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Control Panel Design Help
Tsch:
Oh alright :)
I did a bit of revision based off the advice you all gave me and added in a dedicated 4-way joystick
I moved the exit button and pause buttons up, and got rid of the asteroids buttons,select button, and menu button , I'm going to map them to other keys. I also added in some mouse buttons.
Is there any reason for coin buttons or will p1/p2 start buttons be enough? Also, what's the most efficient way to map my buttons?
dirkomatic:
Coin buttons are necessary. Actually, some games require specific coin input for specific players (I believe TMNT is that way.)
As for button mapping, you can do it on a game by game basis as needed or I believe you can set up a ctlr file, but I've never done that...
LeedsFan:
OK... think about actually using the panel. As you play marble madness etc. with the trackball and you frantically try to move up in the game... where is your hand gonna go? Right into your 4 way stick. :hissy:
If you use Ultimark U360 sticks you can have them programmed on the fly in the background with proper maps. No need for a dedicated 4-way stick. When the U360 is programmed with a 4-way map that's all it can do... move 4 ways. No accidental diagonals like you get with 8-way sticks.
I'm just making suggestions based on my own panel. Of course if you really want a separate 4-way then that's all well and good. A genuine Pacman 4-way stick will give that really authentic feel of the actual arcade cabinet. Some people will insist on that whereas other people (like me) are quite happy with the 100% playability the U360 gives. But I'd move any 4-way you install well away from the trackball.
Tsch:
Revision #2
Added in coin buttons, and moved 4-way to avoid hand smashing
I think I'm going to keep the dedicated 4-way for cost effectiveness.
What kind of interface would be best for this project? Would the I-PAC 2 work?
http://www.ultimarc.com/JShopServer/section.php?xSec=2
LeedsFan:
You don't really need coin buttons either. I've not come across any game yet that needs separate coin buttons.... I could be wrong though. To input coins on my panel I just press and hold player 1 button (shift) and then press the top left button for Player 1. Just keep pressing like that for more credits. Then release buttons and press Player 1 or 2 as normal on an arcade cab.
If you insist on the 4-way I'd move it up top... kinda inline with the player 1+2 buttons. Should be far enough away from the trackball. It was too close before. You could then place a couple of buttons next to it if you wanted to (though not necessary). I'm just thinking about how comfy it will be to play. You don't wanna be reaching too far for the buttons if you use any on the player 2 side with the 4-way. Nor do you wanna be reaching too far up the panel to reach the stick in the first place. I've n idea how big you gonna be making this. Making a mock up with cardboard is a good idea to get a hang of how things might "feel".
I'm not an expert on the interface to use. Personally on mine I used a Minipac. It's an all in one keyboard and optical interface for use with trackball/spinner. The Minipac isn't listed on the link list you posted..... but if you look on the right side of that webpage it's listed there as a separate item.
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