Metalhead's Arcades (2.0) *Updated: 13 April*

[M3talhead]

I've decided that I'm going to leave the CP alone as it is. I also created the front artwork and decided to go with a simple collage of different arcade logos. After a little perspective work, I combined everything to get what you see below. Not bad eh?

[Truecade]

I'm just curious what material you used for your control panel/marquee graphics.  Also, how did you apply this material to the CP?  Did you cover it with lexan?

Thanks

[M3talhead]

The artwork has not yet been printed, what you see is a superimposed image I did using photoshop. When I do get it printed though, I think I'm going to go with Mamemarquees.com. They've got a great reputation and come highly recommended.

[oldsage]

The artwork has not yet been printed, what you see is a superimposed image I did using photoshop. When I do get it printed though, I think I'm going to go with Mamemarquees.com. They've got a great reputation and come highly recommended.

Ahhh... Photoshop...

[IntruderAlert]

everything looks great!
but i would consider getting rid of the arcade company logos on the front of the cp
it seems to distract from your design
could you post another pic minus the logos for comparison?

[M3talhead]

Hee's what it looks like with no black fog on the CP and no logos on the front.

[oldsage]

Hee's what it looks like with no black fog on the CP and no logos on the front.

Maybe you should keep the fog, but only on the top of the CPO and the bottom front? Am i making sense?
Also, as i said on your artwork thread, maybe you should have a black tattoo-like design on the front sides... Just some black shape done the same style as the shape behind the "versus" on the marquee?
Are you getting my drift?
BTW, are you planning on having a bezel graphic done?

[M3talhead]

Maybe you should keep the fog, but only on the top of the CPO and the bottom front? Am i making sense?
Also, as i said on your artwork thread, maybe you should have a black tattoo-like design on the front sides... Just some black shape done the same style as the shape behind the "versus" on the marquee?
Are you getting my drift?
BTW, are you planning on having a bezel graphic done?

At current, no, I am not planning on using a bezel other than the one that came with it. With just the CPO, marquee, and front piece, printing alone will cost me over $100. Besides, I like the plain bezel it came with. Its the original and fits perfectly. My plans are to keep the artwork as simple as possible, and I dont even think I'm going to rig up any instruction cards.

On another note, its very hard for me to let go of the manufacturers' logos I designed for the front. I dont know why. Maybe its because it was an idea I had with Arcade 1.0, but never implemented because at the time I didnt have access or an indepth knowledge of photoshop. I'll have to play around with it some more before I finally decide.

[oldsage]

Maybe you should keep the fog, but only on the top of the CPO and the bottom front? Am i making sense?
Also, as i said on your artwork thread, maybe you should have a black tattoo-like design on the front sides... Just some black shape done the same style as the shape behind the "versus" on the marquee?
Are you getting my drift?
BTW, are you planning on having a bezel graphic done?

At current, no, I am not planning on using a bezel other than the one that came with it. With just the CPO, marquee, and front piece, printing alone will cost me over $100. Besides, I like the plain bezel it came with. Its the original and fits perfectly. My plans are to keep the artwork as simple as possible, and I dont even think I'm going to rig up any instruction cards.

On another note, its very hard for me to let go of the manufacturers' logos I designed for the front. I dont know why. Maybe its because it was an idea I had with Arcade 1.0, but never implemented because at the time I didnt have access or an indepth knowledge of photoshop. I'll have to play around with it some more before I finally decide.

I was actually hoping you want to stay with a blank marquee...
If you can't let go of the logos, i have an idea that might work out, although i don't know to much about photoshop so i dunno if this will work... If photoshop can do this, i would suggest changing every logo to grey scale, and replacing white with red... If photoshop is capable of that, it could make the logos blend more...
Again, am i making any sense?

[RetroJames]

You said that was a 25" monitor?  What are the other dimensions if you don't mind me asking.  Height, Width, Depth)

[M3talhead]

I'm 6"2 and slouching a little in that picture if it helps. I dont have any exact measurements right now, but there it is. The overlay is one I photoshopped a long time ago.

[IntruderAlert]

If you don't want to let go of the logos could you post a file of just the front CP artwork so that we can see more clearly what you have going on there?

[oldsage]

If you don't want to let go of the logos could you post a file of just the front CP artwork so that we can see more clearly what you have going on there?

That would be in his artwork thread...

[M3talhead]

Its official: I'm retarded.


I ordered my computer for the cab from Newegg on the 1st of the month, but realized I purchased the wrong CPU when I opened it up today. Instead of buying a processor for a socket 939, I recieved a 754. Totally incompatable. I went back to look at my invoice to make sure that it wasnt something they did on their end, like send me the wrong model. I noticed that on the invoice, it doesnt give any more detailed information other than "CPU: Athlon 64 - 3000". I can only assume that when I added the processor to my cart, I must have clicked on the wrong one since they were almost identical ad side by side.

