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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: spisi on May 02, 2026, 11:01:37 am

Title: Control panel designer?
Post by: spisi on May 02, 2026, 11:01:37 am: Is there any software for this? I have a small panel, 7 1/2" x 23 1/2". I want a 3" suzo happ track ball, 2 servo stik joysticks, 6 buttons per player, and 6-8 additional buttons. I'd like to make sure everything fits before I actually start cutting holes. I was wondering if there's any software where you could lay everything out?
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: Ond on May 03, 2026, 08:10:56 pm: There's no specific cp design software, or none I'm aware of. Generally the answer you'll get to this question is "use sketchup". There's a free version you can download and learn.

Other programs are Visio or Gimp. Gimp is free, Visio is not. Any program which can draw 2D shapes with accuracy could be used. I used to do design for other folks but I'm horrendously expensive these days, better to do it yourself.
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: RandyT on May 04, 2026, 02:30:18 pm: Quote from: spisi on May 02, 2026, 11:01:37 am
Is there any software for this? I have a small panel, 7 1/2" x 23 1/2". I want a 3" suzo happ track ball, 2 servo stik joysticks, 6 buttons per player, and 6-8 additional buttons. I'd like to make sure everything fits before I actually start cutting holes. I was wondering if there's any software where you could lay everything out?

If just looking for placements and getting the sizes correct, a much more appropriate free software would be something like Inkscape. Whichever you decide to use, when Vector and Bitmapped based programs are options, always go for the Vector-based program. These are basically 2D CAD for artists, and the ease-of-use considerations are geared more toward that crowd. It also allows for moving things around as separate objects, which makes visual spit-balling a lot easier. Once you get things about where they should be, most have options for precise positioning, grouping, copying, etc... CorelDraw is the "gold standard" but it's not free...although older versions are often available on the used market for fairly cheap(ish).

A side benefit of using these is that once a design is completed, it's almost ready to give to someone with a CNC to cut it for you, if that ended up being of interest.
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on May 04, 2026, 04:50:09 pm: You could even use something as simple as Canva for free. Create a custom size 7 1/2" x 23 1/2" page, then drag and drop shapes (you can resize them to the correct size) that represent your controls. You can add background art and labels. I use it to mock things up all the time.
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: Ond on May 04, 2026, 04:53:08 pm: Inkscape sure. Set the display mode in this program to outline, by default it will draw filled shapes.

I suspect the OP is hoping for an app that lets you input some parameters like panel size, controls etc and it draws it up.
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: Zebidee on May 04, 2026, 09:59:00 pm: Quote from: spisi on May 02, 2026, 11:01:37 am
Is there any software for this?

You want to look at the slagcoin layouts, take from that and adapt to your own needs. Scale appropriately and print.

https://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html

As for software, I mostly use MS Paint, a metal ruler and a pencil. Print the chosen layout and use it as a stencil. Stick paper tape over where the holes would go and pencil in spots for drilling. The paper tape will also help keep your drilling neat if you're using plywood or MDF.

Quote
I have a small panel, 7 1/2" x 23 1/2". I want a 3" suzo happ track ball, 2 servo stik joysticks, 6 buttons per player, and 6-8 additional buttons. I'd like to make sure everything fits before I actually start cutting holes. I was wondering if there's any software where you could lay everything out?

[I deleted some stuff here, did wrong conversions from centimetres to inches]

You won't need all those buttons, at least not on the main CP. A simple control panel is a beautiful thing. Here is one of mine for example. a little narrower than yours at ~21", please excuse the shameless self-promotion. The lit button at front is for credits. There are also separate PAUSE and ADMIN/SHIFT buttons, but they are tucked away under the marquee (not good to have those on main CP anyway).

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=393662;image)

Quote from: Ond on May 03, 2026, 08:10:56 pm
I used to do design for other folks but I'm horrendously expensive these days, better to do it yourself.

Interesting! I actually have a design mission in mind for you Ond, if you choose to accept. I have a payment plan.
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: spisi on May 05, 2026, 09:20:11 am: Thanks guys for all the input. I was kinda of wondering if there was software that you could say drag and drop a suzo happ 3" trackball and it would have all of the dimensions of the trackball. Drag and drop a Sanwa joystick and it would have all of those dimensions....Maybe I'll make it myself...hmmmm
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: Ond on May 05, 2026, 08:56:33 pm: I'm going to repeat what I recommended to begin with. Visio allows drag and drop, snap locate, grouping etc. and saves to multiple CAD compatible formats. It can be set to an exact page size for 100% scaled printing. It's easier to learn than most of the programs mentioned and yes I used all including even Canva. You can use Visio for free for 1 month $5 thereafter cancel any time.

I created a stencil with the controls you mentioned and dragged and dropped them into the CP size you mentioned. I don't think there's room for those extra buttons - see below.

(https://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=164992.0;attach=398645;image)

BTW I'm with Zebidee when it comes to old school design. Even using MS Paint ;D or ruler and paper. The best thing you can do is take those controls and a thick piece of cardboard, mount them up and see how the layout really feels before committing to cutting wood. *edit I think those ServoStiks take up even more room than I've allowed for in that quick mock-up but someone else with experience of those sticks can comment on that.
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: MartyKong on May 11, 2026, 11:02:05 am: I can second the Gimp free program. You can add as many layers as you'd like making each layer a button, trackball, etc. You would have to create the correct dimension of each item. But it's what I used and worked great!
Title: Re: Control panel designer?
Post by: Fursphere on May 14, 2026, 10:56:51 am: If you're building a 2+ player cabinet from scratch, my only recommendation is consider ADULT sized people, not children.

On your average 24" wide cabinet - you may find yourself uncomfortably shoulder-to-shoulder with another adult. I ended up making my 2 player cabinets like... 34" wide I think. Nice and roomy for adults to play together.