Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: ehammer85 on January 27, 2019, 02:04:40 am
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Credit to ChanceKJ for his Flynn's arcade build. I'm basically copying most of his cabinet build with a few tweaks here and there. His build incorporated a lot of what I'm wanting to implement and I like his aesthetic design (it's all subjective and I'm sure there's plenty of you out there that will disagree)
-4 player setup
-Trackball
-32" TV
I've also always been a big fan of shooting games and already have a pair of TopGun EMS II's (although I might have to bite the bullet and get some AimTracks). You'll notice that there is no coin door. I don't care to use it, so I've made a push out panel where I can grab the guns.
I've still got quite a ways to go and after building this most of last year, I've hit a monetary wall, so updates will likely be slow as I can purchase items. Still on the list as I'm brainstorming:
-T-Molding
-Marquee lights (was intending to use the NovaMatrix lights from GroovyGame, but doesn't look like they'll have it back in stock)
-Plexi for the marquee
-Button LEDs
-Trackball LED
-x1 iPAC 2 (already have x1)
-SpinTrak
-Artwork
As far as what's running the software, I had spare parts from my last PC upgrade so I have a Win10, i5, 750ti machine and emulating MAME, various Nintendo and Sega systems using Hyperspin (thanks to Simply Austin on YouTube for his tutorials). I plan on using LEDblinky once I get my LEDs set up.
1/2 player setup: 8 buttons (overkill, but necessary for some emulation on Nintendo/Sega)
3/4 player setup: 4 buttons
Start and Credit buttons for each plays
Standard 4 admin buttons (i know i can use switch function with ipac2, but this is how i prefer it)
1/4" plexi covering 32" 720p Vizio TV
"Smart" power strip
Planning on power routing from PC motherboard to momentary vandal button with the PC set as the controlling source on the power strip.
CEC adapter going from the PC to the TV, so when I power on the PC, the TV will turn on and TV will power off (along with all the LEDs) when I power the PC off
2 USB ports on the outside of the cabinet for any additional oversight
I also have an old original Xbox that still works that i put on a shelf in the cabinet (might as well do something with it!). Was going to try to figure out some way to have a button change inputs on the TV, but that's
out of my comfort zone and I feel like more trouble than it's work. I'll just use the remote when I need to swap inputs.
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Forgot to mention I used 3/4 MDF and I have ZERO wood working experience with the exception of a computer L-shaped desk I made about a year ago. So, things definitely look rough, especially in the beginning. Luckily, I joined a makerspace that has all the tools I need and people to show me how to use the tools and which tools I SHOULD use.
I did use Chance's side panel plans and had them cut it with their CNC. I also used Jarrett's Space Paranoids control panel file to CNC cut. (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0))
I plan on keeping the following Google Drive updated with pics, but here's a few pics from this past summer/fall.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO?usp=sharing)
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For your first go that looks awesome :applaud:
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Does the viewable area of the monitor really dip below the control panel top or does it just look that way in the pics?
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Does the viewable area of the monitor really dip below the control panel top or does it just look that way in the pics?
It only looks that way from about 5-6 steps away from the cabinet. Once you're closer, you see all of the monitor. Doesn't really dip below, but the angle makes it look that way.
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After cutting the hole for the trackball, it was about 1/16th of an inch below the top of the control panel. I got to learn how to use a plunge router to cut a negative inlay. My template was crap, but end result is that now the trackball sits flush with the top of the control panel (should look a little cleaner once i get a pass of sanding and paint).
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Cool fun stuff I like watching build info. I always wonder with those big control panels do you really get 4 people that want to play? I only did a 2 player and to be honest the only time the 2nd joystick gets used is for Robotron...lol.
