Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 12:37:28 am

Title: My Pacman profile cabinet (finished!......99%)
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 12:37:28 am
After (literally) reaching the end of the web searching for cab design inspiration, I've decided on a regular kind of thing, but... with a twist

Attached is my cabinet profile (The sideart is going to be obvious...). I'll post pics and info as well regarding the project progress, which is now at a halt  :( (Waiting for all cp parts to arrive)

The project will have a unique Frontend (which I wrote completely from scratch), and should run mame, gba, sega, c64, amiga and you name it.

The frontend is going to be free to download and use (some beta pics attached)
it is going to be configurable for any cp keys/joy configuration.

The cutting plans are on page 8 of this thread.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: danny_galaga on December 05, 2005, 05:11:11 am
that front end looks good! what os will it be for? DOS, win98, XP?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 06:41:58 am
Thanks.
It's windows based. I'll post a download link soon as well as more stuff of the cabinet
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 07:19:10 am
The idea of building my own cab has been lurking in my mind for a long while. I have an unexplainable attraction to wood and sawdust, so I try and build something once in a while.

A year and a half ago I finished my own SNOOKER table (heavy project...), so the cab rolled and rolled and finally sprang to life. "It's for the kids, honey". Yeah, sure.

Sketches came and went, and I forced myself NOT to make things complicated (as I usually tend to). I was finally happy with this one.
I also DID NOT want to have a MONSTERCADE, so dimensions were narrowed here and there for a satisfying result
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 07:34:33 am
As there was no way for me to handle 3 full-size MDF sheets (car or saw), I had them pre-cut a bit and actually stuffed the car up to my neck...
The sheets are 16mm thick (sorry guys, no inches or dollars here. I live in Israel so our currency is of no use to you).
I somehow managed to drive home and get all the pieces to safety
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 07:46:29 am
The left and right panel were cut to size (basic circular saw and jigsaw). There's an old carpenters saying that goes "measure twice, cut once". As for myself, I try and follow that road, but sometimes I measure three times and cut twice...
Here are the panels lying on the floor of my Home Cinema (Another project I ventured)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 05, 2005, 07:50:33 am
Welcome to the boards!  Your cab design for the Pacman art is quite clever.  I'm looking forward to your progress.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 07:54:01 am
Thank you. I'm currently updating all my progress so far. The cab is almost finished (structurely speaking). waiting for the cp parts to cross the ocean.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 07:58:00 am
Here's me in the flesh (photo: courtesy of my dear wife), playing with glue, getting some braces in place (I always try and use whatever leftovers lying around)
Basically all sawing and dust-flying is done outside in the open, and assembling takes place inside (the home cinema room)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 08:09:32 am
There are 4 main "connecting shelves" in the cabinet design.
The angeled top panel
The tv shelf
The pc shelf
The floor
3 of which are seen in the next assembly.
The floor is made of 16mm MDF glued to 11 mm plywood, and pre-drilled for wheel assembly. Two kickplates are placed front and back.

The pc (bare to the bones) is going to be mounted directly to a shelf 40cm above base level. Motherboard, Power Supply, HD, etc.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 08:20:43 am
Well, as most of the cab builders say "There's nothing like getting it up...".
So, here it is, up and standing by it's own means.
The tv shelf is being glued here. All braces are glued and screwed.

There's a pacman hiding in the picture. Try and find it...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 08:30:45 am
A testrun for the 21" tv that's going to be mounted in the cab. I somehow "succeeded" to overlook some critical tv dimension (aka DEPTH) so the back cover was removed.
But, as some of you will see this as a flaw of design, I shall name it a feature (aka BETTER HEAT MANAGEMENT).
So I just added a few braces that should prevent the tv from doing the flip thing.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 08:41:47 am
The angeled top panel and top panel were fixed in permanently, while the  marquee bottom is just clamped in place just to see how it looks and fits.

Everything is being written here in lightning speed, which is the absolute opposite of the actual process of measuring, guiding, clamping, sawing, unclamping, screaming in horror at a sawing mistake, re-measure, reclamp, re-scream, etc.

Had several nights sleep lost over the marquee installation. decided to go with that happ thing. hope it's going to prove right
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 08:52:55 am
Let there be light
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: versapak on December 05, 2005, 09:41:26 am
I like the design.

Was wondering though...

What are your plans for the front?

Are you going to have a bowed panel to match the curve of Pac-Man, or are you just going have a flat panel between the curved sides?



Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 09:47:46 am
it is going to be flat. pics coming soon
I gave it a considerable amount of thinking, but eventually decided against the bowed front (as I simply must keep complicating things to a minimum...)
As you'll see from future pics it is hardly noticable because of the control panel and the general height of that part
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 10:16:10 am
Poorman's keyhack

As I didn't want to split my cp parts order in two (thus avoiding outrageous shipping fees), I stayed with happ's stuff and remained I-PAC-less.

The keyboard hack is no news to me as I already had one installed in an MP3 pc based car player once.
So, some research regarding ghosting, blocking and solder on !

I also decided (not shown here) to hack a microsoft sidewinder joystick for player1 controls, leaving me a whole keyboard for player2 and control keys
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 10:22:39 am
Just for my own peace of mind I've added braces to enhance the cab rigidness (though it hardly swayes). glue and screw.

The cab is going to have front and back door, all recessed half an inch inside, so the braces are cut to fit.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Thenasty on December 05, 2005, 10:23:37 am
looking nice....How about the power pellet and dots ?
Here is ROUGH sketch...Maybe you can even have the DOTS go all the way aournd the cab, even the back  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 10:26:41 am
Everything's possible. Looks interesting (At first sight though I thought it's a musqito that bumped overspeeding into the cab...)

I'll consider it. Thanks
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Thenasty on December 05, 2005, 10:30:04 am
forgot to mention, YES C64 RULEZ  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 10:33:49 am
Here's the answer for (partly) how the front is going to look. I dared not going for the "bowed front" solution, as I finally understood I'll gain nothing from it but headache and frustration.

So that's the keyboard/mouse/under the hood drawer

When I'll mount the control panel, most of that area is going to be out of sight anyway.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 10:45:29 am
Marquee light testing.

The marquee is going to be sandwiched between two perspex boards measuring 26" by 7.5" by 1/8".
I took some pokemon pictures belonging to my younger son, and sandwiched them inside.

I then took pictures for two scenarios:
1. without a rear panel blocking the light from the tv area (IMG 1968)
2. with a panel going left to right behind the marquee (IMG 1966)

I than (obviously) went for the rear panel light blocking solution
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 10:57:50 am
TV Front/Frame

The tv front is constructed of an MDF frame and 1/4" perspex (20.65" x 26")
I've added two small braces that will support the frame and plexi, as well as two liners that would be use as guides to back it.

I'm not sure, but it seems that I'll mount the frame and plexi with 4 small black screws in 4 corners (might not need that though as the frame pushes in nicely)

If I'll have some t-molding leftovers, I think I'll do the internal tv frame with it.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 11:28:49 am
The beast is surrendered.

The time has come for the cab to leave the warmth and safety of the indoors out into the open. My wife and I thought real hard how to do this right (just down three stairs) and the more we thought about it, the more we wanted to take it apart.

Finally it came to rest on an old folding sofa that was around.

It's time to get castered. 2" wheels (each rated 25kg load) were bolted to the floor. I will never be able to reach the brakes on the front wheels (Another genious engeering material), so when the time comes I'll see if it's a problem.

Basically, the cab now awaits the arrival of the t-molding (as well as the other cp parts), so the groove of the molding can get into action.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 11:35:27 am
Beta testing tv and pc

The pc (aka TOM) and tv (aka YAHAV) were mounted succesfully into the cabinet.

Everything seems intact. No creaking or squeaking sounds.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 04:45:49 pm
cp parts have landed !  ;D

I got a letter a few hours ago notifying me about the arrival of the goods. Everything is being held in customs  ???, so first thing tomorrow morning I'm on a release mission.

Customs ?
As if I'm importing a container of laptops...

By the way, my order has been placed with arcadeemulator.net (KIDS PLAYTHING) and everything went along fine (although I think the shipment has been a little overpriced)

I hope everything is intact with the parts I've ordered,

So, until tomorrow
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 05:08:58 pm
THE INFINICADE FRONTEND

As I've mentioned. I'm doing my own front (which is going to be available free to download).
My goals were:

1. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
2. Running roms of different emulators (not just mame)
3. Quick rom navigation
4. Favorites section for getting those hotties fast
5. Match any control panel config

Achieved:
1. Indeed it is very simple.
    Pick a favorite, or pick a letter and a game. Click-n-run.
    Add to favorite, Delete Favorite, Setup keys, background pic, emulators etc.
    Add rom, Del rom

2. Functioning

3. It is quick

4. Up and running

5. The setup allows to map all the control keys to whatever cp keys layout any cabinet would have.

Basically, if there is an emulator out there, the infinicade front end could probably handle it after a quick and simple configuration

Yet to complete:

Add emulator, Add rom, Del rom, Del favorite

A picture of the setup screen.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 05, 2005, 11:21:36 pm
Didn't get much sleep last night (It's 6:20AM my local time).
I have some prisoners to release this morning, and customs opens 8:00

I wanna see the pencil pusher that's gonna stop me from getting those controls that were just impossible to get locally.

If I'm not back in 4 hours, call the  :police:
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 06, 2005, 05:27:26 am
The lot is here!!!  ;D
I had to pay my beloved country 35$ worth in taxes to the very same pencil pusher I've imagined would be servicing me. And a backwarded pencil pusher at that.

Upon opening the package in my presence, he seriously asked "So, which kind of car handles these spare parts ?"  ???

I simply could not explain the purpose of the staff to that ignorant.

With that behind, I must say I was absolutely thrilled to finally see the contents. I'll check all the parts and post some photos and cp plans soon.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 06, 2005, 01:57:17 pm
I ordered all the pushbuttons / joysticks / t-molding / retainers at arcadeemulator.net
Prices were fair, shipment fees upgraded from 15$ to 70$ (airmail to ISRAEL), though eventually it dropped to a total of 54$ after they agreed on a discount.
All in all I am happy with my order, and couldn't help testing a fit on those pushbuttons.
The 28mm spade bit I used was just perfect, and there's enough space on the bottom even after going through 5/8" MDF + 1/8" plexi.

I test-drilled in some mdf and plexi scrap, with the plexi sandwiched between two mdf pieces, straight, nonstop. The plexi tends to break, but stays intact thanks to the sandwich.

The control panel design is practically finished, but minor changes will probably take place.
Two happ super sticks with 6 buttons per player, and a center pacman/galaga joy (currently with no buttons)
Some extra buttons for general cab control, and no trackball.

The pacman joy will require special mounting as the shaft is shorter than the super's. Will post a sketch later on.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 06, 2005, 04:48:13 pm
Do you already have your 4-way mounting solution, or do you want us to tell you how to do it?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 06, 2005, 11:22:35 pm
I think (after some fiddling) that
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 06, 2005, 11:51:10 pm
Here is my (very basic) cp layout (still open for changes).
The joysticks on the left and right are happ's 8-way super's, and the mid one is the 4-way galaga replacement joy.

Another confession: As there's not going to be a coin door in my cab (budget budget...), I ignored the fact that there should also be buttons for the actual "INSERT COIN" thingy, so it's either two more buttons, or (as someone here already did), my own coin mechanism (I simply must complicate things...) ;D

The cp is NOT very wide (in terms of the cp's that are normally around), as I wanted it to just fit lip-to-lip inside the cabinet internal width (which is 26").
So the cp is 26" by 14.5" (going 0.5" beyond the "pacman" radius of 14")
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 07, 2005, 12:26:39 am
I'd hate to see that design not be finished with the curved face it deserves :'(  It'd be seriously easy to finish off, if you'd wanna hear the idea.  Some brads/finish nails and some Gorilla Glue and maybe 2 more braces about the same size as you've got would take care of it.

Lemme know if you're set on that idea, if not, I'll try to whip up a pic to show you how to do it.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 12:33:23 am
I knew someone eventually was going to hit that nerve. I try and convince myself all the time that there's nothing wrong with the flat finish (only fooling myself).
Still' I didnt quite follow your idea. A drawing would be great, thank you
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 12:47:12 am
The t-molding for the cabinet was also ordered overseas (talk about the things you cant get locally...) - 40ft 5/8" black.
The width of my MDF, however, is 17mm, and the difference is showing quite clearly in the test I've made.
I'll either slightly chamfer away that shoulder difference, or not...

The bit I used for cutting the slot was actually meant for a drill and not for a router, and actually cuts a 1.5mm wide slot.
I hesitated heavily before that test run with my router (cause of that bit mismatch), but it did good and the molding was banged in (hammer and towel).

I CAN NOT PULL IT OUT, so that probably means one shot only...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 12:50:28 am
SORRY for the ignorant question, but it seems like a very long page 1 to me.
can I do someting about it ? or is it automated ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 07, 2005, 04:46:07 am
Automated.  Don't worry though.  I think you're reaching the end of this page
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 07, 2005, 04:48:13 am
If my math has been correct, 39 posts per page, so let's test that theory out, shall we?  Glad to help in this most crucial of experiments ;)  Pics of my idea shortly, and I've done it several times, so I'm positive it'll work, but I'm not certain if you've got the same access to materials....meh.  info to follow
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 07, 2005, 05:31:21 am
Okay.  Using your cab's profile pic, I've kinda laid it out.  The brace you've already got in there for your flat front can be moved (or left there, obviously it's up to you) to help out.

What you'll initially need is the most important part that will tell you if you can do this or not.  You are going to need 1/8" sheet goods (what is that, like 4mm or something?  dunno the conversion, but someone can help out if you aren't sure either ;D).  You're going to use plain old hardboard if you're going to laminate.  Hardboard is the dark brown stuff that's super smooth, almost slick on one side, and textured-ish on the other side.  If you're not positive what I'm referring to, check out my project thread.  The pegboard is the same exact stuff, only with a brazilian holes in it.  You'll need stuff that thin so that it'll bend to the curve.  Don't worry about that part just yet though.

If you're NOT gonna use laminate, and you're shooting for a wood finish, you'll want to find the same thickness material in plywood.  Over here, the stuff I'd use is luan plywood.  Luan is simply the wood used to create it.  It's a super-flexible material, but if you CAN'T find it, regular plywood WILL work, it just won't be as flexible (which will be a slight drawback but easy to overcome.

IF you've got the materials in that thickness, we move on to the next step.  That brace you've got for the flat front....you'll need 3 pieces like that.  You'll position them so they're installed like the red lines in the pic.  You'll want the edges of the material to be flush with the outer edges of your cab.  These three braces (or throw in another one for a total of 4 if you want more rigidity/support in the area) will stiffen that area to support your CP.  They'll also give you the means to fasten the thin material used for the curve.  You'll use brads or finishing nails to fasten the thin material directly to the braces.  That'll help hold everything into place as you move up your curve.  Several nails across the front should hold everything into place, perhaps throw some Gorilla Glue on the braces before nailing for some added fastening power.

What you're doing (hopefully it'll be obvious by my description) is form it around the circle part.  The yellow line in the pic shows what I mean.  You'll START it at the bottom part and work your way upwards.

I hate to throw the second pic up there, but I haven't re-installed Photoshop so I can't "remove" your brace you've already got in there.  You've got to look at that second pic as if your brace isn't there at all.  The red is simply a "wire frame" representation of how the braces you will ADD will be placed, and the green/white dots represent the nails and how you'll fasten the thin material to that brace.

Hopefully the pics will explain everything :)  If not, if it's possible for you to take an almost-straight-on shot like in that second pic (and perhaps remove the brace), I may be able to make it even more understandable if you aren't following so far.

I wish I took pics of what and how I did this, but that curve isn't severe enough that you have to scrap the idea of having it match instead of going with a flat front.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 07:30:30 am
Woooah !
I guess I must thank you twice
First (and most important...) you crossed that 1 page barrier for me (YES!!!)

Your explanation is more than I could ask for. thank you for your time and patience. I get the general picture, but I must emphasize that what you called "the already installed brace" ia actually a drawer front, so if I decide to go the curved way, I'll have to take that into consideration and probably use your guidelines.

Once again, thanks for all that info. Going to check that thread you mentioned
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 07, 2005, 09:02:26 am
On the joysticks, you can put the dustwashers under the plexi - IF - your artwork will be applied to the top of the plexi (sounds strange I know).  If the artwork is under the plexi (like is logical) then you probably want to put the dust washer on top so it won't rub against the artwork where it is loose over the top of the joystick base.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 09:13:33 am
dustwashers ? like in "keeping the dust from getting inside ? "
It's that big black plate with the hole in the middle, ya ?

What you wrote regarding the plate above/under is exactly what I also thought.
Still banging my head with all the artwork and how to apply it.
BUT - this kind of project is absolute FUN.

Thanks for the reply
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 09:20:18 am
How can I view threads of people that reply to me ???
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: 1zzy on December 07, 2005, 09:32:00 am
Just my two cents...

Why not heat up some water and put the material you want to curve for the front and soak it. For a piece this big you probably will have to use the bathtub with scalding water. Then take it out and bend it to shape immediately. Follow that by clamping it to the front and then let it dry. The reason to do this is so that when it dries it will maintain the bend. Then you could mount the face of your keyboard drawer to the curved part so that when you slide it out the curve moves with it. Like I said, just an idea I had while reading this thread.

Scott S.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 09:45:13 am
Is it just me or did you just wrote "soak it in water " ?
put the MDF in water ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 07, 2005, 10:18:23 am
How can I view threads of people that reply to me ???

Just keep hitting one of those icons on the left hand side underneath a person's screen name.  One of 'em is for their profile where you can select "show the last posts of this person".

What I think you're searching for though is my project and the pegboard stuff I was talking about.  Here 'tis:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=44196.msg414536#msg414536 (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=44196.msg414536#msg414536)

Is it just me or did you just wrote "soak it in water " ?
put the MDF in water ?


Yeah, he's telling you about wood bending.  A lot of times you'd use steam, but you CAN soak it and bend it while it's still pliable.  That would only apply to solid wood or plywood, and it isn't the best way to do it, but it would work on something this large.  Steam bending is the better (and more involved) way to do this, but he obviously didn't know you were gonna use MDF.  Like me, he was giving you ideas without knowing precisely what you were gonna use.  I know it SOUNDS funny, but it works ;D

As far as what you're looking to do, what I'm suggesting is called cold-bending.  It's generally not as effective as steam bending, but given the setup you can achieve, it'll certainly work out just fine for your project.

