Author Topic: Bartop project - "Irish Luck" (Read 20099 times)

(+_+) · « **Reply #40 on:** February 01, 2007, 11:21:33 am »

Hey Jouster,

Shouldn't one of those smaller marquee pics within your marquee be a joust one? It seems like the Irish luck is a little too light and small. Did you try filling out the entire marquee with the smaller pics and then superimpose your cab name on top of the pics. You'll be able to make the name larger that way and play with the name's transparency. This will allow you to to be able to see through it to the underlying pics.

leapinlew · « **Reply #41 on:** February 01, 2007, 05:33:32 pm »

Quote from: (+_+) on February 01, 2007, 11:21:33 am

Hey Jouster,

Shouldn't one of those smaller marquee pics within your marquee be a joust one? It seems like the Irish luck is a little too light and small. Did you try filling out the entire marquee with the smaller pics and then superimpose your cab name on top of the pics. You'll be able to make the name larger that way and play with the name's transparency. This will allow you to to be able to see through it to the underlying pics.

I agree with this Jouster. I'm wondering if the final design will be hard to make out. I'm digging the name of Irish Luck - I'd run with that theme and skip the marquees all together. Keep throwing ideas around till you get something your completely happy with. Do you know who's going to print it yet?

As for the soldering - I think you'll be happier with it. My solder jobs haven't ever had a problem (even when I move the machines alot. My quick connects act a little goofy once in a while.

clockwork · « **Reply #42 on:** February 01, 2007, 07:39:57 pm »

You're really cruising on this, Jouster. Keep up the good work. Deadline this Saturday!

Donkey_Kong · « **Reply #43 on:** February 01, 2007, 10:08:21 pm »

What is holding your wires to the wood? Hot glue? Nice touch!

Jouster · « **Reply #44 on:** February 02, 2007, 01:28:01 pm »

Ok, so as I figured, the computer and wiring part would be the biggest PITA!

Mr. Murphy paid me a visit last night. It turns out that I am one of the lucky few to have a motherboard that doesn't want to play nice with the encoder. So then I figured, I'll just hook up some buttons to the 360 to at least get it playing something. That is done, I can see in the game controllers window that the buttons are being recognized. Now I'm having trouble with MAME32 and the FE I'm using right now.

Some how I set MAME to automatically load a game, and when I exit the game, MAME immediately tries to reload it. The only thing I can think of now is to uninstall MAME and reinstall it.

How do I set the button presses? I can't seem to find anything to allow me to map the keystrokes for the buttons being processed through the 360. I could get a game to load and play it with the keyboard...but that kinda defeats the purpose of building the cab.

BTW, yeah...hot glue. I'll take some pics tonight of the wiring inside the cab. It looks pretty good too.

Jouster

Jouster · « **Reply #45 on:** February 03, 2007, 12:35:10 am »

I'm still working on this thing...but I think I should not only be nominated for "Biggest Boneheaded Wiring Job of the Year", but I should win, hands down!! I didn't notice until after EVRYTHING was soldered that I had used the NC post!

I'm very happy that I didn't decide to cut off the "unused" post...or I'd have been screwed!

So I've spent the last hour or so fixing all of the joints! But it is done...correctly now.

Anyway, I've attached some pics of the thing...you can clearly see where the hinges are on the back...for now. I've had some trouble getting the putty to stay on the right one. However, I glued in the screw that seemed to be loose...and re-puttied it...and sanded and painted it again. I'll take a pic when I finally get it done...it will still be visible, not very.

I took apart my LCD monitor and figured out how to mount it...it had a metal case covering the boards on the back...I removed it and screwed it into the mounting board. Then I sprayed some paint on the sides of the board, in case it turns out visible. After that, I reattached the monitor...I had to drill holes to re-insert the screws that secured it in place.

Then when I went to pick it up...I uh...noticed...the screws sticking out of the back. A quick squirt with the hot glue gun (I told you it was useful!) and the screws are no longer dangerous.

As far as the encoder issues I'm having...I think that I might end up using my good laptop for tomorrow to run the thing using the 360's 8 button inputs. Although...how do I map the keypress to those buttons?? Help? I've tried searching on here, but it either returns 15,000 posts to sift through, or I get strange hits that don't help me much.