Long story short, I now have to send the CPU back, take a $21 restocking fee hit, and wait another week for them to send out the right one. I've done business with Newegg for years, but this is the first time I've ever screwed up an order.

[M3talhead]

Ouch.

Today I had a little mishapp on base. I had just finished PT routine and went to the raquetball courts to play a few games with some buddies of mine. About half way through the 2nd game, I recieved a kiss from another guy's racket. My front-left tooth took the heavy blow and snapped it clean off. Unfortunatly, I have to wait until tomorrow to see an oral surgeon about getting it cemented back on or having a crown made because it was decided that its not "life threatening" (gotta love the military medical system ).

Anyways, I'm in a mild sort of pain but decided to let you guys in on it since it appears I've pissed off somebody's diety with the string of bad luck I've been having. Enjoy.

[oldsage]

Ouch.

Today I had a little mishapp on base. I had just finished PT routine and went to the raquetball courts to play a few games with some buddies of mine. About half way through the 2nd game, I recieved a kiss from another guy's racket. My front-left tooth took the heavy blow and snapped it clean off. Unfortunatly, I have to wait until tomorrow to see an oral surgeon about getting it cemented back on or having a crown made because it was decided that its not "life threatening" (gotta love the military medical system ).

Anyways, I'm in a mild sort of pain but decided to let you guys in on it since it appears I've pissed off somebody's diety with the string of bad luck I've been having. Enjoy.

Lol! My exact same tooth fell off! But mine broke while i was playing this weird Japanese train game... You know those "cart" things that you push and pull a lever to move on the track? It was some sort of a weird simulation of this, and it was really fun too... But once i really got into the game and started wildly "throwing" the damn lever, it swung right into my mouth, and i almost "flew" backwards... That's probably one of my most memorable arcade experiences... Funny to see someone here that lost the same tooth...
We were actually considering suing the ass off that damn hotel (it was that New York hotel in Vegas...), but eventually decided to drop it... International law suits against a huge hotel chain isn't really my cup of tea... 
Hope they reconstruct it well for ya... Mine is good looking, but it almost fell a few times... But that's just cause my dentist sucks...

[M3talhead]

Finally.

I recieved my replacement CPU and slapped everything together. After attaching the monitor to the AVGA card, viola! Who-da thunk it'd work? 

Anyways, I still need to get XP on the new drive and start loading everything else. I'm just happy that I can get working again.

[kenzo42]

man, that must have been quite a blow!

1) root canal, cast post core, crown
2) pin build up, crown.
3) if it didn't hit the pulp, maybe a resin repair. it'll probably break and stain too, if you go this route! there's not much left to work w/.

it'll set you or the military back at least ~$2000 (not including the resin).

nice cab!

[tommy]

I personaly prefer the MK3 graphics then what youve done, all in all not bad.

[M3talhead]

man, that must have been quite a blow!

1) root canal, cast post core, crown
2) pin build up, crown.
3) if it didn't hit the pulp, maybe a resin repair. it'll probably break and stain too, if you go this route! there's not much left to work w/.

it'll set you or the military back at least ~$2000 (not including the resin).

nice cab!

Thanks.

Yeah, the whole getting smacked in the mouth with the racket really sucked. Luckily, the military took care of everything. I have a temp right now, but in about 2-3 weeks, I'll probably have it pulled and replaced with a false tooth.

Well. Today was a busy day. I recieved my replacement processor from Newegg a few days ago, but only got around to installing it today. For some reason I'm still having a bit of trouble getting the mobo to recognize the SATA drive I bought, but for right now, I've got Win2k up and running on a spare 20 gig IDE I had lying around.

Once I had everything set, I went ahead and put the monitor back in, followed by the CPU case.











..........more to come!

[M3talhead]

I bought the wood for the new CP today and had it cut there at the hardware store. The only downside was that they didn't have a router, so I still need to find someone with the tools to make the T-molding grove.



Anyways, I got the thing home and started marking the holes used to mount the latches and piano hinge hardware. The easiest way to do this is to lay the old CP on top of the new one and use the tip of a bit to make the new marks.



Once piloted, I secured the hardware with a few leftover wood screws I had. Not realizing it at first, the wood was so soft, I accidentally stripped one if the holes screwing in a bolt and had to drill a second so it would be secure enough to hold the hinge. This makes me wonder though if I should go back to my original idea of using a sheet of Lexan on top to keep the wood from getting nicked and gouged. I put a sheet on Arcade 1.0's CP but it didn't really need it since it was made up of sheetmetal. This time though, I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to slap one on the top of this CP.





