Take No Quarter - Whoops....

[Monkeyvoodoo]

So I've been lurking around for about a month, reading whatever I can. I've learned so much in that time. And I'm hooked. (I also discovered the joy of Dr Who at the same time. Nothing like late evenings browsing the forum while watching Netflix)

Without further ado, my WIP cabinet mockup: Take No Quarter

Based on an existing Zback with some modifications:

• New kickplate design (I have a second idea I want to try out as well)
• Lit portholes in the sidewalls
• Custom CP. (the one in the mockup is not the final CP. It's just a place holder.) Nothing over the top. Just need more real estate for a trackball/spinner
• Bit of extra lighting here and there. I have a set of ground effects from my idiot years that will work nicely if recessed
• Custom Marquee, Side Art and CP Art (Been having fun designing those)
• Considering going with a rotating display. Not going with the original 25" monitor gives me a bit of room
• A few other upgrades while I refurbish the cabinet

I really would like to get my hands on a 25" arcade monitor but my searches prove fruitless so I'll most likely go with a 21" lcd. At least until I can afford a 26" wide
Decided on a 21" Dell LCD. And attempting a rotation rig, so no 26" wide. For this cabinet...

I'm really hoping for a Summer 2014 completion date but we all know how project timelines get extended. Funny thing is that I'm already thinking of ideas for a full custom cabinet to start after this one is done.

Of course I will gladly accept any criticisms or advice

Updated with current concept 2013-06-02

[kahlid74]

My only concern would be the CP.  The design pictured doesn't lend itself well to a custom CP.  I would want to see your sketchup/mock-up with the Custom CP to see how you envision it working.

[PL1]

Also consider which dedicated admin buttons you want to include.

Probably P1/P2 Start, Exit, and Pause.

Maybe Menu? (Depends on who's using the cab and how much you like to fiddle with settings)


Scott

[yotsuya]

Just a shoutout for Doctor Who. I've started watching it this year as well. 

[Drnick]

Just a shoutout for Doctor Who. I've started watching it this year as well. 

Original DrWho or the new 2000's series?  You gotta watch them all. Even the truly awful movies.  Well all those that are available anyway as there are a few episodes that are now lost to history forever    I've watched everything since 1980 and seen a fair few of those that were shown before I was old enough to appreciate it.   There are some superb stories in there, but the special effects etc may take a bit of getting used to 

[Monkeyvoodoo]

I'm still working out ideas for the CP. I'm thinking of extending it out towards the players a bit more so that I can get enough real estate for admin buttons and shoulder room for player two.
I'll be rigging the coin returns as coin buttons so that's a few buttons off the CP.
I'm also contemplating having admin buttons tucked away in a hidden spot in the marquee. Similar to CRT TV controls.
Currently playing with cardboard mockup a on the cab itself.

As for Dr Who, I just finished off season six last night so I have to find something new to watch.

[yotsuya]

Just a shoutout for Doctor Who. I've started watching it this year as well. 

Original DrWho or the new 2000's series?  You gotta watch them all. Even the truly awful movies.  Well all those that are available anyway as there are a few episodes that are now lost to history forever    I've watched everything since 1980 and seen a fair few of those that were shown before I was old enough to appreciate it.   There are some superb stories in there, but the special effects etc may take a bit of getting used to 

My daughter and I are watching the new series, but we've watched some of the old ones as well. I remember catching an episode or two on PBS BITD, but I've really enjoyed the new stuff. Nice to see the BBC spend some cash on effects.

[sabreerbasAlpha]

Firstly Welcome to the forums my friend. Got to say I love That design. Nice flowing shape that looks really nice.
I have some questions. The mock up pictures you have posted seem to show the front coming out so it is going to be a curved front with a coin door incorporated into it?. Also the control panel seems to be a bit shallow to me, Remember you want it to be comfy when playing and it doesn't look like much room is available to rest your palms on when playing. Id consider giving yourself a bit more room by setting the CP back 3-4 inches or so. Other than that I do like the design and the name is great, Ill be watching this one to see how you go. Also there are some exceptionally talented people on these boards with years of experience of building and designing. Don't forget to shout when you need some help. Good luck my friend and remember to enjoy it.

