Author Topic: Rotoquad Image Update (Read 14502 times)

RetroJames · « **on:** October 23, 2003, 04:22:03 pm »

Ok,

So here goes. Based on alot of feedback regarding controllers in the main forum as well as great advise throughout the board, I am posting my initial sketches for the cabinet I am going to build. Although it would be great if it was a "new" design, I would not be surprised if someone has already done this.

Please leave me some feedback and let me know what you think. I am going to post three pics on three different posts in this thread as I just dont know how to post multiples. -1hookedspacecadet

RetroJames · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2003, 04:24:55 pm »

Page 2

RetroJames · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2003, 04:25:39 pm »

Page 3

Brax · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2003, 10:10:58 pm »

So that'll give you two different panels? Also, notice how the corner would go through the floor..... it's going to have to be alot higher i think.

Great start though. I like seeing new designs.

menace · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2003, 10:19:50 pm »

ok--I see what brax was seeing but on closer inspection the corner is coincident with the lowest edge correct? One thing to consider is that when you are standing at a machine you need someplace for your feet to go or else you are always leaning on the machine--hard on the back. you could reduce the size of your spinning panel to a more square configuration and use the extra space at the bottom for your feet. edit--noticed that your spinning part IS square but blocked from the outside--thats an easy fix--ignore me.

liked the rotating marquee idea--never seen that before--what are your intentions there--different names, artwork, themes?

RetroJames · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2003, 10:45:31 pm »

Quote

So that'll give you two different panels?

It would give me a total of 4 panels. The "kickplate" at the bottom covers the one that would be upside down and the "wings" or "covers" cover the sides.

Quote

Also, notice how the corner would go through the floor..... it's going to have to be alot higher i think.

The quad cp would be high enough so it will clear the floor when rotated.

Quote

ok--I see what brax was seeing but on closer inspection the corner is coincident with the lowest edge correct? One thing to consider is that when you are standing at a machine you need someplace for your feet to go or else you are always leaning on the machine--hard on the back.

In the first sketches the corner of the quad cp is skimming the lowest edge. I am thinking that when drawn to scale the cp will not go to the floor when rotated and the "kickplate" can be raised leaving a gap beneath for the feet. I am working out the measurements right now.

Quote

liked the rotating marquee idea--never seen that before--what are your intentions there--different names, artwork, themes?

The idea is in it's infancy. I was originally going to do a Defender tribute cab with the marqee reading "Remember." However I really dig the marquee art of alot of the games, I even ordered a couple just to hang on the wall etc. Once I saw them I thought it a shame that I could not incorporate them (multiples) into the box.

On the cps layouts, I am thinking about something like;

1. Defender/Stargate - That is my fav game and I want the real deal to game on.

2. Fighting/capcom/neo-geo 2player

3. Tempest, Centipede, (trackball, spinner, maybe center joystick for pacman, dk)

4. Kind of open at this point. If it is available, maybe take a page from 1UP and make it a modular peice or at least a section that would accept different oddball setups. BattleZone, Driving Games, Mech Attack guns etc.

Anyway, point is I thought (wish list here) that it would be totally cool if I made the marquee rotate with the cp so a game that would fit the cp (Centipede marquee on the Trackball cp) I could do it pretty easily either by pulleys or to be really slick some stepper motors.

Lastly and not really shown in the sketches (rotating monitor), if I wanted to be really over the top, I could tie THAT into the cp as well so if you pull up the Spinner etc cp, the monitor would go vertical automatically as most of the games played there would be verts. Of course I would need an overide, but it would be dang slick I think if I could pull it off.

I also have another idea for the marquee based on a tank tread where the marquees would rotate between two wheels, one in front, one in back of the cab so you could have a larger selection of marquees on hand.

