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Modular controls panel discussion
patrickl:
--- Quote from: SirPoonga on August 12, 2004, 03:31:19 am ---Unless you made the seems part of your art design then you wouldn't know there were there.
--- End quote ---
That might hide the seams a bit, but it will still show (you see edges from the cuts and it will also get damaged over time). Besides, I'd guess that will do even more damage to the artwork than the seams themselves. If you put vertical lines on the artwork per module then it will scream out "hey I'm build from modules" more than a flat black cover (with some hard to notice seams). Also, I don't think a (4"?) repeating pattern would look nice.
I just can't think of a good design that would look even better than the black doc uses now, but that could be my lack of imagination :P
SirPoonga:
Like I said, use the seams to your advantage. Camoflauge them in. You could route out fake seams. Make a grid like pattern then. Combine an art pattern with that. It wouldn't be that hard to make it look good with some color yet camo the seams. Would require some good wood working skills. of course a metal modular CP you could engrave a pattern or something cool :)
Doc-:
--- Quote from: SirPoonga on August 12, 2004, 03:08:55 am ---I like jelloslug's rail system.
Doc's system
"Can't cover panels with lexan/art"
That's wrong. It's possile, you just need a well thought out repeating patern that the edges of each panel match up. Like a repeating pacman maze that I have seen as a wallpaper.
Jello's rail system is how he over came Doc's con of "Need to secure joysticks - though I overcame this one"
--- End quote ---
I agree with you on the artwork. My panels are covered with black vinyl, but someone on one of these threads pointed out that if you have some artistic tallent it is quite possible to develop a nice pattern and have it printed on vinyl and then install it on all of the panels. My guess is that if you painted the edges (like I have) it could be made to look quite nice.
As for securing the joysticks - Jello's rail system clearly works great, but mine system does too. Its a matter of preference. I like the ease of being able to swap a single panel out by just popping it out. I'm frequently changing the center panel between spinner and various specialty joysticks.
Going back to the original question - NO - a modular system is never really done. I have a Pole Position 360 degree wheel that I'm going to mount on a panel for 360 driving games. I've also ordered a few more buttons for some game specific panels.
I still have a list of minor fixes and software issues I want to work through. It is never really done!
Doc-
NoOne=NBA=:
Mine keeps getting LESS done as I go.
My idea for the artwork is going to be something along the lines of the Nintendo vs. art.
A grid area in the middle of each module, so it looks like the art is SUPPOSED to be in 4 pieces.
The seams themselves will hide pretty well with a black "granite" paint job like the front of my cab.
I'm not really that concerned about it LOOKING modular though.
That is the main focus of my cab, and looks alot less "out of place" than a frankenpanel to me.
DougHillman:
I haven't put too much thought into the CPO design yet, but it's probably about time to do so.
Early ideas are to have a coupla lines that run across the top & bottom of each peice to tie the modules together with some sorta contained graphic in the middle of each piece. Probably a controller surrounding type graphic such as the one we used on the cab I just completed. http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=23028
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