Bartop Arcade Build (WIP)

[DOS76]

Yeah it is just a LED controller program that lights up the buttons based on system and game configs I believe I've never used it personally.

[Lordmonkus]

I have never used so I don't know the full extent of what it can do but I do know you can have it setup to light up the buttons used on a game by game basis.

[shanzo]

44 minutes ago, lightz39 said:

Thanks for the suggestion. What is LEDBlinky? Just makes leds flash based on events or something? I don't plan on having glowing buttons.

Yeah it runs the led layout and patterns. I haven't used it before but am going to try soon I think. Normal led buttons are very easy to install. 

[lightz39]

25 minutes ago, shanzo said:

Yeah it runs the led layout and patterns. I haven't used it before but am going to try soon I think. Normal led buttons are very easy to install. 

I'm going to use just solid colored buttons. Not a fan of the glowing buttons. I do like led strips under neath and what have you though.

[shanzo]

3 hours ago, lightz39 said:

I'm going to use just solid colored buttons. Not a fan of the glowing buttons. I do like led strips under neath and what have you though.

Yeah I think other than the artwork the most important design elements is t moulding and then led lighting.

[lightz39]

I'm looking to do a classic, simple retro design. So pin stripes, nothing too flashy. Clean lines. 

[shanzo]

9 minutes ago, lightz39 said:

I'm looking to do a classic, simple retro design. So pin stripes, nothing too flashy. Clean lines. 

Can't wait to see some progress pics

[lightz39]

I met a guy that is able to cut the pieces for me so it should be considerably cheaper on that front now. it also brings me to control layouts... Since I don't have to use the included one what's the best configuration for a combo of mame, nes, SNES, Genesis? I found one that had 10 buttons. What's the max needed?

[shanzo]

17 hours ago, lightz39 said:

I met a guy that is able to cut the pieces for me so it should be considerably cheaper on that front now. it also brings me to control layouts... Since I don't have to use the included one what's the best configuration for a combo of mame, nes, SNES, Genesis? I found one that had 10 buttons. What's the max needed?

Id be surprised if you needed more than 8 per player(a b x y lb rb lt rt). I personally prefer 6 button layouts as an 8 button layout on a bartop would be very crowded I think.

[DOS76]

I have an 8 button layout but two additional buttons above the joystick for coin and start plus then 4 additional buttons along the front for exiting emulators and other functionality.

[lightz39]

I've been working on some Marquees and I'd like some help choosing which one to use. Which one do you like best? Do you like a combination of more than one? It sucks all together do something else? Inspiration was drawn from old school pong. Black logo, off white box with yellow/orange stripes. Very clean and vintage in my mind. My goal is for this thing to look and feel premium. I will work on some control graphics next. As far as which marquee I like the best... I'm partial to number 3.

[Rincewind]

very nice retro look on all of them, my favs are the top and the second from the bottom...... good thing about the marquee is that you can easily change it in the future if you wanted too.

[DOS76]

Yeah mine is all wood still I don't know what I'm going to do for a design I was going to use @Rincewind's design he did for Jason but my controls and buttons are blue and red and it really won't match. I also have to figure out how to do a split marquee as I'm adding a 7 inch monitor in the marquee and just need some design to meet up with monitor on both sides.

[lightz39]

A digital marquee would be pretty neat! I made a few more variations. (1 more with 3 different colors) As always I'm open to ideas.

 

[Rincewind]

@lightz39 the new designs are OK but others look more on the retro gaming side to me.

@DOS76 if you want me to change the design to red / blue and any other tweaks to make it your own let me know.