The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: shrunkenmaster on May 14, 2011, 03:15:06 pm

Title: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 14, 2011, 03:15:06 pm
After building my Tron Cabaret/Mini I thought I'd try Star Wars at a reduced size. I finally found a yoke on EBay (from a Lock-On) and that kickstarted the build.

I didn't really take any build pics while making the basic cabinet, but there's a couple of shots of the yoke being worked on. The current stage is the control panel, which I'm attempting to make more like the actual movie X-Wing's rather than the standard Star Wars CP, as I never did like those fake displays and readouts!

Star Wars X-Wing Display Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS7RpSUgYWk#)

I'm using a portable DVD player for the X-Wing's Targetting Computer display. I had to mount it upside down, but I'll flip the file in iMovie to rectify this.

More soon.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=165948;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=165950;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=165952;image)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright CABARET
Post by: Nimbus on May 14, 2011, 11:47:30 pm
AWESOME!!! This is a build I will keep a close eye on. I have become a huge fan of cabaret machines and custom cabaret machines. I agree with you on the 'fake' look of the Star Wars arcade machine control panel. I've even been toying around with the idea of a cockpit with updated graphics and a new shape. Just your cabaret shape is amazing. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing your pictures and inspiration!!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright CABARET
Post by: Sjaak on May 15, 2011, 07:01:02 am
I like it. Great idea with the video. Any change you can put the video of the targeting computer online?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright CABARET
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 15, 2011, 07:29:17 am
I like it. Great idea with the video. Any change you can put the video of the targeting computer online?

The targetting computer graphics came from a clever chap called Mike Rush. He has remade several displays in Flash - http://www.mrush.co.uk/softwareprops/ (http://www.mrush.co.uk/softwareprops/)

Mike was kind enough to some minor adjustments for me and sent me a .mov file for me to use. I'd rather not give out his adjusted work without his prior permission, but I'm sure if you contact him directly he would be able to oblige.

For my display, I've remade the Star Wars movie intro with the scrolling text, which will play while the computer boots, then will go straight into a loop of the targetting computer.

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright CABARET
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 15, 2011, 07:32:15 am
I've even been toying around with the idea of a cockpit with updated graphics and a new shape.

I did think of a redesigned cockpit too. Would be interesting to see a new take on that one.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: ChadTower on May 22, 2011, 11:28:45 am

Looking forward to updates.  Interesting project!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 22, 2011, 11:45:03 am
Slight deviation from SW, as I just picked up my favourite game - Gyruss! It was too heavy to lift up the stairs so I had to gut it first. Once it's back together I'll be back on the SW.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166370;image]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166370;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166372;image]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166372;image)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 22, 2011, 04:05:41 pm
Control panel illuminated button test...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166376;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166378;image)

I'll be swapping the graphics/colours to get it the same as the movie, before any SW nerds attack me for making a Y-Wing panel  ;D

I'm be adding some other LEDs for the small square lights too.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 22, 2011, 04:30:24 pm
X-Wing Display intro video and Targetting Computer:

SW Cabaret Test Crawl & Targetting Computer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBJhqyCieLM#ws)


This will play upon power-up, while the PC boots up.

I've called this the "Vector Trilogy" as I'm hoping my man at http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com (http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com) will one day finish his vector version of Return Of The Jedi. Then, to coin a SW phrase, "the circle will be complete"  ;D

By the way, Ion Phantoms is a (fantastic!) anagram of my name.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: alfonzotan on May 22, 2011, 04:52:36 pm
This is a fantastic project.  Nice job.

If you can, please post the plans for your yoke mount when you get to that... I'm still struggling with that particular design (for an alternate control panel) myself.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: ChadTower on May 22, 2011, 05:05:19 pm

Whoa!  I had never seen that ROTJ before... hope he can get that to run on original hardware!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Woodshop Flunky on May 22, 2011, 05:07:35 pm
This is looking really slick!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 22, 2011, 07:18:02 pm
This is a cool idea. I need to consider something similar!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: LeedsFan on May 23, 2011, 02:24:29 am
I'm gonna be watching this build as I'm planning a mini Star Wars cabinet myself. Mine will be more of a copy of the original but I'm hoping I can pick up some tips from this project. That movie intro looks slick. I think this is gonna be good.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 23, 2011, 02:27:47 am
I'm gonna be watching this build as I'm planning a mini Star Wars cabinet myself. Mine will be more of a copy of the original but I'm hoping I can pick up some tips from this project. That movie intro looks slick. I think this is gonna be good.

