rough sketchup of my arcade stick.

[Yenome]

I spent the night learning a lil bit and modeling in sketchup before i build the stick. i was looking for everyone's feed back on this design. the inner holes will all be drilled out for buttons and the box on the left represents the arcade stick size underneath so i could get the spacing right. the whole box is gonna be 14"x10"x3" once i learn how to make holes in sketchup ill add more details to it. i left the bottom open as thats how it will be access with a 1/4in piece of something being held on by four feet screws that screw into the 4 1/2x1/2 bracers. also the guides left are so i know the area i need to stay with in to keep the room i require underneath and the walls of the box. this stick will be used as a ps3/pc stick till i build my full cab. at that time i will be going to a 7 button layout by dropping the 4th button on the top row. most will notice im using the standard japanese layout on this, as after trying it out on cardboard i have come to enjoy it more.
model file here http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=8d7347745e75ed179b5abe7a2f946c25
also if someone can tell me why im getting that poly tearing i would be a very happy camper

[shponglefan]

Personally, I wouldn't go so 'ergonomic' for the buttons, since it's actually not the way the fingers tend to sit when curved.  First column of buttons lower, but then the next three columns should be in line.  That's more ideal for the way the fingers naturally sit when using an arcade.

But if you've tried it out an like it, them YMMV.  Personally, I didn't find it worked so well for me in practice.

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

also if someone can tell me why im getting that poly tearing i would be a very happy camper

That's just Sketchup. Has something to do with having two or more 2d object surfaces inhabiting the same plane.  I'm guessing you drew the circles separately then placed them on the panel?  Anyway, it's just a graphical thing inherent to Sketchup, nothing harmful. It's done that on every system I've ever used Sketchup on.

[Yenome]

also if someone can tell me why im getting that poly tearing i would be a very happy camper

That's just Sketchup. Has something to do with having two or more 2d object surfaces inhabiting the same plane.  I'm guessing you drew the circles separately then placed them on the panel?  Anyway, it's just a graphical thing inherent to Sketchup, nothing harmful. It's done that on every system I've ever used Sketchup on.

I drew everything in place as it is so i ddnt have ot move it at all. but if you have seen it in everything you've done i guess ill have to live with it. still rather annoying.

[amendonz]

I completely disagree with curved layouts being less comfortable, my fingers definitely don't go straight when I place them on a flat surface.

[Yenome]

I completely disagree with curved layouts being less comfortable, my fingers definitely don't go straight when I place them on a flat surface.

i agree thats why i went with the standard japan layout tho i think i ended up taping the wrong layout on the stick but its ok i know it to be comfortable ot me as i have used it on the cardboard test stick

[shponglefan]

I completely disagree with curved layouts being less comfortable, my fingers definitely don't go straight when I place them on a flat surface.

Are you talking about placing your hand palm down on a surface or are you talking about how you hold your hand at an arcade?  Because as far as I know, nobody does the former when playing arcade games.

[amendonz]

I'm talking in gaming position, so not flat but not as if im playing the piano either, the flat layout forces me to twist my wrist slightly outwards for my index finger to be hitting button 1, its unnatural.

[shponglefan]

I'm talking in gaming position, so not flat but not as if im playing the piano either, the flat layout forces me to twist my wrist slightly outwards for my index finger to be hitting button 1, its unnatural.

That's why I suggested the first column of buttons should be lower, but the next three in line. 

edited: Whoops, meant column and not row.