CP Sketcher-Version 2.1 coming soon... with a part editor.

[Tahnok]

CP Sketcher is a program created to design arcade control panels. It allows you to sketch up a design using real parts and then build it using the plans it creates.

Features:
* Design with real parts
* Ability to create a real CP using position information
* Export high resolution bitmaps
* Custom background images
* And More...


Link to the program's page (with more info):
http://creditbutton.atspace.com/CPSketch.html

Direct Download:
http://www.downloadcounter.com/cgi-bin/download.pl?username=tahnok100&account=12

Filesize: 1.47 MB
Current Version: 2.0

Credits:
Created by: Tahnok100
Part Graphics by: Frosty
N_Menu.dll (Win32 Menus) by: Nintendofreak88
BZToolbar.dll (Win32 Toolbar) by: BZGaming

Hope this helps someone,
Tahnok100



A split version is now available for those who can't download large files.
Split version of the above file:
Part 1
Filesize: 500 KB
http://www.rocketsoft.gm-school.uni.cc/uploads/CPSketcher_Setup_Part1.zip

Part 2
Filesize: 500 KB
http://www.rocketsoft.gm-school.uni.cc/uploads/CPSketcher_Setup_Part2.zip

Part 3
Filesize: 500 KB
http://www.rocketsoft.gm-school.uni.cc/uploads/CPSketcher_Setup_Part3.zip

Part 4
Filesize: 16 KB
http://www.rocketsoft.gm-school.uni.cc/uploads/CPSketcher_Setup_Part4.zip

[Buddabing]

Wow, wow, and more wow.

Would you consider working with me to make this part of the CPMaker package?

We would have to make your output human-readable, add support for background images, and use Frostillicus' control panel image library. We also would need to add a way of converting your image coordinates to pixels.

I have been waiting and waiting for someone to create an application to do this, I didn't want to do it myself.

What language is your code written in, and what libraries do you use?

[Tahnok]

Wow, wow, and more wow.

Would you consider working with me to make this part of the CPMaker package?

We would have to make your output human-readable, add support for background images, and use Frostillicus' control panel image library. We also would need to add a way of converting your image coordinates to pixels.

I have been waiting and waiting for someone to create an application to do this, I didn't want to do it myself.

What language is your code written in, and what libraries do you use?

Thanks! I wasn't sure if other people would like it's style.

CPMaker? I'm not familiar with it. I looked at the site in your sig, but it does not say anything about what it actually does.

Output human readable? Background images is actually something that I was planning on, it shouldn't be very hard. Frostillicus' images are very impressive, but I would prefer to use my own, just to keep things simple. The utility already works on pixel coordinates, it wouldn't be hard to print them to a file.

[Buddabing]

Wow, wow, and more wow.

Would you consider working with me to make this part of the CPMaker package?

We would have to make your output human-readable, add support for background images, and use Frostillicus' control panel image library. We also would need to add a way of converting your image coordinates to pixels.

I have been waiting and waiting for someone to create an application to do this, I didn't want to do it myself.

What language is your code written in, and what libraries do you use?

Thanks! I wasn't sure if other people would like it's style.

CPMaker? I'm not familiar with it. I looked at the site in your sig, but it does not say anything about what it actually does.

Output human readable? Background images is actually something that I was planning on, it shouldn't be very hard. Frostillicus' images are very impressive, but I would prefer to use my own, just to keep things simple. The utility already works on pixel coordinates, it wouldn't be hard to print them to a file.

CPMaker is a utility which takes images of control panel parts, combined with the user's ctrlr file, a panel file with descriptions of all controls and where they are on the panel, and a label layout file from either CPViewer or Johnny 5, and creates, on the fly, a control panel image with all active buttons labeled with the function the buttons do in the game, and all inactive controls dimmed out.

As an example, let's say you have a 2-player, 6 button panel. If you're playing pacman, all thr buttons will be dimmed out. For Donkey Kong, all the player 2 buttons will be dim and all but one of the player one buttons will be dim. The player 1 button would be labeled "Jump".

The concept behind CPMaker was Howard_Casto's idea. There's some technical discussion in this thread.

I've incorporated CPMaker into my own MAME build, which I call BuddaMAME. It also incorporates my MAME Movie Maker utility. CPMaker can be built as a standalone program to create the images, or can be compiled into MAME and can display the images whenever pause is pressed.

I hope that you would be able to directly use my panel file layout format. Or you could give me the file format to your program so I could write a converter program.

I plan on having a web page where you can play with CPMaker interactively, but there are currently some technical glitches with it.

