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Very Basic CP Layout - Comments?? [FINAL CP Design - PICS!]

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javeryh:
Hmmm... thanks for the comments.  Even though I am going to have a coin door I still think I want a coin button on the CP so it's simple for my daughter to use.  If this weren't for her I'd probably ditch it.  This is also why I'm not going with mini-buttons for the admin buttons.

As for putting the coin button on the front part of the CP, that's an excellent idea except that panel isn't perpendicular to the ground - it slopes down and away from the player.  Plus, I think it might be a little confusing.  This is the profile:



The pencil lines show the layout for the CP panels.  I'm really torn on this because I want it to look good but mainly be functional and easy to operate.  I'm going to finish the mock-up tonight with the 4 buttons lined up vertically on the right and see how it looks.  Hopefully I can live with it or else I'll have to start playing around with the design (again)....

ahofle:
FWIW my CP is slanted slightly too.  I'm not sure why that would dissuade you though.  I also used black coin buttons (3 of them since this is a 3 player panel) so they blend in with the black CP and do not stick out at all.  I don't think it's very confusing -- my 3 year old even knows the drill now (press coin button, then press the player 1 button then game on). :)

javeryh:
Well, it's time for the daily update.  Last night I finished making a mock-up of the CP with the 4 buttons on the right.  Here it is:





The top of the CP is right at where the bottom of the T-square is located.  The bottom of the CP more or less goes right to the bottom of the panel (I just need to rip it straight but if you look closely you can see the pencil line).  Also note that all of the admin buttons will be black on the final CP - I just didn't have enough extra lying around.

I'm thinking it is one button too tall and that I need to seriously consider relocating or removing the coin button so only 3 buttons are on the right.  It's not that I don't have the room for it - this is strictly on proportions by eyeballing it.

Any thoughts/comments? 

quarterback:

--- Quote from: javeryh on November 30, 2006, 08:44:10 am ---I'm thinking it is one button too tall and that I need to seriously consider relocating or removing the coin button so only 3 buttons are on the right.  It's not that I don't have the room for it - this is strictly on proportions by eyeballing it.

Any thoughts/comments? 

--- End quote ---

I think you're right.  Like I said, I toyed with the vertical-row idea but I didn't end up liking it.  Clearly it's up to you but I'd still recommend putting the P1 and P2 horizontally in the center at the top.  You could leave pause and coin on the right (either vertically or horizontally)

Looks cool, BTW.  It's fun seeing these things come together after looking at drawings for days.

javeryh:
OK, I didn't have much time over the weekend to work (stupid trees dropping leaves all over the place) but I did get a chance to make my final* control panel.  I went with a similar layout as the test one I made above but I ended up dropping one of the buttons on the right.  The panel looks way more proportioned now and it's just an all around better design.  I did have to sacrifice the "coin" button but I am going to be installing a working coin door so my daughter will just have to figure it out.  I might wire the player 2 coin return to act as a "coin" button if I find that inserting quarters is too much of a pain.  I'll also mount a switch on the inside to toggle this on and off so she isn't "free playing" all the time. 

Anyway, here are some pictures of the panel with everything cut:





Here's one of the joystick bottom installed in the routed area:



Here is the CP with everything installed (the bottom edge of the t-square is the top of the CP).  Also note that I will be covering the entire control panel with black vinyl, the bottom edge has yet to be rounded over to meet the control panel front and all of the admin buttons will be black and have pink vinyl labeling.





Finally, here is a comparison of the old design and the new one:



Thanks for looking!!


* subject to change  ;D

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