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javeryh's Woodgrain Cabaret Copy
wp34:
--- Quote from: javeryh on February 18, 2020, 03:39:52 pm ---
The goal of this thing is to be as streamlined and simple for people to use as possible. NO MENUS.
--- End quote ---
This is a great goal. Menus and front-ends are the worst. I'm curious to see what you come up with.
javeryh:
--- Quote from: Mike A on February 19, 2020, 11:33:01 am ---I think I can finally forgive you for not using my artwork on your bar top.
--- End quote ---
There is still plenty of time to talk me out of the wood grain side panels and using your art instead. It would be such a shame for all of your hard work to go to waste...
--- Quote from: lomoverde on February 19, 2020, 01:23:19 pm ---http://www.ukvac.com/forum/read-only-windows-7_topic366332.html?SID=2011836fcee5z848e79e95866a9567590740741
I think you may have to register to enter the MAME section.
--- End quote ---
Thanks! I'll register and take a look. Didn't even know that website existed...
--- Quote from: wp34 on February 19, 2020, 01:51:11 pm ---This is a great goal. Menus and front-ends are the worst. I'm curious to see what you come up with.
--- End quote ---
yeah... I have found that over the years no matter how easy I think I am making a multi-cab to operate, my friends and family just can't figure it out without asking a million questions. I have no idea what people do with the setups with 50 emulators and 10,000+ games. So for this one, my challenge is how do I take the guesswork out of it starting with a very very basic front end. I just want a list of games with maybe a screenshot in the background as you scroll through. I love the old GameLauncher look. If I can recreate that in one of the newer front ends that has the dynamic marquee option, I think it would be a good starting point.
Like this:
I also want to include some sort of instruction card somewhere ("Insert Coin. Press 1P Start to Begin" - or something to that effect). Whether this is on an actual instruction card on the CP or bezel or a splash screen that appears when the game is loading, I don't know yet. Still thinking about it.
leapinlew:
Now I'm confused. It sure sounds like Mala with Gamecreatures Blue front end would work for you. Seems you've probably used that one before though. I've always liked that it says press 1 player to start.
javeryh:
--- Quote from: leapinlew on February 19, 2020, 09:19:11 pm ---Now I'm confused. It sure sounds like Mala with Gamecreatures Blue front end would work for you. Seems you've probably used that one before though. I've always liked that it says press 1 player to start.
--- End quote ---
I also like that skin - I've used it before. It's also very simple and would probably work for what I'm trying to do. I haven't looked at MaLa's features in years though - don't recall being able to use a second monitor as a dynamic marquee, which is why I'm looking at the other front ends for this build.
javeryh:
More progress... I cut the strips for the interior pieces. Everything is 18" wide so all I had to do was rip the material down to the the correct size... easier said than done without a table saw or circular saw. My table saw is buried under a ton of crap in the garage and hasn't been turned on in years (even though I've needed it). This summer I want to redo the inside of my garage so that I have a somewhat functional workshop.
I bought three (3) 2' x 4' x 1/2" panels and one (1) 2' x 4' x 3/4" panel (for the control panel and the top panel). The factory cuts, while straight, were not exactly 90 degrees so I had to basically cut all 4 sides out using a jigsaw and then the straight edge and router to clean up the rough cuts. After the first panel was finished I used it as a template for my router and traced/cut out the other pieces.
Here's where I ended up after an afternoon's work:
Three 1/2" panels and one smaller 3/4" panel all 18" wide. Next I cut these pieces to their proper lengths for the coin door panel, front marquee panel, top panel, control panel, etc. I made a "cut list" to help me sort things out. The original plans were done in metric (cm) but I'm a heathen still using the English system so I had to do a lot of converting on the fly to make it all work.
There are 2 back panels I cut 1" longer than needed because I will have to play with the fit during final assembly. I am planning to allow for the monitor to slide in and out and I'm not 100% sure where the monitor supports will go. I cut out 8 panels to start. I'll need a couple more before it is all said and done (especially the control panel) but this will be enough to get it assembled and standing upright.
Since I don't have access to my table saw, all cuts were made with a jigsaw and router. It was kind of a pain and took me the better part of an afternoon. I laid out the pieces using my t-square and leaving 3/8" between panels so that I could easily cut in between with my jigsaw:
Every edge needed to be cleaned up though. As you can see there's not much to it. After making all of the cuts I ended up with a pile of MDF panels:
Next I will cut out all of the holes in these panels for the marquee, coin door, power button, speakers, etc.
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