Mark's Multipanel Project

[Tiger-Heli]

Having the analog joystick active is what is causing the problems with the Trackball as you suspected.  Since all of the games I am playing with the GP-WIZ 49way joystick use digital inputs for joystick directions, do you know if JOYtoKEY also translates the joystick directions into keyboard strokes (like left arrow, right arrow)?  I have tried this program and it works pretty well on the buttons, but I didn't try to map the joystick movements yet.  Also, I loaded up RBJoy, but it was at 3 in the morning and it wasn't apparent how to map the modifier keys like CTL, ALT, SPACE. 

Mark,
Specifically, what games are not responding with the trackball when you disable the analog axis inputs?  (I would like to do some testing.)
   
I had a similar problem with trackball games and an analog joystick using the gameport.  I blamed it on the archaic gameport interface.   The solution for me was to either disable joystick input or unplug the joystick, but I think that would disable all the buttons on the GPWiz49.  I don't have a GPWiz49, but I think I could model what's happening with a USB PC joystick and a mouse.

Also - to disable the axis - are you setting it to NONE?   Try setting it to R or E or some other seldom used keyboard key.  I think it is possible that MAME assigns the mouse to that input and if it is set to NONE, the mouse is disabled.  I don't know if it's still true, but you didn't used to be able to change mouse assignments.  For example, in Ikari, I can go into the inputs menu and assign P1B1 to A/D X-Axis + and moving the joystick left would fire a shot, but I couldn't spin the mouse and have a left mouse spin fire a shot.  Even with MAME Analog Plus - I could change which mouse or axis made the player spin, but I couldn't make the mouse control a different function.

As far as an easy setup fix, MAME has changed controller schemes about 3 times in the last two dozen revisions and I haven't kept up.  There used to be a trackball.ini or mouse.ini or something setting that you could use for all games using the mouse.  There probably is still something similar.  Try visiting EasyEmu.

[markrvp]

Tiger:

I think the analog/trackball problem was a setup problem.  Although in Mame32 I did a global settings change for all roms to enable analog joystick support and mouse support, evidently games that had a previous configuration did not pick those settings up.  Alas, my games that weren't seeing the trackball did not have mouse support enabled.

That brings me to my next question.  Now that I'm using the GP-Wiz 49, all my games need to be reset.  What global change do I need to make (to the main .ini or .cfg file) to make all games have mouse support and analog joystick support?  What .ini or .cfg files do I need to delete for games that have already been set individually?

[Tiger-Heli]

I think the analog/trackball problem was a setup problem.  Although in Mame32 I did a global settings change for all roms to enable analog joystick support and mouse support, evidently games that had a previous configuration did not pick those settings up.  Alas, my games that weren't seeing the trackball did not have mouse support enabled.

Well that's actually good new, as far as I'm concerned.  I was thinking there was a problem with the GP-Wiz49 and trackball games, but it sounds like just a configuration error.

That brings me to my next question.  Now that I'm using the GP-Wiz 49, all my games need to be reset.  What global change do I need to make (to the main .ini or .cfg file) to make all games have mouse support and analog joystick support?  What .ini or .cfg files do I need to delete for games that have already been set individually?

Okay, I rarely use MAME32 and MAME has changed input file formats about three times over the last 15 releases or so.

What to do depends on how much customization you have done already.  I looked at my test build's C:\mame32\ini\centiped.ini file and it says:

### centiped ###
window 1
mouse 1

I think you can either delete all the gamename.ini files (which will make them refer to mame32.ini settings), but you will lose any custom resolutions, artwork on/off etc. settings you might have made.

OR,

You can manually edit each file to say

mouse 1
joystick 1

And after that you still might need to delete your MAME32/cfg/gamename.cfg files to get rid of custom keyassignments, which will also delete your custom dipswitch settings.

At least as I see it.

[markrvp]

This project isn't dead; I got sidetracked building Ryan's Minipacman.

Controls update: 

I have decided on P360s for my fighter panel.  I have bought a pair from Flinkly who graciously sold them to me for less than he would have liked.

For the LS-30/Assault/Tron panel I have ordered complete 49-way trigger grips from 1up.  It will probably be another couple of weeks before he has these built and is ready to ship.  Money is starting to run out so I went with the GP-Wiz 49 Ecos with the IDE header.  I will document the wiring on this once I get started on the panel.