Me too. I love the idea of a custom cab with a Star Wars theme because I've been looking for a while now locally for an old SW cab with no luck. This might be the best way to tackle this problem.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: ChadTower on May 23, 2011, 09:41:25 am

I know that pain.  I have picked two really beaten to crap Star Wars cabs from warehouses and ended up having to part them out because the water damage was just too extreme.  I looked for a good empty cab for a year.  I guess on the plus side I have a whole lot of Star Wars parts now.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 23, 2011, 11:58:21 am
I'd build one from scratch, but the control panel/plastic bezel part is what throws me for a loop.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: DNA Dan on May 23, 2011, 12:40:38 pm
So is the targeting timed with the game so you when you enter the death star scene it begins and ends when you need to shoot?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 01:30:59 pm
So is the targeting timed with the game so you when you enter the death star scene it begins and ends when you need to shoot?

I wish! I don't see how you could get a prompt from that point in the game to trigger a video. It's just on a loop my man.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: alfonzotan on May 23, 2011, 01:58:33 pm
So is the targeting timed with the game so you when you enter the death star scene it begins and ends when you need to shoot?

I wish! I don't see how you could get a prompt from that point in the game to trigger a video. It's just on a loop my man.

C'mon, you can get it to sync.  Just use The Force...
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: DNA Dan on May 23, 2011, 02:06:19 pm
There must be something in the roms that signal that level. The only reason I ask is that level in the game has a fixed duration. You cannot take a longer or shorter route toward the end. So if you could find something in the code that triggers the level, you could perhaps make this work. I am thinking the same way the "search" function looks for cheats in the game. Where's a computer programmer when you need one?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 02:11:54 pm
Trouble is, I'm using a mini DVD player for the display, I can't see how I'd get it to play even if you could dissect the ROMs and find a prompt.

Remember guys, it's just a bit of fun - I'm not building a REAL x-wing here!  ;D
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 02:30:46 pm
This is a fantastic project.  Nice job.

If you can, please post the plans for your yoke mount when you get to that... I'm still struggling with that particular design (for an alternate control panel) myself.

Oh, the yoke mount. My yoke only has 3 bolts on it, plus they're pretty short. I tried to JB Weld some longer bolts onto it but for some reason they wouldn't adhere properly, despite following the instructions to the tee.

As you can see below, I made a cutout for the yoke. I will probably use some epoxy to glue the mo-fo in place.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166455;image)

This MDF bezel will have a sheet of plexi over it with cutouts for the yoke and the illuminated buttons. On top of this will go the artwork, more on that soon...
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: javeryh on May 23, 2011, 02:42:50 pm
Cool project.  Some dude a while back made the crazy SW bezel out of wood using dowels and stuff - it came out great I just wish I had a link to the thread...
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 02:43:51 pm
I'd build one from scratch, but the control panel/plastic bezel part is what throws me for a loop.

Have you checked the ROTJ Vector version? He scratch-built a SW cab with the bezel. Looks pretty easy to make:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166457;image)

http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com/2009/12/ (http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com/2009/12/)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 02:45:49 pm
Cool project.  Some dude a while back made the crazy SW bezel out of wood using dowels and stuff - it came out great I just wish I had a link to the thread...

Hey Javeryh, check what I just posted, is this what you meant?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: javeryh on May 23, 2011, 02:56:20 pm
Cool project.  Some dude a while back made the crazy SW bezel out of wood using dowels and stuff - it came out great I just wish I had a link to the thread...