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yeah, i see it getting played a bit. honestly, i imagine the following:
1-player: 45%
2-player: 30%
3/4players: 25%
I was able to get the cabinet up and running for a 2-player setup for Mame and some Sega and Nintendo systems for a ExtraLife 25hour gaming charity we hosted at our house last november and if I had a 2nd ipac2 then i would've had a 4 player setup playable. We also like to have people over regularly and can see some of the 4 player classics getting some play. Plust there are some modern games I'm thinking about adding to my Hyperspin setup (speedrunners, spelunky, brawlhalla, others). Definitely some play testing will be in order to see how well some games will translate on an arcade cabinet.
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So, let's talk artwork. I don't have a singular theme I'm aiming for as far as artwork is concerned. I'd like to do something that reflects the different games that I have (MAME, nintendo, sega, etc) and I think I found artwork I like for the marquee (retrocade picture) and side panels (side panels can be sized to my specific dimensions) from RockStarPrint.co.uk
But I'm wondering what everyone has liked for control panel art. I definitely don't want anything real busy, but I've also been entertaining the idea of creating a "minimalistic" collage with a few select characters from favorite games. Maybe something similiar to the "multicade" attachment.
Thoughts? Examples of control panel art you guys tend to gravitate towards?
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Collages are garbage. Come up with a theme of some kind.
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Collages are garbage. Come up with a theme of some kind.
Thanks for the input and the many examples. :applaud:
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Its hard to get the Mike seal of approval on artwork. I'm afraid to show mine. ;)
I've been having so much fun on my cab that is still just a frame I'm wondering if I really need to put wood on it...lol.
I do get the point about the collages though. When I've looked on Craigslist for real arcade machines and saw a bunch of Multicades for sale my first thought when I saw artwork plastered with characters was bleh....so it probably is fine if you like it but if you ever want to sell it good luck.
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It's kinda funny if you look through my "Gil's No Name Mame Cabinet" thread and see all the iterations of fancy control panel art I went through and then ended up with a simple black carbon fiber look.
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Thanks for the input and the many examples.
Look at the projects on this forum. Just skip the ones with collages.
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It's kinda funny if you look through my "Gil's No Name Mame Cabinet" thread and see all the iterations of fancy control panel art I went through and then ended up with a simple black carbon fiber look.
Can I take credit for that? ;D
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It's kinda funny if you look through my "Gil's No Name Mame Cabinet" thread and see all the iterations of fancy control panel art I went through and then ended up with a simple black carbon fiber look.
Can I take credit for that? ;D
Yes I think you contributed but also because I was ready to build the panel and didn't want to spend another 40 hours flip-flopping on artwork designs...lol.
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Collages are garbage. Come up with a theme of some kind.
Thanks for the input and the many examples. :applaud:
Don't mind Mike. This is a standard game he plays with noobs.
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It's kinda funny if you look through my "Gil's No Name Mame Cabinet" thread and see all the iterations of fancy control panel art I went through and then ended up with a simple black carbon fiber look.
I've considered black polycarbinate. Still pretty on the fence about CP artwork. I'm at a monetary pause right now, so I have the time to waste on deciding what type of artwork I want to go with.
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Perhaps something that’s simple and doesn’t involve the eye having to look at too many things:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html)
Or even just all black laminate:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987)
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Perhaps something that’s simple and doesn’t involve the eye having to look at too many things:
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html)[/URL]
Or even just all black laminate:
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987)[/URL]
I do like the simplicity of this artwork (also modeled after Chance's build). So maybe something abstract. Not a big fan of the all black laminate.
I might just have to find an artist here that I can work with to figure something out. I'm not the most artistically inclined guy.
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Perhaps something that’s simple and doesn’t involve the eye having to look at too many things:
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html)[/URL]
Or even just all black laminate:
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987)[/URL]
I do like the simplicity of this artwork (also modeled after Chance's build). So maybe something abstract. Not a big fan of the all black laminate.
I might just have to find an artist here that I can work with to figure something out. I'm not the most artistically inclined guy.
