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Galaga Bartop 19" LCD Rotating Display *UPDATED 11/26/12*
Ritalin:
Ok, so based on the artwork sample provided by leapinlew, (thanks!) I've been playing around with some dimensions and proportions for the galaga bartop. Here's what I tentatively came up with using Illustrator (I reduced the depth a bit, etc.):
One issue is that the LCD I have for free is great but pretty big for a bartop. It's a 19" 4:3 LCD. This means I think I want to recess it back into the cabinet a bit so that it isn't too "in your face" during gameplay. Also, the closer I can get it to the back, the more torque I would have with a rear wheel during rotation from vertical/horizontal, etc. Would it be crazy to move it even farther back? Any thoughts on this?
I have the LCD tilted to 20°.
Anyone have any thoughts on whether lowering the display so it's actually positioned below the control is a bad idea? For example, maybe having the bottom of the LCD be just three inches above the base of the unit, so you need to really look inside and get in the game.
Also, by my proportions above, the marquee would be just over 4 inches in height. Is this too small for a bartop that is 27" in height total?
I have some wiggle room to work with by lowering the LCD, but I really would like some input from those who have built cabs before since I don't want it looking too disproportionate. Thanks.
dmworking247:
Mala can switch orientations on a button press, and I'm pretty sure it can launch MAME in the orientation that matches the layout.
ie if Mala is horizontal when you launch MAME, mame will have the game horizontal, and vertical if Mala is vertical.
An idea I'm toying with is having a 'sliding switch' on the back of the bezel, which is basically just a ball bearing in a tube... when you turn the bezel it would roll down and 'press' the button which would automatically rotate Mala's display (and thus MAME when you launched it).
Whether you motorise the rotating mechanism, rotate it manually, or use a 'pull out, rotate, put back in' method like I am with my bartops... I think this is a novel way of easily rotating the orientation of the screen 'automagically' without pushing any buttons.
Ritalin:
Ok, so this weekend I got to brainstorm with my dad about this cabinet I'm preparing to build. After telling him I wanted to rotate the display and using words like "steering wheel", "torque" and "automatic mechanisms" my dad broke things down like only he can. He just said, "Woah, why go through all of that? Why not just build a frame and then have a door open on the side so you can turn it?"
What he said made perfect sense. This low-tech solution solves all rotation problems and even allows me to use the existing stand I have for the LCD!
Essentially this is an interior frame built from 2x2s, with a fixed shelf for the top, marquee bottom, and the base. The Galaga curved sides will be cut from 3/4" plywood. They will be fixed on the left, but on the right, the Galagaesque curved side will open on a hinge like a door to allow me to reach inside and rotate the LCD manually. This avoids all issues with a steering wheel, etc. (An automated mechanism would be the best alternative and I really do appreciate the suggestions, but I feel that's frankly over my head with no skills at all in woodworking or wiring.)
So I sketched out an idea of my updated plans.
(Please excuse the crude sketch, but now the revised design concept might make more sense:)
I may not make the door go all the way to the top, but rather stop at the bottom of the marquee shelf.
There will be a circular bezel to allow for vertical or horizontal orientation.
With the side door, turning it from the right sound be a snap.
I already have Mala setup for vertical/horizontal orientation via the keyboard (for now) and can create custom game lists for vertical or horizontal games.
I'm estimating a width just over 23" for the control panel.
With this type of width (23") does anyone have a suggested button layout they could recommend for this bartop?
I have the following on order:
OMNI-Stik PRODIGY (TM) Arcade Joystick System
TurboTwist 2™ Arcade Spinner Control
HAPP CONTROLS 3" USB TRACKBALL
KeyWiz-ST
Assorted buttons..lots!
I would like to eventually make a Player 2 control panel w/joystick more like a "side car" that can be plugged in via cat-5 cable on a side port. So for now, I'm thinking that the full 23" should be devoted to player 1 controls/buttons.
The player 1 & 2 along with a coin button will be fond on the front base much like the excellent layout provided by leapinlew's galaga themed bartop.
But for now, any suggestions are appreciated with the button layout, etc. Thanks.
dmworking247:
Novel idea for rotating the screen, but you're going to need to ensure you still have enough structural support for the rest of the cabinet now that your back wall isn't attached.
I still think the 'remove secured bezel, rotate and re-insert' method allows you a much bigger screen, but then if your cabinet is going to be 23" wide thats a WIDE bartop so you shouldnt have any problems (although it will be tall).
As for the CP layout, again if its 23" then you could get away with 2 player 6 button... but if you want a trackball, and if you are going for removable/interchangeable control panels, I'd suggest your main control panel is a 1 player, 6 button, with a right handed trackball (re-use the p1 buttons), and maybe a spinner above the trackball if it can fit (thats what I'm doing with one of my bartops but I'm using a micro-optical trackball).
LeedsFan:
I'm also in the process of planning a bartop using an old laptop. But I read on the FAQ of TinyXP that it couldn't be used on laptops as there was no built in hardware support for laptop batteries. Of course I won't be bothering with batteries as it will be mains use only... but I was thinking that maybe TinyXP might still not operate on a laptop if it enounters a laptop BIOS or whatever. I'm not too technically minded with PCs I'm afraid. But you seem to have no issues with it so far?
EDIT: Sorry Ritalin... I see you posted in my Q on this in the software forum. Thanks! I will give this a shot then. :laugh:
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