The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: rockyrocket on February 17, 2012, 05:43:27 pm

Title: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on February 17, 2012, 05:43:27 pm
Hi,
So I have never been one for posting my builds before but feel like it with this one (and sorry for the low quality photo`s).
Anyway last year I managed to find some incomplete Atari yokes that combined made one full one, so now it was game on!.
(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/2987/28112622.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/28112622.jpg/)
Having never much liked the standard sw art for the control panel ect and also liking the empire strikes back art the decision was made for a fusion of the two.
I know the purists will baulk but it is what I wanted, so different art will be on each side with a SW marquee and a ESB yoke overlay sent for print.
If you are in the states and after a printer I can recommend brad who being a builder himself knows exactly what you want you can find him here...
http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14150 (http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14150)
I also was going to use a second screen and blatantly rip off shrunkenmaster`s build but as I got further in decided against it but the back panel is still convertable later if my mind changes.
One other idea dropped was to recreate the kick plate artwork in 3d then lay some EL glowwire in the slots to create a circuit effect but it was decided this may be tacky.
The cabinet shape and moldings are also not a perfect clone of the original (sorry) and a pinball coin door was used as I had it laying about.
As for software I an using the front end released by urban interactive to launch SW and ESB the third slot in the launcher points to 3d starstrike also by urban interactive, I have not had any of the problems others had had using this FE with a yoke , dual strike and xpadder.
Not content with only loading the three games I also wanted star wars trilogy through supermodel3 so wrote a small batch script to launch the SW loader on boot then when exiting that FE go straight into the supermodel loader found here..
http://www.supermodel3.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18 (http://www.supermodel3.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=18)
This has a nice gui so with only the one rom looks fine, and works great, being lazy all the game files from both emu`s are in the mame folder.
I then created a shortcut to the batch file and set it to start minimized and put it into to start up folder.
heres a copy of the bat file

Code: [Select]
@echo off

:rungame1
Launcher.EXE

:rungame2
"C:\mame\Supermodel Loader.exe"

goto rungame1


One other tweak that was made was to compile mame 144 with the vector diff found here..
http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=254782&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&vc=1 (http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=254782&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&vc=1)
this gives the best effect yet imho in mame but not being a shader is a bit CPU intensive so needs a butch processor.
Anyway its mostly done now, just waiting for the marquee and have some yoke tweaking to do (too much sideways travel) and then get the thing upstairs to its home.
But I have to say that the now its on the standard SW side art is now my favourite.
(http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2/76175792.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/855/76175792.jpg/)
Used the dual strike hack
(http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/8977/11629517.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/11629517.jpg/)
And picked up a 20" crt for £35 with free delivery on ebay
(http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4491/27394984.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/13/27394984.jpg/)
The lay out is a bit non standard.
You gotta love templates!.
(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/8473/89993208.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/546/89993208.jpg/)
(http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3759/39214547.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/193/39214547.jpg/)
(http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/72/89729460.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/89729460.jpg/)
Some random build shots
(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4845/57775171.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/138/57775171.jpg/)
(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/4943/51867813.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/51867813.jpg/)
Was very tempted to go all white after seeing the primer coat
(http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/3489/54446411.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/54446411.jpg/)
but black it was
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7209/70346692.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/70346692.jpg/)
Then a few cosmetics
(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/7599/22359099.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/22359099.jpg/)
(http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/3094/59513891.th.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/576/59513891.jpg/)
(http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/7489/74154886.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/74154886.jpg/)
(http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/9279/23216467.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/859/23216467.jpg/)
And now just need the marquee!.
Edit- all finished, here are some pics from a later post..
(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7770/completeoc.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/completeoc.jpg/)
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6899/finalkn.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/finalkn.jpg/)
(http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2060/img20120401171303.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/51/img20120401171303.jpg/)

So I have had another play with the shroud and added sone corner details containing EL tape and also added a script to sync the targeting animation ingame to the starwars trench run, details can be found
HERE (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,117395.0.html)
(http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7876/ne2o.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/89/ne2o.jpg/)

EDIT - 2013 added an AHK script to sync the targeting animation on the smaller screen with the trench run in game for more info see HERE (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,117395.0.html)
And here is a game demonstrating the script at work
Mame starwars targeting animation sync via AHK (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS84duI2RIs#ws)

EDIT - 2014 changed the FE to GameeX with a skin from This thread (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137291.0.html) as seen below....