Perhaps instead of a keyboard drawer, you can simply make that a tray that sits inside that assembly and hinge your CP top to access the keyboard.  That way, you won't have to fiddle unnecessarily with trying to cut the access hole.  Once you have your cab set up, you'll probably not have to monkey around with that keyboard very often at all. 

If you DO need to use the keyboard often (such as if you're making this your family's internet computer/games/entertainment station) I'd then suggest getting an RF keyboard such as a Logitech and simply burying the reciever inside your cab and leaving the keyboard outside, perhaps setting it on top of the cab or somewhere close by.  The RF doesn't have the same limitations as an IR keyboard, so it'll get the signals right through the MDF sides no problems at all. 

Hopefully I've given you more than enough info so you'll give up the idea of going with a flat front ;) and do it like I sense you REALLY want to ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 12:50:22 pm
Man, I checked out your thread and it made me a bit dizzy  ;)
I must clear my head before diving into it.
But as soon as I saw that picture of "pool" table, I simply cant help myself from posting a picture of the one I've built about two years ago.

Perhaps this is not the place to post it, so I apologize in advance, but if anybody wants plans/advice building a table like this, youre welcome.

And another twisted-must-post-it project: A checkers game bench with a board made from INTEL 486 Processors.  ;D

As for that curved front of my pacman cab, I guess there's no escape for me now... back to the drawing board
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 01:03:28 pm
Here's how I see my marquee design. That blowup image catched my eye instantly and I knew at once I'll be using it somewhere along the way. I cant remember though were I picked it up, but all credit goes to the creator.

The cab will be named "Infinicade", simply because the front end I'm writing is going to handle roms from several emulators (virtually any emulator).

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 07, 2005, 02:33:28 pm
Here's how I see my marquee design. That blowup image catched my eye instantly and I knew at once I'll be using it somewhere along the way. I cant remember though were I picked it up, but all credit goes to the creator.

The cab will be named "Infinicade", simply because the front end I'm writing is going to handle roms from several emulators (virtually any emulator).



One of the design geniuses around here created that, but danged if I can remember their name.  Too much info from the EE forum has long since pushed that tidbit out my ears ;D

Did you make that bench as well?  I'd like to see a better shot of the pool table from the side to see the legs.  I think the questions everyone'll have upon seeing that and finding out you BUILT it are:

Total cost of the build (don't include balls/cues/racks/lights, etc)
Is that slate?  If not, what'd you use, if so, where'd you get it, & how much?
What'd you use for the cushions, where and how much again?

Excellent work!  Seeing that, I'm sure you can manage the Pac curve :)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 03:49:04 pm
I have all the answers to all the questions you can possibly ask regarding the table. A lot (and I mean a lot) of research has been put into that project.

I don't think though that telling you where I got all the stuff is going to be of any help since it was all bought locally (which means ISRAEL, which is about 3000 miles away).

Total cost of build probably relies on two major factors: Wood and Playfield materials.
I was on a budget and timber here in Israel is not that cheap, so it's PINE. The playfield is made of 3 pieces of marble 1" thick. Cost of marble: 180$ (The table is 8' by 4')
Total cost of material was around 750$
300$ wood, 180$ marble, 75$ fasteners/screws/etc, cloth 175$

The rubber for the cushion is a long L shaped strip (you can see it in a picture below) and is different than the one used in pool (V shape). The L shape goes in a snooker table

I have tons
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: 21up on December 07, 2005, 05:55:13 pm
Hi c64rulez
been following your progress (excellent) the table is real, lucky you you have all the room to put things.

Cab is comming along fine,cannot wait for your fe hope it is easy to install,if it is it will make a change from mame 32 ,which i use as i had lots of probs getting win command line version to work.
All the best and keep pics comming
cheers Peter :o 8)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 07, 2005, 06:00:00 pm
Thank you. Actually it is I who needs to thank my wife for letting me place that table in our living room.

The frontend will not require an installation process.

You'll simply click-n-run it. Just some basic setup to fit your cab/pc environment

I guess I'll finish it during the next few days.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 02:52:04 am
back in a few minutes.
going into the laundry machine.
Just routed the left panel t-molding slot.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 07:40:22 am
T-MOLDING SLOT ROUTING SUCKS!!!

Such a narrow slot and TONS of dust. Even with my face covered up I was holding my breath when running the router.
Is it normal to cough sawdust ?

Anyway, it's a thing of the past now, so the cab (at last) can be primed (which I'll do tomorrow)

And regarding the flat/curved front I found an article in a book I have (long gone forgotten) describing the process of laminating. So maybe I'll give it a shot
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 10:41:25 am
Can anyone tell me why do I see people  putting relays in the "one-button-turn-it-on-and-off" solution ?

Is it really needed ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 08, 2005, 10:57:43 am
I don't know if you can get a bits limited strip for a reasonable price shipped to you, so if you want to have one button that starts/stops your cab, then you'll have to build your own.  In which case, it seems that the only solution to BYO Bits strip has to have a relay. 

I dunno if it has to have a relay to avoid tripping the breaker in the power strip, or if it's just so you don't see the boot screen. 

That cold-laminating via using a press of some sort is really NOT necessary for your project.  Using the braces, the thin material, and Gorilla Glue (if you don't have Gorilla Glue, liquid nails or some other construction adhesive will work just as well) will work just fine.  Heck, you could even throw 3/4" material on there if you wanted to kerf the backside!  It's really more trouble than it's worth to use a press to get your curve, and may discourage you from the process. 

Using more braces and nails would even be less of a hassle than a press. 

I don't have any 1/8" material lying around, otherwise I'd whip you up a quick mock up to show you what I'm talking about, but I've done kitchen base cabinets with a curved end like this and needed to do this, and they're still holding together just fine.  The nails are really only used for clamping purposes until the glue/construction adhesive cures.  They do provide SOME structural use, but very little for this purpose.  If you've got clamps, you could probably do away with the nails to be perfectly honest
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 08, 2005, 10:59:06 am
back in a few minutes.
going into the laundry machine.
Just routed the left panel t-molding slot.


YOU'VE GOT A LAUNDRY MACHINE THAT ROUTES T-MOLDING SLOTS!?!

  :o           :o           :o           :o

GIVE US THE PLANS TO MAKE ONE!

 ;) ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 11:03:20 am
io stupido ! ::)

Only now I understand the method that was suggested to me regarding the curved front.
As I said, I usually tend to go for the complex solution when the simple one is just an inch away.

I think the relay can be avoided (although I know very little about electronics), I dont care about boot screens as they are all going to be replaced or blacked out.

Thanks for the fast reply
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 11:08:11 am
That laundry machine thing, I cant do it man
You'll have to get clearance from NASA first.
Sorry
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 08, 2005, 11:35:01 am

Thanks for the fast reply


Thanks for posting while I was awake ;)

It sounds like you just picked up on the big picture of what I'm talking about ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 11:37:05 am
Man, time is a funny thing. Here it's 18:37. I have no idea what's yours, but I guess most of the forum is a sleep when I'm awake and vice cersa
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 08, 2005, 12:42:37 pm
You're 8 hours ahead of Dallas, Texas.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 12:47:20 pm
houston, we have a problem
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 08, 2005, 01:29:29 pm
You're 8 hours ahead of Dallas, Texas.

I dunno....18:37 when he posted it means 10:37 P.M.

You're exactly 12 hours opposite of me.  I thought Dallas was only one time zone away.

Actually, I thought Dallas might possibly be CST, but what do I know, I'm in WI!  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 01:33:49 pm
Sorry, I was just joking
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 08, 2005, 02:05:44 pm
You're 8 hours ahead of Dallas, Texas.

I dunno....18:37 when he posted it means 10:37 P.M.

You're exactly 12 hours opposite of me.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 08, 2005, 02:40:04 pm
I give up. you win ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 08, 2005, 06:10:35 pm

what do I know, I'm in WI!  ;D



18:37 would be 6:37 pm, right?      18 - 12 noon = 6pm


EDIT:  Just confirmed - Israel is 8 hours ahead of Dallas, TX  CST.   
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/difference.html?p1=144

I've highlighted the important part of my quote, and I'm standing by it.  I think I've said all that needs to be said ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 09, 2005, 07:25:20 am
Just stay there, man. It's a dangerous and unpredictable world out here.

Well, it's PRIME TIME for me.
I had the cab and doors primed, and was debating with myself a lot considering the flat/curved front.

As much as I hate to admit it, I think I'll stick with the flat because of cp maintenance issues (I want it fixed and not hinged, so I need space in the front)

It's high noon now, dead quiet, and I'm dead tired. Back from the dead later
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 09, 2005, 02:08:18 pm
My son called me from school.  He said for some reason he felt like someone just blew out the flame that he thought was his eternal hope in people that burned like a torch.

I told him that was just c64rulez ;) ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 09, 2005, 03:31:22 pm
Man, what grade is he in ? I'm reading this for the fourth time and still cant dig it.
Still, it looks like a saying that needs to be framed.

One of my favorites, is what you say to people who are pulling their hair out cause they didnt have backup for that super-highly-important-data

"It wasnt raining when noah built the ark"  ::)

(And then you need to run real fast)  ;D

Thanks for peeking at my project progress.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 09, 2005, 03:37:11 pm
Oh sure, I lose ONE FRIGGEN BOOKMARK....;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 09, 2005, 03:39:23 pm
What's a single bookmark compared with the eternal flame ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Ed_McCarron on December 09, 2005, 03:50:23 pm
"What's a single bookmark compared with the eternal flame"

Dunno.  Ask the Bangles.

Love the Pac profile on the sides.  Looks like you are making good progress despite everyones best efforts to drag this thread into EE.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 09, 2005, 03:56:47 pm
thanks
My original idea was a giant pacman cab, but it nearly caused my brain to explode, so I settled.

Sorry, but I'm not that familiar with all the jargon used here (learning fast)
What or where or when is EE ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 09, 2005, 04:03:44 pm
My wife swears she heard mw talking to some wires I was soldering.
I told her it wasnt my fault cause they started it

Do you think it's time for me to quit ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 09, 2005, 05:09:42 pm
Sorry, but I'm not that familiar with all the jargon used here (learning fast)
What or where or when is EE ?

Everything Else.  It's another forum here where we post a subject and then see how far off topic we can take it.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 09, 2005, 05:14:58 pm

Everything Else.  It's another forum here where we post a subject and then see how far off topic we can take it.


I don't think anyone is really trying all that hard though ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 10, 2005, 12:32:38 am
wow that's coming out nice. I just found this thread today. I like it
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 10, 2005, 01:04:08 am
Thanks a lot. got you mixed up with the mega-thread-dude from mission control. no harm done. ;D

answer*
The smoke coming out the ship goes left while the flag flaps right
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 10, 2005, 01:35:17 am
Just to see how everything fits at the cp zone, I had that area sketched out. I have a great cad software - micro$oft word
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 10, 2005, 01:45:54 am
Thanks a lot. got you mixed up with the mega-thread-dude from mission control. no harm done. ;D


no I'm not quite that ambitious....


I'm just one of the resident slackers from Everything Else....

everyonce I pop my head out to see who's building what....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 10, 2005, 01:50:16 am
Between me and you  ;) I think it more some kind of disturbance, but then again, without it this forum would not have existed :angel:
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 10, 2005, 02:04:01 am
so what color you going to paint the cabinet itself?

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 10, 2005, 02:17:18 am
It was doomed long ago to some sort of deep orange. I wonder if its going to resemble the arcade bones color.
I simply cant dig a black cab, sorry, but its too boring and dull for me.

Ofcourse its gonna have the pacman with some monsters keeping a watchful eye.
A suggestion has been made here to have some pellets around the cab, which I also consider.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 10, 2005, 04:30:21 am
I'd alost go with a bright light blue (almost nintendo blue) yellow pac-man, dark blue ghost and red ghost....



glad to see another cabinet going to break the barriers of black
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Bones on December 10, 2005, 04:50:11 am
It was doomed long ago to some sort of deep orange. I wonder if its going to resemble the arcade bones color.
Mwwahhhhaaaha..... Everything is going as I have forseen.

Cab looking great by the way, I am digging that Pac-man profile around the CP.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 10, 2005, 05:26:09 pm
Thanks man. As I said, the force is strong with you. keep it up.

Now guys, let me know which do you prefer (ignoring colors if you can, just focus on the size issue). So, does size matters or what ?

(dost and power pellet courtesy of thenasty from page 1)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Bones on December 10, 2005, 05:42:48 pm
I like the one on the right. Pac-man kind of gets lost when he is not the full size of the cab profile (as per the left design).

Also, although Pac-man never had an eye, maybe you should try putting an eye in position just to see how it looks. I suppose doing this will pervert the original graphics though.......  ???
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Bones on December 10, 2005, 05:48:49 pm
?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 10, 2005, 06:10:28 pm
I like the one on the right without the eye, just to be authentic.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 10, 2005, 06:24:05 pm
Pac and the ghosts need to be the same size.  That much size difference skews it too much.  Either have the full CP Pac and a larger ghost, or the smaller Pac and the smaller ghost.  That's just my opinion, MrC could be wrong ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 10, 2005, 11:33:35 pm
I like the one on

<----- side


I really need to lurn my left from my right  ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 11, 2005, 03:31:24 am
Thank you guys ! I knew I could count on getting 5 different opinions from 4 people  ::)

I'll play with it some more.
I got to admit that each opinion is well supported though.
Thank you bones for the eyepatch  ;)

You think if I'd known my left from my right I would have posted here anything ?  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 11, 2005, 04:06:52 am

I got to admit that each opinion is well supported though.


glad I could help  ;D


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: MinerAl on December 11, 2005, 11:18:47 am
how about tipping the ghosts so that they are on the same angle as pacman?  same size and same angle chasing him?  wish i could draw... it's a good idea in my head... the bottom of the pacman and the bottom of the ghosts would be on the same line... one of the ghosts could be just emerging from the corner still partially obscured...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 11, 2005, 01:33:54 pm
Back to my ultimate cad\drawing (micro$oft word) software.
Here's what I came up with.
So, which one ? (if any)

I could always go for the second picture  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: MinerAl on December 11, 2005, 02:54:52 pm
See... you can draw!

I like the one with multiple ghosts.  Just my $.02
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 11, 2005, 03:02:23 pm
I like the 2nd one also
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 11, 2005, 04:04:47 pm
I like the 2nd one also

me too
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 11, 2005, 04:15:46 pm
I know the wife would never go for it, but that Tom-n-Jerry pic would make some cool sideart!  I like the 3-in-a-row one.  Only without the ghey blue ghost.  That color looks like ass on the orange.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 12, 2005, 12:28:14 pm
Looks like it's gonna be 3 in a row (Thank you MInerAl). These are 16" bad ass monsters.
I'm not quite sure about the exact orange for the cab (I know my wife was very confident picking it). But it's probably in the neighborhood.

As for the blue-looks-like-ass-on-orange monster, I am committed to the original colors (I concealed it as much as I could)
I could switch the pink with the red. Still not sure about that.
Coloring will probably take place tomorrow so the cab can finally roll home for final assembly.

As for my frontend, I tend to have it function also as a jukebox and slides presenter (so I can have all those millions of digital photos we're taking on display).
First things first though, these could be part of ver2, cause the games are second to none.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 12, 2005, 12:30:50 pm
the red one is kinda hard to see with the orange.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 12, 2005, 12:35:52 pm
Man, black is out of the question (though it looks ok)
My wife is not going to have a coffin at home  ;D

The world is divided to those who know pacman and those who dont.
And frankly my dear, I dont give a f#$k for those who dont (cause they'll probably be those who will miss the red one)

It's possible that switching places could take care of this problem.

BTW, loved that yellow you picked for your cab. vivid.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 12, 2005, 12:37:58 pm
thanks...  about my color choice complement...


move them around a bit you'll get it looking good
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: elvis on December 12, 2005, 06:58:12 pm
T-MOLDING SLOT ROUTING SUCKS!!!

Such a narrow slot and TONS of dust. Even with my face covered up I was holding my breath when running the router.
Is it normal to cough sawdust ?

No, in fact it's dangerous especially if you are using a glue-bound particle or fibre board like MDF.  It can lead to all sorts of lung problems, including Emphysema if you continue to do so long term!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emphysema

Please please PLEASE wear a mask and goggles when doing any sort of machine work or even hand-sanding on MDF, or other particle board.   You do not want this stuff in your sinus, nose/mouth or lungs!

I have no desire to see good arcade builders suffering in their old age when they should be spending their twilight years playing arcade games!  :)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 13, 2005, 06:17:25 am
I guess I'm being taken too seriously around here... gotta do something about it.

Well, the time has come for the heart of the machine to be constructed. As I already made a drilling test for a pushbutton, it seemed like quite an easy task.
I must tell you that if routing that t-molding slot sucked, drilling all those holes through the cp sucks huge time.
It took me about two hours (I think) to complete 21 holes.

The spade bit (28mm) was perfect for the job, though PLAYER1 and PLAYER2 buttons fit in much easier than the rest of the buttons (Happs competition)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 13, 2005, 06:22:24 am
The amount of crap coming out the MDF when drilled seems to be endless, but the spade bit cuts it like butter. And then comes the plexi (which I sandwiched between the cp and some scrap). There it halts. :P
The plexi has to be drilled through very slowly, taking a break here and there, so as not to heat it too much.
It doesn't meen there were no pieces of it flying around... ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 13, 2005, 06:25:50 am
All the joysticks mounting bolts are going to remain under the plexi, so no drilling through the plexi required.

The hole in the middle is for that 4-way-galaga-replacement joy, though I still wonder if I could hack that billiard ball into some kind of trackball.  ;D

Has anyone tried it before ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 13, 2005, 06:42:09 am
I guess I'm being taken too seriously around here... gotta do something about it.

After a few post in EE no one will ever take you serious again
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Bones on December 13, 2005, 07:18:38 am
Coming along well. I also like the three monster scheme you got going on.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Brax on December 13, 2005, 07:43:51 am
I still wonder if I could hack that billiard ball into some kind of trackball.  ;D

Has anyone tried it before ?

Smack did it years ago.
http://www.beerisgoodfood.com/mame/cocktail/controlpanels.htm

That black "trackball" you see there is actually an 8-ball installed into a 2 1/4" trackball. They fit perfectly. If I remember correctly I think Zakk has done it too. It's an easy switch.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: MinerAl on December 13, 2005, 12:28:00 pm
I still wonder if I could hack that billiard ball into some kind of trackball.  ;D

Has anyone tried it before ?

Smack did it years ago.
http://www.beerisgoodfood.com/mame/cocktail/controlpanels.htm

That black "trackball" you see there is actually an 8-ball installed into a 2 1/4" trackball. They fit perfectly. If I remember correctly I think Zakk has done it too. It's an easy switch.

