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| Designing a basic control panel layout(my 1st project) |
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| riley454:
I read through heaps of info here and many other places, but can't find any basic measurement discussions on the layout of a control panel. I'm just starting my first project which is simply a 2 player USB connected control panel with joystick and 4 buttons per player(which suits most of my wanted games) with as few as possible sundry buttons for coin/start etc. as it will be a short term fill-in controller used in conjunction with my keyboard and monitor until I can find space, money and time for a full size cabinet. I've decided on my stick/button layout from http://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html(What an amazingly helpful site. If you're constructing any part of a console or cabinet you should bookmark it!) and I've decided on the alignment and spacings from one of the layouts. My problem though is I can't find any solid opinions or accepted minimum standards for measurements on the following... -The acceptable space separating Player 1 buttons from Player 2 Joystick -How much space on the panel left of P1 Joystick to comfortably rest your hand -How much space below controls for lower part of the hand to sit during play From my research I'm planning about 8" between player controls, 5" left of P1 Joystick and about 3" below controls. That gives me a CP width of about 34" but I'm still undecided on the depth. I'm hoping that eventually I can possibly use the same panel in a cabinet instead of rebuilding when the time comes. |
| SavannahLion:
There is no real standard despite what slagcoin states. Best thing to do is to construct a mock CP out of cardboard and see what flies for you. |
| GaryMcT:
Best thing that you can after doing the cardboard mockup is to build one and try it out with your friends. It took me a ton of iterations before I got something that I like (and I still haven't built a final one!) |
| shateredsoul:
thanks for the site! It will be very helpful! |
| Nacimroc:
If you are building a "box" control panel then place them where you like. If there is a piece of timber going from your CP and an angle down to the front piece this will dictate how far back your controls must be after your joysticks and buttons (with microswitches on) clear this angled piece. If your CP overhangs the sides, then your joysticks must be far enough in to clear this. It all sounds obvious, but I made that mistake very easily and forgot about the size of the joystick base. |
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