As soon as I get the P360s I will go ahead and build the fighter panel as I have everything else I need to finish it.

I really like the laminated adhesive vinyl for the control panel overlays that I used on Ryan's Minipacman.  I think I will be scrapping Lexan for all future control panels.  I now view it as an unnecessary hassle and expense.  But please don't take that as a slam on Lexan - if I didn't have the ability to laminate the art, I would still use it.  I just prefer the look, feel, and ease of application of the laminated vinyl.

After the summer, I will add another 49-way to the Single Player Panel I already built.  It will replace the Wico 8-way which I will put with 3 other Wicos in a 2-player Smash TV panel.

[jcoleman]

Bumping b/c I'm wondering how/if this project is coming along, plus I'm using a similar layout (to the 4-player panel) for my next project, and also to recommend roller latches to hold the panel in place...see

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=19561.0

for an example. 

Interestingly, it seems I thought of markrvp's second layout/plan first, while he thought of MY second layout/plan first.  Perhaps it's true that great minds think alike... 

[markrvp]

Great minds do think alike.

I've gotten sidetracked on this project for a few reasons.

1.  It was hot as hell this summer (I'm in Texas) and I couldn't stand to go out to the garage.

2.  I put together another cabinet at home that I mounted the CP base to.  I just got it complete this past weekend (because it's not hot as hell anymore).

3.  I got the opportunity to put together an authentic Pacman cocktail table with arcade PCB and I've been working on that for the last two weeks.

4.  I'm still waiting for the Tron 49-way bases to get made.  1up's having trouble finding someone reliable to make them.  I'm hoping to get them by the end of the year.

Once I get the 49-way Tron bases then the next panel I'll build is the one with the two Tron sticks and the two LS-30s. 


I've kind of decided I don't like the 49-way in my single player panel.  I play a lot of Pacman & Donkey Kong and in DK Mario won't stop because the damn joystick won't return to center.  I've used lithium grease on the slides, I've beat the hell out of the grommet, but nothing seems to work.  I get the impression that the Williams 49-way sticks (if you can find one) work much better than the Happ.  Soooooo . . . I'll probably replace it with another Wico 8-way and add a 4-way reunion stick.   I don't think the 49-ways will be a problem with the Tron handles because they are supposed to have a heavier duty grommet installed.  We'll see.


Stay tuned!

[jcoleman]

How is that 49-way working for games that require analog controls?  Stuff like Paperboy, Road Runner, Return of the Jedi, Road Blasters, etc.?

Hm...I just realized those are all Atari games.  Based on pretty much the same hardware, no less.  Fascinating.

[markrvp]

I don't know, I haven't played those.  I really just play a hand full of the classics and Golden Tee Golf.  I guess that's reason 5 why I haven't built the rest of my panels.  I also always eat the same thing at a restaurant.  I just realized I'm very boring.  I'll try playing something new this weekend.

BTW, I just got in an order of Leafswitch buttons like Knievel used in his Neon Mame panel that I'll be putting in something.  I kind of have it in my mind to build a DEFENDER layout panel with additional left right buttons that I could use for Asteroids and Space Invaders.  (More Classics)

[KenToad]

Hey Mark,

  Your grommets haven't broken in yet?  Have you let any friends play?  I have some friends that are guaranteed to get the job done right. 

  I really don't have any trouble with the centering problem anymore, at least not that I'm noticing. 

  Your project is looking fab as always.  Remove the averagecade sig already.

Cheers,
KenToad

[subcriminal]

That's gotta be the best sig on here. Love the dissapointed smilie!
Dude, are you sponsored by de'walt or just loaded!

[Stobe]

I personally think Mark's sig is a little misleading.  I keep looking at his projects and fail to find anything "Average" about them. 

Perhaps I'm just hopeful.  Or else I might need to come up with a logo for my "BelowAverageCade".  (Or maybe better named "CantStickToOneProjectBecauseIGetTooManyNewIdeasFromBYOAC-cade"

-Stobe

[markrvp]

Your grommets haven't broken in yet?

[Timoe]

Do you have anymore pics of your multipanel base construction?

[Santoro]

Wow, I need to get out more, I just found this thread.  Man Mark, you've been busy!   Looks great!