Actually, can't make up my mind about the shoulder buttons, if they are reversed or not. In Bomberman Generations (my test game as it's a good title for that), if you use the shoulder button to move left then it moves the screen to the right, and vice versa; anyway, if it ends up i've wired those the wrong way around, no issue, easy to fix.
Tested the last game cart, the GameCube; works perfectly.
Onto case-making now! Yay!
Updated my sig to reflect the project status.
Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
Made a good start so far.
The back, top and sides of the case will be flat and plain (but with decals of course so looks good at the Revival event); the front will also be plain and fairly flat, with all the holes cut into place. There isn't much scope on the case front for anything fancy like curves, etc due to the amount of holes needing to be cut. All the case will be painted one colour though; the front will be made from 2mm thick styrene, the sides, back and top will be a mix of plastic, mounting board card and wood.
Before:
Made start to make a template; using thin card to gauge where the holes will be, etc. I'll have to then cutout the holes from thicker card, to gauge how this will end up and make any corrections to the template as needed; then when that is good, i'll make the holes properly from a couple of sheets of styrene.
This is my idea for the cartridge bay doors, can't have spring loaded like on normal consoles as that would make things awkward to mount and not be reliable, so instead going to try and make doors that open by lifting them, and gravity closes, this was from the old crappy Dina console that failed on me after just a few uses, ages ago. I tend to hoard lots of stuff as "you never know" when you need them!
These doors will allow me then to make decals for the different systems.
The back, top and sides of the case will be flat and plain (but with decals of course so looks good at the Revival event); the front will also be plain and fairly flat, with all the holes cut into place. There isn't much scope on the case front for anything fancy like curves, etc due to the amount of holes needing to be cut. All the case will be painted one colour though; the front will be made from 2mm thick styrene, the sides, back and top will be a mix of plastic, mounting board card and wood.
Before:
Made start to make a template; using thin card to gauge where the holes will be, etc. I'll have to then cutout the holes from thicker card, to gauge how this will end up and make any corrections to the template as needed; then when that is good, i'll make the holes properly from a couple of sheets of styrene.
This is my idea for the cartridge bay doors, can't have spring loaded like on normal consoles as that would make things awkward to mount and not be reliable, so instead going to try and make doors that open by lifting them, and gravity closes, this was from the old crappy Dina console that failed on me after just a few uses, ages ago. I tend to hoard lots of stuff as "you never know" when you need them!
These doors will allow me then to make decals for the different systems.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
This isn't taking as long as I thought it would!
Point of a template is being able to stick bits here and there and end up with an exact reference for hole cutting in the final material, minimalising errors in the final cuts. It doesn't matter the bits of card and paper stuck here and there for the moment, as this is just a template.
You can see it taking shape at the moment at least. I only had this afternoon for modding today as had various chores to do, but will have all day tomorrow for modding, and some of Thursday and Friday too. With any luck, I might be able to get the case front cut-out tomorrow, and make a start on the drive bay doors and figure out a good way to open and close the doors for the drive bays, I want to use retro console bits for the handles, any ideas?
I'm going to attach a piece of styrene slightly larger than the drive doors, so the drives don't recess into the case, those will need to be screwed to the drive unit otherwise I won't be able to remove the case front when need to.
Rather than the clunky on/off switch, i'm probably going to use the switch from a GameCube, simple push-button, as it is nice and clean and also designed for the voltage in a GameCube so will work on the Unity system too.
One small issue, the Colecovision cart is very close to the edge of the side of the case, space is at a real premium in that regard, so I might have to see if I can re-set it on the shelf, if I can without too much hassle.
Point of a template is being able to stick bits here and there and end up with an exact reference for hole cutting in the final material, minimalising errors in the final cuts. It doesn't matter the bits of card and paper stuck here and there for the moment, as this is just a template.
You can see it taking shape at the moment at least. I only had this afternoon for modding today as had various chores to do, but will have all day tomorrow for modding, and some of Thursday and Friday too. With any luck, I might be able to get the case front cut-out tomorrow, and make a start on the drive bay doors and figure out a good way to open and close the doors for the drive bays, I want to use retro console bits for the handles, any ideas?