[Tahnok]

All right, I understand. So what do you want my program to do? From what I have gathered, you want people to be able to layout there controls on my program. Then load them into your program, which will dynamically create an image with the correct controls, correct?

If so, it shouldn't be too hard. Though I can nearly guarantee you that I won't be able to export the files in the format that you want, I don't really have experience with such things. Please tell me what information must be given on the export, I will see what I can do.

[Buddabing]

All right, I understand. So what do you want my program to do? From what I have gathered, you want people to be able to layout there controls on my program. Then load them into your program, which will dynamically create an image with the correct controls, correct?

If so, it shouldn't be too hard. Though I can nearly guarantee you that I won't be able to export the files in the format that you want, I don't really have experience with such things. Please tell me what information must be given on the export, I will see what I can do.

Here's a sample control panel file with a trackball, a 4/8 way switchable joystick, and three buttons. It's a simple comma-delimited text file.

Code: [Select]

; Panel 2: switchable 4/8 way joystick, three buttons, and a trackball.
;
startpanel,panel2,
controller,panel2.cfg,
;layout,panel2.lay,
template,template.png,
numplayers,1,
;layout,panel2.lof,
;template,template3.jpg,
;
; This joystick is 4-8 way switchable, so put in two 'control' entries,
; one for each control type.
;
control,joy8way,170,160,blackjoystick.png,dimblackjoystick.png,P1_JOYSTICK_UP,P1_JOYSTICK_DOWN,P1_JOYSTICK_LEFT,P1_JOYSTICK_RIGHT,
control,joy4way,170,160,blackjoystick.png,dimblackjoystick.png,P1_JOYSTICK_UP,P1_JOYSTICK_DOWN,P1_JOYSTICK_LEFT,P1_JOYSTICK_RIGHT,
control,p1button,330,180,blackbutton.png,dimblackbutton.png,KEYCODE_LCONTROL,
control,p1button,390,180,blackbutton.png,dimblackbutton.png,KEYCODE_LALT,
control,p1button,450,180,blackbutton.png,dimblackbutton.png,KEYCODE_SPACE,
control,trackball,580,140,whitetrackball.png,dimwhitetrackball.png,P1_TRACKBALL_X,P1_TRACKBALL_X_EXT,P1_TRACKBALL_Y,P1_TRACKBALL_Y_EXT,
;
; start and coin buttons
;
control,p1start,300,50,p1start.png,dimp1start.png,KEYCODE_1,
control,p2start,500,50,p2start.png,dimp2start.png,KEYCODE_2,
control,p1coin,400,50,greenbutton.png,dimgreenbutton.png,KEYCODE_5,
;
; labels
label,KEYCODE_LCONTROL,0.3560371,0.367688,0.1089783,4.052925E-02,-65536,-16711936,Times New Roman,18,2,
label,KEYCODE_LALT,0.4303406,0.2318942,0.1089783,4.052925E-02,16777215,16777215,Times New Roman,18,2,Bold,Italic,
label,KEYCODE_SPACE,0.5,0.367688,0.1213622,4.052925E-02,16777215,16777215,Times New Roman,14,2,Italic,
;
endpanel,panel2,

You can eliminate the comments (lines starting with a semicolon) if you want.

I am willing to change the format of the panel file, but it's got to be human-readable text, so that it will be machine and OS-independent, and  so that other programs and people can edit it.

If you can support labels, background images and associating keycodes to buttons, your application would be a virtually perfect design tool for CPMaker. Even without the labels and keycodes, it would still be useful and a big timesaver for anyone creating CPMaker panel files.

The only thing I've got to have is a readable output file.

[quarterback]

Here's a little utility I created to help with designing CPs. Right now it supports Happ and Ultimarc parts. All of them are scaled correctly.

That's freakin' awesome.  I like it much better than the flash program.

Questions:
I don't understand all of the 'toggled' icons at the top of the screen.  Specifically, the red diagonal arrow and the one to the right of that with the arrow that points up, down, right, or left.  What do those do?

The option to toggle the underneath view versus the topside view is GREAT!

The only other thing that pops in my mind is that I'd like to be able to draw the edges/shape of my actual CP.  Can it do that now?  If so, I couldn't figure it out.  If not, that'd be a great addition.

Thanks!

[Tahnok]

Buddabing, I think I understand it. It

[Buddabing]

Buddabing, I think I understand it. It

[MrSaLTy]

Quarterback.....

Looks like the red arrow when toggled on snaps placed objects to the grid.  Haven't figured out the other yet.  Prolly in the help but I was to lazy to read that yet.   

[Tahnok]

Quarterback.....

Looks like the red arrow when toggled on snaps placed objects to the grid.  Haven't figured out the other yet.  Prolly in the help but I was to lazy to read that yet.   

