Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: PinKadia: MAME, Pinball, and PC games in a combined Pinball and Arcade cabinet!  (Read 97905 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Back in November / December of 2015, it took me about 2 months to build a combination of a Pinball and Arcade cabinet which I call PinKadia. I have a post of the details of the build process in the Pinball section:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=149687.msg1570978#msg1570978

It also occurred to me that not everyone is into Pinball, and that section isn't really for project builds. Since I just finished getting MAME up and running with alot of the media I needed for Pinball X (which I use for a Front-end), I figured I should post my build here for the Video Game Arcade crowd.

I present... PinKadia!




Here is the first video tour after I finished most of it right before Christmas.




Here are video demonstrations of the different systems I have running on it via Pinball X:

MAME: Horizontal and Vertical games on the playfied screen with marquees on the backglass screen):






PC Games (only horizontal games on the backglass screen for now, vertical games on the playfield screen soon to come):






Future Pinball (my favorite pinball simulator, best sound and graphics, and its free! I customized most tables to make use of my unique extended backglass on the 3rd screen):






BAM - 3D head tracking for Future Pinball demonstration (really cool):




Pinball FX2 (with animated backglass and marquee / logo):






The Pinball Arcade (with animated backglass, and running a mod for use in a cabinet):






Visual Pinball (makes use of the two different sized DMD areas on the third screen):





« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 06:55:18 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
The back story:

I'm a 42 year old guy who grew up in arcades in the 80's and 90's. I love arcade games and pinball, and video games in general. I've also been an electronics technician for 20 years. (15 as a civvie, 5 in the military)

This WAS my mancave a while ago. It housed my custom simpit that I made for racing and flight sim games. It had three 42 inch TVs for surround view, as well as 12 transducers combined with SimVibe software to give vibrational feeback from telemetry data from the racing games I played. The console on the right rotates around to switch between a shifter and flightstick. The dash has two tablets that act as tachometer / speedometer, and a button box / control panel. I love it!





That being said, I always thought the 3 screens (that spanned almost 10 feet!) were a bit much. So when I got myself a 55 inch UHD 4K curved TV, for my normal PC gaming, I found I loved playing my racing games on it much better. I would get 2/3 of the same visible screen field of view that I had with 3 screens using a custom 21:9 resolution of 3840x1640, with much nicer colour and resolution. Also, with VR headsets coming out, I wouldn't be using those screens as much when I (someday) get one.

So I decided to ditch the 3 screens setup and use them to make a combination Pinball and Arcade cabinet that would also play PC games! (I can move the simpit in front of my UHD TV's new location easily when I want to use it).

Commence the start of the creation of PinKadia!

After reading ALOT of posts of other projects, here is where my priorities were, and what I wanted:

-I wanted something that would play Future Pinball, Pinball FX2, The Pinball Arcade, Visual Pinball, MAME Arcade games, and PC games (ie fighting and action games)
-I wanted two player controls with actual (PC / Xbox 360 / One) hardware for maximum compatibility and ease for all games
-it had to be made using many of the components I already had (I already had most of the electronics needed)
-it had to be made as cheaply as possible to keep me from becoming single (my wife is not a big gamer)

Things that will come later on down the line and were not a priority:

-DOF, LED controlled lighting, feedback, etc
-printed artwork
- or otherwords... anything really costly that I didn't already have.

So I came up with this mock-up to tide me over and help me figure exactly what I wanted.




What a beauty.... boy my wife just "LOVED" seeing this in my mancave for weeks on end.... but it really helped me tinker with different ideas instead of rushing into things. What I found was that I wanted to have a 3 screen setup, and I wanted to make use of the ENTIRE 3rd screen. Not just for the DMD like everyone else, but also to extend the backglass (only possible with Future Pinball) to make use of the excellent movie clips / colour DMDs / gadgets and other things you could see in Future Pinball. I HATE trying to "squish" a square backglass into a wide rectangular screen. This would allow me to make use of that space in a good way!

Both Pinball FX2 and The Pinball Arcade can now support DMD / displays on the third screen (TPA uses a mod, PBFX2 has native support now). So with the extra space left over on the 3rd screen, I can put nice animated logos or whatever I want there using Pinball X as a frontend, as well as having animated videos for the backglass.

By having arcade controls on the cabinet this would also allow me to play MAME vertical games on the playfield, and MAME horizontal games on the backglass or playfield. I could also play almost any PC action game on the backglass as well (since they are 16x9 games).

I also wanted to make use of my 5.1 speakers in the cabinet.


So on with the build... I began with de-bezeling one of my 42 inch TVs, only to find that the main support for the framing of the TV came for the plastic housing itself. (This is because this TV is not an edge-lit LED TV, its a back-lit LED TV) So I had to keep the TV housing fastened together.



I cut off the plastic for the IR / Power LED, and control PCB. I just taped the PCB on the bottom of the TV where it won't be seen.



For the size of the cabinet itself, I used the standard Williams Widebody plans that you can find all over the Internet. I then adjusted to sizes to work with my 3 screens. 42 inch TV for playfield, 27 inch monitor for backglass, 19 inch 4:3 monitor for DMD / extended backglass. I had found a place here in Canada that had Pinball legs and bolts for a decent price. The Canadian dollar is horrible right now, so getting anything from the States can be expensive.

I was able to get the following built in a day.



This was a mock up for the arcade controls...I tried a couple of different layouts to see how I would like it.



Three buttons on the side. Main flipper, 2nd flipper / special, and nudge.  I personally can do without a "real" nudge control for now. A plunger was also not a priority either. That may come later. So I just have a normal button for now until i get a big dome type Launch button. The coin door is not for functionality, but just for looks and simple access. Maybe i'll get it working later on.






Now comes the sucky part.... taking it apart for mudding. All open cut parts of the MDF were sealed with dry wall compound. Other areas were covered with wood filler.



Then all the sanding which made a lovely dusty mess in the mancave.



Finally, i got to put on the oil-based (no-scent) primer to help seal the MDF for painting. Then I painted the inside and back of the cabinet black. the outside was painted with "amazing" red.




Now I could put everything back together.  I installed chrome T-molding for the backglass. Then I installed the "front" speakers, backlgass 27 inch monitor, and 19 inch DMD / extension monitor. The 19 inch monitor sits only a little bit inside the lower cabinet.





The back of the cabinet has two small fans and a door for the backglass screens, and two large fans and a door for the lower cabinet. I also made some extra vent / access holes for cabling that may be needed in the future. the fans draw air out of the cabinet.






The back door allows access to the PC and cabling. The PC is mounted on a shelf on rails, so it can just slide out of the back for access if needed.




For the PC I used some mounting hardware from an old server case. I originally had on old i5 dual core CPU and server motherboard, but that got replaced with an i5 2500K later on. Dual core cpu worked fine for mostly everything, except when it came to playing 3 videos at once through Pinball X. Quad core cpu was needed for that. PC specs are:

i5 2500K quad core cpu
8 gigs ddr3 1600 ram
nvidia gtx 960 video card (all 3 screens connected to this one video card, via HDMI, DVI, display port)
750 watt power supply
250 gig ssd
500 gig hard drive
sound blaster audigy 2 sound card for 5.1 sound (that was removed when the motherboard was changed).
logitech 5.1 speaker system (older set i've had for years)





Here's the subwoofer and air-intake fan that brings fresh cool air into the cabinet.




This is where the rear speakers are mounted. I actually swapped the front and rear speakers so I could reach under the cabinet and adjust the volume if need be. (I had to swap the audio cables on the sound card for this to work) The center speaker will go in the middle hole.



Now for the controls! I decided to use two Logitech F310 gamepads for two players and for pinball controls:

-they are really cheap
-they provide both direct-input and x-input compatibility
-they are completely xbox 360 compatible (which works with ALL games / emulators). No need for xpadder-like software.
-they have a button that allows the functions of the d-pad and left analogue stick to swap. VERY important as some games won't allow some functions to work with the d-pad. The d-pad is what I will be using for the arcade stick. This allows me to have d-pad and "left analogue stick" functionality at anytime on the arcade joystick at the push of a button. you can't get this with a normal xbox 360 gamepad.

Now the un-fun part. I had to do some reverse engineering to find out how this sucker is wired. I wanted to have all the normal buttons and the "triggers" for buttons as well. You need to replace to potentiometers for the triggers with correct resistor values and hope it works. Unfortunately, getting the triggers to work this way would also mess up the resistance for the analogue sticks. So I eventually had to give up the trigger buttons and use the left and right stick buttons. As a result, I had to make my two center buttons (red/green) the "home" button (for player one and two) which would just open STEAM Big Picture Mode, which I wasn't going to use.

Normally, you only need one common ground when wiring buttons to most gamepads... not this one! It had FIVE different grounds, working with diodes in a matrix encoder. A pain to figure out, but I got 'er done! So I mounted the gamepad to a board and had all the wires I soldered to it goto terminal strips. Then I can have the cabinet's arcade buttons AND the pinball button wires use the same controls off of the player one gamepad.





Unfortunately, I was unable to get the old-school parallel / printer cables (DB-25) I needed to allow the control panel to just "plug-in" to the gamepad board. I was building this part during Christmas holidays, and the very few shops we have around here didn't have any. So I just mounted it anyway with the shorter wires (which I got from a couple of JAMMA harnesses) connected directly. As a result, the player one gamepad and pinball controls all look like this mess. Keep in mind.... most pinball cabinets only have around 10 buttons / controls to wire up.... I have OVER 40, with multiple separate grounds, and LEDS on each button (except the flipper buttons).  When I get the cables I need and I'm ambitious this will be mostly gone and all tidied up....either way I won't see it!



As you can see.... the player two gamepad is much tidier.




For the control panel, the insides of the playfield walls, backglass walls, and DMD bezel, I decided to use carbon fibre vinyl wrap. I had some left over from the simpit, and liked to way it looked with chrome trim. I'm a sucker for chrome and shiny car stuff. (I used to have a 1971 Chevelle with a custom 415 horsepower engine, but that was another life!) This is one of the few things I could buy around here. (at Walmart or Canadian Tire)





This is how my Layout looks for my screens for Future Pinball. This is required in order to use my extended backglass. Screen 1 is the playfield, screen 2 is the backgass, and screen 3 is the DMD / extended backglass.



Setup Future Pinball the way you normally would for your playfield and backglass. Exit Future Pinball. Then you then MUST configure Future Pinball's backglass resolution MANUALLY through the windows registry... NOT through Future Pinball itself. I have my backglass set to 1920x1600. What this does is, it "extends" the backglass from the 2nd screen down onto the 3rd screen. It can be larger than this, but anything past the bottom of the "translite" in Future Pinball is useless. I also use Future DMD on the bottom of the 3rd screen anyway, because you can't adjust the physical size of the DMD in Future Pinball itself (Future DMD can be ANY size). Overlays (which are used for movie clips, custom colour DMDs, gadgets,etc) can be made to ANY size!


This picture below shows my Future Pinball displays across the 3 screens. The black areas are the unused parts of the windows "desktop". The blue background on screen 3 is the desktop background. (I normally have it black but changed it to blue just for illustration purposes)  This is the pinball table with no modification or custom overlays.




This picture shows a custom overlay I made with a simple castle wall picture with extra stats for the game showing (which were normally shown in desktop mode on this particular version of the table).  This area can be used for anything you want in Future Pinball!




Here you can see it displayed on my 3rd screen.




For my DMD / Extended backglass bezel, I just made it from thin backboard used for book shelves. I then covered it with carbon fibre vinyl, and covered the edges with automotive chrome trim. I covered the speaker holes with speaker cloth from Fabricland.






Now you can see how the bezel makes it look like I have a 4th screen that is separate from the backglass and dmd.




Now I just had to fasten the aluminum trim and throw the playfield TV in...




....and it's ALIVE!   PinKadia lives!!!!










This is my BAM IR Led tracking hat. I made this for Freetrak / Track IR on my simpit with a ps3 eye camera, and they both work great with BAM Freetrack tracking through FaceTrackNoIR. It looks totally cool!




I replaced my fans because they were used in a server, and were very loud! These new fans are cheap, quiet, and have red leds in them.




Finally I added cheap LED colour-changing lighting that plugs into a molex connector from my cpu power supply. (The sub woofer on the floor is from my home theatre, not the pincab)






Things to do still:

-add glass to the playfield
-controlled lighting, DOF, feedback,etc..
-big Launch button
-"maybe" a plunger and tilt
- possibly a spinner
- 4 way gated joystick in the top center
- bat tops for the joysticks
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 06:37:25 pm by thagerty »

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Don't you already have a thread for this?

Edit: went back and read the first part of your post.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2016, 08:41:45 pm by yotsuya »
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I didn't realize that the original post wasn't in a projects forum, but it was in an area more meant for actual real pinball cabinets and restoration.

This area is meant more for custom builds and is more Arcade oriented than it is Pinball. Since my cabinet is more recently setup for MAME and Arcade games, I thought it would good to have it posted here where the Arcade crowd would actually see it.

(I noted this in the first post above)

If this is an issue, please let me know.

Edit: Just saw your edited response...lol... thanks.