[Monkeyvoodoo]

Firstly Welcome to the forums my friend. Got to say I love That design. Nice flowing shape that looks really nice.

Thanks for welcoming. I wish I could take credit for the design but I'm starting from an actual cabinet that I got my hands on. It is a nice design I agree though

I have some questions. The mock up pictures you have posted seem to show the front coming out so it is going to be a curved front with a coin door incorporated into it?.

Not exactly a curved front. I'll be attaching a facade on to the original kickplate extending a portion about 2" giving enough clearance to put in some recessed neon/cathode tubes. Here's a different angle:

Also the control panel seems to be a bit shallow to me, Remember you want it to be comfy when playing and it doesn't look like much room is available to rest your palms on when playing. Id consider giving yourself a bit more room by setting the CP back 3-4 inches or so.

The current CP is the one that came with the original cabinet. I'm not a big fan of it myself. I'll be using it as a base to make a larger one that fits in with the shape of the cabinet. And one that has more comfort and play space!

Other than that I do like the design and the name is great, Ill be watching this one to see how you go.

Thanks again, I like the name as well. It was one of those "wake up with an epiphany" moments.

Also there are some exceptionally talented people on these boards with years of experience of building and designing. Don't forget to shout when you need some help. Good luck my friend and remember to enjoy it.

Oh I know, I've spent quite some time perusing the project pages. I'm going to be standing on the shoulders of giants.

[Unstupid]

looks like a pretty steep angle on that CP... Looks about 20 degrees.  Not sure how comfortable that's going to be to play on.   

[Monkeyvoodoo]

It's not. I remember playing on this type of cabinet when I was younger. All the other Z-backs that I've seen have had a Dynamo CP installed into them.

This one will be fully custom when it's done.

[Ond]

That decorative facade looks kinda familiar... anyway nice design.

[Unstupid]

Yea, looks like a Neo-Geo 4-25 ver 2, but reversed:

[Ond]

Yea, looks like a Neo-Geo 4-25 ver 2, but reversed:

Ah ha, yes that's  it.

[Monkeyvoodoo]

Spent a bit of time trying out an idea i had for the sideart. I'm a bit rusty on my illustrator so it's not quite what I envisioned. I think I may commission the final work to be done.



Any critiques? Better ideas?

[Unstupid]

It says "Take No Quarter" on the side, but then you have a coin door in front... You going to put mech's in there that take Pesos?   

[dgame]

Take Mo' Quarters

[sabreerbasAlpha]

It says "Take No Quarter" on the side, but then you have a coin door in front... You going to put mech's in there that take Pesos?   

 

[Le Chuck]

Looks pretty slick, keep it coming

[Seith]

I agree with Le Chuck, that sideart is pretty fantastic if you ask me.

[mcseforsale]

Love the shape.  subscibed..

AJ

[Monkeyvoodoo]

Tiny update:

I still haven't got much work done on this as Real Life^TM is still getting in the way. SO right now I have an empty cabinet staring at me just begging for a tear down and rebuild.

But I did get my laminate samples in the mail.

I got a lot more than I was expecting actually. Within the samples were wood grain which gave me an idea but need some input. I'm thinking of going with a truly retro look with:

Black laminate (I swear it's black, really)


Wood Grain

When I saw the wood grain, all I could think of was my old Atari (and pretty much every other consumer electronic) from my childhood.

Like this

So what I'm now considering is putting the black on the sides of the cabinet and on the CP while using the wood grain on the center pieces. Although I could reverse that and have the wood grain on the sides, etc. I still need to think this out a bit more.

[Monkeyvoodoo]

It says "Take No Quarter" on the side, but then you have a coin door in front... You going to put mech's in there that take Pesos?   

 
I'll most likely be going with the NovaGemCDR as a replacement.

[Le Chuck]

I'd say less is more on the wood grain. Incorporate it into the art.

[Dawgz Rule]

     Too much wood grain and it will be like a bad episode of House Hunters.

