Author Topic: Gamecreature Arcade: Exterior Complete (Read 18575 times)

gamecreature · « **on:** May 21, 2006, 10:04:17 pm »

I'm going to take an old Robotron (I think) cabinet and turn it into a Mame machine. I'm not concerned about the wiring (I made a desktop control panel previously) but the box has some dings and dents around the control panel that I hope I can get some helpful advice on cleaning up - wood putty should work, right? I'm going to cover it with a new overlay, but I know I should have a smooth surface underneath. At any rate, here's the raw materials:

IG-88 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 21, 2006, 10:19:43 pm »

A Robotron ?? Watch out.....you might catch some

for that.

gamecreature · « **Reply #2 on:** May 21, 2006, 10:32:55 pm »

Quote from: IG-88 on May 21, 2006, 10:19:43 pm

A Robotron ?? Watch out.....you might catch some for that.

Trust me, I would never deface a gem like a Robotron. But as you can see from the picture, I'm not 100% sure what this thing started out as. But the construction on the inside is pretty solid, so maybe someone did something right in its past.

miles2912 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2006, 12:16:41 am »

People have used Wood Putty and bondo. I would leant towards wood putty for smaller dings and holes.. and just get some laytex gloves and pack it in there. Forget a putty knife. Bondo on the bigger gashes. Search for bondo there are a lot of great ideas and tricks.

D-

Dervacumen · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2006, 12:26:17 am »

I had a whole corner missing from mine and I used wood filler. Built it up over 5 or six coats letting it dry a couple of days in between each application and then sanded off and shaped the excess. Works great.

SuperGunGuru · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2006, 02:22:59 am »

Quote from: IG-88 on May 21, 2006, 10:19:43 pm

A Robotron ?? Watch out.....you might catch some for that.

Heh I wouldn't think so since this one is already converted. Some might feel differently though.

I can't tell for sure, but that looks like a Williams style cab (maybe Joust?) You might find some kind of ID sticker on the inside of the cab or maybe on the back somewhere if you're curious what it started out as.

Havok · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2006, 08:31:32 am »

Looking at the cab in it's current condition, Mame away!

gamecreature · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2006, 09:53:53 am »

Thanks for the tips. The dings are pretty shallow so I'll go ahead with the woodputty. I'll check out the bondo threads, because I'll probably want to fill the old controller holes before drilling the new ones.

Speaking of threads, can you folks point me to some good ones on removing the side art and putting in some speakers? I've got an old PC sound system with a busted speaker - I'm thinking of salvaging the amp and just find some car speakers to add to the mix - that should work, right?

gamecreature · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2006, 10:56:38 am »

Turns out that taking off the decal was very easy. And I was able to confirm that this was indeed a robotron cabinet.

I'll see about removing the CPO next...

theCoder · « **Reply #9 on:** May 24, 2006, 02:21:52 am »

Quote from: miles2912 on May 22, 2006, 12:16:41 am

People have used Wood Putty and bondo. I would leant towards wood putty for smaller dings and holes.. and just get some laytex gloves and pack it in there. Forget a putty knife. Bondo on the bigger gashes. Search for bondo there are a lot of great ideas and tricks.

D-

I'd go with the Wood Putty. I recently filled a large 4x4 hole on my porch. I put in a backing plate, then a few layers of the stock stuff. I then watered some of it down a bit and used a wide putty knife (6" I think) to get it very thin smooth coat. Dervacumen is right regarding letting it dry a few days between coats.

gamecreature · « **Reply #10 on:** May 29, 2006, 10:16:16 pm »

One thing led to another and I'm going to make this a Gamecreature themed cabinet. Here's an initial sketch for the marquee (yes, it's inspired by Moon Patrol).

theCoder · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2006, 09:14:43 pm »

Quote from: gamecreature on May 29, 2006, 10:16:16 pm

One thing led to another and I'm going to make this a Gamecreature themed cabinet. Here's an initial sketch for the marquee (yes, it's inspired by Moon Patrol).

That has the potential to really rock. It also has the potential to take a huge amount of time. I take it you have a lot of experience with Photoshop or equivalent?

Thanks again for the input on the PartyBox sideart !

gamecreature · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2006, 10:01:00 pm »

Quote from: theCoder on May 30, 2006, 09:14:43 pm

Quote from: gamecreature on May 29, 2006, 10:16:16 pm
One thing led to another and I'm going to make this a Gamecreature themed cabinet. Here's an initial sketch for the marquee (yes, it's inspired by Moon Patrol).
That has the potential to really rock. It also has the potential to take a huge amount of time. I take it you have a lot of experience with Photoshop or equivalent?

Thanks again for the input on the PartyBox sideart !

Yep, I know my Photoshop. Project like this will take me a couple of weekends, depending on how much other stuff I need to finish. I've been using Photoshop and Illustrator for over a decade. I'm not very good with woodworking and power tools, but I think I make up for it with the pencil. Maybe when I finish this project I'll update the gallery on my website (here's a link to the old one).

But back to the marquee. I want to make it sort of tongue in cheek so I'll be using a lot of flat shading, similar to the screen-print look of the old marquees. I think it needs some focus on the right side, so I intend to add a fleet of ships, each piloted by a familiar character (only a dozen will be seen clearly).

gamecreature · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2006, 10:03:42 pm »

Here's the marquee with the space fleet:

gamecreature · « **Reply #14 on:** June 18, 2006, 08:49:41 pm »

I had the CPO printed at MameMarquees. Many trials and tribulations, but I got the thing reassembled. Don't know about the rest of the box, but the CP looks nice if I do say so myself.

Ninten-doh · « **Reply #15 on:** June 18, 2006, 09:01:03 pm »

That looks fantastic!

