Hi Bruno,
Thanks for your (lengthy!) suggestions/criticisms. Here's my response:
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I hope you dont mind some suggestions. Well, even if you do, you have to expect them if you're going to post. :)
No, of course I don't mind. As you say, I have to expect comment, why else would I post?
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I believe that probably the primary goal in designing a new fascia with mass appeal is to overcome problems with the stock one. I think it's fair to say most people will agree with this? For a start it might be a good idea to actually list the problems people have had with the stock MK2 part.
I first thought about designing a machined Ali Fascia when I got my MkII over a year ago, just because it sounded like a fun thing to do
, not necessarily for any mass appeal or to get over any problems with the stock Fascia. I did however think that if people wanted to subsequently use the design it would be nice for the Empeggers that drive on the Right to get a better view of the screen (as you mention).
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Next come some goals that should be present whenever designing anything (not just re-designing). Form and function for intended application.
With these things in mind, I see you have already tuned your model to overcome the problem of screen obstruction for left-handed drivers. However, there's a bit of "extreme" applied to the left side of your face that really kills the form. For a design that looks like it is trying a simplified or minimalist approach, the left opening is a little too fancy. It would look and probably function better if it were a rounder edge and not wavy.
Hey!! there's nothing wrong with my face!!. Oh... that face, sorry
. I do agree that the form of the Left side of the display window looks too fussy, I just haven't got round to cleaning it up yet. This is after all in the initial stages of design. I intend to smooth this out once I've got all of the elements present in the assembly. Once I have everything there (eg the Handle) I'll start playing with the aesthetics like the aforementioned Window & Button shapes etc.
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For simplicity in pure form, take a look at Darkstorm's pages showing his custom fascia for the MK1.
I know of them but I don't think I've seen his Fascias for the MkI. Do you have the URL?
On the subject of minimalist design (of which I'm not a great fan); the design as it stands at the moment is not intended to be minimalist because that's how I like things, It's dictated by the limited CAM software available to me at work and even if I had access to a better CAM package I can't afford to have a relatively complex design which requires hours of machining if I'm trying to do it on the sly. The driving force behind the simple design is ease of manufacture with standard tooling, not for the attraction(?) of a minimalist design in itself. Subsequent designs (if anyone is interested enough) however will have a more complex design which would require true 3D machining. This is something that CruzThs might like to bring to the party. He may however prefer to design his own of course. I've also only just started learning Solid Modelling, so complex surfaces/features are a little way down the line.
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Next up is that even though you're trying to design something new to overcome problems, you're getting saddled by carrying forward limitation imposed not by the fixed layout of the player, but by external items. Namely the cap bolts that are used with the stock fascia.
If you were to source some screws with the same thread you would have a lot more options for design. You could find various lengths for the thread as well as thin and flat heads (using whatever type of driver, philips probably the easiest to find). You could then make the fascia a lot thinner which would aid tremendously in the amount of screen you could see from an angle. In making the plate thinner, you would also make the inside of the holes for the screws less deep.
This would avoid repeating a design element of the stock fascia that I am assuming was deliberate - the extruded and highlighted bolt patterns. Again, allowing you far more freedom in your own design.
As I said earlier, my main reason for designing a new Fascia is that it's a bit of fun. For me there's no problem with the stock item. I don't even have the problem with not being able to see the Top Left corner of the Screen as I live in England and we of course drive on the Left. The non-inclusion of the raised areas around the Boltholes was again, to simplify machining.
I've already thought that it might be nice to have polished Stainless/Ali screws or even some kind of hidden snap-on fastening system so that there are no screws showing at all. This latter idea would have the added benefit of speeding up the swapping around of coloured Screens. A thinner fascia is a good idea, this would certainly help to improve the view for all those who drive on the other side of the road. Again, this is something I'll look at once I've got the Handle etc designed.
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These steps are are able to achieve even more freedom because of your choice to abandon the stock buttons. And this is a catch-22 in your favour. You now also have more freedom with the buttons because of the alterations to the fascia.
My reasoning behind the redesigned buttons is (a) I can't measure the existing buttons accurately enough to replicate, (b) To machine the cutouts in the Fascia to accomodate the stock buttons would require a 3D CAM package and/or a specially ground cutter & (c) I'm also not keen on the Grey plastic of the originals so if I'm re-designing the Fascia I might as well design and make new buttons too. Again, the buttons are of a simple round design purely because of the constraints I mentioned earlier. At the moment they're there just to fill in the holes. The design as it is currently looks too much like the MkI for my liking. I would really like to have shaped buttons or even a single Joypad type design.
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At some point I think I'd like to tackle doing a few layouts (I have a few ideas already). Unfortunately I don't have the time to model them in 3D. The best I can do is provide the artwork in postscript for someone else to extrude. I'd also have to take my own measurements by hand, so even though I may take all the care in the world, fine adjustments would always need to be made. Again, my goals would be as above, while also making the look fit very well with other modern (but not gawdy) head units.
I'm OK at functional design but IMO not great on the arty side, so some arty design input would be good. I'd have to do my best at replicating it in the CAD package. I agree, some units available now are just too OTT in the flashy design dept.
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Same goes for buttons. I have some interesting ideas for transparent, solid and combination buttons. I need to do more research into the casting requirements though. FOr lighting, my immediate thought would be to use surface-mounted white LEDs and then provide small coloured tabs in the buttons for modifying color. A small pcb ring with 4 LEDs to go around the rotary knob would take care of that side too.
I too have thought about what materials would be best for the Buttons & Knob. There is of course polished or brushed Ali or, (I've also thought about the illuminated Button & Knob possibility) cast or machined Acrylic. Fine shot blasted Acrylic or that spray on frosting for Glass might give a nice diffused look to the light. TriColour LEDs might be fun too if someone could design some driving circuitry.
Your idea of coloured inserts between the buttons & the LEDs is a good one.
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My first project is going to be designing a rubberized exoskeleton though. A shock protector and something that will allow you to put the empeg on a countertop FLAT. Without the handle banging. Right now it always seems like a very delicate proposition to put it down. This would not eliminate the requirement for a carry bag for utmost protection, but it would protect the entire unit against bumps and bruises. Will start looking into casting steps soon (will more than likely be RTV for anything I produce myself).
Yeah I read your post about that. I know exactly the kind of thing you're talking about. Sounds like a good idea. At home I place mine on my (now otherwise unused
) CD cartridge from the car. At work I use an old Tungsten Carbide insert box to prop up the front of the player. How do you propose to make the mould? I'm sure you've thought of this but just in case you haven't; If you're going to cast using RTV Silicone you may have a problem with thick sections not curing. Unless of course you can use a two-part (if it exists) Silicone which doesn't rely on atmospheric moisture for the curing process.
So to summarise: Basically my initial design is for a one off of something that's easy for me to get made at work with the minimum of disruption to the machine shop and is within the limited capabilities of the CAM package I have available to me. This also ensures that my hole positionings etc are correct for further, more complex designs. Unfortunately I wasn't given access to the original CAD model so I need to make one to make sure it fits. Me, bitter... no never... grrrr.
Thanks again for your input. It is appreciated.
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