Jouster

Jouster · « **Reply #46 on:** February 04, 2007, 01:49:28 am »

Milestone 1 reached...and passed.

I stopped and picked up a PS/2 to USB adapter to try with the encoder (it turns out the PS/2 port on the Mobo was dead) and it worked fine. So I quickly mounted the monitor inside the cab, and finished wiring what I needed to get it working. I even had time to kill to try and get MaLa set up with the Ultrastik mapping plugin...although I was having some issues, and this didn't end up being part of the final party fun.

I did have a functional cab for the UFC PPV. The fights were pretty good, but if they weren't, I'm sure the cab could have drawn more attention.

Now I can relax a bit and start working on the artwork some more...and the finishing touches (plexi, t-moulding, etc.)

Jouster.

clockwork · « **Reply #47 on:** February 04, 2007, 07:47:36 am »

Grats, Jouster! Looking good.

Jouster · « **Reply #48 on:** February 09, 2007, 12:28:28 pm »

I'm still working on this...I'm currently doing some artwork design.

Unfortunately, the files are too big right now to post...when I finish up the next round of edits, I'll try to get them up for comments.

I have been playing on it a little a day...but not too much. I also have a few other things on my plate right now, so my time has been limited...but whose isn't??

Jouster

leapinlew · « **Reply #49 on:** February 09, 2007, 12:38:26 pm »

Galaga looks all stretched out?

IG-88 · « **Reply #50 on:** February 09, 2007, 02:44:06 pm »

Question. Are those mini light bulbs in the middle pic 4 posts up ^ ? I think thats a board for mounting the monitor right? What you use them for?

steveh · « **Reply #51 on:** February 09, 2007, 04:14:55 pm »

they are screws with hotglue on them

Kaytrim · « **Reply #52 on:** February 09, 2007, 04:38:51 pm »

I would have just taken my dremel and a cut off wheel to them. Grind them down to the wood and no more points.

Jouster · « **Reply #53 on:** February 09, 2007, 04:57:01 pm »

Yeah, those are hot glued screws. I don't have a Dremel or I'd have used that...I started trying to hacksaw them off and after some effort, I realized it'd be a whole lot easier to put the glue on them. I might end up putting a little strip of velcro on the upper supports and back of the monitor mount to reduce movement. It seems to work it's way forward a tiny little bit after a few hours of playing.

I will be using LEDs for the marquee light though. In fact I've been trying to determine whether I should order the GGG LEDs w/5v resistors or buy some at Radio Shack and wire them in threes w/a 5v resistor. Anyone have experience in wiring LEDs? I tried putting some on my Halloween costume (the A.W.E.S.O.M.-4000) but I ended up blowing them out, eventhough I read that was hard to do. I'm looking for suggestions...

Jouster

Kaytrim · « **Reply #54 on:** February 09, 2007, 05:08:06 pm »

Quote from: Jouster on February 09, 2007, 04:57:01 pm

I will be using LEDs for the marquee light though. In fact I've been trying to determine whether I should order the GGG LEDs w/5v resistors or buy some at Radio Shack and wire them in threes w/a 5v resistor. Anyone have experience in wiring LEDs? I tried putting some on my Halloween costume (the A.W.E.S.O.M.-4000) but I ended up blowing them out, eventhough I read that was hard to do. I'm looking for suggestions...

I'd get the ones from GGG they put out quite a bit of light and there is no way you can blow them out using the resister supplied with them. I have a bunch coming in my next order to light up my buttons and my buttons are standard Happs concave buttons. The ones I ordered are the same colors as the buttons they are going into for best lighting effect.

TTFN

Jouster · « **Reply #55 on:** February 16, 2007, 11:35:32 pm »

My LEDs & T-moulding from GGG arrived the other day...but I've been busy working on my artwork.

Here's what I have so far:

Boot up screen:

Marquee:

Side Art:

CPO:

I'm trying to decide between these two for my joystick arrows:

-or-

This is the last bit I need to finish the CPO...now I need to find a place to get them printed...cheaply. Then I need to rent a router (if possible) for the T-moulding...and then get the LEDs installed, and the Lexan/Plexi bought, cut & installed.