Hey Javeryh, check what I just posted, is this what you meant?

haha - yeah that's it.  It does look simple enough and it doesn't have to be 100% accurate - no one will ever know the difference.   :cheers:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: alfonzotan on May 23, 2011, 03:07:46 pm
I'd build one from scratch, but the control panel/plastic bezel part is what throws me for a loop.

Have you checked the ROTJ Vector version? He scratch-built a SW cab with the bezel. Looks pretty easy to make:


[solo] "You call that easy?!?" [/solo]
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 23, 2011, 03:08:20 pm
I've seen that before. I'm just afraid mine would look like ass if I tried that. But it is an option!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 03:10:29 pm
[solo] "You call that easy?!?" [/solo]

Look, if you can bullseye a womp rat you can make one of these!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: alfonzotan on May 23, 2011, 03:13:55 pm
[solo] "You call that easy?!?" [/solo]

Look, if you can bullseye a womp rat you can make one of these!

Don't get cocky...
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 03:18:03 pm
OK you lot, computer time. I need to know what spec you're using to play SW. I've only ever played it with MAME on my Mystery Machine, an old P4 with stock graphics card. It's OK, but the framerate seems to drop. Not surprising really...

Who's running this smoothly, and on what spec? Any info appreciated. I'm looking for the cheapest option here, as I've just done a load on my Gyruss.

BTW, the monitor I'm using is a Dell 17" CRT with a flatscreen tube. With the gamma up, the display looks really good. Will post MAME display settings when the time comes.


PS. I'm really enjoying the SW quotes from you lot! For the Jedi it is time to laugh  :laugh2:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 23, 2011, 03:19:20 pm
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Although I'm on a 'One Game At A Time Until We Get a Bigger House' Plan with my wife, I've always told her if I find a Star Wars, all bets are off.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 23, 2011, 03:29:39 pm
I have a SW yoke overlay from Ram Controls (Please save any Ram Controls comments for another thread)

My cat, Super Boofhead, doesn't think it will work with the new-style control panel, so I am going to make some new artwork for this.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166462;image)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: DNA Dan on May 23, 2011, 04:01:35 pm

Remember guys, it's just a bit of fun - I'm not building a REAL x-wing here!  ;D

Dang, and I was hoping to see some real Monroe pneumatic shocks on the sides of the bezel. Instead we get the fake PVC.  :dunno
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 25, 2011, 12:53:54 pm
OK you lot, computer time. I need to know what spec you're using to play SW. I've only ever played it with MAME on my Mystery Machine, an old P4 with stock graphics card. It's OK, but the framerate seems to drop. Not surprising really...

Who's running this smoothly, and on what spec? Any info appreciated. I'm looking for the cheapest option here, as I've just done a load on my Gyruss.

ANYONE?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 25, 2011, 01:53:10 pm
P4, 3 GB ram, 512 nVidia video card, XP, 142u1 Mame
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 25, 2011, 02:00:07 pm
P4, 3 GB ram, 512 nVidia video card, XP, 142u1 Mame

Thanks Yotsuya,
Pretty much the same here, but I only have 1 GB ram.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 25, 2011, 02:14:19 pm
I fiddled with the vector settings to make it brighter and the vectors thicker. I noticed a bit of a performance hit when the Death Star explodes, but not much of one to matter. If I don't find a dedicated cab, the Mame one I build will be an Atom-based ITX board with 4 GB.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 25, 2011, 02:18:00 pm
I've always told her if I find a Star Wars, HarumaN will beat me to it.

Fixed
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 25, 2011, 04:03:52 pm
Oh, it's on, buddy! IT'S ON!!!!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: HaRuMaN on May 25, 2011, 04:11:05 pm
 >:D
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on May 25, 2011, 04:13:17 pm
I figure if worse comes to worse, I can go steal the RoadBlasters conversion Star-Wars at Castles N' Coasters.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: LeedsFan on May 29, 2011, 12:41:27 am
I'd build one from scratch, but the control panel/plastic bezel part is what throws me for a loop.

