Dr. Mame

[Xiaou2]

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[RetroBorg]

Project Goals:

Looks are not important.

After checking out the pictures, I think you will achieve this goal. 

(my designs are not to be used commercially without my express written and
signed permission)

I don't think this is likely to be an issue. 

But seriously I am looking forward to seeing your finished project, especially the flip up trackballs.

While this project may never win a Mamey for it's beauty, you might win some sort of Mamey for having the most controls on a control panel.

I can't wait to see some progress pictures, this will be an interesting project to watch.

[Xiaou2]

 *update*

  Tried to print the layout.   Sadly, Photoshop wouldnt let me print such a huge pic.
(no auto-separation).    Then I tried exporting to  MsPaint.   Yet somehow, even with
all the correct specs... the scale got thrown off          

 After hours of trying to figure it out,  I finally broke down and split the image up
with image-ready.  Took a bit of time to figure all that out too.   

 
  After getting the life-scale printout,  I trimmed the sections,  then taped
them to a big section of cardboard.  Turned out really nice        

 After laying hands over the controls positions... Ive noted some trouble areas.  While
certain things looked clear and good in my head... the arms angles sometimes were
different than expected.  (such as arm laying over top of buttons,  or hand rubbing on
a close stick).

 I took some extra Control Cutouts,  and positioned then in alternate places.  Testing
out all the angles and making adjustments as needed.

 So far, no major issues.  Only tweaks of an inch here and there.   

 Will post pics soon.

 

[leapinlew]

  Tried to print the layout.   Sadly, Photoshop wouldnt let me print such a huge pic.
(no auto-separation).    Then I tried exporting to  MsPaint.   Yet somehow, even with
all the correct specs... the scale got thrown off          

 After hours of trying to figure it out,  I finally broke down and split the image up
with image-ready.  Took a bit of time to figure all that out too.   

I've had this issue - I print the image in Visio and it prints it across several sheets of paper. Good luck with your build.

[phishpac]

I can't tell what I'm looking at in your picture.  How many people do you plan to be able to use it at once?  Aren't you concerned about the amount of controls getting in the way of each other?  Just puttin' this out there, but I would consider making wiring harnesses for quick disconnect and have a 2nd top for your suitcase to ease up on that cluster of buttons and sticks you got.

[Xiaou2]

 Its easier to see, if you divide the control panel in half.   Its basically like
2 control panels glued together " back to back ".

 You never reach past the center of the control panel.

4 people can play on it.

 This unit has 3 sides which you can play from.   The front, back, and
side (pinball buttons).  You simply turn the panel to face the side you want to use.


 The controls are not in the way of each other. (on the tweaked version)  I used special
design tactics to keep all controls reachable, comfortable, and without any interference.

 Click on the pic and enlarge it... you should see the names of the control types, and
be able to see it more clearly.

[Havok]

Better put some wheels on that puppy - or you could lug it around for a workout...

[quadmasta]

Portable frankenpanel!

My advice, steal my MAMEcube "console" idea.  Make two controllers with nothing in them but an encoder and the controls themselves and put all the bigger, heavier stuff in a console box that your controllers plug into.

[Stobe]

Holy Moley!

I didn't realize the size of this thing until I saw the laser printout with your hand.  It looks to be huge!

I'm guessing the "Dr. Mame" name came from the inevitable Chiropractor necessity after carrying this thing around a couple times?

Also, I think I see the top-down drawings of the tron sticks, but in any other context I would have sworn they were something else (I may have to delete my IE cache on my work computer now )

But in all seriousness, I'm looking forward to seeing this thing "come to life"

-Stobe