I'm still debating making a skin for the FE...I guess it will depend on the amount of time I have left before my final deadline.

Any thoughts on the arrows? As you can tell, I decided on Celtic knotwork throughout. I think it works for the theme...and the knots are all different, so it isn't completely repetitive. I found a free program on the net...it makes the knots very easy to make and edit...Photoshop does the rest!

Jouster

clockwork · « **Reply #56 on:** February 17, 2007, 08:52:03 am »

Very nice looking, Jouster. That's a very pretty CPO. I think I like the second joystick overlay best. It fits the Celtic knot theme better.

What's the program you used?

(+_+) · « **Reply #57 on:** February 17, 2007, 09:12:41 am »

I think I like your second joystick directional arrows better except I was thinking using the smaller inner yellow arrows from your first one for the diagonals on your second one. It really is a matter of choice though. I do like your new marquee much more than the previous one. I was hung up for a while myself trying to add old school game characters to mine and then finally said

.

Jouster · « **Reply #58 on:** February 17, 2007, 11:33:04 am »

Thanks for the input.

(+_+): You mean using the big arrows at the cardnials, and then the smaller arrows at the diags? I'll try that and post it.

Bremil: The program is called Knotworker...it has a trial version that allows 21 uses...I've still got like 12 left. It took a little playing with it to really figure it out...but the knots were fun to design.

Jouster

Jouster · « **Reply #59 on:** February 17, 2007, 12:08:19 pm »

Like this??

Jouster

leapinlew · « **Reply #60 on:** February 17, 2007, 12:25:39 pm »

I think your sideart can be based on the theme, and not necessarily the name again. Perhaps a clover or something...

clockwork · « **Reply #61 on:** February 17, 2007, 02:16:32 pm »

Oh, I like that one the best yet, Jouster.

leapinlew · « **Reply #62 on:** February 17, 2007, 02:35:59 pm »

Not trying to be mean, but you should consider changing that CPO. It reminds me of something, but I can't quite put my finger on it...

Jouster · « **Reply #63 on:** February 17, 2007, 08:50:02 pm »

Sweet! Maybe I'll use that pic for my CPO!!!

I've been less than sober a few times and thought Tinky-Winky was taking a wizzy-poo on my blankie!

I like that clover...perhaps I'll make some changes...

Jouster

Jouster · « **Reply #64 on:** February 17, 2007, 10:26:21 pm »

I played with that clover...but I'm still liking the knotbox with the name. I've tried some other stuff for the sides, but I haven't really liked anything. Maybe I'll keep playing around.

Side Art with Clover...(I do like this though)

Jouster

Jouster · « **Reply #65 on:** February 27, 2007, 12:46:55 am »

Ok, I got my LEDs wired up...I bought some perf board and made my own mounts. You can see both sides here:

I also twisted a pair of some old cable I had sitting around. It was from a Parallel port cable that I destroyed some time ago. I used a method I read about on here to twist them...I put one set of ends into a drill, and gave a couple of short blasts to the trigger while holding the other end of the wire. Then I soldered the wire to the LED leads and put down some hot glue on the speaker board in front of the speakers and stood the LEDs in the glue. Each LED should light up about 1/4 of the marquee.

I received notice that my marquee has been shipped from MAMEMarquees.com and when it arrives, I'll test out the brightness. If it isn't bright enough, I guess I'll find some local place and pick up another LED or so. I also ordered my CPO from MAMEMarquees.

I mounted my HD using some mini-blinds hardware...I'll post a pic soon. It is the little plastic piece that attaches to the bottom of the blinds that allows you to lock the blinds to the door or window. If that isn't clear enough of a description...just wait a day or two...the pics should clear it up.

I'm also "borrowing" a router from a hardware store. I was very worried about this part for some reason. I guess partly because I'd never even known about a router that wasn't IT related. Plus all the warnings about it getting away from you and doing damage...but I found it very simple...after I put the slot cutting bit on the correct direction!! (That seems to be a BYOAC blunder on a lot of first cabs.) Luckily I had read enough posts that when the first couple of seconds I smelled burning wood...I stopped, unplugged the router and flipped the bit. Tried it again and it was very smooth. I bought....sorry, borrowed...a B&D FireStorm (w/vaccum attachment) so the mess was minimal. I still need to route the CP...which I won't do until the CPO comes in I guess. I installed the T-molding around the cab...it looks nice.

