The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: markc74 on January 21, 2014, 07:32:43 am

Title: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: markc74 on January 21, 2014, 07:32:43 am
Hi guys,

Cabinet is now finished. Some final pics below.  There's loads of pics throughout the thread and some pictures of it switched on are here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1452050.html#msg1452050 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1452050.html#msg1452050).

In a nutshell, it's a Moon Patrol inspired retro styled cabinet with swappable control panels, funky LCD marquee and LED lighting. Was fun to make but now it's all about the playing :-)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313730;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313732;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313734;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313736;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313738;image)

Many thanks for all the comments and support throughout the build!

Original Post below...

I'm starting on a new cabinet called 'Blip'. This is to fill the gap left by the sadly departed ‘Terminus’ which I foolishly moved to a not-quite-waterproof shed. Doh. At least I managed to salvage the parts.

This is one of those cabs that started with a name and then the design sort of evolved from that.  When I did a search to see if anyone else had already used this name for a cabinet I came across this tabletop game from 1977.

(http://photos.pcpro.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_PC_Pro/dir_308/it_photo_154048_52.jpg)

Whilst the game is supposed to be pants (I’d never played it) I love the retro style of it so I’m using this as a basis for the cabinet graphics.

My original plan shape-wise was for it to be based on Moon Patrol but a bit less ‘blocky’ so I started from that shape and added a few curves and tweaked the angles a bit to match my height. Whilst it doesn’t resemble Moon Patrol as closely any more I think it still retains the classic shape which I want for this cabinet.

I’ve got my hands on a shallow 25” CRT for this build and will be using a coin door to try and ‘keep it real’. It will also have some modern jiggery pokery with servo sticks, a light gun and swappable panels - assuming I can get them working without too much of a headache.

Anyway, obligatory renders follow. If it looks closer to this render than a 6ft high box with nails poking out of it I’ll be very pleased so if anyone has any questions, criticisms or suggestions then please post ‘em. I’m fairly thick skinned so can take it…

I also don't have more than a few hours a week to work on it so it's probably going to take me a few months to complete it

Updates

Title: Re: Blip
Post by: BAMBOO on January 21, 2014, 09:00:34 am
I like it.  Simple and stream lined.  I had a Blip when I was a kid, I remember it being a blast.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 21, 2014, 09:38:33 am
I loved Blip! as a kid. Awesome idea!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on January 21, 2014, 10:01:18 am
I loved Blip! as a kid. Awesome idea!

+1   I love the black and white retro look!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Vigo on January 21, 2014, 10:17:39 am
Nice!  :cheers: I love themes like this! My only suggestion at this point is to see about doing red start buttons, maybe even number your buttons. If you want to get crazy, you could put a white line boarder around the monitor on tinted plexi/glass, but that might be redundant with the white t-molding.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on January 21, 2014, 10:38:52 am
Cheers for the comments chaps!

I do intend to do some funkiness to the control panel. The plan is to use the white lines from the original Blip console and have something very retro looking.

As I was designing the control panel in Photoshop I had a bit of a lightbulb moment (literally). Using this design I can use some funky lighting to indicate the controls used for each game without lighting up the whole button/stick/trackball whatever.

Anyway - I'm still quite a way away from the control panels as I intend to do them last but this should give you an idea of what I'm thinking of, first unlit, then as a 2 button stick game...

Title: Re: Blip
Post by: spoot on January 21, 2014, 11:00:22 am
Trackball that close to the side of the case leads to smashed fingers/hands imho.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on January 21, 2014, 05:23:00 pm
Trackball that close to the side of the case leads to smashed fingers/hands imho.

Very good point and thanks for bringing it up. While it feels good on paper I obviously haven't tried it in the flesh so don't know what problems may arise. I intend to mock the panel up before i do it for real so hopefully this will help refine the layout.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Superfrog on January 21, 2014, 05:42:21 pm
Very nice cp layout  :cheers:

I like the retro look and it's fresh  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Le Chuck on January 21, 2014, 06:46:45 pm
Some much for my "Bleep" theme  :duckhunt
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Monkeyvoodoo on January 21, 2014, 07:43:35 pm
Some much for my "Bleep" theme  :duckhunt

Same for my Bloop theme
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 21, 2014, 08:28:01 pm
I'm still on for "Blap!"
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Vigo on January 22, 2014, 01:29:56 am
(http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q252/arcadedrew/440.jpg)

Blip, Blip, BLAM!

I'M NOT YOUR FRIEND
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on January 22, 2014, 08:34:20 am
Bah. Now I think I may have inadvertently got the idea from Saints book!

I'll be tv decasing this weekend so I should be able to confirm the profile of the cabinet then. Assuming I'm not staggering about dazedly with young Einstein hair anyway.  :afro:
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on January 27, 2014, 07:21:04 am
Just a small update as I’ve actually started something now.

The profile of the cabinet is quite shallow and I was a little worried that the TV wouldn’t fit so I’ve started by decasing the TV and putting it into a frame – then I could see if I need to change the plans at all.

Did all the usual – discharged with a screwdriver/croc clip combo and took a ton of photos to make sure I knew where everything went.

Quickly realised that even without the frame (which was pretty heavy) a 25” tube still weighs a decent amount so had to be very careful moving it around and into place.

I’d estimated this to take about 5 hours. In the end it took 10 which I have a feeling is going to be the norm for this build!

Turns out that it will fit ok but I’m adding another inch on the back anyway just to give me a bit of leeway and allow more air to circulate just in case.

Next job will be either the sides or the speaker panel – depends on the weather at the weekend and if it’s too cold to be outside or not!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 27, 2014, 10:06:28 am
Nice job on the frame there!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: jdbailey1206 on January 27, 2014, 10:22:21 am
If you are using red on your CP I would like to see all the markings have red dots.  IE the spin, move, buttons (1&2) and for your spinner.  Good work on making something that was generic for it's day a lot more interesting. 
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 27, 2014, 10:30:30 am
Blip! was pretty fun. I remember taking one camping when I was a kid and playing it with my mom. Mechanical Pong FTW!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Superfrog on January 27, 2014, 11:11:39 am
Just a small update as I’ve actually started something now.

The profile of the cabinet is quite shallow and I was a little worried that the TV wouldn’t fit so I’ve started by decasing the TV and putting it into a frame – then I could see if I need to change the plans at all.

Did all the usual – discharged with a screwdriver/croc clip combo and took a ton of photos to make sure I knew where everything went.

Quickly realised that even without the frame (which was pretty heavy) a 25” tube still weighs a decent amount so had to be very careful moving it around and into place.

I’d estimated this to take about 5 hours. In the end it took 10 which I have a feeling is going to be the norm for this build!

Turns out that it will fit ok but I’m adding another inch on the back anyway just to give me a bit of leeway and allow more air to circulate just in case.

Next job will be either the sides or the speaker panel – depends on the weather at the weekend and if it’s too cold to be outside or not!

Yeh, it took me also that long for my Popeye crt bartop.
Long live the photocamera, I use it a lot.
But in the end it fits perfect, so take your time and don't rush.

Very nice project  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on January 27, 2014, 02:02:39 pm
I didn't realise how many peeps had the original game - I should try harder not to to mess the build up and insult the name!

jdbailey1206 - the plan is for all the controls to have grey dots -but underneath each dot there will be an LED which will light up when the control is used per game. Got some better pics here to try and show what I mean. I've got to try it on a test piece properly but found some leds which look pretty good and not too 'in your face' like some lit controls look (not dissing - just aint my thing)

yotsuya - cheers - took my time as was constantly aware of the possibility of getting a massive zap! it's only the second time i've discharged a crt so still very aware of how careful you need to be.  Lots of standing and staring and making sure I only touched things when I needed to!

Superfrog - gotta admit - your Popeye bartop is my favourite bartop ever. It hadnt already been nominated twice before I read the boards I woulda nominated it

Title: Re: Blip
Post by: mgb on January 28, 2014, 08:01:28 am
This build is gonna be sweet. I was a big fan if terminus and so far I'm a fan of this build.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: DarakuTenshi on January 28, 2014, 10:43:39 am
When you first posted this I thought of the early 80's magazine by the same name. I suggest that your side art is a picture of Matthew Laborteaux
(http://imageshack.us/a/img202/8171/e5xl.jpg)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on January 28, 2014, 12:16:02 pm
the plan is for all the controls to have grey dots -but underneath each dot there will be an LED which will light up when the control is used per game.

Brilliant!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 28, 2014, 12:33:51 pm
Love what you're doing there! Keep it up!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: dfmaverick on January 28, 2014, 07:04:26 pm
Sears Christmas Wish Book 1980

"Blip Alone or with a friend."

Only $10.79!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 28, 2014, 07:56:13 pm
Dammit- resisting the urge to hit eBay looking for a Blip!...
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on January 28, 2014, 09:55:13 pm
Found this is my basement this weekend.  I think it was my wife's.  Let me know if you need measurements.   ;D

Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 28, 2014, 10:06:27 pm
Found this is my basement this weekend.  I think it was my wife's.  Let me know if you need measurements.   ;D

How much shipped to 85015?
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on January 28, 2014, 10:37:26 pm
Found this is my basement this weekend.  I think it was my wife's.  Let me know if you need measurements.   ;D

How much shipped to 85015?

She'd never let me sell it---plus it doesn't work so I don't think you would want it.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 28, 2014, 11:21:49 pm
I would build a majestic display case worthy of Ond to show it off.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on January 28, 2014, 11:25:08 pm
I would build a majestic display case worthy of Ond to show it off.

 :cheers:

I did end up getting it partially working.  The Buttons are really stuck though.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on January 28, 2014, 11:25:33 pm
I would build a majestic display case worthy of Ond to show it off.

 :cheers:

I did end up getting it partially working.  The Buttons are really stuck though.

Someone probably spilled Teem on it back in the day!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on February 03, 2014, 02:33:48 pm
Speaker box

Told you it was going to be a slow build!

The weather in the UK has been a little bit ‘variable’ recently so rather than dashing in and out of the house every 10 minutes lugging an 8’ by 4’ piece of MDF I thought it might be safer to work on the speaker box instead.

The speakers that came with the TV are pretty good so I’m using those. When I took the TV apart, the speakers came in their own case but I couldn't find a nice way to attach it to the cab so decided to make an easily mountable speaker box instead.

After spending the best part of an hour trying to find my hole cutter I cursed my disorganised ways and improvised using a spare PC fan cover. A bit of a dremel and I had a nice template that would work well enough with the router.

Gotta say at this point - a router, jigsaw, dremel and a bit of elbow grease and you can pretty much bodge anything together! One day I’ll pick up a proper saw but at the moment I’m not seeing the need. Anyway…

Cut a box in the usual way people cut up boxes. Screwed together and countersunk everything so it wouldn't snag on anything. Also ran a roundover bit around the speaker holes which was completely over the top as it’s going to be covered with speaker cloth but made sense when I was doing it.

