Modular panel artwork ideas

[telengard]

Let me start off by saying I don't have an artistic bone in my body and I'm jealous of the people that do.  

I've had my cab for a few years and have been using the Happs black pica vinyl on my modules.  I really would like to put some generic artwork on the modules.  Each module is a multiple of 1U (1 3/4") up to a 6U peice.  I also want to put an overlay around the part of the control panel that isn't modular.  Has anyone done this or have any ideas?  The current theme of the cabinet is Defender (modified defender marquee and sideart).  I'm also going to change my bezel glass to be like Defender.  Is it possible to use the Defender cp graphics in a generic scheme?  Seems kinda busy.

One other note.  My modules are 1/8" aluminum and I cannot put plexi over the modules so I have no idea what kind of material I could print on and then protect from use.  What are people using on metal control panels?

I'd love to hear any ideas folks might have.  My cab web page is here:  http://users.adelphia.net/~bsturk/mame.html

The graphics on the marquee and sideart were done by Nannu who did an *AWESOME* job.

[EvilNuff]

I've been thinking of a similar modular cp to yours but mine will be 5 5.5" wide panels, they will all be the same width so it would be very cool if the sides lined up on all the panels.

[Carsten Carlos]

Hi Telengard!

I'd suggest self-adhesive vynil, you could get that printed at certain places! This is exactly the same material as used in original cabs.

For the artwork - I would put a white frame (like in the original CPO) around every module and then place excerpts from the original artwork depending on what fits best on the modules width. I'm pretty sure you could implement this very well!  

[SOAPboy]

not to highjack but i need to get some of that pica vinal.. something a bit more sturdy that crappy contact paper..  and well, i dont have 50$ of stuff to buy so happs is out.. where exactly would one go to get a roll of that..

[neuromancer]

I like it just the way it is. I think the quality workmanship stands on it's own. The regularity gives it a nice "industrial" look.

You could dress it up with some automotive pin stripe.

Maybe some arrow graphics on the sticks. Especially the 4 way and 2 way sticks.

That's a very clever idea, btw. Do you need to use screws to attache them, and what connectors do you use on the electrical end?

Bob

[telengard]

I like it just the way it is. I think the quality workmanship stands on it's own. The regularity gives it a nice "industrial" look.

You could dress it up with some automotive pin stripe.

Maybe some arrow graphics on the sticks. Especially the 4 way and 2 way sticks.

That's a very clever idea, btw. Do you need to use screws to attache them, and what connectors do you use on the electrical end?

Bob

They are screwed down w/ std rack mount screws (very short ones so I can change stuff quickly).  I plug the modules in using ethernet cables and jacks.  All easy to find stuff.  I'm very happy with it so far.  Sometimes I just envy some of the cabinets that have nice classic looking graphics on their control panel.  I'd rather have the ability to use the different controls than artwork but I'd always like to have both.  

[telengard]

Hi Telengard!

I'd suggest self-adhesive vynil, you could get that printed at certain places! This is exactly the same material as used in original cabs.

For the artwork - I would put a white frame (like in the original CPO) around every module and then place excerpts from the original artwork depending on what fits best on the modules width. I'm pretty sure you could implement this very well!  

Hey Carsten!  Your cab is looking AWESOME.    
I just love that style of cabinet.  A motor for rotating my monitor is still on my TODO list.

Thanks for the ideas, I'm going to check around to see who can do that type of stuff for reasonable prices.  I'd like to stick w/ the Defender theme but I don't have a lot of artistic ability.  Defender's control panel graphics are pretty wild.

[Nannuu]

Can you list your module configs?  I have an idea but I want to fiddle around with the art to see if it will work with your controls.  I'd check myself but your site keeps crashing my browser here at work  .

[telengard]

Can you list your module configs?  I have an idea but I want to fiddle around with the art to see if it will work with your controls.  I'd check myself but your site keeps crashing my browser here at work  .

Hey Nannuu!

Sorry about that.  Weird that my site crashes your browser.  I have a pretty lame site with nothing but a few animated gifs.   What browser are you using?  I don't have all of the modules I've made up on the web site yet to see.

As for configs I assume you mean what kind of controls do I have for modules?  I unfortunately have a LOT of them and have blanks and controls to make even more.  Here's a list of what I have so far:

Tapper handle
Xenophobe joystick
Xybots joystick (pretty much same footprint as Gauntlet joystick)
Gauntlet joystick
Monroe joystick
2 4 way and 2 8 way Wico leafs
Nintendo joystick
Pac Man joystick
Some other weird leaf joystick
Defender joystick + reverse button
Galaga/Galaxian joystick
Battlezone joysticks (same footprint as PP shifter)
At least 10 button only modules (1 button centered, 2 buttons centered, Defender RHS buttons, etc etc )
2 older Oscar spinners
1 Vortex spinner
2 3" trackballs
1U blank panels
2U blank panels
3U blank panels

A big part of going modular was to let me do this sort of thing.  I like playing with the original controls in their original configurations.  Probably the OCD in me, but I'm very happy with it.

I also have most of the controls to make the following modules:

Yellow rotary joystick
Pole position wheel, shifter
Spy hunter yoke
Star Wars yoke
Light gun (act labs)  prob just put a usb receptacle in a module for any USB device
Capcom rotary control
49 way joystick from Sinistar
volcano buttons (for missle command)
mini trackball (centipede)
Big button from punch out
Tron joystick (same as xenophobe)
Paperboy handlebars

If you had meant size of the modules then the sizes are all multiples of 1U (1 3/4") up to 6U.

~telengard

[Nannuu]

Whew, I got some time to play with this.  This is obviously NOT a finished version but just my idea.  I picked a Defender panel since you have a Defender style marquee.  This could easily be done another way.  I made a few sample panels that you own and then tried to put them together to see what a full CP would look like.  It really needs some work and a bit more variety on the modules.  They don't have to look like Defender shapes on every piece.  The ends of the panel would have to have the finishing ends, see post #2.

Thoughts anyone?

[Nannuu]

This is a few of your modules put together to make the whole CP.

[Witchboard]

That looks like it could be pretty seamless.

[telengard]

This is a few of your modules put together to make the whole CP.

<telengard picks his jaw up off the floor>

That is just great!  You captured the look of Defender perfectly.  I sent you an email too, thanks so much.