After everything was screwed and secured, I found another little problem with my handywork. When the CP was laid into place, it was a bit of a squeeze either because the cut made by the guy at the hardware store wasn't entirely straight, or I had mis-aligned my screw holes and mounted the hinge with a slight angle (though I'd like to blame it on the hardware guy myself..... )



No worries though. After a bit of sanding and trimming with a file, it was a good snug fit all around and latches as if it came straight from Midway. I'm going to hold off on drilling the button and J-stick holes though until I have the CP overlay printed. The last thing I need is to spend $60+ on printed artwork, only to find out my hole pattern on the overlay doesn't match my pre-drilled CP. I figure the best way to ensure everything lines up is to wait until I receive the artwork from Mamemarquees.com and then lay it on top of the panel and mark the holes then.
For now though, I'm going to have to wait though until I get the $110+ to send to Scott.

[Bones]

Everything is looking great Metalhead.

[M3talhead]

Thanks 'Bones.

I try to pay close attention to detail.

Its all about documentation. You can never take enough pictures.

[M3talhead]

Bummer.

After attaching all the hardware and admiring my work, I gave the CP a satisfying pound with my fist for a job well done and heard something I didnt want to........*CREEEAAACK*


Shitt.



I left my fist on the CP, shocked. I didnt even hit it that hard!!!!!!

"Please tell my I didn't just break the CP."




Yep.





But hey, look on the bright side, better to find how weak it is now than after I have a $60 laminate adhered to it, right?

[kenzo42]

Yeah, the whole getting smacked in the mouth with the racket really sucked. Luckily, the military took care of everything. I have a temp right now, but in about 2-3 weeks, I'll probably have it pulled and replaced with a false tooth.

DON'T LET THEM PULL THE TOOTH!!!!
i've saved WAY worse than that w/ 100% success. if they want to pull it, they are too lazy to save it (unless there is a vertical fracture or something else that i don't see in the pic). bridges fail often at the cost of the 2 other adjacent teeth (they can look bad too) and implants take ~8 months and 2 surgeries. besides, yours isn't even that bad.

sorry for the tangent, just looking out for my byoac'ers!

[M3talhead]

Yeah, the whole getting smacked in the mouth with the racket really sucked. Luckily, the military took care of everything. I have a temp right now, but in about 2-3 weeks, I'll probably have it pulled and replaced with a false tooth.

DON'T LET THEM PULL THE TOOTH!!!!
i've saved WAY worse than that w/ 100% success. if they want to pull it, they are too lazy to save it (unless there is a vertical fracture or something else that i don't see in the pic). bridges fail often at the cost of the 2 other adjacent teeth (they can look bad too) and implants take ~8 months and 2 surgeries. besides, yours isn't even that bad.

sorry for the tangent, just looking out for my byoac'ers!

Lol. Post an arcade project and recieve free dental advice!!

Only at BYOAC......LOL



Well I'm not 100% sure if they're going to pull it or not. They said that in a few weeks I'd have to go back and get it evaluated. Personally, I'd rather them save the tooth and put a cap or crown or whatever you call it on there. The broken piece actually had several smaller cracks in it, making it look worse than it really was. On the up side, the temporary repair looks pretty good. Most people think that the small break in the reattached piece was where tooth broke off, but I have to point out that it was much closer to the gumline.

Anyway, no dental procedure is going to make it look any worse, so I'm all for it. 

[tommy]

Lol. Post an arcade project and recieve free dental advice!! 

Only at BYOAC......LOL



You have your teeth all over your project thread. 


Im very surpised that wood cracked so easy, do you try to bite it or something. 

I do like the way you describe your project as it happens and show pictures of you working ,it looks decently professional. A+ on presentation.

[M3talhead]

Progress on Arcade 2.0 ("VersuS"), has come to a halt now that my desktop PC's motherboard has fried. It seems that Dell has been having issues with Dimension 4700 boards go out for no reason shortly after the 1 year warranty expires, but have not made the decision to recall any of them because 1) its an electronic component, and 2) it does not affect enough of their business to make it worth their while.

Well my friends, it has affected me!

With no motherboard, I have not running PC other than my laptop. All the PS files I planned on printing through Mamemarquees.com are now locked away on the HDD until my new replacement mobo arrives (which should be in about 3-4 weeks).

Living out in the middle of nowhere really sucks.....

[Timstuff]

Metalhead, I got a coin door off of ebay about 2 weeks ago, and I used your instructions for restoring it. It turned out great! All that was left to do was to wash the plastic parts and replace the locks, and now she's all set. Thanks for posting that info!

