The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Loki on January 15, 2007, 04:22:39 am
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Allright... I've been doing some designing in SketchUp for a cab I want to build (when I win the lottery :angry: )
It will be mainly used for fight and NeoGeo games, but I want to have the option to swap panels for other games.
The gray slot in front will be used to put in a box with an Ipac (like this (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=61830.msg613482#msg613482))
The gray panel on the back will be used to plug in cables. I don't want a hole with cables sticking out of it.
Ah... I just noticed I should have put the CP at an angle a bit :-\
Anyway, tell me what you think. :)
(It's not designed on scale)
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The marquee I want to install like on this pic... I don't like those marquee brackets :P
The top can open and the wood is supported by some L-brackets from the inside or something similar so it won't rest on the marquee itself. :)
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I've learned not to put to much time into the design. You must have a some plan, but don't design go into every little detail. I did some designing in a CAD package and I regret putting so much time into it.
Just make a cardboard or scrapwood mokup if you're not sure about something. I have seen the phrase "measure twice, cut once" many times on several threads... ;)
Well, the design looks great and promissing. ;D
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Thanks :D
Well... I'm as broke as I can be, so building it won't happen for a while, so I have the time.
Right now I'm just trying to get ideas, and when I'm designing like this it will all come to me.
Other then that, I need more practice with SketchUp, and this is a pretty nice way to do that :P
Nice program really :)
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yeah...don't listen to mamenno...-=)
when i first decided to build my cabinet...i became sick for a couple of weeks...this gave me lots of time to research and design...
i found the design stage to be very fun...i probably spent about thirty hours or so on my computer laying everything out...it was quite enjoyable...!
i can easily see someone wanting to skip over that stage if they don't like designing and want to just start building...it'd be like any step in the process really...more time would be spent on what you enjoy...less on that you don't enjoy...
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Designing like this is really fun to do.... the only thing I don't like is to make technical drawings and measure stuff.
Oh well, it has to be done at some point, but that's something I have to figure out when I know what parts I will be using.
I'm a bit stuck on what type of monitor I will be using.
I want to play Nintendo 64 games on it too and maybe PC games, but I'm not sure if that's really possible on an arcade monitor.
Anyway, made some small updates :P
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What angle did you set for the slope of the CP?
Does anyone know of a common angle to use? The best I could figure from some of the figures I found was around 8-10* up from horizontal...anyone have differing numbers?
Jouster
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double post
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double post
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Like your CP layout and the Street Fighter & NeoGeo look. :applaud:
What design program are you using?
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Thanks! :D
I'm using SketchUp (http://www.sketchup.com/)... for the 2nd time now, so I'm a complete novice when it comes to designing ^^;
Still, I have to say I'm pretty happy with my attempts so far. :)
What angle did you set for the slope of the CP?
Does anyone know of a common angle to use? The best I could figure from some of the figures I found was around 8-10* up from horizontal...anyone have differing numbers?
Jouster
I didn't really calculate it, but you can often find build plans on the internet where you might find it.
The best option of course is to make one out cardboard or an old piece of wood to check what is the most comfortable. :)
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I've learned not to put to much time into the design. You must have a some plan, but don't design go into every little detail. I did some designing in a CAD package and I regret putting so much time into it.
Just make a cardboard or scrapwood mokup if you're not sure about something. I have seen the phrase "measure twice, cut once" many times on several threads... ;)
Well, the design looks great and promissing. ;D
That has got to be the first time I've ever heard anyone bad-mouth planing/design....either way, nice job. Be sure to share with the masses and upload your sketch to 3d warehouse when your done.
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I've learned not to put to much time into the design. You must have a some plan, but don't design go into every little detail. I did some designing in a CAD package and I regret putting so much time into it.
Just make a cardboard or scrapwood mokup if you're not sure about something. I have seen the phrase "measure twice, cut once" many times on several threads... ;)
Well, the design looks great and promissing. ;D
That has got to be the first time I've ever heard anyone bad-mouth planing/design....either way, nice job. Be sure to share with the masses and upload your sketch to 3d warehouse when your done.
Don't get me wrong. I DO advice planning and designing, but just not to much on a computer with a CAD package. I measured more on the real wood and things, then I just read a measurement, mark it on the wood and cut it.
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I like it. Designing was also part the fun process for me too and it allowed me to work out some issues. If you have the time (and who doesn't), design away until you get what you want. Then go to the cardboard panel for controller placement.
Excellent work!
John
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What angle did you set for the slope of the CP?