It's also in my post above, the other one is rotation. The help file is rather short right now, the most helpful thing is the toolbar image.

[EndTwist]

Any chance you could make it possible to resize the area for the control panel? It would be nice to be able to set the window to the size (demensions) of my control panel.

[Tahnok]

Any chance you could make it possible to resize the area for the control panel? It would be nice to be able to set the window to the size (demensions) of my control panel.

Yes, I think I will try to work out the bugs for this in the next release.

BTW, next release will probably not have the export for CPMaker function. This function will require quite a bit of work I there are a few things I need to change before I can even think about it.

[Tahnok]

Just thought I would let everyone know that the new version of CP Sketcher is being worked on. It will probably still be about a month though until it is released (it doesn't help that I'm leaving for two weeks).

I am quite excited about how the new version is coming along. I think the program is about to cross the line between being something to just play around with and being something that you can actually design and build a CP with.

Among other small things, the new version will include:

• Updated graphics (just got permission earlier today to use frosty's great CP graphics !).
• Export higher resolution bitmaps (twice the resolution of those shown in the screen below).
• Display/export/set part positions in inches or pixels.
• New saving system saves into plain text file (saved CPs could be used in other programs).
• New easy to use menu systems
• New color menu allows for more precise settings and preset colors
• Custom CP size and backgrounds (still working the bugs out of this).
• More customization to parts (including modifying parts after they have been placed)

If anybody has suggestions, now is the time to make them.

Finally, attached is a screenshot to give you an idea of how the new version will look.

Enjoy,
Tahnok100

[AlanS17]

Could we see support for other joysticks? Alot of people use Sanwas around here now.

[Tahnok]

Sanwahs eh? I can't say I am familiar with them. I will gladly support them, if someone could point me towards measurements. I just need something like those found on the Happs site that shows the mounting.

[Lilwolf]

I can't test this (at work)... but does it print?

I would love to see a program that had a print option... where each image would be replace with the screw / center template.. So the joystick would show as a joystick in the app... but when printing, it would change it to the drilling template for that same joystick... And with center lines.  Something that you could then tape on your control panel.. + an exacto knife... and a few minutes later you've marked your control panel to be drilled.

It would just take printing to scale (not sure how hard it is to force this) and maybe making it so you can print to multiple sheets... Then having a seperate image for each control type... and maybe adding a few extra line up lines...

Anyway, a cool feature if it could be done.

[Tahnok]

It does not print, but the new version will give measurements to the center of parts. From these, it would be quite easy to create the panel. I think trying to print them would be a pain, far more effort than its worth.

[AlanS17]

I'll second the printing option.

[Tahnok]

Creating a printing option in the program is far too much work, I will never create it. But, it should be possible to export an image that could than be opened in paint and printed.

I need some details though from someone with more experience than me. At what resolution does MS Paint print? I don't see any way to change it, so I'm guessing that it is always the same, right? Does it reliably print the same size across all windows?

Anyway, if I do get a to-scale export feature going, it will be after I release 2.0.

AlanS17, if you could kindly point me in the direction of some information regarding Sanwas, it would be of great help implementing them. Searches have found nothing on them, but I know I have at least heard of them before.

[Dire Radiant]

I'm not familiar with how the program handles data for the parts but would it be possible to add parts to existing builds? If so you could release "part packs" as new parts become available and/or popular.

[Tahnok]

I'm not familiar with how the program handles data for the parts but would it be possible to add parts to existing builds? If so you could release "part packs" as new parts become available and/or popular.

Each part is a child class to the super "master_part" class. This makes such an idea kind of difficult. I have considered it though and even worked on the algorithm a bit for a dynamic part. I think I will have to do a bit more research before I can get it going though.

Any part requests? I'm kind of surprised that no one has ever asked for a spinner. I would add one, but I'm quite unfamiliar with them. Could someone point me in the direction of some measurements so I can create the underside sprite?

[AllisterFiend]

I'm not familiar with how the program handles data for the parts but would it be possible to add parts to existing builds? If so you could release "part packs" as new parts become available and/or popular.

Any part requests? I'm kind of surprised that no one has ever asked for a spinner. I would add one, but I'm quite unfamiliar with them. Could someone point me in the direction of some measurements so I can create the underside sprite?

here is a link to Oscar's V2 Push Pull spinner webpage. (dimensions at bottom of page), I could not provide a link for the picture itself.

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/V2/index.htm

Later,
Allister Fiend

[AlanS17]

AlanS17, if you could kindly point me in the direction of some information regarding Sanwas, it would be of great help implementing them. Searches have found nothing on them, but I know I have at least heard of them before.