I've done it too.  Any 2.25" trackball will switch out with a standard size billiard ball.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: brian23 on December 13, 2005, 12:55:22 pm
Just found this thread... in terms of the sideart, you should maybe look into a black background instead of orange. Pac-man had a black background while eating pellets.

Then again, I know how women are :)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 13, 2005, 01:03:26 pm
Small price to pay for having permission to go ahead with the project  ;)

Rest assure I know it was black, and as I said it looks ok with black bgd, but we (my wife and I) both like vivid colors. (Check out the sofas in our living room  :o)
So as long as we're happy with the results, the rest of the world can ... ;D

Great photo here of the JELLY MONSTERS (cut to size) chasing Mr. PAC.
These will help me with the painting
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 13, 2005, 01:06:32 pm
we are anti-black cabinets here...

I still say Nintendo blue gets my vote.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 13, 2005, 01:10:29 pm
I give up. Show it to me
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 13, 2005, 01:39:50 pm
(http://images.webmagic.com/klov.com/images/10/1092176933.jpg)

(http://images.webmagic.com/klov.com/images/D/cDonkey_Kong.gif)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 13, 2005, 01:41:53 pm
copy that. It looks nice. I'll see what the boss has to say .

Thanks
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: elvis on December 14, 2005, 12:16:09 am
I guess I'm being taken too seriously around here... gotta do something about it.

Sorry if I went over the top back there.  I just know a few old cabinet makers who are suffering badly in their old age, and don't want to see it happen again to anyone else.

Good work so far.  And why are people anti-black for cabinet colours?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 14, 2005, 12:28:40 am
And why are people anti-black for cabinet colours?


because everybody and their brother has a black cabinet.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 14, 2005, 12:47:04 am

because everybody and their brother has a black cabinet.


My brother doesn't even have a cab.  That's just because he's my betend brudder :D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 14, 2005, 04:37:16 am

because everybody and their brother has a black cabinet.


My brother doesn't even have a cab.  That's just because he's my betend brudder :D

well in that case he can go to Target.. rummor has it they are selling pretend cabinets
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 14, 2005, 04:42:20 am
Ground control to missioncontrol:
Looks like we're going for that light blue.
My wife likes it, and it less swallows the artwork

That doesn't mean she did not bug me with "You had to go ahead and buy
that orange a month ago as if its ready for painting, did you ?'

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 14, 2005, 04:48:09 am

That doesn't mean she did not bug me with "You had to go ahead and buy
that orange a month ago as if its ready for painting, did you ?'


In situations like that, I always like to point out the countless purses or shoes-of-the-same-color-but-not-to-a-woman that aren't sitting in a garbage can. 

Yeah, pointing out how your spouse pisses away money as well as you do always sets the mood for romance and makes her remember why she married you ;D

More purses and shoes ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 14, 2005, 04:49:56 am
Ground control to missioncontrol:
Looks like we're going for that light blue.
My wife likes it, and it less swallows the artwork

That doesn't mean she did not bug me with "You had to go ahead and buy
that orange a month ago as if its ready for painting, did you ?'



tell her it's to paint the outside of the house with
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 14, 2005, 04:54:13 am
i guess this in itself desrves a forum of its own. We do deserve to cry somewhere, even virtually, no ?

And please please please, DO NOT mention shoes and purses on my thread  ::)

Surprisingly she also said "no harm done, we'll find some use for the orange"

Now I'm really frightened
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 14, 2005, 04:58:35 am

Surprisingly she also said "no harm done, we'll find some use for the orange"

Now I'm really frightened


Make sure to post pictures of the remodel of the dog and cat ;D

Hard to leave purses out of the picture, since mission's a nancy girl ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 14, 2005, 05:13:54 am
edits...how's this

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 14, 2005, 05:14:58 am
Hard to leave purses out of the picture, since mission's a nancy girl ;)

hey I thought that that was our little secret  ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 14, 2005, 12:56:00 pm
Man(?), I dunno what you two got there going on, so forgive me for relating to professional issues only  ;)

It seems a better pick of color for that first jello. I dig that.
As for that dots scheme, It feels a little cluttered, but worth a second look.
Thanks for the effort
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: brian23 on December 14, 2005, 01:18:52 pm
Blue looks good. Dots make it look cluttered IMHO and the eye on Pac-man looks good.


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 14, 2005, 01:24:49 pm

It seems a better pick of color for that first jello. I dig that.
As for that dots scheme, It feels a little cluttered, but worth a second look.
Thanks for the effort

Ah I had some spare time at work and no one was on the boards talking so it was no big deal....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: pathdoc2 on December 14, 2005, 04:36:44 pm
I like the blue with the dots.  Looks good.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 14, 2005, 04:55:25 pm
Why does your wife know that you bought orange paint?  Keep her in the dark as much as possible.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 14, 2005, 05:32:29 pm
AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHH

I know its a trap. I can smell it from across the atlantic. could markrvp be actually my wife ?  Have we taken the wrong turn and somehow found ourselves on the path to EE ?

She was there with me, helping me pick it up. I swear I knew nothing of that light blue at the time.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 14, 2005, 08:13:50 pm
Why does your wife know that you bought orange paint?  Keep her in the dark as much as possible.

Exactly!  The only reason my wife knows ANYTHING about what I'm doing is when something I've decided on and set in stone appears in the house! 

"Hey come check out this picture I had printed today honey"

"Cool, what's it for?"

"That project I'm working on"

"What's that thing gonna be anyway?"

"You'll see when it's done.  It's too hard to explain and describe right now"

"What else are you gonna need to finish it?"

"Not really sure.  It kinda depends on whether or not everything works out right"

TA-DAAAA!  She's intrigued, but can't figure out anything else.  When I DO give her info, it's a bombardment of so much technical info (some of which doesn't even apply - throw in stuff that doesn't even make sense.  Bronson and fluval valves/joints/connectors/brackets are always good distractions ;D ) she's bored to tears and quickly ignores whatever else comes out or tells me "You know I can't follow all that, just tell me it's hard to 'splain"

Meanwhile, I'm off to find some gold ingots to machine into joysticks ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: versapak on December 14, 2005, 09:20:19 pm
I say go for something more like this:

(http://ldgonzales.home.comcast.net/pac-cab1.jpg)


Can't be leavin any of those poor ghosts out of the fun. :)


But if not...


I still vote against the dots.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 14, 2005, 09:53:02 pm
THAT design is sweet!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: elvis on December 14, 2005, 09:57:37 pm
And why are people anti-black for cabinet colours?


because everybody and their brother has a black cabinet.

Ah, I see.  You're one of those "I hate it because it's popular" people.

That's OK, I understand:  I use Linux.  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Bones on December 14, 2005, 11:16:51 pm
versapak's image looks outstanding.

You could save on paint, paintbrushes, rollers, trays,  sandpaper, crying alone in the dark, etc...and put the cash towards full sideart. Make the background blue part of the actual printed artwork.

And, "this black cabinet thing"......  Much anger do I sense in all of you.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 14, 2005, 11:44:13 pm
Ah, I see.  You're one of those "I hate it because it's popular" people.

That's OK, I understand:  I use Linux.  ;D


no I'm one of those I hate black cabinets because it lacks creativity.....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 01:10:00 am
I say go for something more like this:

(http://ldgonzales.home.comcast.net/pac-cab1.jpg)


Can't be leavin any of those poor ghosts out of the fun. :)


But if not...


I still vote against the dots.



WOW that looks absolutely amazing !  :o
I think we have winner here. The design gives every jello a piece of the action, and it looks very dynamic.
That eye design for pacman is pure sweet.
My vote goes for you, thank you for putting in all the time and effort.

versapak's image looks outstanding.

You could save on paint, paintbrushes, rollers, trays, sandpaper, crying alone in the dark, etc...and put the cash towards full sideart. Make the background blue part of the actual printed artwork.

And, "this black cabinet thing"...... Much anger do I sense in all of you.

I must admit that I'll do all the painting for the sideart, no printers involved. All the shapes are quite easy to follow, stenciling here and there.
Plus I've done some wall paintings a few years ago (Thats my son six years ago), so I guess I'll handle it by myself

And Drew, that psychocrap is supposed to work for you only once (been-there-done-that-slept-with-the-dog). Surely she doesn't fall for it twice, eh ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 15, 2005, 01:25:44 am
I have to be honest, I don't like any of the sidearts in this thread so far.   ::)  Also the blue streaks remind me too much of the IBM logo. 

How putting (more detailed versions of) the ghosts at different visual depths.  Or making the sideart (still tilted) like a real snapshot of the game itself with maze etc.  Just anything with more true-looking characters would be better.  And some text could be good.

I like the Pacman mouth positioned how it is though.  How about yellow ball joysticks positioned in the center of the line of his mouth, so it looks like a dot or energizer floating there from the side profile.  (Doubt you can find yellow ball joysticks and I think you bought your parts already.) 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 01:40:24 am
I hope you were not violated by IBM (sounds like bad memories there) ;)

I know that (for me) the light blue is better than the orange I started with, and that monsters config is better than all the previous. So from my point of view, It's progress.

I'll test that "snapshot" version you suggest although It has black background.
As for that "various depth" thing, I'm not sure I really follow you
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 15, 2005, 01:49:25 am
Screw the depth idea.  Check out this hideously rough one I just whipped up.   I love it already:  ;D

(http://home.comcast.net/~willow.tree/SnapshotCab.jpg)


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 01:51:34 am
it's side art not the Mona Lisa.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 01:56:49 am
 :o
That was fast. It's awesome and It's black.  ::)
Man, if it'll go on like this, I think I'd better finisg the cab first and paint it in a year or two (or ten) ;)

It's cool

I actually think it's a real photo of missioncontrol on the left.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 15, 2005, 03:41:32 am
I redid it, added the other ghosts, more of the dots and my funny joystick idea.  8)  Enjoy...

(http://home.comcast.net/~willow.tree/SnapshotCab2.gif)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 03:44:20 am
Where is my cab ???
I think the snapshot swallows it, dont you think ?

It's a better version of the one you did before, BUT it looks like pacman's having a dental treat or something, no ?
BTW, you know that's an 8" tall joystick you've put there... ::)

One thing for sure, it makes you wanna play ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 15, 2005, 03:50:23 am
Well if you wanted to center a joystick ball in Pac-man's line-of-eat, it either has to be really close to the screen, or really tall.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 04:08:15 am
Just joking man  ;)

I meant that with so much on the sideart, and the way it being an exact snapshot, well, it seems to me that you cant see the cab anymore (It could be me you know...)

Loved the idea
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 15, 2005, 04:50:17 am
Also just realized that your idea was sort of already done on the Super Pac-Man cab...

(http://coinop.org/features/coinopmuseum/images/superpac.jpg)

My other (one of the original) ideas was to use the bigger (super) pac to be the entire large circular control area, and have the 4 ghosts looking at him, maybe as in the 1st intermission:

(http://home.comcast.net/~willow.tree/supe0003.gif)

I guess since I am close to (basically) finishing the paint on my own restored Pac-Man cab, I am enjoying playing with ideas for original designs.  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 05:12:52 am
what about swapping out the dark blue and black that might be work better
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 05:42:06 am
How do you mean ? Like this ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 05:57:33 am
well I guess that doesn't work as well as I was thinking...


it's your cabinet you make the call
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 06:17:43 am

And Drew, that psychocrap is supposed to work for you only once (been-there-done-that-slept-with-the-dog). Surely she doesn't fall for it twice, eh ?


She started dating me.

She married me.

That's 2 right there.  Need I say more? :P

We both have our hobbies, and we've come to accept how they pan out.  She spends little amounts all year long, I blow a big chunk once or twice a year.  We even out, so we don't really bug each other about what we spent money on, but we certainly DO try to pull the wool over on each other ;D 

Tell me YOUR eyes don't glaze over when she's describing the 12th pair of black shoes she's just purchased and why she needs THAT particular pair to go with her blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 06:58:05 am
you lost me right sfter the 12 pairs of black sho..................................................................
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 06:59:31 am
you lost me right sfter the 12 pairs of black sho..................................................................

We could be twins! :P
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 07:05:49 am
in that case you'd be Stingray's twin too..........
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 07:48:31 am
Mommieeeeeeeeeeeee ! I want my mommy ! I want my thread back
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 07:52:45 am
in that case you'd be Stingray's twin too..........

That'd be like deja vu all over again!

Hey, I know this sucks for c64, but do you realize we've created a parallel EE universe right here?  The only thing missing is Stingray and Chad!

*grumble mumble grumumble* c64 wants us back on topic....go with the white one, that's what I'd do.

Whaddaya mean you don't have any idea what I'm talking about?

my plan is working!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 07:54:07 am
Did you use a template to route the recess for your joys there?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 08:05:14 am
in that case you'd be Stingray's twin too..........

That'd be like deja vu all over again!

Hey, I know this sucks for c64, but do you realize we've created a parallel EE universe right here? The only thing missing is Stingray and Chad!

*grumble mumble grumumble* c64 wants us back on topic....go with the white one, that's what I'd do.

Whaddaya mean you don't have any idea what I'm talking about?

my plan is working!

Now look where you got me with that white idea  :'(
So, you have some more phoney identities or what ?
BTW, what's the topic here ? someone please remind me

Did you use a template to route the recess for your joys there?

I used endless marking and reclamping guides, rulers, etc. The works.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 08:22:52 am
so when did this thread become all about c64rulez anyway...

don't make me call for back-up :police:


Hey, I know this sucks for c64, but do you realize we've created a parallel EE universe right here? The only thing missing is Stingray and Chad!


yeah poor guy, but I like it here it's nice and cozy.....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 08:25:54 am
Do you know what WINDEX is ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 08:35:58 am
Do you know what WINDEX is ?  8)

I had to make mission drink a bottle of that stuff because he kept trying to run around EE nekkid and hooting like a baboon
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 08:41:46 am
Do you know what WINDEX is ?  8)


is that that new fangled winders XP?

(http://www.strangecosmos.com/images/content/14050.JPG)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 08:45:14 am
You killed me man
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Stingray on December 15, 2005, 08:49:53 am
The only thing missing is Stingray and Chad!


At this point the only thing missing is Chad. Also some cheesecake might go down well.

-S
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 08:52:23 am
I guess I'm doomed. Might as well take it like a man and run away as far and fast as I can.
Anyone into buying a semi-finished pac-profile cabinet ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 08:58:02 am
Welcome Stingray,


The EE innercircle is almost now complete....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 09:05:04 am
..._._..._ _ _ ... .._ _ _ ....._ _ ..
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 09:17:37 am
..._._..._ _ _ ... .._ _ _ ....._ _ ..


I don't know morse code
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 09:19:38 am

I guess I'm doomed. Might as well take it like a man


I just said mission's a bit girlish.  I don't know where you got the idea that we swing that way. 

add obligatory Nwwttwwtnwttuwwqpwz;,kjlou%
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 09:20:55 am

I don't know morse code


I'd tell you what he said, but it doesn't even pass the autocensor :o
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 09:21:53 am
..._._..._ _ _ ... .._ _ _ ....._ _ ..


I don't know morse code

I was counting on that.
Now, if you just stay put wherever it is you are for the next 5 minutes - problem solved.

HEY !
I somehow regained conciousness and it looks like I can actually start soldering all the cp internals. Now, that's a tough decision making, isn't it ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 09:26:22 am
don't make me have to break out google to translate....





By the powers of BYOAC

I shall summons the EE crew



(http://www.student.oulu.fi/~villeker/kuvat/heman.jpg)



Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 09:28:54 am
78 seconds
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 09:31:16 am
Youre dead
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 09:32:44 am
 :(
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Kremmit on December 15, 2005, 11:10:34 am
Dear C64Rulez,

Don't you hate it when these random guys show up and throw a junk post party in your thread?

-Kremmit
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Kremmit on December 15, 2005, 11:11:06 am
Dear C64Rulez,

By the way, my posts are junk, too.

-Kremmit
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Kremmit on December 15, 2005, 11:11:53 am
Dear C64Rulez,

But unlike those other guys, I don't need somebody else to reply before I just go ahead and post again.

-Kremmit
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 11:14:59 am
Yo guys, looks like another trasher just waded in. Join the ride dude, seems to me I was here only for the ignition.
Now she runs on her own fumes

Hey, just noticed it's my 100 post. I saw somewhere that I get an extra life every hundred posts. Where do I collect ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: versapak on December 15, 2005, 11:19:48 am
It is interesting actually.

You get an extra life by reaching 100, but then at the same time you lose a life for reaching 100.


Unfortunately you only lose more life from here on out.


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 11:35:31 am
Hey, just noticed it's my 100 post. I saw somewhere that I get an extra life every hundred posts. Where do I collect ?

I beleive the process is still the same..

you have to PM Saint (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=profile;u=167) (as he gets busy at times) and let him know you have reached your 100th post.


but there is a reward for doing that.

just wait and see what happens at post 1337

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 11:37:24 am
dude, when I look at your picture on the left, I hope I'm done before that  ;D
Check out EE, started my own little party
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 11:39:22 am
oh and Kremmit is another fine EEer that has been summoned by the posting powers
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 11:42:07 am
oh and once you start down the path of EE there is no turning back....


and you will not be done with this one cabinet... you will want to build more and more... soon you'll become obsessed withhaving your own arcade....

but the powers of EE will take you to the dark side and you will never be done collecting games building cabinets and posting........
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 11:45:36 am
You need a haircut
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Stingray on December 15, 2005, 11:47:59 am
You need a haircut

Nah, he just needs a cunning hat.

-S
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 11:52:16 am
Is that what it is ? I thought you raise a pet beaver
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 11:54:07 am
You need a haircut


nah had one just last month, next week it's time to wash it
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 11:56:56 am
why bother ? get a rug tranplant. easier to clean. no haircut needed.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 15, 2005, 12:02:23 pm
Did someone say something about a cunning linguist?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Stingray on December 15, 2005, 12:06:27 pm
Sure, I could keep this cat in the bag,  but sometimes it's a lot more fun to turn it loose and see what happens (http://www.stingraysmadness.com/EE/viewtopic.php?t=263).

-S
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: AC. on December 15, 2005, 12:22:50 pm
My ears are burning.   Did someone call the squad for inscessant meaningless chatter?!

I wathched the movie Constantine last night.  It was entertaining.  Makes you want to pray for your soul.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 12:28:56 pm
Do you have an invitation ?
This is a closed circle post (for everyone)
Sorry, that movie sucks. I watched "21 grams" yesterday.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Stingray on December 15, 2005, 12:30:45 pm
Sure, I could keep this cat in the bag,  but sometimes it's a lot more fun to turn it loose and see what happens (http://www.stingraysmadness.com/EE/viewtopic.php?t=263).