[rohan]

Awesome cab; bummer about the mobo.  I remember being an E-4 in the Air Force dorms with 4 cabs in my room...They thought I was crazy.  Don't trust military dentists as they are incompetent.  Be stern with them, or they'll try all kinds of unnecessary stuff that could really hurt.  I now have wierd scrapes along my teeth near the gumline because some dental tech thought it would be o.k. to try to remove plaque with a drill(I am not making this up)  Couldn't you just interface your laptop with the cab in the meantime? I know I wouldn't be able to wait.

[M3talhead]

Metalhead, I got a coin door off of ebay about 2 weeks ago, and I used your instructions for restoring it. It turned out great! All that was left to do was to wash the plastic parts and replace the locks, and now she's all set. Thanks for posting that info!

You're the first person I know that enjoyed my article enough to put it to practice. Glad to hear I could contribute to the hobby.

I'm not sure whether or not I was entirely clear on the status of my PC. It was my desktop mobo that died, not the new mame board. That one is tucked away nice and neat in the belly of Arcade 2.0 (of which I'll take more pictures of soon....).

With the desktop out of comission, I cant get to any of my files or programs. The only thing I keep on my laptop is the OS, Firefox, Jet Audio, and Zone Alarm. Its a very basic setup since I never really planned on using it as a backup machine. I found a replacement mobo on eBay fot $100 and clicked that "Buy it now" button like it was Brook Burke! Hopefully, the seller has sent it out so I can get it by the end of May.

But like I said, without that mobo I cant continue progress:

No mobo = No HDD
No HDD = No Photoshop images
No Photoshop images = No files to have printed
No files to have printed = No CP overlay
No CP overlay = No hardware mount points
No hardware mount points = No joysticks/buttons
No joysticks/buttons = No Ipac wiring to do
No Ipac wiring to do = Nothing to work on.....

[M3talhead]

Wow, 20 days without an update seems like an eternity.

There is light at the end of the tunnel though. I got my new motherboard and case yesterday and got everything back up and running. I also sent Scott @ Mame Marquees my artwork for printing and he said they should turn out really well.

I guess the only thing left to say is.........."I'm back!"

[Timstuff]

Yay!

[AceTKK]

cheers!

[M3talhead]

Not much news today other than an email I recieved saying the atwork has shipped from Mamemarques.com. I still need to get a replacement control panel. Maybe I'll do that this weekend.

[M3talhead]

YAY! Updates!

I recieved my package of artwork in the mail today (from Mamemarquees). I can finally get back to work on Arcade 2.0.

I was disappointed. I ordered 3 pieces (a marquees, sideart, and CP), but the colors on the CP and logo panel were a lot more faded than what I had anticipated. The marquee on the other hand, seemed to have a blueish/purple tint , even though the artwork I submitted used no blue at all (only reds, yellows, and black). I'm almost certain its a printing issue, because when I made all 3 pieces in Photoshop, I created a background template for all 3 just for this reason. I wanted all the colors to be the same on all 3 pieces.



As soon as I get done writing this update, I'll shoot Scott an email and see if we can figured out what happened and if there's anything we can do to get the next one right.

After wiping down the front of the CP, I applied the logo sheet.

Before:




After:


You can see how the colors look a little "washed out" in the picture above.



I cut the holes out for the piano hinge bolts......



A little trimming.....



....mounted the hinge hardware....



And the final result.


I'll work on the CP tonight. I first need to decide if its worth priming the MDF I bought for the control panel before I apply the laminate, or to just put it on there as it is.

[AceTKK]

I would definitely get in touch with Scott right away and find out what went wrong.  Those prints are not in line with the quality of work he's done before.  I don't mean to be rude, but those look BAD.  Hopefully you guys can work something out.

-Ace-

[M3talhead]

I've been emailing Scott back and forth about the artwork. He's really a stand-up guy and has been very helpful. After I sent him the pictures and explained to him the situation, he said he sees what the problem was and is going to tweak his machine this week and get back to me.

[Wade]

I didn't read the entire thread but was there a reason you used pine instead of plywood?  Plywood is much stronger than ordinary pine and wouldn't have broken.  On the bright side if you glue and clamp the crack it can be repaired as good as new.

Wade

[M3talhead]

Well, the problem was, I needed a control panel, but live in an apartment and dont have the tools/room for a tablesaw or any other real powertools. When I went to the local hardware store, there were some pre-cut pieces of wood used for modular shelving. One of the shelves happened to be the exact same dimensions as my CP.  I also thought that if I put laminate and lexan over it, it would protect it from scratches and knicks. I knew it would be soft, but I didnt know it would be THAT soft.  Since then I've managed to get a piece of MDF cut and shaped to my specifications.