Ultimate Button Layout!!!

[javeryh]

OK, now that I've got your attention... I'm trying to make a button template that prints to scale. I've attached the exact dimensions I'm going for (you need to click it to see anything).

The goal is to be able to print it out, tape it down to a piece of plywood, punch the 6 center points with an awl and then drill the buttons out using a 1-1/8" bit. I hope it won't take long for someone who is good at photoshop/illustrator or whatever to whip this up.

The buttons are supposed to be spaced exactly 1-3/8" on center which seems easy enough but the offset buttons on the far left are making my head explode since they set at an angle to the other 4. Also note that each button is 1-1/8" in diameter, the top row is offset to the left of the bottom row by 1/4" and the joystick hole is 4" from the bottom left button (on centers). It would also be helpful to extend the centerlines of each button out to the edge of the page so I can line it up easier when I go to make the cuts. I have NO IDEA how to draw to scale in MS Paint...

THANKS!!!

[XyloSesame]

The dimensioning isn't working out for me.

Button 01, when drawn 1 3/8" angled from center of button 02 and 1/2" lower than the center of button 03, seems to put it too low. Am I missing something?

See attached...

[Tiger-Heli]

Javery,

Before you get too far into this, mock it up on cardboard.  The buttons themselves are about 1-1/4, and I think I went with 1.5" on centers and the retaining nuts were almost touching at that so you're cutting it really close.

[javeryh]

The dimensioning isn't working out for me.

Button 01, when drawn 1 3/8" angled from center of button 02 and 1/2" lower than the center of button 03, seems to put it too low. Am I missing something?

See attached...

I noticed a few things...

I'll describe the buttons like this:

4 5 6
1 2 3

1.  Buttons 5 and 6 should be on the same horizontal center line
2.  Buttons 2 and 3 should be on the same horizontal center line
3.  The top row should be offset from the bottom row 1/4" to the LEFT (not the right)
4.  The buttons are supposed to be spaced 1-3/8" on center so the vertical dimensions that are 1-3/8" aren't going to work (I don't think - this is the part that makes my head expode).

Also, what program are you using for this?  Is there anything free and easy to use I could DL?  I tried Google Sketch-up but that seems to be strictly for 3D stuff. 

Thanks!!!   

Javery,

Before you get too far into this, mock it up on cardboard.  The buttons themselves are about 1-1/4, and I think I went with 1.5" on centers and the retaining nuts were almost touching at that so you're cutting it really close.

I've used 1-3/8" center to center on my layouts before - the retaining nuts barely touch underneath but everything fits (if I remember correctly - it was definitely less than 1.5".... maybe 1-7/16"?  Bah, now I'm not sure).  I'm going to plot this out on cardboard tonight to confirm - I was hoping to make a template so I could duplicate the P1 and P2 layouts easily.... I actually thought I was going to be able to build the entire CP tonight but I can't find 5/8" MDF or 1/8" birch plywood anywhere.

[XyloSesame]

Before you get too far into this, mock it up on cardboard.  The buttons themselves are about 1-1/4, and I think I went with 1.5" on centers and the retaining nuts were almost touching at that so you're cutting it really close.

I went with 1.5 in my mock as well and found it to be very comfortable. Comfy only in the mock, mind you; I've not spent hours in gameplay with the layout...

I'll describe the buttons like this:

4 5 6
1 2 3

1.  Buttons 5 and 6 should be on the same horizontal center line
2.  Buttons 2 and 3 should be on the same horizontal center line
3.  The top row should be offset from the bottom row 1/4" to the LEFT (not the right)
4.  The buttons are supposed to be spaced 1-3/8" on center so the vertical dimensions that are 1-3/8" aren't going to work (I don't think - this is the part that makes my head expode).

D'oh! Sorry, see attached revision...

Is this more like it?

Also, what program are you using for this?  Is there anything free and easy to use I could DL?  I tried Google Sketch-up but that seems to be strictly for 3D stuff. 

I typically use MS Visio and, on occasion, AutoCAD, though neither are free.

I've always been a fan of Inkscape as an Illustrator alternative and GIMP for Photoshop, and have heard good things about QCad Community Edition (free) for dimensional CAD work.

[csa3d]

I see this thread, this one, and this link somehow needed a permanent thread home..  definitely good stuff!  Maybe we can move final layouts to the top of this thread with comments and corrections below?

thoughts?
-csa

[javeryh]

WOW!!! That is really really close I think.  One last comment is that the bottom row might need to be moved up a hair so that buttons 4&1, 5&2 and 6&3 are 1-3/8" center to center instead of 1-3/8" apart vertically.  Unless I'm crazy - what do you think?  I'm just kind of making this up but want to keep things consistent... but not cluttered.  I really hope I don't ask you to make everything 1-7/16" apart after I go home and make a sample CP.   

On my last cab I used a 3 button layout where the one on the left was at an exact 45 degree angle to the other two and spaced 1-3/8" center to center.  I liked it but I thought for a 6 button layout I needed to lay it out a little more ergonomically which is why I offset the bottom row by 1/4" to the left of the top row and didn't use a 45 degree angle for the buttons on the left (it's a bit drastic).  This is my old one:



Thank you so much for working through this!!!   

[javeryh]

I see this thread, this one, and this link somehow needed a permanent thread home..  definitely good stuff!  Maybe we can move final layouts to the top of this thread with comments and corrections below?

thoughts?
-csa

Woah - had I seen those posts I might never have made this one...  I notice that the center buttons are slightly raised in some of those examples - do you find that more ergonomic?  I'm just going for equal parts comfort and style...   

[XyloSesame]

WOW!!! That is really really close I think.  One last comment is that the bottom row might need to be moved up a hair so that buttons 4&1, 5&2 and 6&3 are 1-3/8" center to center instead of 1-3/8" apart vertically.  Unless I'm crazy - what do you think?  I'm just kind of making this up but want to keep things consistent... but not cluttered.  I really hope I don't ask you to make everything 1-7/16" apart after I go home and make a sample CP.   

The buttons are 1 3/8" from center. However, I messed up the jstk placement; it wasn't exactly centered between 3&6. Attached is rev03, corrected and re-dimensioned...

[XyloSesame]

I see this thread, this one, and this link somehow needed a permanent thread home..  definitely good stuff!  Maybe we can move final layouts to the top of this thread with comments and corrections below?

thoughts?
-csa

Man, that would be helpful. This information is so scattered throughout the boards and elsewhere. It's quite intimidating when you're just starting out.

I'm hoping this stuff can all be wrapped up into the cab database that's being discussed as well. Crap, I'm hoping the cab database can get off the ground regardless...

[csa3d]

agreed.  That's part of the reason I started the Control Panel Holes thread.  I pinged the Chef about the wiki.. but that never seemed to have traction.  I also consider myself a wiki-newb.. and not sure of it's grand design.  Maybe we should just start pounding that with these sort of related details.  Sketchup's could live in this area as well for various cab designs.

-csa

[javeryh]

Money!   Thanks so much for this!!  I'll post pics with buttons installed into a panel tonight or tomorrow to see how it looks.  

[fixedpigs]

did you ever take photographs javery...?