I'm going to attach a piece of styrene slightly larger than the drive doors, so the drives don't recess into the case, those will need to be screwed to the drive unit otherwise I won't be able to remove the case front when need to.
Rather than the clunky on/off switch, i'm probably going to use the switch from a GameCube, simple push-button, as it is nice and clean and also designed for the voltage in a GameCube so will work on the Unity system too.
One small issue, the Colecovision cart is very close to the edge of the side of the case, space is at a real premium in that regard, so I might have to see if I can re-set it on the shelf, if I can without too much hassle.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
Decided the nicest way to make the case front was to make cart slot holders to make the case front look nice, also that fills up the gaps on each layer.
Going to be a job to get them installed though as the front of the case needs to be removable for repairs.
Made a start, just used some game carts to make sure the strips of 1mm plastic set at right angles.
Only way I can get these mounted in the case accurately is to position them using a blank sheet of 2mm styrene and gluing them into position, then removing the sheet, securing the holders properly and then making the holes in the case afterwards.
Going to be a job to get them installed though as the front of the case needs to be removable for repairs.
Made a start, just used some game carts to make sure the strips of 1mm plastic set at right angles.
Only way I can get these mounted in the case accurately is to position them using a blank sheet of 2mm styrene and gluing them into position, then removing the sheet, securing the holders properly and then making the holes in the case afterwards.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
Finished all the cart slot holders, after lunch will make a start on cutting out the front section with styrene, and securing the cart slots into place. I'm going to have to cut the styrene in half so can secure the sections into place, will be fiddly work though. When I have the exact positions, i'll secure them in place properly and then make the holes for the games to go through. When the whole section is cut out and finished, i'll need to do some spot filling, sanding maybe, make the cart bay doors, and paint; so actually a fair bit of work left; I have another 3 hours this afternoon though so should make some decent progress at least.
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Fixed the Colecovision cart placement earlier.
This is the styrene sheet, needs more work done to the holes, but it's a good start!
More on this tomorrow.
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Fixed the Colecovision cart placement earlier.
This is the styrene sheet, needs more work done to the holes, but it's a good start!
More on this tomorrow.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
May not look a lot different, but it is. The cart holders have been secured to the case half, holes cut out tweaked as needed, and also extra surround to make sure the surface is as flat as can make it realistically. Took a lot of work. Will now make the other half, then can make a start on the bay doors. The bay doors will be mounted outside, lift-up flaps basically. When those are done, I can get on with making a structure for the case sides, and then progress with the painting, which won't be hard as i'll use my mini paint roller. The bay doors will get decals on them to show what console each door's cart is for. I won't have a lot of space for much else on the front as most of the area will be bay doors for the cartridges.
The front pops out, takes about a minute or less to manoeuvre into place, but that isn't an issue.
The front pops out, takes about a minute or less to manoeuvre into place, but that isn't an issue.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
Got the slit done for the CoreGrafx. Tested all fine by loading the system with most of the game carts, all fine.
Using Polyfilla to fill in the gaps between the cart holders and the front sheet, plan is to paint those holders black first, then any excess paint can be sanded from the front easily before that is done. I know this is the internal parts, not visible until the bay doors are opened, but always best to give attention to detail IMO. The paint and decals of the system will be some black but mostly a similar colour to the Master Controller.
When the inside of the bay doors are painted and dry (in a couple of hours or so), i'll make a start on the bay door sections and remove those card handles on the drive doors and get on with getting those finished; then do the supports for the case all over, cut out the sheets for the sides, and start painting properly. That's quite a lot of work remaining, but it's fun so no issue.
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You can see the Polyfilla, it's sanded, and some of the sections painted. Polyfilla is easy to work with; applied it with a piece of plastic, and wiped off with tissue paper as if you use your fingers it clings after a bit.
Done, and left for a few hours to dry, it has two quite thick layers on it after all. Used Plasticote gloss black enamel paint, and a small paint brush to apply it. Also painted inside the Unity system where the cart holder ends, so up towards the cart slots themselves, it looks nice and black rather than bits of white plastic and wood strips showing; all nice and black now. Attention in modding to details always reaps rewards after all in the end product.
Going to take a break for an hour or so, then spend time this afternoon on the doors; may as well, can't do much else with the case front until it is dry. When it is dry, all the black ink marks and paint marks will be sanded off the case, the the join between the two pieces of plastic will be filled (forgot to do that earlier).
