This project hasn't been publicised at all but if you're seeing this, you're
one of the folks from VFU who are helping out with alpha testing... thanks!

This is the draft version of a case for a Raspberry Pi made in the style of
a Vectrex.  Although it is not specifically intended for use with a Vectrex
emulator as a mini Vectrex, it could certainly be used as such.

This version (0.0.10) now has working friction-fit connections between the
parts; they are mostly tight fits but there is still one piece which is a
little loose.  I'll be working on that next.

The case has a lot of space inside so that it can be used as a project enclosure
for multiple applications.  It was constructed in separate parts that fit together,
because:

  1) this allows us to print the enclosure without needing support material
     for the many overhangs that are needed in an enclosure like this

  2) the enclosure can be more easily customised by swapping out only
     the modules that you need to change: the screen is one module, the
     SBC is another, and the power supply is a third.
     
  3) when you are customising the enclosure for your own projects, you will
     only need to work on a single piece at a time, which should speed up
     your development iterations - reprinting a single component should
     take maybe 40 minutes, rather than the 3 or 4 hours it would take to
     reprint the entire case if it were made in only one or two parts.

You will almost certainly need some custom cables to power your Pi, whether
it's a slim right-angled connector for the USB power input, or jumpers to
the GPIO pins if you want to power it that way.  You could certainly add
an opening in the side of the case to allow direct connection of a USB
power supply, but I wouldn't do that myself as it would detract from the
asthetics of the enclosure.

I'll eventually design a specific backpack for battery-powering the Pi,
and invite users to supply their variations for different sizes of
battery etc.

The screen holder is currently configured for a 3.5in display that
attaches to the Pi directly.  I believe there are several available
in this style.  The most recent one I've bought was this one via
Amazon for $16: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4DL38MF (which includes
a fan).

Any full-sized Pi should do as there are currently no version-specific
case mods in this print that would cause problems with the slightly
different sockets of the various pi models.  A Pi zero would work as
well but all the Pi's will need the case to be modified slightly to
hold them in place - I haven't done that yet though short-term you
should be able to improvise something with a piece of folded cardboard
inside the enclosure (until I've added some sort of holder to the
design).

The front section which on a Vectrex would hold the controller has
not yet been designed and is currently a rather bland place-holder.
If you plan to use this with a Vectrex emulator, you'll probably want
to do something in that area to handle whatever sort of controller
you plan to use with it.

There is no outlet yet for a cable at the back (mainly because my
initial iteration is likely to be for a battery pack.)

The external appearance of the enclosure is only an approximation
to the style of the Vectrex for now.  I'll refine it to look more
Vectrex-like over time, but I'm currently concentrating more on
function than form.

So in summary, this release is usable by folks willing to put a
little work into it, but I would suggest that it's probably not
appropriate for anyone who is looking for something they can just
print and use immediately.

During alpha testing, the only formats I will be uploading will be
.3mf and .scad since I would expect alpha testers to be able to
handle at least one of those.

The OpenCAD code is not as neat or as parameterised as I would
like it to eventually be.  Definitely a work-in-progress.


Graham.   25 Sep 2025