Author Topic: New Bartop - 'BlackBox' - Completed! New Photos! (Read 27921 times)

DigDreams · « **on:** June 13, 2006, 03:58:34 pm »

This is my first attempt at a MAME cabinet, so I figured I'd start with a bartop. I wanted something that is a little "sleeker" than the boxy type styles I commonly see, so this one is modeled after an old computer design.

Originally I was going to do one that looked like an old commodore PET, but I wound up doing one that looks more like an old TRS-80 Model 3 than anything else.

I got the monitor sized up and just "drew around it" to get the most compact design. The best way I could figure not messing up the clearance was to use an actual picture of the monitor I am using (an old GoldStar 14" CRT I had lying around). It's design is actually very similar to the 'PixelBox' project on here, it's just much bigger.

I took a side shot, brought it in to PhotoShop, scaled it correctly, then verified all the measurements again to make sure. Following is the profile I came up with:

I won't be using t-molding, I am building it all to "seam up". The hinges will allow the whole top of the cabinet to fold down, allowing easy access to everything. It's 24" tall and 26" wide. Plywood for the base, and 3/8th MDF for the other panels. The monitor rests on two wooden dowells (the notch on the bottom made it perfect for that) and there are a few 1x1's and 4x1's used for bracing and support.

I had a bunch of computer parts laying around, so I wound up putting this together:

Ninten-doh · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:20:39 pm »

Hey, nice start. I have a lot of those same parts waiting for my bartop project to begin....when I have a moment to catch my breath from my job that is. I'll be watching this thread with mucho interest!

javeryh · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2006, 04:49:07 pm »

Wow looks great so far - keep the pics coming!

vrf · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2006, 09:59:55 pm »

Quote from: DigDreams on June 13, 2006, 03:58:34 pm

Its design is actually very similar to the 'PixelBox' project on here, it's just much bigger.

I thought that profile looked familiar...

Looks good so far. I'm not a fan of the way the front of your CP "arrows" out like that. Looks like just a bunch of wasted space. Seems like the lines should angle back inside.

But it's your cab. Keep up the good work!

Crafty · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2006, 10:37:14 pm »

Keep up the posts.

Blackbox.....
Hmmm I know a joke about three models on a plane....

Seriously though is this the name you have selected?

Do you have artwork ideas..Or is the name descriptive of the end product..

DigDreams · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2006, 11:08:33 pm »

The name "Blackbox" has nothing to do with airplanes or the color.

I guess I am showing my age, but I am an old-time hacker. I ran one of the first BBS's in FL way back in the early 80's (when 1200 baud half duplex was as fast as it got).

Before there was internet, there was only long distance, which was an issue for high-school students with no cash and pissed off parents waiving a phone bills in their faces. A "BlackBox" was a hacker's tool for making long distance phone calls without paying for them.

As a MAME machine is a pseudo-legal way of playing all the video games of that day, I named my MAME machine 'BlackBox' for nostalgia sake.

- DigDreams

DigDreams · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2006, 11:21:31 pm »

Quote from: vrf on June 13, 2006, 09:59:55 pm

Quote from: DigDreams on June 13, 2006, 03:58:34 pm
Its design is actually very similar to the 'PixelBox' project on here, it's just much bigger.

I thought that profile looked familiar...

Looks good so far. I'm not a fan of the way the front of your CP "arrows" out like that. Looks like just a bunch of wasted space. Seems like the lines should angle back inside.

But it's your cab. Keep up the good work!

I actually didn't steal your idea (believe it or not), I have been working on this for a while now. I will admit though, I did take one thing from your design, my original didn't have the diagonal 'notch' on the back. When I saw that on yours, I liked it and added it to my profile drawing. That's really the most 'natural' shape to fit the monitor, controls, and PC in to the smallest space. I guess that's why TRS-80's, Pet's, and AT&T CPM Machines all looked very much like this.

I added the slope in front because I hate the way most bartops have that huge "ledge" in front. I wanted more of the old computer profile for this style (again, the name 'BlackBox' makes more sense now doesn't it). The actual angle is not set in stone yet. Once I get to that point I want to play wth a few different angles and see what "feels best" with the side flipper/nudge buttons. There are no controls on the slope other than the pinball side buttons.

Thanks for the comments, and good luck with your ultra-mini. It looks great so far.

- DigDreams

ArtMAME · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2006, 01:23:32 am »

Are the 6 white buttons across the top admin buttons? Or will they be used for other games also?

If you want to clean up the control panel a bit and if you are using an IPAC, you could get rid of all the top admin buttons and leave the 1 and 2 player.

I have found that all I need to get around in the frontend I am using (MAMEWah) is 1 and 2 player and up, down, left, right. Using a default IPAC configuration, you can achieve the following keypresses:

ESC = Player 1 + Player 2
TAB = Player 1 + Right
Enter = Player 1 + Left
Pause = Player 1 + Down
etc...