-S

Sometimes you open the bag and shake it, but the cat just clings to the inside.

-S
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: versapak on December 15, 2005, 12:32:38 pm
Sure, I could keep this cat in the bag,  but sometimes it's a lot more fun to turn it loose and see what happens (http://www.stingraysmadness.com/EE/viewtopic.php?t=263).

-S

Well that is pretty f'd up.

Why deliberately poison a thread in here, when there is an entire forum dedicated to it already?

I guess it does lose a lot of its rebel appeal once legalized.


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DemonBrew on December 15, 2005, 12:34:56 pm
Why haven't the national media made a big deal out of this tragedy. Carrot persecution is rampant.

Carrots are alive too, and yet millions of vegetarians eat them (and only them) in the name of ugliness.

Let's get Al Sharpton or some other radical on this cause, immediately. Just because carrots are ugly and don't make silly faces is no reason to persecute them.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 12:35:49 pm
Is this your cat ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DemonBrew on December 15, 2005, 12:36:41 pm
I saw the Batsignal and came right away.










...just give me a minute to change my shorts.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Stingray on December 15, 2005, 12:37:14 pm
What me Jedi?

-S
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 12:38:41 pm
I dunno man

What is 2 + 2 ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 12:39:52 pm
Well that is pretty f'd up.

Why deliberately poison a thread in here, when there is an entire forum dedicated to it already?

we didn't deliberatelt poison it, it poisoned itself...


we just announced it to the rest of the world
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 12:41:40 pm
Will I still be allowed to post my irrelevant pictures and info of my project progress ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 12:47:58 pm
there will be no more progress EE has taken you in
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 12:50:08 pm
We'll see about that.

Off to the gym.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: versapak on December 15, 2005, 12:50:23 pm
I wouldn't really say it poisoned itself.


Just the presence of you EE'rs is poison. :P


You knew by coming here that the end was near. :)


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Stingray on December 15, 2005, 12:53:55 pm
I wouldn't really say it poisoned itself.


Just the presence of you EE'rs is poison. :P


You knew by coming here that the end was near. :)




I for one am very, very sorry. At least I would be, if I were nice.

-S
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 12:54:56 pm
 :angel:

no we are angels

 :angel:


but our post-fu is mighty
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: nostrebor on December 15, 2005, 01:17:27 pm
There I was, thumbing through the PA forum, when I noticed a wormhole into the EE realm. So I said to myself "Self, let's drop in and say howdy." Self agreed so...


Howdy.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 02:20:18 pm
Back from the gym

who wants some ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 15, 2005, 02:49:49 pm
Sorry to interrupt your pages of off-topic-ness, but here's another larger possibility:

(http://home.comcast.net/~willow.tree/SnapshotCab3.gif)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: nostrebor on December 15, 2005, 03:02:06 pm
What could your post possibly have to do with this thread?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: jfunk on December 15, 2005, 04:07:09 pm
I still like versapak's take on it...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 15, 2005, 04:09:57 pm
I was reading another thread which gave me an artwork idea for your cabinet.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Stingray on December 15, 2005, 04:20:45 pm
I was reading another thread which gave me an artwork idea for your cabinet.

Sweet.

-S
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 04:44:57 pm
I was reading another thread which gave me an artwork idea for your cabinet.
My wife says go for it, but I'm not sure about it.

Sorry to interrupt your pages of off-topic-ness, but here's another larger possibility:

Thanks man. Though I'm still on to that light-blue-dynamic-jello artwork (unless something else pops up)
Like an asswork maybe  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: nostrebor on December 15, 2005, 04:47:50 pm
In my home, the wife is always correct. It's her maternal instincts that give her the advantage.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 04:49:10 pm
Do you have an "after" picture of that "inquiring-mind-of-a-dumb-boy-in-the-outlet" ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: nostrebor on December 15, 2005, 04:52:03 pm

... (unless something else pops up)...


This may not be the appropriate time to make this particular statement. Just a thought.

Oh, and yes I do, but I only use it on very special occasions. Or by request. Or when I feel like it.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 15, 2005, 05:06:18 pm
Do you have an "after" picture of that "inquiring-mind-of-a-dumb-boy-in-the-outlet" ?

Be careful what you say, that's Nostrebor's childhood picture.  For some reason, it was the last one where his hair would stay down neatly like that. ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 15, 2005, 05:09:06 pm
I thought its a "current" picture , no ?  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: nostrebor on December 15, 2005, 05:53:40 pm
I've stated this many times, but here it is once again...

"My avatar is a direct reflection of my electrical troubleshooting skills."

And for the record, the hair is just plain gone. No stand up, no switch sides, just gone. :'(

BTW: C64, I am enjoying your project progress. I commend you for taking this on from your location, where parts are almost impossible to come by. *claps*
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 07:48:13 pm
there will be no more progress EE has taken you in

You have been assimilated ;D

We ain't seen no purdy pics.  That can only mean a couple of things

You didn't have time today
You spent too much time replying to threads and slowly put off work on your cab
You are turning to the dark side

Or a combination of all 3
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 15, 2005, 07:48:48 pm
Based on the thread's posts so far, I took it to the next logical step:

(http://home.comcast.net/~willow.tree/RetardedCab2.jpg)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 15, 2005, 08:00:18 pm
 
;D :D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 15, 2005, 08:15:36 pm
Based on the thread's posts so far, I took it to the next logical step:

(http://home.comcast.net/~willow.tree/RetardedCab2.jpg)


awesome TurboC you with the photoshop of the day award...

it's usually issued in EE threads but seeing how this thread is going we'll make an exception...


kudos
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 10:28:27 pm
Based on the thread's posts so far, I took it to the next logical step:

(http://home.comcast.net/~willow.tree/RetardedCab2.jpg)


awesome TurboC you with the photoshop of the day award...

it's usually issued in EE threads but seeing how this thread is going we'll make an exception...


kudos

Let's name this thread "EE jr" ;D

c64, I dunno about you, but Turbo's last sideart mockup looks like a weiner to me!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Kremmit on December 15, 2005, 10:56:19 pm
Dear c64rulez,

You're a good sport.

-Kremmit
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 15, 2005, 11:08:33 pm
Dear c64rulez,

Kremmit smokes left-handed cigarettes

-DrewKaree
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 12:13:01 am
quote (Drew Karee):
You have been assimilated

We ain't seen no purdy pics.  That can only mean a couple of things

You didn't have time today
You spent too much time replying to threads and slowly put off work on your cab
You are turning to the dark side

Or a combination of all 3
End Quote

SHAME ON YOU!  :'(
It looks like youre skipping pages in search of the hot stuff.
NO PROGRESS ?
What about the fu@#$!ing cp routing and drilling ?
Thats the second time you bring me to tears
I now truly consider using WINDEX on you
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 16, 2005, 12:15:24 am

I now truly consider using WINDEX on you


No more streaking for me?  :'(
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 12:20:46 am
Only if that pacass belongs to you

BTW, nostrebor, thanks for your comment. It is indeed virtually impossible to get those parts. Against all odds (which are piling here like mountains of crap), I INTEND FINISHING my cab.

Coming out from you Kremmit, I somehow suspect thats not a compliment

And finally TurboC. I salute you.
But you must realize there are just two sides on my machine.
I want it all
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Kremmit on December 16, 2005, 01:47:32 am
No, it was definately intended as a compliment.  Seriously- you've dealt remarkably well with all the ass-hats wandering into your project thread and making a mess of it. 

We now return you to the silly stuff.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 01:54:17 am
All right
So I decided its time for my cabbie to head home (building was done outside in the open, under a rooftop)
BUT, it's 10 meters of nothing but grainy terrain between the cab and the house.
I rolled it on two boards, replacing them each time, and this is some heavy ---smurfette---.
Midway (or namco), the sky were about to pour down, and I was HORRIFIED.

Luckily the event ended harmlessly.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Kremmit on December 16, 2005, 02:12:09 am
Hey, you and I have the same sofa.  Mine's black though...

(Really, I do have that sofa in black.)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 02:22:06 am
Check again, I think there's a void where youre sofa used to stand
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 16, 2005, 06:46:36 am
quote (Drew Karee):
You have been assimilated

We ain't seen no purdy pics.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 07:19:15 am
Yeah sure
Try that when the server yells at you to go f#$k yourself
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 07:32:06 am
Test drive @ home

Just the tv, pc (with keyboard) and the speakers for a quick test-in-the-box.

All is working fine. TV picture needs some tuning, but besides that I'm cool.

All pc stuff (motherboard, power supply, hd) will be mounted on that mid-shelf.
Down under is a boston acoustics sub.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 09:39:00 am
Regarding the FrontEND I'm currently writing, it's actually an MS ACCESS application, so do your own math as for the compatibility issue.

However, IT WILL BE FREE, and YES it will also be a JUKEBOX and will run SLIDES

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 16, 2005, 02:24:53 pm
Why do people put bare components in their MAME machine?  Seems like a lot of work and risk to the components, to mount them freely in the cab, rather than just put the whole case in there.  Is it just to make it lighter?  To reduce the number of fans needed to cool things?  Just cause people think it's "cool"?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 02:28:45 pm
I simply did not have a box
Everything you see there is garbage collection (800Mhz PIII, 384MEG, 20GB)
Has nothing to do with "cool"

Its not a good answer, but...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 16, 2005, 02:56:08 pm
Why do people put bare components in their MAME machine?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 03:07:15 pm
missed you man

How come you dont have 5 purple stars ?

I think that the supreme council should promote you to "Global Slacker" or something

Besides, isnt the cab a box for the pc ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 16, 2005, 03:23:45 pm
missed you man

How come you dont have 5 purple stars ?

I think that the supreme council should promote you to "Global Slacker" or something

Besides, isnt the cab a box for the pc ?

in purgatory I have a badge and a cookie

I'm working my way into earning a hammer too
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 03:54:47 pm
I see you got a haircut
lovely
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 04:25:40 pm
Couldnt help putting all the buttons in just for the pose.
Very simple cp configuration, the 4 way joy sits in a pre-routed cradle and is flush with the surface (3mm plexi not shown here).
For the other two - standard under the hood mounting.

I am a little disappointed with the buttons, as they are convex on top. At the time I ordered I had no idea there were two kinds.

I assumed only concave existed, but...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 16, 2005, 05:19:37 pm
are you not going to have a trackball?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: markrvp on December 16, 2005, 05:22:20 pm
I am a little disappointed with the buttons, as they are convex on top. At the time I ordered I had no idea there were two kinds.  I assumed only concave existed, but...

You'll get used to the concave buttons very quickly.  I've got them installed on one of my panels and they are very nice, actually.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 05:32:14 pm
I have no other choice  ::)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 16, 2005, 05:37:27 pm
I suppose we could ask you the same thing about putting a case inside a cabinet

- It is easier (assuming you already have a full case together like I do)
- It is safer for the components

Mounting a motherboard, hard disk, power supply, possibly floppy/cdrom directly to a wood cabinet, dealing with potential damage to the components from faulty mounting or inadequate grounding, not to mention having the necessary expansion cards stay in the motherboard (they no longer have the anchoring of the screw mounting bracket from the case).
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 05:41:56 pm
Man, I've been juggling mboards and rams and stuff for quite some time now. I have hooked them where no man has gone before.
So whats a shelf in a cab comparing to that ?
It really is nothing

Now, if you wanna talk about out of the case stuff, I'd go for the monitor/tv thing. Now that's something thats probably better stay in.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 16, 2005, 05:53:49 pm
I for one use spare parts for my cabinets it's basically recycling old stuff and keeping it out of the landfills .

do I need to go out and buy the top of the line system to run mame? no, I'm just going to use an old 333mhz that's been lying around. I can use the case for something else. so for me it makes no sense to keep it in the case.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: DrewKaree on December 16, 2005, 05:57:02 pm
Why do people put bare components in their MAME machine?  Seems like a lot of work and risk to the components, to mount them freely in the cab, rather than just put the whole case in there.  Is it just to make it lighter?  To reduce the number of fans needed to cool things?  Just cause people think it's "cool"?

No more risk than how a dedicated cab is set up.  Also, compare the differences in cost if you had to replace a Pac PCB vs a MAME-capable videocard. (and if anyone says it's cheaper for one than the other, I refer you to Stingray's new attitude after re-reading his first post)

I'm gonna be doing it in my project.  If you check it out, you'll see that at first, it'll be the ONLY way to set it up, but if I decide to build the pedestal and whatnot, I ain't gonna be sticking all the stuff into a case and moving it.  Some standoffs, mebbe a piece of metal bent to hold cards in....in the grand scheme of projects like these, that's really not a lot of work.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 16, 2005, 10:33:31 pm
Man, I've been staring at your dude falling down the stairs for the past 45 minutes. Please replace that. I'm hooked.

are you not going to have a trackball?

Not now anyway, for two reasons.
1. money
2. didnt play much ball games

and maybe (3)
you dont need to have all controls known (and unknown) to mankind (and aliens), as I saw before, to play your favorites.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: TurboC-- on December 17, 2005, 12:20:50 am
are you not going to have a trackball?

Not now anyway, for two reasons.
1. money
2. didnt play much ball games

Same here.  Centipede and .. errr.. bowling games... Golden Tee?  I can't even run that on a vertical monitor.  And the damn things are EXPENSIVE.  Especially the little ones.  I was considering adding a small one to the Pac-man control panel, but the only one that would fit nicely was over $200.  Glad I didn't though, would never want to hack up an original Pac-man CPO...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 17, 2005, 08:19:11 am
Although the mind police at EE are trying their best to divert me from the original course of action, I made some progress (very faint however, I must say).
My FRONTEND is coming along fine, first version will include all three functions I intended for it - PLAY, LOOK and LISTEN.

PLAY - roms from multiple emu's
LOOK - digital photos slide show
LISTEN - MP3 jukebox

This piece of software will be free for any BYOAC member (who will want it...)

Some pictures follow:
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 17, 2005, 08:23:57 am
I've also temporarily attached the cp+plexi in it's final position for two reasons:

1. See how it looks and feel

2. Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away someone told me to go with a curved front for my cab. So this temp clamping gave me some insight regarding that front issue.

Still pondering though

BTW, needless to say this is not the final position of the cab, still need to play some pool
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 17, 2005, 09:41:30 am
Man, I've been staring at your dude falling down the stairs for the past 45 minutes. Please replace that. I'm hooked.




well this will keep you occupied for  while:


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 17, 2005, 10:16:42 am
Man, I've been waiting like 20 minutes for that kiddo to stay down
but that is one mean son-of-a-#$%! kiddo.

Please remove her from my thread
I'm dizzy

BTW, if your laundry machine engine is down, replace it with this one
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 17, 2005, 01:36:50 pm
posting in purgatory is going to postpone your progress.....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 17, 2005, 01:39:09 pm
It just went down
I sense the webmaster there is actually a plumber.
It also crawls like an ant with one leg

Back to my unimportant stuff, test fitting the tv frame + 6mm plexi + buttons on the cp. Everything's perfect
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: missioncontrol on December 17, 2005, 04:49:28 pm
please keep use posted on the progress when you are able to come back in three days........
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 18, 2005, 09:18:35 am
I'm back sooner than I expected, but no progress. I suddenly felt a strong urge and saw "Bigger Longer & Uncut". Laughed my --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- out.
I also immediately ran to check my ID and was relived to see I'm not from Canada.

Promise to post when progress will be made.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Harry Potter on December 18, 2005, 10:38:45 am
Hey, just off topic (and to add some posts to my measly count), why don't you add yourself to the BYOAC people finder. (Look above or use this link: http://www.frappr.com/byoacmembermap )

It'd be good to have someone on there from someplace other than the US, Australia or Europe.

And good luck with the cab.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 18, 2005, 10:59:11 am
Thanks man. done that. I punched in the closest city to where I live.
Hope your plane's gonna lift off soon...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Harry Potter on December 18, 2005, 11:17:48 am
 ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: Xiaou2 on December 19, 2005, 06:53:16 am

 Saw the design and thought Id give it a try too.  Needs a little tweaking, but heres some roughs...

 (http://www.xiaou2.homestead.com/protopac1.jpg)

 
 Thoughts ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 19, 2005, 07:04:31 am
Man, I feel like crying. I truly am.
The designs people throw at me are just getting better and better, and I think my cab's gonna stay white and artless
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: brophog on December 19, 2005, 08:41:36 am
Don't do it locally then. There are plenty of online printing services that do fabulous work.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet + Free unique FrontEnd
Post by: c64rulez on December 19, 2005, 08:45:15 am
will it go overseas unharmed ?
I know they can handle safe delivery of enriched uranium, but wtf do I care about it.
All I care for is my sideart to arrive unharmed
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 19, 2005, 11:16:57 am
Hey guys, just posting my first idea for the cp artwork.
Please share your comments regarding the design. Thank you

BTW, as mentioned before, two happ supers (left & right)  and 4way in the center.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: Xiaou2 on December 19, 2005, 02:11:29 pm

 Glad you like them :)   Off to work now.. will send the file when I return.

 I use Photoshop 7.    The shading is almost automatic..  I just tweak the standard settings to enhance it.

 If you cant get it  printed.. you might be able to hire an airbrush guy to try as well.

 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 19, 2005, 02:47:18 pm
what size is your CP?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 19, 2005, 03:44:06 pm
26" x 14.5"
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 19, 2005, 03:45:12 pm

 Glad you like them :) Off to work now.. will send the file when I return.

 I use Photoshop 7. The shading is almost automatic.. I just tweak the standard settings to enhance it.

 If you cant get it printed.. you might be able to hire an airbrush guy to try as well.

 

Thank you. I truly appreciate it.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 20, 2005, 01:23:55 am
any thoughts on what your marquee is going to look like?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 20, 2005, 03:30:49 am
I sense evil forces at work here behind those seemingly naive questions  ;)

Still, I posted on page 2 my first version of the marquee. It's nothing much. I really like that blow-up image of the arcade icons, so it's that image resized to fit + my cab's name
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 20, 2005, 05:24:09 am
oh yeah that's right I got that confused with thr front end you making...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 20, 2005, 05:26:58 am
Go find a beer and do it fast
You're posts are starting to make sense
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 20, 2005, 05:32:33 am
I'm at work and they have this stupid rule about drinking on the job  :(
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 20, 2005, 05:36:59 am
Man, I only drink and have this stupid rule about work. ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: DrewKaree on December 20, 2005, 05:38:23 am
I'm at work and they have this stupid rule about drinking on the job  :(

That just means it's allowed.  They wouldn't make rules about it if they didn't want to control it.  Wanting to control it means they think it's fine, but within certain guidelines. 