That’s it for this weeks folks. Definately going to work on the sides next - or at least make the template for the sides depending on how much time I get/whether the incessant bloody rain stops.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Santoro on February 03, 2014, 05:10:23 pm
Subscribe .  Love the idea and vibe you have there.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: KevinFlynn on February 03, 2014, 06:53:38 pm
Great work on both the idea and everything you've come up with thus far.  Love it!  :droid
Having played most all the handhelds when I was a kid (Mattel Football 2 was my absolute FAVORITE) I am surprised I don't remember the Blip!  Now I'm mad at my mom for not getting me one :D
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Vigo on February 04, 2014, 11:20:09 am
Great work on both the idea and everything you've come up with thus far.  Love it!  :droid
Having played most all the handhelds when I was a kid (Mattel Football 2 was my absolute FAVORITE) I am surprised I don't remember the Blip!  Now I'm mad at my mom for not getting me one :D

Mattel Football 2 was pure awesome, and if you had someone to play against, Coleco Head to Head football was the best. I hope your mom got you TomyTronic Tabletop Tron as a kid. ;)

Man I miss those old games, and even though I didn't own Blip! as a kid either, I am loving this homage to the game. Can't wait for more progress. It gets me all nostalgic.  :)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on February 04, 2014, 11:35:04 am
Mattel Baseball was THE BEST.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on February 04, 2014, 12:01:17 pm
Great work on both the idea and everything you've come up with thus far.  Love it!  :droid
Having played most all the handhelds when I was a kid (Mattel Football 2 was my absolute FAVORITE) I am surprised I don't remember the Blip!  Now I'm mad at my mom for not getting me one :D

Mattel Football 2 was pure awesome, and if you had someone to play against, Coleco Head to Head football was the best. I hope your mom got you TomyTronic Tabletop Tron as a kid. ;)

Man I miss those old games, and even though I didn't own Blip! as a kid either, I am loving this homage to the game. Can't wait for more progress. It gets me all nostalgic.  :)

Mattel Football 2 really was pure awesome.  So much joy from being able to pass and run backwards.  I have one of the repro models and my son and his friends love to play it.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on February 04, 2014, 07:05:23 pm
Tomy (grandstand if you're UK) Tron is probably the greatest tabletop game ever - which is probably why they're so stupidly expensive on eBay now. Blip blip blip blip blip blip blip blip didledah! Pure awesome sauce

Looks like I've derailed my own thread! Sorry - actual real build update due next Monday.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on February 10, 2014, 07:08:45 am
Sides

Started by sketching the profile from my 3d drawing onto an 8’ x 4’ sheet of 12mm MDF. I used a thinner sheet for this as it was going to act as a template which I could get perfect before touching the 18mm stuff.

Once I had the outline done I drew in where all my supports were going to go and made sure (again) that everything was going to fit. This meant me getting the TV frame and speaker box and laying them sideways on the template to make sure - it's definately close but there's a good inch or so to spare  ;D. I also tweaked the curves around the front of the cab near the screen as they didn’t translate well from the 3d drawing. Drawing around a dinner plate worked well for these!

I then cut my template using a jigsaw for the curves and a router with a flush bit for the straight parts. A lot of sanding later and I had something I was happy with.

This done, I traced the template onto 18mm MDF. Started by doing a rough cut outside the line using a jigsaw and finished off with the router and a flush bit. Nothing terribly exciting but I’m happy as it’s now starting to take shape   ;D

No woodwork next week as have folks down but will probably do some work on the Mala layout instead so I feel like I'm making some sort of progress...
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Martijn on February 10, 2014, 09:10:23 am
Love the profile, keep up the good work !
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on March 06, 2014, 03:41:00 am
Well I was hoping to be able to show the laminated sides but I completely screwed it up. Used contact cement and a roller but the glue kinda fluffed up and when I put the laminate on it went on bumpy. It’s only slightly bumpy but I know it will annoy me every time I look at it so I’m going to redo it. I won't share the words I used at the time but just goes to show that you should always have a few practice goes first!

Since then I’ve chatted with a guy that used to laminate for a living and he’s given me some pointers which have definitely helped.

Anyway, in order to keep the momentum going I decided that I’d so some smaller pieces and laminate those to get my head around the process before continuing with the sides.

The Speaker panel

Whilst I showed the speaker box before I didn't have the panel that it was going to mount it in so made that. It’s a fairly simple rectangle with a hole in that holds the speaker box.

The speaker box itself will be covered with speaker cloth and then the panel will be laminated. If it sounds over-complicated, it is. When I designed it, it made sense but the pics should show you what I mean.
And the laminating worked quite well this time :-)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on March 06, 2014, 03:47:41 am
The Admin Panel

The speaker panel didn’t take very long so I thought I’d make a start on the coin door panel. The coin door bit is fairly straight forward but as I’m also adding an admin panel onto this piece I thought I might explain what I’m doing.

It’s got the usual volume and usb ports but I’ve also added a ‘Screen’ switch. AKA the Awesome switch.

The TV I’m using has a digital service menu so in order to change the vertical height of the screen I have to use the remote control and tweak it that way. Well thats a buzz kill so after lots of reading and messing around with the TV I realised that I could set different geometry settings for each ‘format’ (4:3 and widescreen mode).

I set up the 4:3 mode to display 224 lines and the widescreen mode to display 256. So then I could change the ‘format’ using the remote control and it would switch happily between the 2 settings.This is great as I can play Double Dragon, change to Frogger and press the switch and everything would fill the vertical height nicely.

But then the awesome bit - which I’m sure I read about on here but can’t find the post (sorry but if it was you that discovered it - I’ve informally named the switch after you!) which was that by sending either 5v or 12v over the scart cable to pin 8 means the TV will switch into either 4:3 or widescreen. So after hacking a molex cable and connecting it to this switch I can now go from 224 lines to 256 lines simply by flicking the switch. Aces.

Anyway - thats it for this update. I’ve still got the gun mount to cut into the front panel which should be cool if my plan works. More on that later. Unless it doesn't work. In which case I'll bury all mention of it :-)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on March 06, 2014, 09:45:33 am
That admin panel look fantastic.  I love the retro volume knob.   :cheers:

Sorry to hear about your laminate issues.  I hate it when that happens.  You might try using Loctite spray adhesive for my laminating.  It is very quick and easy.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,116519.msg1253352.html#msg1253352 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,116519.msg1253352.html#msg1253352)

Title: Re: Blip
Post by: jongunz on March 06, 2014, 01:21:10 pm
Nice work here.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on March 13, 2014, 01:57:49 pm
You know it’s a slow build when you keep having to scroll down for your Announcement thread :-)

Cheers wp34. Don't know if I can get that loctite stuff in the UK but I'll have a look. I'm using evostick cement and after doing some scrap bits I've got better at it but it definitely seems harder than it looks on YouTube! I've been getting some pointers tho and it seems to be going a lot better now. I have about 3 litres of evo left so if I don't get the results i'm looking for from that I'll switch to something else.

So time for a small update but an update nonetheless.

Turns out that by going at a snail's pace I've got plenty of time to mull over the little conundrums that pop up when building a cab. The gun mount was one of those problems where I couldn't find a nice way to mount the thing without sticking it to the side which I wanted to avoid.

The problem with mounting the gun in the front of the cab was holding the gun in place and not falling out.

I spent a while looking at magnets but couldn't get them to work right so had the idea of using a roller catch. I'm using an aimtrak and the protruding barrel seemed the ideal place to use a roller catch to hold the gun place.

I made a box (in the usual way you make boxes) with the roller catch inset into the bottom and it seems to work pretty well!

Mounted it to the coin door and then used a flush cutting bit on the router to make a tidy opening.

That's it for now. Next I'm gonna work on the back door and see if my laminating skills have improved. If that goes well  then I'll get back to the sides. (Which I know I'm dodging but the laminating screwup kinda zapped my mojo for a bit)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on March 24, 2014, 09:05:45 am
Hi guys - not an update as such as haven't done much apart from laminate the sides but when I put masking tape on the sides to mark out where the support strips were going I thought it reminded me of the MCP from Tron so thought I'd post a piccy...

All being well most of the woodwork/lamination will be done by this weekend and I'll have this baby standing up. Might start to feel like a real cab instead of just a collection of panels then!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on March 30, 2014, 03:07:10 am
It’s standing!

So I finished the remaining panels and laminated those. Added the furring strips and did a dry build to make sure everything fits as it should.

I’m pretty happy with the way it looks so I’ll take it apart and glue it together properly and then start mounting the electrics - then its onto the two control panels.

I still need to prep the control panel overlays for printing and finalise the design of the marquee but it definitely feels like the home stretch now.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on April 11, 2014, 01:52:52 pm
Major screwup with the coin door

I cant believe I missed this. When I had the cab standing (but not glued) I was test fitting everything to make it all went where it should and I put the coin door in to double check it wasn’t too low or anything like that.

So I put a couple of coins in and it immediately jammed. None of the coins were falling into the coin box and I realised it was because the coin door panel is at a 10 degree angle which means that coins can’t slide through the mechanism properly.

Bah. So went back to the drawing board and came up with this.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=307313;image)

Ah well - better to find out now than when it is glued together. Still kicking myself though!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Le Chuck on April 11, 2014, 07:36:49 pm
It'll look better anway, that's a nice addition and adds some interesting lines.  I like it!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Yvan256 on April 12, 2014, 10:48:56 am
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=307313;image)

I really like the retro-inspired design, and I'm a big fan of that style for the cabinet base, it adds depth to the shape. It makes it look more arcade-ish.

You heard me.   :D
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: stigzler on April 14, 2014, 04:00:45 pm
Like that better - makes cab more balanced. Liking this build... roll on the Blip.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: SpaceHedgehog on April 14, 2014, 05:34:24 pm
Like that better - makes cab more balanced. Liking this build... roll on the Blip.

I fully agree. Mistakes can make things better sometimes  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on April 14, 2014, 05:39:58 pm
It'll look better anway, that's a nice addition and adds some interesting lines.  I like it!

+1 
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: leapinlew on April 14, 2014, 05:47:06 pm
Quarters? That's Outrageous!! Blip should only cost a nickel to play.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on April 14, 2014, 05:52:27 pm
Thanks guys. It's definately growing on me and I think I do prefer the new lines. I'd done something similar on Terminus but that was built in from the start so I'd designed it in. This might be a bit tricky to get right as the sides are already done but I do love a challenge.

Giving myself a deadline now which is to get this 100% complete by my 40th in July. Seems like a long way away but I'm nearly 3 months in already and there seems so much left to do!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on April 14, 2014, 05:54:52 pm
Quarters? That's Outrageous!! Blip should only cost a nickel to play.

In Blighty here so 10p a go (with maybe a discount for byoac members!)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: stigzler on April 15, 2014, 02:38:04 am
Cool. Another Uk builder! Fancy putting yourself on the map? (https://sites.google.com/site/alienarcade74/Arcadia)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: stigzler on May 06, 2014, 03:43:10 pm
Hey Mark. Thanks for adding to the map and hope the build's going well... Bring on the Blip.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on May 19, 2014, 08:03:48 am
So it’s been a while since I’ve done an update - mainly because there was nothing to post as I was kinda stuck working out how to redo the coin door panel. Anyway, after a few false starts I eventually found a nice way to rebuild the front which would be stable - so on with the update…

Coin door panel v2

I ended up having to rebuild the base of the cabinet to have an extra protrusion in the bottom so the new coin door could be secured to it as only using the sides wasn't going to be strong enough.

