Hi,
Some people ask me for a tutorial on modding a fightpad. So, if you don´t like arcade sticks, and want to personalize your Madcatz fightpad, here are some tips that may be useful.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
1st step: Directional mod
Why you need to mod your directional?
Some people complained about the directional of the Madcatz fightpads, specifically the diagonal directions. Some moves, like Guile/Vega´s ultra are very difficult to peform in this pad.
Check some consumers feedback here: http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Street-Fighter-IV-FightPad/product-reviews/B001M22WMO/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
I was one of these consumers that were not satisfied with this pad directional. So, i decided to open the pad and see if i could do something about it.
Fortunately, i solved the problem.
You will need these:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
1. Find the 7 screws from the back of the fightpad and remove them.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. Take off the backplate and remove all the screws from the circuit board too.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
3. Take out the circuit board (carefully) and remove the directional rubber
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
4. Now you can see where the cross format paper goes
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
5. Now you need a very thin paperboad or cardboard. Keep in mind that it needs to be VERY THIN, like a CD/DVD cover. However, it must be just a little thicker than a regular school paper sheet . For a better result, use plasticized texture materials instead of paper textured ones.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
6. Than, draw a cross and cut a circle in the middle for a perfect fit at the directional. If it doesn´t fit, cut the edges until it fits right.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7. Now its time to put the rubber back.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2st step: Change the art.
1. Well, to tell the truth, i didn´t like any of the original arts from these pads. So i began to do a little research on how i could change it. Tried some materials, some print techniques, until i find something that could be close to a professional work, with high quality.
My tip is: Use 3M vinyl adhesive plastic paper. It is very malleable for application at the controller surface. You can stretch it for a perfect fit. However, it is not easy to apply. Try to print 2 or more copies in case you messed up with the first one. You will need some practice before you can do it right.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. Then, you will need to add the art. Here is the fightpad template i used. Feel free to add your own, but don´t forget: The image should be at least 300 DPI of resolution, or else the print result may be less than you expected. So, the bigger the image is, better will be the result:
http://www.4shared.com/photo/tufnfFQO/Control.html
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K28E4Y5Q
3. Other important thing is the printing. This is up to you. Try to find a good place near you for this print job. High quality printers generate high quality prints (DUH).
4. Well, after you applied the vinyl, fix the edges behind the faceplate.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![59kZo.jpg]()
5. Now cut the circles to release the button holes. Use a sharp and small blade (carefully) around the button edges to gently cut off the vinyl excess. If you do it right, this should be your result:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![6UtPh.jpg]()
6. Now it´s time to reassemble the pad parts. Pay attention to the little piece behind the circuit board. That is the directional/left analogical/right analogical switch. You have to put this tiny switch into the tiny hole. After that, you can close the pad.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![ciFla.jpg]()
7. TIP: Don´t place back any of the circuit board screws. They make the directional feels too tight and hard. Just place back the backplate screws, except for the middle one. In my case, it made a huge difference in terms of directional response.
8. Finally, use the needle to get rid of the air bubbles that remained between the vinyl and the pad surface. Just stick them with the needle and press your finger at them.
Well, i guess that´s it. Any questions, feel free to ask.
Some people ask me for a tutorial on modding a fightpad. So, if you don´t like arcade sticks, and want to personalize your Madcatz fightpad, here are some tips that may be useful.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
1st step: Directional mod
Why you need to mod your directional?
Some people complained about the directional of the Madcatz fightpads, specifically the diagonal directions. Some moves, like Guile/Vega´s ultra are very difficult to peform in this pad.
Check some consumers feedback here: http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Street-Fighter-IV-FightPad/product-reviews/B001M22WMO/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
I was one of these consumers that were not satisfied with this pad directional. So, i decided to open the pad and see if i could do something about it.
Fortunately, i solved the problem.
You will need these:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
1. Find the 7 screws from the back of the fightpad and remove them.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. Take off the backplate and remove all the screws from the circuit board too.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
3. Take out the circuit board (carefully) and remove the directional rubber
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
4. Now you can see where the cross format paper goes
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
5. Now you need a very thin paperboad or cardboard. Keep in mind that it needs to be VERY THIN, like a CD/DVD cover. However, it must be just a little thicker than a regular school paper sheet . For a better result, use plasticized texture materials instead of paper textured ones.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
6. Than, draw a cross and cut a circle in the middle for a perfect fit at the directional. If it doesn´t fit, cut the edges until it fits right.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7. Now its time to put the rubber back.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2st step: Change the art.
1. Well, to tell the truth, i didn´t like any of the original arts from these pads. So i began to do a little research on how i could change it. Tried some materials, some print techniques, until i find something that could be close to a professional work, with high quality.
My tip is: Use 3M vinyl adhesive plastic paper. It is very malleable for application at the controller surface. You can stretch it for a perfect fit. However, it is not easy to apply. Try to print 2 or more copies in case you messed up with the first one. You will need some practice before you can do it right.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. Then, you will need to add the art. Here is the fightpad template i used. Feel free to add your own, but don´t forget: The image should be at least 300 DPI of resolution, or else the print result may be less than you expected. So, the bigger the image is, better will be the result:
http://www.4shared.com/photo/tufnfFQO/Control.html
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K28E4Y5Q
3. Other important thing is the printing. This is up to you. Try to find a good place near you for this print job. High quality printers generate high quality prints (DUH).
4. Well, after you applied the vinyl, fix the edges behind the faceplate.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
5. Now cut the circles to release the button holes. Use a sharp and small blade (carefully) around the button edges to gently cut off the vinyl excess. If you do it right, this should be your result:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
6. Now it´s time to reassemble the pad parts. Pay attention to the little piece behind the circuit board. That is the directional/left analogical/right analogical switch. You have to put this tiny switch into the tiny hole. After that, you can close the pad.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7. TIP: Don´t place back any of the circuit board screws. They make the directional feels too tight and hard. Just place back the backplate screws, except for the middle one. In my case, it made a huge difference in terms of directional response.
8. Finally, use the needle to get rid of the air bubbles that remained between the vinyl and the pad surface. Just stick them with the needle and press your finger at them.
Well, i guess that´s it. Any questions, feel free to ask.