RetroJames · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2003, 10:48:39 pm »

Those covers for the controls that would be sticking out to the left and right could have drink holders in the top or down the line could accept wings for a 4 player setup. ( I got that idea from Nannuu
in this thread - http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=12602)

hooded_paladin · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2003, 01:41:52 am »

Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on October 23, 2003, 10:48:39 pm

( I got that idea from Nannuu
)

Actually, I brought up that idea first.

I LOVE sharing my ideas. Yes, I am in a bad mood.

Nannuu · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2003, 03:04:52 am »

Oh yeah! Now that's cool! You may want to add the wings anyway since they may be required to hide the sticks from the sides, especially if you are going to add Tron sticks. The wings could also work as the locking device to keep the panel from moving left and right during play. I made a quick sketch of what I mean (red=rotating part). What I have there is all out of scale and such but you get the point. And you may want to have the kickplate extend all the way up to the control panel, that way you could add more rotation support? May not be necessary if you have a good mechanism in the back though.

And yep, hooded_paladin brought up the wings first.

Nannuu · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2003, 03:19:28 am »

With that design you could get six panels! It'd be a big mess but fun to make! Just shorten two opposite panels and add a back side to rotate inside the rotating main panel.

Yeah it could be done, yeah yeah, that's the ticket!

JamIt · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2003, 08:53:15 am »

You guys are sick. I love it

--JamIt

RetroJames · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2003, 08:57:09 am »

I'm so happy I could cry.

;DDamn Nannu, those look awesome! Is that illustrator or what? You are correct, it could be a six panel affair or if one was super tricky, 8?

Sorry to palladin for missing credit where credit is due. I went back to see who was talking about it and I keyed off of the pics. thanks again to all for all the ideas.

I just scored a free cabinet which I am picking up on sat. It has some damage on the front under the cp, which is good! I will lop those off and the quad cp will go on the front.

Also installing 3ds max and some other programs so I can get some proper pics out as I go.

I am setting up a site this weekend for the project, Nannu can I post your pics there with appropriate credits? I'll get the descriptions / credit right on the site paladin, I promise. I sweated even posting the pics above as I was so worried some joker was going to claim them as well as credit. I am glad I did though.

Jeez guys, great stuff, keep it comming!

Hyperion · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2003, 09:39:32 am »

Very creative idea for the rotating control panel, and rotating marquee you guys are great.

Nice sketch Nannuu!

]-[yperion

hyiu · « **Reply #13 on:** October 24, 2003, 11:07:59 am »

cool idea !!!....

didn't really understand it at first... but after nannuu's pics... I think I understand the basic concept now....

1 thing to keep in mind....

this will be a large cab.... since 3&4 players can flip up and play.... that also means that we're probably looking at a 21+ in monitor.... (probably 25 / 27 ??... right ??)

although the result will be a "1 piece" cabinet....
but you should construct it so that maybe the control panel part can be detached....

or else... it won't be able to fit into any doors.....
(especially if you're building it in a woodshop / garage....
but needs to move down stairs... or into basements...)

a very creative design.....

soslo · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2003, 11:18:40 am »

you must have watched a lot of Transformers

Energon!

I like the rotating marquee - very unique. Get some rotating side art on that and you'll be set.

Wiring is going to totally suck. I am 90% done with the modular wiring harness for a rotating 3 panel a-la 1up and it is pretty gnar to say the least.

hyiu · « **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2003, 11:26:42 am »

well.... I think we can understand that wiring will suck when there is 6 to 8 panels together....

but a lot of stuffs can be USB !!!... and if planned correctly... you can actually set a USB hub in the rotating part.... that will consolidate a lot of wires !!!!..... I think you can consolidate to like 2-3 cables out of the whole rotating thing and plug it into the computer....

Nannuu · « **Reply #16 on:** October 24, 2003, 11:30:54 am »

Sure! Post away! Anyone can post anything I do, I'm not picky. I use Coreldraw 10, I know Illustrator is better but I'm too lazy to learn it.

