Custom 2 players Control Panel

The initial idea was to "Exit game/emulator"; yesterday I found out that using both a gamepad and the control panel (seen as a keyboard) if you want to have a single key EXIT on the keyboard you have to find a compromise with gamepad hotkeys.
I want to keep gamepad hotkeys so at this stage I exit emulator with keyboard by pressing START 1 and COIN1 buttons (got small buttons on the sides for coins btw) on the control panel.
So what is now the best use for the red button for ? Suggestions welcome.
The blue button in the middle is currently used for Pause.

meleu

@UDb23 said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

So what is now the best use for the red button for ? Suggestions welcome.

I would use it to invoke RGUI.

AndersHP

@UDb23 what about using the red button as the hotkey? That's what I'm planning to do in my build with the front center button.

FlyingTomahawk

@UDb23

I like the idea of "fold out into a full size cab" but we have to stay realistic. Maybe use the button as ON/OFF feature in the future if you ever put a RPi3 inside.

caver01

@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.

UDb23

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

UDb23

@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.

UDb23

@FlyingTomahawk said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

button as ON/OFF feature

Yes, that could be another use, thanks.

lilbud

@UDb23 said in Custom 2 players Control Panel:

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

Destroying the world

MattyL42

@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?

UDb23

@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 ;-)

pjft

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!

UDb23

@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.