I like the way I think.  I think I'll keep me.  :D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: Xiaou2 on December 20, 2005, 05:46:12 am
  Played with your CP  design a bit..  :)

  Maybe you do not care for a trackball.. but you Need a spinner : )   All those driving games need a good way to steer them : )  and also, breakout games too.

 The Cherry's are the 'spinner'   However, the placement might not be the most optimal for playability.   Could be moved easily.

 (http://www.xiaou2.homestead.com/pacpanel.jpg)

 (http://www.xiaou2.homestead.com/protopac1.jpg)

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 20, 2005, 05:54:17 am
I'm at work and they have this stupid rule about drinking on the job  :(

That just means it's allowed.  They wouldn't make rules about it if they didn't want to control it.  Wanting to control it means they think it's fine, but within certain guidelines. 

I like the way I think.  I think I'll keep me.  :D

so you say they are trying to take my name?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 20, 2005, 05:56:27 am
Played with your CP design a bit.. :)

 Maybe you do not care for a trackball.. but you Need a spinner : ) All those driving games need a good way to steer them : ) and also, breakout games too.

 The Cherry's are the 'spinner' However, the placement might not be the most optimal for playability. Could be moved easily.


Great stuff man. Thank you.
I would love to have those files, just in case
As for the spinner, if I'll decide adding one, it'll have to be a hack of somekind. Probably been done before.

BTW, I've been sucked into EE so I'm looking for someone to finish my cab online
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: DrewKaree on December 20, 2005, 06:10:59 am

so you say they are trying to take my name?


Just to make sure they know who's participating in the epx espear spearmi trials 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: Xiaou2 on December 20, 2005, 06:17:11 am

 files sent   :)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 20, 2005, 06:19:21 am
Thanks . Just got them
If I'll use it, It's gonna be signed 'xiaou2'
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: Xiaou2 on December 20, 2005, 08:02:45 am

 cool :)

   
    While still messing arround, decided to make a mockup for a matching marquee.  Not really well thought out.. just sloppily slapped together for fun  :)

  (http://www.xiaou2.homestead.com/pacmarq.jpg)

 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 20, 2005, 08:04:19 am
I guess there are good people here after all  ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 20, 2005, 08:30:26 am
man those look good Xiaou2 I wish I had mad crazy art skillz I'm still tring to get a decent looking CP
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: DrewKaree on December 20, 2005, 02:41:02 pm
I guess there are good people here after all  ;)

Please make sure to tell them we are lurking about and will turn them to the dark side if they aren't VERY careful.  Now that you've tipped us off, we'll be searching for them to drag back to our lair, screaming the screams of the damned.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 20, 2005, 03:00:33 pm
The best way of avoiding a trap is knowing of its existance.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 22, 2005, 03:58:22 pm
Anyway, the clock is ticking for me, so I want to make some progress this weekend. I found yesterday a piece of very flexible plywood at a local woodshop. It's 5mm thick and bends almost like rubber.
I've decided to go ahead with a curved solution for the front of my cab, so I bought that piece which is going to make it a lot easier.

Encouraged by Drew's idea for the curved front, I've tweaked it a little. Drew's design had the front fixed, while I wanted to maintain access to kbd/mouse by means of a front drawer.

The best explanation of my tweak would be some pictures I'll post after I'm finished with it's construction (hopefully tomorrow). This solution would also provide me with a hidden access panel for various controls.

I also got plenty of advice and price quotes for printing all the artwork professionally. So I'm pretty much satisfied with the way things are going.

Wishing a great weekend to all BYOAC members. Make progress.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP artwork comments)
Post by: c64rulez on December 23, 2005, 04:46:40 am
This morning I charged ahead with that curved front construction.
As you can see from the picture, this special piece of plywood is very flexible, but it has slipped my mind that I would be dealing with a much shorter piece, and flexibility reduces proportionally.

In the second picture you can see the reinforcement blocks which ought to do the trick for me.
Each block has three sides:

The curved will be glued to the plywood.
The straight will be glued to the drawer front.

* this combination should (hopefully) hold the curved front in place.

The topside (where there's a little step) is going to hold a dashboard (on/off, volume, bass, usb, etc.)

All six blocks are going to be spread evenly on the front (about 5" space between each two)

However, gluing this kind of construction is no walk in the park!
Unless you got a pair of helping hands, all pieces would be restless, thus restrained properly.
I also couldn't figure a way of doing more than one block at a time (as I'm writing this, it settles down).

I intend to cut 6 more blocks that will hold the curved front at the bottom, and secure it to the underside of the drawer.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: markrvp on December 23, 2005, 09:40:33 am
Good work.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: AC. on December 24, 2005, 01:26:09 am
Lookin good - very nice.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 24, 2005, 04:41:53 am
can't wait to see how it turns out
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: DrewKaree on December 24, 2005, 05:58:09 am
Evidently you can, because it's not done, and you aren't hopping up and down doing the pee-pee dance.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: c64rulez on December 24, 2005, 06:12:12 am
Good work.
Lookin good - very nice.
can't wait to see how it turns out


Thank you guys. I do hope it turns out like I've planned. Not much progress though because of some pressure at work   >:(

DrewKaree wrote:
Quote
Hopefully I've given you more than enough info so you'll give up the idea of going with a flat front  and do it like I sense you REALLY want to 

or it would have haunted me till the end of time  ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: Harry Potter on December 24, 2005, 10:05:42 am
You're doing this all too fast. go post in EE.  you know you want to. ;)

Nice work by the way.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 24, 2005, 11:55:01 pm
Evidently you can, because it's not done, and you aren't hopping up and down doing the pee-pee dance.

I was trying to distract him...you know everytime we post here he has an urge to post in EE, then he forgets all about building his cabinet.....I mean if he ever gets his cabinet done how will that look for us....he's allready gotton more done now than I have done in the last year and a half....


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: c64rulez on December 25, 2005, 02:12:35 am
Oh you foolish earthling, what is a year and a half of your time but two seconds of mine ? *





*Translation: Obviously you're not married. drag a project (even yours) for more than a few months and you are out sleeping with the dogs.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 25, 2005, 04:46:03 am
Oh you foolish earthling, what is a year and a half of your time but two seconds of mine ? *





*Translation: Obviously you're not married. drag a project (even yours) for more than a few months and you are out sleeping with the dogs.


Obvously your the one not married. dragging out a project that is outside the house and away from the wife is a good thing.....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: c64rulez on December 25, 2005, 04:55:16 am
Good point there. It now occurs to me that, indeed, when the cabinet was outdoors all was quiet.
Nagging starts when it's indoors.

I wonder though (if you are married) whose decision was it that the  cab gets build outdoors, yours or hers ?
Now, let's see...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 25, 2005, 06:41:27 am
it was mutual
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: c64rulez on December 25, 2005, 08:08:26 am
like in "mutual exclusion" ?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: missioncontrol on December 25, 2005, 11:27:06 pm
Like in in both didn't want sawdust and crap all inside the house....

We don't even wear shoes in the house, why would I want to start a project like that in the living room....

I just take it outside. It was also a good excuse to go outside for a smoke, but now that I don't smoke it's just a good reason to go outside.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: c64rulez on December 26, 2005, 03:38:45 pm
ok
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: DrewKaree on December 26, 2005, 09:50:22 pm
Will you hurry up and get done alread?

I want mission to feel inadequate for not having his cab done, and the only way that's gonna happen is if you GET GOING! 

Me, I'd have to feel adequate in order to feel less than that ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Curved front update)
Post by: c64rulez on December 27, 2005, 05:53:03 pm
IG-88 wrote to me:

Quote
Hey, I really love your cab design. Do you have any detailed drawings of it that I may use?
Thank you IG-88. I also love it
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: c64rulez on December 28, 2005, 04:17:40 am
comments on the drawings

The design was meant to keep a small footprint for the cab, all around.
A 1/2" all around recess on all sides for some 3d effect.

The material I used for construction was 17mm MDF (~0.66"), and obviously
some boards measurements were affected from this thickness.
I had the three sheets precut along the red dashed lines so that they could
be crammed into my car.

Some panels dimensions in the drawings are not the same as their final
size would get, as there are always adjustments, angled meeting points, etc.

Braces were used whenever and everywhere I saw fit. All were glued and screwed.

The pc mounting shelf "ties" the cab and enhances rigidity.

Casters swivel and brake
After I bought the casters (2", 55lbs load each), I noticed that
they all swivel (2 had brakes).
As I didn't find any fixed ones, I was afraid the cab would go running around.
Believe me, it is not going anywhere.
The cab needs to be pushed with force in order to budge ever so slightly.
There is a 1/2" gap between the cab and the floor, so the brakes can not be reached,
which I knew in advance, and figured it won't matter due to the cabs "overweight".
Therefore I didn't bother figuring a way of getting to them.

One flaw, small price to pay
When I first placed my 21" tv on the tv shelf with the cab semi-constructed,
it occured to me that I've miscalculated the size that occupies the tv.
I had to remove the tv's back cover and install some braces to secure it.

What I should have done: Add 2" to cab overall depth.

Front: straight vs curved issue
The design in the drawings is one that uses straight lines on the cabs front.
(front door, drawer front, cp support)
After being "positively nagged" here on my thread to go ahead with a curved
front, I did. (Actually it is in progress as I'm writing these comments).
After I'm done with constructing this curved solution I'll post detailed drawings for it.

Blocking light panel
Not shown in the drawings is a 26" x 9" board that I installed behind the
marquee's neon. It's perpendicular to the angled top board.

Control panel
Just fill in whatever you want (and can
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: DrewKaree on December 28, 2005, 08:01:02 pm

After being "positively nagged" here on my thread to go ahead with a curved
front, I did.


Are you DONE yet or what, jeez ::)

;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: c64rulez on January 01, 2006, 06:16:15 am
Well it sure was a pain in the butt, and a major one at that.
The front curve is held by 12 jigs that needed to be glued separately, and it was very much time consuming.
In the first picture you can see the "step" which would be fitted with a dashboard (the panel in the second picture).
When the drawer slides out, the right hand under-jig can be seen. The four jigs in the middle are screwed to the bottom of the drawer.

And I think the fourth picture shows that it was worth the effort.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: markrvp on January 01, 2006, 11:10:05 am
 :o     EXCELLENT.   EXCELLENT.    EXCELLENT.    :o


Congratulations, you passed the test.  You put up with all our teasing, and B.S. and still came up with an awesome execution of a great idea on your cabinet.  I don't know if anyone else has done this, but you are the first I have seen to document it.  You will now always be happy that you made the round front AND kept the keyboard drawer functional and hidden.

Happy New Year c64rulez!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: versapak on January 01, 2006, 12:52:40 pm
Excellent work.

It just wouldn't have been right, had you gone with your original square front. The rounded front definitely fleshes out the design you created with the sides, and I am sure you will be much happier to have done that extra work when all is said and done.


Also... It is great to see that EE has not totally killed your project building ambition yet. ;)


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: missioncontrol on January 01, 2006, 02:48:36 pm
The force is strong with this one... but soon EE will control his destiny..........




good job
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 01, 2006, 05:48:45 pm

And I think the fourth picture shows that it was worth the effort.


I hate to say I told you so......who am I kidding?  I TOLD YOU SO!

Don't ever doubt the imagination-fu of DK, for I am full of it.  Now, to determine what "it" is ;D

Excellent work too!  Happy New Year and congrats on your cab being what you wanted it to be, ya Israelishichese nut ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Detailed cab drawings/plans)
Post by: c64rulez on January 02, 2006, 05:03:42 am
Thank you guys. I'm blushing here...
And for me, EOY is much worse than EE, hence the few posts.

BUT - EOY aftershocks would soon be gone, and it's back to the swamp for me  ;D

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 02, 2006, 06:22:13 am
EOY?

Is that some form of drink we should be made aware of as soon as possible?

I'm not sure if you've found this out, but it seems that finding new forms of alcoholic beverages is another hobby a lot of us share, and something Israelishesean would be new to us.  If that's just how you guys spell E & J, don't bother telling us, just let our imaginations run wild ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 02, 2006, 06:37:40 am
I'd wish.

It's the dreadful End Of Year where I get tons of work, locked up in my room, getting food and drink slided under the door...
and worse of all - must stay sober  ::)

But enough is enough. Tonight I'll hit it. Big Lebowski or Clerks and some cool ones  :P
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 02, 2006, 07:09:06 am
I like my alcoholic guesses better.  Your 'splanations suck.  BOO!  You suck at 'splanations. 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: missioncontrol on January 02, 2006, 07:52:00 am
alcohol is allways the answer
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 02, 2006, 09:47:43 am
alcohol is allways the answer
Question:

"Now before you ran over those four by-passers, you said you consumed a gallon of what ?" :police:
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: missioncontrol on January 02, 2006, 11:34:11 am
I don't join the asshat ranks by getting behind the wheel of a car after I've had a few beers.......
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 02, 2006, 11:42:25 am
Atta boy
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: Harry Potter on January 05, 2006, 12:31:57 pm
You still here?  >:(


Good.  ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 05, 2006, 12:43:38 pm
Yep.
I'm having a hard time deciding all artwork issues and I want to at least have my cp artwork done so I can make progress with it. Hopefully, this weekend should do it.

You've probably seen it, but just in case, here's a great picture for all you southpark wannabes
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: Harry Potter on January 05, 2006, 01:43:21 pm
Hehe. Nice one.  :D

I'm gonna make that into a sticker for my car tommorrow.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 05, 2006, 03:43:12 pm
If you're not going to share with the rest of the class, just keep your trap shut ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: Harry Potter on January 06, 2006, 06:48:24 am
If you're not going to share with the rest of the class, just keep your trap shut ;)
OK. $2.99 per sticker.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: missioncontrol on January 06, 2006, 07:07:23 am
If you're not going to share with the rest of the class, just keep your trap shut ;)
OK. $2.99 per sticker.

Does that include shipping?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: Harry Potter on January 06, 2006, 07:24:51 am
Make that $3.99
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 06, 2006, 07:42:01 am
I need eleventeen.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 06, 2006, 07:46:01 am
I don't need any.
Can I have one free of charge ?

Here's another one
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: missioncontrol on January 06, 2006, 08:05:00 am
that second one sucks....

you better check your batteries in your pic-post-fu as I think they are dead.............
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 06, 2006, 08:12:05 am
F#$K!
And to think I've wasted my 200 post on that awful picture...
Such a shame.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 06, 2006, 08:23:11 am
F#$K!
And to think I've wasted my 200 post on that awful picture...
Such a shame.

Yeah, but look at the bright side.  I wasted #6259 on this.  You coulda done worse
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 06, 2006, 09:11:25 am
Don't worry. I always do.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: Harry Potter on January 06, 2006, 01:26:45 pm
I'll post pics of sticker on my car soon  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Round front completed)
Post by: c64rulez on January 11, 2006, 09:52:58 am
After a lot of contemplating, I finally decided to go with the cp design
offered to me by xiaou2.
My skills at using photoshop were zero prior to finalizing the sketch
made by xiaou2.
Now they are zero point one  ;D

I think it's a great design that perpetuates (?) a great classic.
Having the cp artwork done, I can now finally order it printed and
start working on all the wiring.

Thank you xiaou2
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: c64rulez on January 11, 2006, 09:54:23 am
Of course I did not forget to sign it properly...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 11, 2006, 10:07:54 am
liar.  That should say X-something-or-other2 modified 2.0
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: c64rulez on January 11, 2006, 10:14:39 am
liar. That should say X-something-or-other2 modified 2.0


my cp is not long enough.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 11, 2006, 02:35:39 pm

 Heya,  Looking good  ;D 

  Was worried you would have trouble with the file I sent, as I didnt label anything.    :-[

 Nice work on learning some photoshop fairly quickly!   :o   :)

 Ohh, and you really dont have to sign the actual panel,     Just that if you post your creation on a website, give me a little credit on the site.    8)   :)     If you still wish to have it signed though, you may choose a blue that more hides in with the panel background.. and even make it a bit trasparent.

  Good luck on the rest   :)


 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: Havok on January 11, 2006, 03:51:41 pm
Looking good - like the CPO, and I can't believe I'm saying this - like the keyboard drawer! In general I detest keyboard drawers on arcade cabs, however you pulled it of admirably, and made the cabinet look better in the process.

Good job!

Now go post in EE, or something...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: Sprucemoose on January 11, 2006, 05:12:51 pm
Artwork looks killer.  Love the design of the cab.  Keep up the good work
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: c64rulez on January 12, 2006, 02:16:00 pm

 Heya, Looking good ;D

 Was worried you would have trouble with the file I sent, as I didnt label anything. :-[

 Nice work on learning some photoshop fairly quickly! :o :)

 Ohh, and you really dont have to sign the actual panel, Just that if you post your creation on a website, give me a little credit on the site. 8) :) If you still wish to have it signed though, you may choose a blue that more hides in with the panel background.. and even make it a bit trasparent.

 Good luck on the rest :)


 

Thanks alot
I will leave the signature as it is. I like it  :D
All the credit is yours.

Looking good - like the CPO, and I can't believe I'm saying this - like the keyboard drawer! In general I detest keyboard drawers on arcade cabs, however you pulled it of admirably, and made the cabinet look better in the process.

Good job!

Now go post in EE, or something...

Thank you. It sure looks better than the square front I planned to go with.

Artwork looks killer. Love the design of the cab. Keep up the good work

Thank you
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp artwork done)
Post by: c64rulez on January 12, 2006, 02:18:17 pm
Here is the first design I pulled with Photoshop (which I find more addictive than EE  ;))
Plus an enlarged detail.

I would appreciate any comments. Thank you.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (first marquee design)
Post by: c64rulez on January 12, 2006, 02:21:52 pm
and another detail

The marquee size is 26" by 7.5"
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (first marquee design on page 9)
Post by: c64rulez on January 13, 2006, 02:33:27 am
Perhaps this marquee design is more adequate  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (first marquee design on page 9)
Post by: Bones on January 13, 2006, 05:18:27 am
It is better than Climaxicade.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (first marquee design on page 9)
Post by: c64rulez on January 13, 2006, 06:36:16 am
It is better than Climaxicade.

or Rectalicade. You could play Rectaliator on that one though.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (first marquee design on page 9)
Post by: c64rulez on January 13, 2006, 06:41:11 am
Here is the second version of the marquee.
Just added an explosive backdrop and made those letters neon like.
I think that with some backlight it will look like real neon. I'll post
some picture later when I'll test it on my cab
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (first marquee design on page 9)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 13, 2006, 07:56:29 am

 Heya,

   Just a word of warning..  you might wish to make a small paper cut out version or make a mockup of  a  3/4  view in photoshop - of your cab, with all the artwork in place.