http://youtu.be/t7G1ocAVEY4 (http://youtu.be/t7G1ocAVEY4)

EDIT - 2014 Again!,
Made a removable keypad mount to enable Elite Dangerous and and diaspora to be played properly...

http://youtu.be/sg-Ws6OTqtw (http://youtu.be/sg-Ws6OTqtw)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: ark_ader on February 17, 2012, 07:12:15 pm
Love it!  :applaud:

Is the Storm Trooper side art from the Criterion Collection laserdisc cover?
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: SammyWI on February 17, 2012, 08:12:31 pm
Very nice. :notworthy:

It may not be an exact repro but it's very well done and looks great.  Frankly, I really like seeing both faithful reproductions and the more personalized, custom cabs like this.   
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: yotsuya on February 17, 2012, 09:58:07 pm
Hey, if Lucas can re-imagine his films, you can re-imagine the game cabinet!  :applaud:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: drventure on February 17, 2012, 10:17:21 pm
Nice job. I love that storm trooper art. It almost looks abstract.

 :applaud:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on February 17, 2012, 11:35:04 pm
Love it!  :applaud:

Is the Storm Trooper side art from the Criterion Collection laserdisc cover?
No  Idea who did the art, grabbed it from the BYOAC art collection http://www.coinopart.com/index.php (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php)
Also forgot to mention I had some pinball flasher caps so mounted three red ones above the screen by the speakers.
So has anyone any idea why my cursor hits the side of the screen only half way through a turn?.
Gearing is right and its an original pot, so it should work with a dual strike right?.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: monkey puzzle on February 18, 2012, 05:13:43 am
Great job! I also your like Atari cab in the picture.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: menace on February 18, 2012, 07:38:46 am
Quote
No  Idea who did the art, grabbed it from the BYOAC art collection http://www.coinopart.com/index.php (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php)
Also forgot to mention I had some pinball flasher caps so mounted three red ones above the screen by the speakers.
So has anyone any idea why my cursor hits the side of the screen only half way through a turn?.
Gearing is right and its an original pot, so it should work with a dual strike right?.

Did you setup the dual strike under windows joystick calibration?  Also the original pot may be a 10K whereas the dual strike was 5K so you might be getting wonky results coming out of the dual strike if thats indeed the case.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: DaOld Man on February 18, 2012, 07:43:54 am
Good job!!

 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on February 18, 2012, 09:47:42 am
Quote
No  Idea who did the art, grabbed it from the BYOAC art collection http://www.coinopart.com/index.php (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php)
Also forgot to mention I had some pinball flasher caps so mounted three red ones above the screen by the speakers.
So has anyone any idea why my cursor hits the side of the screen only half way through a turn?.
Gearing is right and its an original pot, so it should work with a dual strike right?.

Did you setup the dual strike under windows joystick calibration?  Also the original pot may be a 10K whereas the dual strike was 5K so you might be getting wonky results coming out of the dual strike if thats indeed the case.
Ah yeah that may be it as I replaced the up/down pot with a 5k and that works fine, and just left the other thinking it was the same!.
Will get two new good quality 5k ones as the other one is just a cheap one (anyone have a link to a good uk outlet?)
Thanks for the feedback.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: PIZZ on February 18, 2012, 12:21:42 pm
Nice build, Im lovin that Atari cab!
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on February 19, 2012, 01:47:15 am
Thanks for the kind words everyone.
So as an update on the pots I ordered two of these 5kΩ..
http://cpc.farnell.com/ab-elektronik/abw1-5k/potentiometer-5k/dp/RE04643?in_merch=Products%20From%20This%20Range (http://cpc.farnell.com/ab-elektronik/abw1-5k/potentiometer-5k/dp/RE04643?in_merch=Products%20From%20This%20Range)
Ps. I know i do not hyperlink buit personally i like to see my destination before i click a link.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: Green Giant on February 19, 2012, 03:32:32 am
Hey, if Lucas can re-imagine his films, you can re-imagine the game cabinet!  :applaud:
Don't go insulting this guys fine work with an analogy like that.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on February 19, 2012, 04:53:57 am
Got my camera sorted so for those that like the atari themed one..
(http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6127/dscf0181sv.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/338/dscf0181sv.jpg/)
(http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/3051/dscf0180r.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/dscf0180r.jpg/)
And thanks green giant!.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: Le Chuck on February 19, 2012, 11:37:44 am
 :applaud:  I dig it, well done man.  What are the specs of the computer you're running everything on?  I like the idea of the glowing vector compile but don't know if I can handle it with what I'm running. 
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: DaveMMR on February 19, 2012, 12:06:59 pm
Damn, those are some fine looking cabs. The "Atari Age" one especially. I love simple retro artwork.
 :applaud:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on February 19, 2012, 02:13:24 pm
:applaud:  I dig it, well done man.  What are the specs of the computer you're running everything on?  I like the idea of the glowing vector compile but don't know if I can handle it with what I'm running. 
Athlon 6000+ and a 8800gt, its amazing what you have laying about if ya upgrade enough!.
Why not just try the exe, pm me if you want me to send it over?.
or..  http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/download.php?Number=256401 (http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/download.php?Number=256401)  Has 142 pre compiled
Have to say though that I think its running supermodel3  a bit slow.
Also due to using an old dying 2.5" drive the cab is now dead for a bit and what with the price of hd`s ended up buying a SSD.
Talk about overkill.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on March 27, 2012, 06:20:05 am