Since you’ve got the Chance build going, here’s a couple I like:
Scott_C’s: Electrocade
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146141.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146141.0.html)
Pauly’s: Ready Player One
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146068.msg1519698.html#msg1519698 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146068.msg1519698.html#msg1519698)
Scoodidabop’s: NASA build:
(http://i.imgur.com/erzXfzd.jpg)
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Perhaps something that’s simple and doesn’t involve the eye having to look at too many things:
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.80.html)[/URL]
Or even just all black laminate:
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137295.msg1415987.html#msg1415987)[/URL]
I do like the simplicity of this artwork (also modeled after Chance's build). So maybe something abstract. Not a big fan of the all black laminate.
I might just have to find an artist here that I can work with to figure something out. I'm not the most artistically inclined guy.
Since you’ve got the Chance build going, here’s a couple I like:
Scott_C’s: Electrocade
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146141.0.html]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146141.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146141.0.html)[/URL]
Pauly’s: Ready Player One
[url=http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146068.msg1519698.html#msg1519698]http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146068.msg1519698.html#msg1519698 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,146068.msg1519698.html#msg1519698)[/URL]
Scoodidabop’s: NASA build:
(http://i.imgur.com/erzXfzd.jpg)
I definitely like the ElectroCade artwork
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The Hall of Fame thread is a good place for ideas.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,103103.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,103103.0.html)
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The Hall of Fame thread is a good place for ideas.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,103103.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,103103.0.html)
I'll have to check that post out. :cheers:
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It's been awhile since I updated this post. I'm working with dfwArcade (see the Electocade build) for my artwork and have decided to go on an Avengers vs X-Men theme for my cab - the comic story line. Still in progress, but I'm liking where this is going. I like how the side panel tells a story. From the initial AvX conflict to when Phoenix Cyclops gets defeated. Comic nerdom aside, there are still some edits I'm having him do for the CP. And I think when I placed the draft on my CP, it's a bit off centered and getting the holes to match up with the CP is more approximate than exact since I cut the holes then tried to match it up with a digital image instead of using a digital image, printing and using it as a template. We'll just have to chalk that up as a beginner's failure to follow pre-task planning :banghead:
Currently awaiting the marquee design. I will say I'm in not particular hurry on this project.
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I dig the art and the build. Keep up the good work!
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Hi, I am building my first cab. I wish to make one almost identical to flynns, and your is awesome. Do you have the measurments of the pieces apart from the side ones? And do you have any template on the CPpanel?
Thanks!
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Hands down with progress and finished product. It looks so brand new. I've been busy fixing a rabbit hutch (https://www.petstreetmall.com/Rabbit-Cages/57.html) that I got from a garage sale.
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Hi, I am building my first cab. I wish to make one almost identical to flynns, and your is awesome. Do you have the measurments of the pieces apart from the side ones? And do you have any template on the CPpanel?
Thanks!
No template for the full layout of the CP panel. I just used the button templates from slagcoin. In hind sight, I should have used a digital layout and added to the CNC job I used to cut the CP panel. That would have saved a lot of time in recreating the button placement on the original CP template. Attached is the best I was able to do. Also here is essentially what I used when cutting pieces for the side panels (I had side panels and CP CNC cut).
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I think we have my artwork pretty much finalized with the Avengers vs X-Men theme. Kudos to dfwArcade for all the help and putting up with my edits! Once I can get it printed and applied, then I'll put on the t-molding and will start wiring the buttons and LEDs. I do have a pair of EMS TopGun light guns I intended on using. But after seeing the Sinden lightgun kickstarter, I may wait until those are available before I start with that setup.
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Finally getting some more work in on this project. Got my prints in on Saturday and got the CP and sides put on with t-molding. Ready to start in on the button wiring this week!
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having trouble adding pictures here :banghead: but here's a link to my shared Google Drive folder: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO
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having trouble adding pictures here :banghead: but here's a link to my shared Google Drive folder: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO
The size of your files are too big, For forums I just resize images in paint by 10% or so and they often go from 3mb down to around 300kb.
