BYOAC OLD Wiki - User contributions [en]

Template:Welcome

2006-08-22T03:39:07Z

Mortalpawn: Changed out old "Contents" reference to be the "Index" page instead.

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<span style="color:#cf7606; font-size:200%;">'''Welcome to''' </span><span style="color:#005288; font-size:200%;">'''BYOAC Wiki - Build Your Own Arcade Controls'''</span>
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The BYOAC Wiki is one of three main sections of the [http://arcadecontrols.com/ Build Your Own Arcade Controls website], which primarily (but not exclusively) concerns itself with building or buying authentic arcade controls and connecting them to your computer to play arcade style games with real arcade controls instead of a keyboard or mouse. Read "[[BYOACWiki:About|What's this all about?]]" to learn how the Wiki section of BYOAC came about and what it's for, or if you're already familiar with Wikis then dive right in! A full index of the site is located at the '''[[:Category:Index|Index]]''' page.
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Template:Welcome

2006-08-22T03:38:49Z

Mortalpawn: Changed out old "Contents" reference to be the "Index" page instead.

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<span style="color:#cf7606; font-size:200%;">'''Welcome to''' </span><span style="color:#005288; font-size:200%;">'''BYOAC Wiki - Build Your Own Arcade Controls'''</span>
</div>
<div style="background:#ffffff; padding:0.2em 0.4em 0.2em 0.4em;">
The BYOAC Wiki is one of three main sections of the [http://arcadecontrols.com/ Build Your Own Arcade Controls website], which primarily (but not exclusively) concerns itself with building or buying authentic arcade controls and connecting them to your computer to play arcade style games with real arcade controls instead of a keyboard or mouse. Read "[[BYOACWiki:About|What's this all about?]]" to learn how the Wiki section of BYOAC came about and what it's for, or if you're already familiar with Wikis then dive right in! A full index of the site is located at the '''[[Category:Index|Index]]''' page.
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<noinclude>[[Category:Templates]]</noinclude>

Talk:Main Page

2006-08-22T03:28:13Z

Mortalpawn: Added notes on new navigation bar

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 01:54, 13 July 2006 (EDT)We should probably reduce the amount of subnavigation on the main page. There's something to be said for immediate drilling down, but the more junk there is on the first page, the more overwhelming it will be to newbies... who this will be most useful for.
--[[User:Mahuti|mahuti]] 13:20, 27 February 2006 (EST)

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I moved the full table of contents to its own page and listed the main sections here. It's still just as confusing for noobs though, it really needs a friendly introductory paragraph with a couple of links to get people started.
--[[User:JoyMonkey|JoyMonkey]] 13:56, 27 February 2006 (EST)

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Seems the Miscellaneous link is misaligned to "Miscellaneous_.28for_now.3F.29". Changing so it links to "Miscellaneous" on the contents page.
[[User:CoachMcGuirk|CoachMcGuirk]] 16:24, 2 March 2006 (EST)

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Oh yeah, I changed the Misc link on the Contents page but forgot to change the link on the Main Page. D'oh!
--[[User:JoyMonkey|JoyMonkey]] 16:27, 2 March 2006 (EST)

Look on the [[http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Jukebox_Software Jukebox Page]]. This should go this way, wich is going being nicely.

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 10:20, 19 March 2006 (EST)

I would like to reorganize the look of the main page - into a main introductory paragraph with two columns underneath. That would let most users see all the links on one screen. Also I strongly recommend adding the <nowiki>__NOTOC__</nowiki> tag to the top of the page to get rid of the silly contents box. Perhaps use a template to format the title. I'd be happy to do it, but I don't want to jump in and upset anyone.

Also, it would be best if the main page led into major portals (i.e. major subjects) each with their own page and category (does anyone use categories??) rather than just leading to one huge page with every link on it. This would require some rework, but not really that much once we have some major portal headings and categories defined. -- thoughts??
-- [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 22:28, 4 July 2006 (EDT) (aka Doc- on the forum)

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I say go for it, I don't like the look of the main page very much anyway. I use the search function when trying to locate a specific page becuase the main page is unwieldy.

--[[User:Buddabing|Buddabing]] 10:20, 5 July 2006 (EDT)

Go for it!

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 18:15, 5 July 2006 (EDT)

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I'm thinking of something along the lines of my homebrew wiki here - http://www.brewwiki.com -- I won't have time to do the bulk edits until next week, but I'm thinking of the following main portals:
* Getting Started
* Designing & Building (includes Tools)
* Control Panels (includes controls)
* Video
* Finishing (includes artwork, lighting, misc)
* Software (includes Emulators)
* Examples (includes most of the "link" type pages)
* Community (people, the BYOC community, etc)
* Suppliers (& vendors)
* Help Portal - contains info about, copyrights, info on Wiki editing, etc...
I think each should have a category assigned to it, plus one more category for the Glossary (the current glossary could be more easily done with a category) and another for Help. More thoughts?? [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 19:43, 5 July 2006 (EDT)
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What about the [[Contents]] Page (wich should been the frontpage)?

All MainPage does now it links to the content page, wich is not allways fine. if someone update the content page, they also forgot to update the mainpage as well.

I think the content page is fine, but the mainpage does require a rework. Either it would been fine with me, if these pages(s) can been tweeked, and the user easier can navigate around.

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 11:31, 6 July 2006 (EDT)
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I guess that is a good question. The problem is that the index has become quite large, which is why I think it might be better as several pages focused on different topics. You could create an index or Glossary that automatically lists major pages using categories instead (i.e. Category:Index or Category:Glossary). I'm not saying we need to rid ourselves of the index, but perhaps there is a way to make it easier to maintain.

Just some thoughts - I may have a few minutes to start on the main page this week. I won't alter the index. I may start on the portals, but I won't link the main page into them unti lwe sort this out.
-- [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 22:53, 9 July 2006 (EDT)
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In my options, it most on the "General sections of this wiki" in mainpage, that is very ugly. It the same page as a content, but only contain shortcuts. The Content page is for me fine, it large, but it was setup like a table, and splittede software and hardware. It a good breif index of all aviable pages (like you would in a book in the beginning).

The mainpage could maybe directy take into a subpages of a category (like examples), rather than linking to the content page?

I guess these pages should been seperated, so they dosen't share links, so it need to update both page?

Let see, what you doing on the mainpage.....

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 12:49, 10 July 2006 (EDT)
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Reformatted the main page - this is just a start because I still need to establish portals to organize the main entry points on the website. At this point I did not change any content - just reformatted. [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 23:29, 11 July 2006 (EDT)
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--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 12:49, 10 July 2006 (EDT)
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Reformatted the main page - this is just a start because I still need to establish portals to organize the main entry points on the website. At this point I did not change any content - just reformatted. [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 23:29, 11 July 2006 (EDT)
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The Category should been used on all subpages, since the index look very good. Im tried with the examples. Whaow, what a diffecent! You are complety right. These portal should use thier own category.

I have also changed the software section in the mainpage. It is that would you was looking for (this section called the software portal, Category:Software])?

This is a lots easier to navigate around. Later Im going to put the tag on all software pages.

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 18:04, 12 July 2006 (EDT)
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Spacefractal - see this page for a description of how I use portals together with categories to make it much easier on my Brewing site:
* [http://brewwiki.com/index.php/BrewWiki:Community_Portal BrewWiki Portal]
About half way down the page you will see a table showing that each portal has its own category, and all the pages in that portal are members of that category. In addition I have a "super category" called "Glossary" that all of the main terms belong to so I can autogenerate the Glossary or index. The main entrance point into each major topic is a portal, and each portal has a category for easier navigation. It does eliminate the need for an index page, since the overall glossary/index serves that purpose.

I just created a new Portal named "Software" - do a search for that page and see what you think. [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 19:26, 12 July 2006 (EDT)
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I like that.

Found it from the recent changes page. Now there are 2 pages about software (Software and Software_Overview, that last one would been redirected to the new one). On the main page, I guess you simply add a link into the software page on the mainpage? The Portals should been created before changed the main page. And then all subartcles would been added the missing category tag. I would going to add "Software" category on all software pages (only links, that is really software, not the list).

Content/Index may need to been totally changed, but wait with this before the main page is finished. And until portals is finished, I should revert the main_page back to the changed design (before I changed the software)?

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 01:25, 13 July 2006 (EDT)

You may use [[Template:Main_Page]] for testing, when portals being working. (like i did for testing examples).

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 01:29, 13 July 2006 (EDT)

Looked on your page: Glossary are allready used here, BUT "Contents/Index" could been redirected to [[Category:Index]] when it totally finished instead. This page would been more automatic, so we only need to change the main page or adding links. The Contents/Index should even been renmaned to index. I guess we can get Saint/Sirwoogie to doing that. Yes, it a lots easier to mainstream that way.

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I agree all of the major portals should have their own category - so pages under software should belong to "Category:Software". Once we have all the portals set up we can alter the main page to point to them. I don't think we should alter the main page until all of the portals are done. If we are going to redirect the index, we will need to get someone with SysOp privaleges. I think the sidebar is protected. I should have time this weekend to do some of the heavy lifting.

Doc- [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 23:47, 13 July 2006 (EDT)
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Yep, you are totally correct. IM add a WorkofProgress tag in this mainpage, so other users can see, these pages going to changed into portals.

You can just use a #REDIRECT tag on the contenct/Index page, when it finished (until Contenct/Index going changed by a admidstrator). The mainpage stay as it as until then.

The Software part is finished.

Only few only software page should add to the Index, wich Im have did (Like Hiding Windows, Index to Game Consoles an so on).

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 06:45, 14 July 2006 (EDT)

I let you doing the rest portals. Later I going to workout some issues in the Examples and software page (wich is nothing with due to portal). I Think each article from Content, simply have thier own portal (copy&Paste the text)!

* The Basic
* Examples

And so on, but I let you do the rest. When all portals are created, The Content/Index is no longer needed. I redirect the page instead (using #REDIRECT). It should somply been changed to Category:Index, when finished.

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 07:25, 14 July 2006 (EDT)
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OK - I just finished a massive restructure of the main page and set up portals for major topics. I tried very hard not to drop anything but if I did, I apologize. I also moved to a category based index (though the old contents page is still linked on the sidebar and also in the welcome block). The new structure for the site is significantly streamlined. Details for the new structure are on the [[Community Portal]]. Each portal has a corresponding category to provide better organization and navigation. There is some method to the madness, but the new structure does expose some areas that need significant work - particularly the ''Design and Building'' and ''Finishing'' portals need some more meat.

The new automatic Index is far from complete, but you can add any page to the index by just using the code '''<nowiki>[[Category:Index]]</nowiki>''' at the bottom of a given page. Eventually we may want to phase out the current Contents page. Also the Glossary should eventually be converted to a category as well in my opinion, but that was too large a project to take on at the moment.

I'm not sure if anyone will like the new format - but several of us think it is far superior to the old links that took you to sections of the index...I guess if you don't like it you can always revert it. [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 01:45, 15 July 2006 (EDT)
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2 Tumps Up :-). Very great work!

I have worked some issues (in vendors pages), and add a missing vendpor page (By MYX).

I think the Glossary work fine, and have a fine link in the sidebar. It should leave as it are. I have no problemo with that!

Otherwice I ask admin to get "Contents/Index" changed to "Category:Index". I also ask him to state you as a wikimaster. It a very streamlined pages we now have!

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 06:21, 15 July 2006 (EDT)

Doc: Outstanding! Your reformatting makes it much easier to find a specific topic!

--[[User:Buddabing|Buddabing]] 21:50, 15 July 2006 (EDT)

All users are allowed to alther the text, as it stated on the the '''[http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html Gnu Lincense]''' Lincense (as I can read). I just readed the lincense, what I was wrote under for. It is of course ok for me.

When creating a new page, please add a '''<nowiki>{{WorkInProgress}}</nowiki>'''. This is to tell the user, this page is on contruction, and since the page is of course not finished.

Im also recommeded '''to respect''' other users (me includning) NOT to just overtake the page, just because the user are new, or they are very scared to it been changed by somebody. Any big changes should notice in the talk pages as well (like Mortalpawn did).

Please '''do not''' do the mistake I did, when I totally changed the Examples page idea and changes, when these pages was created as new. This was a very respectless change, since I'm diddent use the talk page first.

--[[User:Spacefractal|Spacefractal]] 10:34, 18 July 2006 (EDT)
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Saint gave me SYSOP permissions, so I cleaned up the sidebar today and added the new index and also the community portal. I also added a link to the old index on the main page in case anyone is looking for it. Cheers! [[User:Mortalpawn|Doc-]] 23:28, 21 August 2006 (EDT)

Category:Index

2006-08-22T03:25:58Z

Mortalpawn: /* See Also */ - Added old contents/index page

This category serves as a main index for the BYOAC site. Key terms, pages, and topics are included here. To add a new page to this index, simply include the code '''<nowiki>[[Category:Index]]</nowiki>''' at the bottom of your new page.