That done I recut the pillar which contained the coin door and admin panel and secured that centrally to the base and an equal distance to the sides.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=309136;image)

Once that was done I then recut the angled sides (one with the gun hole) and secured those to the central pillar and sides as well.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=309134;image)

Happy with how it was looking I then laminated all the pieces and did the final mounting the rest of the cabinet

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=309138;image)

Even though this was loads of work I’m much happier with the base now as it looks more like a real cab - as a side effect it’s also more stable too - although it was pretty stable before I don't know how well it would have handled a two year old wannabe mountaineer hanging off the control panel…!

Back panels

A fairly easy one this after all the shenanigans of the front panel. The back panel is in 3 parts, the bottom houses the intake fans and the power inlet, the middle panel is the door which is hinged from the bottom and the top panel simply fills the gap at the top. I don’t need to provide too much access to the top from the back as the monitor slides out the front.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=309140;image)

Power

Another simple update - I wired up the IEC socket to go directly to a single plug socket - in this socket is an Intelliplug which basically turns on all the other sockets when it detects power going into the master socket.  The plug only comes with 2 extra sockets and I needed 3 (marquee light, TV and AimTrak recoil power supply) so I wired up a 4 way extension.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=309142;image)

Marquee

Whilst on a roll I then did the marquee - I did this by cutting a notch in the speaker panel and top panel which will be used to hold the perspex. The perspex will be held in place with t-molding.

I’m currently using a spare MDF cut-off in place of perspex as I wanted to triple check the size before ordering the perspex for this marquee and bezel.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=309145;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=309146;image)

So - getting very close to the end now. Here’s the major jobs left to do:


Sooooo close...!  Cheers for all the comments guys
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: stigzler on May 19, 2014, 08:25:37 am
Looking proper dapper.

The new base design will also work really good with pedals for any racing games.

Let me know which peinters you use. Stuck on that at the momeny in uk. Tried  arcade peint shop on ebay but a let down. Sent two messages early last week but no reply. :(
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: DarakuTenshi on May 19, 2014, 08:31:56 am
I know that I'm a bit late getting in here on your mistake, but to be honest... I think it looks so much better because of that mistake. I liked it before, but now it's got so much more character.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on May 19, 2014, 08:32:53 am
Cheers stigzler - it definately feels like it's getting there

If you mean printers(?) then I'm probably going to use these guys --> http://www.pixartprinting.co.uk/wide-format/printing-self-adhesive-pvc/flat-surface-adhesive/ (http://www.pixartprinting.co.uk/wide-format/printing-self-adhesive-pvc/flat-surface-adhesive/)

I've heard varying reports but they're cheap and local so I was going to try their stuff without lamination to see what the quality looks like and if it's good I'll get it done with them. Either way I'll need a template to mark out the button holes so I there's nothing to lose by trying them.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on May 19, 2014, 08:37:14 am
Thanks DarakuTenshi - I much prefer it too. Was a real pain to redo but I much prefer it too. Definitely feels more like a classic cab.

Love your cab by the way - the artwork looks amazing  :applaud:

Still not entirely convinced about not using sideart on mine - think I'm gonna wait until it's built and see how I feel about it
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on June 21, 2014, 07:18:18 pm
Well it's been a month so I thought I should probably post something - especially seeing as my original deadline for finishing this was mid-July...

There's plenty of stuff that's been done but it's the fairly boring tidying up and wiring stuff so I'll leave that until later once it looks a bit nicer.

In the meantime I've been working on my MALA layout which is now pretty much done:

MALA Layout

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311233;image)

I've gone for something very simple to match the cab so plain black and white is the order of the day with red highlights to show the selected game and how many times it has been played

My controls in MALA are also very basic:

Joystick selects the game
P1 Start runs the selected game
P2 Start opens up the info window and allows you to see game info, flyers and cabinet pictures
Pause (the middle black button) selects a random game

That’s it - no list management via the control panel as I’m running one consolidated list of MAME, model 2 and model 3 games. I'm not running any console or computer games on here so that should be all the controls I need on a day to day basis. I can always pull out the wireless keyboard if I want to do something not covered by the above.

My favourites list is currently about 200 games but I’ll be filtering that down when I start using it properly and have a better idea of what I want to play on it.

Control Panel LEDs test

I'll be sending the final graphics to get printed in the next couple of days but thought I'd show a few shots of the temporary CPO in place and show how the LEDs are planned to work. Ignore the dust... I spent a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time drilling all the holes out for this as all the LEDS need to be exactly in the right place for it to look right.

Showing Button 2 is active...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311235;image)

Showing spinner is active...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311237;image)

I'm really liking the way the LEDs look but I might have thought twice about them if I'd have realised how much work they would be!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on June 21, 2014, 10:05:51 pm
Love it, my friend!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: ViriiGuy on June 21, 2014, 10:17:17 pm
Wow! This is coming along nicely!!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: mgb on June 21, 2014, 11:38:41 pm
I know that I'm a bit late getting in here on your mistake, but to be honest... I think it looks so much better because of that mistake. I liked it before, but now it's got so much more character.

+1000. I completely agree. This project is looking great
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Yvan256 on June 22, 2014, 08:11:00 pm
I really like the LED indicators. Are they underneath the CP overlay? From the photos, they look like philips screw heads when they're off? Care to post a close-up of the LEDs, off and on?
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on June 23, 2014, 04:20:23 am
Thanks for the comments guys - I showed it to the missus and I don't think she was as impressed as I was  :-\

Artwork is now ordered so should have these panels done in a week or so.

Yvan256 - the LEDS will be under the overlay. What looks like screwheads are just the drill markings I used to position the holes for the LEDS. When the CPO is printed it will be flat white which glows red when lit.

A couple of close ups here should give you a better idea:

The LED...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311284;image)

Secured into the hole by friction (left hole is currently empty)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311286;image)

The overlay positioned over the LED. Button 2 is unlit but final print will be plain white with no red cross

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311288;image)

From another angle. You can clearly see the red crosses and pilot holes I drilled here

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311290;image)

A final shot showing the whole single player panel

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311292;image)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Superfrog on June 23, 2014, 05:52:50 am
I showed it to the missus and I don't think she was as impressed as I was  :-\


I know what you feel  :laugh2: It's the same over-here..I spent a lot of time in detail things out, and the missus only see the finished project and say, that's nice ...... and never see the difference in the small steps you made.

But I like every step on your building process  :notworthy:
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: emphatic on June 23, 2014, 08:02:37 am
I like it. :cheers: Won't the LEDs be obscured by your arm, though?
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Rick on June 23, 2014, 08:45:24 am
Damn. Damn, damn, damn. Why do people always have to inspire others to have ideas they know they have no time to follow through with? This is so smart - I just have to say. It makes me want to make a new cab, based upon this:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Parker_brothers_merlin_hand_held_electronic_game.jpg)

...but I think my Super-Turbo Turkey Puncher 3 would get angry.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on June 23, 2014, 09:12:52 am
I like it. :cheers: Won't the LEDs be obscured by your arm, though?

They do a little if you're hovering over the controls. I could have put the LEDs above the controls but they never really looked right. Because i put them underneath i then realised I'd have to mount the bulbs under the overlay otherwise they might rub against your wrist. Ultimately they're eye candy though as most people bang all the buttons to see what happens anyway!  :hissy:


Damn. Damn, damn, damn. Why do people always have to inspire others to have ideas they know they have no time to follow through with? This is so smart - I just have to say. It makes me want to make a new cab, based upon this:

Thanks! Really like the LEDs in that. My only worry would be someone jamming something into them/sweating all over them. Definitely very cool though.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: PL1 on June 23, 2014, 01:46:51 pm
Rick -- At the risk of causing strife between you and your STTP3, the Merlin is emulated in MESS.   >:D


Scott
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: ChanceKJ on June 23, 2014, 02:36:55 pm
A Merlin cab would be SICK!

I'd like to see a two player cocktail done with an electronic Baseball game myself. Had one as a kid, and recently when I was scrounging parts for my PlayChoice build I saw one at a pawn shop. Should have picked it up.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Qs25OcltcE/T_ULxsrMVAI/AAAAAAAAAS8/aGmqfweHEeA/s640/Entex-Baseball1.jpg)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Yvan256 on June 24, 2014, 02:32:56 pm
Thanks for the comments guys - I showed it to the missus and I don't think she was as impressed as I was  :-\

When you don't follow all the little details built into a project, the end result always looks less impressive. But even so, a clean-looking final build is a good thing, it means all the details blend in with the whole to the point that you don't see them anymore.



Yvan256 - the LEDS will be under the overlay. What looks like screwheads are just the drill markings I used to position the holes for the LEDS. When the CPO is printed it will be flat white which glows red when lit.

Ah, that's exactly what I thought. I once did tests with really bright white LEDs and it showed even through a totally black area of something printed on commercial photo paper. Since you're going for a black and white theme, how about testing with white LEDs instead of red and only a white circle outline on the control panel, instead of a filled circle?


A couple of close ups here should give you a better idea:
A final shot showing the whole single player panel

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=311292;image)

It looks impressive even with the temporary artwork. I really like how everything is spaced evenly and nothing looks out of place. The directional arrows are a really nice touch too. However one thing that jumps at me is that one of the primary control is black instead of white. I'm not sure where you could get a white spinner, though.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: wp34 on June 24, 2014, 04:41:48 pm
That overlay looks sick!  I love the LED's and the artwork seems to line up perfectly with your controls--especially the buttons.  Nice work!   :applaud:
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: stigzler on June 24, 2014, 05:27:27 pm
Very tidy. Fine eye for design... :)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on June 24, 2014, 06:15:35 pm
Hi yvan. When I had the idea for the leds I was sure someone must have tried it before but didn't see any examples which made me wonder if there was a fundamental problem with the concept. What made you abandon the idea?
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on June 24, 2014, 06:23:02 pm
That overlay looks sick!  I love the LED's and the artwork seems to line up perfectly with your controls--especially the buttons.  Nice work!   :applaud:

Thanks man - I thought after the rest of the cabinet the control panel would be easy. How wrong I was! Even after massively careful lining up the joystick and spinner were a few mm out so I had to go back and widen the mounting plates to make them fit right with the artwork.

Reminded me of what my old woodwork teacher taught me - you don't have to get everything perfect - just have the patience to make it look like it is. Wise words !
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: Yvan256 on June 26, 2014, 12:43:24 am
Hi yvan. When I had the idea for the leds I was sure someone must have tried it before but didn't see any examples which made me wonder if there was a fundamental problem with the concept. What made you abandon the idea?