Have you checked the ROTJ Vector version? He scratch-built a SW cab with the bezel. Looks pretty easy to make:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=166457;image)

http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com/2009/12/ (http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com/2009/12/)


That looks really cool!  But does anyone know what frontend is being used on this cabinet? I've not seen anything like this before but it's exactly what i would like to use on my own Star Wars project.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on May 29, 2011, 08:34:27 am
He made the frontend, you can grab it from his site. You'll have to go through his build pages month by month to find it though.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: taylormadelv on May 29, 2011, 01:06:37 pm
Awesome project, I have been watching this one! Funny thing about emulating SW and ESB... I've been playing around with a P4 2.4 2gm ram, Radeon 9250 + ZVG card + Command line mame .137 and basically I always go into some sort of Frameskip on these games, even with zvg rendering off. This rig played most vector games in AAE pretty nicely.
I went back to Macmame OS 9 version .66 and these games all play PERFECTLY on an old, boat anchor G4 and I'm running classic, not even native OS9. The way Macmame OS9 renders vector games rivals even the output of the ZVG to a real WG6100 completely cranked up. Yes, I am comparing a real vector monitor to a VGA powered by Macmame and the way I am testing these, Macmame looks better because there is no frameskip, the intensity of the vectors can be cranked up way beyond any PC flavor of mame I have used. Macmame OS 9 .66 is the best vector game emulator I have used and I own several "real" arcade vectors. The problem is that OS9 has no front end as far as I know and always has that nag screen when you first open the app.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on June 20, 2011, 04:41:16 pm
Not much to report here, having mad problems compiling MAME. Artwork is coming along nicely though, have also sent the acrylic CPO for laser cutting, should be ready in a day or two.

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: LeedsFan on June 20, 2011, 04:59:07 pm
I've just been playing around with the PC and software side of things on my own project these last few days. It was quite frustrating but I think I've got there in the end.

I have a separate Star Wars.ini file with Gamma set at 2.0, Beam at 1.2.  I think the Beam will depend on your monitor, just play around with it till it looks good. Default Mame.ini settings suck for all vector games, but you can get them to look nice and bright if you play with those two settings.

Regards PC specs I had two boxes to play around with this past week. The first was a 2.9 GHz "eMachines 4034" box. I had this as favourite to run Star Wars smoothly with that kind of speed processor (Pentium 4). But it slowed to 65% on destryoing the Death Star and the sound stuttered like mad.

Then I tried a second box with only a Sempron 1.99 GHz processor. This was much better! Speed dipped to only 95% on destroying Death Star and the sound didn't skip so I'm happy with that. Both machines were running Windows XP (fresh installs on each) and both had the same onboard Radeon Xpress 200 graphics. The Sempron box did have 1.0 Gig RAM as opposed to the 512 MB RAM in the Pentium box. Both machines seemed run the game at 100% with no Frameskip just fine... until the Death Star sequence. But on a dedicated cab you can't have that sequence screwing up! I'm still surprised at the box that won out in the end though.


EDIT:  Just for info purposes I also have two other machines which I tried Star Wars on.....

1)   Intel Core Duo E8500 @ 3.16 GHz with Windows Vista, Radeon HD4850 and 3.0 GB RAM.   Games runs about the same as the Sempron. It does very slightly drop speed at Death Star sequence with no sound stutter. I'd say it's slightly better than the Sempron but when you factor in the cost the Sempron still wins.

2)  Intel i3 530 OCed to 4.0 GHz with Win7, Radeon HD5570...  blah blah     :laugh2:   Yeah... no flaws whatsoever. It laughs in the face of the Death Star at 100% without a flinch.  Just thought I'd add this in for completeness    :P
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: ChadTower on June 21, 2011, 09:03:38 am
Macmame OS 9 .66 is the best vector game emulator I have used and I own several "real" arcade vectors. The problem is that OS9 has no front end as far as I know and always has that nag screen when you first open the app.


I would like to see this.  The nag screen is easy to remove.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on June 24, 2011, 06:41:03 am
Thanks for the info, LeedFan. I now have my recompiled MAME 0.137 running, computer is a Core 2 1.83Ghz, 2G RAM, Nvidia Quadro FX 550.