Just noticed I put straight sides on the panels of the sketch, someone will probably catch that as a fouling condition when opening up the cab. If you were to swing the the wings out as in the sketch you'll also have to put a slight angle on the main CP. See attached animation.

Hyiu's right, definitely make the front detachable. Wouldn't be too hard with some bolts from the inside. Most likely wouldn't be moving it around too often so it wouldn't be all that bad.

RetroJames · « **Reply #17 on:** October 24, 2003, 11:45:11 am »

Quote

Hyiu's right, definitely make the front detachable. Wouldn't be too hard with some bolts from the inside. Most likely wouldn't be moving it around too often so it wouldn't be all that bad.

That was definitely my intent, although unspecified. The cab I am getting is a bit shabby, but it saves a bunch of work so I can concentrate on the CP. Then down the road, I can replace the cab. Also, as you said, I did envision the cp and wings as being detachable for transport and reconfigs.

Quote

this will be a large cab.... since 3&4 players can flip up and play.... that also means that we're probably looking at a 21+ in monitor.... (probably 25 / 27 ??... right ??)

Definitely want a big monitor, please help me keep an eye out for a deal. If figure a tv or pc monitor will be fine as I cant afford an arcade monitor and I have not really ever worked with them (ZAP?) As with the cab, i am trying to do this quick, cheap, but well on the im,portant parts (the cp). If I build it with later mods in mind, I can always upgrade. Thanks

BTW: Here are the links to the cab I am getting. Let me know what you think. Thanks DPHirschler!!!

http://pigseye.kennesaw.edu/~dhirschl/mame/back_and_side.JPG
http://pigseye.kennesaw.edu/~dhirschl/mame/side_and_front.JPG
http://pigseye.kennesaw.edu/~dhirschl/mame/closeup-1.JPG
http://pigseye.kennesaw.edu/~dhirschl/mame/closeup-2.JPG

ErikRuud · « **Reply #18 on:** October 24, 2003, 01:30:29 pm »

Instead of a rotating marquee, why not a scrolling one? Kind of like the scrolling adds they have in some malls, or courtside at the NBA games.

RetroJames · « **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2003, 06:23:01 pm »

Quote from: ErikRuud on October 24, 2003, 01:30:29 pm

Instead of a rotating marquee, why not a scrolling one? Kind of like the scrolling adds they have in some malls, or courtside at the NBA games.

I had a slightly similar idea,

Quote

I also have another idea for the marquee based on a tank tread where the marquees would rotate between two wheels, one in front, one in back of the cab so you could have a larger selection of marquees on hand.

And the scroller would work as well. I assume thought that you mean artwork printed on some type of rolled plastic and two rollers as above? I was thinking of a tractor tread type thing so you could still use actuall marquees.

MiKman · « **Reply #20 on:** October 24, 2003, 09:16:01 pm »

Quote from: ErikRuud on October 24, 2003, 01:30:29 pm

Instead of a rotating marquee, why not a scrolling one? Kind of like the scrolling adds they have in some malls, or courtside at the NBA games.

or like the older city buses use to change the routes. it's like on a couple of rollers and the window shows the current marquee.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #21 on:** October 24, 2003, 11:37:11 pm »

MikMan,

Yes exactly like the old bus route signs.

RetroJames · « **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2003, 01:59:27 am »

Here is the site for this monster. I am going to sleep. zzzzzz

http://home.earthlink.net/~rotoquad/index.htm

Will add much more...later

NIVO · « **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2003, 02:15:34 pm »

ok now for the name suggestions:

MAMMOTH
BEHEMOTH
MAME-A-TOPIA

etc, etc.

this thing is gonna have its own zipcode, possibly even a planned community living in it

RetroJames · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2003, 05:25:02 pm »

Quote from: NIVO on October 25, 2003, 02:15:34 pm

ok now for the name suggestions:

MAMMOTH
BEHEMOTH
MAME-A-TOPIA

etc, etc.