==See Also==
* [[Glossary]]
* [[Main Page]]
* [[Contents|Old Contents/Index Page]]

[[Category:Portals]]

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2006-08-22T03:25:20Z

Mortalpawn: Added community portal to sidebar

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2006-08-22T03:23:12Z

Mortalpawn: Edited sidebar - changed out contents/index page

Main Page

2006-08-22T03:21:56Z

Mortalpawn: /* Site Index */ - Added old contents index link in prep for changing menu bar

__NOTOC__
{{Welcome}}
<div style="background:#f9f9f9; padding:0px; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; margin-bottom:5px;">
{| cellpadding="10" width="100%" style="background:#f4f4f4"
|style="width:50%" valign="top"|
==Main Arcade Cabinet Portals==
* [[Basics|Arcade Cabinet Basics]]
* [[Examples|Project Examples of a cabinet]]
* [[Building|Cabinet Design and Building]]
* [[Controls|Control Panels and Interfaces]]
* [[Video|Monitors and Video]]
* [[Finishing|Finishing and Artwork]]

* [[Vendors|Vendors - Where you buy your stuff from]]

* [[Software|Software and Emulators]]
|valign="top"|

==Site Index==
* [[:Category:Index|Site Index]]
* [[Special:Popularpages|Most Popular Pages]]
* [[Glossary]]
* [[Community Portal]] - To add or edit pages!
* [[Contents]] - Old Contents/Index page

==External Links==
* [http://arcadecontrols.com Main BYOAC Web Site]
* [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/ BYOAC Discussion Forum]
* [[Project Arcade|Project Arcade - The Book]] - Written by Saint - the BYOAC sponsor
|}
</div>

[[Category:Portals]]

Doc's Modular Mame

2006-07-25T21:29:54Z

Mortalpawn:

* '''Project Type:''' Upright Arcade Cabinet
* '''Construction Method:''' Scratchbuilt
* '''Monitor Type:''' 21" PC Monitor (CRT)
* '''Interface Type:''' Keyboard Encoder (IPAC-2)
* '''Special Controls:''' Mouse hack, Spinner, Trackball, Steering Wheels, Lightguns
* '''OS:''' Windows XP
* '''Homepage:''' http://www.beersmith.com/mame

<br style="clear:both;"/>
== Additional Details ==
A unique fully modular panel that allows you to change the controls out with no tools. Over 20 panels can be put in any order to match any game - trackballs, joysticks, spinners, steering wheel etc in less than a minute. All packaged in a compact 24" custom cabinet with classic lines.'''saint's note. Check this one out! A brilliant implementation of the modular panel concept! This is one that would make it into the book if there's a second edition - very cool!'''

<br style="clear:both;"/>
== Pictures ==
http://arcadecontrols.com/images/examples/DocsModular.jpg

<br style="clear:both;"/>

[[Upright_cabinets|Back to Upright Cabinet Examples]]

[[Category:Examples]]

Basic Guide to Building a Cabinet

2006-07-21T18:55:53Z

Mortalpawn: /* Things to consider first */ - modified controls reference

__NOTOC__So you want to build yourself a cabinet? Here is a basic guide to get you on the road. Some things mentioned might be daunting at first, but take a look at the things mentioned on this page and it might notify you on something you otherwise had overlooked.
If you have questions, never be afraid to ask in the Build Your Own Arcade Controls [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/ forums].

==Things to consider first==
You don't want to rush out and just buy yourself a few pieces of [[Wood_products|wood]], fire up your [[Power Tools|power tools]] and start cutting! First things first:
* '''What kind of cabinet do you want?'''
:Cabinets come in all shapes and sizes ([[Arcade Cabinet]]). There are sample plans available ([http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_cabinet_plans.shtml see here]) on the BYOAC site. There are also [[Vendors]] who sell full cabinet kits.
:If you want to design your own cabinet, take a look [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_cabinet_plans.shtml#dimensions here]. Some things to keep in mind when figuring out your dimensions are:
::#How tall you are. You don't want to end up with a control panel you can't reach conmortably or look at a screen that is too low for your comfort.
::#The size of the monitor. If you want to put in a 36" screen, make sure it fits.
::#The size of your control panel. If you want to have a gazillion controls on it, but you made it only 10" wide you are probably going to run out of space.
:Instead of building your own cabinet, you may also choose to restore or convert an existing cabinet. See also [[notes on converting a cabinet]].
:Whatever you decide, one very important thing to consider before ANYTHING is done, is ''how wide are your doorways?'' If you can't get it to the location you have planned, all your work will be for naught!

*'''What do I use to run the software?'''
:Do you plan to use a PC and run [[Emulators]]? If so, does the PC fit in the cabinet you designed? Do you plan to wire a [[JAMMA]] board? Are you planning on using console games?

*'''What controls are you going to want on your cabinet?'''
:What kind of games do you want to play? Take note of what controls those games use. How many players? The [[control panel]] needs more space if you want a 4 player cabinet. Generally, if you want to play fighter games, you will need 6 buttons per player. If you want a 4 player cabinet, keep in mind that there aren't any non-console games that support more than 4 buttons for player 3 and 4. Take a look at the [[Controls]] section for more info on [[joysticks]], [[trackballs]], [[spinners]], etc. It is also possible to buy ready made control panels. See the [[vendors]] page on where to get these items.
:It is also a wise idea when it comes to control panel design to 'test fit' your controls using a piece of cardboard, cheap wood, or a piece of ridgid insulation. Your layout might look good on paper (or in your [[Technical_design_software|design software]]), but nothing beats testing to make sure everything is to your satisfaction prior to making your final model.

*'''How to interface the controls?'''
:Once you have decided what controls you want, how do those controls connect to the PC? See the [[Contents#Interfacing_Controls_With_Your_PC|interfacing controls with your PC]] section for various options. Things to keep in mind when selecting an interface board, are the number of available connections and the amount of controls you plan to use.

*'''What type of display device do you want to use?'''
:There are various options, ranging from [[Televisions]], [[PC Monitors]] and even real [[Arcade Monitors]]. Keep in mind that these have different connections and might need a special [[Video Cards|videocard]]. Also an arcade monitor is mounted diffently in a cabinet than a television (which might sit on a shelf in your cab).

*'''What about artwork?'''
:[[Contents#Arcade_Art|Artwork]] can make your cabinet stand out and look authentic or personalized. What art are you going to use and what size do the images need to be? Do you want art on your [[Control panel]]?

*'''Any extras?'''
:How do you want to control your emulator software? Do you want special administration buttons on your control panel (or hidden elsewhere on your cabinet?). Do you want to add a drawer to have access to your PC's keyboard? Perhaps add a [[Coin Doors|coin door]] or have 'insert coin' buttons? Do you want speakers with volume control? Any special lighting such as lighted buttons or a marquee?

==Building the cabinet==
Once you settled on your cabinet's design, it is time to start the hard dirty work. Your arcade experience is basically two parts. The cabinet itself and the computer that runs it. The [[Examples]] and [[Building]] portals will give you two great places to start when creating your cabinet. Many of the example links have step by step instructions and pictures, while the Building portal has information on materials and tools.

==Building the guts==
Once the cabinet is built, you can install the controls into your [[Control panel]] and wire everything up. The [[Controls]] portal has a list of various types of arcade controls and control interfaces that will make it easier to select and wire up your control panel.

==Setting up the computer==
The [[Software]] portal provides a staring point for getting various arcade emulators up and running on your cabinet. It is probably a good idea to get your emulators installed before you move your PC into the cabinet. While a cabinet is great for playing arcade games, it is not a very confortable working spot to fix your software's settings. If you have more computers in your home, you might want to consider hooking the arcade cabinet computer into a home network. This allows you to update files from another PC or even control the computer using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_Services remote desktop client tool].

==See Also==
* [[Examples]]
* [[Building]]
* [[Controls]]
* [[Finishing]]

==External Links==
* [http://spystyle.arcadecontrols.com/index1.htm SpyStyle's DIY Arcade walkthrough] A step-by-step guide for building a cabinet.
* [http://users.adelphia.net/~seanhat/arcade/ LuSiD's Arcade Flashback] Many DIY cabinets have been based on this guide.
* [http://minimame.com/downloads.asp MiniMame PDF plans] An excellent printable guide. The document describes a scaled down version of an arcade cabinet, the used techniques are usable in full scale projects as well.
[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Index]]

Building

2006-07-21T18:53:16Z

Mortalpawn: /* Design Considerations */

__NOTOC__{{Portal|name=Design and Building}}
'''Building''' a [[Arcade Cabinet|cabinet]] from scratch, or even modifying an existing cabinet can be a daunting task for some. This page is designed to help you find your way through some difficult building challenges so you can complete your cabinet and start
playing.

==Design Considerations==
* [[Basic_guide_to_build_a_cabinet|Basic Cabinet Building Guide]]
* [[Controls]]

== Design Software ==
Good construction work requires planning. This is also true for building a cabinet. With decent construction plans and button layout plans things are much easier. This section gives you a nice overview of software tools that can help you in constructing your own cabinet.
* [[Design applications]]
** [[Graphics software]]
** [[Technical design software]]

==Building Materials==
If you're planing on building an arcade cabinet from scratch, these are some of the materials you might end up using for various elements of the cabinet.
* [[Wood products]]
* [[Metal products]]
* [[Plastics]]
* [[Finishes]]
* [[Electronic Components]]
* [[Bondo]]

==Tools==
Building your own arcade machine is no simple task and requires the correct tools as well as the knowledge of how to use each one correctly and safely. Hopefully you already own some of these tools and are well versed in their operation. If not, here's a few things you might want to add to your shopping list.
* [[Hand Tools]]
** [[Safety Equipment|Safety Equipment]]
** [[Marking Tools|Marking Tools]]
** [[Measuring Devices|Measuring Devices]]
** [[Sandpaper/Sanding Blocks|Sandpaper/Sanding Blocks]]
** [[Clamps|Clamps]]
** [[Sawhorses/Stands|Sawhorses/Stands ]]
** [[Wire Strippers/Crimpers|Wire Strippers/Crimpers]]
** [[Hammer/Screwdriver|Hammer/Screwdriver]]
** [[Fasteners|Fasteners]]
** [[Multimeter]]
** [[Soldering Iron]]
* [[Power Tools]]

==See Also==
* [[Basics]]
* [[Examples]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Portals]]
[[Category:Building]]

Control panel

2006-07-21T16:52:36Z

Mortalpawn: /* Layout */

__NOTOC__
[[Image:Cabinet1.jpg|right]]
The '''control panel''' is the players' desktop. It's the area where [[Controls]] including the [[Pushbuttons|buttons]], [[joysticks]], [[trackballs]] and [[Spinners|spinner controls]] are located.

==Layout==
The control panel layout is usually determined by the game(s) available for the cabinet. If a cabinet is dedicated or restored to one game, the panel would include only the required buttons. If multiple games are to be played, the panel must have all controls nessecary to play those games and accomodate amount of the players able to play simultaneously. This creates a limitation for many control panels as many games require unique controls and layouts. [[Static Control Panels]] have a fixed layout, [[Swappable Control Panels]] allow the entire control panel to be switched as a unit, [[Rotating Control Panels]] have more than one panel mounted on a rotating mechanism to change panels and [[Modular Control Panels]] let you swap and rearrange individual controls on a panel to provide maximum game flexiblity.

===Administration [[Pushbuttons]] Ideas===
A layout sometimes includes a few "administration" type buttons. However some people choose to hide some or all of these features from the layout (often using a hidden/wireless keyboard/mouse). Here are some buttons people have used in the past:
*Escape/Quit/Exit
*Pause
*Coin button(s)
*Save Game
*Load Game
*Mouse Buttons
*Next List (used for frontends like [[Mamewah]])
*Random Game (also used for frontends like [[Mamewah]])

==Artwork==
The control panel is a flat surface immediately visible to the player. This give lots of posibilities to decorate - ranging from instructions with each control, grouping frames or distinct player 1 vs. player 2 graphics. It can also be used to continue the graphic trend from the [[sideart]].

==See also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Arcade Cabinet]]
* [[Static Control Panels]]
* [[Swappable Control Panels]]
* [[Rotating Control Panels]]
* [[Modular Control Panels]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Index]]

Control panel

2006-07-21T16:49:37Z

Mortalpawn: /* See also */ - added links to control types

__NOTOC__
[[Image:Cabinet1.jpg|right]]
The '''control panel''' is the players' desktop. It's the area where [[Controls]] including the [[Pushbuttons|buttons]], [[joysticks]], [[trackballs]] and [[Spinners|spinner controls]] are located.

==Layout==
The control panel layout is usually determined by the game(s) available for the cabinet. If a cabinet is dedicated or restored to one game, the panel would include only the required buttons. If multiple games are to be played, the panel must have all controls nessecary to play those games and accomodate amount of the players able to play simultaneously.
===Administration [[Pushbuttons]] Ideas===
A layout sometimes includes a few "administration" type buttons. However some people choose to hide some or all of these features from the layout (often using a hidden/wireless keyboard/mouse). Here are some buttons people have used in the past:
*Escape/Quit/Exit
*Pause
*Coin button(s)
*Save Game
*Load Game
*Mouse Buttons
*Next List (used for frontends like [[Mamewah]])
*Random Game (also used for frontends like [[Mamewah]])
==Artwork==
The control panel is a flat surface immediately visible to the player. This give lots of posibilities to decorate - ranging from instructions with each control, grouping frames or distinct player 1 vs. player 2 graphics. It can also be used to continue the graphic trend from the [[sideart]].

==See also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Arcade Cabinet]]
* [[Static Control Panels]]
* [[Swappable Control Panels]]
* [[Rotating Control Panels]]
* [[Modular Control Panels]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Index]]

Controls

2006-07-21T16:48:54Z

Mortalpawn: Finished basic control panel descriptions :)

__NOTOC__
{{Portal|name=Controls}}
Authentic '''Controls''' and '''Control Panels''' give you that original arcade feel. The main purpose of building your own cabinet or control panel is to interface real arcade controls to your computer with the correct [[software]] to get the total arcade experience. This page includes some possible control layouts and control types. Here's the reason most people enter this hobby; to play the games you love with actual arcade hardware, just as they were intended. There's a vast array of different controls out there...

==Control Panels==
* [[Control panel|Control Panel Overview]]
* [[Static Control Panels]]
* [[Swappable Control Panels]]
* [[Rotating Control Panels]]
* [[Modular Control Panels]]

==Arcade Control Hardware==
* [[Joysticks]]
* [[Pushbuttons]]
* [[Trackballs]]
* [[Spinners]]
* [[Light Guns]]
* [[Driving Controls]]

==Interfacing Controls==
Hooking up various arcade controls to a home PC can be a daunting task. Here are some of your options...
* [[Keyboard Hacks]]
* [[Encoders|Encoders]]
** [[Keyboard Encoders|Keyboard Encoders]]
** [[Gamepad Encoders|Gamepad Encoders]]
** [[Rotary Encoders|Rotary Encoders]]
** [[Optical Encoders|Optical (Mouse) Encoders]]
* [[USB Game Pad Hack]]
** [[Dual Strike Hack]]
* [[JAMMA]]

==See Also==
* [[Basics]]
* [[Technical design software|Software for Control Layout]]
* [[Software]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Portals]]
[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Basics]]

Swappable Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:48:12Z

Mortalpawn: Baselined swappable controls

A '''Swappable Control Panel''' is a control panel designed to be switched out as an entire unit. The entire panel may be removed and replaced by another, typically by just removing the locking mechanism and disconnecting a large wiring connector. This offers the flexibility to swap in different control panel layouts for different games.