Debating if the bay doors should be painted the same colour as the rest of the case front (the colour of the Master Controller, a sort of cream colour) and decals put onto them, or just use labels like on the NES carts, have the bay doors black background, and the console logo for each system on it. I'll probably go with that idea.
Anyway, apart from trimming off the sides of the case front, and any decals (I plan on having the Unity logo probably to the left of the fan extractor hole, between there and the CoreGrafx), the bay doors, painting, other decals for the case (for when it's presented at the Revival show); the system is pretty much done.
Had to move the Colecovision cart along 4mm as mentioned yesterday, that wasn't too bad; and also last night had to put my Dremel with a rather lethal 2.5" saw blade to one of my shelves to cut a bit off that was sticking out, about 3" of it; wasn't so easy and after all, one slip with that thing and you cause yourself serious harm!
When put the board under the system a day or so ago, realised the Unity system is a lot heavier than i'd originally guessed; I don't have any scales that can weigh too much, but i'd estimate the Unity system to be something in the order of 25kg very roughly. It isn't light!
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Yes, another update! The bay doors are made!
The larger rod on the top will secure the ends of the thinner rods in place, the ends will only be about 3mm wide, or 2mm, so "just enough" for the job. Only placed the items on the front of the casing for illustration.
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Case front is cut to size, and finished now. Put first layer of paint onto it, and the bay cart doors too. It will probably take 3 or 4 coats to get nice, over the next couple of days. Decided to have the bay cart doors the same colour as the case front, although not designed the decals yet and that might change things a bit.
Forgot to cut out the drive windows so can paint those too, will need to do that when I can handle the painted front and measure the areas.
The fan holes will be from a butchered old console, or a PC vent from a case (flat, lots of holes in it), will be mounted later.
Worked hard on this today, got most of the case front done too by all accounts. There are probably just a dozen modding hours left before this project is completed, plus a few more hours to design and place the decals and graphics.
Using Polyfilla to fill in the gaps between the cart holders and the front sheet, plan is to paint those holders black first, then any excess paint can be sanded from the front easily before that is done. I know this is the internal parts, not visible until the bay doors are opened, but always best to give attention to detail IMO. The paint and decals of the system will be some black but mostly a similar colour to the Master Controller.
When the inside of the bay doors are painted and dry (in a couple of hours or so), i'll make a start on the bay door sections and remove those card handles on the drive doors and get on with getting those finished; then do the supports for the case all over, cut out the sheets for the sides, and start painting properly. That's quite a lot of work remaining, but it's fun so no issue.
-----------
You can see the Polyfilla, it's sanded, and some of the sections painted. Polyfilla is easy to work with; applied it with a piece of plastic, and wiped off with tissue paper as if you use your fingers it clings after a bit.
Done, and left for a few hours to dry, it has two quite thick layers on it after all. Used Plasticote gloss black enamel paint, and a small paint brush to apply it. Also painted inside the Unity system where the cart holder ends, so up towards the cart slots themselves, it looks nice and black rather than bits of white plastic and wood strips showing; all nice and black now. Attention in modding to details always reaps rewards after all in the end product.
Going to take a break for an hour or so, then spend time this afternoon on the doors; may as well, can't do much else with the case front until it is dry. When it is dry, all the black ink marks and paint marks will be sanded off the case, the the join between the two pieces of plastic will be filled (forgot to do that earlier).
Debating if the bay doors should be painted the same colour as the rest of the case front (the colour of the Master Controller, a sort of cream colour) and decals put onto them, or just use labels like on the NES carts, have the bay doors black background, and the console logo for each system on it. I'll probably go with that idea.
Anyway, apart from trimming off the sides of the case front, and any decals (I plan on having the Unity logo probably to the left of the fan extractor hole, between there and the CoreGrafx), the bay doors, painting, other decals for the case (for when it's presented at the Revival show); the system is pretty much done.
Had to move the Colecovision cart along 4mm as mentioned yesterday, that wasn't too bad; and also last night had to put my Dremel with a rather lethal 2.5" saw blade to one of my shelves to cut a bit off that was sticking out, about 3" of it; wasn't so easy and after all, one slip with that thing and you cause yourself serious harm!