So you could just use Player 1 and Player 2 and your joystick to navigate the front end. This will leave you with a less cluttered control panel, or you could add a spinner or something else to your new found realestate.

theCoder · « **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2006, 02:08:50 am »

How did you come up with 24" wide? That seems a bit too much. I'm agressively reducing every 1/4 inch and every 1/4 ounce out of my project.

Good luck on your project.

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2006, 02:17:08 am »

Quote from: theCoder on June 14, 2006, 02:08:50 am

How did you come up with 24" wide? That seems a bit too much. I'm agressively reducing every 1/4 inch and every 1/4 ounce out of my project.

Good luck on your project.

He said 26" wide, and I'm guessing it's a typo. He probably meant 16" wide, which would be about what he needs for a 14" CRT monitor.

vrf · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2006, 03:01:20 am »

Quote from: DigDreams on June 13, 2006, 11:21:31 pm

I actually didn't steal your idea (believe it or not), I have been working on this for a while now. I will admit though, I did take one thing from your design, my original didn't have the diagonal 'notch' on the back. When I saw that on yours, I liked it and added it to my profile drawing. That's really the most 'natural' shape to fit the monitor, controls, and PC in to the smallest space. I guess that's why TRS-80's, Pet's, and AT&T CPM Machines all looked very much like this.

Oh, I wasn't suggesting you stole anything, but it's totally cool (and kind of flattering) if you do borrow ideas. However, in your design, you might be wanting that inch or so of floor space back that the notch takes up, if only to have the PSU flush against the back wall for the power cable and fan. But maybe you have something else in mind.

Don't know if you've seen this project before, but this guy did a really nice job fitting all his parts into an attractive desktop profile.

http://www.zone76.com/Arcade_Projects/Mini_Arcade_Cabinet/Mini_Arcade_Cabinet.htm

His control panel seems to have minimized the "ledge" thing that you're talking about. I think it's because it sort of tucks back in for those two lower red buttons.

Kangum · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2006, 05:53:19 am »

Im not sure if you used your cold heat gun yet, but if you havent be very careful of the tip. They break really easy and cost almost as much as the whole thing to replace.

also cold heat is basically a mini arc welder, so be careful if you try and use it for other more sensitive work you will fry components you are working on.

Crafty · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2006, 07:52:32 am »

Have to agree with ArtMAME about all the buttons across the top of your CP

Please enlighten us as to there purpose...

DigDreams · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2006, 10:53:46 am »

Quote from: ArtMAME on June 14, 2006, 01:23:32 am

Are the 6 white buttons across the top admin buttons? Or will they be used for other games also?

Read the part above about that. I don't want to get rid of them - or have to explain to people how to shift the keys. I specifically purchased clear buttons with icon discs and LED's for these buttons. They look like this:

In clear (this is what I have)

I purchased icons for P1 Start, P2 Start, P1 Coin, P2 Coin, Enter, Escape, Pause, and Mame (for tab). I am also not using MAMEWah - I am using 3D-Arcade with the custom skinset I made that is pictured above. MAMAWah does not have the rendered cabinets spinning in 3D.

In red - but two more of my icons.

The full info on these button inserts can be seen here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51813.0

The exact icons are: BD001R, BD006R, 2x BD004R, BD013R, BD012R, BD007R, and BD014R.

I want someone to be able to walk up to it and use it without having to learn a bunch of shifted commands, not to mention the clear lighted buttons with inserts look awesome. Everything on this cab lights up except for the joystick.

- DigDreams

DigDreams · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2006, 11:23:48 am »

Thanks for the info about ColdHeat. Hopefully I won't fry any of my LED's with it, I will have to be careful. It's funny, the commercial says how great it is for "delicate equipment". Maybe I should just use a regular soldering iron instead. I just figured with all the LED's and resistors I have to solder it would go faster with the Cold-Heat.

I mis-described the dimensions - sorry about that. It is 24" Tall, 26" DEEP (not wide - oops), and 17.5" Wide.

I looked at the pics on that Zone76 site - nice little cab - but I still like the the slope in the front. It is more for aesthetics than anything else - but it should also make it more comfortable to add a flipper and a nudge button on each side. Also, since the cabinet is stitting up fairly high on the bartop, this adds an armrest. I have even debated putting a gel-strip on the slope to make it extra-comfy.

- DigDreams

DigDreams · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2006, 04:38:24 am »

I've been working on my Marquee... Here is what I have so far.

I'm not sure if this will be the final version yet, I'm still tinkering with it. There is a higher resolution image here if you want to see the details:

http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/marquee_large.jpg

On another note, my LED's should be here tomorrow. That's the last thing I am waiting on. I plan on taking pictures of different combinations of LED and Button colors. It should be interesting since I got some rarely used colors like Ultra Violet, Violet/Blue, Pink, and Cyan.

