Here it is!

[BarontheFirst]

Ok this is what my new control panel will look like minus the other artwork wich I haven't chosen yet it is about 40 inches across by 20 front and back. Keep in mind this will overhang the control panel box. This is just the top measurment. Please feel free to give some feedback. One more thing the color will change on the top it is just there for contrast.

[hyiu]

just personal opinion here.... (don't have to agree...)  

I would put the 4 way to the left of player 1's 8 way....

and the 4 way and the 8 way shares the same buttons....

you panel is like 20 deep... so , you'll need to reach in for about 12 in or so to play 4 way games... kinda tired after a while...

[TalkingOctopus]

Do you really need 2 sets of track ball buttons or any for that matter?  The ones on the left look particularly annoying because they are right under player 1.  I would not want all those buttons under me while playing.  Just a suggestion.  Good Luck.

[paigeoliver]

The set of trackball buttons on the left is totally needless, as they are a half inch below the player 1 buttons, just use those.

The trackball buttons on the right are also unneeded because they are close to the player 2 buttons, and almost nobody uses their left hand on the trackball anyway.

[BarontheFirst]

Well I made some changes to try and bring down the 4-way. Also I am left handed and use my left hand for the trackball. The trackball buttons will act as mouse buttons for Windows for use in other emulators other than MAME. Afterall it is my control panel.

[paigeoliver]

Ok, good deal. It is your panel. But you do realize that Mame controls are totally remappable, and thus you could just wire player 2 buttons 4,5,6 as your mouse buttons and completely eliminate both sets of trackball buttons. They really do look like they will be just getting in the way.

Also, why 4 buttons on the 4-way? For Mouse Trap perhaps (only 4-way game in Mame with more than 2 buttons, besides a terrible early 80s tennis game that you certainly won't ever play)?

Finally. You might want to make a functional mock up with just that trackball and 4-way in place, just to make sure you won't be slamming your hand into the 4-way when you play Capcom Bowling.

[BarontheFirst]

That background isn't chosen yet still playing around with it but did add some art. Any suggestions on what I should add since I am only half way threw it? As for the moving of anything I do plan to make a fake setup to test for reach and hitting other controls that might get in the way. I may also take the four way down to 2 buttons. Only time will tell. And yes this still looks like a bit much maybe I will lesson it. Afterall I can use my right hand on a trackball I just like my left. That and I wanted to make this look a bit even on both sides. I could always say screw the trackball and upgrade the control panel I already use.

[BarontheFirst]

Is this more to everyones liking? Now it is 40 across and 16 up and down. That  seems more reasonable to me...

[jakejake28]

i would drop those control overlays, keep the pix and the bckground, but those really make it look congested.

[paigeoliver]

The overlays around the controls are great, BUT they don't mix well with the characters. It is sort of a one or the other thing. The overlays would look great on plain black, or perhaps a background with some stripes or geometric shapes.

As for the characters, the number one thing to keep in mind when you are doing character graphics is to keep them the same scale (some of your characters look a lot larger than the others), and to make sure they are the same general style of artwork.

When I say same general style, I mean that some characters are thick black lines and solid colors, while others use lots of shading and thinner lines. The two don't mix very well. Kind of like starting out a drawing with a marker, then halfway through switching over to oil paints, and then finishing up with crayons.

[Howard_Casto]

You need to drop off abut 20 pounds of unnecessary controls before you can even begin to make that panel look uncluttered.  Mouse buttons aren't needed. You also need about 5 inches of space free in every direction (may more at the top) to operate a trackball properly.    You don't need buttons for the 4 way if it's put in the right place.  You don't need admin butons period, but if you must they should be way out in no mans land in the top center, where both people can get to them.  

Get a proper layout, then worry about the overlay.  

[paigeoliver]

You also need about 5 inches of space free in every direction (may more at the top) to operate a trackball properly

Howard, I agree with that whole post, except for having 5" free around the trackball in every direction. I OWN a Crystal Castles machine. The entire control panel is MAYBE 6 inches deep. I also have a Kangaroo (same cabinet as Centipede another trackball games), and once again the entire control panel is MAYBE 6" deep. Both of those games have MAYBE an inch from the edge of the trackball assembly to the glass. Missile Command is the same way, as is Millipede, Marble Madness, the Sente trackball games (at least in the standard cab, a deluxe cab, or a Sacman kit gave you more space behind the ball), Slither, or Wacko.

I actually couldn't find any dedicated games that used trackballs and had large amounts of real estate behind the trackball, with the exception of the newest bowling and golf games (which largely aren't even in Mame anyway).

I think a lot of people here have no actual experience with any trackball games besides Golden Tee and whatever that newest bowling game is.  Most original trackball games did not give you a ton of space to deal with (even dedicated Capcom Bowling machines only gave you a couple inches behind the trackball).

[tmasman]

I agree with the admin buttons (Start, Exit, Pause) being Top & center... It just makes it easier for both players to have acces to them.

I would also look at moving the 8-way joysticks & buttons up a little... You want to make sure there is plenty of room for your hands to rest on the panel for those long game nights...

I like the background you've got going, but the overlays (blue & yellow) seem a little out of place. I like the idea of overlays, but they have to mesh well with the rest of the graphics... I'm sorry I don't have more ideas on this (I don't like to put things down without a decent alternative, but I'm usually not creative enough when it comes to the whole art scene)

And I do like the characters floating around the overlays... It just looks cool.

I'd also keep the buttons next to the 4-way... It just doesn't feel right reaching around to the other buttons...

Some people like the 4-way off next to the P1 stick, but I wouldn't do that...
Just my opinion, but I like the 4-way to be as close to the center [left-to-right] of the panel as possible... Ms. PacMan just doesn't feel right when you're standing off to the left of the screen.

You trackball looks like it should be alright where it is now too... & keep the buttons if you'll be using Windows, they come in handy (even if some people don't like them... *cough* HC *cough*)

Just make sure that the panel is functional & comfortable for you. Once you've built a test panel & figured out what you like, stick with it.

My only general advice on layouts is try not to clutter up the CP too much... It'll just confuse people when they first walk up to it. Make sure your controls labled well too. Blank CPs are doubly confusing!

[hyiu]

this is much better..... less crowded....

I would say.... print the button positions on paper...
and then stick it to a cardboard and place your hand and imagine.... the player2 6 buttons... are they too low ??... is there enough wrist space when you're pressing the buttons ??
otherwise, it seems acceptable to me....

and for the graphics.... its not eye-popping-jaw-dropping nice... but my graphics skills won't be any better... haa haa....

I guess the most important thing is you like it yourself....

[BarontheFirst]

Ok now I got a new color and cleaned up all the control labels to make it look less bunched together and free up space. I am also reworking on the character artwork I should have stated it was just there for show to give an idea of what will be there not to be perfect yet! Also wich ever color I go with the trackball will be lit up.

[gndprx]

Colors look MUCH better

Also like that you moved the admin buttons up and away from play buttons/controls...avoids accidental exiting of a game during a heated fighter match ...

[Brax]

I'd recess the trackball mounting plate. They look SO much better under the overlay.

[BarontheFirst]

I'd recess the trackball mounting plate. They look SO much better under the overlay.

I was thinking of doing that. However if I use plexi glass is it still possible? Perhaps if the cut and thickness of it are all perfect. Actually if I use plexi glass do I even need a plate?