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Laminar's Build Threads 002: MAME Arcade Cabinet (Page 2)
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Here's a rough draft of the control panel artwork. Illustrator was able to import a PDF and correctly identified all of the shapes that I exported from CAD. The background image is a raster. The cake (insert coin button) and sentry (1/2 player start button) images I tried to make vectors of, but whenever I'd do a "Live Trace" of a png file with a transparent background, Illustrator would always add in a white background, so I just went with rasters. I drew the companion cubes (joystick locations) in Illustrator so those are native vectors. The four buttons up top will be for pause, escape, and whatever else I need.
I think I'll make the speaker holes below the monitor in the shape of portals. Some LED strips from eBay should make cool blue and orange glowing effects. I also ordered a slim keyboard and a pop-up USB hub this morning. The USB hub will be integrated into the area above the control panel, it will pop up when I need to plug in a USB controller. I'm thinking about making some sort of slide-out keyboard tray under the control panel for configuration purposes.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
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Shit... I can vector the cake for you. Give me until tomorrow.
I can Google the image, but if you want to link the exact one you're using, put up a link and I'll use that.
If you do, throw in the Sentry Robot too.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Originally Posted by subego
Re CS2... if you think the most up-to-date Illustrator may swing a proper import, hook me up with a DropBox link or something and I'll gladly give it a shot.
My issue is that CS2 doesn't like anything newer than Autodesk 2004. So a newer version of Illustrator could import Autodesk 2013 files, or the non-education version of Autodesk could import files in the 2004 format. Either way, my pdf hack seems to have worked.
Originally Posted by reader50
I still like the live marquee idea. Not only could you change the base image whenever you want to, and show the current game logos. But you could also sneak in the occasional comment on the gaming skills of Player A/B. A snarky comment/advice visible for 2-3 seconds. Then back to the game logo. It would help with audience involvement.
That's waaay deeper than I want to go. The hardware is scare (try finding an LCD in that aspect ratio), and though some front ends support it, you're mostly on your own. Given that my build is highly constrained by time and budget, I'm happy with my marquee which happens to fit the theme well. Here's a thread about them:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/inde...tml#msg1228998
No way am I shelling out $1000 for a LCD of that size.
Based on my cabinet size, if I do want to upgrade in the future the cab will hold a 22" widescreen monitor, like the one currently sitting in my garage. I didn't go for that this time as it's meant for 4:3 arcade games, and 16:9 23" screen doesn't give a whole lot of height advantage over a 4:3 19".
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Originally Posted by Laminar
Here's a first draft of the marquee graphics - the marquee is 4.5"x16" and will be backlit. You can probably figure out the theme I'm going with.
I went ahead and redid the marquee in full vector graphics (minus the background):
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
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I'll still vector the cake for you. I was on deadline yesterday.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Originally Posted by andi*pandi
Looks pretty good, although I think the outlines on the Aperture logo/little graphics got a bit too thick, and the lettering seems off.
I switched to a different source for the vector graphics, the one I used most recently was from Wikipedia. I'm not sure how close it is to the "official" logo, though.
Originally Posted by subego
I'll still vector the cake for you. I was on deadline yesterday.
I got it figured out - if I check the "strokes" box in Live Trace settings the transparency works as expected.
Everything is vector now, plus I added the dotted paths.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
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Oh... good deal!
I'll use that time for drinking. It's a win-win.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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I started out last night laying out the first cuts:
Then started in this morning with my circular saw, jigsaw, and little router table:
And eventually I ended up here:
Tomorrow I should be able to finish up the rest of the body and start in on the control panel. I should probably get my artwork ordered so it's here soon.
I cut a bezel for the display out of 1/2" MDF that goes around the entire display, not just the visible screen. If I use the Dell stand, the monitor will stick out of the front by about 1/4". I can detach the display and make my own VESA mount that would let me set the display wherever I want it, which will probably be easier than trying to build a platform to attached the Dell stand to.
I also need to look more into how to paint this MDF. The cut edges especially seem to just soak up any paint applied. I might have to slop on a coat of Bondo, wood filler, or drywall compound first.
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
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Fast work!
Judging by the many episodes of Trading Spaces I've seen, yes MDF drinks paint. However, beyond multiple coats, they never did anything special to it... but you've got more attention to detail, I think.
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Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: California
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Looking good. You could give it a first coat of white Kilz as a seal layer, then a color coat.
I couldn't tell from the pics, but the lower front / back panels. Are either hinged for easy access? Besides hiding the server in there, you might have space for some small shelves. You mentioned earlier some optional peripherals, that would be an efficient place to store them.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Still trying to decide where the access door will be. I'm also planning on some ventilation in the back, and maybe a port for the subwoofer to fire out of.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Denver, CO
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Looks awesome! Now for the real question: how about a pic of you with the unit or perhaps eating a sandwich?!
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Managing Editor
Join Date: Jul 2012
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I've got a big-ass jealous right now. Nice pics!
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Originally Posted by MacinTommy
Looks awesome! Now for the real question: how about a pic of you with the unit or perhaps eating a sandwich?!
How about me eating a sandwich in the unit?
Sidenote: I got stuck.
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Games Meister
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eternity
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I'll bet you wish you had a portal gun then.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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I would have settled for a screw gun.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Had a friend come over today and ended up doing more brainstorming than actual work, but we still got stuff done. I found an old VESA mount I bought off of MonoPrice on a whim a while back that I cut up and will use to mount the screen. I got the speakers mounted and just need to cut out two familiar oval-shaped holes in the frontmost bezel. I got all of the control panel top pieces cut out. I rough cut the Lexan with a jigsaw and used the router table to flush cut it to the piece it sits on top of, but it slipped and I cut about 1/8" into the Lexan - this piece is probably toast.
I also got my artwork ordered from FedEx/Kinkos this morning and picked it up this afternoon:
I had them leave 1/4" around the artwork so I can make everything fit nicely - I can trim it flush if I need to. The artwork is printed on a matte adhesive vinyl decal and the two pieces cost $47. I have no idea if that's a good price, but I can't beat that turnaround and the quality seems really good.
I'll pick up another piece of Lexan tomorrow morning and redo that portion, so I expect I'll be able to wire up the control panel tomorrow as well.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status:
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The Rock
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Hah, that looks awesome. I assume you have one of those x days on, x off jobs? Or is this vacation time? Cause you're plowing through this I like crazy - very impressive. :d
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Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status:
Offline
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Not officially - when I'm not traveling I'm expected to be in the office 8ish to 5ish but there's always some leeway after a trip, especially a longer one. I keep my phone on me and respond right away so they don't complain.
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
Status:
Offline
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