Typefighter01

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 420
  • Last login:July 29, 2023, 09:10:21 pm
  • Back I guess...
Lot of work here...impressive.

Good work on your posts also, well documented.

wp34

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4794
  • Last login:April 10, 2022, 09:48:19 pm
Nice build.  Using that chrome auto trim is a great idea.   :cheers:

sealcouch

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 156
  • Last login:March 26, 2023, 09:28:56 pm
This thing is bananas.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Nice build.  Using that chrome auto trim is a great idea.   :cheers:

It's amazing what a little chrome will do....  and some vinyl wrap.

A little inspiration from that special aisle at Canadian Tire.

Scotty_C

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 107
  • Last login:December 20, 2023, 05:56:08 pm
  • The addiction is strong!!
I like it!!  :cheers:

efp9teen78

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 82
  • Last login:June 20, 2023, 08:53:29 pm
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
I like this a lot interested to see how you manage to put the glass over the play field monitor

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I like this a lot interested to see how you manage to put the glass over the play field monitor

That will be the very LAST thing I do. I just will take off one side of the aluminum rail and channel, place the glass, and fasten them back in. Not the easiest way, but this custom setup leaves me no choice but to do it that way.

menace

  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2564
  • Last login:September 18, 2023, 10:57:06 am
Very Impressive!  I keep meaning to finish my vpin cabinet but it became playable and we all know what happens then...  I'm inspired by your level of effort on this!

I had to get the glass very early on since the cat would use the machine as a springboard to get on top of the other pinball machines--nice big sheet of tempered stopped the random pawprints on the lcd...
its better to not post and be thought a fool, then to whip out your keyboard and remove all doubt...

Cobolisdead

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 594
  • Last login:October 04, 2017, 08:35:11 am
  • Restoring my 8th arcade machine, Mortal Kombat 2!
That is amazing!  :cheers:

I so want to build a Virtual Pinball machine.

leapinlew

  • Some questionable things going on in this room with cheetos
  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7906
  • Last login:Yesterday at 07:09:32 pm
The quality of work is stunning. It's like someone went into the future and ordered a cabinet with every possible option.

I can guarantee you that if that cabinet was at my house, no one would play it because the controls look way too complicated. Like, they wouldn't know what joysticks/buttons to use.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
The quality of work is stunning. It's like someone went into the future and ordered a cabinet with every possible option.

I can guarantee you that if that cabinet was at my house, no one would play it because the controls look way too complicated. Like, they wouldn't know what joysticks/buttons to use.

Well, I'm kind of taking care of that right now.... for MAME so far at least. I'm messing around with CP Wizard to make Control Panel pics for each game that will display in the middle screen while browsing and playing. This will show what buttons / controls are actually used for the game and what they do.  I may even try doing something like this for other systems somehow.

I may one day get some sort of LED-Wiz setup to turn on / off the buttons for each game..... but I want whichever LED control system would work best for both MAME LED buttons, AND Virtual Pinball LED Lighting strips which I will add around the playfield one day! But I may also add DOF / feedback as well and I want a system that will cover ALL of that and be compatible with Pinball X...

...any suggestions?


Very Impressive!  I keep meaning to finish my vpin cabinet but it became playable and we all know what happens then...  I'm inspired by your level of effort on this!

I had to get the glass very early on since the cat would use the machine as a springboard to get on top of the other pinball machines--nice big sheet of tempered stopped the random pawprints on the lcd...

Luckily my cat doesn't go into my mancave very often...  but I will someday get the glass put on... someday.

I also know what you mean about getting distracted once the damn cabinet gets functional.  It took me forever just to get away from my original mock-up!
« Last Edit: April 15, 2016, 01:43:25 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Well, now it is time for more upgrades.... as a result this is what happens in the middle of a project upgrade... total mess everywhere which makes my wife sooooo happy!






I always wanted to add in a plunger and a big LAUNCH button.  Can't easily find either in Canada, and buying from the US is costly with our crappy CDN dollar and costly shipping.

So, I found a place in Ottawa that does repairs and sells parts called Pinball Medics.   

https://pinballmedics.ca/

Since I was taking my daughter to Ottawa Comi-Con, I was able to stop by his place and buy what I needed from him. He had everything except for the mounting plate for the plunger, which I didn't need anyway.  He's a great guy and had a fantastic Pinball collection which I sadly didn't have time to check out....  :(

Here's a video demonstration of my plunger setup:






Hopefully I can maybe make a couple of custom tilt-bobs to work as a digital nudge type of setup. Then, I'm off to update the control panel with a different button layout, a third 4-way joystick, and all three joysticks will have BAT tops instead of BALL tops.

After all this is done, its just a waiting game for all my parts to arrive from China, so I can install feedback via 10 solenoids. I'll also be installing led strip lighting to act as 5 rgb flashers, addressable led strip lighting / matrix for animation, white strobes, and red / blue beacons (LED strobe versions).  Lots of work to do!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 07:04:38 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
While waiting for my parts to arrive from China for feedback (solenoids, lighting, etc), I figured I would get some other upgrades done to the cabinet, now that the plunger is working.

After using the cabinet for a while, I really wanted to have a dedicated 4-way joystick for alot of the classic arcade games that really do need it. (Pac-man, Q-bert, Dig-Dug, and many more).  I also wasn't really happy with the "ergonomic" button layout. Yah, it was nicer for fighting games, but not for anything else for me personally. Also, in order for me to fit a third joystick on the control panel I would have to rearrange the buttons in order to have enough space. I also didn't like the ball tops, and the LED joysticks don't allow for easily changing the tops without reaching inside the cabinet.

Another thing I wanted was to eventually put in a spinner, but I needed to have a hole pre-drilled for it. So I have two extra buttons above the right joystick that can be swapped out with a spinner later on. I also put in a central "FIRE" button for those pinball games that use it (Star Trek, AC/DC, Alien Legacy, etc).  I also labelled every button with transparent labels from a cheap label maker. It worked surprisingly well, and you can't see the label unless you look real close at the buttons.




I decided to use a spare XBOX 360 gamepad (instead of the Logitech gamepad) for player one and the pinball controls. The main reason was that I wanted to have force-feedback outputs from the gamepad to use to create possible feedback options (solenoids, lighting) for Pinball FX2 and The Pinball Arcade in the future.  I also setup this controller so that the x / y potentiometer was completely accessible for the plunger in the cabinet. This gamepad was MUCH easier to wire up as it had only one common ground for all buttons, and the pads were larger and easier to work with.



Here you can see that I now have the entire control panel connected to two old school parallel db-25 cables for player one and player two, with a molex connector for the LED lighting. MUCH nicer than having all wires directly goto the gamepads. Yes, this involved soldering over 125 wires.... but now if I ever need to get access to the control panel or change / replace anything, I just unplug three easy to access cables.  Yes, its alot of work, and I could have used some other solutions instead of gamepads, but that would not have given absolute complete compatibility with ALL PC Games and emulators / pinball games without some hassles. I will NEVER have any problems with any game running properly on this cabinet using this.




Here you can see the extra trim I put around the side and front buttons. I found that the LED lighting was too bright at 12V for the LED buttons on the arcade panel, so I used 5V instead. Combined with the non-lit BAT tops, I found this to be much nicer on the eyes while playing. My white LEDS for the bottom white buttons have died out, and I didn't have any spares. So I put in similar colour LEDS as the A B X Y buttons to match for now. They look almost the same in person and much nicer as opposed to the picture.




With the undercab and speaker lighting, it makes for quite the colorful display at night time.... can't wait for my addressable led strips!



« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 07:35:27 pm by thagerty »

harveybirdman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2538
  • Last login:February 19, 2024, 12:40:25 pm
  • SHMUP'EM
Needs more buttons...

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Name is still terrible, not sure why you insist typing "mancave" way so much. Still a solid build though  :cheers:

Thanks.

"ManCave" is a term that every married guy with kids will understand and relate to. Its the one area of the house that my wife has no say as to what's in it, or how it looks, and the kids know they are not allowed in there if Dad's not around.

Maybe the name will change if I ever think of something cooler and I get side art to go with that name...

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Needs more buttons...

LOL...no doubt!

In order to be able to play games like Mortal Kombat X with 2 players, you need all those buttons...

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
I think its the fact you keep referencing where the build is, once is enough unless you have 5 different mancaves  :)

I do love this build, my only poke at you is doing too much on one build.

Its like adding pinball to a standup arcade, it just doesn't go together.  The pinball part looks awesome, the added jsticks and the carnival lighting along with it, not so much.  The spacing to 2 plyr play looks really tight as well.

If anything, a swappable blank panel would of been cool as that lit control setup would get annoying in a good game of pinball.

Whenever i take the plunge i'll be using this thread as a guide though, very impressive.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2016, 02:42:01 pm by rablack97 »

harveybirdman

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2538
  • Last login:February 19, 2024, 12:40:25 pm
  • SHMUP'EM
Exactly

You seem to have plenty of jack and a room dedicated to entertainment of this variety... I would have built a Virtual Pin and a separate Vs Cabinet.

but you know.... don't let us Spock your Kirk....

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
"ManCave" is a term that every married guy with kids will understand and relate to. Its the one area of the house that my wife has no say as to what's in it, or how it looks, and the kids know they are not allowed in there if Dad's not around.

Maybe the name will change if I ever think of something cooler and I get side art to go with that name...

Im familiar with the term, its just lamer than Pinkadia.

 :laugh2:  I do get the sweet and sour texture of PINK when i read the name, needs more of a manly crunch, the reds, with streamline precision construction.  Call it Man-UP.  Mancave universal pinball :dunno

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I thinks its the fact you keep referencing where the build is, once is enough unless you have 5 different mancaves  :)

I do love this build, my only poke at you is doing too much on one build.

Its like adding pinball to a standup arcade, it just doesn't go together.  The pinball part looks awesome, the added jsticks and the carnival lighting along with it, not so much.  The spacing to 2 plyr play looks really tight as well.

If anything, a swappable blank panel would of been cool as that lit control setup and would get annoying in a good game of pinball.

Whenever i take the plunge i'll be using this thread as a guide though, very impressive.


Exactly

You seem to have plenty of jack and a room dedicated to entertainment of this variety... I would have built a Virtual Pin and a separate Vs Cabinet.

but you know.... don't let us Spock your Kirk....


I was considering doing a separate arcade cabinet, but space will one day be a possible issue.

Keep in mind that I'm in the military, and I won't always have this much room for this kind of stuff. I could be posted to a place where housing is VERY costly and I can't have a room this big for myself. So I decided if I had to have one or the other, it was going to be a virtual pinball cabinet.

It wasn't until after I started playing with a mock setup that I realized that I could do both in one cabinet with a control panel that could be easily removed if I one day want to keep this as only a pinball cabinet.... hence why I made the control panel easily unpluggable. I also find I LOVE being able to jump back and forth between arcade and pinball on the same cabinet instantly. Vertical games look awesome on this! Keep in mind, I originally was only going to have one player on this since I'm the only one using this 90% of the time, but I wanted two sticks for dual stick games. So I decided to just add the extra buttons for possible occasional two  player gaming.

As for the "carnival" lighting, half of those buttons are coloured specifically to match those of an XBOX 360 gamepad which is what most PC Games use, which is why the buttons are labelled as such. The other half.... I agree, I like the original white colour better. My plan was to "eventually" get a PACLED 64 to turn on/off each buttons as needed. for now I have that entire arcade panel lighting on a switch under the cabinet that allows for me to turn off those lights if I want.

As for doing too much and the lights being distracting during pinball.... holy god, you haven't seen addressable LED strip lighting on a pin cabinet have you? Its AWESOME, and is the next thing I'm installing, along with other pinball lighting (strobes, beacons, flashers) as well as solenoids, and a blower-fan.


I never ever build my stuff to be like the "norm". I always like to try something different, and as a result get to do things that no other cabinet has done (that I have seen at least).

My middle "two screens" are not "normal" for a virtual pin cabinet, and I have found new features for them that no one else have thought of before. Some of them I see others wanting to use in their virtual pins as well as their arcade cabinets.    My simpit is another example....its not just for racing, but also for flight simulators. Way back when I made it, no one had ever tried that idea before, and now I see lots of others using it in their setups.

I struggled with wondering weather I would like the "look" of the combined cabinet... and other than having too many colours on the arcade panel... I love it! ...and that boys and girls is what should matter after all. I LOVE seeing unique cabinets!
« Last Edit: June 03, 2016, 04:47:29 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
"ManCave" is a term that every married guy with kids will understand and relate to. Its the one area of the house that my wife has no say as to what's in it, or how it looks, and the kids know they are not allowed in there if Dad's not around.

Maybe the name will change if I ever think of something cooler and I get side art to go with that name...

Im familiar with the term, its just lamer than Pinkadia.

 :laugh2:  I do get the sweet and sour texture of PINK when i read the name, needs more of a manly crunch, the reds, with streamline precision construction.  Call it Man-UP.  Mancave universal pinball :dunno

Haha...nice...

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I always try to find new ways to make use of the "4th display" area on my middle screen.

For MAME, I knew there were some cool programs out there that would let you see your control panel layout and other info for each game, either by pausing, etc..