No Death Star slowdown/sound stuttering! I can't believe it!

My mame.ini is below (just the video bits) - any video options you think need changing here, ie. hwstretch???

#
# CORE PERFORMANCE OPTIONS
#
autoframeskip             0
frameskip                 0
seconds_to_run            0
throttle                  1
sleep                     1
speed                     1.0
refreshspeed              0

#
# WINDOWS PERFORMANCE OPTIONS
#
priority                  0
multithreading            0
numprocessors             auto

#
# WINDOWS VIDEO OPTIONS
#
video                     d3d
numscreens                1
window                    0
maximize                  1
keepaspect                1
prescale                  1
effect                    none
waitvsync                 0
syncrefresh               0

#
# DIRECTDRAW-SPECIFIC OPTIONS
#
hwstretch                 1

#
# DIRECT3D-SPECIFIC OPTIONS
#
d3dversion                9
filter                    1

#
# PER-WINDOW VIDEO OPTIONS
#
screen                    auto
aspect                    auto
resolution                auto
view                      auto
screen0                   auto
aspect0                   auto
resolution0               auto
view0                     auto
screen1                   auto
aspect1                   auto
resolution1               auto
view1                     auto
screen2                   auto
aspect2                   auto
resolution2               auto
view2                     auto
screen3                   auto
aspect3                   auto
resolution3               auto
view3                     auto

#
# FULL SCREEN OPTIONS
#
triplebuffer              0
switchres                 0
full_screen_brightness    1.0
full_screen_contrast      1.0
full_screen_gamma         1.0



Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: rrcade on June 25, 2011, 05:58:40 am
The problem I have with the frontend from urbaninteractive is that if you hit esc more than once you are exited out of the frontend, have you found a way around this?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on June 25, 2011, 08:35:39 am
Hey rrcade,
I'm having mad trouble with the frontend. What yoke/interface are you using? Could you please post your launcher .ini here?
No escape button workaround here, just be careful to press once!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret! - Artwork Update
Post by: shrunkenmaster on June 25, 2011, 08:53:34 am
Here's the new marquee I've been working on:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=168569;image]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=168569;image)


and the new yoke overlay:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=168566;image]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=168566;image)


and the new control panel:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=168571;image]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=168571;image)

Not sure what to do with the kick panel yet...
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: emphatic on June 25, 2011, 09:20:03 am
Artwork looks clean and awesome!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Bender on June 25, 2011, 12:26:20 pm
Man this is going to be sweet!!! :cheers:

I want one!!!!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on June 25, 2011, 12:51:26 pm
Thanks for the words of encouragement emphatic & Bender. I'm really looking forward to putting all the pieces together once I get the control panel acrylic back from the shop.

Just flipped the video for the Targetting Computer display, much better the right way up!

Star Wars Test 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRXEbteKlG4#)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: LeedsFan on June 25, 2011, 05:47:21 pm
Hey rrcade,
I'm having mad trouble with the frontend. What yoke/interface are you using? Could you please post your launcher .ini here?
No escape button workaround here, just be careful to press once!

Easiest workaround to this problem is to set your Mame "Escape" key to something else... and then don't have an actual keyboard Escape on the cabinet.

EDIT:  The problem I had with the launcher is that it refused to work in portrait mode on my cab. It just froze every time. I had the config file set to the correct resolution but it was total fail.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Encryptor on June 25, 2011, 10:37:15 pm
sm - Very nice artwork dude! This one is going to be as nice as your Tron mini. Nice job!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on June 30, 2011, 12:42:03 pm
Finally got the acrylic overlay back. Have also sent all the artwork to be printed, hope to have it back sometime next week.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=168852;image)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Generic Eric on June 30, 2011, 02:11:59 pm
That looks really cool!  But does anyone know what frontend is being used on this cabinet? I've not seen anything like this before but it's exactly what i would like to use on my own Star Wars project.