Finally got my marquee today after almost seven weeks wait so can declare this complete.
I went full circle on my decision not to shamefully rip off shrunkenmasters targeting display from his build but you know what they say about immatation.
The display is a mimo 7" usb display picked up from ebay with a bit of paint on, the plan was to inset it on the back board but the stand it came with enabled it to e flipped up out the way should you feel the need to "use the force".
The issues I had with the  pots were sorted by swapping out the duel strike board for an apac.
Anyway hope you like it, and the eagle eyed amongst you will spot the paint drip I still need to sand out (so nearly complete :) ).
(http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/7770/completeoc.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/completeoc.jpg/)
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6899/finalkn.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/finalkn.jpg/)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: LeedsFan on March 27, 2012, 04:11:40 pm
Brilliant!  Side art on SW cabs is one of my all time faves. You've done a great job combining the two. Love the Shrunkenmaster copy up there   :applaud:  How long did it take to get the yokes? Did you buy them together?
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: Le Chuck on March 27, 2012, 04:17:49 pm
Looking great, I like the screen.   :applaud:

I have a dual strike stuffed in a drawer for whenever I finally refurb my yoke, can you post more details about the issue you had and how you resolved it incase I run into the same thing?  Thanks man. 
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on March 27, 2012, 11:41:13 pm
Thanks for the words guys!
@LeedsFan yeah it was a while before I found a yoke then I came across someone with three incomplete ones that combined made one good one.
Do have most of another one though just need some cogs and a piece for the right handle, should really put it on ebay.
@Le Chuck I think my issue was caused more by using tiny xp rev12 as I do not think it has the drivers for a dual strike so you can not calibrate it.
You can install the D-S software but calibrating the cursor travel was a problem.
I fixed this by just swapping the dual strike for an ultimarc APAC, it was instantly recognised as a gamepad and I could calibrate it fine, it`s also easier to add more buttons with this.
Of course I could of just used a different build of xp!.
All that being said it was only the left and right pot that was giving issues even after a new pot was added.
I think it may of started to come back a little bit so i`m thinking that it may be an old worn out grub screw holding the cog to the shaft of the pot that's slipping.
So to sum up yes I now love APACs and will use them again but maybe a bit of locktight is all that's needed.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on March 28, 2012, 12:29:49 am
Oh and Leeds Fan yes it is great artwork but my favourite is asteriods i think, but that's a whole different discusion isn't it.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on March 30, 2012, 03:16:40 pm
Ok so I thought i`d share the results of all my tweaking with the APAC for any others that might go this route in the future.
With a bit of work it will indeed work perfectly and the issue mentioned above about a suspected loose grub screw was just bad settings.
The apac basically needs to have no dead zone and full joystick saturation in the mame.ini, so that's "joystick_deadzone  0", and "joystick_saturation 1" both under the core input options section of course.
Then I found that under the analogue input part of the Mame tab menu my preference was for about 150 for the X and Y sensitivity and digital speed.
Anyway hope that info is of some use to somebody sometime :).
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: kahlid74 on March 30, 2012, 04:27:04 pm
Well done, looks great!
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on March 30, 2012, 04:37:28 pm
Thank you!.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: Gonzakpo on June 30, 2012, 04:51:41 pm

Hi. Sorry to bring this up. I've tried to sent you a PM but the forum tells me "Many apologies, but you can't view just any profile.". I searched on the rules about that but I didn't find anything. So, I'm asking you here: Could you please send me the sideart with the stormtrooper? I love it!