I didn't abandon the idea, it was for another project that never got started in the first place. But it's worth testing it yourself, you'll be impressed by how invisible it is when it's off and how bright it can be even through black photo paper when it's on. I got the idea because I'm getting tired of all those ultra-bright power LED indicators on all modern hardware. An indicator is supposed to be subtle, not a flashlight trying to blind me.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: yotsuya on June 26, 2014, 01:04:45 am
Definitely my favorite art concept since Echo Base. Great job!
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: BGoulette on June 26, 2014, 01:36:30 am
Not much to add that hasn't already been said, but why let a little thing like content get in the way? :) I love the cleanness to this design, and the excellent way you integrated the "angularity" of the 80's with, I don't know, something else entirely that feels more present yet transcends both eras. Or something. It's late and I'm tired. This is my long-winded way of saying I think this cabinet is great. ;-)
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on July 21, 2014, 06:23:05 am
Control Panels / Artwork

So finally got these finished and the artwork added. The LEDs were a huge pain in the ass to get aligned but I’m pretty chuffed with how it’s all turned out.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312871;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312873;image)

It's really hard to get a good picture of the LEDS lit but they look really good in person. Doesn't help that the room this is in has crap lighting and I'm using a camera phone but should give you an idea.

As there are currently two panels I needed somewhere to store one when it wasn't in use so I’m using the area at the top/rear of the cabinet. It’s not visible from the front and pretty easy to get to when I need to do the swap.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312875;image)

Also got my admin panel finished and wired up.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312869;image)

And finally (for this update), just as a little touch...  ;D

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312877;image)


So we're now about done. I'll be posting the completed pics very shortly...
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: DGP on July 21, 2014, 06:35:08 am
 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

Excellent!

 :cheers:

Jason
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: Le Chuck on July 21, 2014, 07:36:34 am
That panel storage solution puts this over the top! :applaud:  Well done man, well done.  Looks great!
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 21, 2014, 08:50:14 am
Thanks chaps... just

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312881;image)

left to add  ;D

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312883;image)
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: Yvan256 on July 21, 2014, 09:41:33 am
Thanks chaps... just one more thing left to add  ;D

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312883;image)

What...?!  :o
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: wp34 on July 21, 2014, 12:11:20 pm
That panel storage solution puts this over the top! :applaud:  Well done man, well done.  Looks great!

+1 

Very clever approach to the 2nd panel.   :applaud:
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 21, 2014, 01:58:51 pm
That panel storage solution puts this over the top! :applaud:  Well done man, well done.  Looks great!

+1 

Very clever approach to the 2nd panel.   :applaud:

Thanks! The plan kinda falls apart if I build a 3rd panel but works quite well for two which is probably all I'll have on this build.
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 21, 2014, 02:02:05 pm
Thanks chaps... just one more thing left to add  ;D

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312883;image)

What...?!  :o

Yep... actually had it working a while ago but only just adding it to cab now...

http://youtu.be/DTg7XHteBTE (http://youtu.be/DTg7XHteBTE)

Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: wp34 on July 21, 2014, 07:47:33 pm
Pretty impressive.  Can you give us more details? I did some Binging and found some model numbers but nowhere to purchase.

Thanks chaps... just one more thing left to add  ;D

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312883;image)

What...?!  :o

Yep... actually had it working a while ago but only just adding it to cab now...

http://youtu.be/DTg7XHteBTE (http://youtu.be/DTg7XHteBTE)
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: elvis on July 21, 2014, 08:30:55 pm
Yep... actually had it working a while ago but only just adding it to cab now...

http://youtu.be/DTg7XHteBTE (http://youtu.be/DTg7XHteBTE)
Damn, that is cool.
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: harveybirdman on July 22, 2014, 12:59:06 am
pretty sure I know who's winning a BYOAC award in 2014.... or at least who's getting my vote.
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: DGP on July 22, 2014, 01:38:15 am
So just how costly are those ultra wide displays for video marquee use...?

Would luv to do that as well but hearing they might be $1,000 US means I would never do it.  :dizzy:

Thanks,
Jason
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 22, 2014, 03:36:24 am
WP34 / DGP - It's a Litemax SSD2313 ultra wide monitor. Cost $700 when I got it 2 years ago but think the price may have changed since then.

http://www.litemax.com/PD_Products_Detail_51_141_1847_US_utf-8.html#.U84P9PldV8E (http://www.litemax.com/PD_Products_Detail_51_141_1847_US_utf-8.html#.U84P9PldV8E)

I figured that as the rest of the build wasn't costing much (I had nearly all the parts already) that I could splurge on one thing which was this.

pretty sure I know who's winning a BYOAC award in 2014.... or at least who's getting my vote.

Cheers  :cheers: but this has been an insane year for builds. R-POD / MVC2 / Mario Pedestal would probs get my vote so far but there's been so many awesome ideas this year already it's hard to choose.
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 22, 2014, 03:44:37 am
It's alive...!

Hope you don't mind lots of pics... I know the quality isn't great so will try and get some better ones later.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312978;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312976;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312974;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312972;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312970;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312968;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312966;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312964;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312962;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=312960;image)
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: johnrt on July 22, 2014, 04:12:31 am
Ohh... that's nice!  :applaud:

What's the price on that screen?
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: stigzler on July 22, 2014, 04:27:23 am
Damn - that's looking sweet. Great build.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: emphatic on July 22, 2014, 04:31:02 am
That's just... wow! :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 22, 2014, 05:51:59 am
aww shucks. Thanks chaps!

I'm just pleased it's (99.99%) done.  Still got to wire up the recoil kit and fix a problem with LEDblinky not lighting the correct controls but they're pretty minor things.

The LCD marquee was the big reason for going with the basic black and white theme as having too many different styles of art all over the place could have looked like crap.

It’s interesting that Maximus mentioned the same thing on his MVC v2.0 build (which is amazing) - if you’re using digital marquees then it can really clash with any graphics you have on the cabinet. I realised this when I was building the cab in 3D a year or so ago and so this is what drove the simplistic black and white look. The Blip name was a happy coincidence which fell out of a search for retro electronics but then led to the white t-molding and light up LEDs for controls which I think ties the whole thing together quite nicely.

Anyway - will post some better pics when I sort out a camera and the lighting is better in that room. Big thanks to everyone who commented and feel free to ask anything if I haven't made it clear.

What's the price on that screen?

700 dolla - mentioned it above but the price may be different now.  I think they make the monitors to order.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: stripe4 on July 22, 2014, 07:17:36 am
Congrats on a job well done! :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Le Chuck on July 22, 2014, 08:25:40 am
If I had to pic a cab to copy completely and just live with that one I think yours would be it.  There is a lot of perfect going on here.  Very nicely done. 
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Drnick on July 22, 2014, 09:23:31 am
You have set the bar high with this build.  :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:  The storage for the 2nd panel is pure genius.  :notworthy: :notworthy:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Superfrog on July 22, 2014, 10:32:12 am
If I had to pic a cab to copy completely and just live with that one I think yours would be it.  There is a lot of perfect going on here.  Very nicely done.

+1

Mannnn  :censored: Hell, what a fantastic machine you build here  :dizzy:  :cheers: :notworthy:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Vigo on July 22, 2014, 10:50:21 am
What can I say that hasn't already been said? This is simply awesome!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Leapinleny on July 22, 2014, 12:38:06 pm
The dell 29" Ultrawide LCD that Griffindodd is using on his 2.0 cab is running $549 right now on sale from $699

Oh and by the way, just a beautiful unique cab
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: AzureKnight on July 22, 2014, 02:24:07 pm

This entire build is incredible, the unique LED control indicators, the simplistic/elegant design, second cp storage all capped off (literally) with the incredible marquee.   :notworthy:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 22, 2014, 02:35:02 pm
You're making me blush!

Really appreciate the feedback guys. I purposefully left the marquee til last as it was pretty much the only thing I was sure about when I started it. Have to say that if Calamity hadn't got groovymame working with 2 screens then the marquee have been sacrificed to another project. I LOVE groovy mame so  :notworthy:

The aim was to make a build that looked classic but with funky new stuff on top. Had a lot of fun/frustration making it (don't talk to me about laminating or coin doors!)

 And now I can finally start joining in on the high score comps  :)                                     
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Rick on July 22, 2014, 04:26:50 pm
700 dolla - mentioned it above but the price may be different now.  I think they make the monitors to order.

That is surprisingly great pricing for a custom job. What's the dimensions (internal and external) on the one you went with? You know. For science.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: SpaceHedgehog on July 22, 2014, 06:03:22 pm
Stunning. Evocative of 2001 for me  :applaud:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: wp34 on July 22, 2014, 07:39:10 pm
It hit me today why I love this build so much.  The black and white classic design reminds me of my first love---Space War.

 :applaud:





Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: shrunkenmaster on July 23, 2014, 09:20:29 am
A striking piece of design - very nice work sir.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 23, 2014, 12:28:26 pm
That is surprisingly great pricing for a custom job. What's the dimensions (internal and external) on the one you went with? You know. For science.

The outside is 612 x 198 x 41.5mm with the screen measuring 575 x 162mm. I made my cabinet 620mm wide between the sides so there would be room for airflow around it.

What's wierd is that the screen *thinks* it is 1366 x 768 resolution when in reality it's 1366 x 384. Took a while to get my head around artwork / layout files to make it work properly as you're actually seeing the top half of the screen.   :dizzy:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Rick on July 23, 2014, 12:34:06 pm
The outside is 612 x 198 x 41.5mm with the screen measuring 575 x 162mm. I made my cabinet 620mm wide between the sides so there would be room for airflow around it. What's wierd is that the screen *thinks* it is 1366 x 768 resolution when in reality it's 1366 x 384. Took a while to get my head around artwork / layout files to make it work properly as you're actually seeing the top half of the screen.   :dizzy:

Thanks for the info. I'll be totally transparent here. Your video marquee and replaceable panel placement ideas are simply genius, and if I ever make "the one" cabinet for my home, I'm totally stealing them. Honestly, until someone comes out with "video film" to project the actual side-art onto the cabinet sides (barring the obvious "projector" solution) this is the best idea that has come to our craft in years.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 23, 2014, 12:56:39 pm
The outside is 612 x 198 x 41.5mm with the screen measuring 575 x 162mm. I made my cabinet 620mm wide between the sides so there would be room for airflow around it. What's wierd is that the screen *thinks* it is 1366 x 768 resolution when in reality it's 1366 x 384. Took a while to get my head around artwork / layout files to make it work properly as you're actually seeing the top half of the screen.   :dizzy:

Thanks for the info. I'll be totally transparent here. Your video marquee and replaceable panel placement ideas are simply genius, and if I ever make "the one" cabinet for my home, I'm totally stealing them. Honestly, until someone comes out with "video film" to project the actual side-art onto the cabinet sides (barring the obvious "projector" solution) this is the best idea that has come to our craft in years.

Woah thanks chap. Please do steal. Nearly every idea used in this cab has been stolen or based upon some other cab that was posted here so it would rude not to!

