Author Topic: Arcade Legacy - Mame Cabinet Project (Read 18464 times)

Mikezilla · « **Reply #40 on:** October 11, 2010, 11:36:26 am »

No problem good sir. I try to help out when I can! Im still new to this hobby so I cant really help out as much as I would like due to lack of knowledge

The cab looks great btw. Keep up the good work! Im jealous!

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #41 on:** October 11, 2010, 11:38:19 am »

I got some work done this past weekend. The parts I ordered for the coin door showed up so I installed those

Mounting the control panel to the cabinet had a few rough spots. I ended up needing to sand the paint down so the bottom of the control panel would fit inside the cabinet properly.

In this pic you can see the control panel base, without the control panel itself. I still need to order some clamps to hold it in place. Inside you can see where the black control panel bottom meets the white cross piece I mounted inside. That is where the clamps will go.

The control panel slides out, once out far enough, I can reach inside and undo the two clamps holding the control panel to the base.

It is a little hard to see the details of the control panel in place because of the lack of contrast of all the semi-gloss black surfaces.

From this angle the way the control panel meets the cabinet is more visible.

DirtyDachshunds · « **Reply #42 on:** October 11, 2010, 02:06:40 pm »

Looking nice. Not far to go.

severdhed · « **Reply #43 on:** October 11, 2010, 04:06:02 pm »

looking good, keep up the good work

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #44 on:** October 11, 2010, 05:07:51 pm »

Thanks!

Still lots of work to be done. The software side of things is barely configured. I need to finish configuring the OS to automatically launch Mala and then configure Mala to run things smoothly. I also haven't been able to get Daphne to recognize my joysticks, although it will "see" the buttons just fine.

And there is a lot of clean up inside once everything is working...

Then I need to finish the Marquee and design the CPO...

yotsuya · « **Reply #45 on:** October 15, 2010, 11:02:16 pm »

Because of this topic, I was introduced to The Arcade Boneyard. That guy is solid. He had some parts I needed and saved me a lot of money in the process.

Your cab's looking good, Kagato.

Mikezilla · « **Reply #46 on:** October 18, 2010, 02:07:20 pm »

Yup. Thats why I put him up here, bought some stuff off of him and he is a cool guy. Hopefully he could get some extra business with the exposure.

yotsuya · « **Reply #47 on:** October 18, 2010, 03:20:52 pm »

Yeah, not only did he have what I needed, I placed the order Tuesday, and by Friday afternoon I had my items. I ended up converting one of those Happ Standard Non-Working Coin Doors for Home Cabinets (you know, the kind that are there for looks only) into an actual working coin door with the parts I got from him. I highly recommend The Arcade Boneyard. Thanks, Mikezilla!

Mikezilla · « **Reply #48 on:** October 18, 2010, 05:44:12 pm »

Thats awesome!!! No problem at all! Glad he had the parts you needed!

yotsuya · « **Reply #49 on:** October 18, 2010, 09:47:52 pm »

Is he on the vendor's list? He should be!

Mikezilla · « **Reply #50 on:** October 19, 2010, 11:58:06 am »

Oops. No, I didnt put him on there, I forgot about that!

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #51 on:** October 20, 2010, 03:01:47 pm »

I have a draft of the control panel overlay I'm pretty happy with. I'm working on it at 300dpi in Photoshop.

The white box around the edge and the circles for the buttons wouldn't be printed. However I would print the centering + to help match the holes. I'm extending the artwork a little beyond the edges in case I mess up.

yotsuya · « **Reply #52 on:** October 21, 2010, 12:08:27 am »

I'm really liking what I see here, Kagato, especially with how you created the control panel.

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #53 on:** November 02, 2010, 12:43:14 pm »

I haven't posted an update in a while. I've been working on the front end design and trying to get Daphne to work.

Here is background image I'm working on for the front end.

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #54 on:** November 08, 2010, 06:20:33 pm »

Still at work on this project, I ordered my CPO from Game On Graphix, although the receipt doesn't say they have associated my purchase with the file I uploaded. We'll see what I get...