this thing is gonna have its own zipcode, possibly even a planned community living in it

Um, yea it appears to be looking quite large. That off-road cab is a bit like tempest on steroids already. Other names?:

Gargantucade
WhirlyCade
Quadricon
QuadZilla
QuadKong

Arcadotron
MAMEoth
GameBot
MameZilla
GameZilla
MAME Kong

TexArcade

I dunno, but that might be a good thread. It will have the rotating marquee, but it would be cool to make at least one of them a custom marquee if we could come up with a cool name.

menace · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2003, 04:10:44 pm »

I like Gamezilla--or KINGcade I've jumped on the "don't like mame in the name" bandwagon

RetroJames · « **Reply #26 on:** October 28, 2003, 11:20:03 pm »

I kinda agree. I had the thought a few times while looking at "MAME" marquees that it is too bad the emu is called MAME. What do I know though, heck the man wrote the software he can name what he wants. I am thinking for my cab I will stick to using one or more actual game marquees to give proper respect...

I do need a name for the cab or at least the project though that describes the cab like for the website etc. I really dont like RotoQuad very much although it does have a "Transformer" ring to it.

Maybe

RotoQuadricon?

QuattroCade?

Doppelganger?

Shapeshifter?

I dunno...

RetroJames · « **Reply #27 on:** October 29, 2003, 09:11:01 pm »

Pic1 - mmmm....water damage

RetroJames · « **Reply #28 on:** October 29, 2003, 09:12:43 pm »

mmmm...more water.....

RetroJames · « **Reply #29 on:** October 29, 2003, 09:13:42 pm »

For Sale - 1 Marquee + plexi

RetroJames · « **Reply #30 on:** October 29, 2003, 09:15:27 pm »

25" Monitor

RetroJames · « **Reply #31 on:** November 17, 2003, 11:59:00 pm »

Ok so not a huge leap on my project, but I am teaching myself Illustrator after seeing all the great images here. I did a not-to-scale drawing/illustration of my basic cabinet and a bit of the cp and cp "wing" on one side. Enjoy

SirPoonga · « **Reply #32 on:** November 18, 2003, 02:41:03 am »

your cabinet is going to have to be taller on the bottom so the rotating panel doesn't hit the floor.

HagHore · « **Reply #33 on:** November 18, 2003, 06:46:54 am »

Why not turn the Def/SG panel into a multiWilliams panel? Unless of course you already acquired an actual Def/SG 2-way stick.

RetroJames · « **Reply #34 on:** November 18, 2003, 07:25:38 am »

Quote

Why not turn the Def/SG panel into a multiWilliams panel? Unless of course you already acquired an actual Def/SG 2-way stick.

Great idea! I will do that! Not so much for Joust (blech) but I love me some robokillin' !!!

Quote

your cabinet is going to have to be taller on the bottom so the rotating panel doesn't hit the floor.

Yup, like I said, 1st ever illustrator attempt not to scale. I did work out the spin and dimensions on my trusty graph paper and I will have plenty of room for the spins as well as a nice overhang for the feet to go under the panel even when spinning.

Nannuu · « **Reply #35 on:** November 21, 2003, 02:51:29 am »

Okay, finally had some time to put something a little more formal together since I will be trying to copy spacecadets cabinet design. I am trying to also keep a working coin door. Originally I had thought that a 20" dia PVC pipe would be an easy axis but after playing around with it, it seems like making my own axis will be just as easy and allow easier access all around.