I'll upload the plans and artwork when i get my head around sketch up.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: yotsuya on July 23, 2014, 01:47:11 pm
Thanks for the info. I'll be totally transparent here. Your video marquee and replaceable panel placement ideas are simply genius, and if I ever make "the one" cabinet for my home, I'm totally stealing them. Honestly, until someone comes out with "video film" to project the actual side-art onto the cabinet sides (barring the obvious "projector" solution) this is the best idea that has come to our craft in years.

Quick, Rick, hurry.... Super Turbo Turkey Punchers is considering suicide right now!!!!!!
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: yotsuya on July 23, 2014, 01:58:03 pm
Markc74-

My favorite thing about this cabinet is how traditional everything looks on this cabinet while still raising the bar. The digital marquee doesn't simply looked tacked on, but rather it seamlessly integrates into the design, almost as if you PLANNED IT THAT WAY.  :laugh: People working on building their first cabinet would be wise to look at your process and the physical build and graphic design choices your made.

I love the theme, I love the coloring, I love the fact that you didn't try to cram a 40" wide LCD in there and make the cabinet twice as wide as an authentic cabinet. I love the fact you decided on a theme and ran with it rather than calling it "Mark's Arcade" and plastering 'roided out Street Fighter characters all over the sides and control panels. Yes, my tastes trend towards being a traditionalist, and that colors how I view new cabinets, but, simply put, this is one of the best cabinets I've seen in the last 4 years, period. And I'm not talking a general "one of the best", I'm saying like top two or three to come along since 2010 (since I've been on this site). Blip! looks like something I would have seen if I walked in an arcade in 1985, standing there next to Pac-Man and Star Wars and Dragon's Lair. You have much to be chuffed about, my brother!  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Santoro on July 23, 2014, 02:19:29 pm
Outstanding.  Love that LCD Marquee, Design, etc. Great job.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Yvan256 on July 23, 2014, 10:46:40 pm
That LCD marquee is the perfect "ending" for a perfect cabinet.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: gabrielmtl on July 23, 2014, 10:54:12 pm
It looks awesome, congrats.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 24, 2014, 02:13:22 pm
Thanks for all the comments chaps. I've uploaded a very grainy vid to YouTube showing it cycling through some games.  Please don't watch it if you're one of those people that complains about videos being recorded vertically though! The plan is to put something better together at the weekend.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AAmAkXXEqwE
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: BGoulette on July 24, 2014, 02:29:27 pm
I just want to echo all the awe sprinkled liberally throughout this thread. Great work! I'm hopeful that someday, I'll get my wife's permission (yes, that would be the Wise Thing™ to do!) to start my own cab. Until then, I'll have to exult vicariously through other great projects like Blip!
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: gabrielmtl on July 26, 2014, 10:56:25 pm
Thanks for all the comments chaps. I've uploaded a very grainy vid to YouTube showing it cycling through some games.  Please don't watch it if you're one of those people that complains about videos being recorded vertically though! The plan is to put something better together at the weekend.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AAmAkXXEqwE

That's insane and worth every penny. Now if we could only have large, custom cut LCDs for side panels... who's up for a Kickstarter
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: leapinlew on July 26, 2014, 11:40:44 pm
I did some Binging

I don't know if I'll ever be able to take you serious from now on...
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: rockyrocket on July 27, 2014, 04:17:11 am
Well done, no really well done this turned out just perfect.
On a different note I think this is the cab to show for anyone struggling to achieve spousal approval for a build.
 :applaud: :applaud: .
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Superfrog on July 27, 2014, 04:37:07 am
Well done, no really well done this turned out just perfect.
On a different note I think this is the cab to show for anyone struggling to achieve spousal approval for a build.
 :applaud: :applaud: .

It's really great, bud I never can spent 700+ dollars for a marguee lcd.
Not even if I got a permission from my wife.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE this build, and comes out awesome, bud sadly it's not in my budget range  :dizzy:


Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: rockyrocket on July 27, 2014, 07:07:04 am
You make a valid point about the cost of that one component that is for sure.

I meant that the overall aesthetic maybe more acceptable to her indoors that something adorned in cartoon images :) .
Unless she likes cartoons that is.
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 28, 2014, 07:39:44 am
I did some Binging

Had to google what that meant  :laugh:


It's really great, bud I never can spent 700+ dollars for a marguee lcd.

TBH - I probably wouldn't have spent this much either but I got a surprise cheque for a PPI refund. As it wasn't earmarked for anything I thought I'd chuck it into this.

Because I had so many components from the last build the rest of the build probably cost way less than what the marquee cost so all in all I'm not that much over $1,200 total. If I'd have had to pay for all the controls etc then it would have been much more.

I was really into the marquee idea though. During planning this I did have a load of other marquee based ideas - mostly using normal widescreen monitors but blocking off parts of the display to get the same effect.  May as well post them here in case someone would like to try it.

The Blips that weren't to be...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313471;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313473;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313475;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313477;image)


Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Rick on July 28, 2014, 07:43:32 am
The Blips that weren't to be...

That last one looks ... verrrrrrry familiar...

:D
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 28, 2014, 07:56:34 am
I can pretty much guarantee that it was 'influenced' from somewhere!  :cheers:

Have you made one? or seen one?  I only ask because I didn't specifically copy one that I'd seen but remember someone talking about it and thought it would be a good idea.

I ended up abandoning it because I wanted full size, and with CRT. Might still make it one day if the need takes me.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Rick on July 28, 2014, 09:50:23 am
I can pretty much guarantee that it was 'influenced' from somewhere!  Have you made one? or seen one?  I only ask because I didn't specifically copy one that I'd seen but remember someone talking about it and thought it would be a good idea.

Looks a lot like the Haruman Kit. (Link (http://www.harumancustoms.com/shop/article_12/Ultimate-Widescreen.html?sessid=wrTzm5HwdmaycTSSaZZ8d6eleCbfgvEHgbL4rxE4WvfdUEFa6kLGpHlfn9ukdQgh&shop_param=cid%3D2%26aid%3D12%26)) But, if I recall properly and I'm not mistaken, it also takes heavy cues from one of Ond's works.
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: Le Chuck on July 28, 2014, 10:05:00 am
Blip Jr. is my fav of these concept designs.  That one might have to get built at some point. 
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: BEGINSTUDIO on July 28, 2014, 10:28:05 am
FYI - Litmax - SSD2313

...

We have enough stock left (parts) to build about (15) more units. Please see pricing below and let me know what you would like to do.

SSD2313-ENB-B01 – 23.5 inch stretched monitor, 1366 x 382 resolution, VGA & DVI inputs - $789 FOB Taiwan, Pre-Paid. Lead time estimated 7 – 8 weeks

...

This is from an email I received from them today, 07/28/2014.

Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 28, 2014, 10:54:41 am
I can pretty much guarantee that it was 'influenced' from somewhere!  Have you made one? or seen one?  I only ask because I didn't specifically copy one that I'd seen but remember someone talking about it and thought it would be a good idea.

Looks a lot like the Haruman Kit. (Link (http://www.harumancustoms.com/shop/article_12/Ultimate-Widescreen.html?sessid=wrTzm5HwdmaycTSSaZZ8d6eleCbfgvEHgbL4rxE4WvfdUEFa6kLGpHlfn9ukdQgh&shop_param=cid%3D2%26aid%3D12%26)) But, if I recall properly and I'm not mistaken, it also takes heavy cues from one of Ond's works.

Wow that is similar.  I'll give Haruman full credit as I must have seen it before!  The only thing different about mine was that the screen was widescreen in vertical orientation so that the marquee would actually be part of the main screen but have an artificial divider placed to separate the display and marquee. This is easily done with layout files
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: markc74 on July 28, 2014, 10:56:08 am
Blip Jr. is my fav of these concept designs.  That one might have to get built at some point.

Cheers! My favourite too.  I built one similar without the marquee a while ago but didn't like it because the angles of the CP and display were wrong. This fixed that issue.  I'll probably build it one day.

Let me know if you're interested in plans and I'll upload them
Title: Re: Blip - LCD marquee added. Cab 99.99% complete
Post by: rtkiii on July 28, 2014, 03:02:03 pm
that is very slick looking!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: nanoflower on August 12, 2014, 02:38:29 am
Hi guys,

Cabinet is now finished. (...)

This is simply incredible, what a great job you did on this.
Could you tell me what graphics adapter you are using and what is the max resolution your B&O can do in this setup?

/Nano
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: rockyrocket on August 12, 2014, 04:35:30 am


The Blips that weren't to be...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313471;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313473;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313475;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313477;image)

Either I am mad :) , or I have seen the orange cab before?, maybe I just remember the Pinel&Pinel (http://www.pineletpinel.com/pinel-en/index.php) cabs IDK?.
(http://www.ohgizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/arcade_80s_trunk.jpg)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: solar on August 12, 2014, 07:21:21 am
Really nice cab...looks very well thought out, even though some bits are deviations from the original plan nothing looks like it.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on August 12, 2014, 07:52:55 am
Could you tell me what graphics adapter you are using and what is the max resolution your B&O can do in this setup?
/Nano

I'm using an ASUS Radeon HD4350 (512MB) card. Picked it up off ebay for about a tenner and works great. I think the highest resolution the tv does is 640x480 interlaced but I haven't needed to push it above that.  I'll take a look tonight and see if does any higher.


Really nice cab...looks very well thought out, even though some bits are deviations from the original plan nothing looks like it.

Thanks - There's quite a few minor deviations but they they're mostly internal as I hadn't really thought through the locations of things very much. The coin door panel was the major change and I'm quite happy with how that turned out.

Either I am mad :) , or I have seen the orange cab before?, maybe I just remember the Pinel&Pinel (http://www.pineletpinel.com/pinel-en/index.php) cabs IDK?.

You're not mad (at least not about this!) - I completely stole the Pinel design for a previous cabinet I made - then realised that I really didn't like the angle of the screen and control panel so promptly sold it. It may look nice but using a control panel at 30 degrees is really uncomfortable after a while. The orange one is more curvy but is still very much based on that design.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: rockyrocket on August 12, 2014, 09:26:23 am
madness still prevails as I am sure I`ve seen the orange and white design before also?.
Damn this crappy memory :banghead: .
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Automark on August 12, 2014, 10:15:47 am
Awesome, Love that LCD Marquee  :applaud:

But 100% finished? Lol, I always find something else to work on  8)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: mgb on August 14, 2014, 12:27:07 am
Nothing else to say but  :applaud:

great job
Title: Re: Blip - control panels done. Cab 99% complete
Post by: wp34 on August 14, 2014, 09:05:42 am
There are some cool concepts here but you chose wisely.  Even without the LCD marquee this is one of my all-time favorite builds.   :applaud:


The Blips that weren't to be...

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313471;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313473;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313475;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=136713.0;attach=313477;image)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: OnePunchRob on August 14, 2014, 06:17:35 pm
 :applaud: I'm loving this cab, very nice work.