The original cabinet came with a particle board & glossy black cardboard bezel. I've taken some wood trim and worked it into a bezel around the 20" LCD I'm using for the cabinet. The trick is to prepare the bezel so it doesn't look like a hunk of wood painted black.

I installed some wood pieces to hold the PC case and Subwoofer in place inside the cabinet and created a wood frame to hold the DVD drive in front of the lower coin door.

Rick · « **Reply #55 on:** November 09, 2010, 08:22:50 am »

Quote from: KagatoAMV on November 02, 2010, 12:43:14 pm

I haven't posted an update in a while. I've been working on the front end design and trying to get Daphne to work.

Loving the look. I figure this is as good a place as any to ask - what front end are you using, and how easy is it to create your own design? I have Maximus, but haven't played with the front end designer at all yet.

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #56 on:** November 09, 2010, 11:55:13 am »

I'm working with the Mala front end right now. The design seems to boil down to creating a background image (which I attached a few posts back) and then placing elements the front end uses, such as game list, marquee image, screen shots, onto the background image. Then the creation of game lists, there are so many game rom images out there that to just present them all in one long list isn't practical. So I'm working on various lists to make it easier, I'm going to include a list of the games I consider a must of an "Arcade Legacy" then a list of fighting games, shooters, beat-em-ups, platformers, and maybe by manufacturer.

The tutorials on front end customization are okay, but what I've found more informative is downloading a front end layout, and then opening that layout in the designer to see what does what.

I haven't quite figured out switching between emulators yet.

EvilNuff · « **Reply #57 on:** November 10, 2010, 08:20:57 am »

In Mala turn on tree view and then you can set up different emulators down the tree. Under each one you can have custom lists such as you mentioned.

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #58 on:** November 11, 2010, 11:49:44 am »

Some construction progress photos this time. I've added the second pair of clamps to the control panel so it can be secured when slid into position. You can see the paper version of my control panel overlay in the photo too.

I mounted the catch plates for the clamps on the crossbar inside the cabinet.

You can also see the DVD drive mounted in front of the lower coin door and the wood braces I put in place to hold the computer case and sub woofer.

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #59 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:13:45 am »

The bezel is finished, I'm letting the paint cure before I install it in the cabinet and put the glass on top of it.

Sadly, I think the bezel really makes the monitor look small. I'm wondering if some sort of instruction card mounted along the bottom would help?

It isn't that big of a deal, something to worry about once the rest of the cabinet is done.

I also completed the small wood panel I'm going to mount inside for the power button and volume control. I'll try to mount that inside tonight.

Rick · « **Reply #60 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:15:43 am »

Quote from: KagatoAMV on November 17, 2010, 11:13:45 am

Sadly, I think the bezel really makes the monitor look small. I'm wondering if some sort of instruction card mounted along the bottom would help?

I always liked the look of the instruction cards, or even some type of graphic surrounding the bezel itself. As long as it isn't too overwhelming, I'd go that route. DEFINITELY loving the look of the bezel. Awesome work, again.

yotsuya · « **Reply #61 on:** November 17, 2010, 11:18:36 am »

Quote

Sadly, I think the bezel really makes the monitor look small. I'm wondering if some sort of instruction card mounted along the bottom would help?

It isn't that big of a deal, something to worry about once the rest of the cabinet is done.

I also completed the small wood panel I'm going to mount inside for the power button and volume control. I'll try to mount that inside tonight.

I had a friend of mine print up a bezel that I mounted on foamboard and put to go around my 19 inch LCD monitor. It looks great. You might want to consider that, or at least the instruction card.

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #62 on:** November 18, 2010, 11:20:44 am »

The Control Panel Overlay arrived from Game on Graphix, I think they did a great job. I started the install last night and should have it completed today.

I also finished building the volume and power button control panel I'm going to mount just inside the top coin door. That should go in place tonight as well.