Looking good :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
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having trouble adding pictures here :banghead: but here's a link to my shared Google Drive folder: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO
The size of your files are too big, For forums I just resize images in paint by 10% or so and they often go from 3mb down to around 300kb.
Looking good :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
I actually have a service that runs in the background that should automatically size down pictures with I attempt to upload them. Might need an update :dunno But i got started on wiring up the RGB LEDs last night. Hoping to finish the other half tonight.
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Lots of work to do. 8)
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Button LEDs are all wired and tested working. Still need to clean up the rats nest and kind of disappointed i crimped closer to the pacLED64 board instead of crimping close to the buttons - like i did last night. Still need to crimp the joystick base LEDs and just got the trackball LEDs in the mail today.
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If you have LED Joysticks and a Lit Trackball there will be over 200 individual wires connected on the control panel :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: I take it You are not planning on heatshrinking it for ultra neatness purpose?
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If you have LED Joysticks and a Lit Trackball there will be over 200 individual wires connected on the control panel :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: I take it You are not planning on heatshrinking it for ultra neatness purpose?
Oh it's tempting! But I'll likely not heat shrink just for brevity, unless I feel like it is a necessity.
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Some temporary cable management so we can have our dining room table back :dunno Also, cut the marquee plexi down to size and applied the art. Still waiting on the marquee brackets to get delivered before I can mount that. Will likely have to continue wiring everything next week since the weekend looks pretty busy :cheers:
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Running into issues getting LEDblinky to work with my iteration of MAME. Should LEDblinky work natively with MAMEArcadeUI (ver .179)? Or are there additional hurdles to jump through? I was following Maverick Arcade's walkthrough of LEDblinky (but working with Rocketlauncher and Hyperspin instead of boxlauncher). I plan on going back through those videos and make sure I haven't missed anything and take screenshots as I go.
LEDs light up when testing through LEDblinky software, but doesn't seem to talk with Hyperspin or MAME.
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Nice work. I'm really glad you steered away from the "Multicade" art. The blue/red A vs X art is pretty nicely done.
I can't believe how many wires there are, that's something I'm going to have to "look forward" to in a month or so.
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Forgot to mention I used 3/4 MDF and I have ZERO wood working experience with the exception of a computer L-shaped desk I made about a year ago. So, things definitely look rough, especially in the beginning. Luckily, I joined a makerspace that has all the tools I need and people to show me how to use the tools and which tools I SHOULD use.
I did use Chance's side panel plans and had them cut it with their CNC. I also used Jarrett's Space Paranoids control panel file to CNC cut. (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0))
I plan on keeping the following Google Drive updated with pics, but here's a few pics from this past summer/fall.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO?usp=sharing)
What are these side panel plans I keep reading about but never seem to see any details of them ?
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Forgot to mention I used 3/4 MDF and I have ZERO wood working experience with the exception of a computer L-shaped desk I made about a year ago. So, things definitely look rough, especially in the beginning. Luckily, I joined a makerspace that has all the tools I need and people to show me how to use the tools and which tools I SHOULD use.
I did use Chance's side panel plans and had them cut it with their CNC. I also used Jarrett's Space Paranoids control panel file to CNC cut. (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=39025.0))
I plan on keeping the following Google Drive updated with pics, but here's a few pics from this past summer/fall.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1EKlAl1Iayu50o7IsBVJTImlEJya7KRsO?usp=sharing)
What are these side panel plans I keep reading about but never seem to see any details of them ?
Sorry, you can’t buy them anymore. Go look on Reddit.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I wasent looking to buy but Ill look on Reddit like you said
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I wasent looking to buy but Ill look on Reddit like you said
(https://media2.giphy.com/media/I4Jmrcjnr8Zfq/giphy.gif)
Good thing it got pulled down, then, because they weren’t free....
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Great job on the artwork I tell my clients on Fiverr the same thing 100 arcade character's plastered all over a machine looks like rubbish. You got some good advice