He made the frontend, you can grab it from his site. You'll have to go through his build pages month by month to find it though.

http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/launcher-released-and-a-couple-facelifts/#comment-156 (http://urbaninteractive.wordpress.com/2009/05/05/launcher-released-and-a-couple-facelifts/#comment-156)

http://www.urbaninteractive.net/Launcher%20v1.01.zip (http://www.urbaninteractive.net/Launcher%20v1.01.zip)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 07, 2011, 11:11:55 am
After a battle with the urbaninteractive front end, which now only seems to work with the mouse, I decided to go back to my old friend MALA. I created two snapshots, one each for Star Wars and Empire. I made a layout in MALA that just displays the snaps. It works well enough for me.

Front End Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtQonKZUEGA#)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=169267;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=169269;image)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: TopJimmyCooks on July 07, 2011, 11:23:36 am
Looks great and really shows the flexibility of Mala.  I like this trick and the other gent here with the superPac where he made only one game show up in the scrolling game list at a time. 
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Bender on July 07, 2011, 11:43:08 am
Great work on the Art, and the front end!!!!! :cheers:
How long till that Vector ROTJ comes out?
Will you do a triangle setup or 3 across?
Man I really like these Star Wars projects!!
if i didn't already have too many projects going I'd have to build one of these too :banghead:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: emphatic on July 07, 2011, 11:58:26 am
Wow, this is going to be phenomenal.  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 07, 2011, 11:59:36 am
Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I have no idea when the ROTJ vector version will be ready. The author was working on the engine last time I looked, but hopefully one day the circle will be complete!

I'm waiting on artwork now, so I can finally install the buttons and finish the CP. In the meantime, I need to find somewhere for the band to play...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=169272;image)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Woodshop Flunky on July 07, 2011, 12:38:43 pm
This is just getting better and better!   :cheers:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 07, 2011, 01:01:38 pm
I've had this little Cantina Band Set for a while now, but had nowhere to put it. There's a battery-powered box with a button, which plays the "Cantina Band" music. I've now extended the switch wires and routed the power wires to the computers' 5v supply. Just need to find the ideal place for the band to perform... more soon.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=169284;image)

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: LeedsFan on July 07, 2011, 01:25:06 pm
That is great what you did there with the frontend!  I also had trouble with the Urbaninteractive FE and just could not get it to work in portrait mode. It's a really cool FE but it looks like neither of us can use it.  :-\

I also made a Mala setup but it's not as nice as yours. I'm really crap at artwork and setting up FE's. One thing you could do (dunno if you think it would be as good) is to have the .avi file play in the background but without displaying it. Then as you highlight each game you also get the sound from the game video. That's what I did on mine but all you see is the game list and the marquee.

Oh... and I wanna hear that band play!   :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Nephasth on July 07, 2011, 01:28:24 pm
Love your FE for this project! And your targeting display! :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 07, 2011, 01:29:28 pm
TI'm really crap at artwork and setting up FE's.

Cheers mate, let me know if you need any help with your frontend graphics, it would be a pleasure!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 07, 2011, 03:54:45 pm
One thing you could do (dunno if you think it would be as good) is to have the .avi file play in the background but without displaying it. Then as you highlight each game you also get the sound from the game video.

I was planning to do this next! Great idea, and another cool thing to do with MALA.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: wp34 on July 07, 2011, 04:35:35 pm
This is so awesome.  I love the targeting computer and your front-end menu.  You've managed to design something very new and creative yet would not look out of place in an arcade circa 1983. 

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 09, 2011, 04:42:55 pm

I went back to Macmame OS 9 version .66 and these games all play PERFECTLY on an old, boat anchor G4 and I'm running classic, not even native OS9. The way Macmame OS9 renders vector games rivals even the output of the ZVG to a real WG6100 completely cranked up. Yes, I am comparing a real vector monitor to a VGA powered by Macmame and the way I am testing these, Macmame looks better because there is no frameskip, the intensity of the vectors can be cranked up way beyond any PC flavor of mame I have used. Macmame OS 9 .66 is the best vector game emulator I have used and I own several "real" arcade vectors. The problem is that OS9 has no front end as far as I know and always has that nag screen when you first open the app.