It is making me scared of starting my own though, as it won't hold up to this  :notworthy:

Can I ask you, as a fellow UK builder, where you got t-molding and router bit for cutting the t-molding slots?  Did you buy here or overseas?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Minwah on August 14, 2014, 06:20:12 pm
Great job, well done!  :applaud:

Love the spare control panel idea. I've got four panels for one of my cabinets and the three not in use are a bit of a pain to store.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: edekoning on August 17, 2014, 03:08:20 pm
Classy cab you got there  :applaud: That marquee looks so sweet is action! I'm betting we have not seen the last of your 'where the hell do you store a spare control panel' solution  ;D
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: SpaceHedgehog on August 17, 2014, 03:39:28 pm
:applaud: I'm loving this cab, very nice work.

It is making me scared of starting my own though, as it won't hold up to this  :notworthy:

Can I ask you, as a fellow UK builder, where you got t-molding and router bit for cutting the t-molding slots?  Did you buy here or overseas?

Thanks.

You can source the T-Molding from here (formerly Gremlin Solutions):

http://www.arcadeworlduk.com/ (http://www.arcadeworlduk.com/)

I've ordered from there on a number of occasions.

For the router bit / slot cutter, I sourced mine from amazon.com



As for Blip, there are very few cabinets which get things just right. For me, this one sits pretty much at the top of the pile. 
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: OnePunchRob on August 18, 2014, 06:57:03 am
Thanks SpaceHedgehog!  I'll check those out.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: solar on August 18, 2014, 01:51:33 pm
Can I ask you, as a fellow UK builder, where you got t-molding and router bit for cutting the t-molding slots?  Did you buy here or overseas?

Thanks.

Router etc i can recommend : http://www.wealdentool.com/ (http://www.wealdentool.com/)

very helpful and very quick delivery.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on August 19, 2014, 08:38:20 am
Can I ask you, as a fellow UK builder, where you got t-molding and router bit for cutting the t-molding slots?  Did you buy here or overseas?

Hi Rob - I got mine from tmolding.com which despite being in america ending up costing cheaper because I ordered 60ft of it. Was $50 inc shipping which worked out about £30 and gave me loads left over for another cab. The slot cutter I've had for years and can't remember where I got it from I'm afraid

.
But 100% finished? Lol, I always find something else to work on  8)

Well... the build is finished but the software is still giving me grief.  Everything is displaying on screens as it should but getting laggy controls with groovymame affecting some games. Grrr... I reckon I'll get the software sorted soon though.

Thanks for all the feedback chaps!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on August 19, 2014, 12:41:13 pm
Can I ask you, as a fellow UK builder, where you got t-molding and router bit for cutting the t-molding slots?  Did you buy here or overseas?

I used t-molding from Arcadeworld UK.

Slot cutter specifics:

https://sites.google.com/site/alienarcade74/the-team#TOC-DIY-Parts:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: OnePunchRob on August 20, 2014, 06:50:04 am
Thanks for your replies everyone!  :applaud:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Minwah on August 20, 2014, 11:21:00 am
Hi Rob - I got mine from tmolding.com which despite being in america ending up costing cheaper because I ordered 60ft of it. Was $50 inc shipping which worked out about £30 and gave me loads left over for another cab. The slot cutter I've had for years and can't remember where I got it from I'm afraid

I've bought from both Arcade World and tmolding.com. If you need a lot then I agree, it works out much cheaper getting from tmolding.com.

I bought a slot cutter from tooledup.com. I had a 1.5mm one originally, but now use a 2mm one as the 1.5mm one seemed too tight.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: matsadona on August 22, 2014, 11:03:28 am
Wow! This makes me wanna do a new MAME build  ;D

By thew way, were do you get those hires marquee pictures?
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: PL1 on August 22, 2014, 09:29:38 pm
Wow! This makes me wanna do a new MAME build  ;D

By thew way, were do you get those hires marquee pictures?
Check out the marquees at MAMELayPlus (http://mamelayplus.jimdo.com/descargas/).


Scott
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: matsadona on August 25, 2014, 04:45:50 am
Excellent, thanks!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on August 25, 2014, 07:07:15 pm
+1 for mamelayplus. Got loads of marquees from there.

Before i found that site i also used http://artwork.joymonkey.com (http://artwork.joymonkey.com) as well. It's a pay site (£10 i think) which gives you access to the hires stuff.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Le Chuck on August 25, 2014, 07:22:10 pm
So how does the cabinet tell which control panel is hooked up so it can automatically load the right game lists?  If it doesn't do that it totally should. I'm thinking two different contacts unique to each panel and an AHK script listening to open the right version of the FE based on the change.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: DaOld Man on August 25, 2014, 08:18:30 pm
Great job! Love that marquee!
 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: matsadona on August 26, 2014, 10:44:25 am
So after hacking a molex cable and connecting it to this switch I can now go from 224 lines to 256 lines simply by flicking the switch. Aces.

Replace the switch with a relay (driven by Ledblinky) and it will be done automatically :)

By the way, does Groovymame have its own drivers or are you using something like Soft15kHz?
I would like to do a CRT MAME build, but haven't got the time to investigate how it is done...
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: deadmoney5 on August 26, 2014, 11:22:36 am
late to the party..

Masterpiece.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on August 27, 2014, 07:09:48 pm
So how does the cabinet tell which control panel is hooked up so it can automatically load the right game lists?  If it doesn't do that it totally should. I'm thinking two different contacts unique to each panel and an AHK script listening to open the right version of the FE based on the change.

It doesn't but that's a pretty good idea. Got to admit I wouldn't know where to start with that! I think I need to look into this ahk stuff anyway as want to set my pause button to exit if pressed for a few seconds.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: markc74 on August 27, 2014, 07:21:53 pm
Replace the switch with a relay (driven by Ledblinky) and it will be done automatically :)

Now that does sound very cool.  I would have to find another use for my switching button - maybe some subtle undercab lighting, or use it to turn the gun recoil on and off... hmmm... resisting temptation to change post heading to 99% complete again...
 
By the way, does Groovymame have its own drivers or are you using something like Soft15kHz?
I would like to do a CRT MAME build, but haven't got the time to investigate how it is done...

I'm using CRT emudriver so everything just works with groovymame. I am currently having a problem with groovymame at the moment as controls are laggy and floaty but as noone else seems to be having this problem I'm convinced its got something to do with my setup.  A fun troubleshooting evening lies ahead of me when I get some time...


Oh - and cheers for the comments guys. Hope people can find something useful in the build.

Of course now I want to do another cab. Or a virtual pinball table. But I seriously think my missus would blow a fuse if I suggested it   :timebomb: Maybe I'll give it a little while  :)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Le Chuck on August 27, 2014, 07:36:57 pm
So how does the cabinet tell which control panel is hooked up so it can automatically load the right game lists?  If it doesn't do that it totally should. I'm thinking two different contacts unique to each panel and an AHK script listening to open the right version of the FE based on the change.

It doesn't but that's a pretty good idea. Got to admit I wouldn't know where to start with that! I think I need to look into this ahk stuff anyway as want to set my pause button to exit if pressed for a few seconds.

Do you have an encoder that is always plugged in or do they switch out with the panels?  If they switch out you'd need to either have a way to consistently recognize which is plugged in (DRVenture's usb application comes to mind) and have AHK watch for a unique ID then execute the proper instance of the FE at start up.  If you have one always in you can do the same thing with button presses if you have open inputs and just have switches set to activate unique to each panel (hot glue some blocks on the panels and some switches to the cab - we all know you won't use hotglue but that's the idea).  The script could even continue to watch and if you depress the other button would exit the FE and restart the proper instance.

If you have a free USB port I'd just harvest a cheapo game pad or something if it won't interfere with your other control layouts.

The FE would be easy, just set up two instances of MALA or whatever and point the script at either one.   

I can give help with the script if it's the button press version - I'm amateur at AHK but passable.  Nitz could do this in his sleep if we can coax him out of lurkermode.  He knocked my TRON script out of the park.  I'm seriously thinking of building a version of this cab next year for myself - probably without the marqueintor tho unless one bounces off the back of a truck so I have a real interest in seeing that mod up and running. 
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on August 27, 2014, 07:47:33 pm
I have an encoder in each - a minipac in the single player panel and an ipac in the 2 player panel. I'm following what your saying and it makes sense. I'll do some moreresearch once I've nailed the lag problem but i'd definately appreciate any help that was offered!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: DarakuTenshi on August 27, 2014, 11:08:08 pm
Very nice! I always enjoy seeing your creations.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: edekoning on August 28, 2014, 02:38:17 am
I have an encoder in each - a minipac in the single player panel and an ipac in the 2 player panel. I'm following what your saying and it makes sense. I'll do some moreresearch once I've nailed the lag problem but i'd definately appreciate any help that was offered!

Or you could use a front-end front-end. Yes that sounds ridiculous, but bear with me as I explain. For my Magneto Cab I wanted to be able to switch between Mala, and Steam. Furthermore, before starting Mala I need to program the KeyWiz, and before starting Steam I need to switch the audio/video to the HMDI output. In the future I also want to construct a second control panel. To make switching between this stuff all easy, I created a Launcher. With that you configure things to launch. Each thing or FE, consists of an image, description, and a list of commands that need to be executed. Each FE image is automatically scaled / aligned / centered / etc. The whole thing is controlled with a joystick and 2 buttons. It can also shut down windows when exited.

Here is an example image:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=119175.0;attach=302709;image)
More info here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119175.msg1414108.html#msg1414108 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119175.msg1414108.html#msg1414108)

Now imagine that screenshot with photos of your control panels.
Title: Re: Blip
Post by: matsadona on August 28, 2014, 03:41:45 am
hmmm... resisting temptation to change post heading to 99% complete again...

Isn't it always a 99% status for our builds/projects? ;)
For me it is, since I always find some details to improve, but usually it turns out in a new build (leaving the old one not 100% perfect..).
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Le Chuck on August 28, 2014, 05:46:30 am

Or you could use a front-end front-end.

That's another good solution but don't you have to back out of the first FE and get to the selection menu?  With AHK monitoring it could just kill everything when you pop the panel - even if you're in mid game, and then start up the new FE for you.  I think with yours you'd run into fewer bugs and it is a very clean setup but think there are advantages to the other way as well. 
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: edekoning on August 28, 2014, 06:44:43 am
That's another good solution but don't you have to back out of the first FE and get to the selection menu?  With

Yes you would need to exit/quit/kill the FE to get back to the launcher screen.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Unstupid on August 28, 2014, 02:30:27 pm
Very nice!  That's the first LCD marquee I seen done right!  BTW, love the name Blip, mostly because it doesn't end in 'cade!   :D
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: jan25th on August 29, 2014, 11:24:59 am
Very nice!  That's the first LCD marquee I seen done right!  BTW, love the name Blip, mostly because it doesn't end in 'cade!   :D

Amen.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: andyf on August 31, 2014, 09:12:27 am
Markc74, i commented on your video on youtube regarding using this LCD marquee in hyperspin. If you want any of the AHK scripts i made i'll gladly shove them on pastebin or something.

Here's a video of it working in a predator themed cab i made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcufVFWh3s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcufVFWh3s)

Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: RxBrad on September 03, 2014, 04:14:22 pm
So awesome...