 That way, you can see the full finished product before spending the money on printings.

 One thing I think you may be making a mistake here, is with matching.   If you are going to theme the control panel with pacman, then the whole cab would look better with a pac them.. or at least, simular attributes that better match. 

 If you use the Marquee as shown,  then you would be better off to theme the control panel simular to that as well.  Simular shapes, sizes, colors..ect.   

 Otherwise, it would be like a car painted differnt colors and shapes on each side... and as a whole, would seem a bit awkward... even If each side was great to look at on its own.

 

 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (first marquee design on page 9)
Post by: c64rulez on January 13, 2006, 06:19:32 pm
Hey man,
glad to see you're still checking on my progress here. Thanks.

I understand perfectly what you're saying, and if my cab was a dedicated
pac machine, I couldn't agree less.
That mockup thing seems like a good idea to me. Maybe I'll do it.

I made another cp artwork that matches the neon-like marquee (with
a matching sig  ;))
Any comments are welcomed .

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 13, 2006, 07:40:45 pm

 That transparent neon 'look' rocks :)

 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: CheffoJeffo on January 13, 2006, 08:18:58 pm
That is slick ... nice work ...

Cheers.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: c64rulez on January 14, 2006, 02:43:50 am
Thank you guys.
It's that ghosted monsters look that appealed to me.
I love photoshop.  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 14, 2006, 10:27:44 am
The pink around those admin buttons looks like ass compared to the rest of the blue trim around every other button.  It sticks out like a sore pus-filled swollen infected thumb.

;D

I'm also not too sure about the green & red text either, but I know that both those colors looks better than pink.  The yellow buttons may stand out as well.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: c64rulez on January 14, 2006, 10:45:41 am
The pink around those admin buttons looks like ass compared to the rest of the blue trim around every other button. It sticks out like a sore pus-filled swollen infected thumb.

;D

I'm also not too sure about the green & red text either, but I know that both those colors looks better than pink. The yellow buttons may stand out as well.

And I thought I was the only one who thinks that. I guess you're right about those clit-button-rings.
I tried to make the admin rings stick out somewhat different then the others, and I ended up
with that. go figure
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 14, 2006, 11:40:27 am
Try that green or red around the buttons.  I think the red will look a lot better than the pink, but depending on your likes.....mebbe try orange or purple too.  I think while those colors don't "fit" with the rest of it, they won't be so obtrusive.  That pink is just a punch in the face.

I don't know if you get that I don't like the pink ;) ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: c64rulez on January 14, 2006, 12:58:21 pm
quickfix though I'm not sure myself as for the red ABORT text
It's not like I'm flying an F-15 in combat. duh  ::)

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 14, 2006, 01:26:42 pm
and what about purple for those buttons instead of yellow?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: c64rulez on January 14, 2006, 01:37:00 pm
I only have one purple left...
I wish I could just shop for it locally.  :-\
I do have two green ones (which I intend to use on the internal dashboard
as coin buttons. I'll see how it looks.

I could go PUPRLE - menu, RED - ABORT. I simply hate those tiny decisions :-\
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 15, 2006, 07:15:18 am

 Heya,  just for fun, I popped this poor mockup for you to check out.   Basically, it shows how designing all artwork sides will help in the final look.   

 Tested an all yellow mid section, and while the idea was nice,  when viewed from the 3/4 view mockup.. wasnt so hot.   

 Anyway, thought this might help in your designing process.

 (http://xiaou2.homestead.com/pp5.jpg)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: c64rulez on January 15, 2006, 07:29:02 am

 Heya,  just for fun, I popped this poor mockup for you to check out.   Basically, it shows how designing all artwork sides will help in the final look.  

 Tested an all yellow mid section, and while the idea was nice,  when viewed from the 3/4 view mockup.. wasnt so hot.  

 Anyway, thought this might help in your designing process.



There you go again ...  ;)
It's just great. Of course it's gonna help me, since my photoshop skillz are
currently limited to a two-dimensional world  :-\
Thanks again, I truly appreciate your support.

As for my cp artwork, I think I've made up my mind about the admin area.
It also occured to me that this might be the name for the cab - "TOTAL REPLAY"

If i'll make it in time I'll place an order for it at a local printing service.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 15, 2006, 02:45:43 pm
 *blush*  :)

   Its no problem, was fun :)

  How I did 3d look in photoshop:

 Took the 2d pic of the cabnet side... selected just one of the cabinet pics with the selection tools.    Right click, copy to new layer.   Turned off the eye, so the original layer was invisible.   

  Next:  Edit:Transform:Distort

  Distort  the pic so that its diagnal, much as seen in the pic i sent.   There are 6 handles, and you can adjust them in many ways to get this done.

 Next, I made a duplicate of that side, and slid it accross diagnally, to make the other side.  Its not seen.. but it makes a places I can draw the lines to connect them together.

 Use the vector pen tool,  enclose a shape for the monitor for insance, by connecting the two sides.   One completed, right click, and choose
Fill Path.   You can adjust your path points, using the direct selcection tool.
 
 Once the path has been filled, I hit delete key a few times, so the path is deleted.

 I fill each piece, on its own layer, so that I can mess with each piece on its own without disturbing the other parts.

 If you have graphics for the pieces, then you can distort them on.  Or you could even draw on the pieces themselves..  or make a part seperately, then distort to fit.

 Use of gradients can sometimes help to shade a solid color model, so that it dosnr look so flat.   Or it you are good at shading, you could airbrush shading in.  Theres many ways actually.

 Of course, if you are good with modeling programs..  you could construct a cab there,  make a snapshot of the rendered model, then edit that in photoshop... or even texture it in the 3d program.  Ive not gotten good enough to do all that though.

 Hope that helps with your creativity :)


(http://xiaou2.homestead.com/protopac9.jpg)


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: squire on January 15, 2006, 07:25:54 pm
haha...
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/boranes/CaptureWiz006.jpg)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: missioncontrol on January 15, 2006, 11:50:26 pm
wow Xiaou2 that mock-up looks good
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 16, 2006, 12:30:25 am

 Thanks Missioncontrol :)

  I cant take too much credit,  as Photoshop makes it so easy :)   hehe

  I believe it was the 13hr video training cd set I got from ebay that really got me going in photoshop.   Tried the book route.. and just wasnt catching on.  I have to see things in action I guess.   

  I highly recomend them to anyone wanting to get into photoshop.   The seller's ID is "onelessbook".     The company who makes the cds:   http://www.vtc.com
(though I think you can get the cds cheaper on ebay)

 

 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: c64rulez on January 16, 2006, 04:24:27 am
Xiaou2, I'm speechless. Thanks for the 3d model psd file you sent me.
Youre help inspired me a lot, and I'm now hooked on photoshop.

haha...
(http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a181/boranes/CaptureWiz006.jpg)
That could be a great marquee... I think ...

Yesterday I've placed an order to print the cp artwork at a local printing service, which brings me
to the following issue:

markrvp wrote to me:
Quote
On the joysticks, you can put the dustwashers under the plexi - IF - your artwork will be applied to the top of the plexi (sounds strange I know).  If the artwork is under the plexi (like is logical) then you probably want to put the dust washer on top so it won't rub against the artwork where it is loose over the top of the joystick base.

Now my question is:
For the 8-ways that will mount under the MDF, does it make any sense to have the dastwasher under the MDF also ? I could recess that area a bit so it wont rub against the MDF. Will it matter ?

I simply want to avoid having those washers over the artwork. I see now that if  they will, some of the artwork would get coevered ...   :-\
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (please help on page 10 - dustwashers)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 16, 2006, 05:14:46 am
You're gonna have a big honkin' hole on the top if I'm following what you're saying about putting the washers underneath the MDF
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (please help on page 10 - dustwashers)
Post by: c64rulez on January 16, 2006, 05:20:50 am
Yeah. You follow correctly. Still, the dustwasher retains it's function, just under the hood.
I'm talking practical issues here. (That hole is something I need to adjust to mentally...)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (please help on page 10 - dustwashers)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 16, 2006, 05:46:25 am
 
 In my arcade manager days, I always popped the dust cover on top for best protection.   I can see why you wouldnt want to cover the art up though.. so...

 About the hole...

 You could also cut out clear plexi dust covers for the top of the cp.   This would keep
fingers from getting pinched in between the hole and the joystick.

 Also, sand, then paint the inside of the hole black, so that you do not see the ugly wood color inside  : )

 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (please help on page 10 - dustwashers)
Post by: c64rulez on January 16, 2006, 05:54:09 am
plexi dustwashers sounds fine to me.
I also remember some cars (twenty or so years ago) had some kind of
a leather "blanket" surrounding the gear shaft, but to clone that would
be far fetched ...

Thank you
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (status: marquee ideas)
Post by: c64rulez on January 16, 2006, 01:44:17 pm
Got nothing to do till that cp artwork gets printed in a few days, so I decided to come up
with some more designs for the marquee.
The side artwork would have to wait for after I'll be done with then cp wiring.
These are, of course, just simple layouts to be used as a guideline in creating the
real thing.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (BYOAC logo ?)
Post by: c64rulez on January 16, 2006, 05:24:27 pm
... and toying around with a BYOAC logo wannabe...  8)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: c64rulez on January 17, 2006, 03:21:19 pm
some more marquee ideas
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: RetroACTIVE on January 17, 2006, 03:49:18 pm
Hey.... "RETROACTIVE"... that is what I was going to name my cabinet... 

Anyway... that would be my obvious choice!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: c64rulez on January 18, 2006, 12:51:11 am
Thank you for finding time to comment on my project in general and on the marquee issue specifically.
Please fill free to name your cab whatever you want. None of my ideas are copyrighted.... yet.  ;D
You could also consider:

RETROCADE

RETROBOX

RETROMANIA

RETRON

RETROBLAST

etc.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: RetroACTIVE on January 18, 2006, 08:46:38 am
Thank you for finding time to comment on my project in general and on the marquee issue specifically.
Please fill free to name your cab whatever you want. None of my ideas are copyrighted.... yet.  ;D

I hope I didn't give you the impression that I was bothered about the name thing.... I really like it... that's why I chose it for my user name ;D.  I think it is an awesome name for an arcade cabinet. 

I'm way past done on my cab, and because I am so inept with artwork / photoshop I went with the  vanilla "mame" name for my cab. ::)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: c64rulez on January 18, 2006, 09:45:06 am
I hope I didn't give you the impression that I was bothered about the name thing

On the contrary, I'm positive you're not, just as I wouldn't mind anybody using whatever I've posted here to help them with whatever monstrosity they're trying to build.

I'm way past done on my cab

I wonder how many posts-old will I be before I can say that   ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: farmecologist on January 18, 2006, 04:42:06 pm
Ha!  Interesting.   'RETRON' is the name I'm thinking of using too.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: c64rulez on January 19, 2006, 04:43:33 am
Yep, FARMECOLOGISTRON sounds a little annoying  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: RetroACTIVE on January 19, 2006, 08:38:03 am
RETRONOMICON - "Army of Darkness" theme ;)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (more marquee ideas)
Post by: c64rulez on January 19, 2006, 10:27:46 am
 :D :D :D Army of Darkness...  :D :D :D
So many themes, so little time (and cabs (and money (and space)))

THE CP ARTWORK IS HERE !!!

I went to pick up the printed cp artwork, and as I really didn't know what to expect, I lowered
my expectations to an absolute minimum.

When I saw the results I was simply a-m-a-z-e-d!
The colors are exactly like on my pc, the printed material is kinda shiny, the neon-look
really looks "neonic", and all the hole marks align beautifly with the plexi holes.

I paid 15$ for it and whistled all the way home  ;D

This means that some cp progress should take place this weekend.

Life is good.


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP ARTWORK ARRIVED !!!)
Post by: DrewKaree on January 19, 2006, 10:36:15 am
That artwork looks REALLY sharp!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP ARTWORK ARRIVED !!!)
Post by: MinerAl on January 19, 2006, 11:04:19 am
Wow. 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP ARTWORK ARRIVED !!!)
Post by: RetroACTIVE on January 19, 2006, 12:20:57 pm
Really really cool... I'm jealous
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP ARTWORK ARRIVED !!!)
Post by: F1r3f1ght3r on January 19, 2006, 12:23:06 pm
looks sharp!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (marquee on page 9, neon cp artwork page 10)
Post by: MameMaster! on January 19, 2006, 12:32:26 pm

 Heya,  just for fun, I popped this poor mockup for you to check out.   Basically, it shows how designing all artwork sides will help in the final look.   

 Tested an all yellow mid section, and while the idea was nice,  when viewed from the 3/4 view mockup.. wasnt so hot.   

 Anyway, thought this might help in your designing process.

 (http://xiaou2.homestead.com/pp5.jpg)


WOW....not to send you off in a new direction but Xiaou's art would look smokin' on your cab. I love it when talented people say things like "well I whipped this up just for fun"..... I wish I could do that!  :D

Excellent neon photoshop work. That panel looks great.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP ARTWORK ARRIVED !!!)
Post by: c64rulez on January 19, 2006, 12:37:43 pm
That artwork looks REALLY sharp!
Wow. 
Really really cool... I'm jealous
looks sharp!
WOW....not to send you off in a new direction but Xiaou's art would look smokin' on your cab. I love it when talented people say things like "well I whipped this up just for fun"..... I wish I could do that!  :D

Excellent neon photoshop work. That panel looks great.

Thank you guys  * blush *

I really owe xiaou2 most of the credit for his superb initial design,
and indeed photoshop really does 80% of the job...

and that mockup, well, speechless...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP ARTWORK ARRIVED !!!)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 20, 2006, 01:33:16 am

 Heya,  the artwork came out Great : )    Congrats!

  Come on now, you created the design.. I just shaded it : )  *blush*

   :)

 
 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (CP ARTWORK ARRIVED !!!)
Post by: Bones on January 20, 2006, 05:50:41 am
Hey I didn't really care much for the design when I first seen it but now it is printed it looks bloody good. Well done!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...)
Post by: c64rulez on January 20, 2006, 06:06:35 am

 Heya,  the artwork came out Great : )    Congrats!

  Come on now, you created the design.. I just shaded it : )  *blush*

   :)

 
 

ha ha ! won't work...  ;)
I admit the original design was mine, but that's all I'm gonna admit.
Thanks man.

This morning I attacked the printed art with ferocity (and a utility knife), and cut all those 28mm circles.
I then cleaned the plexi for about 20 minutes. Thankfully, my wife wasn't around to see my cleaning
abilities.  ;D

I installed the 4way joystick base flush with the cp, and secured it with 4 screws. I also decided to leave the black dustwasher for this joy under the printed art. (all 3 joys will have plexi dustwashers on top).

NOW came the part where I got real stupid  :-\
I installed all the pushbuttons, which is not a very easy task since the holes fit very tightly around them.
After some serious pushing and pulling everything was in place.

EVERYTHING ? obviously not  ???

if you'll inspect the "stupid" picture you'll notice what turned into a ferocious yelp when I grasped it.

I DID NOT install the 8ways !!!  :-\ :-\ :-\

All the buttons had to be removed (total stupidity I tell you), the 8ways bases bolted in, and buttons back in. Did I mention stupid ?  not enough I guess.

I sense now that a miracle is required for the cp to work properly  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...)
Post by: c64rulez on January 20, 2006, 06:08:55 am
Hey I didn't really care much for the design when I first seen it but now it is printed it looks bloody good. Well done!

Thanks
I didn't care much for it either untill Xiaou2 put some life into it
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...Page 11)
Post by: whatzcrackn on January 20, 2006, 10:49:26 am
Hey, where did you get the cp printed?  what kinda of material is it?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...Page 11)
Post by: c64rulez on January 20, 2006, 11:00:59 am
Hey, where did you get the cp printed?  what kinda of material is it?

I can check what material it is (cause frankly I don't know), and as for the "where" part, well I don't think it would matter since it was printed locally, which means Israel (which probably means it doesn't matter)  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...Page 11)
Post by: whatzcrackn on January 20, 2006, 11:11:28 am
lol, I was just wondering If I could get in the usa at the same place.  oops? :-\
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...Page 11)
Post by: ChadTower on January 20, 2006, 11:44:05 am

Okay, I had lagged on following this project... hella good job, bro.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...Page 11)
Post by: c64rulez on January 21, 2006, 12:52:35 am
lol, I was just wondering If I could get in the usa at the same place.  oops? :-\

It certainly is going to be OOPS if you'll not be able to  ;)
The availability issue for a usa-remote-user in this kind of project is a pain in the butt

The material, however, feels very much like photo paper.


Okay, I had lagged on following this project... hella good job, bro.
As long as I don't lag on it  ;)
Thanks
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...Page 11)
Post by: markrvp on January 21, 2006, 08:02:14 am
That looks really, really nice.  Great job c64rulez.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (Stupidity Hurts...Page 11)
Post by: c64rulez on January 21, 2006, 01:48:18 pm
Thank you markrvp :D

The cp wiring is somewhat of a headache, so I stopped about third of the way.
The core of the cp is a keybard hack I've built a few weeks back.

If the cp was more complex (more buttons and sticks), a keyhack would have been out of the question.
I knew in advance that the layout would be simple, so I didn't care much for an I-Pac.
There are a lot of good tutorials around about hacking a keyboard and making it work with a mame machine, and it's pretty much straighforward.

I'm just using whatever wires laying around, so it's a bit colorful under the hood  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring, keyhack)
Post by: Chopper_ops on January 22, 2006, 05:12:03 pm
This forum ROCKS!

Anyway, the cab is lookin' awesome!  Great job!

How is the Frontend coming along?  I haven't read anything about it for awhile ...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring, keyhack)
Post by: c64rulez on January 23, 2006, 11:31:19 am
Dear Chopper_ops,
Thank you for your comment. It is somewhat of an honor to host the first post of any BYOAC member.
The Frontend progress would have to wait until the cab is operational (meaning a working cp).
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring, keyhack)
Post by: c64rulez on January 23, 2006, 02:01:17 pm
The obligatory "wireless cp" picture  ;D

Completed wiring the cp controls to the keyhack. All the switches are functioning correctly.
The only thing missing are the plexi dustwashers for the joysticks, thus no joysticks mounted yet.

As my cab does not incorporate a coin door, I'm going to have (hopefully temporary) two pushbuttons for that purpose installed on an inner dashboard (inside the cab's drawer).

Here is my idea for a dumb-diy-coin-mech.
Since my cab has a round front (thank you Drew  ;)), I consider constructing two internal guides for an inserted coin.
The coin starts at point 1, accelerating, hopefully gaining enough speed to hop over the gap near point 2, pushing the microswitch ("insert coin"), and bumping back to fall through the gap mentioned earlier.

