The (official?) homebuilt thread - Page 3

Rivorus · 12-17-2006, 06:00 PM

I'm ordering my buttons from happ right now. I remember hearing people saying that it was best to get 100g cherry switches to replace the ones that the jumbo buttons come with. I'm at Cherry's site right now, but I do not know which switches to get. Could anyone help me out?

Also, for anyone who cares, here is the controller design near completion with 5.5" between buttons and 5.25" spacing between rows. I just have to toy around a bit with the colors.

zodiacjay · 12-18-2006, 07:43 PM

These are the pics of the controller I've been building. I have no woodworking experience and no electronics experience. The controller has a few issues thus far. First of all, a missing microswitch in the right white button. Secondly, the left white button triggers the right white button. Go figure I wired it upside down, I'll fix that when happ sends me the microswitch they forgot. The bottom is currently made of the cardboard box my keyboard stand came in, and it affixed with electrical tape until I can upgrade to duct tape and eventually an actual wood bottom.

I still haven't figured out how I'm going to wire the lights and what I'm going to do for a paint job. I'm just happy the darn thing works. http://www.bemanistyle.com/forum/images/smilies/lol.gif

bakageta · 12-21-2006, 12:46 AM

I've been lurking for FAR too long here, just thought I'd post after seeing the art you've thrown together Rivorus. I had a chance to play on the pop'n 13 in Omaha this week, and I thought ahead and grabbed my digicam. I thought you might like a couple of the pics I snapped, for color reference.

http://www.doetguild.net/images/bakageta/popn1.jpg
http://www.doetguild.net/images/bakageta/popn2.jpg
http://www.doetguild.net/images/bakageta/popn3.jpg

(edit) Also, I noticed your lower corner cuts are a bit off from the arcade, check the pics to see what I mean. You may also want to use a slightly bolder font if you're trying to match the arcade, rather than the DJDao controllers. Very nice work, hope the pics help you nail down the colors.

(edit 2) Ok, insomnia has struck again, so I took the liberty of editing the colors to what I consider a close match to the arcade. I noticed that the DJDao controlers have a more purple-ish right section, I think I like the pink better. I fattened up your font a bit also, trying to get closer to the arcade look. In the process I butchered your dot explosion, but if you feel like using what I've done, I'm sure you can add that back in just a few seconds.

http://www.doetguild.net/images/baka...rPanelEdit.pdf

On another note, did you actually do the art for DJDao's controllers, or is yours completely seperate and just a clone of his? It's like absolutely identical to his, if you cloned it I totally admire your illustrator skill, I know I couldn't come close.

Rivorus · 12-21-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakageta

I've been lurking for FAR too long here, just thought I'd post after seeing the art you've thrown together Rivorus. I had a chance to play on the pop'n 13 in Omaha this week, and I thought ahead and grabbed my digicam. I thought you might like a couple of the pics I snapped, for color reference.

http://www.doetguild.net/images/bakageta/popn1.jpg
http://www.doetguild.net/images/bakageta/popn2.jpg
http://www.doetguild.net/images/bakageta/popn3.jpg

(edit) Also, I noticed your lower corner cuts are a bit off from the arcade, check the pics to see what I mean. You may also want to use a slightly bolder font if you're trying to match the arcade, rather than the DJDao controllers. Very nice work, hope the pics help you nail down the colors.

Thanks so much! I didn't have any high quality pics of an arcade cabinet that had this style control panel so I was using DJDao's controllers as a reference (which is why the cuts are as they are and the font is the way it is -- it was really annoying because the font on the pictures on DJ Dao's site aren't the same as the ones he is using on ones he sends out, such as on Arimesen's controller). I really just want it to look like the arcade as much as possible. After seeing your pictures it's clear that the decals are completely different and the design is a bit more smooth as well, so I'll have to go back and update my design.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakageta

(edit 2) Ok, insomnia has struck again, so I took the liberty of editing the colors to what I consider a close match to the arcade. I noticed that the DJDao controlers have a more purple-ish right section, I think I like the pink better. I fattened up your font a bit also, trying to get closer to the arcade look. In the process I butchered your dot explosion, but if you feel like using what I've done, I'm sure you can add that back in just a few seconds.

http://www.doetguild.net/images/baka...rPanelEdit.pdf

On another note, did you actually do the art for DJDao's controllers, or is yours completely seperate and just a clone of his? It's like absolutely identical to his, if you cloned it I totally admire your illustrator skill, I know I couldn't come close.

No, I did not do the art for DJDao's controllers, I just used pictures of his controllers as a reference. I'm glad you like the replica, though, I put a lot of time into it, even though it is now clear that I have to still do much more in order to get it like the true arcade controllers.

As a side note, does anyone know of a place I can go to print this out full size once it is completed? After looking around online it appears as though most places only do large, high-quality, glossy prints in large quantities, otherwise they charge too much for just one or two copies (looking online it seems like I wouldn't be able to print it out for less than $75 per, which is about $50 more than I hoped to pay, unless I decide I want to print something like 300 of them or more).

I'll continue working on this regardless of whether or not I can print it out, but I'd really like to use this if I can. I guess I could always order them in bulk and then try to sell off some controllers in the US with the design, but then I'd fell like I'm just ripping off both Bemani and DJ Dao's controller idea for profit, which I'd rather not do. Anyone have any ideas as to how I can get this design printed out at relatively high quality and for cheap?