I'm planning on a build after Christmas, and thinking I may borrow/steal your idea of mounting a spare control panel (actually will be a flat surface to allow keyboard/mouse PC gaming) on top of the cabinet.

I'm curious what kind of mechanism you used to secure the CP on top of the cab, and also in the playable position?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on September 04, 2014, 05:07:02 pm
I'm curious what kind of mechanism you used to secure the CP on top of the cab, and also in the playable position?
Thanks!

Thanks for the comments chap. The CP's are held in place with pure friction. They aint going anywhere.  I'd planned to use some velcro but it just wasn't needed in the end.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on September 04, 2014, 05:12:15 pm
Markc74, i commented on your video on youtube regarding using this LCD marquee in hyperspin. If you want any of the AHK scripts i made i'll gladly shove them on pastebin or something.

Here's a video of it working in a predator themed cab i made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcufVFWh3s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMcufVFWh3s)

Hi chap - that would be aces. I haven't had a chance to do anything on the cab recently as I have been decorating the room it's in (it has lots of dust sheets protecting it!) but plan to get all the little software bugs ironed out as soon as I can get back on it.

Do your scripts require Hyperspin? I'm currently using MALA but have been experimenting a bit with hyperspin on my laptop and it doesn't seem to be as much of a pain in the ass as I was expecting... well apart from downloading all the themes anyway...!

Love the cab by the way - is there a build log?
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: andyf on September 05, 2014, 05:03:12 am
Hi, I'll shove the scripts on pastebin shortly.  It works by intercepting commands sent to LEDBlinky so i would guess it would work with MaLa in much the same way.

the software works by checking if a marquee is found in a pre-configured directory and if not it selects the wheel art (whch i guess is applicable to Hyperspin only) - it then resizes it and saves a cached copy to a folder and sets it as your desktop wallpaper.

I don't have a build log of this cab, i'm trying to sell it actually as people like you have converted me to the beauty of minimalism!

I'm going to build a new one soon which i may well document!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: Generic Eric on December 17, 2014, 10:29:01 am
Wow.  How did I not see this?
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: PL1 on December 17, 2014, 12:26:49 pm
Mind if I add this build to the wiki and upload the photo from here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,142020.msg1480972.html#msg1480972)?

Project Type: Upright Arcade Cabinet
Construction Method: Scratch built
Monitor Type: Shallow 25” CRT (more details?)
Interface Type: Mini-Pac Opti on the single player panel and an I-PAC2 on the 2 player panel
Special Controls: Servo sticks, spinner, trackball, light gun
OS: Win XP? Win 7?

* LCD marquee
* LEDs to indicate the controls used by the current game
* Swappable control panels
* Mounting area on top for control panel
* Aimtrak gun w. recoil kit
* Admin panel with volume knob and USB  ports
* Servo sticks with automatic switching between 4-way and 8-way

Are there any other features to include?


Scott
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on December 17, 2014, 01:15:55 pm
Hi Scott - Please do - I'd be flattered.

The CRT is a Bang and Olufson Beovision 1 --> http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=458 (http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=458)

And it's running Windows XP 64 with a MALA frontend.

You've pretty much nailed the description. The only extra thing I can think of is the switch on the admin panel that switches between a 224 and 256 line display but that doesn't exactly sound very snappy!

Thanks,
Mark
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: PL1 on December 17, 2014, 01:45:38 pm
http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?title=Blip (http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?title=Blip)


Scott
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: nanoflower on March 23, 2015, 11:02:07 am
Hi Scott - Please do - I'd be flattered.

The CRT is a Bang and Olufson Beovision 1 --> http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=458 (http://www.beoworld.org/prod_details.asp?pid=458)

And it's running Windows XP 64 with a MALA frontend.

You've pretty much nailed the description. The only extra thing I can think of is the switch on the admin panel that switches between a 224 and 256 line display but that doesn't exactly sound very snappy!

Thanks,
Mark

Hi Mark

That is quite and impressive build you have there  :applaud:

How did you manage to get the TV to power on automatically - have you modded the SCART cable or..?

/nano
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on March 23, 2015, 01:08:31 pm
That's a strange one - I haven't modded the scart cable in any special way but sometimes it switches on automatically and other times it doesn't so I switch it on via the remote. I keep meaning to look at the cable and see if I can make another with the relevant voltage/resistors but then I switch in on, play and forget about it  ;D

One day I might do it but I hasn't bothered me in the year I've been using it so I'll probably save my efforts for the next cab!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: nanoflower on March 23, 2015, 01:34:20 pm
That's a strange one - I haven't modded the scart cable in any special way but sometimes it switches on automatically and other times it doesn't so I switch it on via the remote. I keep meaning to look at the cable and see if I can make another with the relevant voltage/resistors but then I switch in on, play and forget about it  ;D

One day I might do it but I hasn't bothered me in the year I've been using it so I'll probably save my efforts for the next cab!

-ah I see! I'm thinking about picking up a BeoVision 1, most people almost give them away now - did yours come with a Beo1 of Beo4 remote?
/nano
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: zanna5910 on March 25, 2015, 01:19:52 pm
This build is really awesome, you did a great job.

What font did you use for the blip text?
How deep is that tv once you decased it and angled it?
Do you have the marquee and tv on different hdmi/dvi signals in the card, or how did you configure them to display?

Thanks.  This is me when looking at this build:  :o
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on March 25, 2015, 03:11:37 pm
-ah I see! I'm thinking about picking up a BeoVision 1, most people almost give them away now - did yours come with a Beo1 of Beo4 remote?
/nano

Hi Nano - It didnt come with a remote so I brought a knock off replacement from Ebay. Looking at my orders it was a Ersatz Fernbedienung B&O Beo4 Beolink1000 Beolink100 but searching I cant find it anymore. If you can get the TV with the remote then it definitely makes it easier!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on March 26, 2015, 03:21:52 pm
What font did you use for the blip text?
How deep is that tv once you decased it and angled it?
Do you have the marquee and tv on different hdmi/dvi signals in the card, or how did you configure them to display?

Thanks for the comments!

In answer to your questions:


Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: nanoflower on March 27, 2015, 12:29:49 pm
(...)Yes the graphics card has TV (Scart) --> (RGB Scart cable) --> (VGA/DVI dongle) --> DVI port. The marquee monitor connects via HDMI.

Thanks for your reply. This caught my attention, should it be read in reverse like this?
Graphics card DVI out > DVI/VGA dongle > VGA to SCART cable > TV SCART in

cheers / nano
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on June 01, 2015, 10:35:19 am
Hello Blip chap. Where did you get your ultra-wide bar lcd from. Here in the UK also, and struggling to source one. Of course, I made the fatal mistake of making my can first and then wanting to fit one - so gotta source one under 610mm wide. Most UK suppliers go from 19inch to 28" - missing out the 26" that may just work in me cab!

Any info/leads appreciated...

(oh - and what do you use to drive your Marquee displays? Ifranview? I know it's probably up there somewhere, but...well..ya know!)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on June 01, 2015, 01:10:24 pm
Hi chap. Got the marquee monitor direct from the source - litemax in taiwan. Its a spanpixel 2313 model if they still make them. I think jimbo on here has also got one.

The marquees are all displayed using artwork files in mame so they don't work for non mame emulators. Although if I did want them to work I'd probably use something like ifranview. I'm in the middle of a kitchen refit at the moment so a bit busy but I'll post some instructions for getting the artwork working at some point soon.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: yotsuya on June 01, 2015, 01:12:31 pm
Hi, chaps! LG also makes some superwide monitors that you could use:

http://www.bing.com/search?q=LG%20super%20wide%20monitor&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=lg%20super%20wide%20monitor&sc=2-21&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=071b02a057d6413e8403c02e56a3fd08 (http://www.bing.com/search?q=LG%20super%20wide%20monitor&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=lg%20super%20wide%20monitor&sc=2-21&sp=-1&sk=&cvid=071b02a057d6413e8403c02e56a3fd08)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on June 01, 2015, 03:05:09 pm
Thanks chaps.

EDIT: Just read through this entire topic and realized the last version of this post totally ruined the flow. Bit like the advert for your local curry house just before star-wars starts, but in reverse. One of me fave, most inspiring cabs of all time.... not gonna spoil it. :)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: necksnap on August 14, 2015, 02:20:03 pm
This is amazing!
Will you be posting instructions on how you get the screen to show the games?
I have no idea how you did this but would love to try or have a friend try. Again, amazing work!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: ChanceKJ on August 14, 2015, 09:19:02 pm
Chaps.

(http://www.jaminleather.com/Assets/ProductImages/C2100SP_0223.jpg)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: EvilNuff on August 21, 2015, 10:59:55 pm
Hi chap. Got the marquee monitor direct from the source - litemax in taiwan. Its a spanpixel 2313 model if they still make them. I think jimbo on here has also got one.

The marquees are all displayed using artwork files in mame so they don't work for non mame emulators. Although if I did want them to work I'd probably use something like ifranview. I'm in the middle of a kitchen refit at the moment so a bit busy but I'll post some instructions for getting the artwork working at some point soon.

Love the build and especially the marquee monitor.  Whenever you do get time I would certainly appreciate reading more about how you handled the artwork for it.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: m.andrade1 on September 16, 2015, 10:34:34 am
Hello Markc74
First want to congratulation you for the best ideia i´ve seen for now, your marquee lcd monitor is totaly awesome, i have a similiar mame cab project, using, PC running WinXP 32bit, with a 4350 Ati, J-pac, 20"inch tube original with an arcade monitor 15khz Brazilian brend (Eletrocyan), with CRT_emudriver, that by the way totaly rocks, using groovymame 0.162 for mame, and groovymame 0.164 for mess (Genesis, Atari2600, Msx), would like so much to put this litemax lcd monitor, but my cab doesnt fit the SSD2313, i´m looking for another a little smaller, but they dont have one i need around 570mmx170mm total on size to fit perfect, do you know another company that manufacter this type of ultrawide monitors ?
Thanks a lot for you project, it´s amazing !
I posted some photos of it running on this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,145821.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,145821.0.html)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on October 30, 2015, 10:57:58 am
Long live the Blip...

Blip-creator chap....did you ever collate all of the HQ mame marquees? Just got the dynamic marquee up and running on mine and finding the marquee set that I have horrendously LQ (some of them jus 350px wide :( ) - and they look like cack on my super-bright lcd display!

It seems the HQ versions are scattered wide and far (some from memory on AracdeArtwork; Mr Do's arcade and another random site that it purely just web file access).

I'm hoping you have, to save a job. If so - are you willing to share? But if not dunno if yer interested in helping start a project to get it done?

Let me know!

Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on October 30, 2015, 07:55:53 pm
I'll do both. I'm happy to share directly as all the files I have were made by others - I just rejigged them to work from my setup.

