BYOAC Vets - Care to Audit my Homemade CP Plans? (before I order)

[cymad]

Well, after last year's part-homemade, part-X-Arcade Cab, I have decided to get rid of that and build a CP-only to plug into my HTPC/HDTV (running a MAME frontend). I am justifying this by saying "it's to save space" and "I want a dedicated 4-way controller" but really it's probably just that I haven't built something in too long and now have the urge to.

So here's my parts (see attached pics for layout):

2x Happ Super - 8way mode, P1+P2
1x Ultimarc JStik - 4way mode, P1 (can switch to 8way easily)
16x play buttons (6x P1, 6x P2, 4x JStik as P1 1-4)
7x admin buttons (4x P1+P2 Start+Coin, 3x Esc+Enter+Menu)
1x IPAC2

The JStik+4 red buttons (see pic) will be plugged into the same ports on the IPAC2 as P1's Happ Super+Buttons 1-4. This is mainly for playing Pac Man and other 4-way games, but given the JStik's easy 4/8 way switching capability, this also gives the ability for P1 to use the JStik in other games if that's preferable. (that's why I didn't do the more common design decision to just put 2 buttons by the 4-way)

I also debated two other control options instead of the 2x Happ Supers / 1x JStik configuration:

 - 2x Omni-Stik Prodigy
 - 2x Happ Perfect 360

If I'm making a huge mistake by not going with one of those two alternatives, let me know. Keep in mind, my favorite 3 games are: 1-Aero Fighters 2-Ms. Pac Man 3-Metal Slug Series. (Notice the lack of Street Fighter/Mortal Kombat!! I prefer Super Smash Bros and Power Stone-style fighters - by the way, any suggestions for those, other than Power Stone itself?)

As for CP box design/construction, I'm planning on doing a rectangular box (4in x 26in x 10.5in) using 1/2in thick MDF (I can use 5/8in thick MDF if most of you think that would be better) and covering that with a 34in x 18.5in custom art laminate from Mame Marquees. (wrapping it around the whole box) Again, if I'm making any mistakes, please reply/discuss!

Thanks so much for any comments, I will start a project thread with tons of pics and edit a link into this post when I start building it!

[edit] Also wanted to add in a big THANKS to all BYOAC members, the only way I've gotten this far -- ready to order parts and start drilling -- is through reading links to this forum and much usage of the search page!

[NickG]

Is the only purpose of having a single 4/8way to reduce switching between the two modes?  Or is there another reason, such as centering the 4-way on the screen, perhaps?  I am just wondering why you have it in the middle with its own set of buttons instead of just using P2's buttons.  Seems like the spread can't really allow the use all sets at once for three player without bumping elbows, but if you had one 4/8 per each player in addition to the regular eight way's (or analog's)  it would open up a lot of options for two player dual joy games and two player 4-way, well...

[cymad]

is there another reason, such as centering the 4-way on the screen, perhaps?

No, that doesn't matter too much!

I am just wondering why you have it in the middle with its own set of buttons instead of just using P2's buttons.

Good idea, I could just modify controls for the 4-way games to use P2's buttons. [edit: sorry - forgot - the reason for this is so that P1 can use the JStik if they want, even during a 2 Player game. However, your 2nd idea (below) is best of all!]

f you had one 4/8 per each player in addition to the regular eight way's (or analog's)  it would open up a lot of options for two player dual joy games and two player 4-way, well...

GREAT idea, How about I do: [JStik][HappSuper] [P1 buttons]    [JStik][HappSuper] [P2 buttons]  <-- what kind of spacing do you think is needed between the J/Super for a comfortable 2 Stick game?

Think that would work? Or should I put the Super on the outside, JStik on inside?

[weisshaupt]

[<-- what kind of spacing do you think is needed between the J/Super for a comfortable 2 Stick game?

I Highly recommend building a mockup out of cardboard, especially after you have decided on controls. It lets you get a feel for the controls and doesn't take too long to cost much to construct...

[cymad]

I Highly recommend building a mockup out of cardboard, especially after you have decided on controls. It lets you get a feel for the controls and doesn't take too long to cost much to construct...

Good idea -- yes I am planning on doing that when I get the controls to make any last-minute adjustments before ordering the overlay and buying the wood. As long as there aren't any huge objections to my Happ Super / J-Stik control choice (already making a re-mockup based on NickG's second idea), I will order the controls later this week.

Even now, before I have ordered them, I printed a 1:1 scale copy of my plans from Adobe Illustrator to get a feel for them "in real life" - very helpful.

Wish I could do more to give back to the BYOAC community. So far, I plan on making a very-well photographed and documented project thread about this, to help future builders. Any other ideas on how to contribute, let me know.

[NickG]

Technically not my idea (originally); in fact you should be able to find some examples on the forum to compare spacing.  I was enlightened of it here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64288.0
You may be the first to document it with the switch-ables, though.   

[massive88]

Any other ideas on how to contribute, let me know.

*Looks at your avatar* Are you going to run Ubuntu as your OS for your cab?

As a linux newbie, but wannabe, I would love an in-depth guide to setting up Ubuntu for use with mame and wah!cade.  Last I tried, I couldnt run sdlmame with the correct permissions to create .diff files, so I gave up.

With my new computer coming in tomorrow, im already planning on dual booting xp and vista to see if there is a performance difference worthwhile, id love to be able to test linux there as well.

[cymad]

*Looks at your avatar* Are you going to run Ubuntu as your OS for your cab?

As a linux newbie, but wannabe, I would love an in-depth guide to setting up Ubuntu for use with mame and wah!cade.  Last I tried, I couldnt run sdlmame with the correct permissions to create .diff files, so I gave up.

With my new computer coming in tomorrow, im already planning on dual booting xp and vista to see if there is a performance difference worthwhile, id love to be able to test linux there as well.

Check out the link in my first paragraph:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=545066

I am planning on using those instructions to set up SDLmame and Loemu on my HTPC. I will include my experiences with that in my Project thread (check back on this thread in a week or two for the link to that) so stay tuned!