Fellow Newbies and Seasoned Collectors:What do you do, to maximize your arcade Space!

Gaetznes

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Fellow Newbies and Seasoned Collectors:What do you do, to maximize your arcade Space!

I'm still very new to the show. Been collecting since may. Currently we live in an apartment, and have only a 10'x11' aprox, room dedicated to arcades. I'm trying maximize the layout for my 5 Uprights, and Red Tent. With hopes for more. Id also like to have it functional. Perhaps a sofa, but that maybe asking to much.

Sadly even in this room, I have limited workable wall space. IE: Odd door entrance, Light switch placement, outlet spacing, closet door (how I hate thee). The workable wall space from left to right, 10 Feet Outside Wall, 11 Feet Outside Wall and 9 Feet inside wall (Perhaps even less due to the entrance).

-My current Layout is Red Tent against the 10' (under a window) and 5 cabs on the 11'.
-Alternative 1: 5 Cabs Spread accross the 10' and 11' and the Red Tent on the 9'. Red Tent is sorta in the way.
-Alternative 2: 5 Cabs, 3 on the 10', 1 diagonal in the cornor, 1 on the the 11'. The Red Tent in the cornor of the 11' and 9'. Red Tent isn't in the way, plus maybe room for a lazyboy.
-Alternative 3: 9 Upright Cab, 3 on the 10' wall, 1 diagonal in the cornor, 4 on the 11' wall. Red Tent on the 9' wall and probly in the way.

Also have a Beaver Vending machine, 2 bowl stand lined up to go into this room. Everyway I lay it out on paper, the red tent is usally in the way. So those are my idea I have to figure out.

Anyone else have a similar struggles with compromising Arcade layout and functionality?
 
You need to download Google SketchUp. You'll have the best layout in no time...
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=126766

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First suggestion, trade your red tent to someone with more space. Those are space hogs.
 
You need to download Google SketchUp. You'll have the best layout in no time...
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=126766

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This is great. Awesome. It take alot of the work out of doing so many danm drawings.

Yeah, Id trade my Red Tent cabinet. Just need to find either a Vs Upright or a Nintendo Cab thats been converted to PC-10 SM etc and Convert it back.

EDIT:
As with anything, Digital Art, I suck.
 
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+1 for google sketchup. Most of the models are done very close to actual game dims. so you should get an accurate enough picture of the best layout. You might also consider adding caster wheels to the base of your machines to make moving them around easier.
 
Thanks. Yeah, the models are super close to exact. Gozer (and a few other guys) has done a ton of work on the models. It makes it super easy to plan out a room. And, it will really show you that unless you have a huge space, the red tent must go! ;)
 
Another vote for Google Sketchup. I used it to convince my wife that, yes indeed, one more arcade cabinet will fit against the wall with room to spare. :)

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It unfortunately didn't work though when I showed her how many more machines I could fit on the adjacent blank wall. :(
 
Another vote for Google Sketchup. I used it to convince my wife that, yes indeed, one more arcade cabinet will fit against the wall with room to spare. :)

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It unfortunately didn't work though when I showed her how many more machines I could fit on the adjacent blank wall. :(

Was your wife actually born without eyes, or was she in an accident? :p
 
I live in an apartment as well with a similar space,if you had been here longer you would have seen me with HUGE games in my living room. I no longer do that and im down to just two cabs(need to update my vaps) and some other goodies like my fun chicken and a slot and my full throtle fridge,I do have a love seat in there and a armoir with a crt tv in it so i could fit more but i like it the way it is right now,sometimes less is more.
 
I've thought of other options. One being, rotating games in and out. Say build a baby barn or a Shed. I'd have to vapor barrier and insulate it. Don't want the humidity to cause danmage to the Cabs and PCB's.

I'm certain i've seen other members do this.
 
Am I the only one who just can't get google sketchup to work?

Everytime I get started on it, I either have problems importing the models and placing them in the right position, or I'll identically click and drag a wall and screw everything up and then I end up coloring everything the same color. And thats when I'll screw up the perspective..

I usually just end up bailing on it, going downstairs and taking out my frustrations by shifting large heavy objects around the basement.
 
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