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    Custom 2 players Control Panel

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Projects and Themes
    control paneldiyarcadejoystickcustom
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    • caver01C
      caver01 @UDb23
      last edited by

      @UDb23 Nicely done. Looks like a good, clean, and solid build. This whole works connects to the Pi via one single USB (IPAC to Pi)?

      A thought on the red button. . . if you wanted a single function normally accessed via hotkey combo, you could keep hotkeys enabled and wire the button to two terminals so that pressing it is like pressing two buttons at once--the hotkey and something else.

      My 4-player cocktail style cabinet built as a custom "roadcase"

      UDb23U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • UDb23U
        UDb23 @caver01
        last edited by

        @caver01 Thanks!
        Yes Ipac-2 directly into usb of Pi3.
        Good point: connecting two terminals could do the job.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • UDb23U
          UDb23 @meleu
          last edited by

          @meleu Mapping it to TAB could be interesting to customize "per game settings.
          Still have to do extensive testing with various games to see if any button remapping is required.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • UDb23U
            UDb23 @FlyingTomahawk
            last edited by

            @FlyingTomahawk said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

            button as ON/OFF feature

            Yes, that could be another use, thanks.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • lilbudL
              lilbud @UDb23
              last edited by

              @UDb23 said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

              So what is now the best use for the red button for

              Destroying the world

              Creator of the Radiocade: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/6077/radiocade

              Backlog: http://backloggery.com/lilbud

              UDb23U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • M
                MattyL42 @UDb23
                last edited by

                @UDb23 Nice idea buddy, can I ask do you get the switches with the joysticks/buttons and does everything come with connectors fitted so it's easy to connect up?

                UDb23U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • UDb23U
                  UDb23 @lilbud
                  last edited by

                  @lilbud said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

                  Destroying the world

                  Ok, world may not be perfect but that solution would be a little exaggerated ;-)

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • pjftP
                    pjft
                    last edited by

                    Wow. This looks super, and it got me thinking about whether I should actually just build one of these rather than a full-sized cabinet.

                    How comfortable is it playing with it on your lap, and with two players how do you do it? Do you place it on a table? Do you sit very close to the other person in order to have that work and be stable?

                    And how are you connecting it to the Pi 3? A long USB cable?

                    Congrats and thanks for sharing!

                    UDb23U 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • UDb23U
                      UDb23 @MattyL42
                      last edited by

                      @MattyL42 said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

                      do you get the switches with the joysticks/buttons and does everything come with connectors fitted so it's easy to connect up?

                      I bought the arcade components from ArcadeWorld UK (note: not affiliated in any way to them). While planning for this Control Panel I found out most professional buttons come without switch so you can choose what brand you want for the switches. There is a standard and very easy "snap-in" way to connect switch and button. I choose Cherry switches as I know that brand for their top notch keyboards they produced for IBM PC's (and currently for gaming keyboards like Corsairs').
                      From the above mentioned e-shop you can get also the Ipac and "cabling kits" with connectors so you get basically all cables you need and no need to solder. You just have to take care you select the right kit for the joystick and buttons you selected (different size connectors). I had to solder one button as it was too close to the control panel border and not enought space to use connector.
                      Joysticks usually come with switches already included and mounted.
                      Maybe some arcade guru in building cabs can provide you more detailed info.

                      M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • UDb23U
                        UDb23 @pjft
                        last edited by UDb23

                        @pjft said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

                        How comfortable is it playing with it on your lap, and with two players how do you do it?

                        As said I studied quite deeply about CP actual size and button position; also checked what would be the ideal angle ( 7 degrees was my choice). Size is the same as Neo Geo original cabs with that 4 button layout plus some extra cm at the bottom (I have big hands ;-) ).
                        So it is as comfortable as an original 2 player cab (if you ever tried). You left hand has enough space to lay/rest on the CP and right hand also of course.

                        Do you place it on a table? Do you sit very close to the other person in order to have that work and be stable?

                        You can keep it on your lap but my use is to place it in front on the Pouf while you and the other person just sit nearby on the couch.
                        I used 14mm Plywood as it is way lighter and more robuts than usually suggested MDF.
                        Still the whole CP is not that light to keep it on your lap for long time ;-)

                        And how are you connecting it to the Pi 3? A long USB cable?

                        Ipac supplied cable (short) + USB extension cable (2m).

                        The tough part is woodwork and painting (especially if, like me, you're not an expert in that area).

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • UDb23U
                          UDb23 @pjft
                          last edited by

                          @pjft I can share the plan if needed (did it in Inkscape with actual sizes).

                          pjftP 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • FlyingTomahawkF
                            FlyingTomahawk
                            last edited by

                            When I build my arcade stick I used this website as guide. They have a lot different button layouts and they explain things really well.
                            In my case I took an old Dreamcast arcade stick and put in a wireless 360 controller PCB and replaced all the buttons and stick with Sanwa products. Did similar with my Buffalo arcade stick, removed all cheapo components and replaced them with Seimitsu stuff.

                            Building an arcade stick from scratch is harder then it looks.

                            UDb23U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • UDb23U
                              UDb23 @FlyingTomahawk
                              last edited by

                              @FlyingTomahawk said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

                              Building an arcade stick from scratch is harder then it looks.

                              Oh yes, fully agree.
                              btw checked that site too before making my CP

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • pjftP
                                pjft @UDb23
                                last edited by

                                @UDb23 you're very kind. I'll see. I'm not an expert in that area, and up until today I was certainly more inclined towards an actual cabinet, but if I end up not having the room for that I might certainly ask if you'd still be up for it.

                                Thank you and congrats!

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • M
                                  MattyL42 @UDb23
                                  last edited by

                                  @UDb23 hi buddy thanks very much for the detailed explanation. I'm now another step closer...id only been looking at stuff on ebay so thanks very much for pointing me to the shop...time to get an order together! :D

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • UDb23U
                                    UDb23
                                    last edited by

                                    If you're interested in making your own SINGLE player arcade stick, check here.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • lilbudL
                                      lilbud @UDb23
                                      last edited by

                                      @udb23 said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

                                      initially tried using plexi as top cover but, as feared, had issues (cracks) cutting the button holes. Without professional tools cutting plexi the right way is almost impossible

                                      When cutting plexiglass, cover the entire surface in packing tape and it won't crack

                                      Creator of the Radiocade: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/6077/radiocade

                                      Backlog: http://backloggery.com/lilbud

                                      UDb23U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • UDb23U
                                        UDb23 @lilbud
                                        last edited by

                                        @lilbud will try next time, thanks for the tip.

                                        G 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • G
                                          grant2258 Banned @UDb23
                                          last edited by grant2258

                                          @udb23

                                          i used a steel rule and a pizza cutter a few times to make a good indent on it. Then it was held on the table with 3 clamps and just snapped it off lining the indent on the tables straight edge and bend the plexi by hand. I did think it was going to crack but it didnt

                                          UDb23U 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • UDb23U
                                            UDb23 @grant2258
                                            last edited by

                                            @grant2258 Interesting approach. If I'll make another CP in the future (or even a Cab..) I surely will retry with Plexi.

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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