Mikezilla · « **Reply #63 on:** November 18, 2010, 01:48:55 pm »

Holy ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- dude... That looks grea. Your cab is gonna dominate when its all done!!! I cant wait to see the finished build!

yotsuya · « **Reply #64 on:** November 18, 2010, 02:21:49 pm »

Yeah, nice work there!

EvilNuff · « **Reply #65 on:** November 19, 2010, 08:53:07 am »

Is your power button illuminated or a die cut vinyl sticker?

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #66 on:** November 19, 2010, 10:19:56 am »

It is a blue vinyl sticker, but man an illuminated button like that would be cool.

skinz · « **Reply #67 on:** November 19, 2010, 10:39:14 am »

Great job on the power button/Volume - inspirational!!!!

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #68 on:** November 19, 2010, 11:07:34 am »

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback.

I did complete the control panel overlay install last night. I notice a few minor details I got wrong, can't really fix them now, but I learned from it.

After playing a few games, it is clear I assembled the joysticks a little wrong, so I need to go back in and fix that tonight.

I brought the cabinet into the house, getting to cold and dusty in the garage to keep working on it out there.

EvilNuff · « **Reply #69 on:** November 19, 2010, 02:34:16 pm »

Quote from: KagatoAMV on November 19, 2010, 10:19:56 am

It is a blue vinyl sticker, but man an illuminated button like that would be cool.

This is the best I have come up with so far:

Excuse the really low quality cameraphone picture, the power image actually does not appear blurry in person. The problem is the power logo is only illuminated so when the cab is off it is not obvious that its a power button. I am still exploring other options for a lit power button.

DCsegaDH · « **Reply #70 on:** November 20, 2010, 02:11:43 pm »

Good job, the cabinet looks nice with the blue t molding!

Mikezilla · « **Reply #71 on:** November 22, 2010, 11:36:53 am »

Ageed, it loos great. It seems like it would be a little cooler with a bigger monitor/TV. Dont get me wrong, the cab looks AMAZING (I could never do that) I just think there is a lot of dead space on the bezel considering its so big. I know you said youre going to get some art around it, so hopefully that spruces it up.

garnerb350 · « **Reply #72 on:** November 22, 2010, 03:28:20 pm »

Awesome job ...just awesome!

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #73 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:15:52 pm »

You know the old saying that once you get a project working, there is a tendency to stop work on it? Well, I fell into that for more that a year, distracted by other projects.

I'm posting again because I am inspired to start working on my marquee design again. I'll post an update once I get something ready.

yotsuya · « **Reply #74 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:17:21 pm »

Awesome- this is one of my favorite traditional design projects!

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #75 on:** March 27, 2012, 08:30:40 pm »

I haven't forgotten to post here, instead I am having trouble coming up with a good marquee idea.

I might post some of my discarded ideas and see if you folks have some suggestions.

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #76 on:** March 27, 2012, 09:29:29 pm »

Here are the two ideas I've been playing with, the only difference is the font for "Legacy"

TheShaner · « **Reply #77 on:** March 27, 2012, 11:07:28 pm »

Im digging the more pixelated version. Seems more retro and fitting. Just my 2 cents.

Uncle Monkey · « **Reply #78 on:** March 28, 2012, 12:28:35 pm »

Quote from: TheShaner on March 27, 2012, 11:07:28 pm

Im digging the more pixelated version. Seems more retro and fitting. Just my 2 cents.

Yes, the bottom one is MUCH better

KagatoAMV · « **Reply #79 on:** March 28, 2012, 03:19:24 pm »

Quote from: Uncle Monkey on March 28, 2012, 12:28:35 pm

Quote from: TheShaner on March 27, 2012, 11:07:28 pm
Im digging the more pixelated version. Seems more retro and fitting. Just my 2 cents.

Yes, the bottom one is MUCH better

Thanks! I like that one better myself. I feel like it should have something more to it, either more color, or images, or something.


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