any tutorials about creating a control panel design

[Kangum]

has anyone written a tutorial about the best way to create a control panel design. For instance I have created the art i want. however im not sure if it will fit on my control panel. getting the measurements right to me is a mystery. at least ive seen my idea realized. 

im looking for some kind of tutorial that shows the general procedure of creating it. i am currently using paint shop pro. do i import templates from project arcade and stretch my design over it. how is it done.

[4Aaron GE]

Generally, I would figure out the size of the control panel and lay the components out before working on the art.  That way, you can design around the components you're going to use.  That way, you won't have say.... a character's head replaced by a button, or your joystick coming out of someones crotch.

As far as software, I would recommend using a vector based program so you don't have to worry about resolution right off the bat.  However, if you don't feel comfortable using vectors to create your art, make sure you're working with at least 300dpi.  Another good advantage to using vector based software is that you can also move your components around and try different configurations with minimal hassle.

[heretic]

I used Photoshop to place all of my buttons and joysticks using 1" circles, 3" circle for trackball, and 3/8" circle for spinner shaft. Make sure the ruler is on and when placing the circles I would first move them to the top corner so that the tangent of the outsides of the circles were at 0 (x axis) and 0 (Y axis). Place cursor exactly in the center of the circle and drag it, using the ruler as a guide to where you want to place it (There is probably a much easier way to do this). Once you have all of the CP accessories placed save it as a photoshop document. Then you can "apply image" of artwork over this layout and see where all of the accessories will be on the artwork.

One point to make is that once I had Player 1 joystick and buttons laid out I copied the "group" and placed them for Player 2 so you don't have to do them individually.

If someone knows a better method to place circles at an exact place, let me know.