I just wanted a way to show what the controls were for each game in MAME since there are so many different layouts. When someone else is using the cabinet, it would be nice not having to explain to them the controls for each game....but when I found CP-Wizard, I found exactly what I had wanted.

I am basically trying to setup as standard control panel layout for each control type for each game in CP-Wizard. I just made a background pic the size of my middle screen with the MAME logo at the bottom. Then I made the layouts I wanted and saved them as separate layouts.  Then I had CP-Wizard configured to use whatever layout for each control scheme as required.

I didn't need to have CP Wizard running in the background. I just had CP-Wizard do an Export-batch, creating control panel images for each game automatically with the correct naming of the files. These pics work with Pinball X as my DMD screen images for MAME. They display while browsing through each game and stay displayed while playing. Simple and easy to see to see while playing at any time.  I may just use this for PC Games and other emulators too.

Here's some pics of my current layout. Its simple, and probably not final, but works quite well.











« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 07:43:57 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
I thinks its the fact you keep referencing where the build is, once is enough unless you have 5 different mancaves  :)

I do love this build, my only poke at you is doing too much on one build.

Its like adding pinball to a standup arcade, it just doesn't go together.  The pinball part looks awesome, the added jsticks and the carnival lighting along with it, not so much.  The spacing to 2 plyr play looks really tight as well.

If anything, a swappable blank panel would of been cool as that lit control setup and would get annoying in a good game of pinball.

Whenever i take the plunge i'll be using this thread as a guide though, very impressive.


Exactly

You seem to have plenty of jack and a room dedicated to entertainment of this variety... I would have built a Virtual Pin and a separate Vs Cabinet.

but you know.... don't let us Spock your Kirk....


As for doing too much and the lights being distracting during pinball.... holy god, you haven't seen addressable LED strip lighting on a pin cabinet have you? Its AWESOME, and is the next thing I'm installing, along with other pinball lighting (strobes, beacons, flashers) as well as solenoids, and a blower-fan.

My middle "two screens" are not "normal" for a virtual pin cabinet, and I have found new features for them that no one else have thought of before. Some of them I see others wanting to use in their virtual pins as well as their arcade cabinets.   

 I LOVE seeing unique cabinets!

Yes but no pinball has 3sticks and 14 button where the lockdown bar shoud be, that's the distracting part.

So your saying your the first person to do a dynamic marquee / controls / dmd display.....I don't know about that one sir.  I would say your setup is very nice, but i think its been done before 2015.

So do I, and I love what you've done here, regardless of what i have to say it's something you should be proud of overall.

And now that you've explained the AIO reasoning of relocating on a whim, it makes more sense.


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
My simpit is another example....its not just for racing, but also for flight simulators. Way back when I made it, no one had ever tried that idea before, and now I see lots of others using it in their setups.

I like the controls and think its a neat idea. 2 players is a bit much , but you should make it hot swappable. The default being a faux lockdown bar there but when you wanna MAME it the controls slide into place. Personally, I think I'd play it more as a pin than a MAME so I wouldnt want the controls there all the time, YMMV.

As for the flight sim/racing sim hybrids, Ive seen those for as long as I can remember, so unless you build your simpit 18 or so years ago, I think its not very accurate to say "no one had ever tried that idea before" but I do give you credit for actually building something, unlike a Xertain Xomebody else who tries to take credit for everything without building anything.

And I dont mean to come off as an ---uvula--- or overtly negative. I honestly do like your build I just think youre doing it a disserve with the name.  Man-up is hilarious and is a brazzilion times better.  :cheers:

A friend of mine had a MAME cabinet with swappable panels many years ago, and I liked the idea. Its still a possibility.... I literally don't even notice the arcade controls when playing pinball.

As for the simpit combo... I should have been more specific.... I meant the combination rotating console for the flight stick and 6 speed shifter was the first of its kind I have ever seen in the sim racing and flight-sim community.

Here's a video of what I mean:




I don't think you're being a *beep* at all. I also forget that my own humor doesn't always translate well to others in a forum.... and changing to the military life in my late 30's- to early 40's has given me a broad spectrum of different kinds of humor!

I hope to get a better name...I know it's not very imaginative....and yes, I thought Man-UP was awesome!

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Exactly

You seem to have plenty of jack and a room dedicated to entertainment of this variety... I would have built a Virtual Pin and a separate Vs Cabinet.

but you know.... don't let us Spock your Kirk....
I wanna kiss your mouf.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html


So your saying your the first person to do a dynamic marquee / controls / dmd display.....I don't know about that one sir.  I would say your setup is very nice, but i think its been done before 2015.



I'm not referring to the "dynamic marquee / controls / dmd display" themselves specifically.... I was referring to using the middle third monitor as two displays (for ANY purpose, specifically on a virtual pinball cabinet) instead of just using half of it for only a DMD, which is how I've seen it used on all other cabinets. At least, this is what I have seen in the virtual pinball cabinet community.... maybe I missed some others... If you have seen something similar, please let me know... I honestly would love to see it, as I have had others asking me all the time, how I was able to get this kind of setup working.

I know in the arcade cabinet community, this stuff has been used in many different ways.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2016, 04:28:04 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I just re-read my post.... I was being truly sincere, and realize that could have been taken the wrong way. I was trying to be humble....honestly I was.  :)

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
ok you have my interest sir, I rigged together a setup similar to yours and started out with future pinball.

I was able to get 4 screen setup going, but cant get the stupid DMD to change colors based on the game, i read the thread quickly, and will need to retest.

However, the resizing and moving the layers is a PITA to make it look right.  How many tables did you end up doing?  And what tips and tricks can offer to make that process go faster in your experience?


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
ok you have my interest sir, I rigged together a setup similar to yours and started out with future pinball.

I was able to get 4 screen setup going, but cant get the stupid DMD to change colors based on the game, i read the thread quickly, and will need to retest.

However, the resizing and moving the layers is a PITA to make it look right.  How many tables did you end up doing?  And what tips and tricks can offer to make that process go faster in your experience?


I assume you are using FutureDMD to display your Future Pinball DMDs on your third monitor? In order to get FutureDMD to change your DMD to a different colour per game, you need to add the setting for that game in the FutureDMD.ini file.  (The FutureDMD guide shows you how to do this).  You also MUST have FutureDMD and Future Pinball tables launched from a front-end like Pinball X in order for the colour changes to take affect.

I assume you are using BAM (Better Arcade Mode) ? This is a MUST if you are using a cabinet. It will allows for all of your tables and backglass to be sized and positioned to one setup, or you can change your layout per game.... I HAD to use this as each table is different and their backglasses were sized differently depending on what would fit the screen best.

Getting the translite Overlays (movie clips, colour display menus, etc) to position and size to my bezel, is a bit of pain...especially since each table is different. Once I had a standard size for an Overlay to fit my bezel, it made it easier, though every table was a little different.

Note: the "HuD Overlay" and "Hud DMD" are intended to be displayed on your main screen for desktop use, and aren't meant for a cabinet display screen. (They are a different colour and show up on the translite in the editor) Unlock these and drag them off screen. Then unlock any Overlays (not HUD, these display on the translite). Use the numbered layers to find each item you want to display on your 3rd/4th display. The resize them best you can. Remember how they were layered overtop of one another! It's not easy at first, but once you understand how it works, its not too bad.

I also created some of my own Overlays or scores, etc to fit in that 4th display area. I had to do the layering / resizing of Overlays for over 150 Future Pinball tables....so what you see in my video of Future Pinball tables took me quite a while to do!

Helpful links:

Future Pinball Tables are here:

http://www.pinsimdb.org/

The best Future Pinball tables (created or modded from SLAMT1LT) are here:

http://speak1970.wix.com/slamspinballemporium

Follow his instructions for setting up BAM (he doesn't use a cabinet though) and read everything on his help page:

http://speak1970.wix.com/slamspinballemporium#!help/c21nl


Good luck!

« Last Edit: June 09, 2016, 04:12:20 pm by thagerty »

Generic Eric

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4520
  • Last login:March 05, 2024, 09:02:23 am
  • Restore! Don't maim for MAME, build from scratch!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,143226.0.html
I'd like a machine like this.  I would change the arcade CP though.  I think its Gyruss that has the recessed control panel under the monitor area.  I think a taller playfield cabinet would be in order to maintain space between the control panel and coin door. 

Thanks for sharing.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here's a video showing the new control panel, as well as an update to what parts I have so far for controlled LED lighting and feedback.






« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 07:45:49 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
PC Vertical / Portrait Games


There are some PC games out there that actually do support a vertical / portrait layout.

Some are basically arcade ports and some are original. they are either Steam games or normal PC Games such as:

-Crimson Clover
-Ikaruga
-Mushihimesama
-Raiden III
-Raiden IV Overkill
-Ice Cold Beer
-Zeke's Peak

Ice Cold Beer / Zeke's Peak required me using Pinnacle Game Profiler for my P1 joystick and XPadder for my P2 Joystick... but it works perfect together. the others just worked normally and gave you rotate options for your screen.



Then there are the Windows 10 Store Games. These are originally tablet / phone type games that work with keyboard / mouse or gamepad controls. I basically had my P2 joystick and buttons act like a mouse for these games in case it was needed.

Since these don't have a normal .EXE file to reference, in order to get these to run with Pinnacle Game Profiler for mapped controls....  I had to run this command:

%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{4234d49b-0245-4df3-b780-3893943456e1}

Then create a shorcut for the games from the window that opens.
Create a .BAT file that "Starts" the Pinnacle Game Profile (persistent) manually for your game via command line... then it opens the *.lnk shorcut you created for your game.
Use this .BAT file with Rocketlauncher via Pinball X  (I open all my PC games with Pinball X using RocketLauncher)
Have your "Launch After" run another .BAT file that "Stops" your Pinnacle Game Profiler manually.

These games look and play great when setup correctly. Games such as:

Crossy Road
Despicable Me
Sonic Dash


Like MAME, I added control panel pics in the middle screen where possible.


Here's a video showing some of these games in action in Pinball X.







Since I have arcade sticks and many buttons, its not a problem for me to get alot of these games to run. I know I can also run Android games through Blue Stacks and other programs (I have done so on my normal PC), but that may come at a later time.


« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 07:50:19 pm by thagerty »

ppv

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 236
  • Last login:October 16, 2020, 03:08:56 pm
  • The cheap@ss gamer
Whoa! That's a lot of buttons! ;D Love the idea and execution! Very well done! :cheers:
Doing arcades, the cheap@ss way!
First Project : ttp://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,151071.0.html
Next one : The Token Muncher [urlhttp://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135417.0.html[/url]

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
So I've been making great progress so far.... got all my parts except for beacons. One of my solenoids is broken, so it's 9 only for now. (I don't know when a shaker or gear motor will happen.)

Even got it all working in the cab with a mock-up via DOF which is working great. Most of the wiring is good to go. I even setup a kill switch for the 12v going to the sainsmart relay board and anything mechanical for a "night mode", while still allowing for 12v for anything else light related.

Here's the board before it's put into the cabinet. It may not be the prettiest, but it allows me access to everything while having all outputs of the led-wiz fused, and having the led / strobe output closer to where they will be to accommodate the limited rgb wiring I have. The Teensy for addressable leds will be on my PC board. I'll still have plenty of room for future stuff, even if I need to stack boards.



Here's my mockup with everything except for solenoids connected (no beacons, and a small test fan in the pic)....but I can still see the relays working to confirm they will work. I have the left and outer-left flashers in my left speaker hole, and the right flashers in the right speaker hole, and the center on the led strip for now.

I also have my FIRE button working on the arcade control panel, and I have it combined with the launch button in DOF, since you need to use the launch button to "FIRE" in VP anyways.




DOF is pretty damn impressive! Some amazing work done by swisslizard and arngrim!

Since I don't have 10 solenoids, I can just combine the rear center and the middle center for now. It also frees up an LED-Wiz port.

I also have an atwood 3000 blower fan. Man it works great, but sure is loud! Very cool the way different tables make use of it. The noise is going to be better when used with a hose....  which gets me wondering on where to mount it!

I'm definitely considering mounting it inside (like randr did), as it fits perfectly in that spot before my coin door. (I removed my coin door mech as I don't use it and I have only one coin slot)  I was going to have it blow out through the coin eject hole with some kind of upward scoop).     Or maybe I might still mount it on top of the cabinet....or behind the cabinet blowing up through a hose / vent at the top of the cabinet with a finished topper... 

I also would like a simple way to adjust the voltage going to the fan...12V is pretty loud...5V is too slow...so maybe just a simple way to get in between with some kind of pot / switch. I don't have an H-bridge or anything else that would allow me to use PWM right now....maybe if I get a shaker down the line.

Any suggestions would be great..



Also....we just found out that we have bed bugs in the house.....AAAAAAAH! We think my son brought them back from his grade 8 school graduation trip! So now my progress is slowed down considerably, cause we have to purge the house and live in hell for a month or so (and its going to cost alot)

 ....and it was going so well too!


« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 07:58:44 pm by thagerty »

SNAAKE

  • Trade Count: (+29)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3546
  • Last login:January 11, 2024, 12:21:50 pm
  • my joystick is bigger than your joystick !
how many tables are out there for pinmame?

can you link me to proper site lol..not asking for roms but guessing there are sites dedicated to pinball mame cabinets?

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
This is what I ordered.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Shipping-Open-Frame-Actuator-Solenoid-Electromagnet-Holding-Push-ZYE1-0837ZP-E-TN/32574043468.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.66.nDKYJa

It seems this seller doesn't offer them anymore, but there are others on Ali-Express as well.

I was only able to do a quick test so far. They are loud! This is with them just operating normally on wood. If I have them hit a plastic cable clamp (like I have for my slingshots), they sound much better. This is with them mounted on a cross beam, closer to where they would actually be in a pinball machine. Apparently mounting them on PVC board sounds better. I'm still experimenting....

So far I have received all of my stuff from Ali-express within the dead-line, except for my red / blue led beacons. Still waiting to see what's up with that.

Keep in mind, most of the stuff on E-bay is also from China, so either way, you'll be waiting a while for parts...
« Last Edit: July 11, 2016, 11:14:05 pm by thagerty »

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede




So... RGB LED strips... wired (plugged) into cheap-o Chinese inline LED controllers... that are wired to an LED-Wiz with ALL outputs fused... WTF? ???

What is the world coming to?
%Bartop

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html




So... RGB LED strips... wired (plugged) into cheap-o Chinese inline LED controllers... that are wired to an LED-Wiz with ALL outputs fused... WTF? ???

What is the world coming to?

I'm not sure what you're exactly trying to get at, but....

RGB led strips are already in my speakers holes, and they make a great 5 RGB flasher bar replacement....since I won't be using a traditional 5 flasher bar because I will putting in an addressable led-matrix where that normally is, and I still wanted something for Future Pinball compatibility....and it actually looks cool too.

The cheap-o Chinese led amplifiers work perfect for how I'm using them and are needed for how many leds I may be driving on each LED-Wiz output. The LED-Wiz can't handle alot of leds on a single output all by itself.  This isn't a MAME arcade control panel with single led rgb buttons that can be connected directly to an led-wiz or pac-led64  (which is how my start, launch, and fire buttons are connected).

Having all outputs fused....even I'll admit, it may be a bit overkill for protection, but I had all the fuses and holder cables available and it was easy to connect. You never know where a piece of kit may be faulty, or where my wiring may have been wrong, etc...  though so far, everything has been good.


This isn't exactly a unique setup I have here..... MANY people use a setup like this. Such as the following example:

http://vpforums.org/imghost/131/2014.11.03.jpg

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede
The cheap-o Chinese led amplifiers work perfect for how I'm using them and are needed for how many leds I may be driving on each LED-Wiz output. The LED-Wiz can't handle alot of leds on a single output all by itself.  This isn't a MAME arcade control panel with single led rgb buttons that can be connected directly to an led-wiz or pac-led64  (which is how my start, launch, and fire buttons are connected).

Actually, that's exactly what I have been using an LED-Wiz for. Controls my cab lighting, which is just RGB LED strips. Nothing against cheap-o Chinese goods. I love that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. It just seems highly unnecessary here.

Having all outputs fused....even I'll admit, it may be a bit overkill for protection, but I had all the fuses and holder cables available and it was easy to connect. You never know where a piece of kit may be faulty, or where my wiring may have been wrong, etc...  though so far, everything has been good.

Fusing the grounds makes no sense. At all.
%Bartop

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
The cheap-o Chinese led amplifiers work perfect for how I'm using them and are needed for how many leds I may be driving on each LED-Wiz output. The LED-Wiz can't handle alot of leds on a single output all by itself.  This isn't a MAME arcade control panel with single led rgb buttons that can be connected directly to an led-wiz or pac-led64  (which is how my start, launch, and fire buttons are connected).

Actually, that's exactly what I have been using an LED-Wiz for. Controls my cab lighting, which is just RGB LED strips. Nothing against cheap-o Chinese goods. I love that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. It just seems highly unnecessary here.

Having all outputs fused....even I'll admit, it may be a bit overkill for protection, but I had all the fuses and holder cables available and it was easy to connect. You never know where a piece of kit may be faulty, or where my wiring may have been wrong, etc...  though so far, everything has been good.

Fusing the grounds makes no sense. At all.

I can understand not being a fan of Chinese stuff, but it works fine non-the less. 

I'm not exactly sure what my end state will be for how many leds per output I'll be using, so the amplifiers were more of a "just in case I installed more" down the line usage. Things may change up down the line... this is my first pinball or arcade cabinet, so I am learning and adding new things as I go.

The fuses were more of a precaution in case of something in the "cheap Chinese" amplifiers going bad, or there's a short, etc, not to "protect the GND". I may not be an electronics engineer, but I have been an electronics tech for 20 years, and have repaired too much kit because of the lack of a fuse that may have helped because another part of the circuit went defective.

Hey....I admit I don't have all the answers and I am learning more everyday in this build.  I really was tempted to just wire everything straight up to the LED-Wiz....but when groovy game gear themselves use those "cheap chinese amplifiers" with their led-wiz / led strip setups (when I inquired about using these)..... I figured it wouldn't hurt to go that route.

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
I dont even know what that is, but that is wiring/cable management porn.... :notworthy:


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I dont even know what that is, but that is wiring/cable management porn.... :notworthy:



This is a mock-up someone did before installing all of this into their cabinet. It is an excellent visual layout that really helps a noob to the virtual pinball scene. (like myself) Its most of the "feedback" that can go into a virtual pinball cabinet. This pic includes your contactors / solenoids for your flippers / slingshots / bumpers / drop targets, etc..., 2 sets of 5 flasher rgb lights, led strip lighting for under cabinet lighting, strobe lights, knocker / chimes?,  and power supplies (12V, and 24V?).

Some other toys not in the pic can be beacon lights, shaker motor, gear motor, and blower fan.

Great job on this mock-up pic.

Generic Eric

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4520
  • Last login:March 05, 2024, 09:02:23 am
  • Restore! Don't maim for MAME, build from scratch!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,143226.0.html
I dont even know what that is, but that is wiring/cable management porn.... :notworthy:



This is a mock-up someone did before installing all of this into their cabinet. It is an excellent visual layout that really helps a noob to the virtual pinball scene. (like myself) Its most of the "feedback" that can go into a virtual pinball cabinet. This pic includes your contactors / solenoids for your flippers / slingshots / bumpers / drop targets, etc..., 2 sets of 5 flasher rgb lights, led strip lighting for under cabinet lighting, strobe lights, knocker / chimes?,  and power supplies (12V, and 24V?).

Some other toys not in the pic can be beacon lights, shaker motor, gear motor, and blower fan.

Great job on this mock-up pic.
**shazzle** 

I'm not sure how I feel about that against cork.  Does anyone know the flashpoint of cork?

Generic Eric

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4520
  • Last login:March 05, 2024, 09:02:23 am
  • Restore! Don't maim for MAME, build from scratch!
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,143226.0.html
**shazzle** 

I'm not sure how I feel about that against cork.  Does anyone know the flashpoint of cork?

Im sure the cork board was just a place holder for the mock up, doubt he's going to hold in solenoids with push pins

Fair point.

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede
I'm not exactly sure what my end state will be for how many leds per output I'll be using, so the amplifiers were more of a "just in case I installed more" down the line usage. Things may change up down the line... this is my first pinball or arcade cabinet, so I am learning and adding new things as I go.

The fuses were more of a precaution in case of something in the "cheap Chinese" amplifiers going bad, or there's a short, etc, not to "protect the GND". I may not be an electronics engineer, but I have been an electronics tech for 20 years, and have repaired too much kit because of the lack of a fuse that may have helped because another part of the circuit went defective.

Hey....I admit I don't have all the answers and I am learning more everyday in this build.  I really was tempted to just wire everything straight up to the LED-Wiz....but when groovy game gear themselves use those "cheap chinese amplifiers" with their led-wiz / led strip setups (when I inquired about using these)..... I figured it wouldn't hurt to go that route.

I'm all for circuit protection, but a fuse on the ground side of a circuit is pointless if you have a short ahead of the fuse...

You can run 2.5 meters of RGB LED strip off 3 outputs (RGB remember) of an LED Wiz. That's a SHITLOAD of LEDs, even for pinball cabinet lighting. I'm all for learning from other people's projects, that's one of the greatest things about this and other forums... But always consider the source of the information, the dude you're copying might be a dipshit...

Those amplifiers are intended to be used when hooking up more than one strip (5 meters) together. Not saying what you did won't work, I just see a big waste of money in fuses, amplifiers, and terminal strips...
%Bartop

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I'm not exactly sure what my end state will be for how many leds per output I'll be using, so the amplifiers were more of a "just in case I installed more" down the line usage. Things may change up down the line... this is my first pinball or arcade cabinet, so I am learning and adding new things as I go.

The fuses were more of a precaution in case of something in the "cheap Chinese" amplifiers going bad, or there's a short, etc, not to "protect the GND". I may not be an electronics engineer, but I have been an electronics tech for 20 years, and have repaired too much kit because of the lack of a fuse that may have helped because another part of the circuit went defective.

Hey....I admit I don't have all the answers and I am learning more everyday in this build.  I really was tempted to just wire everything straight up to the LED-Wiz....but when groovy game gear themselves use those "cheap chinese amplifiers" with their led-wiz / led strip setups (when I inquired about using these)..... I figured it wouldn't hurt to go that route.

I'm all for circuit protection, but a fuse on the ground side of a circuit is pointless if you have a short ahead of the fuse...

You can run 2.5 meters of RGB LED strip off 3 outputs (RGB remember) of an LED Wiz. That's a SHITLOAD of LEDs, even for pinball cabinet lighting. I'm all for learning from other people's projects, that's one of the greatest things about this and other forums... But always consider the source of the information, the dude you're copying might be a dipshit...

Those amplifiers are intended to be used when hooking up more than one strip (5 meters) together. Not saying what you did won't work, I just see a big waste of money in fuses, amplifiers, and terminal strips...

Totally understand what you are saying. The Led-Wiz manual does however recommend using an external power source to drive leds, and also to use fuses on the outputs of the LED-Wiz. I've also seen Zeb (Zebs Boards) and others who make driver boards also recommend fuses.

You're not the only one who says that fuses aren't needed... but keep in mind that the LED-Wiz itself can also fail and cause issues AFTER the fuse.

Maybe its the 1000's of burnt circuit boards I've repaired over the years that has me paranoid...

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Hes saying fusing the grounds isnt needed.

I understand and agree with him on that.

However, the LED-Wiz itself "creates" a connection to the GND. The point of the fuse (if I'm correct) is to help protect the LED-wiz itself in case something attached to it does draw more than the LED-Wiz output was meant to handle.

I'm not disagreeing with him, its just an extra protective step for the LED-wiz itself.

Believe me, everytime I see that atrocious led-wiz / sainsmart board I created, I hate the way it looks.... but I don't care about that. All I cared about was having all bases covered, extra power for more leds if needed, protection for LED-Wiz just in case, and the terminal strips and led amplifiers allow me to be able to disconnect this board and remove it easily if needed, in case I need access to anything underneath it.

I gotta get back to wiring...

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede

Totally understand what you are saying. The Led-Wiz manual does however recommend using an external power source to drive leds, and also to use fuses on the outputs of the LED-Wiz. I've also seen Zeb (Zebs Boards) and others who make driver boards also recommend fuses.

You're not the only one who says that fuses aren't needed... but keep in mind that the LED-Wiz itself can also fail and cause issues AFTER the fuse.

Maybe its the 1000's of burnt circuit boards I've repaired over the years that has me paranoid...

I don't think you do fully understand what I'm saying.

The use of an external power source is, in fact, needed in your application. However, those amplifiers are NOT a power source. What you have powering the amplifiers is the power source. So... amplifiers are not needed what so ever in your application.

The LED Wiz manual does mention circuit protection via "an inline fuse". One fuse. Between the power supply and first component in the circuit.

It blows my mind that you have "repaired 1000s of burnt circuit boards" but are arguing against basic electrical principles...
%Bartop

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6879
  • Last login:Yesterday at 01:56:55 am
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
You can run 2.5 meters of RGB LED strip off 3 outputs (RGB remember) of an LED Wiz....

...Those amplifiers are intended to be used when hooking up more than one strip (5 meters) together. Not saying what you did won't work, I just see a big waste of money in fuses, amplifiers, and terminal strips...

Be very careful about this kind of generalization.  LED Strip requirements are measured in current, not in length.  Some of these strips have 144 RGB LED's per meter!  When lit white, just one meter would consume 144 x 3 x .020a, or about 8.64 amps!  Even at 60 per meter, you are looking at 3.6 amps/meter at full on, or 9 amps for a 2.5 meter segment.  This kind of current can cause a dramatic failure, and might even be a fire hazard!

The use of those types of amplifiers is highly recommended for running RGB strips with any real quantity of RGB LEDs, or other high current loads.  They are inexpensive, and also greatly reduce the load on the LED-Wiz driver chips, so that other, lower current devices can use the remaining outputs safely.  In fact, many of the "booster" boards out there simply have nearly identical circuitry on the board, rather than being multiple discrete devices.