Here's a link to the arcadedepot.com website that has dimensions for a few of the parts they offer. I can't speak for their accuracy, but it's a commercial venture so they ought to be done right. It's a start. I'll keep scouring for more parts.

[Tahnok]

AlanS17, if you could kindly point me in the direction of some information regarding Sanwas, it would be of great help implementing them. Searches have found nothing on them, but I know I have at least heard of them before.

Here's a link to the arcadedepot.com website that has dimensions for a few of the parts they offer. I can't speak for their accuracy, but it's a commercial venture so they ought to be done right. It's a start. I'll keep scouring for more parts.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think you included the link. I checked out arcadedepot.com and I'm assuming that you are referring to the "Standard Joysticks with Cherry Micro-Switches", right? They look an awful lot like the Happ "Super joystick". Can anyone confirm they are the same? If so, I think I will list them under that name rather than Sanwas, since that is the current standard in the program.

AllisterFiend, OK, the V2 will be in the next release.

[Tahnok]

Hey, guess what today is. Yup, a month since I said it would be ready in a month. As you may have guessed, it is not done yet (what do you want for free?). I thought I would give an update though.

The program is almost finished, just working out some bugs and small features. I have yet to add most of the new parts though and I'm hoping to make the help file more helpful. I really can't say when it will be ready for release.

I think overall that the program has become very powerfull. There are many small functions that I have not mentioned that make the program very easy to use.

To show that the program is indeed moving forward, attached are a couple of screenshots. The first is from the new "export high resolution BMP" function and the second is of the program in action.

Edit: Looks like the forum doesn't like the first picture, it's too wide. I will try to get a resized image up later.
Edit: All right, the new picture is up.
Edit: I fixed the main bug I was running into and the program is nearly finished. It should be up very soon.

[Tahnok]

CP Sketcher 2.0 now available!

You can now download the software at www.CreditButton.net.tc or directly at:

http://www.downloadcounter.com/cgi-bin/download.pl?username=tahnok100&account=12

More information, features list, parts list and final screenshots can be found at www.CreditButton.net.tc.

I would love to hear what you guys think of it, please reply.

Please report any bugs to me.

Enjoy,
Tahnok100

[Dariusz]

Good Job,

Could I ask what are the WIP features you working on or planning on adding?

Dariusz

[Howard_Casto]

I hate to ask, but did you get frostilicious's permission to use those graphics?   

They aren't exactly public domain you know. 

[MiKman]

I hate to ask, but did you get frostilicious's permission to use those graphics?

[Reverend_Dan]

Great bit of software.

Found a tiny bug, if you click on the help icon more than once it spawns multiple copies of it.

Could you make an export to bitmap function with the under CP view and possibly with the gridlines on, that way i can just resize the grid to 1" in photo shop and print it out paste and drill

thanks, much better than the flash one

[Tahnok]

Thanks everyone.

Could I ask what are the WIP features you working on or planning on adding?

At the moment, I'm not planning anything. I have some other projects that I'm working on, so it will probably be a while until I do anything more than bug fixes and part additions.

I hate to ask, but did you get frostilicious's permission to use those graphics?   

Yes, I did indeed get his permission. He was very cool about letting me use them.

Found a tiny bug, if you click on the help icon more than once it spawns multiple copies of it.

Could you make an export to bitmap function with the under CP view and possibly with the gridlines on, that way i can just resize the grid to 1" in photo shop and print it out paste and drill
 

Oh, OK, I didn

[Frostillicus]

This is simply awesome.  WOW. 

What a great tool - outputs a bitmap and everything.  I will definitely use this for my next cab (probably gonna keep it simple this time...  ).

I have some questions but it's probably just me not being familiar with the software enough...anyways:
I set a size of 24"wide by 12"high.  I went to export BMP (not the hi-res one).  Photoshop opened it but the image was actually only 6.333"wide by 3.167" high.  Without resampling the image, I could resize it to the correct size of 24x12 by changing the dpi to 19.  Is this intentional - not complaining since it was easy to upconvert it to at least 72dpi and the correct size - just wondering if I was missing something.  The highres option, like your help file says, is twice the size of the regular export.

But all that aside -  thanks for taking the time to write this tool, it's sure to become a favorite for everyone. 

 

[Buddabing]

Would you please send me a copy of any documentation you have regarding your file format?

It will save me a lot of effort reverse-engineering it. 

