Apple Lisa 3d Case Project

wottle

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Oct 30, 2021
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Starting a new thread to further discuss our options here. With the LisaFPGA project, I got the idea I would really love to be stuff the device inside a cool Lisa inspired case (3d printed. I'm no designer, but I got some good inspiration from my friendly AI assistant.

78A4B7B9-B2C3-4CEE-821C-B69307FB65D6.png


Obviously the back ports are no where near correct, the dimensions have some oddities, but this design is something I could really get behind. Others have contributed to the discussion and added some much more accurate models that might be a better approach. But I wanted to pull that discussion over here so we don't interrupt that thread where we should remain focused on the LisaFPGA itself.

Another idea I had was to design a separate case just for the LisaFPGA that would expose all 4 sides of ports, along with push buttons for the board mounted buttons, and maybe openings for the switches. Possibly trying to add slider switches to the top case as well... The larger case with the screen would utilize a 4:3 iPad screen, and you could either pair it with the LisaFPGA case (like a backpack), or maybe an alternative case for a Raspberry pi that ca run the LisaEm emulator.

I know there has been some talk about keeping the floppy port full size. While I think that would be cool, I think it is impractical to stuff a full 3.5" floppy in this case. One design possibility would be to make it like an Apple 2c Plus and have it side mounted. That should change the look of the case versus the original Lisa a bit too much. I was thinking of possibly trying to use it to mount an SD card extension so it is accessible without opening up the case.
 

phunguss

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I just need something to start with...
Lisa-mini-Beige.jpg

I dug around on the web and found what seems to be a 3D scan of a Lisa 2. I reduced polygons to make it easier to mess with. I shrunk the nose by 50%, and cut 5 inches out of the back. I tried to keep all original angles intact. The Lisa 2 has a 12" CRT vs the 9.7" iPad, so possibly shrinking the bezel and entire project to make it proportional and fit while keeping the floppy hole the correct size.
View attachment 29431
The iPad LCD, original 3.5 floppy drive, and FPGA board (could go vertical or horizontal, extension cables needed for every port) all fit inside with ease.
View attachment 29432
Lisa-mini-guts.jpg
 
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wottle

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Instead of a floppy drive it should be a floppy emu! Or both!
Yeah, It does have a floppy connector and can be used with floppyemu.

I could replace it with an opening for the floppyEMU. My concern is that it would mess up the look of the original. I'd personally rather have a dummy floppy port, or one that provides access to the SD card for the Profile drive image storage. Eventually, we will likely get floppy emulation as well and the Floppy Emu will become redundant (hopefully). Also, it wouldn't be needed if you are running a Lisa emulator on something like a Raspberry Pi. I definitely don't think we need to keep it full sized when everything else is scaled down because it would throw off the proportions.
 

joevt

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Mar 5, 2023
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Real floppy drive is too deep. If you're going to include one, Have the opening on the side (like iMac CD ROM). The front floppy slot can have other stuff - SD card(s)?
https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/the-apple-lisa-inside-an-fpga.5292/post-46958

Is the ESFLOPPY SD a separate device from the Sony Floppy Drive connector? If not, then a floppyEMU would be redundant? Unless you prefer the floppyEMU UI / features.

Basically, all the connectors and switches will need rewiring to make them accessible.
 

phunguss

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If you look at a Lisa, every side is a panel, it is not a full single piece like a classic Macintosh. So, you could have alternate panels for the front and right side for people that want a real floppy inside, floppy EMU, or alternate front with SD access.
Lisa-mini-90p-guts.jpg

Just a comparison between original Lisa footprint and a 90% with a thin back. Just playing with ideas, I would likely remodel everything from geometric solids, as this is a 3D scan with lots of defects.
Lisa-mini-90p.jpg