Edit:
Thanks again, your pictures are fantastic, however there is a glare blocking one of the decals in http://www.doetguild.net/images/bakageta/popn3.jpg and I can't make out what it is. If you can, would you be able to grab a picture of that decal again? Certainly don't feel obligated to do so and if you do, don't feel rushed as you've alread done enough and I'm probably not going to be physically building the controller for at least a little while anyway -- I only just ordered the buttons a couple nights ago and I have no experience with electronics so I will likely be lazy and drag it out for a while.

bakageta · 12-21-2006, 06:08 PM

I actually live about 2 hours away from that machine, so I won't be able to grab more pics any time soon...

You can see the decal in the second pic though, it's a smiley face.

As for printing it out, you might try http://www.mamemarquees.com/, they do custom control panel overlays and such for at least semi-reasonable. You could probably go with no adhesive or laminate. It should run something like $38 for up to 23x35, more than big enough, or $50 if you want it laminated with adhesive. I've heard nothing but good things about them, but haven't actually bought anything there myself, so you might check around.

Rivorus · 12-21-2006, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakageta

I actually live about 2 hours away from that machine, so I won't be able to grab more pics any time soon...

You can see the decal in the second pic though, it's a smiley face.

Ah, you're right! Thanks again, that'll do fine!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakageta

As for printing it out, you might try http://www.mamemarquees.com/, they do custom control panel overlays and such for at least semi-reasonable. You could probably go with no adhesive or laminate. It should run something like $38 for up to 23x35, more than big enough, or $50 if you want it laminated with adhesive. I've heard nothing but good things about them, but haven't actually bought anything there myself, so you might check around.

Perfect, I'll check them out.

Edit:

Here's a quick draft of the design based off of your pictures. I completed all of the decals, reshaped the molds around the buttons, and adjusted the colors a bit. I accidentally made the smiley's mouth too thick, but that will be fixed in the next upload.

bakageta · 12-22-2006, 02:08 PM

Wow, very impressive. I took the pics planning something similar, but I know I couldn't come close to as good of a job as you're doing. Any chance of getting the psd posted up when it's done? If you wouldn't mind, I'd LOVE to use your design for my project.

Rivorus · 12-22-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakageta

Wow, very impressive. I took the pics planning something similar, but I know I couldn't come close to as good of a job as you're doing. Any chance of getting the psd posted up when it's done? If you wouldn't mind, I'd LOVE to use your design for my project.

Thanks. I'm planning on posting a .ai file once it's done so that it can be easily modified. I'll let you know when I finish.

MTy · 12-24-2006, 07:10 AM

Just finished panting mine and it came out realy good

marry xmas ya'll

parabro01 · 12-24-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivorus

Thanks. I'm planning on posting a .ai file once it's done so that it can be easily modified. I'll let you know when I finish.

I'll be waiting it with arms wide open :P
I'm building one now (not arcade style... a smaller one 'cause I can't get the buttons) and I'll be using your design ^^
thanks fot your work!

Rivorus · 12-25-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTy

Just finished panting mine and it came out realy good

marry xmas ya'll

That looks awesome! I really like the choice of colors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by parabro01

I'll be waiting it with arms wide open :P
I'm building one now (not arcade style... a smaller one 'cause I can't get the buttons) and I'll be using your design ^^
thanks fot your work!

Glad you like it. I'll make a version that fits for version 2 mini controllers once I'm done with the full sized version; if your controller is going to be similar to that it should be pretty easy to adapt.

Also, Edo from the TGA forums was nice enough to go out and take a full set of pictures of a couple of Pop'n Music arcade machines in Japan which I'm planning on eventually using as a reference to draw graphics for an entire cabinet replica.

Edit: God dammit!

I just sat down to add in the pixel explosion and I accidentally opened the PNG instead of the .ai file (same name, same folder) -- didnt realize it because of the quality of the png, so I started working, then saved over the .ai. Now, about 20 hours of work is completely gone and I have to vectorize all of the graphics again!

MTy · 12-26-2006, 01:33 PM

yeah i love mixing red and black think they go great together. This is accualy the forth asc iv built but the others has only been pure black.

docpop4231 · 12-27-2006, 02:58 AM

k just to make sure the spacing between the rows are 5.25" and spacing between the buttons are 5.5" . and i would be really great if someone could post a like to the buttons i found some buttons on happ but i dont really know if they are the right 1's thanks in advance (^.^) and i was just wondering what you used 4 the controller chip do you just use a dual shock controller chip , i was going to use the chip out of my small pop'n controller that came with the game. thanx

MTy · 12-27-2006, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docpop4231

k just to make sure the spacing between the rows are 5.25" and spacing between the buttons are 5.5" . and i would be really great if someone could post a like to the buttons i found some buttons on happ but i dont really know if they are the right 1's thanks in advance (^.^) and i was just wondering what you used 4 the controller chip do you just use a dual shock controller chip , i was going to use the chip out of my small pop'n controller that came with the game. thanx

You cant use a dualshock chip cuz they are way too complex. I used a chilli chip they are as easy as they can be, here is a photo from a swedish auction site:

http://www.tradera.com/auction/PS2/aid_37258147

docpop4231 · 12-27-2006, 01:01 PM

well i used a dual shock chip on my ddr pad and i worked just fine but i guess there are more buttons but that just means more soldering, i think the best way to go would be the way of the small pop'n controller. that way the game would recognize it as a pop'n controller and not a dual shock or anything like that, plus the chip 4 the small controller is REALLY BIG so i would be easy to work with thx
(^.^)