The advantage of a swappable control panel is its simplicity, ability to incorporate artwork and ability to support more than one layout for a particular arcade. The disadvantage is that you may need to purchase duplicate controls, wiring is a bit more complex, and you can still support only a limited number of layouts. However, of the non-static control panel alternatives, the swappable control panel is considerably less complex than either [[Modular Control Panels]] or [[Rotating Control Panels]].

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Sturcade]]
* [[Offy%27s MAME Project]]
* [[Tomorrowland Arcade]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:36:22Z

Mortalpawn:

<table align=right><td>[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]</td></table>
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Swappable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s Modular Mame]]
* [[Modified Doc%27s Modular]]
* [[Modular Showcase]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Controls

2006-07-21T16:36:08Z

Mortalpawn:

__NOTOC__
{{Portal|name=Controls}}
Authentic '''Controls''' and '''Control Panels''' give you that original arcade feel. The main purpose of building your own cabinet or control panel is to interface real arcade controls to your computer with the correct [[software]] to get the total arcade experience. This page includes some possible control layouts and control types. Here's the reason most people enter this hobby; to play the games you love with actual arcade hardware, just as they were intended. There's a vast array of different controls out there...

==Control Panels==
('''Editors Note''' - These need to be fleshed out by someone...explain the basic types of panels)
* [[Control panel|Control Panel Overview]]
* [[Static Control Panels]]
* [[Swappable Control Panels]]
* [[Rotating Control Panels]]
* [[Modular Control Panels]]

==Arcade Control Hardware==
* [[Joysticks]]
* [[Pushbuttons]]
* [[Trackballs]]
* [[Spinners]]
* [[Light Guns]]
* [[Driving Controls]]

==Interfacing Controls==
Hooking up various arcade controls to a home PC can be a daunting task. Here are some of your options...
* [[Keyboard Hacks]]
* [[Encoders|Encoders]]
** [[Keyboard Encoders|Keyboard Encoders]]
** [[Gamepad Encoders|Gamepad Encoders]]
** [[Rotary Encoders|Rotary Encoders]]
** [[Optical Encoders|Optical (Mouse) Encoders]]
* [[USB Game Pad Hack]]
** [[Dual Strike Hack]]
* [[JAMMA]]

==See Also==
* [[Basics]]
* [[Technical design software|Software for Control Layout]]
* [[Software]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Portals]]
[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Basics]]

Static Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:34:23Z

Mortalpawn: Fixed typo

A '''static control panel''' is the type of control panel used in every commercial arcade machine and the vast majority of homebuilt arcade systems. In a static panel, a fixed layout for the controls is determined and then the controls are mounted either in a wood or metal panel.

The advantage of a static panel is that artwork can be complex, the controls are always secure, always available, and wiring and mounting is straightforward. Innovative lighting can be used as in the example of [[The NEON MAME]]. The disadvantage is that the layout and number of controls on the panel is fixed, which means that only a limited number of games can be played because many classic arcade games had unique controls and panel layouts. The desire to play more and more games on a static panel can drive a design to extremes - creating what is known as the ''frankenpanel'' - which is a panel that simply has too many controls in too complex a layout. This has driven many people to seek alternatives such as [[Swappable Control Panels]], [[Modular Control Panels]] and [[Rotating Control Panels]].

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Supercade: Classic Arcade System]]
* [[The NEON MAME]] - Check out the lighting system!
* [[Whammocade]]
* [[Heavy Metal Arcade]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Static Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:34:02Z

Mortalpawn: Baselined static panels

A '''static control panel''' is the type of control panel used in every commercial arcade machine and the vast majority of homebuilt arcade systems. In a static panel, a fixed layout for the controls is determined and then the controls are mounted either in a wood or metal panel.

The advantage of a static panel is that artwork can be complex, the controls are always secure, always available, and wiring and mounting is straightforward. Innovative lighting can be used as in the example of [[The NEON MAME]]. The disadvantage is that the layout and number of controls on the panel is fixed, which means that only a limited number of games can be played because many classic arcade games had unique controls and panel layouts. The desire to play more and more games on a static panel can drive a design to extremes - creating what is known as the ''frankenpanel'' - which is a panel that simply has too many controls in too complex a layout. This has driven many people to seek alternatives such as [[Swappable Control Panels]], [[Modular Control Panels]] and [[Rotating Control Panels]].

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Supercade: Classic Arcade System]]
* [[The NEON MAME]] - Check out the lighting system!
* [[Wammocade]]
* [[Heavy Metal Arcade]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Rotating Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:20:03Z

Mortalpawn: Baselined rotating controls page

A '''Rotating Control Panel''' is a set of control panels that rotate either vertically or horizontally and then lock into place for play. Classic examples include [[1UP%27s Rotating Control Panel]] and [[Frostillicus Arcade]] which features three control panels that rotate vertically such that two of the panels are always hidden within the cabinet. Another variation is [[Rototron]] where only a portion of the control panel rotates.

The main advantage of a rotating control design is that it allows you to include two or more individually designed control layouts without sacrificing artwork or playability. The disadvantage is the added cost of duplicate controls and complexity of designing the rotating mechanism, panels and routing the wires.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Frostillicus Arcade]]
* [[1UP%27s Rotating Control Panel]]
* [[The Mametrix]]
* [[Spincade]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:07:52Z

Mortalpawn: Fixed typo

<table align=right><td>[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]</td></table>
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s Modular Mame]]
* [[Modified Doc%27s Modular]]
* [[Modular Showcase]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:07:38Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

<table align=right><td>[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]</td></table>
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s Modular Mame]]
* [[Modified Doc%27s Modular]]
* [[Modular_Showcase]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Control panel

2006-07-21T16:07:18Z

Mortalpawn:

__NOTOC__
[[Image:Cabinet1.jpg|right]]
The '''control panel''' is the players' desktop. It's the area where [[Controls]] including the [[Pushbuttons|buttons]], [[joysticks]], [[trackballs]] and [[Spinners|spinner controls]] are located.

==Layout==
The control panel layout is usually determined by the game(s) available for the cabinet. If a cabinet is dedicated or restored to one game, the panel would include only the required buttons. If multiple games are to be played, the panel must have all controls nessecary to play those games and accomodate amount of the players able to play simultaneously.
===Administration [[Pushbuttons]] Ideas===
A layout sometimes includes a few "administration" type buttons. However some people choose to hide some or all of these features from the layout (often using a hidden/wireless keyboard/mouse). Here are some buttons people have used in the past:
*Escape/Quit/Exit
*Pause
*Coin button(s)
*Save Game
*Load Game
*Mouse Buttons
*Next List (used for frontends like [[Mamewah]])
*Random Game (also used for frontends like [[Mamewah]])
==Artwork==
The control panel is a flat surface immediately visible to the player. This give lots of posibilities to decorate - ranging from instructions with each control, grouping frames or distinct player 1 vs. player 2 graphics. It can also be used to continue the graphic trend from the [[sideart]].

==See also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Arcade Cabinet]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Index]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T16:06:43Z

Mortalpawn:

<table align=right><td>[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]</td></table>
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s Modular Mame]]
* [[Modified Doc%27s Modular]]
* [[Modular_Showcase]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Glossary]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T02:00:47Z

Mortalpawn:

<table align=right><td>[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]</td></table>
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s Modular Mame]]
* [[Modified Doc%27s Modular]]
* [[Modular_Showcase]]

[[Category:Controls]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T01:58:20Z

Mortalpawn:

<table align=right><td>[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]</td></table>
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s_Modular_Mame]]

[[Category:Controls]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T01:58:08Z

Mortalpawn:

table align=right><td>[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]</td></table>
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s_Modular_Mame]]

[[Category:Controls]]

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T01:57:02Z

Mortalpawn:

[[Image:Modular2.jpg]]
A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s_Modular_Mame]]

[[Category:Controls]]

File:Modular1.jpg

2006-07-21T01:56:23Z

Mortalpawn: Modular control panel picture - by Doc-

Modular control panel picture - by Doc-

File:Modular2.jpg

2006-07-21T01:55:52Z

Mortalpawn: Modular control panel picture - provided by Doc

Modular control panel picture - provided by Doc

Modular Control Panels

2006-07-21T01:52:50Z

Mortalpawn: Baselined modular page

A '''modular control panel''' is a panel that is divided into sections such that individual sections, some as small as a single joystick, can be swapped out or rearranged to form different control panel layouts. This differs from [[Switchable Control Panels]] where the entire panel is typically removed. The most flexible modular systems even allow variable width panels - typically from 2" to 16" wide to accomodate different size controls. Wiring for each control typically goes to a patch panel and interface card or USB hub for analog controls.

The main advantage of a modular control panel is the ability to play virtually any game given a minimal set of unique controls. Rather than duplicating controls on several different swappable panels you can simply move your existing control modules around to form the layout you need for a given game. In addition, it avoids the ''frankenpanel'' syndrome, since you can have 20 or more different types of controls but only install the ones that are needed as they are needed.

The challenges involved for a modular system include precise cutting and alignment of the panels, designing a mechanical system to secure the panels while still making them easy to change, and coming up with innovative artwork given that the panels might be assembled in random order. In addition, wiring can be a challenge, though several modular designers have settled on a fairly simple wiring design based on CAT5 ethernet patch panels and connectors. The CAT5 connectors each have 8 wires which is enough for 7 control lines and a ground to drive any joystick or 7 button panel. See [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] for an example of this type of wiring. Analog devices typically are interfaced with a USB mouse hack to a USB hub installed under the control panel.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]
* [[Doc%27s_Modular_Mame]]

[[Category:Controls]]

Pinball

2006-07-16T06:29:37Z

Mortalpawn: Added intro

__NOTOC__
'''Pinball''' games let you experience the fun of popular pinball systems right on your arcade cabinet or home computer. Many people add [[pushbuttons]] to the side of their cabinet to use as flippers in conjunction with popular pinball simulations such as the ones below.

==Visual Pinball/PinMAME==
[[Image:vpinball.jpg|thumb|Visual Pinball Screenshot|160px|right]]
[[Image:pinmame.gif|thumb|Pinmame Screenshot|160px|right]]

[http://www.randydavis.com/vp/ Visual Pinball] is a playfield pinball simulator. It came with a editor, so you could design your own tables. Visual Pinball has a lots of well created layouts of popular pinball tables from the real world.

[http://www.pinmame.com/ PinMAME] is an additional program that runs on top of Visual Pinball. PinMAME allows one to design and play a table that will use the actual rom images from pinball tables. These rom images often times have the table logic, sounds, and dot-matrix displays (generally orange) in them.

=== How to combine these? ===
Visual Install Pack will install Visual Pinball, PinMAME and setup all the intricate dependancies for you:

http://www.vpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37115

===How to run on my cabinet?===
You need a wrapper to get this to run in your cabinet. Visual Pinball is itself not cabfreidly.
<br style="clear:both;"/>

== Future Pinball ==
[[Image:futurepinball.jpg|thumb|Future Pinball Screenshot|160px|right]]
[http://www.futurepinball.com/ Future Pinball] is the next generation Pinball Development System. It the same people behind Visual Pinball.

It allows you to design and play your very own pinball simulation in True real time 3D. It uses Advanced Physics to provide the best possible Simulation of a true to life pinball machine.

Future Pinball does not utilize PinMAME, nor does it have the option to use pinball table roms. Perhaps one day they will integrate the authentic rom functionality so tables will have true sound emulation and real dot-matrix displays.

===How to run on my cabinet?===
You should download the lastest version (from '''1.5.2''' or above) to get this to work on your cabinet, if you using the gameport. But if you use a keyboard hack, it may lose focus at the startup, so you need a [[Wrappers|wrapper]]. This wrapper should also work for cabinets, using gameport.

=== About Sticky Keys ===
'''Future Pinball''' allow table creators to use 2 speciel keys, that can been fully remapped by the application.

But some have oversaw this feature, and use stickykeys instead. it not very good in a cabinet, so they must been fixed. it is mostly very easy to change these fixed by just look in the sourcecode. Find the keyname (like "h"), and change it. Some creator have even putted these stickykeys into the top of the source, and only need to change it once.

== Other Pinball ==
Here is a brief list to other good PC pinball simulators:

*[http://www.dosgamesarchive.com/download/game/49 Epic Pinball ] - A classic pinball game to dos (run fine with DOSBOX)
*[http://www.wildsnake.com/pinball/in2/ Pinball: INVASION 2] - A very fun combine of galaga and pinball

==See Also==
* [[Software]]

[[Category:Software]]
[[Category:Index]]

Encoders

2006-07-16T06:26:55Z

Mortalpawn:

An '''encoder''' is a specialized device that interprets presses and movements by your arcade controls and passes them along to be used by a computer. They can interpret keyboard, mouse, or gamepad commands, depending on the type and capability of the encoder. They depend on an external switch, such as a [[Pushbutton]] to register commands.

