 masters) and did enjoy a few games of course, but i was expecting more from 30 years of trackball arcades... TELL ME I AM WRONG!

i already posted a thread asking for lists of the best TB games, ill  dig it up now that its playable

i found a ton of awesome spinner games though.

my coin mechs are more messed up than i thought, so i put a cherry microswitch behind the coin return 1 button and that adds credits. dropping a coin was working but the original switch registered a click only 50% of the time. ill see if i can find newer mechs and wire both return buttons (handy) and the coin drops (for fun)

i also need to find 2 led lights to illuminate the coin return buttons

[Stobe]

my coin mechs are more messed up than i thought, so i put a cherry microswitch behind the coin return 1 button and that adds credits. dropping a coin was working but the original switch registered a click only 50% of the time. ill see if i can find newer mechs and wire both return buttons (handy) and the coin drops (for fun)

How much more "Arcade Authentic" could you ask for?

[Timoe]

You shouldnt need to do anything to your trackball hole since the lip from the trackball sticks up almost 1/8" and the lexan is almost 1/8" so they look flush.  Thats how mine is anyway. 


Your color coordination and your artwork are amazing.  I wish I had something like that.  The retro style looks great with a perfect control set up.


edit:/  I sorta went nuts on mine and its all big and tasteless.

[ARTIFACT]

Thank you Timoe!

[theCoder]

...i already posted a thread asking for lists of the best TB games, ill  dig it up now that its playable

Leapinlew turned me on to a cool site that should help you out.  The folks at mameworld have a good ROM ranking system / advanced search feature that should give you the list you're looking for.  Check it out at: http://www.mameworld.net/maws

[ARTIFACT]

thanks

im familiar with MAWS - though i still wanted to see if i missed dsme awesome trackball titles.

maws has a few titles that have bloated number of votes i think (dragon ball z is #1!) so i wasnt sure i could trust the ranking system.

i do lke it to list things by control type - although i get mala to do that too

[ARTIFACT]

quick update: Illuminated trackball!

Sorry no night/dark shots ... it's still bright though!
I haven't put the bezel yet as I am still adjusting the screen angle etc.

More pics of illuminated trackball in the dark, later.

*** Still waiting for my artwork from mamemarquees.com!!! they are back from holidays this week AAAHH ***

My little guy and I are already playing a lot of Donkey Kong, original Mario Bros, Dig Dug, etc... He also loves Caveman Ninjas / Joe & Mac and New Zealand Story... OH and Cameltry RULES.




Oh.. This is my CPO which "wraps" all around my CP (top, front, bottom: 28" x 21"):


Marquee (already posted):

[ARTIFACT]

As promised....

Pics pics pics!

** REMEMBER: ARTWORK NOT FINAL IN PICS, and LONGER JOYSTICK SHAFTS COMING SOON **












NEXT?

. receive the final CPO + Marquee
. wire up all the controls (right now it's temporary)
. finalize monitor position/angle, remove part of the case, move some PCBs
. add a bezel
. wire up LEDs behind the coin return buttons
. figure out a headphones solution... probably extend the existing headphone connector to below the CP
. move the cab upstairs in the family room

LATER

. add pinball buttons + figure out future-pinball install/wrapper/etc
. order an Act Labs lightgun (still really confused about LCD vs Act Labs... will keep researching)
. design and build a quick mounting solution for my Logitech Driving Force PRO wheel / pedals (Daytona!)

[Lakersfan]

Unbelievable! Looks really nice. Question on your trackball ... how thick is your plexi? That's a regular TB, right (as opposed to a "highlip")? My understanding was that if i was going to want to put 1/8" plexi on it, that I'd need the high lip. But yours looks smooth! Exactly the way I want it. Maybe you're using a thinner plexi?

Keep up the good work!

[ARTIFACT]

1/16"

You're correct! funny thing is.. I didn't measure... I went to the plastic store and first asked for 1/8", but then switched to 1/16"

I like the 1/16", but it's a bit flexible... On the front edge of the CP someone "could" pull it up and bend it - any idea to fix it down without ruining the CPO?

Thanks BTW! I have fun taking pics as I go... It's really cool to look back.
My artwork better arrive soon!!!

[Lakersfan]

Once you see your artwork, you'll be sooooooo impressed. I just received my marquee (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69079.0) right before Scott from mamemarquees went on vacation. It looks awesome! I can't wait to get it on the cab. I've been waiting though, as I consider it a "finale" sort of thing and I'm far from my finale. 

Back to the plexi - how was the 1/16" to cut? Any cracks? My CP will have curved edges so I can't cut and snap it. I'm thinking I'll have to router it around my CP...