The use of an external power source is, in fact, needed in your application. However, those amplifiers are NOT a power source. What you have powering the amplifiers is the power source. So... amplifiers are not needed what so ever in your application.

The amplifiers are not the power source, but they allow the LED-Wiz to control much higher current loads.  I.e. they take the output from the LED-Wiz, and deliver power from the supply, based on that output.    Unless the lighting is static (always on) the amplifiers certainly are a necessary component.

Grounds carry current as well, and over current is what blows fuses.  When connected to the outputs of the LED-Wiz, they can protect the driver chips from damage due to short circuits and over current.   There is no difference to the driver chip output, between a short circuit to +V and a device pulling a huge current load.  Appropriate fuses protect against both.

I don't see any problems with the way this is wired.  It looks well thought out to be "bullet-proof"... except for the cork....
« Last Edit: July 14, 2016, 03:35:00 pm by RandyT »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Totally understand what you are saying. The Led-Wiz manual does however recommend using an external power source to drive leds, and also to use fuses on the outputs of the LED-Wiz. I've also seen Zeb (Zebs Boards) and others who make driver boards also recommend fuses.

You're not the only one who says that fuses aren't needed... but keep in mind that the LED-Wiz itself can also fail and cause issues AFTER the fuse.

Maybe its the 1000's of burnt circuit boards I've repaired over the years that has me paranoid...

I don't think you do fully understand what I'm saying.

The use of an external power source is, in fact, needed in your application. However, those amplifiers are NOT a power source. What you have powering the amplifiers is the power source. So... amplifiers are not needed what so ever in your application.

The LED Wiz manual does mention circuit protection via "an inline fuse". One fuse. Between the power supply and first component in the circuit.

It blows my mind that you have "repaired 1000s of burnt circuit boards" but are arguing against basic electrical principles...

You're right... the reason why I'm using the amplifiers was for a power source for the led strips (fed from my 12V supply through the amplifier), and their 4 pin connection made it easy for me to be able to unplug them from where my led strips are coming from (speaker panel), and with what parts I have on hand. They were just also plug-in convenience. Where I live, we don't have stores that provide electronics parts, so I don't have access to something as simple as a terminal strip or cable ends on a whim. I have to order EVERYTHING online...and I'm not going to wait for weeks for a simple part if have something on hand that will work.

So what you see is sometimes a result of what I had on hand to make it work.    Hence my previous posts comment about making the led-wiz / led strip driver layout being a result of accommodating what limited wiring / parts I had available..... not the result of some great idea on my end.


I guess the way I see it (and others), is that the Led-Wiz itself provides a connection from the fuse to GND through its own circuitry. That is not just a trace on a board to the GND. It passes through  electronic components that have limitations of what can pass through it.  The idea of fusing the outputs of the LED-Wiz is to "possibly" protect those components on the LED-Wiz. That is all I'm saying....its not something I magically came up.  This is something that many "trusted" people have recommended and I went with it.... no harm done.

The "Maybe its the 1000's of burnt circuit boards I've repaired over the years that has me paranoid..." comment was my (BAD) attempt at being humble.
« Last Edit: July 14, 2016, 03:46:08 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
You can run 2.5 meters of RGB LED strip off 3 outputs (RGB remember) of an LED Wiz....

...Those amplifiers are intended to be used when hooking up more than one strip (5 meters) together. Not saying what you did won't work, I just see a big waste of money in fuses, amplifiers, and terminal strips...

Be very careful about this kind of generalization.  LED Strip requirements are measured in current, not in length.  Some of these strips have 144 RGB LED's per meter!  When lit white, just one meter would consume 144 x 3 x .020a, or about 8.64 amps!  Even at 60 per meter, you are looking at 3.6 amps/meter at full on, or 9 amps for a 2.5 meter segment.  This kind of current can cause a dramatic failure, and might even be a fire hazard!

The use of those types of amplifiers is highly recommended for running RGB strips with any real quantity of RGB LEDs, or other high current loads.  They are inexpensive, and also greatly reduce the load on the LED-Wiz driver chips, so that other, lower current devices can use the remaining outputs safely.  In fact, many of the "booster" boards out there simply have nearly identical circuitry on the board, rather than being multiple discrete devices.

The use of an external power source is, in fact, needed in your application. However, those amplifiers are NOT a power source. What you have powering the amplifiers is the power source. So... amplifiers are not needed what so ever in your application.

The amplifiers are not the power source, but they allow the LED-Wiz to control much higher current loads.  I.e. they take the output from the LED-Wiz, and deliver power from the supply, based on that output.    Unless the lighting is static (always on) the amplifiers certainly are a necessary component.

Grounds carry current as well, and over current is what blows fuses.  When connected to the outputs of the LED-Wiz, they can protect the driver chips from damage due to short circuits and over current.   There is no difference to the driver chip output, between a short circuit to +V and a device pulling a huge current load.  Appropriate fuses protect against both.

I don't see any problems with the way this is wired.  It looks well thought out to be "bullet-proof"... except for the cork....

Thank-you for this response. It explains what my mind was thinking (when building this) much better than I'm able to express. I may change things up down the line, and my thought was to accommodate any changes that may come up down the line without having to change my board layout.

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede

The use of those types of amplifiers is highly recommended for running RGB strips with any real quantity of RGB LEDs, or other high current loads.  They are inexpensive, and also greatly reduce the load on the LED-Wiz driver chips, so that other, lower current devices can use the remaining outputs safely.  In fact, many of the "booster" boards out there simply have nearly identical circuitry on the board, rather than being multiple discrete devices.

Question... With RGB LED strips being extremely commonly controlled devices in the hobby today... Why not improve the LED-Wiz and incorporate this circuitry into your boards so your customers don't have to buy additional parts?
%Bartop

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6879
  • Last login:Yesterday at 01:56:55 am
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
Question... With RGB LED strips being extremely commonly controlled devices in the hobby today... Why not improve the LED-Wiz and incorporate this circuitry into your boards so your customers don't have to buy additional parts?

Basically, so the unit doesn't end up costing $100+, when such high current is not needed by all users, and certainly not on all outputs.  Better to keep it it modular, and allow end-users to add the amplifiers to only those outputs where high current control is desired, while still being able to control devices with lower current demands directly.  Each installation is different in this regard, and this approach allows for scalable installations.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Question... With RGB LED strips being extremely commonly controlled devices in the hobby today... Why not improve the LED-Wiz and incorporate this circuitry into your boards so your customers don't have to buy additional parts?

Basically, so the unit doesn't end up costing $100+, when such high current is not needed by all users, and certainly not on all outputs.  Better to keep it it modular, and allow end-users to add the amplifiers to only those outputs where high current control is desired, while still being able to control devices with lower current demands directly.  Each installation is different in this regard, and this approach allows for scalable installations.

This was a big reason why I stuck with Led-Wiz for my Pinball / Arcade combo cabinet. There were other excellent all in one (booster board, Pinscape, etc) solutions for virtual pinball cabinets, but Led-Wiz and Sainsmart combined with the cheap LED amplifiers really kept my costs down and made it very easy to setup. 

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede
Question... With RGB LED strips being extremely commonly controlled devices in the hobby today... Why not improve the LED-Wiz and incorporate this circuitry into your boards so your customers don't have to buy additional parts?

Basically, so the unit doesn't end up costing $100+, when such high current is not needed by all users, and certainly not on all outputs.  Better to keep it it modular, and allow end-users to add the amplifiers to only those outputs where high current control is desired, while still being able to control devices with lower current demands directly.  Each installation is different in this regard, and this approach allows for scalable installations.

So you're saying the amplifiers are inexpensive, but adding that circuitry to your design will more than double the cost of your product. That logic is sound... :applaud:
%Bartop

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede


Just poking fun. ;)

But in all seriousness. It's been what? 10 plus years since the LED-Wiz has been out? A LOT has changed since then. It'd be nice to see the popular parts used in projects get a little modernized. Change is good, Randy.
%Bartop

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6879
  • Last login:Yesterday at 01:56:55 am
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com
It's important to note, that even the Chinese manufacturers take the same scalable approach with their LED controllers, which is why those amplifiers are even in existence.  And they are inexpensive because they have dedicated factories, which crank them out by the millions.

Even after 10 years, the LED-Wiz is still one of our best-selling items.  So I have to believe it's doing what people want, and that is what is important to me.  It's also a simple, proven and robust design, with proven industry-standard components which have withstood the test of time.  I still have the same two units in my cabinet from the very first run, and they work as well 10 years later, as they did the first day they were installed.

I have indeed considered a "high-power" version, but there are already several options out there for folks who need this.  What we will likely do is offer the amplifiers as an option, with all of their connecting cables pre-attached and secured, to make them convenient and simple for users to install.  I'm actually using an LED-Wiz with 4 of these little amplifiers regularly on my shuffleboard table.  It's controlling 720 RGB leds, divided into 4, 3 meter strips.  99% of the time, it's full on (white) to provide illumination while playing.  The rest of the LED-Wiz outputs are used directly to illuminate buttons for the custom scoreboard software I wrote.  The entire setup is mounted to the inside wall of the case for the PC running it, and it has worked perfectly for over a year.

People sometimes try to do some crazy stuff, and make mistakes.  It just makes sense to be able to swap out an inexpensive amplifier when they let the smoke out, rather than disconnecting everything and have to pay to replace or service an expensive all-in-one board for one or two fried components.  Thagerty's, and the other design are excellent examples of something which is scalable, reliable and easily serviceable.   Kudos!
« Last Edit: July 15, 2016, 12:28:16 pm by RandyT »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
It's important to note, that even the Chinese manufacturers take the same scalable approach with their LED controllers, which is why those amplifiers are even in existence.  And they are inexpensive because they have dedicated factories, which crank them out by the millions.

Even after 10 years, the LED-Wiz is still one of our best-selling items.  So I have to believe it's doing what people want, and that is what is important to me.  It's also a simple, proven and robust design, with proven industry-standard components which have withstood the test of time.  I still have the same two units in my cabinet from the very first run, and they work as well 10 years later, as they did the first day they were installed.

I have indeed considered a "high-power" version, but there are already several options out there for folks who need this.  What we will likely do is offer the amplifiers as an option, with all of their connecting cables pre-attached and secured, to make them convenient and simple for users to install.  I'm actually using an LED-Wiz with 4 of these little amplifiers regularly on my shuffleboard table.  It's controlling 720 RGB leds, divided into 4, 3 meter strips.  99% of the time, it's full on (white) to provide illumination while playing.  The rest of the LED-Wiz outputs are used directly to illuminate buttons for the custom scoreboard software I wrote.  The entire setup is mounted to the inside wall of the case for the PC running it, and it has worked perfectly for over a year.

People sometimes try to do some crazy stuff, and make mistakes.  It just makes sense to be able to swap out an inexpensive amplifier when they let the smoke out, rather than disconnecting everything and have to pay to replace or service an expensive all-in-one board for one or two fried components.  Thagerty's, and the other design are excellent examples of something which is scalable, reliable and easily serviceable.   Kudos!

Awww.... thanks Randy T. I'm glad to see the extra bit of soldering / kit is not going to waste.

Since I have done alot of repairs of various different types of electronics kit over the years (consumer products, automotive systems, military land and aerospace comms), it changes how I look at things when building a project like this. You get to know what components tend to become defective, and how much of a pain it is to disassemble complex assemblies.

Most of my cabinet is built with what resources / parts / kit I have available to me. Not because it's the best of the best. I always try to find the cheapest / easiest option. It may not be the prettiest layout inside, but it works with what I'm able to utilize, and it will need to be disassembled for moving, as anyone in the military can be posted anywhere / anytime.

If I were to change anything, I would have made it so the computer and led / sainsmart trays would not have been the width of the entire cabinet, and could have slid out without having to unplug anything going up to the backbox.  randr's cabinets are a great example.


That being said, so far all the led lighting and solenoids are working great with the Led-Wiz and I couldn't be happier. Just waiting for my red / blue beacons to arrive (if ever).

Now to figure out how / where to mount this atwood 3000 blower fan!

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede
Your approach to conducting business is baffling. If I had an LED controller used by many... And to find out people were using other hardware with it... Well I'd damn well sure want them to be buying this additional hardware from me, and have it available to those who want it, instead of making them sift through other hobbiests' posts on various forums trying to figure out how to use my hardware how they want. For several years you've taken a defensive stance when it comes to advice on better serving customers. Not saying you're doing a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- job. Saying there is always room for improvement. But keep them blinders on! :cheers:
%Bartop

RandyT

  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6879
  • Last login:Yesterday at 01:56:55 am
  • Friends don't let friends hack keyboards.
    • GroovyGameGear.com

Awww.... thanks Randy T. I'm glad to see the extra bit of soldering / kit is not going to waste.

Since I have done alot of repairs of various different types of electronics kit over the years (consumer products, automotive systems, military land and aerospace comms), it changes how I look at things when building a project like this. You get to know what components tend to become defective, and how much of a pain it is to disassemble complex assemblies.