Encoders are available from several [[vendors]] including:
<p>- GroovyGameGear</p>
<p>- Hagstrom Electronics</p>
<p>- ThrustVector Controls</p>
<p>- Ultimate Arcade Controls (Ultimarc)</p>

There are four types of encoders presently available:
*[[Keyboard Encoders]]
*[[Gamepad Encoders]]
*[[Rotary Encoders]]
*[[Optical Encoders|Optical (Mouse) Encoders]]

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Pushbutton

2006-07-16T06:26:38Z

Mortalpawn:

#REDIRECT [[Pushbuttons]]

Pushbutton

2006-07-16T06:26:30Z

Mortalpawn:

#REDIRECT [[Pushbutton]]

Encoders

2006-07-16T06:25:35Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

An '''encoder''' is a specialized device that interprets presses and movements by your arcade controls and passes them along to be used by a computer. They can interpret keyboard, mouse, or gamepad commands, depending on the type and capability of the encoder. They depend on an external switch, such as a [[microswitch]] or a [[leafswitch]] to register commands.

Encoders are available from several [[vendors]] including:
<p>- GroovyGameGear</p>
<p>- Hagstrom Electronics</p>
<p>- ThrustVector Controls</p>
<p>- Ultimate Arcade Controls (Ultimarc)</p>

There are four types of encoders presently available:
*[[Keyboard Encoders]]
*[[Gamepad Encoders]]
*[[Rotary Encoders]]
*[[Optical Encoders|Optical (Mouse) Encoders]]

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Driving Controls

2006-07-16T06:24:38Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

In the real world, you can't drive a car or steer a bike with a joystick and buttons, and the same holds true for some of the best games ever made. Games that put the player in the driver's seat of a racecar or spaceship, or riding a motorcycle or bicycle. These games need specialized controls, like steering wheels, pedals, shifters, and handlebars. If you feel the need for speed, you'll likely also need some of the following:

{{Cleanup}}

== Steering Wheels ==
While steering wheels come in all shapes and sizes, there are two basic types once you get under the control panel: Optical and Analog.

''Optical (360 degree wheels)''

Optical wheels spin freely, all the way around, as many turns as you like. (With one notable exception, that is- see "Roadblasters" below.) The electronics consist of an optical encoder wheel, that spins through two infrared emitter/receiver pairs. If that sounds like the description of a spinner, that's becausen optical wheel really ''is'' a spinner with a big steering wheel in place of the knob. These connect through the same hardware as a spinner, too- a Mouse Hack, Opti-Pac, Opti-Wiz, or similar.

Games that used Optical wheels include:

#Pole Position
#Championship Sprint
#Ivan Stewart's Super Off-Road
#Roadblasters
# and many more..

Roadblasters is an interesting exception to the rule. Roadblasters used a unique optical controller, that was limited to 270 degrees of travel. The Roadblasters controller can be interfaced the same as any other optical wheel, but cannot be used to play any other optical wheel games, because of the limited travel. (The Roadblasters controller also pops up in discussion of Flight Yokes, see below.)

''Analog (270 degree wheels)''

Analog wheels do not turn freely throughout the full 360 degrees of the circle. Analog wheels have a limited range of motion- typically described as 270 degrees, though in reality, the acutal number of degrees varies from controller to controller. The shape of the these controllers varies as well- since the control doesn't spin all the way around, there's no need for it to be a circular wheel. Likewise, since the control doesn't spin, wires can be run into the controller without fear of twisting and breakage- and the arcade manufacturers took advantage of this by adding buttons, triggers and the like to these controllers. The electronics are a simple potentiometer (plus switches for any buttons or triggers). Like other potentiometer-based devices (see Analog Joysticks), Analog wheels interface through a DualStrike hack, AKI, A-Pac, or other similar device.

Games that used Analog wheels include:

#Spy Hunter
#Out Run
#Power Drift
#Road Riot 4wd
#Hard Drivin'
#and many more...

== Flight Yokes ==

Some games gave the player more than just a steering wheel- they gave you a yoke. The primary example, of course, is Star Wars, though that's not the only one- see list below. The yoke consists of a set of handles that can be rotated forward and back, as well as turning right and left. Thumb buttons and triggers are also standard. The electronics consist of two potentiometers- one for the right-to-left (X-Axis) movement, and one for the foreward-and-back (Y-Axis) movement. As with other potentiometer-based controllers, these are interfaced through a Dual Strike hack, A-Pac, AKI or similar. Electronically, a yoke is identical to an analog joystick, and indeed, you can use a yoke to play analog joystick games, and vice-versa.

Games that used a yoke include:

*Star Wars
*The Empire Strikes Back
*Return of the Jedi
*Turbo Sub
*Hydra
*S.T.U.N. Runner
*Lock-On
*Apache 3
*Hyperdrive

'''"Almost" Yokes'''

There are also quite a few controllers out there that look like yokes, or even work like yokes, but are for one reason or another, just not quite yokes.

*Starship One: This flight controller turns right to left, and pulls/pushes in/out, rather than the handles twisting back and forth. You could call it a yoke, but you probably wouldn't want to try aiming in Star Wars by pushing and pulling!

*Paperboy: These bike handlebars turn right to left, and also push forward and back. Again, you could call it a yoke, but it probably wouldn't play very well with true yoke games.

*Enduro Racer: These motorcycle handlebars turn right to left, and can also be pulled back, much the same as you'd do when popping a wheelie on a bicycle. It's got both X and Y axis control, but the Y axis would be awfully difficult to use in aiming X-Wing lasers.

*Roadblasters: This controller looks very much like a Star Wars yoke, to the point that early versions acutally had the same metal handgrips, thumb buttons and triggers. Two things keep Roadblasters from being a yoke: The handgrips don't move, so there's no Y-axis control; and the electronics are actually optical in nature, rather than potentiometer based. Determined users have converted these, but it requires considerable new parts, engineering, and metalwork.

*Road Riot 4WD: This controller looks like it might be a yoke at first glance, but the handles don't move, so there's no Y-axis control. This is really just a 270 degree analog steering controller.

*Spy Hunter: With handgrips sporting both triggers and thumb buttons on both sides, the Spy Hunter wheel could be a yoke, if only it had forward/back movement. It doesn't, though.

== Handlebars ==

Who ever saw a bicycle with a steering wheel? Well, OK, one kid at my school had one, but that was the exception that proves the rule. Motorcycle and bicyle games wouldn't be right without a set of handlebars. In general, handlebars are the same, electronically speaking, as Analog steering wheels. They use a potentiometer to measure left/right travel, and interface through an A-Pac, AKI, or Dual Strike Hack. Some handlebars include buttons, brake levers, twistable throttle grips, and even foreward-to-back motion (Paperboy and Enduro Racer).

Games that used handlebars include:

*Hang-On
*Super Hang-On
*Enduro Racer
*Paperboy
*Wild Riders
*and many more...

== Pedals ==

Gas, brake, and clutch- you can't drive a car without pedals. Some games used just one for gas, some add a brake, and a few used all three. There are two basic types of pedals:

''Analog''

Analog pedals use a potentiometer to determine how far the pedal is being pushed, and therefore can tell the game how much gas to use, or how hard to brake. Analog pedals interface through an AKI, A-Pac, or Dual Strike hack.

''Digital''

Digital pedals are simply "on" or "off". Games that used digital pedals cannot tell how much gas or brake you are using, it's all or nothing. Basically a button for the foot.

== Shifters ==

Some driving games, you just pushed down the pedal and went. Others looked for more realism, and added a high/low gear shifter. Other games took it further, with 3, 4, or more gears. Some shifters also included a "Turbo" button on the handle.

''Constant-press vs. Momentary-press''

Different shifters report their positon to the game differently. Some push a switch constantly for each gear, while others only close a switch momentarily. Many use a position where ''no'' switch is closed to indicate one of the gears, or neutral.

''How MAME handles shifter inputs''

MAME's handling of these different types of shifters is even more unpredictable. Some games use momentary switches, some use constant. Some games use the same method that the original controls used for that game; some do not. Some control schemes can be re-mapped to make use of a different shifter type, and some cannot.

''What's it mean to me?''

What this means, is that no one shifter will play every game in MAME. If you're planning on incorporating a shifter, you will need to do considerable research into the requirements of the games most important to you in order to determine the type of shifter you will need.

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Light Guns

2006-07-16T06:23:35Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

__NOTOC__
A '''light gun''' is a gun that you can point and shoot at an arcade game screen to shoot objects in the game. Light guns of different size and shape are popular in almost all shooting games.

'''Editors Note''' - This page should contain brief descriptions of various lightguns available, and details of their setup. If any one portion of the page starts getting a little too long, a seperate page may be started for that topic.

==Act-Labs Lightgun==
'''Pros:'''
* These have been around for a while - so they have been more thoroughly tested/supported.

'''Cons:'''
* Only works on either a TV or a CRT Monitor - not both (corresponds to which model you buy)
* Does not allow continuous tracking
* Expensive

'''Related Links:''' [http://www.act-labs.com/products/gun1.htm Act-Labs Webpage] - [http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/actlabs.html Retroblast! Review]

==LCDTopGun==
'''Pros:'''
* Allows for Continuous tracking
* Works on ALL display types.

'''Cons:'''
* Relative newcomer, still working out kinks - shouldn't be long before these are the standard.
* Requires you to stand far away from the monitor.

'''Related Links:''' [http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=266&products_id=8565& Lik-Sang Webpage] - [http://www.wizardsworks.org/chod/gun/topgun.htm Unofficial FAQ] - [http://www.silverfoxy.f2s.com/Topgun.html Unofficial Setup Info] - [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=48982.0 BYOAC Forum Thread]

==GunCon2==

'''Pros:'''
* Cheap - You might already have these sitting around your house.

'''Cons:'''
* Requires hardware to work with CRT Monitors.

'''Related Links:''' [http://xoomer.virgilio.it/smogdragon GunCon2PC Driver Webpage] - [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=37872.0 BYOAC Forum Thread]

== Software Settings ==
Mame Lightgun Setup

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Light Gun

2006-07-16T06:21:25Z

Mortalpawn:

#REDIRECT [[Light Guns]]

Spinner

2006-07-16T06:20:50Z

Mortalpawn: Redirect page

#REDIRECT [[Spinners]]

Spinners and Dials

2006-07-16T06:20:13Z

Mortalpawn: /* If I can have only a spinner or a trackball... which should I choose */

A '''Spinner''' is a knob that can be spun rapidly in either direction to move an on-screen paddle or character. Spinners provide precise analog control like a mouse, but act only along one axis. Spinners were used for many popular early arcade games such as Pong, Tempest, Arkanoid, and Tron.
{{Cleanup}}

=What is a Spinner?=

You might remember the spinner from games like Tempest and Arkanoid. The player turns a knob to move the on-screen character. But what's going on behind the scenes; what's that knob attached to?

Underneath the control panel, the shaft comes down from the knob above. Mounted on the shaft, is an optical encoder wheel- a flat disk with notches cut around the outside edge. These notches pass though a set of infra-red optics, that detect the notches as they spin by. There are two sets of optics, spaced such that they see the notches spin by just a little bit out of sync. The combined signal from both of these optics tells the game which direction the disk is turning, and how fast. This is also how a trackball works, as well as a ball-type PC mouse.

If you are buying or building a working spinner for your cabinet, you will need the Spinner (the mechanical part,) the optics(the part that watches the spinning,) and the optical encoder (the part that sends info to the computer.) If a manufacturer advertises "USB Connectivity" that generally means that it is an all in one solution, and no additional parts are required. Otherwise, you'll find that optics are generally included, but an encoder is not. In the rare occurence that your spinner does not have optics included, they can be built with parts from your local electronic store, or you can build them based off of a [[Optical_Encoders#Mouse_Hack|mouse hack.]] If the unit does not ship with an optical encoder, you can purchase one from an aftermarket seller. You can find out more about [[Optical_Encoders|optical encoders here.]]

Note: Paddles, while similar to spinners in that they rotate and have knobs, are usually based on potentiometers (like a volume knob on an old TV or radio), rather than the optics in a spinner. Spinners, as the name suggests, spin. There is no end to how many times the knob can fully rotate in any direction. They often move things in a game in a circular fashion, as in Tempest or TRON. Paddles are the precursor to the spinner. The paddles found on early arcade games (like pong) rotated a full 360 degrees but used a 360 potentiometer (or pot) rather than an optical encoder. Since a pot requires physical contact, they tend to spin less freely than a true spinner. MAME adds to confusion by classifying 270 degree steering wheels as paddles. This is false as most, if not all arcade games that actually used paddles used 360 degree paddles and 270 degree wheels used a regular linear potentiometer (like a radio knob, which can only turn so far). There is such a thing as a 270 degree paddle though, just to make things even more confusing. As a matter of fact, many pong clones used the 270 degree paddles as they were cheaper. Most of your home versions of pong also used the 270 degree paddles. Most emulators will let you play paddle games with a spinner, but spinner games are generally not playable with paddles, mostly due to the fact that paddles just don't spin that well.

=Spinner Varieties=

#Tempest- Fast spinning lightweight spinner, which is very popular with arcade enthusiassts. It has 72 teeth on the encoder wheel, with nylon upper and lower bearings on the shaft. This was the model for the Oscar Vortex aftermarket spinner.
#Arkanoid- The "geared" spinner. Rather than mounting the encoder wheel directly to the shaft, the Arkanoid spinner used two sets of gears between the knob and the encoder wheel, to make the spinner extremely sensitive. While the encoder wheel only has 24 notches, the gearing causes 486 notches to pass through the optics for every turn of the knob! Due to the lightweight and friction from the gearing, the Arkanoid spinner stops the instant you take your hand off the knob.
#360° Steering Wheels - Games like the original Pole Position and Sprint 2 used steering wheels that were essentially giant spinners. The Pole Position steering wheel, for instance, was geared similarly to an Arkanoid spinner. However, the gear ratio was only 5:1 to a 24 notch encoder wheel (96 notches per wheel revolution). This and the mechanical advantage of the large steering wheel rather than a small knob, let the wheel spin freely. Sprint 2 (and Sprint 1, and probably Sprints 4 and 8)used an ungeared 38 notch encoder cup, and spun freely.
#Discs of Tron ''Push/Pull''- This spinner used a giant 128-notch encoder wheel with a push / pull switch feature built into the spindle shaft. When the player pulled up or down on the spinner, a leafswitch was activated. This was used to control the high / low aim of the disc in later levels of the game. Zwackery also used a Push/Pull spinner, and Forgotten Worlds used a push only (no pull) spinner. Oscar Controls marketed a Push/Pull spinner with a slightly different design, and a smaller 72 notch encoder wheel, but it is no longer available for purchase. The Oscar V2 had a Push option, and a Pull kit was rumored to be in the works before Oscar Controls closed down.