It's so far fetched that I think it's gonna work  ;D

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: MinerAl on January 23, 2006, 02:41:35 pm
It might work, but it would be easier to use a wire-actuated switch at the bottom.  I guarantee the coin will trip that on its way by.  Happs sells them separately (http://www.happcontrols.com/electrical_supplies/42107500.htm).
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: brian23 on January 23, 2006, 03:17:17 pm
Here's a picture:

 (http://happcontrols.com/images/40/42010500.gif)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: c64rulez on January 24, 2006, 01:03:20 am
That kind of switch looks interesting, thank you guys. I think it is a better choice for this kind of hack.
I'll try and find something like it locally, as there is no more "happ stuff" for me  :-\ (shipment for my project parts reached some 70$ - airplanes and stuff)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: c64rulez on January 24, 2006, 03:20:50 am
Any thoughts of the following marquees ? Is it better with or without that bluish-blast-background ?
I don't know... maybe it sucks both ways  ::)

The high score is dedicated of course to BrokenBones
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: c64rulez on January 24, 2006, 04:48:14 am
The tv surrounding frame design
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: brian23 on January 24, 2006, 10:43:31 am
I have a couple used straight wire cherry switches. The wires are pre-bent. I'm in the US. You can have them for $4.50 a piece + shipping. May be a better deal than Happ.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: BobbyG66 on January 24, 2006, 11:08:57 am
Any thoughts of the following marquees ? Is it better with or without that bluish-blast-background ?
I don't know... maybe it sucks both ways  ::)

The high score is dedicated of course to BrokenBones

I like both! I guess use what ever looks best with the other artwork.

Well done!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: c64rulez on January 24, 2006, 01:39:14 pm
I have a couple used straight wire cherry switches. The wires are pre-bent. I'm in the US. You can have them for $4.50 a piece + shipping. May be a better deal than Happ.

Thank you, but it simply would not make any sense to ship a microswitch 3000 miles... I will probably succeed finding something like it locally. Thanks for the good will.


I like both! I guess use what ever looks best with the other artwork.

Well done!

Thank you, I probably will do just that.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: markrvp on January 24, 2006, 11:24:56 pm
Both marquees look great, but I think the blue one matches the other artwork better.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: c64rulez on January 25, 2006, 01:56:48 am
Thanks markrvp. I think I'm going to make a 3d photoshop model of the cab, just like Xiaou2 did a few posts back. It really gives you more than a clue regarding the final outcome.
I also think I'll just draft-print both and test them on. no problem there
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (cp wiring completed, diy coin mech ?)
Post by: c64rulez on January 25, 2006, 06:14:17 pm
ok, made some 3d (more or less...) models using photoshop to see if everything ties up.
two versions (one for each marquee style) and a closeup on the cp-bezel joint.

Some things are yet undecided:

- The color of the areas which are not artworked (doors, front drawer, etc.). I kinda like that blue I've used
  for the models

- The marquee style. (I think the one with the black bgd looks better ?)

- Sideart

BTW,
I'm using black t-molding, and I'm going to fit some in the bezel's inner frame for a proper whole-cab-like finish.


Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (3d view ~)
Post by: markrvp on January 25, 2006, 10:26:35 pm
I think I changed my mind.  After seeing that the base color of the CP overlay is black with blue highlights, I think the black marquee with the blue drop shadows matches very well.

What do you think?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (3d view ~)
Post by: Xiaou2 on January 26, 2006, 01:44:36 am

 Congrats on the 3d view :)   It should help greatly in aiding your desigions.

 While the blue background looks nice in the one marquee..  it doesnt fit with the control panel because the cp is mostly black.. and also, it uses a different color blue.

 Now, Its possible if you use that Teal blue thats on the cp as the background for the marquee.. that it Might match better.. however..  it might look very different once its lighted.

 Finally, If you decide on this, you still have to worry about the other sides.  So, do not be too firm yet, as adding the sides may make you decide to change the marquee again later.

 Add the place in your art for the T-molding,  as that will greatly change the look too.

 Ohh, just for curriousity, try placing the video game characters on the top of the marquee.  Maybe even some on top, and some on bottom.
 
 Good Luck : )


 
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (3d view ~)
Post by: vader on January 26, 2006, 11:10:14 am
That CP looks awesome.  To be honest I wasn't really interested in this thread initially.  Sitting here browsing at work and looked again, and I was like WOW !!...now I can't wait to see the finished product.  Keep up the good work.
Oh, btw....black marquee background is definitely better.

Tim
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (3d view ~)
Post by: leapinlew on January 26, 2006, 08:54:14 pm
I've been following this thread since it started... I only have 1 thing to say.

I hate this guy. He's too good at everything and he's ruining the curve for us mortals. He's obviously some sort of hybrid mutant.






 ;D Awesome work dude.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (3d view ~)
Post by: c64rulez on January 27, 2006, 12:59:31 am
Thank you all for your great comments.
There has been a slight twist of events I'm going to share with you here. A special visitor came to my house yesterday.He's half a brother to me (we both have same father), and I never saw him - I'm talking 31 years here.
The thing is, I had no idea he was coming, and frankly I didn't believe we would ever meet someday, so you can imagine the surprise.
It's the kind of story most of us usually hear about or see once in a while on a newspaper, but don't get to be a part of.
Well, I did.

However, I can't leave one post here without a proper reply. And I'm talking about this one:

I've been following this thread since it started... I only have 1 thing to say.

I hate this guy. He's too good at everything and he's ruining the curve for us mortals. He's obviously some sort of hybrid mutant.






 ;D Awesome work dude.

They say that it is not the hand that actually performs, but the hand and mind that guides it. So.....
ALL BLAME GOES FOR DREWKAREE  ;D

Thanks again, and have a lovely weekend.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (life has plenty of surprises (real ones))
Post by: Brax on January 28, 2006, 10:46:22 am
I too would have chose the blue background marquee on its own but after seeing the mockup it's BLACK all the way.

What about making the Total Replay text bigger? You could even slightly overlap the perspective lines of your characters. (your eye will still complete the perspective lines and you text shouldn't cover it all up anyways) Right now your text height only takes up about 1/3 of the width of your marqee. That's a bit small in my opinion. If you made it closer to 2/3rds in height I think it would really pop.

In the end it's your cab; just ideas.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (life has plenty of surprises (real ones))
Post by: c64rulez on January 28, 2006, 01:23:24 pm
Well, it has been a strange weekend for me indeed. I still don't realize that I've met this half brother of mine whom I didn't ever see. You can't even scratch the surface of things in such a short period of time, but we promised each other to keep in touch.
I attach a picture of us just for the completeness of things.
BTW, I'm the green alien on the right.

On a different note,
I too would have chose the blue background marquee on its own but after seeing the mockup it's BLACK all the way.

What about making the Total Replay text bigger? You could even slightly overlap the perspective lines of your characters. (your eye will still complete the perspective lines and you text shouldn't cover it all up anyways) Right now your text height only takes up about 1/3 of the width of your marqee. That's a bit small in my opinion. If you made it closer to 2/3rds in height I think it would really pop.

In the end it's your cab; just ideas.

Thanks for your comment. Black it shall be.
As for the size of the text, I'll give it a shot, but my marquee has two "dead" zones (where it meets the upper and lower MDF panels), so any graphics that goes there would be kinda lost.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (life has plenty of surprises (real ones))
Post by: leapinlew on January 28, 2006, 06:49:06 pm
Well, it has been a strange weekend for me indeed. I still don't realize that I've met this half brother of mine whom I didn't ever see. You can't even scratch the surface of things in such a short period of time, but we promised each other to keep in touch.
I attach a picture of us just for the completeness of things.
BTW, I'm the green alien on the right.

C64Rulez....

Regarding your supposed half-brother. Many people on this board will attest to the fact that relatives start popping out of the woodwork once you build an arcade cabinet. Your building of an arcade cabinet AND reuniting with a long lost and UNKOWN relative is surely very suspicious?

HA! I crack myself up.

Congrats on the family. Family is good!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (life has plenty of surprises (real ones))
Post by: c64rulez on January 29, 2006, 02:22:47 am
Well, it has been a strange weekend for me indeed. I still don't realize that I've met this half brother of mine whom I didn't ever see. You can't even scratch the surface of things in such a short period of time, but we promised each other to keep in touch.
I attach a picture of us just for the completeness of things.
BTW, I'm the green alien on the right.

C64Rulez....

Regarding your supposed half-brother. Many people on this board will attest to the fact that relatives start popping out of the woodwork once you build an arcade cabinet. Your building of an arcade cabinet AND reuniting with a long lost and UNKOWN relative is surely very suspicious?

HA! I crack myself up.

Congrats on the family. Family is good!

Now that you mention it, I can't find my cp, and all the blueprints have mysteriously vanished.  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (life has plenty of surprises (real ones))
Post by: c64rulez on January 29, 2006, 05:24:24 pm
To the final marquee design I've added a faded grey-shade background which is made of classic arcade games marquees. Also a fine tune for the characters blast source - a star shaped origin, and some text resize (as suggested by brax)
I do hope to make some progress this week and have an operational cp and dashboard plus a marquee test.

The "fin_marq_det" picture is 1:1 scale.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (final marquee design)
Post by: Brax on January 29, 2006, 05:35:31 pm
I like it. I like it a lot.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (final marquee design)
Post by: whatzcrackn on January 30, 2006, 07:54:58 pm
I like it..........I like it a lot
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (final marquee design)
Post by: c64rulez on January 31, 2006, 12:11:27 pm
is "alot" better than "a lot" ?  ;D

Anyway, plexi dustwashers or not, I decided that it's finally time to see if this pile of wood, plastic and wires is actually getting anywhere...
I attached the 3 sticks, configured mame to match my cp keyboard hack configuration, put the cp in it's place and ... IT ACTUALLY PLAYS.
I never thought I'd be so thrilled to see a pacman follow the joystick commands...
Though still soundless, everybody (but my wife  ::)) went for a ride.

Now for the weird part.
It seems to me that the more I advance towards the project's completion, the more tasks pop up thus taking the finishing line few meters ahead.
The 'TO DO' list I currently stare at seems endless.  ::)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: RetroACTIVE on January 31, 2006, 12:35:59 pm
Quote
..the more I advance towards the project's completion...

Awe... c'mon now... there is no completion...you know better.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: walls83 on January 31, 2006, 05:32:38 pm
you know the slogan  "THE GAME IS NEVER OVER"

well welcome to the cabinet slogan "THE ARCADE CABINET IS NEVER FINISHED"


I thought mine was done 2 years ago..  HAHA nice try.  My wife asks me about everyother week when I buy something new for it.  "I thought -insert random arcade part- was the last thing you needed."  and I say "Ya it was but....-insert random drug addict excuse- just came out."
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: MYX on February 01, 2006, 08:37:03 am
Keep goin man!!! You ... Must....FINISH....(Said in your best super friends voice)

At least you get to update the avitar to like 68% finished  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: c64rulez on February 01, 2006, 01:39:30 pm
This "CABINET NEVER FINISHED" thing is creepy, but according to my calculations MYX is just about right on the 68% progress. Will it ever be 3 digits long ?  ::)

 The current debate around the house (and the cabinet) is about the main cabinet's color, regardless of the sideart (which is a mystery in itself...). There's the orange (which my wife picked up and bought ages ago  ::)), and there's that blue which I accidently picked while photoshoping the 3d model.

I'm also considering some of these (www.elam.co.il (http://www.elam.co.il)). This is an Israeli development and I think it's awesome.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: MYX on February 01, 2006, 02:05:43 pm
68% Sweeeeet.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: Xiaou2 on February 02, 2006, 06:04:33 am

 c64rulez,

  I did a quick mockup and it looked great in black.  Change the bezel to have black inside as well.   The contrast between the rainbow neon works great against black.

 The other color that worked well was the inner bezel blue , however, even that didnt look as good as the straight black.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: RetroACTIVE on February 02, 2006, 12:21:59 pm
Quote
Will it ever be 3 digits long ?

Well of course it will... infinitely greater than 3 digits... :D

99.999 ....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: chase017 on February 02, 2006, 03:07:26 pm
Your cab is coming together great in my opinion (as appears to be the trend with all you fabrication  ;D ).  I am a big fan of the dark blue.

The thought may be a painful one, but perhaps you should gather your fave concepts and when this topic hits page 17 or so you could just close your eyes and ask the wife  :laugh:

Ubernoob
chase017

That said, let the "shut up noob"s begin lol
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finally playable, yet far from completion)
Post by: c64rulez on February 02, 2006, 07:04:28 pm

 c64rulez,

  I did a quick mockup and it looked great in black.  Change the bezel to have black inside as well.   The contrast between the rainbow neon works great against black.

 The other color that worked well was the inner bezel blue , however, even that didnt look as good as the straight black.



It does seem now, with the cp and marquee art layout, that the main cab's color should be dark. I tried black and it's ok, good contrast and all, but I vowed against black in the first place...
I can go with a darker shade of blue or some kind of artwork that resembles the marquee, or ... who knows ?
But the issue of the main color has to be sorted out soon because it postpones further progress.

Quote
Will it ever be 3 digits long ?

Well of course it will... infinitely greater than 3 digits... :D

99.999 ....

nasty  ;D

Your cab is coming together great in my opinion (as appears to be the trend with all you fabrication  ;D ).  I am a big fan of the dark blue.

The thought may be a painful one, but perhaps you should gather your fave concepts and when this topic hits page 17 or so you could just close your eyes and ask the wife  :laugh:

Ubernoob
chase017

That said, let the "shut up noob"s begin lol

Actually I ask her opinion every now and then, and as long as she agrees with me I embrace her suggestions  ;D

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (main color, sideart headache)
Post by: missioncontrol on February 06, 2006, 09:30:22 am
That CP looks great....

keep it up it's turning out pretty damn good....
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (main color, sideart headache)
Post by: c64rulez on February 14, 2006, 02:29:53 am
Thanks man.
This last week was pure havoc for me. Here's my (foolish) "howto not make progress on your cab (or anything else for that matter)"

1. You decide to upgrade your company's mail server (That's already a dumb move - if it works, let it be)
2. You have this  superb backup software that keeps telling you "DRIVE G: IS IN USE"
3. You break the mirror set on the server and it's still not satisfied (stupid step #1)
4. You restart the server (restart is your best friend, no ?) (stupid step #2)
5. The machine boots and it sticks it to you with an error of finality - No active directory for you buddy
6. You forget the stupid password you assigned the server while promoting it three years ago.

7. You spend 8 days in total mayhem, looking for cover as users point at you and demand "I WANT MY EMAILS BACK"
8. You also find out that the dead server used to issue terminal licenses, was a DNS server, a PDC and then some.

So, anyway, with that finally behind me (I hope), some cab progress is ahead. I am having a hard time with that color and sideart stuff. I think now that a full sideart adhesive solution is gonna cost  too much, so I'll stick to that "paint-it-yourself" art.
I tend now to go with versapak's design which I think is brilliant, and could be applied "manually".

Here's a 3d mockup for that design.

And keep away from MS Mail Servers. They bite.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (main color, sideart headache)
Post by: leapinlew on February 14, 2006, 12:16:18 pm
Thanks man.
This last week was pure havoc for me. Here's my (foolish) "howto not make progress on your cab (or anything else for that matter)"

1. You decide to upgrade your company's mail server (That's already a dumb move - if it works, let it be)
2. You have this  superb backup software that keeps telling you "DRIVE G: IS IN USE"
3. You break the mirror set on the server and it's still not satisfied (stupid step #1)
4. You restart the server (restart is your best friend, no ?) (stupid step #2)
5. The machine boots and it sticks it to you with an error of finality - No active directory for you buddy
6. You forget the stupid password you assigned the server while promoting it three years ago.

7. You spend 8 days in total mayhem, looking for cover as users point at you and demand "I WANT MY EMAILS BACK"
8. You also find out that the dead server used to issue terminal licenses, was a DNS server, a PDC and then some.

So, anyway, with that finally behind me (I hope), some cab progress is ahead. I am having a hard time with that color and sideart stuff. I think now that a full sideart adhesive solution is gonna cost  too much, so I'll stick to that "paint-it-yourself" art.
I tend now to go with versapak's design which I think is brilliant, and could be applied "manually".

Here's a 3d mockup for that design.

And keep away from MS Mail Servers. They bite.

Little off subject here....

Did you upgrade exchange 2000 to 2003? You said PDC, so I'm not sure if you are using exchange 5.5. I upgraded 5.5 to 2003 last year. The safest way to do it from what I can tell is to have new hardware. Doing it all on 1 box is dangerous. Also, as a quick extra safe step - use exmerge. It'll work in a pinch and doesn't take that long. If you've never used it - go check it out now, you'll love it!

A few other things I've learned regarding Exchange 2003 -

Upgrade to SP2. It seems fairly stable and allows you to have a 75gb message store. The upgrade to a 75gb message store isn't automatic. You'll have to hack the registry (thanks Microsoft).

RPC over HTTP is pretty much the only reason to upgrade to 2003, and it's worth it.

Symantec Mail Security is a great anti-spam utility.

Ok, I'll zip it. But I thought I'd share - I upgraded/moved half a dozen exchange servers last year and in the beginning it was pain pain pain! Also - I'm glad to see you don't do EVERYTHING perfect...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: MinerAl on February 14, 2006, 01:26:54 pm
That side art is perfect for paint-it-yourself.  It should look great if you use the right paint and stencils.  You might want to mask out where the pac-characters will be and then shoot the background so you aren't trying to put light paint on dark.

I have no advice on upgrading windows mail servers...  I hope never to have to.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: Havok on February 14, 2006, 04:13:08 pm
Cab looks great.

Oh, and NEVER "upgrade" from Lotus Notes to Exchange. You will miss many of the features that you took for granted in Notes, which are only available as third party apps in Exchange...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: MYX on February 14, 2006, 09:48:18 pm
Sorry about work. Computers suck sometimes.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: c64rulez on February 15, 2006, 03:27:26 am
Little off subject here....

Did you upgrade exchange 2000 to 2003? You said PDC, so I'm not sure if you are using exchange 5.5. I upgraded 5.5 to 2003 last year. The safest way to do it from what I can tell is to have new hardware. Doing it all on 1 box is dangerous. Also, as a quick extra safe step - use exmerge. It'll work in a pinch and doesn't take that long. If you've never used it - go check it out now, you'll love it!

A few other things I've learned regarding Exchange 2003 -

Upgrade to SP2. It seems fairly stable and allows you to have a 75gb message store. The upgrade to a 75gb message store isn't automatic. You'll have to hack the registry (thanks Microsoft).

RPC over HTTP is pretty much the only reason to upgrade to 2003, and it's worth it.