Thank you!


Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: SpaceHedgehog on July 01, 2012, 03:59:51 am
Very nice work indeed. Congratulations on a lovely pair  :applaud:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: PL1 on July 01, 2012, 06:51:40 am
Hi. Sorry to bring this up. I've tried to sent you a PM but the forum tells me "Many apologies, but you can't view just any profile.". I searched on the rules about that but I didn't find anything. So, I'm asking you here: Could you please send me the sideart with the stormtrooper? I love it!

Thank you!

Wecome aboard, Gonzakpo.

Keep posting and somewhere around 10-15 posts your PMs will enable.

Two things about anyone sending the files:

1. They are BIG.

EXIF data excerpts:
FILE    FileName    ESB_Sideart_Fantasy_Version1_Right_psd.jpg
FILE    FileSize    44357455
FILE    MimeType    image/jpeg
COMPUTED    Height    23400
COMPUTED    Width    12900

2. The files are hosted on Joymonkey's pay site.

For a $10 (or more) donation to help cover his bandwidth, you can download any art on the site.

Details here (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1) and here (http://artwork.joymonkey.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=43).

Once you set up your membership there, the sideart files are located at:

http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=463&catid=7&limitstart=29 (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=463&catid=7&limitstart=29)

and

http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=464&catid=7&limitstart=30 (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=464&catid=7&limitstart=30)


Scott
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: swaffar on July 01, 2012, 10:49:51 am
Nice!!! I don't know if I could be that committed to a single game.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: Gonzakpo on July 01, 2012, 03:27:41 pm
Hi. Sorry to bring this up. I've tried to sent you a PM but the forum tells me "Many apologies, but you can't view just any profile.". I searched on the rules about that but I didn't find anything. So, I'm asking you here: Could you please send me the sideart with the stormtrooper? I love it!

Thank you!

Wecome aboard, Gonzakpo.

Keep posting and somewhere around 10-15 posts your PMs will enable.

Two things about anyone sending the files:

1. They are BIG.

EXIF data excerpts:
FILE    FileName    ESB_Sideart_Fantasy_Version1_Right_psd.jpg
FILE    FileSize    44357455
FILE    MimeType    image/jpeg
COMPUTED    Height    23400
COMPUTED    Width    12900

2. The files are hosted on Joymonkey's pay site.

For a $10 (or more) donation to help cover his bandwidth, you can download any art on the site.

Details here (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1) and here (http://artwork.joymonkey.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=43).

Once you set up your membership there, the sideart files are located at:

http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=463&catid=7&limitstart=29 (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=463&catid=7&limitstart=29)

and

http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=464&catid=7&limitstart=30 (http://www.coinopart.com/index.php?option=com_rsgallery2&Itemid=26&page=inline&id=464&catid=7&limitstart=30)


Scott

Thank you PL1!

I'll take a look to that site!
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: AlienInferno on July 01, 2012, 08:11:11 pm
That stormtrooper artwork looks great. 
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on July 02, 2012, 11:10:37 am
Thanks for replying PL1, missed the posting myself guess I should hit the new replies button more.
As an update the second usb screen lasted all of two weeks before dying, first it went totally white then just expired ..bummer.
Will get another when the time is right on eBay.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: AC. on July 31, 2012, 10:52:31 pm
Very cool! 
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on August 11, 2012, 11:37:16 am
Hi,
So seeing as the thread has received a bump I feel like giving a bit of an update,as I have added  some more games to the cab.
These being rogue squadron for the PC and then star wars - shadows of the empire and episode 1 racer on project64 then star wars demolition on nulldc.
The extra games meant a rethink of the front end was needed so I decided to change to hyperspin using rondars star wars theme as default for all games.
I am happy with my decision to change as it means that I can have all the starwars games on a favourites wheel but if I want a game of scudrace for example I can drill down through the emu menu`s to find it

EDIT. 2014 and I have dropped hyperspin for GameeX with a skin FROM THIS THREAD (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137291.0.html) see below for a demo

http://youtu.be/t7G1ocAVEY4 (http://youtu.be/t7G1ocAVEY4)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: lettuce on August 12, 2012, 04:45:15 pm
Are you using MAME or AAE, as AAE is a must for vector based games
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on August 12, 2012, 06:29:35 pm
Mame compiled with a vector diff as per the first post, unless you know a way with a yoke and AAE as i would love to use AAE.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: shrunkenmaster on December 27, 2012, 12:00:49 pm
A bit late joining the party here - great job! I had the idea of making a  flip-down targetting display too - glad to see it worked out nicely for you.

Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: ChadTower on December 27, 2012, 12:09:04 pm

That is definitely very sweet.  Nice one!

Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: yotsuya on December 27, 2012, 12:41:38 pm
Looks great! I'll be doing something similar this spring.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on December 27, 2012, 03:23:26 pm
Blimey guys talk about resurrecting an old thread! :) .
Thanks for the kind words though (glad i went back and fixed all the image links now to embed them all properly)
So as an update its still going strong although I have still to replace the usb screen and I decided to revisit the bezel area to clean up some visable wood grain.
A bit of in-situ bondo and spray work sorted this out and now i am happy.
So yotsuya what are you planning, a repro cab or one with a twist?.
(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2642/dscf0418w.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/405/dscf0418w.jpg/)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: yotsuya on December 27, 2012, 05:35:04 pm
The plan is a repro. I have the mdf cut, the parts I need, and the computer ready to go. Look for it Spring 2013!
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: mlenardon on December 27, 2012, 06:21:10 pm
Beautiful job.  Have you tried Fire Fox, Stun Runner or Road Blasters in that cab by Atari that use the Yoke?

Michael
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: floriske.nl on December 28, 2012, 08:48:07 am
Beautiful work indeed! Really like the artwork and the fact it's none symmetrical.    :applaud:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: jackiabu on December 28, 2012, 09:38:25 am
what a beauty...great job :applaud:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: rockyrocket on December 28, 2012, 01:07:57 pm
@yotsuya sweet, can not wait - what have you decided to do about the marquee?.
I ask as I maybe redo mine from bent plexi to more match the curves of the original, so much for being finished nearly a year ago ehh.
@mlenardon yes love firefox and stun runner but not road blasters so much , things like tac scan and afterburner and also paperboy ar other favs.
Most of the flyer and drivers are playable you just need to except maybe the controls have differing degrees of rotation.
Edit - think I will just keep tha marquee as is and resist the temptation to keep revisiting finished cabs - so its still finished - honest.
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3221/gamesi.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/gamesi.jpg/)



EDIT, 2014 - So I will not bump this old thread but thought the recent changes made to the cab were worth documenting.

A new front end has taken over and I now use GameEx with a custom skin myself and Le Chuck put together.
You can find more info and download links HERE (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137291.0.html), I also boxed in the second screen and am much happier with how this looks.
All the changes can be seen in the video below.

(http://i.imgur.com/eS3lpMh.jpg)

http://youtu.be/cTsKfo0ANFo (http://youtu.be/cTsKfo0ANFo)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars (Complete)
Post by: yotsuya on January 03, 2013, 03:38:54 pm
@yotsuya sweet, can not wait - what have you decided to do about the marquee?.
I ask as I maybe redo mine from bent plexi to more match the curves of the original, so much for being finished nearly a year ago ehh.
@mlenardon yes love firefox and stun runner but not road blasters so much , things like tac scan and afterburner and also paperboy ar other favs.
Most of the flyer and drivers are playable you just need to except maybe the controls have differing degrees of rotation.
Edit - think I will just keep tha marquee as is and resist the temptation to keep revisiting finished cabs - so its still finished - honest.
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3221/gamesi.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/gamesi.jpg/)

Rocky-

I've got a good idea on how to build the original. Some of the guys at KLOV have been pretty helpful in that regard.

I actually went to a local place yesterday that has the upright, and with the owner's permission, I measured and photographed the cab for accuracy. I wanna do this right!  :cheers:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on June 01, 2014, 10:21:11 am
Yep I am bumping/updating this old thread, but I feel comfortable doing this because I think the changes are interesting enough.

So as I seem to not be able to leave this cab alone and also never really being happy with the pinball coin door,
it was swapped out for a more fitting over-under design, along with a new lighted front panel.

(http://i.imgur.com/pZS49kS.jpg)




Could not resist also playing some more with the AHK script that syncs the trench run animation on the second screen and added an LED lightshow
With LEDblinky as seen in the video below.

This got me thinking about what other ingame triggers could be used to extend the script and remembered that when reaching 8 and 2 shields there is a bit of R2D2 related dialogue.
So I`ve decided to make an astromech rotating topper for the cab figuring R2 can react when reaching these shield points.