=Spinner Brands=
#[http://oscarcontrols.com/ Oscar Controls]- Was a popular manufacturer of spinners for the hobbyist market until recently. Several models were produced over the years, including the Model One, Pro, Vortex, Push/Pull, and V2. These spinners did not enclude an encoder and required connection to an [[Optical_Encoders#Opti-PAC|Opti-Pac]] or to a [[Optical_Encoders#Mouse_Hack|mouse hack]].
#[http://www.slikstik.com/spinfeat.htm SlikStik]- The Tornado is billed as the "longest spinning" spinner on the market, the Tornado is currently the spinner that's been on the market the longest. With an extra-small footprint, and dual-bearing design, the Tornado is very well made. Several knob options are also available. The Tornado comes with it's own USB or PS/2 interface. Plans to sell the Tornado with a plain-jane optic card have also been announced.
#[http://GroovyGameGear.com GroovyGameGear]- The TurboTwist is new to the market. Like the SlikStik Tornado, the TurboTwist also has a small footprint and a dual-bearing design. The TurboTwist has an extra-high resolution encoder wheel, and comes with it's own USB or PS/2 Opti-Wiz interface. The interface can be configured to put the spinner on the X, Y, or Z mouse axis, and will control other optic devices on the remaining two axes, such as a trackball, or additional spinners/steering wheels/optical rotary joysticks. A plain-jane optic card version has also been announced.
#[http://ArcadeGames4U.com ArcadeGames4U]- The cyclone is also new to the market. It has a dual-bearing design, with a lower resolution encoder wheel. The Cyclone ships with an optic card, but no interface.
#Build Your Own! - Many users have built their own spinners from whatever parts they had available - Hard drive bearings, skateboard bearings, whatever.

=Build Your Own Spinner=

For those of us who would prefer to build their own spinner or cannot afford a retail unit, with a few spare parts that most likely are already lying around, can easily build your own. Here are some links to help you along your way:

'''[http://arcadecontrols.com/files/Miscellaneous/spinner.pdf Nathan Strum's Cheep Spinner]'''

'''[http://www.doughansen.net/arcade/spinner.htm DHansen's Arcade Stupidity Spinner]'''

'''[http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=17522.0 BYO "Nasty-Spinner" Thread]'''

'''List of compatible hard drives:'''

WD Caviar 1200 210 MB Drive

WD Caviar 11200 1.2 GB Drive

* Please feel free to add to the list of compatible drives if you have successfully built your own spinner with a drive that is not listed.

=FAQs=
==Which games originally used a spinner==
The list below is non-definitive, but can be used as a guide to find the most common games that can use a spinner.
===Conventional spinner games===
*Arkanoid arkanoid
*Arkanoid - Revenge of Doh arknoid2
*Blasteroids (version 4) blstroid
*Wolf Pack (prototype) wolfpack
*Tempest (rev 3) tempest
*Tron (set 1) tron
*Mad Planets mplanets
*720 Degrees (set 1) 720
*Aztarac aztarac
*Forgotten Worlds (US) forgottn
*Kozmik Kroozr kroozr
*Crater Raider crater
*Wheel Of Fortune wfortune
*Victory victory
*Omega Race omegrace
*Cameltry (US) cameltry
*Cosmic Chasm (set 1) cchasm
*Dark Planet darkplnt
*Vs. Hot Smash hotsmash
*Boxing Bugs boxingb
*Star Trek startrek
===Push/pull spinner games===
*Discs of Tron (Upright) dotron
*Zwackery zwackery
===Horizontal roller===
*Major Havoc (rev 3) mhavoc
*Moonwar moonwar
*Kick (upright) kick
=== Vertical roller ===
*Drag Race dragrace
=== 360° Steering Wheel===
*Super Sprint ssprint
*APB - All Points Bulletin (set 1) apb
*Pole Position polepos
*Pole Position II polepos2
*Road Blasters (set 1) roadblst
*American Speedway (set 1) amspdwy
*Bad Lands badlands
*Demolition Derby demoderb
*Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat indyheat
*Speed Freak speedfrk
*Ironman Stewart's Super Off-Road offroad
*Ironman Stewart's Super Off-Road Track Pack offroadt
*Turbo turbo
*Konami GT konamigt
*Buggy Challenge buggychl
*Championship Sprint csprint
*Fire Truck firetrk
*Fire Truck firetrk
*Grand Champion grchamp
*Hot Rod (turbo 3 player) hotrod
*Monte Carlo montecar
*Stocker stocker
*Super Speed Race sspeedr
*Final Lap 2 finalap2
*Subs subs
*Mille Miglia 2: Great 1000 Miles Rally (95/05/24) gtmr2
*Over Drive overdriv
*Redline Racer (2 players) redlin2p
*Sprint 1 sprint1
===Horizontal paddle games===
*Boot Hill boothill
*Clowns (rev. 2) clowns
*Super Breakout sbrkout
*Avalanche avalnche
*Beam Invader beaminv
*Gee Bee geebee
*Warlords warlords
*Field Goal fgoal
*Blue Shark blueshrk
*Circus circus
*Sea Wolf seawolf
*Sea Wolf II seawolf2
===Vertical paddle games===
*Destroyer destroyr
*Lunar Lander (rev 2) llander

==Two Spinners on a control panel; is it worth it?==
The answer is an unequivocal ''maybe''. There are several factors to keep in mind when trying to determine whether you should buy and install 2 spinners on your control panel.
#Budget- Spinners are somewhat expensive. Buying 2 aftermarket spinners with optics will set you back about $80-$160.
#Software- Can your software support 2 mice at the same time. Make sure you have a version of mame that can support 2 spinners if they're both individual USB units. If you have them both plugged into an [[Optical_Encoders#Opti-PAC|Optipac]] this won't be a problem.
#Space- Depending on the model, spinners can take up a lot of room under the surface of a control panel. The Oscar Controls Push/Pull spinner was approximately 5.5x6" for instance. Also, the more spinners you have, the less room you may have for other features and joysticks.
#Games- Most importantly, do you like any games that use more than 1 spinner? Below is a (non-definitive) list of multi-spinner games
##Paddle Games
###Arkanoid Returns
###Off the Wall (Atari)
###Off the Wall (Bally Sente)
###Warlords (uses 4!)
###Pop'n Bounce
###Plump Pop
###VS Blok Breaker
##Flying
###Blasteroids
###Two Tigers
##Driving
###Super Off Road
### Super Sprint (uses 3!)
###Championship Super Sprint
###Bad Lands
###Ironman Ivan Stewart's Super Off-Road (uses 3!)
###Ironman Stewart's Super Off-Road Track Pack (uses 3!)
###Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat
## Other
###Atari 2 player games
###Puzzloop

==If I can have only a spinner or a trackball... which should I choose==
'''insert pro/con arguments here'''
relevant links in msg board. delete links once the info has been added.
* http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=25477.0
* http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=37876.0
* http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=36036.0

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Spinners and Dials

2006-07-16T06:19:41Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

A '''Spinner''' is a knob that can be spun rapidly in either direction to move an on-screen paddle or character. Spinners provide precise analog control like a mouse, but act only along one axis. Spinners were used for many popular early arcade games such as Pong, Tempest, Arkanoid, and Tron.
{{Cleanup}}

=What is a Spinner?=

You might remember the spinner from games like Tempest and Arkanoid. The player turns a knob to move the on-screen character. But what's going on behind the scenes; what's that knob attached to?

Underneath the control panel, the shaft comes down from the knob above. Mounted on the shaft, is an optical encoder wheel- a flat disk with notches cut around the outside edge. These notches pass though a set of infra-red optics, that detect the notches as they spin by. There are two sets of optics, spaced such that they see the notches spin by just a little bit out of sync. The combined signal from both of these optics tells the game which direction the disk is turning, and how fast. This is also how a trackball works, as well as a ball-type PC mouse.

If you are buying or building a working spinner for your cabinet, you will need the Spinner (the mechanical part,) the optics(the part that watches the spinning,) and the optical encoder (the part that sends info to the computer.) If a manufacturer advertises "USB Connectivity" that generally means that it is an all in one solution, and no additional parts are required. Otherwise, you'll find that optics are generally included, but an encoder is not. In the rare occurence that your spinner does not have optics included, they can be built with parts from your local electronic store, or you can build them based off of a [[Optical_Encoders#Mouse_Hack|mouse hack.]] If the unit does not ship with an optical encoder, you can purchase one from an aftermarket seller. You can find out more about [[Optical_Encoders|optical encoders here.]]

Note: Paddles, while similar to spinners in that they rotate and have knobs, are usually based on potentiometers (like a volume knob on an old TV or radio), rather than the optics in a spinner. Spinners, as the name suggests, spin. There is no end to how many times the knob can fully rotate in any direction. They often move things in a game in a circular fashion, as in Tempest or TRON. Paddles are the precursor to the spinner. The paddles found on early arcade games (like pong) rotated a full 360 degrees but used a 360 potentiometer (or pot) rather than an optical encoder. Since a pot requires physical contact, they tend to spin less freely than a true spinner. MAME adds to confusion by classifying 270 degree steering wheels as paddles. This is false as most, if not all arcade games that actually used paddles used 360 degree paddles and 270 degree wheels used a regular linear potentiometer (like a radio knob, which can only turn so far). There is such a thing as a 270 degree paddle though, just to make things even more confusing. As a matter of fact, many pong clones used the 270 degree paddles as they were cheaper. Most of your home versions of pong also used the 270 degree paddles. Most emulators will let you play paddle games with a spinner, but spinner games are generally not playable with paddles, mostly due to the fact that paddles just don't spin that well.

=Spinner Varieties=

#Tempest- Fast spinning lightweight spinner, which is very popular with arcade enthusiassts. It has 72 teeth on the encoder wheel, with nylon upper and lower bearings on the shaft. This was the model for the Oscar Vortex aftermarket spinner.
#Arkanoid- The "geared" spinner. Rather than mounting the encoder wheel directly to the shaft, the Arkanoid spinner used two sets of gears between the knob and the encoder wheel, to make the spinner extremely sensitive. While the encoder wheel only has 24 notches, the gearing causes 486 notches to pass through the optics for every turn of the knob! Due to the lightweight and friction from the gearing, the Arkanoid spinner stops the instant you take your hand off the knob.
#360° Steering Wheels - Games like the original Pole Position and Sprint 2 used steering wheels that were essentially giant spinners. The Pole Position steering wheel, for instance, was geared similarly to an Arkanoid spinner. However, the gear ratio was only 5:1 to a 24 notch encoder wheel (96 notches per wheel revolution). This and the mechanical advantage of the large steering wheel rather than a small knob, let the wheel spin freely. Sprint 2 (and Sprint 1, and probably Sprints 4 and 8)used an ungeared 38 notch encoder cup, and spun freely.
#Discs of Tron ''Push/Pull''- This spinner used a giant 128-notch encoder wheel with a push / pull switch feature built into the spindle shaft. When the player pulled up or down on the spinner, a leafswitch was activated. This was used to control the high / low aim of the disc in later levels of the game. Zwackery also used a Push/Pull spinner, and Forgotten Worlds used a push only (no pull) spinner. Oscar Controls marketed a Push/Pull spinner with a slightly different design, and a smaller 72 notch encoder wheel, but it is no longer available for purchase. The Oscar V2 had a Push option, and a Pull kit was rumored to be in the works before Oscar Controls closed down.

=Spinner Brands=
#[http://oscarcontrols.com/ Oscar Controls]- Was a popular manufacturer of spinners for the hobbyist market until recently. Several models were produced over the years, including the Model One, Pro, Vortex, Push/Pull, and V2. These spinners did not enclude an encoder and required connection to an [[Optical_Encoders#Opti-PAC|Opti-Pac]] or to a [[Optical_Encoders#Mouse_Hack|mouse hack]].
#[http://www.slikstik.com/spinfeat.htm SlikStik]- The Tornado is billed as the "longest spinning" spinner on the market, the Tornado is currently the spinner that's been on the market the longest. With an extra-small footprint, and dual-bearing design, the Tornado is very well made. Several knob options are also available. The Tornado comes with it's own USB or PS/2 interface. Plans to sell the Tornado with a plain-jane optic card have also been announced.
#[http://GroovyGameGear.com GroovyGameGear]- The TurboTwist is new to the market. Like the SlikStik Tornado, the TurboTwist also has a small footprint and a dual-bearing design. The TurboTwist has an extra-high resolution encoder wheel, and comes with it's own USB or PS/2 Opti-Wiz interface. The interface can be configured to put the spinner on the X, Y, or Z mouse axis, and will control other optic devices on the remaining two axes, such as a trackball, or additional spinners/steering wheels/optical rotary joysticks. A plain-jane optic card version has also been announced.
#[http://ArcadeGames4U.com ArcadeGames4U]- The cyclone is also new to the market. It has a dual-bearing design, with a lower resolution encoder wheel. The Cyclone ships with an optic card, but no interface.
#Build Your Own! - Many users have built their own spinners from whatever parts they had available - Hard drive bearings, skateboard bearings, whatever.

=Build Your Own Spinner=

For those of us who would prefer to build their own spinner or cannot afford a retail unit, with a few spare parts that most likely are already lying around, can easily build your own. Here are some links to help you along your way:

'''[http://arcadecontrols.com/files/Miscellaneous/spinner.pdf Nathan Strum's Cheep Spinner]'''

'''[http://www.doughansen.net/arcade/spinner.htm DHansen's Arcade Stupidity Spinner]'''

'''[http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=17522.0 BYO "Nasty-Spinner" Thread]'''

'''List of compatible hard drives:'''

WD Caviar 1200 210 MB Drive

WD Caviar 11200 1.2 GB Drive

* Please feel free to add to the list of compatible drives if you have successfully built your own spinner with a drive that is not listed.