Symantec Mail Security is a great anti-spam utility.

Ok, I'll zip it. But I thought I'd share - I upgraded/moved half a dozen exchange servers last year and in the beginning it was pain pain pain! Also - I'm glad to see you don't do EVERYTHING perfect...

Thanks for all the tips. 5.5 is exactly what I currently run. The intended upgrade was a new box and 2003, but just made it to the new box... the 2003 upgrade would follow when the new box proves steady.

That side art is perfect for paint-it-yourself.  It should look great if you use the right paint and stencils.  You might want to mask out where the pac-characters will be and then shoot the background so you aren't trying to put light paint on dark.

I have no advice on upgrading windows mail servers...  I hope never to have to.
Thanks for the painting tip.... I hope you'll never have to too.  ;)

Sorry about work. Computers suck sometimes.
Wrong. They suck most of the time  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: Xiaou2 on February 15, 2006, 05:12:47 am

 A mockup in black.

 Remember that you could print a few small graphics such as the pacman and ghosts... and paste them on instead of printing an entire cabinet side.   Then spray a clear coat over them to protect them.

(http://www.xiaou2.homestead.com/p2.jpg)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: Xiaou2 on February 15, 2006, 05:46:20 am

 and another idea for the sideart...

 Using your rainbow effect on the marquee..  you can trail the ghost inwards...

 (http://www.xiaou2.homestead.com/p2b.jpg)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: leapinlew on February 22, 2006, 12:20:34 pm
Am I to assume your still having email problems? Haven't heard from you for a while?

Anything I can help with?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (How to postpone progress on anything for 8 days)
Post by: c64rulez on February 22, 2006, 05:21:16 pm
Thanks man. Everything is running smooth with our emails.
What really sucks is that I simply can't make up my mind on the cabs color.

I am currently seriously considering the last resort: let the wife decide  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: markrvp on February 25, 2006, 12:48:14 pm
c64rulez:

This thread is still here in Project Announcements, it just got knocked down a ways when it was split.  The only thing that got moved was the political BS, and I apologize for causing that.

We are still here and we still want to help.  Your thread should now be back toward the top of the "Project Announcements" list.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: saint on February 25, 2006, 02:24:11 pm
Yeah, what Mark said :)

And I love the graphics skills!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: leapinlew on February 26, 2006, 02:08:39 am
This whole cabinet color debate... We should've all seen it coming.

Pacmans cabinet was Yellow, but the gameplay is a black and blue maze. Possibly, ditch all the cool art with characters from in the game and do the retro pacman logo and a yellow cab.

At this point, I don't think there is much you can do to mess it up...
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: c64rulez on February 27, 2006, 01:01:42 pm
Due to some unfortunate misunderstanding, and me being trigger happy (and an asshat) I assumed that my thread had been demolished by a higher form (aka saint  ;)).
I apologize for my reply on that slashed political thread and hope to get once again on the right tracks with my cab.

I also find it very nice that my account is still intact (even after I've deleted it a few days ago)

Cheers
c64
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: saint on February 27, 2006, 01:45:56 pm
:)  Now, about those graphics . . .

Due to some unfortunate misunderstanding, and me being trigger happy (and an asshat) I assumed that my thread had been demolished by a higher form (aka saint  ;)).
I apologize for my reply on that slashed political thread and hope to get once again on the right tracks with my cab.

I also find it very nice that my account is still intact (even after I've deleted it a few days ago)

Cheers
c64
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: missioncontrol on February 27, 2006, 05:14:38 pm
yeah please say you aren't thinking of going black with the cabinet......
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: bigtimes on March 01, 2006, 01:25:51 am
Good to see you c64, you're one of the reasons I decided to post my own cab here. You're the man, and don't you forget it.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: c64rulez on March 01, 2006, 07:48:14 am
Good to see you c64, you're one of the reasons I decided to post my own cab here. You're the man, and don't you forget it.

Now here's a man you'd feel a whole lot better knowing he's on your side.... phew  ;D

Thanks man. I wonder where Bones found his reasons to post his project cause he's the reason I've posted mine ....

Anyway, looks like small progress has been made (or huge, it depends).
small - because nothing was really done.
huge - because the color-art issue is resolved.

I let my eldest son decide and he went for a compromise, sort like a black front in a blue envelope. I like it, and VERSAPAK's design stands. Thanks Versapak!
I hope that mission's criteria of blackness is satisfied  ;)

I mark this weekend for advancement.

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: leapinlew on March 01, 2006, 01:03:51 pm
Good to see you c64, you're one of the reasons I decided to post my own cab here. You're the man, and don't you forget it.

Now here's a man you'd feel a whole lot better knowing he's on your side.... phew  ;D

Thanks man. I wonder where Bones found his reasons to post his project cause he's the reason I've posted mine ....

Anyway, looks like small progress has been made (or huge, it depends).
small - because nothing was really done.
huge - because the color-art issue is resolved.

I let my eldest son decide and he went for a compromise, sort like a black front in a blue envelope. I like it, and markrvp's design stands. Thanks Mark!
I hope that mission's criteria of blackness is satisfied  ;)

I mark this weekend for advancement.

Ahh finally... now I'll be able to sleep.

I hope the 'whats for dinner' decision isn't as lengthy.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (color-art issue resolved...finally...)
Post by: c64rulez on March 01, 2006, 01:06:53 pm
Ahh finally... now I'll be able to sleep.

I hope the 'whats for dinner' decision isn't as lengthy.

On the contrary my friend. I haven't had a dinner in almost 4 years now.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (maybe I'll just leave it white...)
Post by: miles2912 on March 02, 2006, 01:04:04 am
I like the final choice.  Artwork is for me is going to be harder than building the cab.. you put all that work into design and construction and then have to get artistic.  I don't want to have to use mamemarquess stock artwork for my cab but I might have to.  Sigh. 

Your cab is looking great.  I can't wait to see it finalized with the artwork on it.

Don
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (color-art issue resolved...finally...)
Post by: c64rulez on March 02, 2006, 01:09:27 am
Thanks man.
Being artistic can be fun and it can be a pain in the --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules--. I prefer the fun stuff.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of help here (I just did) regarding the artistic issue. (maybe even I can help ....)
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (color-art issue resolved...finally...)
Post by: c64rulez on March 13, 2006, 07:57:33 am
Forgive me saint, for I have sinned.
It's been a while since my last post, and I've been doing some evil stuff.

I've drifted into purgatory and became an addict.

Today, however, a sudden unexplainable urge has pushed me back to the silly stuff.

I've emptied the cab and rolled it outside onto a small temp platform. Then I applied the first coat of paint.
The brush that was sold to me turned out to be a pain in the --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- as the color did not apply evenly. I hope that the second coat is going to fix that, or I'm gonna KILL THAT BI#$H who sold it to me. (looks like she's gonna live...)

I also made the stencils for the sideart, and hope to advance with pace now.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (1st coat of paint.... check)
Post by: markrvp on March 13, 2006, 10:45:16 pm
Sand the coat of paint you have on now and the roll the next one on with a foam roller for even application.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (1st coat of paint.... check)
Post by: Havok on March 14, 2006, 10:28:57 am
Looks good so far, now get moving! More progress and more pictures!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (1st coat of paint.... check)
Post by: c64rulez on March 15, 2006, 12:48:19 am
Thanks. The "brush" I mentioned was actually a foam roller, but apparently no good.
I've sanded the cab all around before applying the second coat, this time with a better foam.
I'm waiting for the marquee and bezel art from the local printshop, and also intend to move along with applying the sideart.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (1st coat of paint.... check)
Post by: leapinlew on March 15, 2006, 12:55:52 am
I just love how the rounded section looks. It seemed like quite a bit of effort - but I think it was worth it. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (2nd coat of paint.... check)
Post by: c64rulez on March 15, 2006, 04:10:51 am
I just love how the rounded section looks. It seemed like quite a bit of effort - but I think it was worth it. Keep up the good work.
Thank you. It was a great effort, long forgotten... but it was worth it, indeed.

Now, to tackle the sideart painting - I started with the pacman stencil I've made and used some tape to temp atteach it to the cab.
Although I have quite a few woodworking projects behind me now, I have spray-painted before, so I tried to be careful, but.........
It wasn't a pleasent experience. Some of it drooled and some went out of bounds, and I frantically cleaned and smudged as much as I could.
I guess I can fix it later.... maybe  :-\

So, this is how it looks for real
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (2nd coat of paint & sidepac)
Post by: c64rulez on March 15, 2006, 01:56:36 pm
I got the marquee and bezel frame art from the printshop today. Again, like the cp, the results are top notch, only this time there was a little surprise.
As I was inspecting the results at the printshop, I noticed that there are FIVE copies for each artwork.
So, the guy there says that they only print certain prefixed sizes, so they just made copies to "fill in the blanks".

If anybody feels like having one, let me know...

Following are the pics showing the results (both are with a plexi on top). The bezel art still not fixed in place
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (painted, sidepac, marquee and bezel art arrived)
Post by: Havok on March 15, 2006, 03:29:50 pm
Looks awesome! Your BYOAC-Fu is strong!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (painted, sidepac, marquee and bezel art arrived)
Post by: rlemmon on March 17, 2006, 02:20:58 pm
looks great ! I tried to use a local printer one time but they wanted a fortune.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (painted, sidepac, marquee and bezel art arrived)
Post by: c64rulez on March 18, 2006, 11:19:24 am
Just a few more checkmarks on my (never ending) checklist:

- Spray painted black the half inch space all around the upper front side of the cab
- Installed the speakers panel (decided to leave the original grill grey)
- Routed the t-molding slot in the tv frame

Here's a picture showing the marquee and the speakers panel in place. The marquee is held here by friction only (it's going to be fitted with two 26" retainers).

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (next stop: applying sideart)
Post by: quarterback on March 19, 2006, 01:26:49 am
I love the marquee.  That's hot!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (next stop: applying sideart)
Post by: Bones on March 19, 2006, 04:53:05 am
You are doing a great job 64. This is gunna be an awesome cabinet.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (next stop: applying sideart)
Post by: c64rulez on March 21, 2006, 02:28:23 am
Thanks guys. It's starting to look like something...

I've glued the bezel artwork (4 separate rectangles) onto the MDF frame
Here are two pictures, the first of which shows the "black oriented" part of the cab: marquee, speakers panel, tv bezel, cp
The second is just a close up on the cp-bezel joint. A small gap can be seen there, which is going to hold the bezel plexi in place.

I hope my next post will finally include pictures with the sideart completed.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (next stop: applying sideart)
Post by: c64rulez on March 25, 2006, 11:23:19 am
Made some progress with the sideart this weekend, after being down with a nasty flu for a couple of days.
I'm using several templates so as to progress on both sides simoultenously.

Just some pictures taken during the painting process

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (sideart... almost completed...)
Post by: c64rulez on March 29, 2006, 11:49:35 am
Well,,,,, beside some minor painting patches.... the sideart is COMPLETED !


This has been a tedious task which included manual color mixing, stenciling (3 layers per monster),
spraying, painting, cleaning , etc.

The todo list narrows now to:

1. fix the marquee in place
2. build dashboard (on/off, vol, bass, coins)
3. re-attach doors and fix keylocks in place
4. apply t-molding
5. complete frontend
6. fine tune

7. figure out what exactly one is supposed to do with it once it's finished  ;D

Thank you  Versapak for the design
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (sideart... COMPLETED !)
Post by: dmsuchy on March 29, 2006, 10:20:06 pm
Lookin good! ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (sideart... COMPLETED !)
Post by: walls83 on March 30, 2006, 12:09:07 am
its looking great.  I love watching things go from planning to completion and you did a great job on the side art.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (sideart... COMPLETED !)
Post by: c64rulez on April 01, 2006, 11:28:43 am
Thanks guys.

I've fitted the marquee lower retainer with 3 black screws, and the marquee fits in nicely.
I then proceeded with the t-molding on both sides of the cab, the tv frame and the cp.

I simply love the result  :D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (t-molding.....DONE...marquee.....DONE)
Post by: MYX on April 01, 2006, 12:28:29 pm
DUDE That is looking great. You have to be happy with the progress.
Hey on the sharp edge of the pacman mouth is the tmolding 2 pieces, or one continous piece? If it is one piece, did it fight you, or did it lay down easily?

EDIT: Hey are you going to paint the inside, or leave it bare?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (t-molding.....DONE...marquee.....DONE)
Post by: c64rulez on April 02, 2006, 01:10:05 am
DUDE That is looking great. You have to be happy with the progress.
Hey on the sharp edge of the pacman mouth is the tmolding 2 pieces, or one continous piece? If it is one piece, did it fight you, or did it lay down easily?

EDIT: Hey are you going to paint the inside, or leave it bare?
Thanks.
The molding is one continous piece, and actually the inside of the pacman mouth did not surrender.
I saw how others applied it ( v cuts on "outer" corners, and 1/4" spaced cuts on "inner" corners), and I went that same road. I simply couldn't make the molding fit perfectly on the "inner" corners, but it's neglible.

The inside of the cab is not for display. It'll stay bare
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (t-molding...DONE...marquee...DONE)
Post by: c64rulez on April 10, 2006, 12:12:54 pm
Well.... the internal dashboard took sometime constructing, and it's almost done (Just some wire hooking left)

The dashboard sits inside the (in)famous drawer and consists of:

2 coin buttons (sorry, no coin door)
1 main power switch - this gives/cuts power to the entire cab
1 pc power button - pc on/off switch
1 speakers power/volume control
1 speakers bass control

all the dashboard wiring is hidden nicely under the drawer, with the wires following the front curve.
The dashboard will be screwed to the drawer, so it can be removed for maintenance

With very little left to do, I estimate reaching the finishing line this weekend  ;D
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (.... almost there !)
Post by: BobbyG66 on April 10, 2006, 12:41:16 pm
Well done, gives me some ideas for my cab.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (t-molding...DONE...marquee...DONE)
Post by: leapinlew on April 10, 2006, 05:21:13 pm
With very little left to do, I estimate reaching the finishing line this weekend  ;D

Including the custom front end?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (.... almost there !)
Post by: MYX on April 13, 2006, 06:44:22 pm
I love the slide out utility drawer with full graphics. I am not doing a drawer because I never liked whe way that they looked. You have a nice solution there.  :cheers:
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (.... almost there !)
Post by: c64rulez on April 14, 2006, 08:19:24 am
With very little left to do, I estimate reaching the finishing line this weekend  ;D

Including the custom front end?

You got me there  ;)
That's exactly what I'm working on currently, and I'll be happy with a version that allows basic functionality (setting up and playing...)

Later on I'll  add jukebox/photo album features.



I love the slide out utility drawer with full graphics. I am not doing a drawer because I never liked whe way that they looked. You have a nice solution there.  :cheers:

Thanks MYX. That drawer did turn out great. I might add a twin-usb socket to it, which I somehow forgot during the plan process  ::)

Some pictures of the final thing are planned for this weekend.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (.... almost there !)
Post by: MYX on April 14, 2006, 04:26:48 pm
This might be coming in too soon, but if you have some paint still, paint the inside of the drawer. This way when you are showin off the drawer (and you know you will), You don't have exposed wood.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (.... almost there !)
Post by: Kremmit on April 14, 2006, 09:51:45 pm
The drawer is nice.  You'd never know it was there- I like that. 

I agree about painting the inside of it.  If it's important enough to get art, it's important enough to get paint.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (.... almost there !)
Post by: c64rulez on April 15, 2006, 12:53:30 pm
First of all, you're right about the drawer. It's on my final (?) todo list, which I'll describe here.

So, I've played a little with the Front End I'm writing, and obviously what's looking good on my pc monitor, is barely readable on the tv, so some changes are required there.  ::)

Also, I need to find a way to bypass the "OK" screen of mame. The docs says to use a "-skip_disclaimer" switch, which gets an "unknown option" when I run mame.  ???

The BIGGEST PAIN IN THE BUTT was finding out that the PC power button I've installed on the custom dashboard bumps against one of the 4way joy switches (under the cp), so I cant close the drawer all the way in.
I'll have to figure a way of fixing that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.  :banghead:  :banghead:  :banghead:

The back door isn't fixed in yet. This is gonna be the absolutely last step.

The drawer is going to be painted on the inside as well, plus some overall painting fixes.

Transparent dustwashers are yet to be  installed.

I think (hope) that covers everything
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: nullb0y on April 15, 2006, 11:22:54 pm
really snappy cabinet it is very neat and not over crowded with alternating logos /chars its a nice set theme and you pull it off nice
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: Bones on April 17, 2006, 06:33:05 am
This thing just keeps getting better every time I see it. Magnificent job dude.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: motorfish on April 17, 2006, 01:31:54 pm
The CP graphics are a stroke of genius.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: markc74 on April 18, 2006, 07:44:50 am
The drawer idea is pure genius!  :notworthy:
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: Gunstar Hero on April 20, 2006, 01:08:02 am
Wow. That is a hell of a nice looking cab!

Are you planning any front/kickplate graphics? It looks a touch plain down there!
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: DrewKaree on April 20, 2006, 11:35:25 pm
*test*

I don't think you shoulda rounded the front panel.  I know it looks good with the Pac Man mouth and all, but mebbe something straight across would have worked better, then cut a drawer into that instead.

*end test*
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: c64rulez on April 21, 2006, 03:50:10 am
Well, ladies and ladies, let alone some really tiny minor stuff, It's finished.  :cheers:

I consider it to be the most fun project I've accomplished so far, and this forum surely was one of the reasons for that...

I disassembled the drawer, sprayed some black paint on it, and reconstructed the dashboard so it won't bump into the cp wiring.  ::)

The following pictures relate to the above and also show what tiny minor stuff I'm refering to: tidy up wiring and some paint fixes.
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (97% completed)
Post by: c64rulez on April 21, 2006, 03:54:32 am
I've also made progress with the frontend I'm writing, and it is now capable of running games and setting up emulators and roms.
Still some work on it, but it's doing the main job.

Some more showoff pictures

Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finished!......99%)
Post by: MYX on April 21, 2006, 02:12:54 pm
Wow, bang up job my friend. :applaud: I do feel the need to bust yer balls about the wiring inside the cab. Neaten em up. I mean... What would the neighbors think.  ;) The drawer looks great. I like the stair step idea. What kind of wood do you have wrapped around that?
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finished!......99%)
Post by: Havok on April 21, 2006, 03:48:02 pm
I don't like it....















































j/k!

Looks great!

 :applaud:
Title: Re: My Pacman profile cabinet (finished!......99%)
Post by: arcadefever on April 21, 2006, 04:00:06 pm
 :cheers: the all of fame is well deserved for you  :notworthy: