SO...here goes. CP Artwork feedback

[Naez]

Hi all

I have been working on this for quite some time now, even though its not that much to show the world. I think it shows more about my lack of Illustrator skills than anything else really...

Its just a basic multigame 2 Player Layout for the project called Arcticade.. (Dont know why.. I live in Sweden and I fould some cool green lights. basically.)

Have i missed anything obvious? I have planned for a few more "flipper" like buttons on the side of the CP, a 4 port USB-2 HUB integrated under the front for adding/removing guns, dancepads and what not....


So, what is still to do here?

*I have made a mockup... a few changes have to me made, really most minor adjustmenst to placing of buttons.

* Found these cooooool lights at IKEA.. cold.very flexible neon-like. I will aim to route out most of the drawn Neon and replace it with the IKEA stuff.

* I have  made the MDF version of the CP.. and of course it was not within my skillset to make it exactly as I had planned... so more adjustments here...sigh.

* More... yes more things not being as they should. I will have to replace the background picture with something else, since it is lowres...

* Also... I will have to finalise the measurements and have the thing printed so that I can mark my "routes" for the glow-wire or what you might call it.


So... anything else? Have I missed something obvious? anything really messed up and unplayable?

br

//Naez

[Bones]

Well I ain't no artist but that looks pretty bloody good.

I would reconsider your button configuration though. Try a search on 7 button layouts for more info.

But again, love the graphics.

[Naez]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep this in mind. I basically copied the buttonlayout from either GSXRMovistar or Motorfish, as I have both their CPLayouts, but I'll do a review of whats available on the forum.

Oh, I'll make the illustrator file available if anyone's interested.
 It have about 10 layers including both GSXRMovistar and Motorfish CP Layouts (found on the web so I hope it's ok guys....), separate layers for shadows, buttons and background image... lots of hours spent on that one.

happy hacking( be it hacksawing or C#).

//Naez

[Roughy]

I'd recommend moving your emulation/admin controls off of the CP.

In my case, I've got some extra space between my CP and the end of the UAII cab, so I'm bumping my CP back and adding a keylock cover over admin functions.

Long story short:

I keep my ESC and Pause keys on the CP and move coin1, coin2, tab, reset, cpu power, etc. all under that little keylock space.

Also in my case, it means that Daddy, who is also the keyholder, can play the game with his friends for free, yet any kids that come around have to be very, very good to me in order to get some of the delicious tokens that magically provide credits.

Just some thoughts.

[Roughy]

D'oh--and the art kicks ass, btw.

[Naez]

Thanks. I kind of like the art myself... Its either a choice of getting tihs picture highres or having an artist friend of mine drawing something... we will see how that goes.

Regarding the 7 button layout I do see the problem with this , but the design is quite nice and it gives the whole layout a smooth feel compared to the "standard" 7 button (2 rows of 3 and an extra button to the lower left)


as state before, I'll let you all know how things go

br

//Naez

[GreenKnight37]

I recognize that wire.  At least I believe I do.

Its technically called "El Wire" or electro-luminescent wire.  Check out http://www.elwire.com/ for some more information.  There are various dealers online if you need additional wire - do a bit of Google searching and you can get it pretty cheaply.

The only thing I would be worried about is the wire may lose its brightness over time, reducing the look of the cab.  You'll have to research the brightness issue.  I know if you have it hooked up to a strong power source, you should get consistent light, but I dont know what the shelf-life of those wires are.  ( I actually thought about using some on a cabinet as well but decided against it for the potential fading reason )

If you can accomplish it and it does not fade, it will look pretty sweet.  Just make sure that the wire fits snuggly in whatever lines you cut into your CP.  Excess space is just going to look like you did a shoddy job.  And, it will need to be relatively flush with the CP.  If it is raised it will either feel awkward or potentially get pulled up by accident.  Perhaps put some lexan over the wires (and artwork) ?

Either way, keep us updated and take pictures!

[Naez]

Looks nice. This specific wire was on sale at the local IKEA and ran me 99 Swedish KR (about 12 US$) for 10 meter length, including the 220V poweradaptor. .I plan to head back there and buy an additional one just in case this one fades or otherwise goes bad..

Current plan is to get some local printshop here in Gotheburg to cheaply print the CP as is, just so that I can mark the places where I need to route the "line" for the glowwire. The line will be a bit wider than the glowwire itself (not as in the photo... that's just an initial try) and the line will be a bit fuzzy around the edges. We'll see how this turns out, as I have no yet been able to start the routing yet.. to many sick kids, newyears eve... you get the picture.

I'll keep this post going regarding the CP progress.


br

//Naez

[muell67]

im curious to what is wrong with the 7 button layout. It looks like the one I was about to do for my control panel. I copied it from my candy cab.

[cyberphox]

please make illustrator files availabe

Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep this in mind. I basically copied the buttonlayout from either GSXRMovistar or Motorfish, as I have both their CPLayouts, but I'll do a review of whats available on the forum.

Oh, I'll make the illustrator file available if anyone's interested.
 It have about 10 layers including both GSXRMovistar and Motorfish CP Layouts (found on the web so I hope it's ok guys....), separate layers for shadows, buttons and background image... lots of hours spent on that one.

happy hacking( be it hacksawing or C#).

//Naez