The control panel will be divided into 4 parts. 1) Control Panel Housing 2) Control Panel w/ 4 sides 3) Left Wing 4) Right Wing
The housing will be the base that the other 3 parts will attach to. The housing itself will detach from the cabinet using some type of brackets in case I need to move it (or fit through a door eh spacecadet...heh heh). It will have two rings inside, both mounted at the same centerline. These rings will line up with the control panels large center hole to act as the axis of rotation. I do this so that I can mount a coin door in the center of the rotating panel. The control panel can be quite open below the button/joystick surface to allow wiring of all 4 panels to hook up. The CPs will all sit at 10 degree slope and will meet at the edges that will also have a 10 degree cut angling from the front of the panel to the back. This turns out great because the wings will need this angle so they don't scrap the edge. And since they meet, the vertical cp edges will support the inboard wing when it is closed. The housing will be secured snug with the control panel by two (or more?) brackets mounted from the backside of the front beside the coin door to the back of the back panel. This will keep the axis together and working. I might allow the back of the housing the swing down when detached from both the cabinet and itself so the cp can be removed if necessary.

I still have a lot of tweaking to do such as the depth of the panel and diameter of the axis. I'm not sure if the large hole in the forward cp face is too big to weaken the structure. I'm thinking that a teflon sheet can be applied to both axis to allow for smooth rotation. I'd like to keep the Ipac in the cp but hooking up the wing's wiring may not be so fun that way so we'll see.

Hopefully some of this makes sense?

HagHore · « **Reply #36 on:** November 21, 2003, 07:28:28 am »

Quote from: Nannuu on November 21, 2003, 02:51:29 am

I still have a lot of tweaking to do such as the depth of the panel and diameter of the axis.

It does look like you have some tweaking to do there. Hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like you won't be able to mount any controls around the centerline of each panel as it currently is.

Deoh, nevermind, the whole thing is rotating on just the 3/4" front/back axis.

HagHore · « **Reply #37 on:** November 21, 2003, 07:43:41 am »

I think you should also definitely go with your idea of having the back of the housing swing down when removed from the main cabinet as you will probably want that should you ever have to work on the panel. In fact, maybe even have the back of the control panel also swing open as you may need to make your axis diameter smaller (as long as it doesn't compromise the stability of the cp).

mushmouth · « **Reply #38 on:** November 22, 2003, 12:13:08 am »

This is really good work... I'm riveted.

As for the names, all were pretty good, but one definitely shines above the rest:

Q U A D Z I L L A

1hookedspacecadet... NICE.. *grin*

Nannuu · « **Reply #39 on:** November 22, 2003, 11:45:50 pm »

Sorry sorry! Not trying to hijack the thread! Tweaked it some so that the panels don't meet, a slide bolt can be placed in there as extra security for rotation. HD sells a perfect candidate for this. Now I need to tweak the back to allow the wing panel to rest on the back instead.

The quad 4 player panel is the coolest idea ever!

RetroJames · « **Reply #40 on:** November 23, 2003, 06:37:32 am »

HAHA - Your not hijacking the thread Nannu, I am having a blast seeing what your up to and you have made me decide to dust off my 3dsmax program. Here is a pick of my cab to be minus the wings and other assorted details.

Very intrigued by the slide bolts, that is a great idea and one I will need to consider for stability.

RetroJames · « **Reply #41 on:** November 23, 2003, 06:52:21 am »

Ok, so on the bottom, my idea is that when the wings are opened the kickplate will extend forward to give clearance to the cp. Then the wings are closed and the kickplate retracts to stabilize the cp. I have not shown it yet, but the kickplate would have some pretty beefy reinforcement, which will be possible because it moves forward on rotation.

Yes I know I need turning casters on the front, haven't had time to model them yet.

Yes there is supposed to be a "chunk" taken out of the cab behind the top of the cp on the sides. This is an old off road cab (another pic earlier in the thread) and that is the way it is. I am going to trim it out to make it look purdy.

RetroJames · « **Reply #42 on:** November 23, 2003, 07:45:23 am »

Bad Mame Cabinet, Bad!

RetroJames · « **Reply #43 on:** November 23, 2003, 07:53:58 am »

Ok, last one for now

Cameronj · « **Reply #44 on:** November 23, 2003, 12:30:31 pm »

I thought I had a video game problem but reading this thread I guess I am not that bad afterall.

