Modified Missile Command CP for bartop

[Lutus]

I am constructing a bartop missile command machine.  At this point, before I start building my CP I need to work on the artwork.  The original missile command CP looks like this

http://www.localarcade.com/arcade_art/details.php?image_id=1089&mode=search

I have obtained the 5 original cone buttons for this control panel (2 LED start buttons, and 3 non-LED missile base buttons) and a 3

[Lutus]

Here is a rough, rough, ROOOUUUGHHHH, sketch done quickly here at work.  (Lack of computer resources!)

[gamecreature]

I've always been a big fan of the art from the flyer - though incorporating that into your design may be a challenge. Clearly the designers of the original CP were trying to put together the 70's version of a high-tech "mission control" center. With that in mind, look at some toys, movies and TV series of the period. They were confined to using solid colors and probably you should too.

You probably don't need a vectorized marquee for the scale you're working at. As long as it's 300 dpi it should print just fine.

[Lutus]

Alright, me and my Mac had a double date last night with Illustrator and Photoshop and this is what was born.... so to speak.  I remodified the original CPO and left the Instructions card but moved it down to put the spinner about it.  I also took out the two columns of red dots on the far right to move the TB over to allow for the joystick on the far left.

The only part of it that I am unsure about is the joystick.  I just made a pattern from some of the dots found on the CPO but now the image looks too "weighted" to the left side.

What else could I do to the joystick area on the far left other than the "X" dot patterns?

EDIT:  I have already fixed the white line below the trackball.  I didn't notice it was messed up until posting the image.

[gamecreature]

I think the joystick needs something "open" in the middle. Maybe the bull'seye from the side art?

[Lutus]

Alright, that bulls eye was a beast since two rockets went right through the middle of it.  But I was able to pull it out.  What do you think of this? 

NOTE:  I will be using a Reunion Red balltop joystick so it will match the center of the bullseye.  I will also be putting the dust washer under the CP so the bullseye will be fully visible.

[gamecreature]

Alright, that bulls eye was a beast since two rockets went right through the middle of it.  But I was able to pull it out. 

Welcome to my world. I probably would've done it differently, just used the side art as a guide to draw three concentric circles. But the end result is the same.

What do you think of this? 

I think it works. I think it might need a little extra definition in the form of a white outline. Actually, make that two outlines, a black one on the inside and a thicker white one on the outside. And maybe make the crosshairs a little thicker (This is where layers come in handy - you can try different things and revert if you don't like the results).

[Lutus]

Alright, GameCreature, you are quite the man.  The concentric white and black rings really make the bullseye graphic.... um, pop!  Barring any other good ideas from you, I think the CPO is successfully completed.  (except for scale but thats no problem, have to get all the parts anyways.) 

Thanks for all of your help.  You are a great asset to the MAME community.

[gamecreature]

You're quite welcome. Since the goal was to add the extra inputs and still make it look as authentic as possible, I think this passes with flying colors. Still, I'd love to hear what others think.