Most of my cabinet is built with what resources / parts / kit I have available to me. Not because it's the best of the best. I always try to find the cheapest / easiest option. It may not be the prettiest layout inside, but it works with what I'm able to utilize, and it will need to be disassembled for moving, as anyone in the military can be posted anywhere / anytime.

Being ex-military myself, and having also dealt with some of these repair situations, I know exactly where you are coming from.  Dealing with all-in-one custom electronics can be a nightmare, even if one has the skills to do the repairs themselves.  Finding the parts which have failed, and coming up with suitable replacements for often unmarked components, usually dictates the need to simply replace the entire board, at substantial expense.  It's why I find the modular approach to be better in the end.

Heck, I even have an LED-Wiz running a pellet stove here in the shop on an old obsolete laptop.  With the software I wrote, it actually works better than the $200 control board I would have needed to purchase.  It's controlling a couple of large SSR's, and can be repaired in 10 minutes if something stops working.  And that can be important when it's -20F outside, like it was when the original controller died on me :).
« Last Edit: July 15, 2016, 02:11:32 pm by RandyT »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
So now I finally have the solenoids all working. Unfortunately 1 of them was broken in shipping, so I had to settle for 9 instead of 10. Luckily DOF lets you easily combine cabinet toy functions through software, so I just combined middle center and rear center.

I decided to mount them on cross pieces since I was running out of room on the sides of the cabinet. This also allowed me to position them closer to where they would typically be in a real pinball cabinet. I also didn't like the very loud "metal smacking wood" sound the solenoids give when fully engaging (they would also sometimes get stuck open for 2 seconds).  So I used some "plexiglass / plastic" L-bracket looking pieces I had lying around for the solenoids to strike. This kept them from getting stuck and it sounded much better. I also used cable clamps for the slingshot solenoids which works really well to replicate that type of sound.

Sadly, I ran out of terminal strips, so I settled on using solder and electrical tape for the diodes connected to each solenoid. (to snuff out any EMI that could damage the Sainsmart relay board) That's why my wiring looks so wierd for some of this....and the lack of sleep from cleaning my house for 4 days straight didn't help either.


Here's a quick video showing them working:





« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:04:37 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Even more progress...let there be light!

Now my 5 flasher LED strips, strobes, start, launch, FIRE button lights are all working with both VP and FP. My beacons are wired and ready…just waiting for them to arrive in the mail!

Since I'll be installing addressable LEDs all around the playfield screen, there will be no room for a traditional RGB 5 flasher bar at the back of the playfield. I still want that function though because Future Pinball cannot use the addessable LEDS as they will be driven by DOF. (Future Pinball only works through legacy Led-Wiz, so far)

So I made use of the LED strips I already installed into my speaker holes. The left speaker has two seperate strips for the left side flashers, and the same goes for the right side. I just had to put a single LED strip at the back of the cabinet to act as the center flasher for now. It works suprisingly well...at least for me:



Here’s a quick video demo of my current 5 flasher layout and lights:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr7xtTICQjU&google_comment_id=z13vfpk54wryxjj5s04cjbxzzyetu3nhia0&google_view_type#gpluscomments




Now its on to getting my blower fan working. My blower fan (attwood 3000) works, but I gotta figure out where its going to go! Gotta find a way to convert a 3 inch hose to the coin door hole opening (similar to what randr did). Otherwise it will have to go on top of the backbox.

Once the fan is done and the beacons arrive…. then I’ll make a topper to finish it off!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:06:32 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Thar she blows!

After seeing blower fans on other pinball cabinets, I knew I was going to have one in my cabinet.

Visual Pinball currently supports up to almost 30 tables that utilize a blower fan. It can be long gusts of wind like in Twister and Whirlwind, or a quick burst of air during certain events... other examples are:

Attack from Mars - saucer exploding
Medieval Madness - catapult launch, castle exploding
Dirty Harry - shooting your gun
Twilight Zone - Rocket Launch
The Getaway - quick burst of air for each loop
Grand Prix and Nascar - quick burst of air for each lap
Jurassic Park - ?

...and many more.

Some people have a simple fan on top of their cabinet. Others use an inline blower fan. Since alot of the events are quick bursts of air, you need something that can push alot of air very quickly to get the right effect. I used an Attwood 3000 inline blower fan. Since I'm just using this with my relay board for simple on/off function, this works nicely.

Its very effective but also very loud when not used with a hose. When I tried it on top of my backglass, I found it to be too loud, and the air was being spread to wide and alot of the effect was lost for those quick bursts (an Attwood 4000 would work better on top).

So I decided to try randr's unique method....



....by installing it inside the cabinet and blowing air out through the coin eject hole and up to your face. This worked well for the space that I had. I just mounted it in front of the coin door (I don't use the coin mechanism) and connected with a bathroom vent hose. The only problem is coming up with some sort of upward facing scoop to use at the coin door eject hole. I haven't been able to find anything I can get to hack / work that was effective and could be installed with the mounting options that I had. So I just made my own hack job...




I really hope I can find something that will work better....   any suggestions?


Here's a quick video demonstration:

« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:09:32 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Well here it finally is....  addressable LEDS!


After seeing randr showing off addressable leds in action in his cabinet, I knew I would eventually want it!  Well here we go!

The idea is that addressable leds can be controlled individually throughout a strip instead having the entire strip turn on / off / change colour, etc.  As a result you can create cool animation and effects that can be used on the sides and back of your playfield in a pinball cabinet. They are 3 pin strips that run on 5V with a 5V, DATA, and GND line. The controller I'm using is a Teensy, and the software that controls it is DOF (Direct Output Framework)

For my cabinet, my playfield TV lays down on rails, so I couldn't just stick the led strips on the inside of the cabinet, as they may get in the way if I ever need to remove the TV. So I needed to have them mounted on something.  You can buy proper aluminum channels, but to order them online was quite costly with crappy CDN dollar and shipping.

So I decided to use these shelf rail things I found. They are normally mounted on a wall with the opening facing the wall so you can install shelf supports in the slots. They were cheap and they were black so they matched my cabinet inside perfectly. I just had to put in some long strips of backboard for the leds to stick on, or they would be in too deep and it would be hard to see them while playing.




The led strips I purchased are 144 per meter. I have over 700 leds installed. Thats alot of leds! As a result I had to use a dedicated 5V power supply rated at 60A! No matter what length of 144 / meter strip you buy, they all come with 0.5 meter strips soldered together. So if you want a seamless looking strip, you'll need to cut off an led or two and solder it back together. Since my work's soldering station just died, I was stuck with my crappy 21 year soldering iron. For the side led strips I wasn't worried about cutting them to make them look seamless.



Here is the matrix I made for the back of the playfield. This will look like a low-res led screen. It can be made up of how ever many led strips you want as the DOF software will just scale to whatever you have. I used my 2 meter strips and their middle 0.5 meter sections for the back matrix, as they were the perfect size without me having to cut any strips and resolder them to size.  I did however have to solder the 5V, data and gnd pins to and from each strip.



...and here it is in the back of the cabinet.



The connections start at the Teensy controller which is plugged into the computer via usb. Then the Teensy has a cat5 cable output that uses 2 of its wires for the GND and DATA line going to the first strip...which is the right playfield strip. The DATA line then gets connected to and from each strip / matrix, for a continuos connection. 5V and GND also needs to be tapped in at the begginning of each strip and the matrix, as there are alot of leds that need power.



These LEDS are REALLY bright on max brightness. To cut down on that and also to make it so you can't even see the led strips when they are off.... I had a custom piece of tinted plex-glass (5mm) made for the back matrix. That alone wasn't enough, so I needed to add window tint to the front of the plex-glass. I put on 20% tint. This combined with the plex-glass tint was perfect and hid the leds completely until they light up. Now I want to do the same for the sides, but I don't know if I can get plexi-glass cut that small and long.



Success! After setting up the DOF software, the leds strips look amazing!   It's hard to describe all the effects they do while playing, but here is a picture showing the back matrix displaying animations while browsing in Pinball X.





....and here is a video describing what the setup is, and showing what is looks like in Pinball X!







I'll make another video that will show some gameplay that shows off the cool effects while playing!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:20:46 pm by thagerty »

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Well here it finally is....  addressable LEDS!


After seeing randr showing off addressable leds in action in his cabinet, I knew I would eventually want it!  Well here we go!

The idea is that addressable leds can be controlled individually throughout a strip instead having the entire strip turn on / off / change colour, etc.  As a result you can create cool animation and effects that can be used on the sides and back of your playfield in a pinball cabinet. They are 3 pin strips that run on 5V with a 5V, DATA, and GND line. The controller I'm using is a Teensy, and the software that controls it is DOF (Direct Output Framework)

For my cabinet, my playfield TV lays down on rails, so I couldn't just stick the led strips on the inside of the cabinet, as they may get in the way if I ever need to remove the TV. So I needed to have them mounted on something.  You can buy proper aluminum channels, but to order them online was quite costly with crappy CDN dollar and shipping.

So I decided to use these shelf rail things I found. They are normally mounted on a wall with the opening facing the wall so you can install shelf supports in the slots. They were cheap and they were black so they matched my cabinet inside perfectly. I just had to put in some long strips of backboard for the leds to stick on, or they would be in too deep and it would be hard to see them while playing.




The led strips I purchased are 144 per meter. I have over 700 leds installed. Thats alot of leds! As a result I had to use a dedicated 5V power supply rated at 60A! No matter what length of 144 / meter strip you buy, they all come with 0.5 meter strips soldered together. So if you want a seamless looking strip, you'll need to cut off an led or two and solder it back together. Since my work's soldering station just died, I was stuck with my crappy 21 year soldering iron. For the side led strips I wasn't worried about cutting them to make them look seamless.



Here is the matrix I made for the back of the playfield. This will look like a low-res led screen. It can be made up of how ever many led strips you want as the DOF software will just scale to whatever you have. I used my 2 meter strips and their middle 0.5 meter sections for the back matrix, as they were the perfect size without me having to cut any strips and resolder them to size.  I did however have to solder the 5V, data and gnd pins to and from each strip.



...and here it is in the back of the cabinet.



The connections start at the Teensy controller which is plugged into the computer via usb. Then the Teensy has a cat5 cable output that uses 2 of its wires for the GND and DATA line going to the first strip...which is the right playfield strip. The DATA line then gets connected to and from each strip / matrix, for a continuos connection. 5V and GND also needs to be tapped in at the begginning of each strip and the matrix, as there are alot of leds that need power.



These LEDS are REALLY bright on max brightness. To cut down on that and also to make it so you can't even see the led strips when they are off.... I had a custom piece of tinted plex-glass (5mm) made for the back matrix. That alone wasn't enough, so I needed to add window tint to the front of the plex-glass. I put on 20% tint. This combined with the plex-glass tint was perfect and hid the leds completely until they light up. Now I want to do the same for the sides, but I don't know if I can get plexi-glass cut that small and long.



Success! After setting up the DOF software, the leds strips look amazing!   It's hard to describe all the effects they do while playing, but here is a picture showing the back matrix displaying animations while browsing in Pinball X.





....and here is a video describing what the setup is, and showing what is looks like in Pinball X!








I'll make another video that will show some gameplay that shows off the cool effects while playing!

See, this matrix you made is cool and interests me. I'd love to see a thread just on this part alone in more detail. Great job! :cheers:
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

MTPPC

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 535
  • Last login:November 26, 2021, 02:25:46 pm
Your approach to conducting business is baffling. If I had an LED controller used by many... And to find out people were using other hardware with it... Well I'd damn well sure want them to be buying this additional hardware from me, and have it available to those who want it, instead of making them sift through other hobbiests' posts on various forums trying to figure out how to use my hardware how they want. For several years you've taken a defensive stance when it comes to advice on better serving customers. Not saying you're doing a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- job. Saying there is always room for improvement. But keep them blinders on! :cheers:
When can we order a ledwiz alternative from you?
Pinball and Video Arcade Repair in Billings, MT USA
http://pinballmd.com/

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede
Your approach to conducting business is baffling. If I had an LED controller used by many... And to find out people were using other hardware with it... Well I'd damn well sure want them to be buying this additional hardware from me, and have it available to those who want it, instead of making them sift through other hobbiests' posts on various forums trying to figure out how to use my hardware how they want. For several years you've taken a defensive stance when it comes to advice on better serving customers. Not saying you're doing a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- job. Saying there is always room for improvement. But keep them blinders on! :cheers:
When can we order a ledwiz alternative from you?

I have a pile of LED controllers laying on my soldering table that I intended on selling along with NephRings. I shifted my business from a global focus to a local one two years ago, and I'm glad I did. :cheers:
%Bartop

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Your approach to conducting business is baffling. If I had an LED controller used by many... And to find out people were using other hardware with it... Well I'd damn well sure want them to be buying this additional hardware from me, and have it available to those who want it, instead of making them sift through other hobbiests' posts on various forums trying to figure out how to use my hardware how they want. For several years you've taken a defensive stance when it comes to advice on better serving customers. Not saying you're doing a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- job. Saying there is always room for improvement. But keep them blinders on! :cheers:
When can we order a ledwiz alternative from you?