[ARTIFACT]

I think I was lucky... I just used HOLE SAWs (!) ... 1 1/8" for the buttons + sticks, 3" for the trackball...

important: I sandwiched the plexi between the CP top (with existing holes) and another piece of scrap 3/4" plywood using clamps. Then I used the hole saws and used the side with existing holes as guides... I went SLOWLY (don't push down too hard) ... Eventually the hole saw went through the plexi. The piece of scrap plywood was there to avoid any tearing or problems. BTW the plexi they sold me is the same stuff LEXAN is made of ("polycarbonate") ... I hear that regular plexiglass can be much more a nightmare to cut.

But the plastic shop cut my 28" x 8" piece ... I didn't have to make long cuts.

Good luck with yours!


I ordered the "ULTIMATE" marquee material from Scott, and the laminated vinyl CPO with adhesive backing ... I will probably use wood fill to fill the gaps of the trackball to avoid everything showing thru due to adhesive

[csa3d]

Oh.. This is my CPO which "wraps" all around my CP (top, front, bottom: 28" x 21"):


Marquee (already posted):

If I haven't said this all ready, I really dig your artwork.  Good job on this!  I can only imagine how satisfying it is to see your project rounding the corner to being done!  Can't wait to see the finish out.

-csa

[ARTIFACT]

Thank you csa3d!

The artwork is SIMPLE and I debated forever on whether or not adding "contours" around the button areas, text labels "select" "exit", etc... Since I am still tweaking the way the menu looks and menu interaction works, I went for a more generic CPO and plan to perhaps make some temporary sticker labels with my inkjet that can easily peel off the vinyl CPO from time to time if needed.

I love the "stripes". I think it is going to look pretty authentic/classic.

It feels wonderful to be almost there... There are still a few remaining things to do, as listed in my previous post, but I am getting there

I see that MAMEMARQUEES / Scott has updated my order status on September 1st to "processing" ...  this is 4 days later, so hopefully printing+shipping will happen this week!

[theCoder]

My little guy and I are already playing a lot of Donkey Kong, original Mario Bros, Dig Dug, etc... He also loves Caveman Ninjas / Joe & Mac and New Zealand Story... OH and Cameltry RULES.

It's nice to see the next generation of video addicts in training.  Cameltry is entirely different when played with a trackball instead of a JS.  My daughter loves that game.  Great progress.

[xmenxmen]

I like the 1/16", but it's a bit flexible... On the front edge of the CP someone "could" pull it up and bend it - any idea to fix it down without ruining the CPO?

You can put t-molding in front of it to cover it.  Or you will have to do what most arcade do, drill some screw into it to hold it down.  I am also afraid that even with the t-molding, you might have to put screws in there to hold it down due to how thin and flexible it is.

Not sure if it's too late, but another reason why people use thicker plexi is due to how solid it is, so it don't easily bend.  Mine is 1/8 or so and all that's holding it is the buttons and t-molding.

[ARTIFACT]

thanks!

yep i may just get a 1/8 lexan top and replace it

no t-molding due to my nice wrap-around cpo (see latest post above)

instead i will ask the plasic shop to cut the long edge with a curved bevel. they can do that.

i may even go 1/4'

[stephenp1983]

I really like the glow on the trackball.  It looks great.

[ARTIFACT]

OMG i am in the middle of soldering a headphones jack to my de-cased PC Speaker amplifier PCB...

(pic of the de-cased pc speaker amplifier PCB)


BUT ... it happened that a physical switch was placed on the amplifier PCB BEHIND the jack... opening a circuit which disabled the main speaker output when the plug "pushed" the switch. ARGHH

SO

I am no electronic wiz, but I figured out how to reuse one of the headphone sides on my panel jack to open that when the headphones are plugged... It's a Radio Shack jack which has 5 prongs instead of just 3 ... the extra 2 are activated when the jack is not plugged. I was able to use that to replace the physical switch.

The result?

It works BUT 1 of the sides in the headphones is not working... IT'S OK... THE main goal was to give the miss a break with the noise when I play ... I'll just make a mono merger adapter so both ears get audio (just the same side). I can leave without true stereo headphones, especially when most of the times it's Donkey Kong that's running!

I am proud that it's working!! Again I am totally new to all this stuff...
I had a ton of fun doing it...

see more details here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=70898.0

[bfauska]

Congratulations on the semi (mono) success.  Your project is looking great, and like many others have said the artwork is totally classy and authentic/retro looking. 

I can't decide what I like more about your project, the project itself or picturing all the fun you seem to be having.  I enjoy my projects (both arcade and work) but seldom realize how much it can be like a puzzle or game. I suppose I have a good time doing the stuff, but you always sound like you are having as much fun as a kid at a carnival.  Congratulations on discovering the new great hobby and I hope it stays this much fun for you.  I also hope to try and apply some of that outlook on all my projects, everything is like a puzzle or game and figuring it out should be a blast.

  

[ARTIFACT]

bfauska: what can I say ... THANK YOU for the kind words. Yes I am super enthusiastic to be lucky enough to build something like this, get challenged by various things to solve, etc... Definitely like a puzzle/game.

Guess what: ---------------- PICS UPDATE!!!!!!