Crafty · « **Reply #16 on:** June 18, 2006, 09:27:45 pm »

Awesome effort !!!!

Can't wait to see more photos...

leapinlew · « **Reply #17 on:** June 18, 2006, 09:32:57 pm »

Very nice! Lookin good.

I tackle art last. It's not what I'm good at. What kind of color scheme is the overall cab going to be.

Also, is that polycarbonite?

MameMaster! · « **Reply #18 on:** June 18, 2006, 09:37:53 pm »

that control panel looks fantastic!

theCoder · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2006, 10:49:02 pm »

You've inspired me to revisit the artwork I'm planning on my project. I take it this is vinyl sticker material?

Very nice.

gamecreature · « **Reply #20 on:** June 18, 2006, 11:03:39 pm »

The CP is plywood from the original cab. I just laid the CPO on top of it. Yes, it's a vinyl print from MameMarquees and Scott did a fantastic job. I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Timoe · « **Reply #21 on:** June 18, 2006, 11:13:47 pm »

I too am happy with the way it turned out. It looks really slick. good for you!

gamecreature · « **Reply #22 on:** June 19, 2006, 09:48:51 am »

Quote from: theCoder on June 18, 2006, 10:49:02 pm

You've inspired me to revisit the artwork I'm planning on my project.

That's one of the reasons I post these things.

BTW, let me know if you need a hand. I find you can't go wrong if you've got a good color scheme. I use the color schemer frequently.

theCoder · « **Reply #23 on:** June 19, 2006, 10:57:38 am »

Quote from: gamecreature on June 19, 2006, 09:48:51 am

BTW, let me know if you need a hand.

You read my mind. I'll post a couple of drafts to my project blog later this week. Thanks for the offer.

BlinKY1337 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 19, 2006, 11:27:34 pm »

great job

psychopanda · « **Reply #25 on:** June 21, 2006, 12:04:43 pm »

Now, that's just Amazing!

I'll hopefully finish the art for my cab someday, but yours just knocks my socks off! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for Sideart.

gamecreature · « **Reply #26 on:** June 21, 2006, 12:14:33 pm »

Quote from: psychopanda on June 21, 2006, 12:04:43 pm

Now, that's just Amazing!

I'll hopefully finish the art for my cab someday, but yours just knocks my socks off! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for Sideart.

You know, I've been on the fence about covering up the Robotron paint, but it really doesn't match the rest of the art. (I hid the "W" and "2084" in the CP as an homage to it) After finishing the CP and the Marquee, my budget for printing art is pretty much blown, so it may be a few weeks (and a few freelance art projects) before I can scrape up the cash to get Scott at MameMarquees to print up some cool vinyl for the side. That should give me plenty of time to finalize my design.

On the plus side, I've got the artwork finished for my FE (I'm using Mala) and it's looking great. I'll upload it when I get home.

psychopanda · « **Reply #27 on:** June 21, 2006, 01:32:30 pm »

Ah cool, I've been thinking about using Mala too once I get everything together. Nice to know that I can add my own art.

Knievel · « **Reply #28 on:** June 21, 2006, 02:03:44 pm »

You've gotta get going on that cabinet.
Having that beautiful CP alongside that ratty t-molding is just WRONG.

gamecreature · « **Reply #29 on:** June 21, 2006, 02:48:34 pm »

Quote from: Knievel on June 21, 2006, 02:03:44 pm

You've gotta get going on that cabinet.
Having that beautiful CP alongside that ratty t-molding is just WRONG.

Yeah, I was going to order some from Arcade Shop when I ordered the CP molding, but I didn't know what color to get...

cyberphox · « **Reply #30 on:** June 21, 2006, 02:50:36 pm »

god that is cool artwork..I wish I could make something like that with a cartoon Fox for my theme

leapinlew · « **Reply #31 on:** June 21, 2006, 03:04:25 pm »

Poor Gamecreature...

This should've been the crowning glory to your machine. Being the first peice, now every peice after needs to be just as good - or better!

gamecreature · « **Reply #32 on:** June 21, 2006, 03:08:20 pm »

Quote from: cyberphox on June 21, 2006, 02:50:36 pm

god that is cool artwork..I wish I could make something like that with a cartoon Fox for my theme

You can't. But I can do it for you.

cyberphox · « **Reply #33 on:** June 21, 2006, 03:39:51 pm »

sounds good to me

leapinlew · « **Reply #34 on:** June 21, 2006, 05:01:03 pm »

You two get a room.

Lets get back to talking about how nice the CP is and how crappy the T-molding is.

cyberphox · « **Reply #35 on:** June 21, 2006, 09:29:05 pm »

lol...nice one

gamecreature · « **Reply #36 on:** June 21, 2006, 10:59:46 pm »

Quote from: leapinlew on June 21, 2006, 05:01:03 pm

You two get a room.

Lets get back to talking about how nice the CP is and how crappy the T-molding is.

One place in the whole cab where there's a chunk missing out of the T-molding and it happens to be next to the CP.

But yeah, it needs to be fixed.

Oh, and as promised, here's the Mala skin I put together:

leapinlew · « **Reply #37 on:** June 21, 2006, 11:20:00 pm »

Seriously... thats a nice skin. You did a good job with it. Isn't Mala awesome for making skins? Looks like your going Horizontal?

Looking at your game list... Did you know you can remove everything in brackets/parenthesis from all your games in 1 fell swoop? Just curious. I know setting up the roms can take some time.

DigDreams · « **Reply #38 on:** June 22, 2006, 12:24:42 am »

Your artwork is fantastic, are you a professional artisit/graphic designer? Also, I can't tell from looking at it - is that raster or vector?

- DigDreams

Crafty · « **Reply #39 on:** June 22, 2006, 03:52:19 am »

The artwork is top notch....

It sets the cabinet apart from others.


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