- DigDreams

Crafty · « **Reply #16 on:** June 16, 2006, 12:00:21 am »

Marquee looks fantastic...

Unsure if the character to the left of Mame fits in

Change

Don't forget space top and bottom for retainers....

Hate to see any of your artwork obscured....

alexandro98 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 16, 2006, 01:12:03 am »

Yea, I would have to agree, The "Night Elf" char doesnt really fit in.

theCoder · « **Reply #18 on:** June 16, 2006, 01:44:23 am »

I'd either go with the dark misty look, or the cartoon look. Mixing them doesn't work for me. I'd drop the cartoon figures. They don't go with your "black" image and distract from your beautiful work.

DigDreams · « **Reply #19 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:54:48 am »

I appreciate the comments, keep 'em comming. You guys might be right, I think I need to drop the cartoons. I'll rework it and put a new version up shortly.

Well, it's 4:45am and I'm still doing artwork - my wife is gonna kill me. In any case, I just finished the control panel design. The previosu one was done just to find a minimum width to make the cab. This one is all measured out...

Here is the "diagram" version:

Large version here: http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/cp-diag-large.jpg

Note that I need 1" clearance on the left and right (light bars) - the way I have it designed, I can literally go right up to the top and bottom edges. The CP will "snap in" and make it level - with the CP out it will have a 3/8" notch in the cab where it fits in.

I'll describe the trackball hack later on - too tired right now, but the little lit buttons will actually be there and work as mouse buttons (the small cyan and pink ones below the trackball).

Here it is with the artwork:

Large version here: http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/cp-art-large.jpg

I also picked up my acrylic today. I'm going to go with Kinko's backlit vinyl for the marquee, and whatever high quality format they have for the CP.

Time to crash... I'll update again soon.

- DigDreams

DigDreams · « **Reply #20 on:** June 16, 2006, 01:59:23 pm »

I'm still messing with the marquee... I took out all of the cartoon type graphics and added a dragon and a griffon. Take a look and see if this version of the marquee is better:

http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/marquee-less.jpg

I am not going to remove the "Night Elf" as someone mentioned above... I based the whole theme and color scheme on it, not to mention the 3D Arcade skin I designed is based around it as well. Plenty of arcade games had a "fantasy theme" so I don't think it's that "off" (Golden Axe, Dungeons & Dragons, Gauntlet, etc.). I didn't want the theme too "cartooney", I wanted some nice "quality" artwork for the cab.

Let me know what you like better, the original Marquee, or this new version. Thanks again for the comments and suggestions.

- DigDreams

bishmasterb · « **Reply #21 on:** June 16, 2006, 02:20:20 pm »

dig,

Your marquee is looking good, I like the Night Elf as well...you know you've got a trackball on there, and potentially enough inputs (including the joystick) you could almost play Warcraft III on that thing.

IMHO, I would lose the Griffon and Dragon though, it's just a little too much detail. Perhaps in their place, just put some abstract flourishes/bulletpoints in the same style as your typeface.

Looks good!

DigDreams · « **Reply #22 on:** June 16, 2006, 03:16:39 pm »

Quote from: bishmasterb on June 16, 2006, 02:20:20 pm

dig,

Your marquee is looking good, I like the Night Elf as well...you know you've got a trackball on there, and potentially enough inputs (including the joystick) you could almost play Warcraft III on that thing.

IMHO, I would lose the Griffon and Dragon though, it's just a little too much detail. Perhaps in their place, just put some abstract flourishes/bulletpoints in the same style as your typeface.

Looks good!

Thanks... I appreciate the input. I'm going to try some absctracts next.

I keep thinking about this thing as a MAME keyboard - it would be super slick and would literally disappear when it was off.

Info about it here: http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/8193/

I did one with a sword - let me know what you think of this.

High Res Here: http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/marquee-sword.jpg

I'll try the abstract version and post what I come up with.

- DigDreams

DigDreams · « **Reply #23 on:** June 16, 2006, 03:39:56 pm »

Ok, here is an abstract using a fleur.

High Res Here: http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/marquee-fleur.jpg

I'm kind of liking this one and the sword so far, but looking for feedback, so I created a poll in the artwork area: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54826.0

Thanks for your input!

-DigDreams

alexandro98 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:16:08 pm »

Quote from: DigDreams on June 16, 2006, 01:59:23 pm

...
I am not going to remove the "Night Elf" as someone mentioned above...
...

Yea, sorry it was late for me when I posted and originall read your post.
However with the cartoon chars gone it looks a whole lot better!!

The last too marquess your posted, hmm..

The fleur one, looks good, the fluers and everything has similar colors and all look like good together. Guess the word to describe it would be its more "professional" looking.