Getting close to the final deadline...this Friday!!

Jouster

(+_+) · « **Reply #66 on:** February 27, 2007, 09:19:31 am »

Quote from: Jouster on February 17, 2007, 12:08:19 pm

Like this??

Jouster

Sorry about that Jouster, I could have sworn I replied to this. Yes like that except I was thinking just the one triangle in each diagonal and in the center. I'm curious what size your LCD is. It looks huge.

Jouster · « **Reply #67 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:10:31 am »

Yeah, it's a 19"...there is very little space around it. It will require a thin bezel.

I got it for $90 after rebate (Which I'm still waiting on...but have been notified that the rebate has been received and is being processed.) from pcconnection.com

Jouster

Jouster · « **Reply #68 on:** March 02, 2007, 12:56:05 am »

I should have known something like this would happen...

Tonight the POS computer I was using blew out the PCI slots. So I have no USB, NIC, or sound...basically, I have a giant paperweight.

Tomorrow is my deadline, and there is no way it can be done now. I had the CP finished, acrylic cut and mounted over the CPO, marquee cut and put in place (Which both look great.) Nearly everything was done...but now I'm screwed.

I guess I'll have to pick up another computer when I get back from my trip and finish it up later. It sucks though because I'm missing the big party debut!

Jouster

KenToad · « **Reply #69 on:** March 03, 2007, 10:33:52 am »

so no party pics?

leapinlew · « **Reply #70 on:** March 03, 2007, 06:30:47 pm »

Quote from: Jouster on March 02, 2007, 12:56:05 am

I should have known something like this would happen...

Tonight the POS computer I was using blew out the PCI slots. So I have no USB, NIC, or sound...basically, I have a giant paperweight.

Tomorrow is my deadline, and there is no way it can be done now. I had the CP finished, acrylic cut and mounted over the CPO, marquee cut and put in place (Which both look great.) Nearly everything was done...but now I'm screwed.

I guess I'll have to pick up another computer when I get back from my trip and finish it up later. It sucks though because I'm missing the big party debut!

Jouster

Jouster -

breathe.... focus...

Now. Figure something out.

Jouster · « **Reply #71 on:** March 13, 2007, 01:46:51 am »

Update!!

Actually I was able to get the thing working by quickly setting up my laptop to run MAME...with limited games and no front end...but it did work.

However, after the party, I packed all night, and got prepared for my trip...so no time then to post pics. I just got back yesterday, and am still trying to catch up...so still no pics. But they are coming soon!

Quick shout out to MAMEMarquees.com for the quick turn around time on my marquee and CPO...and they look great!

Jouster

Kaytrim · « **Reply #72 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:53:36 pm »

Glad you could get the cab working even on a limited scale.

TTFN

Kaytrim

Jouster · « **Reply #73 on:** June 13, 2007, 09:53:18 pm »

Ouch...three months to the day since my last post...

Unfortunately I can't really say "I've been working on it and making progress...I just haven't posted." Cause I haven't!!

The PC I was using in here died the night before I was supposed to gift it to my dad...after a tiny little meltdown that included phrases like "I spent how much money and time on this thing the last couple of months...and THIS is how I get rewarded??!"...also included was "F%^K!!" a few times.

Then a bite to eat and a couple of beers...and it hit me...I could use my laptop to at least get the thing running and somewhat operational for the party. So I spent half the night getting my laptop hooked up and setup to run MAME and at least run Galaga...cause I had that one running before...so I figured there was hope that I could get it running again.

Then the afternoon of the party, I had another slight melt down when I couldn't get MAME to accept my control inputs...that was fun...and also featured some choice phrases. However...Kaytrim literally saved ---my bottom--- and the party by IMing me help until I got it working...with about 10 minutes to shower and get ready...but damn it...it worked! So I don't think that I had properly thanked Kaytrim previously...and I wanted to make sure that I took care of that now. Thank you, thank you & thank you again!!