NEW: (beat up) COIN DOOR ILLUMINATED! (2 super bright red LEDs, 5V, connected to PC power supply)



...

My amp PCB after my carnage of soldering ... It wasn't as simple as planned


My new headphone jack ... Notice the 2 extra wires at the top, replacing the extra physical switch I mentioned (turns off speakers when plugged)


The radio shack headphones jack specs ... I used #3 and #2 as the new switch/circuit for the speakers trigger



WOOOOWW PROGRESS PROGRESS!

[ARTIFACT]

the wait for my package from scott (mamemarquees.com) is killing me! ............. my order has been saying 'processing' for more than a week... I ordered at the wrong time (right before they got back from vacation i think)... i know that they are usually very quick to ship, so it's a rare situation... keeping my fingers crossed.

in the meantime I am figuring out my monitor position/angle/decasing situation... I am scared to mess with all the pcbsinside the monitor, its very intricate with a dozen or so connectors between the pcbs.

thanks again for all the encouragements

[ARTIFACT]

I *just* ordered Randy's LED MATRIX MARQUEE LIGHT

I like the fact that it doesn't get hot, doesn't use as much power, etc.. I want to leave my cab on for long periods of time, and I think the old tube fixture I have could be a fire hazard eventually (it looks like it is from the 50's! ... it may be)


I also ordered a Bits LTD SMART STRIP ... gotta power that monitor in sync with the computer

In a week or so, I'll order *one* ACT LABS Light Gun (with PC USB VGA box) in RED ... YES these are expensive, but hey... I don't want to fight with drivers forever (what seems common with LCD topgun)... If I am not 100% happy with it, I can return it and get my money back within 30 days. That works for me.


OMG... Scott emailed me back and ... he did not have my files (!!!) ... Some glitch in the email system perhaps... I had emailed the files attached at the same time as ordering/paying...
I re-uploaded the files and will keep my fingers crossed to see the package show up at my door soon..........................................

[csa3d]

I also ordered a Bits LTD SMART STRIP ... gotta power that monitor in sync with the computer

Any reason you didn't go with the Sears Smartstrip?  Curious, as I'm about to pull the trigger on a power solution soon.

Thanks
-csa

[ARTIFACT]

Well I dropped by Sears the other day and I thought I spoke Klingon when I described the smart strip (...?)

They said "never heard of it ... order from online if it's there"

Others have mentioned using the Bits LTD a lot, so I went to the site and pulled the trigger on one.

[ARTIFACT]

**** UPDATE ****

. Smart Power Strip installed! (BITS LTD brand)

. LED Marquee light installed! (GroovyGameGear.com)


My arcade cabinet is truly a ONE BUTTON OPERATION now ... this smart strip is GREAT!

I love the LED marquee light, though I still have not received my proper marquee print from mamemarquees.com (same with CPO) due to some files being lost when I ordered, so I can't show you how it illuminated an actual marquee... I had it on for several hours tonight and it did not get hot or even warm. Very cool. Easy to install too (12V from Computer PSU)

Oh and ... New pics of course!


My beloved LED MATRIX marquee light from GroovyGameGear.com


Smart Strip!!!




LED Matrix light installed in cab - no marquee artwork yet ... just the masking material on the Lexan sheets for now










... eagerly waiting for my package from mamemarquees.com now

[ARTIFACT]

scott emailed me: my marquee and CPO are printed and will be shipped shortly! wooow

oh, and I started to work on a new custom MaLa layout that follows the visual theme I went for... will post screenshots soon.

[AcidArmitage]

Your project is turning out amazing!

What game is that on the latest screenshots, ive been looking for it for a while... I was too young back then to remember the name of it

[csa3d]

I will live vicariously through you this week, as I await my joysticks to show up in the mail.  Neat to see how you installed that LED marquee.  For watever reason I was thinking I was going to have to find some l-brackets, and wood never crossed my mind.

Hurry up and finish all ready!
-csa

[ARTIFACT]

Your project is turning out amazing!

What game is that on the latest screenshots, ive been looking for it for a while... I was too young back then to remember the name of it

Thank you!

It is S.T.U.N Runner (or "racer").

[ARTIFACT]

Hurry up and finish all ready!
-csa

HAHA ... waiting for my MAMEMARQUEES.COM package!!!! ... it should be here in 2 days

... finishing also includes hauling the cab upstairs thru the steep stairs and around tight corners (!!!)

[Lakersfan]

Did you ever get the longer handles for the joysticks?

[ARTIFACT]

Did you ever get the longer handles for the joysticks?

... I am still waiting for it ... Divemaster127 said he shipped them to me a while back, I am not sure why it hasn't arrived yet...

[theCoder]

Patience, man, patience.

I like your power strip.  Where'd you get it from?  When I was looking the cheapest I could find was $50 delivered.  I can't wait for these things to come down in price.

Nice progress.

[ARTIFACT]

an ebay shop... it was $28 + $12 shipping