The mechanism itself is done its just a case of painting the dome, something that is proving frustrating with a bad choice of silver paint.
Chrome paint gave a very good result but just would not take either tape or other paint well as seen in the photo.


(http://i.imgur.com/lctK0fy.jpg)



I think though that I will replace the lampshade that is being used as a dome with a stainless steel bowl from ikea so its not a great loss,
may even cut up the shade to make the dome bumps.
Making a mdf radar eye may be a challenge though we shall see?.

http://youtu.be/sznAug-40qs (http://youtu.be/sznAug-40qs)

Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: Le Chuck on June 01, 2014, 11:24:10 am
Use styrene and low temp hot glue for the radar eye. Trust me. I can send you my cut plans.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on June 01, 2014, 11:32:23 am
Use styrene and low temp hot glue for the radar eye. Trust me. I can send you my cut plans.

Great idea! :applaud: , that seems like it will be easier than my plan of steaming mdf.

Have all the plans myself just need to scale them down to 200mm, also have a pre made fiberglass dome to reference (not sure I will build a droid but picked it up cheap on ebay)
Not even sure what I will do with the dome - think I`m scared a droid will turn into a money pit.
Then again I have also found some code that works with a webcam to make R2 follow you with his gaze.

(http://i.imgur.com/jf7yqmt.jpg)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: Mr Wilson on June 01, 2014, 05:55:44 pm
great build mate
and I'm liking the upgrades you've been doing
that's the thing with building your own cab they are never really"finished"
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on June 15, 2014, 01:42:07 pm

that's the thing with building your own cab they are never really"finished"

Yeah I hear you on that one :) .

Pretty much finished the topper, just need to add some more battle scars and work out how to make a holo projector?

I was planning to have him react to voice commands with Voxcommando but it will not work with xp, so need to think on that some more.

Still need to script him reacting to triggers in starwars, but I do though have a fun "test" script that maps rotation to yoke movements.

So a bit more tinkering is needed but yet again its almost done - until I think of something else.

(http://i.imgur.com/zgKPLox.jpg)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: Le Chuck on June 15, 2014, 04:19:20 pm
Holo projector on the cheap:

Rubber feet for table legs or can ends. Available in 4 packs of various sizes at HD.

Plastic ball cut in half. Check toy dept for lawn sets or baby toys 

Sand down as needed, glue, and paint it up.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on June 15, 2014, 05:15:55 pm
Holo projector on the cheap:

Rubber feet for table legs or can ends. Available in 4 packs of various sizes at HD.

Plastic ball cut in half. Check toy dept for lawn sets or baby toys 

Sand down as needed, glue, and paint it up.
Good man, I knew you would help!.
I am not looking to be at all accurate with this so am thinking just a bottle cap maybe as its not full sized.

I did see a really good method where someone used the top of a thin hairspray can and milled some other bits - cant find it now though, think it may of been a french blog?.
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on June 24, 2014, 02:19:42 pm
Could not resist a video - still tweaking it, but this is basically it ;) .

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

http://youtu.be/sg-Ws6OTqtw (http://youtu.be/sg-Ws6OTqtw)
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: Generic Eric on June 24, 2014, 03:47:37 pm
That is cool

:droid:
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: PL1 on June 24, 2014, 07:54:09 pm
impressive (darth vader) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLeOSOe4GmQ#)


Scott
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: Generic Eric on January 04, 2015, 06:15:00 pm
How many different things display on your mini monitor?
Title: Re: The star empire strikes back wars
Post by: rockyrocket on January 05, 2015, 02:59:25 pm
Crumbs GE did not expect this to get a bump again - been quietly updating it without bumping it myself, thanks for the interest though  ;D .

There is a looping millennium falcon targeting display video that starts with the front end, and the T-65 trench run video is triggered within star wars for the duration of the run ten it reverts to the original looping vid.
Although thinking about it GameEx the front end has a plugin the could change the image on the second screen for each game - maybe if I can stop playing elite for a bit that could get set up.

Talking of that second screen the cab is now on its third one (at least they are cheap) the CRT degaussing itself fried the others, so now it has an LCD in it  :banghead: .
Thought about wiring a lightsaber replica to it as well to react to the game and maybe the duels in trilogy arcade, and also set up voice attack to make the droid have speech recognition.
Just can not let this one be it seems  :) .