=FAQs=
==Which games originally used a spinner==
The list below is non-definitive, but can be used as a guide to find the most common games that can use a spinner.
===Conventional spinner games===
*Arkanoid arkanoid
*Arkanoid - Revenge of Doh arknoid2
*Blasteroids (version 4) blstroid
*Wolf Pack (prototype) wolfpack
*Tempest (rev 3) tempest
*Tron (set 1) tron
*Mad Planets mplanets
*720 Degrees (set 1) 720
*Aztarac aztarac
*Forgotten Worlds (US) forgottn
*Kozmik Kroozr kroozr
*Crater Raider crater
*Wheel Of Fortune wfortune
*Victory victory
*Omega Race omegrace
*Cameltry (US) cameltry
*Cosmic Chasm (set 1) cchasm
*Dark Planet darkplnt
*Vs. Hot Smash hotsmash
*Boxing Bugs boxingb
*Star Trek startrek
===Push/pull spinner games===
*Discs of Tron (Upright) dotron
*Zwackery zwackery
===Horizontal roller===
*Major Havoc (rev 3) mhavoc
*Moonwar moonwar
*Kick (upright) kick
=== Vertical roller ===
*Drag Race dragrace
=== 360° Steering Wheel===
*Super Sprint ssprint
*APB - All Points Bulletin (set 1) apb
*Pole Position polepos
*Pole Position II polepos2
*Road Blasters (set 1) roadblst
*American Speedway (set 1) amspdwy
*Bad Lands badlands
*Demolition Derby demoderb
*Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat indyheat
*Speed Freak speedfrk
*Ironman Stewart's Super Off-Road offroad
*Ironman Stewart's Super Off-Road Track Pack offroadt
*Turbo turbo
*Konami GT konamigt
*Buggy Challenge buggychl
*Championship Sprint csprint
*Fire Truck firetrk
*Fire Truck firetrk
*Grand Champion grchamp
*Hot Rod (turbo 3 player) hotrod
*Monte Carlo montecar
*Stocker stocker
*Super Speed Race sspeedr
*Final Lap 2 finalap2
*Subs subs
*Mille Miglia 2: Great 1000 Miles Rally (95/05/24) gtmr2
*Over Drive overdriv
*Redline Racer (2 players) redlin2p
*Sprint 1 sprint1
===Horizontal paddle games===
*Boot Hill boothill
*Clowns (rev. 2) clowns
*Super Breakout sbrkout
*Avalanche avalnche
*Beam Invader beaminv
*Gee Bee geebee
*Warlords warlords
*Field Goal fgoal
*Blue Shark blueshrk
*Circus circus
*Sea Wolf seawolf
*Sea Wolf II seawolf2
===Vertical paddle games===
*Destroyer destroyr
*Lunar Lander (rev 2) llander

==Two Spinners on a control panel; is it worth it?==
The answer is an unequivocal ''maybe''. There are several factors to keep in mind when trying to determine whether you should buy and install 2 spinners on your control panel.
#Budget- Spinners are somewhat expensive. Buying 2 aftermarket spinners with optics will set you back about $80-$160.
#Software- Can your software support 2 mice at the same time. Make sure you have a version of mame that can support 2 spinners if they're both individual USB units. If you have them both plugged into an [[Optical_Encoders#Opti-PAC|Optipac]] this won't be a problem.
#Space- Depending on the model, spinners can take up a lot of room under the surface of a control panel. The Oscar Controls Push/Pull spinner was approximately 5.5x6" for instance. Also, the more spinners you have, the less room you may have for other features and joysticks.
#Games- Most importantly, do you like any games that use more than 1 spinner? Below is a (non-definitive) list of multi-spinner games
##Paddle Games
###Arkanoid Returns
###Off the Wall (Atari)
###Off the Wall (Bally Sente)
###Warlords (uses 4!)
###Pop'n Bounce
###Plump Pop
###VS Blok Breaker
##Flying
###Blasteroids
###Two Tigers
##Driving
###Super Off Road
### Super Sprint (uses 3!)
###Championship Super Sprint
###Bad Lands
###Ironman Ivan Stewart's Super Off-Road (uses 3!)
###Ironman Stewart's Super Off-Road Track Pack (uses 3!)
###Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat
## Other
###Atari 2 player games
###Puzzloop

==If I can have only a spinner or a trackball... which should I choose==
'''insert pro/con arguments here'''
relevant links in msg board. delete links once the info has been added.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=25477.0
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=37876.0
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=36036.0

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Trackballs

2006-07-16T06:16:50Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

A '''Trackball''' is a large ball that can be pushed in any direction to control an arcade game. Trackballs provide precise analog control, much like a mouse.

== How Trackballs Work ==
For a good idea of how trackballs work, please read [http://computer.howstuffworks.com/mouse2.htm the HowStuffWorks.com article] about how a computer mouse works and just imagine everything upside down in a trackball. A trackball and an old fashioned ball-mouse function the same way, only on a mouse you move the mechanism to spin the ball, but in a trackball you spin the ball directly. Most (if not all) arcade trackballs are optomechanical rather than optical.

'''Related Link:''' [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/image-3304434-1.html U.S. Patent #3,304,434] "Position Control System Employing Pulse Producing Means Indicative of Magnitude and Direction of Movement," R. A. Koster, Feb. 14, 1967

== Computer Trackballs ==

Many companies including Microsoft, Logitech, and Kensington make trackballs to control the pointer in operating systems just as a mouse does. These trackballs come in a number of sizes, from very small laptop trackballs to some large trackballs designed for children.

Most computer trackballs are poorly suited to arcade play. They are usually made of plastic, and are less robust than their arcade counterparts. More importantly, arcade trackballs are designed to spin freely, their heavy balls acting as a flywheel in whatever direction they were last spun. Computer trackballs have lighter balls and are designed to limit free spinning, as this is not desirable in a mouse pointer type control.

Computer trackballs are inexpensive and already easily interface with computers so many people try to use them in their control panels. Most people who do this later make an investment in playability and upgrade to a real arcade trackball.

== 2 ¼" Trackballs ==
2 ¼" (57mm) trackballs were used in games such as Centipede and Missile Command Cocktail.
Two and a quarter inches is the same size as a (U.S.) regulation billiard ball, and you can use a billiard ball in a 2 ¼" trackball assembly. This and their small footprint make 2 ¼" trackballs desirable for arcade emulation, particularly in cocktail cabinets.

Available from [[Vendors|Happ, Suzo, Ultimarc]] and others.

== 3" Trackballs ==
3" (76mm) trackballs are the ones most commonly seen in modern upright arcade machines, and are widely used in people's home arcade machines. They are used in Capcom Bowling, Crystal Castles, the Golden Tee games and Marble Madness. Users have discovered that juggling balls are commonly 3" in size, and make good replacement balls.

The original upright Millipede cabinets had a 3" Atari Trak Ball

Available from [[Vendors|Happ, Suzo]] and others.

== 4 ½" Atari Trak Balls ==
{|
|[[Image:TrakBallMaint.GIF|left|thumb|4 ½" Trak Ball maintenance and repair diagram from the Missile Command manual]]
|These giant trackballs ("Trak Ball" is the Atari trademark) are sometimes known as 4-inch, but are actually four and a half inches (114mm) in diameter. They were some of the first trackballs put into use in Atari Football (1978), Missile Command (1980), and a few others. The mechanisms are made of machined aluminum; clearly designed to survive intense abuse.

Putting one of these in your control panel is quite a commitment in terms of real estate. The metal frame is 6" square, 3 ½" tall, and the optical boards stick an aditional 2 inches beyond two of the corners, an effective 64 square inch footprint.

[[Vendors|Happ]] sells a 4 ½" trackball. This Happ trackball was used in the NeoGeo game 'The Irritating Maze' and can be connected in an identical manner to the Happ 3" trackballs. The ball itself is usable in an Atari 4 ½" (a 4 ½" diameter sphere is a 4 ½" diameter sphere), but the mechanism is a different, smaller design with the ball in a higher position.

Any 4 ½" diameter ball, particularly a candlepin bowling ball, is a swap-out replacement for the 25+ year old originals.
|-
|[[Image:Atari_Steering.jpg]]

|The original optical boards on these are fairly easy to interface with an [[Optical_Encoders#Opti-PAC|Opti-PAC]] (and probably most other [[Optical_Encoders|optical control interfaces]]).

This is the pin-out for the 10-pin molex plug found on the optical boards:
{|border=1
|'''Pin: Signal'''
|-
|1: no signal

|3: no signal

|5: no signal

|7: no signal

|9: +5v

|-
|2: no signal

|4: Axis 1

|6: no signal

|8: Axis 2

|10: ground

|}

There were a number of slightly different boards with this same pin-out.

On an Opti-PAC, the "A/HI" jumper should be set.
|}

There are a few [[Vendors|vendors]], particularly [[Vendors|The Real Bob Roberts]], that sell replacement bearings and steel roller-shafts for these (they are often referred to as 4" or Maxi-Trak ball parts).

'''Related Links:'''

[http://www.hardmvs.com/html/iMaze.htm 'The Irritating Maze' on HardMVS]

[http://www.epcomfg.com/index.html EPCO, manufacturer of custom candlepin, juggling, and billiard balls]

== Speciality Trackballs ==
The full size arcade version of [http://www.hyperbowl.com/ HyperBowl] uses a life size bowling ball as a trackball.

To quote Hyper Entertainment: ''The original location-based HyperBowl features a unique "Life Size" Bowling Ball as a User Interface. The player controls the virtual bowling ball on the video screen by "rolling" a regulation size bowling ball, as if it were an oversized trackball. Players must use the ball to dodge obstacles along the way to the pins, as each virtual lane presents unique scenery and challenges.''

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Pushbuttons

2006-07-16T06:14:06Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

__NOTOC__
'''Pushbuttons''' are the simplest and most common form of control consisting of a momentary switch that makes contact when pressed.

== Microswitch Pushbuttons==
[[Image:Happ-horiz-pushbutton.gif|right|thumb|120px|Microswitch Pushbutton]]
Pushbuttons come is various forms and shapes, though the most common is the Industrias Lorenzo (iL) horizontal microswitch pushbutton (aka Happ Horizontal Pushbutton). Due to the microswitch, these buttons have a 'clicky' activation that can seem a little alien to many old-school gamers. They are comprised of...
* Button plunger
* Button housing/bezel
* Spring
* Microswitch

The plunger top may be concave, flat, or convex. The microswitch can be orientated horizontally or vertically. Most people prefer horizontal orientation as these tend to be more reliable ([[horizontal versus vertical pushbuttons|read why here.]]) Microswitch pushbuttons are probably the most popular type of button using in arcade. Because of this they can be found in almost any color, including transparent. These also can be found with little men icons, generally used as start buttons for the player indicated.

These buttons are sold by numerous [[vendors]]. Common suppliers are [http://www.happcontrols.com/ Happ], [http://www.ultimarc.com Ultimarc], [http://www.fxbuttons.com FX Buttons] and [http://www.groovygamegear.com GroovyGameGear.]

Installation requires a 1 1/8" hole.

==Leafswitch Pushbuttons==
{| align=right
| [[image:Leafswitch-button.jpg|thumb|80px|Leafswitch Buttons]]
| [[image:Leafswitch-holder.jpg|thumb|80px|Leafswitch Holders]]
| [[image:Leafswitch-palnuts.jpg|thumb|80px|Leafswitch Pal Nuts]]
|}
Before microswitch pushbuttons appeared, leafswitch pushbuttons were the de facto standards and are still prefered by many people today. The main advantage to leafswitches over microswitched is that they're almost completely silent. They are comprised of...
* Button
* Button holder (usually with the actual leafswitch attached)
* Pal nut
As with most types of pushbuttons, they come in two lengths; long (1 7/8") for wooden panels and short (1 5/8") for metal panels.

It is occasionally difficult to find buttons of the appropriate color and the appropriate length for a particular project. In those situations, check [http://homearcade.org/BBBB/leafsw.html Leaf Switches & Button Solutions] by [http://homearcade.org/BBBB/siteindex.html The Real Bob Roberts] for potential solutions.

==Atari Volcano Buttons==
{| align=right
| [[Image:SirPsVolcano.jpg|right|100px]]
|
{| cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0
|[[Image:Ataributton.gif|right|52px]]
|[[Image:Volcano switch black.jpg|right|56px]]
|}
|-
| [[Image:Volcano switchs red n blk1.jpg|right|100px]]
| [[Image:Volcano switch n lens.jpg|right|100px]]
|-
| [[Image:Volcano switch lens1.jpg|right|100px]]
| [[Image:Volcano switchs red n blk2.jpg|right|100px]]
|}
Also known as cone buttons, volcano buttons are comprised of:
* Microswitch
* Lens (plunger)
* Plastic mounting clip/brace
* Plastic or aluminium cone

These were used as player start buttons in many Atari cabinets, available with illuminated red and later solid black lenses. The red button lens would blink when a player inserted a coin and remain lit during gameplay. Taller cones were used on fire buttons of Missile Command.

The actual switch used appears to be a [http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches/submini/db.htm Cherry DB3] sub-miniature microswitch. This switch is still available from Cherry, however the plastic mounting clip and lenses have been out of production for some time. The plastic cones have been re-produced by [http://www.gamecab.com/products.asp?cat=25 Gamecab], but are currently unnavailable.

[[Image:Eao 11-131.jpg|left|100px|EAO 11-131.825N switch with 11-931.2 red lens]]Charlie from Gamecab.com discovered that a company called EAO currently manufacures switch assemblies that are quite similar to the original Cherry P163 assemblies. They don't include an LED, but the neck is threaded the same as an Atari cone, so they work pretty well together. They are available from [http://www.newark.com/product-details/text/CD121/5134.html Newark In One].

Related BYOAC Forum threads: [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=11468 1] -
[http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=11123.0 2] - [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=42155.0 3] - [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=42509.0 4]

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Joysticks

2006-07-16T06:13:02Z

Mortalpawn: Added to index

A '''Joystick''' is a device to let you manually control direction of movement in an arcade game. This article describes the most common types of joysticks used in arcade cabinets and game systems.

==Conventional Digital Joysticks==
[[image:Stick-principal.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Stick diagram by JoyMonkey]]
Conventional joysticks are fairly simple devices without which Pac-Man would be ghost-fodder. When the joystick shaft is moved in any direction, the lower end of the stick is levered in the opposite direction and makes contact with switches, these switches are what tells Pac-Man to move and in which direction.

[[image:Directions.gif|left]]By using four switches at the base of the joystick, 8 directions can be achieved; Up, Down, Left and Right as well as the four corner positions. Joysticks like this are known as 8-way.
Some joysticks were designed to restrict the player from moving diagonally; for example, joysticks used in Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Though it is possible to use an 8-way joystick for these games, it's not recommended, as accidentally hitting a diagonal with the joystick will cause Mario to stand still and Pac-Man won't know if he should go up or to the side. Joysticks like this are known as 4-way.

Other games, such as Defender, Joust, Mario Brothers and Galaga, used a 2-way joystick since movement was only necessary from left to right or up to down.

Standard 8-way only joysticks:
:* [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happcompetition.html Happ Competition], [http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happultimate.html Happ Ultimate (can be ordered in 8 way, 4-way, or 2-way models], [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/wico.html Wico 8-way Leafswitch Joystick (discontinued)].

Standard 4-way only joysticks:
:* Happ Ms.Pac/Galaga Reunion, Betson Ms.Pac/Galaga Reunion, [http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happultimate.html Happ Ultimate (can be ordered in 8 way, 4-way, or 2-way models],[http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/wico.html Wico 4-Way Leafswitch (discontinued)].

====8-Way to 4-Way Switchable Joysticks====
Many 8-way joysticks that are sold can also be set to work in 4-way mode. There are two basic methods to change modes:

1) Changing a restrictor plate that only allows the joystick handle to be pushed in certain directions; or:

2) Changing the actuator (that's the small piece on the bottom end of the joystick shaft that makes contact with the switches) to only allow contact with one switch at a time.

Restrictor plate changes convert the joystick to "true" 4-way operation, and will give the best play. Actuator changes do not keep the handle from moving into the diagonal positions, this method only keeps the switches from being activated. The result is a "dead spot" in the corners, where the stick can be pushed, but no switches are hit. This is not much better than playing in standard 8-way mode, and is not reccomended. Adjusting these joystick usually involves opening up your control panel so you can access the lower section of the joystick base. Some models using a restrictor plate can be easily changed by hand once the control panel is open, while some others require the use of basic tools, like a screwdriver.

Joysticks that can be set to 4-way or 8-way operation via an actuator swap include:
:* [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happsuper.html Happ Super], [http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happsp360.html Happ Perfect 360], [http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/xgaming.html X-Gaming Joystick (X-Arcade)].

Joysticks that can be set to 4-way or 8-way operation via the restrictor plate include:
:* Suzo 500 (aka [http://ultimarc.com/controls.html Euro-Stik] or [http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=197 Omni-Stik]), [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/ultimarc_tstik.html Ultimarc T-Stik], Ultimarc Mag-Stik, [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/ultimarc_jstik.html Ultimarc J-Stik], [http://www.himuragames.com/store_joysticks.php Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT], [http://www.himuragames.com/store_joysticks.php Seimitsu LS-32].

In the last few years, some companies have added to this feature to allow the joystick to be switchable from above the control panel in some way. This makes it simple for anyone to switch the joystick between 4-way to 8-way from game to game, without having to access 'the guts' of the control panel.

Conventional joysticks that can be switched from above the control panel like this include:
:* [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/ultimarc_tstik.html T-Stik Plus], [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/ultimarc_magstikplus_part1.html Mag-Stik Plus], [http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/prodigy.html Omni-Stik Prodigy].

====[[TRON joystick]]s====
TRON arcade machines had 8-way trigger joysticks that were restricted to make it difficult to go diagonally. This was necessary because some of the four games in TRON were developed for 4-way sticks, while others were able to use 8-ways. [[TRON_joystick|More on TRON joysticks here.]]

==Unconventional Digital Joysticks==
[[image:Inductivestickopen.jpg|right|thumb|Inside a Suzo Inductive Stick]]
====[http://www.suzo.com/suzo/product.asp?nP=4545 Suzo Inductive Joystick]====
Instead of using conventional microswitches, Suzo Inductive sticks employ the use of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrite ferrite ring] at the base of the joystick shaft. An oscillating magnetic field is induced in the ferrite ring by the main coil in the centre of the PCB around the opening. This oscillating field within the ferrite ring induces a current in one or more of the eight smaller coils on the PCB. The exact position of the joystick is determined by the strength of the current in each coil. A potentiometer can be adjusted so that diagonal positions are ignored (resulting in 4-way output) or that diagonals are accepted (resulting in 8-way output.) The sensitivity of 8-way operation can be refined using the potentiometer. It is completely silent and is easily switchable between 4-way and 8-way using the aforementioned pot located on the bottom plate of the joystick.
[[Image:Suzo_Inductive_restrictor.JPG|right|thumb|Suzo Inductive Octagonal Restrictor]]
It has an octagonal restrictor to assist in locating the desired directions. There are 6 pins for the connection which are labeled on the bottom plate of the joystick: Ground/Earth; +5 VDC; Left; Right; Up; Down. It is a short throw joystick with a max travel of 5 degrees from centre. The joystick is designed to be undermounted without taking the joystick apart; this requires a hole in the panel approx 44 mm or 1 3/4". The joystick handle was produced in two sizes, a 32 mm ball handle (suitable for cocktail cabinets), and a 38 mm ball handle. This joystick is no longer produced but as of May 2006 some were still available from Groovy Game Gear and TNT Amusements.

====[http://retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/happsp360.html Happ Perfect 360 (P360)]====

The Perfect 360 joystick is an optical joystick, which means that the position of the handle is read by optical switches, instead of conventional leaf switches or microswitches. This gives near-silent operation, as the handle & actuator never touch anything.

These sticks have a very smooth feel, largely due to the "no touch" action. P360 joysticks have a round restrictor, instead of the more common square restriction found on many other modern joysticks. This round restriction adds to the smoothness factor, because there are no corners to feel.

Connection- P360 joys require a little more effort to hook up- in addition to the Up, Down, Left, Right and Ground connections on standard joysticks, the P360 also needs a +5 volts connection. This is easy enough to get, as encoders such as the I-Pac and KeyWiz provide a +5v header. PC power supplies produce +5v on the red wire of the drive connectors. There is also +5v power available on USB & PS2 cables. +5 volt power is easy to find.

History- The Perfect 360 started out as an aftermarket add-on kit for Wico leafswitch joysticks. Models were later added to the product line to convert Happ Super, Competition, and Ultimate sticks, and possibly others as well. Happ eventually bought the rights to the P360 technology, and discontinued the kits. Happ began producing a complete stick instead, with the top half of a Wico joystick base (no longer sold by Wico by then) mated to a P360 bottom half.

Interchangability- P360 handles and Wico handles have been found to be interchangable. There are also replacement handles available from SlikStik. Wico Pear-top sticks used the same pivot cones and spacer sleeves.

==49-Way Joysticks==
Once used in a small handfull of Williams, Midway and Atari games, 49 way joysticks live in a no-man's land between digital and analog joysticks. 49-way joysticks do not, as the name might seem to imply, point in 49 different directions. The number 49 comes from the number of positions the stick can report to the game hardware, including positions somewhere ''between'' "dead center" and "pushed all the way". Imagine a 7x7 grid (that's 49 squares) and you've got it. Games that originally used this hardware benefited from the extra info the joystick could report by allowing the player to control the on-screen character with more precision- both in the form of better directional control (24 discrete directions possible, if you count dead center), and 3 levels of speed control, based on how far from center the stick was pushed. For example, in [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=9553 SiniStar], the player can make the ship move faster or slower, by varying how hard they push the stick, and the ship's movement is not limited to just 8 directions. Attempting to play this game (or others that originally used 49-way sticks) with a standard 8-way digital joystick tends to be frustrating- SiniStar is a very difficult game in the first place; take away the speed control and limit yourself to 8 directions, and it's ''really, really'' hard. More info on 49-way joysticks can be found at [http://urebelscum.speedhost.com/49waySticks.html What are 49-Way joysticks?] by URebelScum

Games that originally used 49-way joysticks include:

*SiniStar
*Blaster
*Arch Rivals
*Pigskin 621 A.D.
*Blitz
*Blitz '99
*Blitz 2000
*NFL Blitz 2000 Gold Edition
*NBA Showtime
*SportStation
*Gauntlet: Legends
*Gauntlet: Dark Legacy

For home gaming purposes, when paired with the [[Gamepad Encoders#GP Wiz49|GP Wiz49]] controller from [www.groovygamegear.com GroovyGameGear], these analog style joysticks have become a popular all-around stick. Using the GP-Wiz's various DRS modes, these joysticks can be easily switched between 8-way, 4-way, 2-way (vertical), 2-way (horizontal) and diagonal (Q*Bert style) modes without having to physically change the joystick hardware. This allows these sticks to be used to play any digital joystick games well. In additon, the two 49-way modes allow play for games that originally used 49-way sticks (and have emulator support that goes beyond 8-ways- not all 49-way games do), and also will play well for ''some'' games that originally used analog or Hall-Effect joysticks.

There are three varieties of 49-way joystick: Williams, Midway, and Happ.

The Williams are easy to distinguish- they use a distinctive rubber centering "spider" on the bottom, and have balltop handles. Red balltops come from SiniStar; Orange come from Arch Rivals. There are also Williams optical sticks out there with Turquoise and Yellow balltops. These ''look'' like 49-ways, complete with centering spider. However, these sticks do not have as many optics, and the pin connector is different, with fewer pins. These sticks are 8-way only. Turquoise ones most likely come from Bubbles, however, some early Joust games shipped with Turquoise and Yellow optical sticks.

The Midway and Happ 49-ways are ''very'' similar, in fact the Happ is just the Midway stick with a minor re-design. (Happ bought the rights to a lot of Midway's parts business several years ago.) The Midway sticks have a smaller diameter shaft, and the centering grommet has a correspondingly smaller hole. Both have a black bat top handle. Replacement handles are available in a variety of colors (Happ variety only) at [www.groovygamegear.com].

==Analog Joysticks==

Analog joysticks are not bound by the limits digital joysticks face. Digital joysticks can only point in 8 (or fewer; see above) directions, or no direction at all (centered). Analog joysticks can point in (theoretically) an unlimited number of directions. Furthermore, Analog joystics can discern how far the handle has been pushed from the center position. Games take advantage of these properties to give the player a much greater level of control over their on-screen character. For example, the bird in [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=9338 Road Runner] can run in more than just the 8 standard directions, and how far the player pushes the joystick from center determines how fast the Road Runner runs.

Most analog sticks use a pair of potentiometers, one to measure left-to-right movement (the X-axis), and one to measure forward-and-back movement (the Y-axis). A few games, however, used a "Hall Effect" stick. Hall effect sticks use Hall sensors and magnets to read the postion of the stick. The end result is the same, though- both types report to the game which direction and how far the stick is being pressed.

While the actual resolution of an analog joystick may be theoretically unlimited, the standard for analog joysticks connected to a PC is 256x256. Compare this to the 7x7 resolution of a 49-way joystick, or the 3x3 resolution of a standard 8-way joystick. This explains why it is difficult to play games that originally used analog controls with a standard 8-way stick; the stick simply can't control the on-screen character the way it was intended to be controlled. A 49-way stick is sufficient for ''some'' games that originally used analog controls, but not all of them. Road Runner, for example, can be adequately controlled with a 49-way joystick, as that stick would give the bird 24 directions to run in, and four speeds (including stopped)- which ought to be enough to outwit that dumb coyote. [http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=9773 Star Wars], on the other hand, cannot be played well with a 49-way, as that stick will only aim the X-Wing's blasters at 49 equally spaced spots on the screen, leaving Tie Fighters that are in-between those spots un-shootable. (Star Wars actually used an analog Flight Yoke, rather than an analog joystick, but these controls are electrically identical, and actually interchangeable as far as the game is concerned.)

Games that used analog joysticks include:

{|
|
*Afterburner
*CyberSled ''(2 analog sticks per player; two players = 4 sticks)''
*Food Fight
*Jurrasic Park
*Maneater
*Pursuit
*Quarterback
*Rail Chase
*Red Baron
*Solar Assault
*Space Harrier
*Star Wars Trilogy
|
*Steel Talons
*T-Mek
*Tail Gunner
*Tail Gunner II
*Thunderblade
*World Series Baseball

*Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters ''(Hall-Effect)''
*I, Robot ''(Hall-Effect)''
*Road Runner ''(Hall-Effect)''
|
*Apache 3 ''(yoke)''
*Hydra ''(yoke)''
*Lock-On ''(yoke)''
*Star Wars ''(yoke)''
*Stun Runner ''(yoke)''
*The Empire Strikes Back ''(yoke)''
*The Return Of The Jedi ''(yoke)''
*Turbo-Sub ''(yoke)''
|}

==Rotary Joysticks==

There are two types of rotary joysticks that often get confused: Mechanical rotary sticks, and Optical rotary sticks. Either can be interfaced with a PC.

Mechanical rotary sticks are the type that most people remember from games like Ikari Warriors. They have a 12-position rotary switch attached to the bottom of the joystick, which is turned by rotating the handle. Each turn of the handle is accompanied by a clicking sound, and distinct tactile feedback that lets the player know that a turn has been registered.