So...on to the fun part:

I sent out a desperate email to family and friends begging for old computer parts (my budget on this project was long ago a tiny speck in my rear view mirror.) And luckily I had a friend that just bought a brand new MacDaddy computer setup...and he is giving me his P4 2.8GHz 1GB RAM "old" system! I should be getting it from him this Saturday when he comes over to watch the UFC PPV.

I'll include some pics here also:

The cardboard mock-up...

I don't think the importance of a good cardboard mock-up can be overstated...while this one is by no means 'complete'...it gave me a great idea of how big things would be...really drove a few decisions without much thought being required once I had a tangible reference. I also made a cardboard mock-up of my CP...actually I went through about three of them...the only thing that I would still change is that I wouldn't have drilled the first little hole until the CPO had come in...it's a little off...but it still looks great.

Real thing...

If you look closely...you can just barely see my wife's current project scattered all over the table (putting together a scrapbook of her recent graduation photos). Luckily her project is invisible to most people although mine some how are always a mess...funny how the marriage thing works sometimes...isn't it?

Anyway...you can see the slightly misaligned buttons on the CPO below...while they aren't off by that much...next time I'm not touching the drill till the CPO has arrived!

I still need to fit my Lexan in front of the monitor and print out a bezel...things that went on the back burner at the last minute when the excrement hit the wind creating device! But I guess things aren't all bad...having the extra time has allowed me to also realize that I need to increase the LEDs behind the marquee...it is WAY too dark...even with the limited areas that allow light through...it is too dark! This is something easily fixable...just need to get the parts and do it...but this could be done whenever, and I'm not that worried about it at this point.

Anyway, I'll be glad to have this project up and running again.

Jouster

Kaytrim · « **Reply #74 on:** June 13, 2007, 10:15:45 pm »

Glad I could help you out Jouster. I noticed you on IM just before I left the office today and wondered how things went with the bartop. In the time you were gone, has it really been 3 months, I also built and delivered a bartop for my Dad.

(link in sig)

I also used LEDs to light my marquee. I used 4 white button blasters from GGG and it was just fine for my taste. I could have added 2-3 more but I didn't want it too bright.

TTFN

and welcome back,
Kaytrim

Jouster · « **Reply #75 on:** June 18, 2007, 09:53:43 pm »

Well...yet another little set back, and then salt in the wound.

My friend forgot to bring over the computer...and then he proceeded to destroy my Galaga high score by about 40%!!

Although, I did get a few more people to see the thing working, so that's always fun. I'm going to continue looking for an older pc. Quick question though...if I run an older version of MAME, does the rom set need to match the version or just be at least from that version?

If that isn't clear enough, maybe I could expound a bit...

Jouster

Kaytrim · « **Reply #76 on:** June 18, 2007, 10:31:16 pm »

Yes the rom version must match the version of MAME. Most roms will work from one version to the next but there are some where drivers have changed or there was a better dump or other reasons. You can use CLRMAMEPro and a rollback set of roms to get the set to match the version of MAME you are using.

TTFN

Kaytrim

Jouster · « **Reply #77 on:** July 10, 2007, 11:43:45 am »

Forward progress!!

Well, my friend did finally bring me his old PC...without a HD. That should have been fine because my HD had been working...until now. I had partitioned the 40GB drive into a 3GB C: and a 37GB D:. Unfortunately, the D: isn't being recognized at all...and 3GB isn't enough to handle everything right now.

Soo...I found a place through Craigslist that is like 30 miles away...they have lots of older systems for pretty cheap. I picked up 2 systems while I was there. Both are:

Compaq small form factors
P3 - 733MHz
128 MB RAM
10 GB HD
Integrated video, LAN, sound
2 USB ports

I think that I have some extra sticks of RAM laying around that will fit too..so that will help.

They cam with Win 2k on them, but I'm thinking of putting Tiny XP on instead...much smaller footprint.

Anyway, back to work...

Jouster

GlennM · « **Reply #78 on:** July 11, 2007, 01:08:38 am »

While it looks like a great project, you do seem to be having "Irish Luck" huh?

theCoder · « **Reply #79 on:** July 11, 2007, 10:49:26 am »

What games are you planning on running on this? If Mame only, everything should work find. If, however, you are going to be loading up a bunch of Windows games (oh, say, 5-10 pinball games for example) your 10 gig drive may be a bit small.

Irish luck to you finishing up this project.


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