Does anyone know of a common angle to use? The best I could figure from some of the figures I found was around 8-10* up from horizontal...anyone have differing numbers?
Jouster
Around 7-10 degrees is usually sufficient. An easier way is to measure the slope from front to back. Say the front is about 3" (the control panel) then the back could be about 4 to 4 1/2".
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I made some CP concepts... but I'm not sure what to do with the classic CP... is it nice to have two 4-way joysticks? and how many buttons go with the spinner and 4-way?... anything else that is nice to add to it?
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Kudos for not doing a frankenpanel. The 7 button configuration looks good. I don't play many of the classics before 84' so I can't recommend anything good on the classic cp design.
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Don't get me wrong. I DO advice planning and designing, but just not to much on a computer with a CAD package. I measured more on the real wood and things, then I just read a measurement, mark it on the wood and cut it.
That's fine if you're sticking to a simple cab design, not so much if you've got something more complex in mind. The time spent doing CAD work can do things beyond designing the cab, like helping you create a materials and cut lists, and laying all the pieces out on 4x8 sheets to minimize the waste materials. It can also point out problem areas that need special attention so you don't build yourself into a corner and have to change things once you've got all the parts cut out.
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Kudos for not doing a frankenpanel. The 7 button configuration looks good. I don't play many of the classics before 84' so I can't recommend anything good on the classic cp design.
Thanks. :)
Yeah, I like the idea of a CP with everything on it but they are so damn wide.
I don't like it when the CP sticks out of it.
My first attempt to make some side art... I made the red lightning transparent, would be damn cool to light it up :p
Not sure if that would be easy to make but oh well... :P
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Have been designing a bit today... still the same basic shape but this time with a bit different CP and some cut out sides.
This will be damn hard to make I think, also due to my lack of woodwork skills but I like a challenge :P
Would be nice with the chrome T-molding on the white :)
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This shouldn't be too hard. Cut the main piece out of 1/2" wood then the outline from 1/4" wood. Glue them together. Make sure the the glue covers the entire face of the outline and clamp it in place. Then use your router to cut for the T-Molding. The Neo-Geo you could have Pinewood_Princes carve out for you. ;)
TTFN :cheers:
Kaytrim
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I really like that last design, although I'd ditch the Neo Geo lettering on the side. A design that cool demands an original name.
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It will mainly be a Neo Geo cab, but you're right... only problem is that I can't think of a name or CP and marquee art.
For now it'll do... still thinking and changing stuff :)
The Neo-Geo you could have Pinewood_Princes carve out for you. ;)
Haha, that was the first thing that came to my mind... but something this size will be pretty expensive with shipping to the Netherlands I guess.
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How about "Loki's Lark". :laugh2:
Loki: Trickster God
Trick: lark
TTFN :cheers:
Kaytrim
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Larki? :P
Maybe I should get drunk... that's when I come up with most of my ideas :P
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Well, this should be about it... I'm totally out of ideas now.
Just made some more tweaks to this design and I'm really happy how it looks. I'll keep the Neo Geo side.. It rocks ;D
Now I just need to think of some marquee and CP art
Great! Now I just need to lose some big case of agoraphobia, earn money and get started. :badmood:
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Nice looking cab.
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That's an awesome looking cab and your sketchup skills are very good. I can barely build a box with it let alone an arcade cabinet...
Any tips?
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Thanks :D
If I look at the first pics I see I'm getting better at it ^^
Tips.. hmm.. practice and try everything ;)
I began by just making a square, pulled it out with the push/pull tool. Then made lines and pushed them in or dragged some single lines (move or follow me tools) to make angles to form a basic shape.
Then did a lot of tweaking, deleting lines, drawing new ones etc etc :P
I'm pretty much drawing everything in one go without measurements... that also makes it a bit easier for me.
I keep getting new ideas damnit... when will it stop :dizzy:
Anyway, made some kind of vertical CP overlay with plexi and made the base of the cab a bit different :)
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Looks good. Really good. I'll be sure to bug you with arcade cabinet creating question. Keep it up. When do you start cutting? Going to be an interesting project. Also one more question; why the extra buttons if it's a neo geo cab? I love the neo only theme. Awesome.
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I don't want to limit myself to only play Neo Geo games... so I'll just get some more buttons for more gaming fun :P
I'm not sure when I can start with this.. like I said some posts back, I have some kind of agoraphobia... not sure why, but it sure sucks, so I'm pretty much stuck at home without a job ^^;
It will take a while, but I'm not in a hurry. :)