The SNK games used a stick called the LS-30, with yellow octagonal tops. The Data East games used the same sticks, but with a yellow barrel shaped top. Wico used to make a rotary stick, with a yellow balltop These were basically standard Wico leaf sticks, with the rotary switch added to the bottom. Happ still sells a mechanical rotary stick, which is basically a Happ Super with a rotary switch added to the bottom. Fl0yd at BYOAC figured out how to attach the rotary parts from a Happ rotary to the bottom of a Happ 49-way joystick, and still sells the kits to modify your own Happ 49-way.

Optical rotary sticks have an optical encoder wheel, similar to a spinner, instead. Caliber .50 used a stick called the Loop-24, with green octagonal tops. The Touchdown Fever games used a Happ Optical rotary, which is basically a Happ Super with the encoder wheel and optics added to the bottom.

Most games that used rotary joysticks used the rotary function to determine which direction the on-screen character was aiming. This allowed the player to shoot in a different direction from the direction of motion, all with one hand.

===Mechanical Rotary joystick games (LS-30 sticks)===
*Battle Field
*Top Gunner (bootleg)
*World Wars
*Ikari Warriors
*Victory Road
*Heavy Barrel
*Gondomania
*Bermuda Triangle
*Time Soldiers
*Guerilla War
*SAR - Search And Rescue
*Downtown
*Victory Road
*Midnight Resistance
*Ikari III - The Rescue
*Exterminator (unknown whether this used mechanical or optical rotary sticks)
*TNK III
*Battle Field (Japanese verion of Time Soldiers)
*Dogosoken (Japanese version of Victory Road)
*Makyou Senshi (Japanese version of Gondomania)
*Guevara (Japanese version of Guerrilla War)

===Optical Rotary games (Loop-24 sticks)===
*Caliber .50
*Touchdown Fever
*Touchdown Fever II

===Other "Rotary" games===
These games did ''not'' use rotary joysticks,
but are sometimes confused with rotary games.

*Frontline (Taito Aim-n-Fire)
*The Tin Star (Taito Aim-n-Fire)
*Wild Western (Taito Aim-n-Fire)
*Sherrif (rotary switch)
*Bandido (rotary switch, clone of Sherrif)
*Xybots (Twist-to-Turn)
*720 (Optical 720 spinner/joy hybrid)

==Mounting Joysticks==

==European vs US vs Japanese Joysticks==

Common US joysticks include those produced by:

*Happ
*Wico
*Atari
*Midway

[Most of the Happ joysticks (including the Supers and Competitions) are actually manufactured by a Spanish company ([http://www.industrias-lorenzo.com Industrias-Lorenzo]) and are therefore technically European joysticks]

Common European joysticks include those produced by:

*Suzo

Common Japanese joysticks include those produced by:

*Sanwa
*Semitsu

==See Also==
* [[Controls]]

[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Index]]

Community Portal

2006-07-16T06:10:13Z

Mortalpawn: /* Some Editing Guidelines */

__NOTOC__{{Portal|name=Community Portal}}
This is the main community page for those who wish to contribute to the BYOAC Wiki. The Wiki is nothing more than a collection of user contributed articles written by arcade enthusiasts just like you. This is a community site, and depends on your contributions as an editor or author to keep it current, relevant and growing.

==Be a Contributor!==
To contribute as an author or editor, you first need to create an account on the [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/ BYOAC forum] and then use that user name and password to log in to this Wiki. Creating an account take only a minute or two, and requires minimal information. Once you have an account and have logged in, you can edit or create a new article. To edit any article, just click on the ''edit tab'' at the top of that article. To create a new article, please do a '''search''' first to see if a similar article exists. If it does not exist you can easily create it from the search results page by clicking on the ''this exact title'' link that will come up on the search page at the top. Then link your article to the appropriate portal below.

===Editing and Formatting===
This Wiki uses the MediaWiki software system. Formatting of pages is unique to this system, but easy to learn by browsing a few examples. Click on the ''edit'' tab on any page to see what the source document looks like. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Quick_guide Wikipedia quick guide] offers some basic formatting options including a cheatsheet to help you contribute to this Wiki. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing Wikpedia extended editing guide] provides more detailed formatting options. For more detailed discussion of style, see the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style Wikipedia Style Manual].

===Add an Article, Not Just Links===
We want the BYOAC Wiki to be a true arcade control encyclopedia and not just another collection of links. While it is perfectly appropriate to add some links - especially to the pages dedicated to links, it is also important that you contribute real content. You can write a new article on just about anything arcade related, or consider adding a paragraph or two to an existing article. Your thoughts might prompt someone else to add a few paragraphs, and before you know it we will have a true arcade encyclopedia.

===Some Editing Guidelines===
* Articles should be named by the shortest possible keyword - ideally one or two words
* Articles should contain real content (with the exception of specific link pages such as the list of suppliers) and not be just a collection of links.
* Articles should start with a short definition or introduction of the topic being discussed (the topic name is usually bolded in the introduction)
* Articles should use headings as appropriate to organize topics in the article
* You can use the code '''<nowiki>__NOTOC__</nowiki>''' at the top of a page to supress the automatic generation of a contents box for short articles. Longer articles should include the automatic contents box.
* Unless the page is a simple definition, it should include the '''<nowiki>==See Also==</nowiki>''' heading near the end of the page and link back to the main portal and other related pages.
* External site links should be added at the bottom after the '''See Also''' section under the title '''<nowiki>==External Links==</nowiki>''' if appropriate
* All pages require a category using a category statement at the very bottom of the page such as '''<nowiki>[[Category:portalname]]</nowiki>'''. Categories for major portals are listed below.
* Definitions should, as a minimum, be added to the '''Index''' category with the code: '''<nowiki>[[Category:Index]]</nowiki>'''. Other pages can be added to the Index using the same code, even if they are also members of another category (i.e. you can have more than one Category statement at the end of an article). Not every article needs to be in the Index - only those that are commonly used terms.
* Try to avoid orphaned pages - pages you create should be linked to either another page (as might be the case for a definition) or a main portal (for a more substantial article).

==The Index==
The [[:Category:Index]] exists to list major terms and topics. You can add a page to the Index with the code: '''<nowiki>[[Category:Index]]</nowiki>'''. However, not ''every'' page needs to be added to the index. Only major terms and topics should be listed. For example, it would be inappropriate to list every example, vendor or possible item, but it might be appropriate to list a top level page such as ''Venrods''.

==BYOAC Portals==
Wiki pages are organized into projects that each have a main portal and a main category assigned. Where possible, the larger projects correspond to main entry portals on the main page. To join a project as an editor or author, simply add your name to the editor column for the major projects listed below. We recommend that you contact the other editors for your project to coordinate before jumping in with major changes. Please be sure to link new pages to the appropriate portal page and category for the portal you are editing.

{| border=1 width="100%"
! Project Portal !! Categories !! Description !! Editors, Authors
|-
| [[Basics]] || [[:Category:Basics]] || Arcade Cabinet Basics || None
|-
| [[Building]] || [[:Category:Building]] || Design and Building || None
|-
| [[Controls]] || [[:Category:Controls]] || Control Panels, Controls and Interfaces || None
|-
| [[Finishing]] || [[:Category:Finishing]] || Finishing, Artwork and Misc || None
|-
| [[Vendors]] || [[:Category:Vendors]] || Listing of Vendors and Suppliers || None
|-
| [[Software]] || [[:Category:Software]] || Software, Emulators, Front Ends & Games|| None
|-
| [[Examples]] || [[:Category:Examples]] || Arcade Cabinet Examples || None
|-
| [[Video]] || [[:Category:Video]] || Video Monitors and Interfaces || None
|-
| [[Main Page]] || [[:Category:Portals]] || Main Page and Main Portals || [[User:MortalPawn|Doc-]]
|}

==To Do List==
The BYOAC Wikiis a work in progress. Unfortunately many of the pages are still incomplete pages or stubs. Below are some of the largest items that need to be either completed or reworked.

* [Insert your "To Do" items here]

==Special Pages For Editors==
* [[Special:Wantedpages]] - Pages that are just stubs and have no content whatsoever
* [[Special:Uncategorizedpages]] - Pages not assigned to a category
* [[Special:Deadendpages]] - Pages that dead end (no '''See Also'' or ''External Links'')
* [[Special:Lonelypages]] - Orphaned Pages
* [[Special:Categories]] - A list of all categories

==External Links==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Quick_guide Wikipedia quick guide]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Editing Wikpedia extended editing guide]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style Wikipedia Style Manual]

[[Category:Help]]

User:Mortalpawn

2006-07-16T06:07:59Z

Mortalpawn: /* Doc's Modular Wiki Page */

==Doc's Modular Wiki Page==
My actual user name on the forum is "Doc-", and my cabinet is in the hall of fame (below) and also won a MAMEY. If I'm known for anything in the BYOAC world, it is for the creation of modular control panels. See my site below.

I am also an active Wiki person - my new home brewing wiki BrewWiki is listed below.

In July of 2006, Spacefractal and I led a major reorganization of the BYOAC Wiki into "Portals" to better support the large number of pages and to make it easier to access. The old [[Contents]] page was becoming unmanageable. The net result is a Wiki with some structure, as outlined in the [[Community Portal]]. Please visit the [[Community Portal]] if you want to contribute to the Wiki.

Cheers!
: Doc-

==External Links==
* [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] - An award winning modular MAME machine
* [http://www.brewwiki.com BrewWiki] - My homebrewing Wiki
* [http://www.beersmith.com BeerSmith Brewing Software] - My Homebrewing Software

User:Mortalpawn

2006-07-16T06:07:51Z

Mortalpawn: /* Doc's Modular Wiki Page */

==Doc's Modular Wiki Page==
My actual user name on the forum is "Doc-", and my cabinet is in the hall of fame (below) and also won a MAMEY. If I'm known for anything in the BYOAC world, it is for the creation of modular control panels. See my site below.

I am also an active Wiki person - my new home brewing wiki BrewWiki is listed below.

In July of 2006, Spacefractal and I led a major reorganization of the BYOAC Wiki into "Portals" to better support the large number of pages and to make it easier to access. The old [[Contents]] page was becoming unmanageable. The net result is a Wiki with some structure, as outlined in the [[Community Portal]]. Please visit the [[Community Portal]] if you want to contribute to the Wiki.

Cheers!
Doc-

==External Links==
* [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] - An award winning modular MAME machine
* [http://www.brewwiki.com BrewWiki] - My homebrewing Wiki
* [http://www.beersmith.com BeerSmith Brewing Software] - My Homebrewing Software

User:Mortalpawn

2006-07-16T06:07:38Z

Mortalpawn: /* Doc's Modular Wiki Page */

==Doc's Modular Wiki Page==
My actual user name on the forum is "Doc-", and my cabinet is in the hall of fame (below) and also won a MAMEY. If I'm known for anything in the BYOAC world, it is for the creation of modular control panels. See my site below.

I am also an active Wiki person - my new home brewing wiki BrewWiki is listed below.

In July of 2006, Spacefractal and I led a major reorganization of the BYOAC Wiki into "Portals" to better support the large number of pages and to make it easier to access. The old [[Contents]] page was becoming unmanageable. The net result is a Wiki with some structure, as outlined in the [[Community Portal]]. Please visit the [[Community Portal]] if you want to contribute to the Wiki.

Cheers!
Doc-
----

==External Links==
* [http://www.beersmith.com/mame Doc's Modular Mame] - An award winning modular MAME machine
* [http://www.brewwiki.com BrewWiki] - My homebrewing Wiki
* [http://www.beersmith.com BeerSmith Brewing Software] - My Homebrewing Software

Coin Doors

2006-07-16T06:04:50Z

Mortalpawn:

A '''coin door''' can be added to your arcade cabinet purely as a decoration, or for functionality.

It is posslble to wire up a coin door with switches and interface them to a keyboard encoder. The encoder sends a signal that corresponds to the "credit" command. This allows a coin to act as it would in a real machine. Most coin doors have the same type of switch as a normal arcade button which makes it simple to wire it up to your encoder.

You can also wire up the lights on your coin door by taking 12 volt power from your pc and running it to the light bulbs on the door.
==Coin Counters==
Coin Counters can be easily wired between a single coin acceptor. Simply wire Ground on your [[Pushbuttons#Microswitch_Pushbuttons | microswitch]] to the 5V line on your counter. Then wire the Ground on your Counter to your [[Encoders | encoder]] ground.

Alternatively to wire up '''all''' your coin acceptors/buttons you'll need to put diodes between your [[Encoders | encoder]] and each [[Pushbuttons#Microswitch_Pushbuttons | microswitch]]. A diagram on how to wire a coin counter at [http://free.hostdepartment.com/T/Thenasty/byo.htm TheNasty's website].

==See Also==
* [[Basics]]
* [[Finishing]]

[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Finishing]]

Coin Doors

2006-07-16T06:04:36Z

Mortalpawn:

A coin door can be added to your arcade cabinet purely as a decoration, or for functionality.

It is posslble to wire up a coin door with switches and interface them to a keyboard encoder. The encoder sends a signal that corresponds to the "credit" command. This allows a coin to act as it would in a real machine. Most coin doors have the same type of switch as a normal arcade button which makes it simple to wire it up to your encoder.

You can also wire up the lights on your coin door by taking 12 volt power from your pc and running it to the light bulbs on the door.
==Coin Counters==
Coin Counters can be easily wired between a single coin acceptor. Simply wire Ground on your [[Pushbuttons#Microswitch_Pushbuttons | microswitch]] to the 5V line on your counter. Then wire the Ground on your Counter to your [[Encoders | encoder]] ground.

Alternatively to wire up '''all''' your coin acceptors/buttons you'll need to put diodes between your [[Encoders | encoder]] and each [[Pushbuttons#Microswitch_Pushbuttons | microswitch]]. A diagram on how to wire a coin counter at [http://free.hostdepartment.com/T/Thenasty/byo.htm TheNasty's website].

==See Also==
* [[Basics]]
* [[Finishing]]

[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Finishing]]