When put the board under the system a day or so ago, realised the Unity system is a lot heavier than i'd originally guessed; I don't have any scales that can weigh too much, but i'd estimate the Unity system to be something in the order of 25kg very roughly. It isn't light!
-----------
Yes, another update! The bay doors are made!
The larger rod on the top will secure the ends of the thinner rods in place, the ends will only be about 3mm wide, or 2mm, so "just enough" for the job. Only placed the items on the front of the casing for illustration.
-----------
Case front is cut to size, and finished now. Put first layer of paint onto it, and the bay cart doors too. It will probably take 3 or 4 coats to get nice, over the next couple of days. Decided to have the bay cart doors the same colour as the case front, although not designed the decals yet and that might change things a bit.
Forgot to cut out the drive windows so can paint those too, will need to do that when I can handle the painted front and measure the areas.
The fan holes will be from a butchered old console, or a PC vent from a case (flat, lots of holes in it), will be mounted later.
Worked hard on this today, got most of the case front done too by all accounts. There are probably just a dozen modding hours left before this project is completed, plus a few more hours to design and place the decals and graphics.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
The case front is finished now, just put the last coat of paint on it, when dry i'll touch up the black paint as the light paint at the front has bled onto it a little in places; the bay doors are painted on the front, will put on last coats today, the fronts for the drive bays are mostly painted now. All the painting will be finished today for the case front and attachments. Have to make the other sides too of course, but they will be flat sheets pretty much.
Just realised, didn't put in the holes for the controller port or main on/off switch, will have to do that later, no issue after all.
Just realised, didn't put in the holes for the controller port or main on/off switch, will have to do that later, no issue after all.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
This photo sucks, got shadows, taken at night so colours wrong and also grainy; pic however is to show progress on the bay flaps. Three are fitted, they simply pop in and out of the two small female rods (currently white, will be painted of course). The door flaps open and close fine, however are quite bendy (so can be removed easily) so will just use a thin metal rod in the tube on the flaps to make them more rigid for normal use.
This makes the system look discreet when not used; as mentioned, there will be decals of course for the individual consoles under each bay flap.
Got some more to put in yet, in the next couple of days, when complete I can touch up the paint, then start on the graphics for the front of the system, and then varnish the areas to protect a bit from bumps and scratches.
This makes the system look discreet when not used; as mentioned, there will be decals of course for the individual consoles under each bay flap.
Got some more to put in yet, in the next couple of days, when complete I can touch up the paint, then start on the graphics for the front of the system, and then varnish the areas to protect a bit from bumps and scratches.
I am the Bacman
Re: Bacteria's project: "Project Unity"
Painted the little rods, so look pretty good now and in keeping with the rest of the system.
Also got the decals done for the console wording, just need to print them out now. Thought i'd use some coloured thick paper and print black onto it, so the colour of the paper goes through, if you print a colour next to black you can sometimes get a little feathering, so this way you don't. Thought i'd print black band across the bay flaps with the console names through; would make it look nicer than using the console logos, especially as they are all different sizes and shapes otherwise.
Font i'm using? Well, I looked at a few, but in keeping with the "theme", decided to use the Batman font!
http://www.font-db.com/font/Batman%20Fo ... nate/14452
As not printed them out yet, my PC screen is somewhat populated at the moment!
I'll get this done and should have the decals added later today.
The other reason to use the wording for the systems not logos is I need to have them on a long strip above the switch unit too, to indicate what's what.
Also got the decals done for the console wording, just need to print them out now. Thought i'd use some coloured thick paper and print black onto it, so the colour of the paper goes through, if you print a colour next to black you can sometimes get a little feathering, so this way you don't. Thought i'd print black band across the bay flaps with the console names through; would make it look nicer than using the console logos, especially as they are all different sizes and shapes otherwise.
Font i'm using? Well, I looked at a few, but in keeping with the "theme", decided to use the Batman font!
http://www.font-db.com/font/Batman%20Fo ... nate/14452
As not printed them out yet, my PC screen is somewhat populated at the moment!
I'll get this done and should have the decals added later today.
The other reason to use the wording for the systems not logos is I need to have them on a long strip above the switch unit too, to indicate what's what.
I am the Bacman