I just dug out MacMAME 0.103u2 and had a play on my PPC G5. All I can say is UNBELIEVABLE.

The vectors, the framerate, everything S**TS on the PC I've currently got in my cab. I'm looking at this on an old G4 LCD monitor too!

Words can't describe how much of an improvement there is.



Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Bender on July 10, 2011, 02:23:14 pm
Where did you get the illuminated buttons?
and how big are they roughly?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 11, 2011, 04:37:44 pm
Bender, here's the eBay listing :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6pcs-Lighted-Push-Square-Button-Switch-Lamp-LED-12-Volt-/270770343541?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0b2b8e75 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6pcs-Lighted-Push-Square-Button-Switch-Lamp-LED-12-Volt-/270770343541?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0b2b8e75)

All the dimensions are on there, but let me know if you need any further details.

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 15, 2011, 03:42:48 pm
Finally got the artwork back (my printer was on holiday) - all looks good. Only managed to get the yoke overlay applied so far:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171290;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171292;image)

Should be able to get the bezel and marquee done over the next couple of days...
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 19, 2011, 01:09:41 pm
Applied the bezel vinyl. Luckily all my measurements came together - the yoke cutout in the vinyl and the acrylic are bang on!

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171516;image)

Got the buttons in too:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171518;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171520;image)

Hopefully tonight I'll get the buttons and lights wired up. More soon...

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on August 19, 2011, 01:42:51 pm
Shrunkenmaster-

The vinyl looks great! How did you apply it? A friend of mine created a 23 by 20 inch vinyl bezel sticker for me, but I'm scared to death to apply it.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 19, 2011, 01:56:16 pm
Shrunkenmaster-

The vinyl looks great! How did you apply it? A friend of mine created a 23 by 20 inch vinyl bezel sticker for me, but I'm scared to death to apply it.

Yes my man, it can be scary! I aligned the vinyl with the acrylic, then clamped one end. At the other end I cut off about an inch of the backing paper and stuck that down. Took the clamps off, then just used my fingers to SLOWLY press down on the vinyl while pulling the paper up inch by inch. Take it slow, make sure the surface is free from dirt (including flecks of backing paper) and it's not as bad as you might think.

You can also make up a solution of slighty soapy water in a spray bottle and apply sparingly to the acrylic beforehand. This will allow you to reposition/peel up the vinyl should you have a problem during application. Some people also use a credit card to smooth things out rather than fingers! Hope that helps.



Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on August 19, 2011, 02:18:24 pm
Shrunkenmaster-

The vinyl looks great! How did you apply it? A friend of mine created a 23 by 20 inch vinyl bezel sticker for me, but I'm scared to death to apply it.

Yes my man, it can be scary! I aligned the vinyl with the acrylic, then clamped one end. At the other end I cut off about an inch of the backing paper and stuck that down. Took the clamps off, then just used my fingers to SLOWLY press down on the vinyl while pulling the paper up inch by inch. Take it slow, make sure the surface is free from dirt (including flecks of backing paper) and it's not as bad as you might think.

You can also make up a solution of slighty soapy water in a spray bottle and apply sparingly to the acrylic beforehand. This will allow you to reposition/peel up the vinyl should you have a problem during application. Some people also use a credit card to smooth things out rather than fingers! Hope that helps.


Did you have the masking on the front of the artwork? The bezel I have doesn't have masking on it, but I COULD get some if need be.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 19, 2011, 02:41:17 pm
On the adhesive side it has paper, on the artwork side it has another paper layer that you peel off after.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on August 19, 2011, 02:49:20 pm
On the adhesive side it has paper, on the artwork side it has another paper layer that you peel off after.

So you did have the mask on it. Gotcha. I might have to get that bezel masked to try and apply it, then. Thanks!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 21, 2011, 01:55:31 pm
Small progress video  :)

CP test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j70oaP9R4vQ#)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Nephasth on August 21, 2011, 02:47:35 pm
That looks awesome! :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: emphatic on August 21, 2011, 05:56:15 pm
My God... it's... beautiful.  :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: opt2not on August 21, 2011, 07:29:29 pm
Finish it up already!  It looks so damn good, I'm impatient to see the final result!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 22, 2011, 04:52:59 am
I have to get the marquee printed again, as there was an issue with the last print. Something to do with the way Illustrator deals with transparency while converting to PDF, very annoying!