I have a pile of LED controllers laying on my soldering table that I intended on selling along with NephRings. I shifted my business from a global focus to a local one two years ago, and I'm glad I did. :cheers:
NephRings are badass.

Oh, and mic drop.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Since i'm still fairly new to the scene here.... help me out.

What's your business based on Nephasth? ....and what are NephRings?

Nephasth

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1376
  • Last login:March 11, 2024, 11:02:52 pm
  • Bitches love Centipede
NephRings were a joystick lighting option I invented (as far as I know). I did a couple manufacturing runs to sell to members here. It was a lot of work for little pay. There was plenty of reward in helping others out with their builds, but I was putting too much time into it. Ended up giving the files to Paradise Arcade Shop. Unfortunately, they never made them available. :dunno Other members here have since come up with various DIY ways to replicate the effect NephRings give. Which is cool, that's what this site is all about, DIY.

Shortly after all that I started up an LLC. First phase of my business was to operate coin op dart boards at bars around town. My league has been growing consistently, and currently in its 6th season (2 years). I just paid all my dart boards off (around a $25k investment) a couple weeks ago. With them paid off and generating a steady and reliable income (which requires almost no work on my part), phase two will kick off relatively soon. But I can't talk about phase two... yet.

My business is just a side business for now. I'm a full time pipeline technician, but the goal is to grow the business enough to quit working for "the man."

Edit: Here's a link to the old NephRing sale thread - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132983
« Last Edit: July 31, 2016, 09:44:12 pm by Nephasth »
%Bartop

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
NephRings were a joystick lighting option I invented (as far as I know). I did a couple manufacturing runs to sell to members here. It was a lot of work for little pay. There was plenty of reward in helping others out with their builds, but I was putting too much time into it. Ended up giving the files to Paradise Arcade Shop. Unfortunately, they never made them available. :dunno Other members here have since come up with various DIY ways to replicate the effect NephRings give. Which is cool, that's what this site is all about, DIY.

Shortly after all that I started up an LLC. First phase of my business was to operate coin op dart boards at bars around town. My league has been growing consistently, and currently in its 6th season (2 years). I just paid all my dart boards off (around a $25k investment) a couple weeks ago. With them paid off and generating a steady and reliable income (which requires almost no work on my part), phase two will kick off relatively soon. But I can't talk about phase two... yet.

My business is just a side business for now. I'm a full time pipeline technician, but the goal is to grow the business enough to quit working for "the man."

That sounds great.... I love seeing people able to succeed from hard work!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
While I certainly intended to get another video that showed off the addressable led matrix in action..... I got distracted by a couple of things.

First...I updated to the newest VPX, and the newest UltraDMD.

Then I realised that I had been missing out on a bunch of VPX tables that came out in the last few months!



....but then as I'm about to make a video, my eye caught a great new little program that's a little bit of a game changer....

Pinball FX2 and The Pinball Arcade now have DOF feedback for flipper solenoids (NOT slingshots or bumpers!), RGB lighting and more thanks to a new program called DOFFX2.

It basically maps keyboard keys to trigger Led-Wiz or sainsmart outputs! It also has some other cool features like RGB lighting control, flipper solenoid timers, and more.



Here are videos that demo both Pinball FX2 and The Pinball Arcade on my cabinet running with DOFFX2 (1.3 beta).
 
I have the program set to be always on and active the whole time, and you can see it doesn't interfere with Pinball X running the DOF plug-in.
 
I have the flipper buttons triggering my solenoids.
 
I have the center RGB led strip "flasher" set to random flipper triggered RGB lighting.
 
I have the flippers set to turn on a left flasher as green, and a right flasher as blue.
 
I have the beacon, blower fan, and strobes set to go off during certain moments.... including an appearance from Scotty of Star trek!  ;)

...and other things too.
 
It's a simple demo of the kind of thing that can be done so far...
 
 
Here's a video demo of Pinball FX2:





Here's a video demo of The Pinball Arcade:





No more octo coupler circuits needed! This can be used for MAME, PC Games, etc...


Here's a link to the program's thread:

http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=35349
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:26:45 pm by thagerty »

Scotty_C

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 107
  • Last login:December 20, 2023, 05:56:08 pm
  • The addiction is strong!!
This just gets better and better!!  A VP will be my next build now

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Very nice, where's the tutorial for addressable led matrix setup, that's pretty sharp.

Also did you use a 16 relay board instead of 8 and does the addressable led matrix work with Pinball X?

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Very nice, where's the tutorial for addressable led matrix setup, that's pretty sharp.

Also did you use a 16 relay board instead of 8 and does the addressable led matrix work with Pinball X?

I used a Sainsmart NON-USB 16 relay board. It requires each relay to be triggered by low level inputs. This can be an LED-Wiz, Arduino, etc... 

Future Pinball only supports Led-Wiz, so that's why I went this route instead of a USB controlled Sainsmart ...and also for 10 solenoids, plus more toys in the future.


As for the addressable led strips and matrix..... there's WAY too much information for me to post here for a tutorial. It ONLY works with Visual Pinball and Pinball X because it works through Direct Output framework.

I will still be posting gameplay videos to demonstrate some of the cool features...  I just got side-tracked with beta testing this DOFFX2 program that has been progressing with some VERY cool new features, that allows it to be used with ANY program. MAME, PFX2, TPA, PC Games, other emulators, etc...


Here is the thread where I basically got all of my information for the addressable LED strips and matrix. It's a lot of information over a lot of pages....

http://vpuniverse.com/forums/topic/2180-addressable-rgbs/page-17






rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
ok so i just want to use it for pinball x table selection not future pinball. I like the strips on the side mainly.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
ok so i just want to use it for pinball x table selection not future pinball. I like the strips on the side mainly.

You would still need to install DOF and get that software up and going first. You pretty much will need to get Visual Pinball up and running to be able to test that out most likely.

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
So you used, 16 relays, a teensy and a led wiz correct.  I'm trying to see what all i need to buy.




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
So you used, 16 relays, a teensy and a led wiz correct.  I'm trying to see what all i need to buy.

Sainsmart 16 relay NON-USB 12V relay board:

http://www.sainsmart.com/16-channel-12v-relay-module-for-pic-arm-avr-dsp-arduino-msp430-ttl-logic.html

Teensy 3.2, OctoWS2811 Adaptor, Pins, USB Cable:

https://www.pjrc.com/store/octo28_adaptor.html

Led-Wiz 32 port with heatsinks:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=82&products_id=239

You would also need a separate 5V power supply good enough for how many LEDs you would use, and its recommended to get a separate 12V supply (for Sainsmart, solenoids, normal LED strips if you use them, etc) as well to protect your PC.

Just remember, Future Pinball will only have a few tables that will work with Led-Wiz. You will have to program in the Led-Wiz support yourself for most tables. (something I haven't done yet)


The addressable LED-Strips require dB2S server and DOF setup and installed. You pretty much need a full Visual Pinball 10 all in one installer, then you need to setup DOF for your system. Everyone's configuration will be different.  Lot's and lots of reading....

« Last Edit: August 03, 2016, 11:29:50 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Ok thats where you confused me, you said no octocouplers in another post.

To be clear, i dont want to use this function for any table, just for table selection in pinball X.  The shapes, with the side leds is all i want during table selection.

So do i still neds dbs2 and visual pinball setup just to do that.  I'm just going to run Future pinball only in this cab for now.

Trust me my head is spinning, i've been reading like crazy, even your posts when you were getting started  :) 

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
OK....as far as the addressable LED strips and the back matrix just in Pinball X, you WILL need to have this installed:

Teensy hardware and parts, 5V supply, wiring, connectors,etc...

Software:

d2BS server
Direct Output Framework (DOF) completely setup and configured. (I configured this partially with Visual Pinball. Not sure how to do that part without it)
Pinball X with DOF plug-in

The shapes and effects in Pinball X are all controlled by DOF. The back matrix will only show up for "table names" that have been configured for DOF.... so alot of Future Pinball tables "may" not show anything on the back matrix while browsing through Pinball X. Same goes for MAME, etc...


When I refer to no Octo-couplers...that is referring to not requiring an Octo-coupler circuit to trigger solenoids for your flippers in programs that don't use LED-Wiz or DOF  (PFX2, TPA).  That's why the program DOFFX2 is a big deal, because you can just do it through software instead of having your flipper buttons wired to a separate Octo circuit that triggers the solenoids and your gamepad / controller at the same time, ALL the time.


Believe me, my head is still spinning.....


rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Interesting, no ledwiz?

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Interesting, no ledwiz?


Not for addressable LEDs.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
AAAAAAH! Disaster has struck.



My center "DMD" / Marquee / extra display" monitor has died on me. I can't complain, it was 10 years old after all....

However, that means I have to replace it with a new monitor / TV.



The bad news, is:

I have to figure out how to mount this new screen. Old one was a 5:4 monitor with no vesa mount at all, new one is a 16:9 TV.

I have to make a new bezel to fit this new screen.

I have to re-do all my media to fit the new bezel.

New bezel will be a tad bit shorter on the 4th display

Future Pinball tables all have to be re-edited to fit the new bezel's 4th display area.



Good news:

The screen quality and colours will look much nicer. (You guys can't tell how dim and faded it was looking by my pics or videos)

I may re-do the speakers into 4 holes to better accommodate my RGB "flashers".

I'll have a monitor that will be much easier to remove.



I can hear you guys screaming.... "Dude, get a real DMD!"

If I put a real DMD into the back of my cabinet, there would be ALOT of unused space left as I can't fit another screen and a DMD into there. It really would look odd, and I'd hate it. Also, I really like having that extra "display area". Especially for MAME and Future Pinball.

Also, the cost of a DMD even with DIY would cost alot more than this new screen which was real cheap and looks great.



Alot of work to do now....but once its installed I WILL show some gameplay footage of VP with the addressable LEDS and matrix, before re-doing all the other stuff.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Disaster strikes.... a new look emerges!


Dead middle screen:

OK....so my middle "dual" screen which was a 5:4 monitor died on me (after 10 years of service). I now needed to get a new middle screen, and I had to re-build my bezel and speaker arrangement to accommodate it.

I didn't want to bother with another 5:4 monitor, because they are all old now, and I wanted to have something that could easily be replaced in the future. I really wanted to keep the "dual" screen function and I didn't have anough room for both a real DMD and a small screen (of decent size) in the space I had. (and it would look silly with only a DMD in there with lots of unused space)

I decided to go with a 19 inch 16:9 TV. It fit nicely and was the widest I could go....the colours were really nice....it was only $80 CDN new...and unlike the previous monitor which was a ---smurfette--- mount, this had a standard vesa mount. It also had 1:1 pixel mapping which made for a perfect crisp image.

After a bit of work, I was able to get to get it mounted in a way that could easily be adjusted in the future if I had to replaced this one. I now had a little bit of space above and below the TV since this is a widescreen monitor.


New Bezel, new function:

For the bezel, I now had a wider screen space, but that also meant that my speakers would have to be mounted to the farthest sides of the backbox. My "dual" screens would be closer together, and the top half a little bit smaller.

Since I had my RGB "flashers" inside my two speaker holes before and really liked how it worked, I wanted to still have that.... but I didn't like having 2 "flashers" within the same speaker hole. It would end up blending colours and not be distinctive enough. I wanted 4 separate "flashers".

I figured, since my left and right speakers each have 2 smaller speakers...then why not have 4 speaker holes in the bezel!


The RGB speaker holes!

Below is a 2 inch PVC coupler fitting (I think). I got one for each speaker. I cut a notch out at the bottom and put in a strip of RGB LEDs all around then inside....




....then I cut the bezel out of thin backboard, and hot-glued a RGB LED speaker spacer at each hole (after putting on carbon fibre vinyl wrap and automotive car trim in each hole).




....then I put speaker cloth on the back of each hole with an elastic band...




....and voila! Let there be discrete 4 RGB "flasher" lights!




Each speaker hole is now the Outer Left, Left, Right, Outer Right RGB flasher (center flasher is backbox backlighting).  You'll notice that the LED matrix below has 5 shapes. These are actually the equivalent of the 5 RGB flashers that is displayed for this table. (the shapes can be anything, I was just testing) Notice they are matching in colour with the speaker holes.   


Tables and media need to be re-done:


You'll have to excuse the squished Visual Pinball logo. Since all of my Pinball X "dual middle screen" media (which is one single picture or video) was created with a 5:4 ratio, it now all has to be re-done to look proper with a 16:9 ratio.

If Pinball X had a separate "default DMD video / picture" for each system, this would make my job much easier...

Future Pinball:

Future Pinball tables will all have to be re-edited again, to have all the elements (movie clips, scores, gadgets, etc) to fit the top of the middle screen. What you have seen in my Future Pinball videos in Pinball X for that section is not looping videos. Its all bits from actual gameplay within Future Pinball.

Here are some picture examples of Future Pinball with the new bezel:











At first, I thought the 4 holes looked a little weird, but after seeing the lights in use, I love it! The only thing I hate is the fact that I couldn't get the chrome trim to make a perfect circle.

