? on new CP design

[Endless99]

Im new to all this cabinet buildings and I wanted to create a custom CPO and I have really no idea on where to begin any help would be greatly apreciated. I will try to explain the best I can on what I want to do.  

The following is the background I would like to use for tha CP:
http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/details.php?image_id=296

I then want to add the following joystick orientation for 1P and 2p and a 3" trackball between the two players:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/focker911/asCP-UNI.jpg

This is the dimensions of the CP that im going to build and the layout of 1p & 2p and the buttons and trackball on the CP, Ultimately this is what I would like it to look like when its finished, I also was wondering on how to add  outlines around the buttons and direction arrows for the joystick:
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f42/focker911/CPOTOP.jpg

  Im so confused on exactly how I can lay all this out so I could get a overlay created and printed any help would be really appreciated or even being directed to someone that would do this as a service that would require me to pay them for their work.

THANKS  

[Swatwolf]

mameroom has some software that you can download for free to help lay out things where and how you want them. Here is a link http://www.mameroom.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID=QUADCONTROLLER

[brock.sampson]

It seems a little wide but it's hard to get a good feel as things dont' look like they are to scale.  I would move that trackball towards the monitor a bit.  I'm assuming you'll have some amount of overhang on the front and likely a hinge to work around as well.  That has bit me on a previous cab.  On making button halos that really depends on the software you are using.  I would do a google search or check in the artwork forum those guys are a great help.  I have never used them but NorthCoast Customs will make a cp top for you.

[bkenobi]

IMO, figure out the hardware first.  Once you know what you are going to have in the panel...order it.  When you have it in hand, find some cardboard and build a test panel.  Configure it to work (wiring doesn't have to be pretty yet, this is just for testing).  Play around and decide on what improvements are needed.  You will likely go through a few iterations, but cardboard is cheap.  After you have something that physically works for you, make the artwork and, if you want, add the controls to the art (this will help later but isn't required).  Send it off to a printer (there are a few on this site) and wait.  Cut wood, add overlay, install controls, have fun!

[Endless99]

At this point I haven't started cutting any of the wood, I was going to try and get an overlay created prior to doing any cutting and use it as somewhat of a drilling template for the other items on the CP

I guess what I need or want is for someone to create the overlay with the graphics I choose and then add the button and joystick  configuration to that. Is that something that can be done or will I need to layout the configuration before hand, Im horrible at measuring and would much rather have the overlay created ahead of time and sorta use it as a guide to creating the CP.

Thanks

[arzoo]

You'll need Photoshop (or a similar app) to add the halos or outlines or arrows to the cp background. If you don't have the app or skills, you may be able to pay someone to do the custom graphics. MameMarquees.com does custom stuff like that but they charge $18 per 30 minutes which can add up fast I would think.

Maybe post a thread on the Artwork forum to see if anyone can help out with the graphics.

And bkenobi has it right - you should definitely order the controls and build a test layout using cardboard before finalizing any graphics.

[shponglefan]

At this point I haven't started cutting any of the wood, I was going to try and get an overlay created prior to doing any cutting and use it as somewhat of a drilling template for the other items on the CP

I guess what I need or want is for someone to create the overlay with the graphics I choose and then add the button and joystick  configuration to that. Is that something that can be done or will I need to layout the configuration before hand, Im horrible at measuring and would much rather have the overlay created ahead of time and sorta use it as a guide to creating the CP.

I'd figure out the layout prior to creating the art, then create the art based on the layout.   Because if you create the layout and get it printed, then decide you don't like it, you'll have to go through the whole process again.