[Tahnok]

I have some questions but it's probably just me not being familiar with the software enough...anyways:
I set a size of 24"wide by 12"high.  I went to export BMP (not the hi-res one).  Photoshop opened it but the image was actually only 6.333"wide by 3.167" high.  Without resampling the image, I could resize it to the correct size of 24x12 by changing the dpi to 19.  Is this intentional - not complaining since it was easy to upconvert it to at least 72dpi and the correct size - just wondering if I was missing something.  The highres option, like your help file says, is twice the size of the regular export.

No, you are not doing anything wrong. Unfortunately, the program does not export to real scale. The target scale is indeed 19 pixels to an inch. I have gotten quite a few requests for this; perhaps I will look into it. It will be difficult though since it will require greater precision than the current graphics (mainly, drill holes).

Would you please send me a copy of any documentation you have regarding your file format?

It will save me a lot of effort reverse-engineering it. 

Actually, I knew a few people would ask me about that, so I included it in the help manual. It

[Dariusz]

Thanks tahnok100 for you feedback.

I found a few other bug.

I running XP with all service patches. CP froze on me when creating my own panel when turning on 'show under CP' then turning it off after some other editing was done. Also the tool bar icons do not work for me.

I do have some sugestions for yoiu new release if you wish to include. These are

1. Have a metric option. other than imperial. You may find you response in the previous post easier to do!
2. Is there are way of importing other devices?
3. Is it possible to convert the format to a CAD? This way panels can be laser cut.
4. Is it possible to round edges of the control panner to what ever radius the user wants? that was its easier to design a CP for T moulding.
5. Can you include a schedule that list the hole drill sizes for each device on a panel.


Question: How does show positions work. Are the reserences in Inches, and what is the reference point to measure from?.

Well thanks and keep up the good work.

Dariusz

[Tahnok]

I found a few other bug.

I running XP with all service patches. CP froze on me when creating my own panel when turning on 'show under CP' then turning it off after some other editing was done. Also the tool bar icons do not work for me.

I do have some sugestions for yoiu new release if you wish to include. These are

1. Have a metric option. other than imperial. You may find you response in the previous post easier to do!
2. Is there are way of importing other devices?
3. Is it possible to convert the format to a CAD? This way panels can be laser cut.
4. Is it possible to round edges of the control panner to what ever radius the user wants? that was its easier to design a CP for T moulding.
5. Can you include a schedule that list the hole drill sizes for each device on a panel.


Question: How does show positions work. Are the reserences in Inches, and what is the reference point to measure from?.

How strange, I will look into the bugs. The only XP machine I have though is my laptop, which can be rather hard to test on.

1: Being located in the US, I naturally use imperial. I have considered an option for metric units, but, at the time, it is impractical. I will still look into it though, seeing how it is the most asked for feature.

2: Not at this time. What exactly are you trying to import? I try to add most parts that people request. Importing objects was something that I tried to work the bugs out of for this release, but just didn't make it.

3: No, I don't think I will ever do this.

4: Well, yes and no. There isn't a part for it, like the edge one. But you can use the background image to make an edge. Just make you background image have the same color outside its shape as the outside of the CP (outside of CP color can be set in the ini file).

5: I don't think I'm following you. What exactly do you mean, schedule? As far as drill hole sizes; that would require a ton of research for each part. Most of the time, manufactures don't have that kind of information available except for their most popular parts.

Yes, the references, like the rest of the program, are in inches. It is to the center of the part from the upper left corner.

[Buddabing]

How does changing tints work?

When I have tried to change tints on a button image with Gimp, the edges usually get all messed up and it doesn't look like a button, for example.

How do you change the color on part of the button image and not on all of it?

For example, if I change the tint to all white, not all the button image becomes white. Part of it even stays black (the shadows around the edge)

Also, you might put in something a bit more friendly when a file fails to open, currently the program terminates. I think there are canned dialogs for that.

[Tahnok]

How does changing tints work?

When I have tried to change tints on a button image with Gimp, the edges usually get all messed up and it doesn't look like a button, for example.

How do you change the color on part of the button image and not on all of it?

For example, if I change the tint to all white, not all the button image becomes white. Part of it even stays black (the shadows around the edge)

Also, you might put in something a bit more friendly when a file fails to open, currently the program terminates. I think there are canned dialogs for that.

I think the problem is that you are trying to tint it from black, I tint it from white. If you set the color of a part to 255,255,255 you will see the original graphic. That is how all of the graphics work, none of them change only part of it. It's actually a good thing that black does not change color too much, since it is used for things like dust covers.

I meant to include something like what I did with a missing background file for the open menu. I guess I forgot about it though.

[Tahnok]

I uploaded a split version of the main file and updated the main post with more information.

I've been working on a new version of the program with a part editor. School is keeping me pretty busy, but it should be out soon.