[mgb]

This project here
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123455.0.html
Used wood grain laminate and it is drop dead gorgeous. But it's also a more retro looking cabinet so I think it fits.

I think your plans looks great. I love the side art and I love z backs.
When I think z back, I think red, blue or black.
Most times I see one, they are red. I think they look awesome in blue.

I see a couple if people are telling you the control panel is too steep or short but correct if I'm wrong but aren't you using the regular cp that would be on a dynamo z back?

[Monkeyvoodoo]

This project here
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123455.0.html
Used wood grain laminate and it is drop dead gorgeous. But it's also a more retro looking cabinet so I think it fits.

This is very similar to the look that's evolved in my mind

I think your plans looks great. I love the side art and I love z backs.
When I think z back, I think red, blue or black.
Most times I see one, they are red. I think they look awesome in blue.

I remember Zbacks from my teens, usually in red. As nice as they look I want mine to stand out a bit.

I see a couple if people are telling you the control panel is too steep or short but correct if I'm wrong but aren't you using the regular cp that would be on a dynamo z back?

The first rendering had the regular cp in it as a stand in. I'm kicking around designs to give me a bit more real estate for a trackball or spinner.

[Dawgz Rule]

You ultimately have to go with what makes you happy.  Afterall, it is your cab.

[Monkeyvoodoo]

So last night I had an idea. One of those ideas that show up as you drift off to sleep. It involved a bit of a redesign of my cabinet (which actually helps be avoid trying to repair some of the damage it has)

Ignore the rendering issues

I feel that it changes it's look just enough while still having the character of the original. And there's chrome!

[Ond]

I think you're on to something there, it looks better.  Just some thoughts,  consider using real timber veneer over laminate for the wood panels.  OR lose the wood grain finish altogether and go for a 2 tone laminate look on the cab and (maybe)with side art similar to what you posted before.  The chrome looks slick and could work with solid colors as well.  If you're not adverse to sharing your 3D file (doesn't matter what format it's in) I can show you (I just can't be bothered drawing it from scratch)  I may have missed it, but is the Galaxian marquee a place holder or are you going with that?

[mgb]

Very nice.
  Looks more like an Ultimate Arcade 2 than a Z back though.

Personally I think the Formica wood grain has a cool look to it.

[Monkeyvoodoo]

Look what came in the mail today!


Sent from where ever I happen to be.

[Monkeyvoodoo]

Due to my current work overload, I still haven't been able to get into the actual physical construction yet. But I've found time to do other things like organize my rom collection and come up with some ideas for the art.





I feel like I'm on the right track but I don't think I've found the exact look that I want. Any suggestions?

[Brian74]

I wish I had design skills like that, looking sweet!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[mgb]

Man, that is perfect.
I love the whole art concept and the cp layout is perfectly simple.
The modern cab shape and chrome t molding really mixes nice with the retro like graphics and wood grain.

I look forward to the build

[Le Chuck]

Great design. Wonderful retro feel with some really nice touches. I'm excited to see this go further!

[Yvan256]

Okay, now that looks amazing! 

And I really like the idea of the cabinet artwork flowing into the frontend.

For the CP artwork, I would put the joystick arrows up/down/left/right in the middle and the outer arrows in the diagonals or just remove them.

And for the artwork in general, maybe try to replace the orange with something else. As far as I recall, almost everything was faux wood, chrome, black and white in the 70's. Can you make another render, replacing the orange with white, including white balltops?

[mgb]

White ball tops would look nice on there

[Monkeyvoodoo]

I tried the white ball tops, and I have to say I like them. I was sticking with red originally because in my rose tinted memories, all cabinets had red ball tops


A lot better

Changing the orange to another colour would be alot of work. I would have to redo every ai file. And I feel that the orange works for it. Complements the wood well.

I'm glad people are liking the front end/bezel co-ordination. I think it looks neat but it will be difficult to do a rotating monitor setup with it. I know I don't really need a rotating monitor but I do like my shooters and it would be nice to have.

[PL1]

As far as I recall, almost everything was faux wood, chrome, black and white in the 70's.

If you REALLY want to give it that 70's look, you need avocado green and burnt orange.      

 


Scott