You are going to have to do a video of how this thing works when you get it done!

Cameron

Frostillicus · « **Reply #45 on:** November 23, 2003, 05:51:44 pm »

I think you should call it Dial-A-Mame. (like the ol' Dial-a-'anything')

A nice bit of cabinetry if you pull it off

SirPoonga · « **Reply #46 on:** November 24, 2003, 09:44:18 am »

I'll be impressed if you get a coin door in there too

RetroJames · « **Reply #47 on:** November 24, 2003, 10:55:50 am »

Quote from: SirPoonga on November 24, 2003, 09:44:18 am

I'll be impressed if you get a coin door in there too

On mine, (remember there are actually two people doing two cabs on this thread, same overall design but diverging solutions), I will probably skip the coindoor. If I do decide to add one, I will back it with some sort of felt and mount it to the front of the cab on a lazy susan and put a weight at the bottom, maybe a magnet setup behind it to keep it in place when it comes to rest. Nannu is doing a fixed door.

Jakobud · « **Reply #48 on:** November 24, 2003, 06:26:36 pm »

Okay you guys are the craziest bunch of people i have ever seen

hyiu · « **Reply #49 on:** November 25, 2003, 12:06:20 pm »

for a while.... I thought 1up's rotating panel is the craziest idea..... (and he pulled it off... PERFECTLY....)

I cannot wait to see how this turns out....

Wienerdog · « **Reply #50 on:** November 25, 2003, 10:11:44 pm »

I cannot wait to see how this turns out....

You're a nut hyiu.

hyiu · « **Reply #51 on:** November 26, 2003, 10:11:20 am »

haaa haaa haaa.... I guess I am....

btw.... my cab finally can stand by itself !!!!!!....
ok... I'll take some pics.. organize them and will post them in another thread... (probably this wkend...)

after soooooo long....

(sorry for stealing the thread....)

danny_galaga · « **Reply #52 on:** May 29, 2004, 08:54:15 pm »

you guys are crazy- just my kind of company (",) . you've now caused me to have my twice a decade lateral thought! ok, so i'm reading about you're propositions on the rotating-quad-box-panel thingo. then i read about a proposed scrolling marquee. can you guess what im thinking? A scrolling control panel! i'm not going to think about it any more than that because i'll realise why it wont work then and i dont want to shatter the illusion!
my other lateral thought for the decade was my rotating cocktail monitor

http://dannygalaga.com/mame.htm

but that is LEGO compared to you mad scientists....

danny_galaga · « **Reply #53 on:** May 29, 2004, 10:00:27 pm »

Actually I DO have an idea that is bound to push the limits and turn your project into something only slightly less complicated than a 747.
My NEXT project is on the cocktail cab and this I think will be an original thought. At the moment the joys are on 8 way. My plan is to have the joys electrically select 4/8 way!! I

Buddabing · « **Reply #54 on:** June 01, 2004, 02:02:21 pm »

Quote from: danny_galaga on May 29, 2004, 10:00:27 pm

Actually I DO have an idea that is bound to push the limits and turn your project into something only slightly less complicated than a 747.
My NEXT project is on the cocktail cab and this I think will be an original thought. At the moment the joys are on 8 way. My plan is to have the joys electrically select 4/8 way!!

How about robotically controlled modular panels? When a game is selected, the monitor rotates to the correct orientation and a robot arm automatically places joysticks, buttons, and whatever into the correct position, so that all games will have the authentic controls in their correct positions.

goofy · « **Reply #55 on:** September 12, 2004, 12:41:32 am »

So, spacecadet, is your project still in the dream state or has constuction begun? I'd love to see pictures if you've got any.

Cheers.

Nephus · « **Reply #56 on:** September 12, 2004, 02:30:07 am »

every time I think I have my cab planned out... something like this happens and makes me think about a redesign. Wow.. impressive.


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news