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Nimbus on August 22, 2011, 12:56:10 pm
It is nice to see somebody take a new spin on an old classic and succeed on this level. This game is a grail for so many. The original is a classic game with a great cabinet, and yet you have raised the bar!

I have similar motivations with other games, but always hesitate. The difference between pondering a design and building it from scratch is what separates 'another arcade build' versus a classic that nobody forgets. This is absolutely amazing. Having begun restoration on several machines gives me a whole new respect for a machine like this too. It is slow, tedious work. Rushing something ruins it. Taking the time to put up videos is awesome too, considering I don't even have the patience to take the occasional picture of my projects.  ::)

There is so much talent on this website. Builds like this take the site to new levels. Astounding work!!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Generic Eric on August 23, 2011, 12:52:17 am
 :droid
cool cab.  Is there more custom artwork on the sides or marquee to look forward to?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 23, 2011, 03:01:32 am
Marquee artwork is coming Eric. I'm not using sideart for now, as the cab will be placed between two others. Maybe in the future.

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 25, 2011, 01:55:49 pm
Got the marquee vinyl installed. Was a bit tricky as it wraps around three panels (marquee + panel above/below) but it's looking good.
Sorry about the angle, but I have all sorts of light hitting it right now:

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171793;image)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: yotsuya on August 25, 2011, 02:42:25 pm
Nice! It kinda looks like it would if the game came out in 1977!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 25, 2011, 06:32:03 pm
Nearly finished....

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171825;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171817;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171821;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=171819;image)

Coin door images soon.... :)
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: opt2not on August 25, 2011, 07:15:52 pm
It's look really tight man.  But I do admit, I find it a bit plain looking without the side and kick panel artwork. Perhaps because I'm so used to seeing it on the original cabinets.  :dunno

Regardless, great looking cabinet and awesome animated panel!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Nephasth on August 25, 2011, 07:41:11 pm
WOW! That looks amazing! Excellent job! :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: Generic Eric on August 25, 2011, 10:13:04 pm
That is cool. :droid
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: emphatic on August 26, 2011, 10:32:29 am
Sweet!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 28, 2011, 06:56:49 am
It's look really tight man.  But I do admit, I find it a bit plain looking without the side and kick panel artwork. Perhaps because I'm so used to seeing it on the original cabinets.  :dunno

Regardless, great looking cabinet and awesome animated panel!  :applaud:

Thanks my man. I haven't decided what to do with the kick panel yet. When funds are flowing again I'll look at artwork for this, plus the sides. It's just great to have it all up and running!
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: ace9094 on August 28, 2011, 02:18:37 pm
awesome build.... i think its amazing....

what is the game to show both starwars and empire strikes back?

it it a jamma
board
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: DaOld Man on August 28, 2011, 09:58:48 pm
Great job!
 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on August 29, 2011, 08:14:02 am
awesome build.... i think its amazing....

what is the game to show both starwars and empire strikes back?

it it a jamma
board

It's just the Mala frontend running Mame, as described earlier in this thread.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: ds015882 on September 02, 2011, 02:30:27 pm
I just rescued one side from an original cabinet that was going to be trashed. I was going to try to sell this but this is pretty awesome! I might need to build one myself.
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: THE POKER BRAT on September 04, 2011, 09:03:25 pm
ok....how much do you want to sell it for??....i want it.


$$$ LETS MAKE A DEAL..   :cheers: 

Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: alfonzotan on March 27, 2012, 12:52:00 pm
Very late question here, but what size monitor do you have in there?  17" or 19", I'm guessing?
Title: Re: Star Wars Upright - Custom Cabaret!
Post by: shrunkenmaster on January 30, 2013, 05:43:01 pm
Very late question here, but what size monitor do you have in there?  17" or 19", I'm guessing?

Very late answer! 17" Dell CRT.