That being said - having had to search far and wide to get a lot of these files I would be massively in favour of helping create a central source for them. I don't want to redo what other people have started unless it would be *the* archive which could take a lot of work. I'm up for it if others are... A central repository for arcade artwork would need a lot of help...I'm up for it if it has community backing and other peeps to help build it.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on November 01, 2015, 06:50:27 pm
Nice one. Just knocking together an app to hopefully make the job smoother - one that takes .dats (in this instance MAME), constructs a game list then lets you compare three image folders (displaying dimensions, filesize and dpi etc). Idea being, one folder would be 'new' images for comparison, another your own local copy and the third a cloud syncing folder (such as dropbox).

Should make the whole process a little easier. Once have done this, maybe we start a separate thread inviting assistance? Could do it via public shares on dropbox or something...

Just got the mame marquees up and running on my cab today. Great to have all those maquees changing with game-select, but some of them are appalling. Think most in my set are 500px wide + look a bit cacky as a result.

Anywhos - thanks for the offer of collaboration and sharing.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on November 04, 2015, 11:46:39 am
Hi Stigzler - if you're still after the marquees - all the files I have are available here:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2XxpmZ16vfOX2w3ZWU3T1E4dm8&usp=drive_web (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2XxpmZ16vfOX2w3ZWU3T1E4dm8&usp=drive_web)

Have fun  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on November 04, 2015, 11:54:01 am
Recent activity on this thread reminded me that I never got around to uploading the walkthough videos I did for the cab last year. I've finally put them on youtube if anyone is interested.

Unfortunately it's narrated by me so you'll have to put up with my dulcet tones. Next time I'll try and get the guy who does 'Honest Reviews' on youtube to do it. Beeeewbs... (look it up)

And the cable wrapping I was trying to name in the first video is called snakeskin sheathing. I had a brain fart while trying to remember the name at the time!

Part 1

http://youtu.be/RFpMs1y9dI8 (http://youtu.be/RFpMs1y9dI8)

Part 2

http://youtu.be/OdQArV9uB1c (http://youtu.be/OdQArV9uB1c)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: fablog on November 05, 2015, 01:52:02 pm
Hi marck74. Congratulations for your creation. It's an inspiration for me. I think I will copy the black and white design  ;D
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on November 05, 2015, 01:56:47 pm
Hi Stigzler - if you're still after the marquees - all the files I have are available here:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2XxpmZ16vfOX2w3ZWU3T1E4dm8&usp=drive_web (https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B2XxpmZ16vfOX2w3ZWU3T1E4dm8&usp=drive_web)

Have fun  :cheers:

You're a gentleman and a scholar, sir! Fabulous contribution.

I'm working hard on the app to help with maintaining/producing full image sets - so I'll start a separate project thread once done and start cracking these marquees (all 10,000 of them!!?? from the mame.dat :/)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: severdhed on November 07, 2015, 11:05:16 pm
I don't know how i missed this one, this cabinet is fantastic.  Very impressive :applaud:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on November 09, 2015, 05:49:18 pm
May be of related interest: started a HD Mame Marquee project here:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148204.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,148204.0.html)

Mark - sent you an IM on the subject - thanks for the set - some excellent marquee goodness therein. And that 1366 figure is emblazened on me brain-bag (Litemax X dimension?). I can never remember the height divided by 2 though!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: m.andrade1 on June 10, 2016, 02:12:49 pm
Hello markc74
I saw on your youtube video you are using an ATI 4350 card connected to a Beovision 1 25" tv and a SSD2313 ultra wide monitor using the CRT emudriver and Windows XP 64 bit.
I´m using almost the same setup as yours, win32 + ati 4350 + crt_emudriver 1.2, besides your beovision, i´m working with an Arcade Monitor 20" thru plugged on the DVI port thru DVI > Vga adapter into the J-pac, i tried to plug a normal lcd monitor just to test if i could get any image thru the VGA port of the ATI 4350, but have nothing, windows xp 32 + Crt_Emudriver 1.2 from Calamity could´n detect the monitor, any hint how did you do that ?
Thanks
Marcos
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on June 14, 2016, 08:26:24 pm
Hi Marcos - my 4350 card came with a HDMI port which is what I use to connect to the LCD marquee - I haven't tried using the vga port. The only other difference in setup is I'm using xp 64 bit but I'm not sure if that would matter in this case.

Have you enabled your LCD monitor in your display preferences? (right click on desktop). Mine is set to stretch across both screens.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: markc74 on September 10, 2018, 07:16:48 am
Updated control panel

After using my Invaders cabinet (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,154460.0.html) for a while I’ve decided that I much prefer using a curved button layout. So much so that it started bugging me that Blip had the buttons in a straight line - first world problems, I know.

Since I was planning on redoing the buttons I figured I may as well rejig the panel a bit to space things slightly better and move the led lights to somewhere more visible towards the top of the panel.

So - here’s the final panel, printed and wired up. I’ll probably switch the battop with a white or red one to match the graphics more but that’s about it. It feels way better this way and I definitely prefer the way the lights work now.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=370883;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=370885;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=370887;image)

Anyway, just a small update as this cabinet is finished. It’s still my favourite cabinet that I have made and I still hammer it weekly.

Aaaand here it is with it’s siblings…!  ;D

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=370889;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=370891;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=370893;image)

Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: Mike A on September 10, 2018, 07:19:42 am
Nice. It is always worth the effort to improve game play.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: markc74 on September 10, 2018, 07:25:38 am
Nice. It is always worth the effort to improve game play.

Defo. I didn't realise it was uncomfortable because I'd not tried the curved one before. I've kept the 2 player control panel as a straight layout to match SF2 but I tend to use that much less (as it's usually winner stays on) and it's what I'm used to. Single player, curved all the way.

I switched the joystick out for a Happs stick while I was at it. As I've got a vertical cab now it doesn't really need a servostick as there's so few 4 way horizontal games
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: Jimbo on September 10, 2018, 09:35:16 am
Looks awesome!  When you inviting me over?! ;)
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: markc74 on September 10, 2018, 09:47:52 am
Looks awesome!  When you inviting me over?! ;)

Whenever you're in Kent and have a bag full of beers  :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: yotsuya on September 10, 2018, 11:23:11 am
I’ve always liked Blip!
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: javeryh on September 10, 2018, 12:17:10 pm
Looks great.  Your CP art needed to be applied very precisely.  How did you do it?  Did you apply the art and then drill the holes?  If so, were you worried about the art tearing?  If not, and you drilled the holes first, how the heck did you line up the art so perfectly without the center points of the buttons to go by?

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: Jimbo on September 10, 2018, 05:30:52 pm
Looks awesome!  When you inviting me over?! ;)

Whenever you're in Kent and have a bag full of beers  :cheers:

I'm in Kent and I'll get beers on the way! ;)

Heh... seriously, where in Kent are you?  I'm in Folkestone.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete
Post by: stigzler on September 10, 2018, 05:50:42 pm
Cool tweak - yeah - arc'd buttons are a lot more ergonomical.

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=370893;image)

Is it just me or does this look like mummy, daddy and baby arcade bear?
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: Vidiot on September 11, 2018, 01:23:29 pm
Blip is still one of my favorite cabs of all time here on BYOAC. It's hard to believe you could improve it. Great job man. Lots of love for your work.  :applaud:
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: morton on September 11, 2018, 05:11:46 pm
Woah wait ... Is there a build thread on that lil cabaret somewhere too??
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: PL1 on September 11, 2018, 08:11:20 pm
Woah wait ... Is there a build thread on that lil cabaret somewhere too??
Build thread for his "CUBE" cabaret:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,151654.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,151654.0.html)


Scott
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: davide.simonetto on March 06, 2019, 10:47:34 am
Hi mark!

First of all congratulations for the job, is it wonderful and really stylish.
I am starting my own project and I am searching since weeks for a project to follow not to get lost in stupid mistakes given that it is my first try.
I happend to have a crt monitor the same size as your and I would love to recreate a cabinet like that. Are you available to share some plans to have an idea about the dimensions? With that width, is the control panel comfortable for 2 players?


Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: blueznl on June 16, 2019, 04:31:34 pm
I've not been here for a while (suffering from RLI) but got to say there have been some awfully nice projects since my last visit. Love this!

As I've just sold my second cab (don't worry, it was that bad I didn't even dare to post anything here :-)) it's time for attempt number 3. Not in a hurry, still got lots of other things to do, but I definitely love the Blip and Mimic designs.

Going through this thread I didn't see anything explaining how you fixed / swapped the control panels. Do you use any kind of mechanical lock or something?
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: markc74 on June 17, 2019, 03:35:02 am
As I've just sold my second cab (don't worry, it was that bad I didn't even dare to post anything here :-)) it's time for attempt number 3. Not in a hurry, still got lots of other things to do, but I definitely love the Blip and Mimic designs.

Going through this thread I didn't see anything explaining how you fixed / swapped the control panels. Do you use any kind of mechanical lock or something?

Hi Blueznl.

I don't think I posted my first couple of cabs here either (although it was a *long* time ago!). Laythe did a great job with his Mimic cab and the way he integrated the marquee and bezel design is a step up from mine.

The control panels basically slot in from the top. Because of the weight of the panels and the tight fit they don't move around at all. I originally thought about using velcro, magnets or those CP catches that were common but it really wasn't necessary.
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: markc74 on June 17, 2019, 03:39:00 am
Hi mark!

First of all congratulations for the job, is it wonderful and really stylish.
I am starting my own project and I am searching since weeks for a project to follow not to get lost in stupid mistakes given that it is my first try.
I happend to have a crt monitor the same size as your and I would love to recreate a cabinet like that. Are you available to share some plans to have an idea about the dimensions? With that width, is the control panel comfortable for 2 players?


Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Oooooops. Sorry I missed this mate. I have the plans somewhere. If you're still around PM me or reply here and I'll upload them/send them over.

The Control panel is 66cm/~26" wide which works great for 2 players. Nothing wrong with elbowing a competitor in the ribs now and again though for a tactical advantage  ;D
Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: davide.simonetto on June 17, 2019, 08:11:02 am
Thanks a lot. Actually I already am halfway through the work. I used the measure you gave of the TV stand and made some proportions on the black pic you posted :) I stayed on the 60cm inside for space issues. I will share with you some pics. I am having some trouble with the retropie and the crt resolution, but I am working on it :)

Inviato dal mio GM1913 utilizzando Tapatalk

Title: Re: Blip - 100% complete - Updated the Control panel
Post by: Neonpt on April 27, 2022, 07:01:27 am
Hi mark!

First of all congratulations for the job, is it wonderful and really stylish.
I am starting my own project and I am searching since weeks for a project to follow not to get lost in stupid mistakes given that it is my first try.
I happend to have a crt monitor the same size as your and I would love to recreate a cabinet like that. Are you available to share some plans to have an idea about the dimensions? With that width, is the control panel comfortable for 2 players?


Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Oooooops. Sorry I missed this mate. I have the plans somewhere. If you're still around PM me or reply here and I'll upload them/send them over.

The Control panel is 66cm/~26" wide which works great for 2 players. Nothing wrong with elbowing a competitor in the ribs now and again though for a tactical advantage  ;D

Hello mate, i am starting to build my own custom arcade, and i love your cabinet design, would be great if you could share your plans.
Also, after so many years after you built it, would there be some things you would change if you would have done it today?

Thank you