CP Layout & Design Feeback!!

[Billy_Goatfeet]

  Hey everybody, I am making some progress on my cabinet.  I won't get into the details of that right now as this isn't the 'Project Announcements' section, however, I am looking for some feedback on my control panel arrangement as well as the design choices that I have come up with so far.  I need to thank DeLuSioNal29 for his help as well as Pixelhugger for some of his work that inspired my design.  Thanks guys.

  As you can see it is a 4 player panel, this is going on a Showcase cabinet so size isn't an issue, it's ~ 48 inches wide by 20 inches deep.  The look that seems to be a front-runner for me so far is a grungy beat-up industrial look.  I am thinking of calling it "Electric Frankenstein".    Some may call it a Frankenpanel but I am trying to keep it clean!!  I am trying to do something a little off the beaten path by using textures as opposed to the game characters and graphics. 

  Don't be afraid to speak your mind, I am looking for constructive criticism and I don't mind it if you tell me you hate it!! 

 * The black text is demonstrative only, it won't be on the final design.

[Billy_Goatfeet]

 The colours are REALLY coming out over-saturated on the posted jpg, it isn't as neon as it looks....

[Epyx]

I like it, great weathered post nuclear look! Would be great to have something similar in P2 for a future on hold cab project.

[severdhed]

i like it alot....very cool design.

i noticed you are using u360s and happ comp sticks.   you may want to look into sanwa JLWs instead of the competition sticks, because the sticks will look physically identical to your u360 sticks...if that kind of stuff matters to you anyway.

[vidmouse]

Somehow "Tron Stick" and grundge look just doesn't feel right...  (kidding,
I read your disclaimer)

Looks like you've got a good 4p layout down for angled sticks.
May want to watch placement of the Player 4 buttons vs Player 4
stick--- looks a little close on that side.

graphics look sweet.

[Billy_Goatfeet]

  @ Epyx - Thanks!  I like that description, 'weathered post nuclear look'!   

  @ severdhed - That is a great example of why I posted this, I didn't know those sticks didn't looks the same, I will look into that, thanks!

  @ vidmouse - In a strange way you are right though, I am not sure the tron stick will fit the theme, ah well, we'll see what happens.  I have to transfer this layout to my cardboard prototype but you may be right about the player four cluster.  I imagine the player 3 & 4 sticks should work straight up & down though, I've read most people don't use those in an angled fashion.

[GaryMcT]

Looks awesome!

If you don't have the U360's yet, consider going ahead and getting the circular restrictor/square restrictor set for each stick since you are likely going to want one of those two.  J-Stick and U360 are really sloppy without a restrictor.  Get the heavier springs too.

Metal or wood?  If wood, also get the mounting kit from Ultimarc as well.  The J-Stick there is a slightly modded JLW.  You can use the same restrictors on those as from the U360 also.  Very nice sticks.

[Billy_Goatfeet]

 Thanks Gary, it will be wood for sure, most likely 1/2 inch or 3/4 mdf.   Will check into heavier springs and restrictors for sure, I don't know much about the J-stick so I will do my reasearch on that as well, thanks for the info!

[DeLuSioNal29]

Nice work.  Love the artwork.

However, I was under the impression that the u360s (bat tops) looked identical to the happ comps?  Is this not the case?  I understand the u360 (popular as a balltop) would not match a bat top of the happ comp.  That's pretty obvious.

Thoughts?

DeLuSioNaL29

[GaryMcT]

Nice work.  Love the artwork.

However, I was under the impression that the u360s (bat tops) looked identical to the happ comps?  Is this not the case?  I understand the u360 (popular as a balltop) would not match a bat top of the happ comp.  That's pretty obvious.

Thoughts?

DeLuSioNaL29

I *think* they look identical to JLW/J-Stick bat-tops, but I may be full of it.  The U360 is basically a gutted JLW/J-stick with some extra goodness added.

[Billy_Goatfeet]

  Thanks DeLuSioNaL29...you've been a big help so far.     Interesting point, do the u360 Bat Tops look the same as the Happ Comp Bat Tops??  I am intending to use Bat Tops all the way around.  I will try a image comparison in the meantime....

[Ginsu Victim]

U360 bat


Happ Competition

[Billy_Goatfeet]

  Nice one Ginsu...The Bat Top itself looks to be pretty close.  The biggest diff is the chrome metal shaft vs. matte plastic shaft.  Not a deal breaker but something to think about...

[bkenobi]

Cool background!  I wanted something similar for my Area 51, but ended up with just black.  Ahhh well, I could always build a new CP.   

[Bender]

is that going to be printed cp or are you going to be real distressed metal?

man that would make a cool cab!

[vrf]

I don't know... that metal is in really rough shape. You should probably have it sandblasted, patched up with Bondo and then re-painted. Get rid of the holes and rust streaks, make it look new again.

The danger lights are cool, though.   

[Billy_Goatfeet]

  Bender - I considered the other day how cool it would be to actually create that with real metal, it would be awesome.  I am looking into local scrap metal retailers just to at least see what is available but I think it would be a difficult build for me.  Likely printed but I might try to do something with the lights, it might be cool to wire them up for real.


 vrf - Thanks!  Heheh, yeah, the biggest problem with the design is that it's going to require a restoration straight away!!  I don't know if it's legible, it is micro type, but under Danger and Caution it says "Low on Credits".   

[DeLuSioNal29]

Just checkin' in.  Any progress on your control panel?

D

[Billy_Goatfeet]

  Bump!

  I am back, it is amazing how 2 years can get behind you (almost to the day).  I know many others in the hobby have had 'life get in the way' and I am no different.  Frankly it was too depressing to browse here just to be reminded how my simple project was stalled.   This may now need to be moved to the 'Project Announcements' thread...

  Quick recap, I bought a brand new prefab showcase cabinet, all I needed to do was make a control panel, mame it and we're done.  How hard could that be?  Well...I have no tools or skills with carpentry like some of the amazing people on this site.  After years of delays, this summer I found someone nearby who posted a craiglist ad for a 'shop for rent'.  You could bring your project for him to build or build it yourself with his tools and guidance.  I chose to build it with his assistance and it was a lot of fun and very enlightening.  It really gave me a new appreciation for all the projects I have seen here over the years.  It is a 4 player frankenpanel of sorts but I am trying to make it as tastefully as I can.   I completed my woodwork, sanding, priming, and painting.  I had the artwork printed and installed all of the hardware and have begun the wiring.  Pretty psyched to be at this stage with no major hurdles left.  Still have a few more parts to order and we are good to go.  Posting some update pics to show where things are at right now.  CP art design has changed from previous examples.  Still grungy but toned wayyyyy down.  Working on the Marquee now.  Will post more pics as the project progresses.  Thanks for reading!