The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Artwork => Topic started by: dtr20 on February 04, 2011, 06:17:11 pm

Title: Program to create Control Panel
Post by: dtr20 on February 04, 2011, 06:17:11 pm
I am designing a cab and I am trying to figure out the best way to design the control panel.  The cabinet is an Atomiswave Sport Shooting USA cab so I will use the exisiting control panel as a template.  What program would you recommend on using to design this piece of the project.  I really don't need anything extravigant, just need to label which buttons do what, such as nintendo start select, a, b, sega a, b, c, x, y, z, etc.  Any suggestions?  Thanks for the help
Title: Re: Program to create Control Panel
Post by: SavannahLion on February 06, 2011, 02:42:48 am
You mean like button layout for fit or labeling the buttons on the actual cab itself?

For button layout, I use a combination of Microsoft Visio (because existing button templates already exist) and GIMP. For a three dimensional representation, I use Sketchup by importing a raster of the Visio file.

As for labeling the buttons. I dunno. I don't really label mind outside of the basics and at that point it's usually integrated into the artwork.
Title: Re: Program to create Control Panel
Post by: dtr20 on February 06, 2011, 06:49:50 pm
I want to design the artwork for the control panel.  in the artwork, i want to label buttons.  so i guess im asking what is the best program to design the artwork for a control panel.
Title: Re: Program to create Control Panel
Post by: donnie1979 on February 06, 2011, 07:58:52 pm
You proberly wanna use Adobe Photoshop or Illustrater.
Title: Re: Program to create Control Panel
Post by: Woodshop Flunky on February 06, 2011, 09:37:37 pm
I use GIMP for raster graphics and Inkscape for vector graphics (they are free to download and use).  If you've never used any product like Photoshop, or Illustrator, then there is going to be a steep learning curve.  Once you've got the basics, though, you can really do a lot with these free tools.