Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: crashwg on January 28, 2004, 09:38:21 pm

Title: Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: crashwg on January 28, 2004, 09:38:21 pm

I'm thinking about this layout of the buttons for my cab and I'm wondering if it is on any cabs that people know about, is there any "correct" way to figure out where to put them and most importantly, how it feels.

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: IG-88 on January 28, 2004, 10:56:52 pm

If you got the hardware ( buttons & joys) mount them in a cardboard box and "try" them out for feel. Easy to make adjustments.

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: Jakobud on January 28, 2004, 11:02:34 pm

You could easily just draw the circles on a piece of paper and put your hand on it and get a good idea for how confortable it would be.

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: mahuti on January 29, 2004, 12:13:10 am

I think the best way to configure your buttons is to buy them...

then, take the retaining rings, place them on a sheet of paper, or an uncut wood control panel, put them where they are comfortable, and draw circles around them.

That is the best way, IMHO.

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: crashwg on January 29, 2004, 06:42:08 am

I have tried the aforementioned paper method, and I like the feel with my hand.  What I'm most concerned with is how my arms/wrists will be oriented when the buttons are used in conjunction with the joy.

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: Lilwolf on January 29, 2004, 09:17:42 am

cardboard doesn't always make it though...

sometimes you don't know until you are playing a game... and you keep hitting the wrong buttons..

This is where cheap plywood comes in handy... I've made a few control panels... just to see....  Its kinda a waste of time..  but can be worth it..

btw, I like the 6 buttons flat across and even... but I think I like it that way because thats how Street fighter games where configured where I grew up.  When doing the 'ergonomic' setup just annoys me when trying to get to the right button...

and I WISH I added my 7th button on the left instead of the right.... Some reason I thought it would be better... but hit it all the time by mistake..

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: Dave_K. on January 29, 2004, 12:54:41 pm

I used the paper method and spaced the buttons to fit my hand.  This was for my first cab before I knew what the heck I was doing.  Surprisingly it ended up with almost standard button spacing.  

One bit of advice.  If the 6 button cluster is for fighting games, its normally done in two straight rows.  Getting players to adjust to the staggerd layout as you have it could be frustrating (when you are used to playing in the arcades).

My layout is almost the same, (6 button cluster), and then 2 more buttons for thumb and index finger extending down the left side.  These buttons were placed where it felt comfortable with my hand size (again paper method).

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: BASSOFeeSH on January 29, 2004, 01:40:32 pm

That's pretty much the layout I use on my "prototype", except that I didn't put the 6 at an angle. (they ARE arced though)

I'm considering this if I ever build a "final" CP.

Title: Re:Is this layout used anywhere?
Post by: GamingGreg on January 29, 2004, 02:01:23 pm

I've seen it used on some cabinets, but not many.  Most use put them in a straight configuratation.   I suppose the arc might make it more ergonomic, but then again, I don't like these split ergonomic keyboards either.  I really depends on what feels right to YOU.