The sword one tho, I really liked that one when I first saw it, then I saw the fluer one.
However in coolness Sword > fluer but there is something about the sword one that doesnt flow/look as professional as the fluer. I cant quite place my finger on it, When I look at the sword one, the sword just looks slightly out of place. Maybe its the wrong kind of sword, maybe the sword is the wrong color and sticks( try change the swords pallete?)

Im rambling its seems.
Basically.
Fluer looks best so far, but pls keep working on the sword because in coolness factor Sword > fluer.
Good luck!

DigDreams · « **Reply #25 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:21:42 pm »

Quote from: alexandro98 on June 16, 2006, 04:16:08 pm

However in coolness Sword > fluer but there is something about the sword one that doesnt flow/look as professional as the fluer. I cant quite place my finger on it, When I look at the sword one, the sword just looks slightly out of place.

I know what you mean. The sword comes from a scanned picture - so it has a "real world palette". I shifted it more towards the blue spectrum - but it still has that "photo" look. I tried reducing the color count, but then it looks too dithered. This was about as good as I can get it to match, but I am still inbetween the sword and the fleur (thus the poll I posted).

I also tried the "Arwen"sword from Lord of the Rings - but the gold tones really clashed.

Thanks for the input!

- DigDreams

Buddabing · « **Reply #26 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:34:19 pm »

I like the sword, but take the MAME logo off.

DigDreams · « **Reply #27 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:50:50 pm »

Quote from: Buddabing on June 16, 2006, 04:34:19 pm

I like the sword, but take the MAME logo off.

Like this?

High-Res: http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/nsword.jpg

Please vote in the poll so I can also get an overall opinion!

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=54826.0

- DigDreams

Ninten-doh · « **Reply #28 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:55:14 pm »

Good call by Buddabing. Looks much better IMHO w/o the "MAME" logo.

alexandro98 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 16, 2006, 04:57:30 pm »

hmm...
better but still something wrong with the sword.
Fluer still, but keep messing with the sword one!!

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #30 on:** June 16, 2006, 05:33:30 pm »

Maybe some sort of drop-shadow or halo around the sword, along with dropping the brightness of it? I've got the artistic skill of a chicken embryo though, so take any of my suggestions with a grain of salt.

Buddabing · « **Reply #31 on:** June 16, 2006, 05:44:21 pm »

I am no artist, but maybe the sword looks more sharp than the rest of the image?Maybe add the drop shadow like John suggested, or introduce a slight blur to the sword part so that it matches the rest of the image.

It still looks great though. Looking at the printed image isn't the same as looking at the same image on a computer monitor.

IMO keep the characters and the flowers off.

DigDreams · « **Reply #32 on:** June 16, 2006, 06:30:53 pm »

Great feedback guys, I really appreciate it! I have taken your suggestions and integrated them into the design. Here's where we are at:

High-Res Here:

http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/sword-2-large.jpg

Whadda ya think?

- DigDreams

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #33 on:** June 16, 2006, 07:00:00 pm »

I think it needs a just a little more brightness. I'm being drawn too much to the Night Elf's eyes right now. I think just a hair brighter on the sword and the eye is drawn back to the middle without the sword overpowering the image.

alexandro98 · « **Reply #34 on:** June 16, 2006, 07:17:32 pm »

Yea!

The sword one finally gets my vote!

DigDreams · « **Reply #35 on:** June 16, 2006, 07:27:14 pm »

further tweaking...

High-Res: http://www.digitaldreamsinc.net/mame/sword-tweaked-large.jpg

- DigDreams

johnperkins21 · « **Reply #36 on:** June 16, 2006, 07:54:56 pm »

That's about perfect!

Cameronj · « **Reply #37 on:** June 16, 2006, 11:17:33 pm »

Awesome artwork!!!!! I look forward to seeing this one take shape. I am now kinda embarassed to put up my pitiful bartop.

DigDreams · « **Reply #38 on:** June 19, 2006, 12:21:20 am »

Thanks guys. I like the way it turned out too.

I got the sides cut today, I'll post some pics tomorrow. The only thing I did wrong was cutting them separately, I really should have through of that. I'm pretty good with a jigsaw, but did have a few little wavers and they came out slightly off. I wound up clamping them together and sanding the !$*# out of them until they were perfectly even. The result is great, but it should have been easier -- I'll remember that next time for sure.

- DigDreams

Kangum · « **Reply #39 on:** June 19, 2006, 02:54:00 am »

I think you should do a test panel out of cardboard. just make it the exact same size and spacing. pop the buttons on and stuff. get a real feel for it before you cut the final piece. I skipped this part thinking everything is just fine and didnt like it after. Your button spacing worrys me. The 6 buttons you use to play look to far apart to me.

maybe its fine for you if you have big hands. But test panels in cardboard are pretty fast and might save you the same headache i got.

good luck on it.


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