....and it sounds better too!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:36:49 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
So to answer a bunch of questions, here is a video demonstration of Part 1 of my NEW dual screen / Bezel setup, and media creation This one focuses on Visual Pinball:








...and Part 2 focuses on Pinball FX2 and how to setup Future Pinball for a "dual" middle screen:







....now with that out of the way.... on to getting some VP LED Matrix gameplay videos!.... unless something ELSE happens...  :(
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:39:34 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Visual Pinball Addressable LED Matrix Gameplay Videos!


Well, after a few distractions:  my middle screen dying, creating a new bezel, getting VPX running in exclusive fullscreen issues, etc....


They are finally here! I said a while back I would get around to showing some videos of VP gameplay and effects from addressable leds through DOF....so here they are!


Unlike the rolling effects while browsing in Pinball X, these are different things that occur from various tiggers throughout gameplay. Explosions, looping effects, rocket trails, sparkles, symbols, shapes....all sorts of things.

Please note: this was the best angle I could get that would still show all 3 sections of the addressable LEDS. The brightness of the LEDs can also be adjusted...so you don't need to worry about being blinded while playing!

I apologize if I seem to repeat myself a few times....the damn power kept going out while I was recording, so I lost track of what I said in earlier videos.


Cool Real-time Gameplay Effects!

This first video shows Bride of Pinbot and Attack From Mars. Lots of different types of effects shown.... I continued to make other videos, even after the power goes out at the end of this video!





Explosions!

This second video shows off some explosion effects, trail effects, and more. Tables shown are Medieval Madness, and Monster Bash.






Looping and Trail Effects!

This third video shows some cool looping effects from The Getaway, as well as the neat effects in Star Trek and Circus Voltaire!






Beacons, Strobes, RGB Bar, and more effects!

This last video shows ALOT more tables, and demonstrates how the various lighting toys in a pinball cabinet can be replicated by the back matrix! Also shows some other effects. Tables shown are NBA Fastbreak, Jurassic Park, Scared Stiff, Tales of the Arabian Nights, Transformers, Twilight Zone, and Star Wars.







I hope these videos do justice in showing off the hard work from everyone involved in making these effects possible!

If there is something specific you want to see, let me know and maybe I can put up more videos!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:50:13 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Well how about that...

SLAMT1LT, better known for creating some of the best Future Pinball tables out there (original, recreation, modded, etc) has mentioned my pinball cabinet (saying "this is how his games should be played, etc...") on his website's main page, and linked one of my videos at the bottom where you see the featured videos.

Link to his website is here. Keep in mind that the main page changes all the time, so you may not see "the mention" anymore depending on how long its been. Either way, it's worth checking his page out, as its where you will see the newest versions of his fantastic tables.

http://speak1970.wixsite.com/slamspinballemporium

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
fyi if you want to link to videos

remove the 's' from https, add brackets to the front and end, only way i could get the code to show up.

flash=200,200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFLd_zC7vrI[/flash


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
To top it all off:


Well, I never really liked the way the strobes and beacon looked on top, just all plain looking. So I decided to make some sort of topper for them that would match the style of the rest of the cabinet. Nothing fancy...but I like it much better than the plain look... and the black & chrome really helps to isolate the strobes from the wall behind and makes their light much more concentrated and bright. Here's some pics:







« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 08:56:31 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here is a demo of the new program DOFLinx (formerly DOFFX2) by DDH69. I've been beta testing it for a while now. This program has many more features and now provides full true feedback for Future Pinball using DOF.

This means support for all of the modern pinball cabinet toys, lighting and feedback for Led-Wiz, Sainsmart USB, PACLED64, and KL25Z.

This is my first attempt at doing anything with VB script and adding feedback to a table. I modded Star Trek (Stern) Ultimate Edition by SLAMT1LT to include animated lighting effects and feedback. Here is a video demo of DOFLinx running on my cabinet:



« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:28:01 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
well shoot everything but the addressable LEDS  :'(

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I can only pray that one day that can happen!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Well... here it finally is....
 
Aliens Legacy (Ultimate Badass Edition) (V1.12) (DOFLinx-Cabinet Edition)
 
DOFLinx mod by TerryRed
 
A video demonstration of this table running on my cabinet using DOFLinx can be seen at:






Man, this mod was alot of work, but alot of fun....but only because this table has so many cool modes and features....
 
You have never seen a Future Pinball table with this kind of feedback and lighting in a cabinet!
 
I added animated RGB flasher effects for:
 
-machine gun turret fire
-grenade explosions
-nuclear explosions
-flame thrower
-blow torch
-custom flasher sequences to match those of the table's
-orbit (spinner?) effects
-ship drop sequence
 
I made use of some combined effects like shaker / blower fan / lights.
 
Devices supported on this table:
 
Left flipper
Right flipper
Left slingshot
Right slingshot
Mid field left solenoid
Mid field center solenoid
Mid field right solenoid
Back left solenoid
Back right solenoid
Flasher, outside left
Flasher, inside left
Flasher, center
Flasher, outside right
Flasher, inside right
Blower Fan
Shaker
Gear Motor
Strobe
Beacon
Start button
Coin button
Launch Ball button
FIRE button
RGB Undercab Lighting
 
 
I had to use 14 Timers and sub routines to match up some effects with video clips.
 
The table is a bit hard....but if you can progress, you'll be rewarded with a nice light show and some good feedback.

I've uploaded the table to PinSimDB....just waiting for a mod to approve it.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:28:33 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Well, here we go with another great Future Pinball original table being given the DOFLinx treatment!
 
I present to you.... ROBOCOP (Ultimate Edition) (DOFLinx - Cabinet Edition)!
 
A video demonstration of the table running on my cabinet using DOFLinx can be seen here:
 





The table is now on pinsimdb:

http://www.pinsimdb.org/pinball/table-23139-robocop_(ultimate_edition_1_05)_(p2_7)_(doflinx)

 
This was another fun table that is REALLY cool to play with alot of modes. The videos and sound combined with the flashing lights and feedback really make a difference!
 
I added animated RGB flasher effects for:
 
-Robocop gun fire (Ball Launch)
-ED-209 machine gun fire (failed to comply)
-Cain spinner
-Robocop Return Fire
-red / blue sirens
 
I made use of some combined effects like shaker / blower fan / gear motor and flasher lights.
 
Devices supported on this table:
 
Left flipper
Right flipper
Left slingshot
Right slingshot
Mid field left solenoid
Mid field center solenoid
Mid field right solenoid
Back left solenoid
Back right solenoid
Flasher, outside left
Flasher, inside left
Flasher, center
Flasher, outside right
Flasher, inside right
Blower Fan
Shaker
Gear Motor
Strobe
Beacon
Start button
Coin button
Launch Ball button
RGB Undercab Lighting
 
 
It's getting alot easier to add DOFLinx support, though I spend more time testing, then scripting.
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:29:03 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Man if you guys figure out the addressable leds for FP, you will be legends.  I'm still waiting on solenoids, they lost my first order.  :angry:

In the mean time i've been making pinball FX all pretty with custom DMD titles and finding HD videos for each game.  I tackle one table a night.

I'll be adding your tables to the arsenal soon, thanks for all of your help and support.

Cough, Tron and Avatar on your list by chance  :cheers:

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Man if you guys figure out the addressable leds for FP, you will be legends.  I'm still waiting on solenoids, they lost my first order.  :angry:

In the mean time i've been making pinball FX all pretty with custom DMD titles and finding HD videos for each game.  I tackle one table a night.

I'll be adding your tables to the arsenal soon, thanks for all of your help and support.

Cough, Tron and Avatar on your list by chance  :cheers:

Pretty much all of SLAMT1LT's tables are on my list :)  ...the only reason TRON LEGACY isn't done yet is because I know SLAM is updating it again...just don't know when he will release that...it could be a while. Tron and Avatar were among the first I wanted to do...I was just focusing on his more recently completed updates to his tables.

If DDH69 (who created DOFLinx) had addressable leds...it could happen.....but it's hard for him to add that support in when he can't even test it. He just now got his RGB flashers and other lights.

Oh, and DOFLinx 4.0 now supports full feedback for Pinball FX2! Flippers, slingshots, bumpers, controlled lights,etc...    but only on a handful of tables right now. DDH69 basically has to find areas of memory that are triggered while a table is playing and add those values in for each device,etc...  It works quite well...

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I present another fine Future Pinball table now given the DOFLinx treatment:
 
Superman (Ultimate Edition) (SLAMT1LT) (DOFLinx - Cabinet Edition)
 
A video demonstration of the table running on my cabinet using DOFLinx can be seen here:
 


 


 
This is another fun table that is now even better thanks to DOFLinx. 
 
I added animated RGB flasher effects for:
 
-Superman Ball Launch
-Machine Gun Fire
-Regenerating Sequence
-Ball Lock
 
I made use of some combined effects like shaker / blower fan / gear motor and flasher lights.
 
I made the RGB under cabinet lighting change based on events during play: Krypton Ball, Tilt, Fight, etc..
 
 
Devices supported on this table:
 
Left flipper
Right flipper
Left slingshot
Right slingshot
Mid field left solenoid
Mid field center solenoid
Mid field right solenoid
Back left solenoid
Back right solenoid
Flasher, outside left
Flasher, inside left
Flasher, center
Flasher, outside right
Flasher, inside right
Blower Fan
Shaker
Gear Motor
Strobe
Beacon
Start button
Coin button
Launch Ball button
RGB Undercab Lighting
 
 
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:29:38 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here we have another fine Future Pinball table given the DOFLinx upgrade!


Jaws (Ultimate Edition 1.05) (p2.7) (DOFLinx - Cabinet Edition)

Original table by rom, Ultimate Edition by SLAMT1LT, DOFLinx mod by TerryRed


To see this table running on my cabinet, watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhXJMQFa_pA&feature=youtu.be





I made a "DOFLinx Future Pinball table modding video tutorial" while modding this table. It can be seen here:

http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=36311



The table is available at PinSimDB here:

http://www.pinsimdb.org/pinball/table-23169-jaws

Enjoy!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:30:12 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Iron Man (Ultimate Edition 1.06) (DOFLinx – Cabinet Edition)



A video demonstrating this table in my cabinet using DOFLinx can be seen here:







The ULTIMATE Iron Man pinball cabinet experience!

-unique animated flasher effects based on what mode you’re in

-animated machine gun effects during Iron Monger modes

-animated electrical effects for Whiplash and Iron Monger

-blower fan gives a woosh effect while flying on the ramps

-shaker motor effects for Whiplash’s and Iron Monger’s magnets, as well as machine gun and repulsor fire

-every time the repulsor is fired off with the FIRE button (launch and Iron Monger attack), the flashers slowly charge up “white” to match the video clip and then blast.

-when Iron Monger rises and lowers, the gear motor operates.

-The RGB under cabinet lighting will change based on your music selection, and also what multiball or game mode you are in

-Fire button, of course works…as does Launch, Coin, and Start

-animated Orbits left / right.

-beacon goes off during all multiball modes, bogey, jericho, do or die, and Iron Monger modes.

-strobe effects

-10 solenoid feedback for flippers, bumpers, kickers, etc.

-and other stuff I probably forgot about…


Table is available now:

http://www.pinsimdb.org/pinball/table-23180-iron_man



Next table I'm adding DOFLinx to....    SLAMT1LT's original  Tron Legacy (Ultimate Edition 1.13)
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:30:39 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Tron Legacy (Ultimate 1.13) (SLAMT1LT) (DOFLinx - Cabinet Edition)

The Ultimate Tron Legacy virtual pinball cabinet experience...and only on Future Pinball with DOFLinx!

A video that shows off this excellent table with amazing DOFLinx cabinet effects can be seen at this link (in my cabinet) :






 

Features:

- amazing animated 5 RGB flasher effects

- RGB undercab lighting changes based on characters, multiball, and game modes

- gear motor operates with the Recognizer's movement

- shaker motor and blower fan operates for cinematic videos, and many table events

- 10 solenoid support for all mechanical devices (flipper, slings, bumpers, etc)

- beacon lights up during cinematics and certain game modes

- strobe effects throughout

- animated effects for: Video Game mode, Disc Wars, Clu Ball, Light Cycle Battle, Zeus multiball, Drain, Orbits, Challenge of the Grid, etc...

- Ramp: animated flasher effects change colour based on mode and game progression

- all effects combine for an amazing feedback and light show like no other pinball game!


Table will be available at PinSimDB, when it's approved. It's already available at vpinball.com


It's crazy.... there's over 1000 lines of DOFLinx commands and my own code that I put into this table!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:31:06 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Great job man...........downloading now....

Get you some rest....AVATAR next????? TOO COOL

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Great job man...........downloading now....

Get you some rest....AVATAR next????? TOO COOL

Thanks... I love this table.

As for Avatar..... haha, well I already have all the "normal" stuff done! Now I gotta work on all the custom stuff and extra cabinet toys,etc...

n3wt0n

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 540
  • Last login:January 27, 2024, 05:03:38 pm
This is some serious badassery going on in the virtual pinball world and I can't wait to get involved. Vpin work is a couple projects back but I have been following your build on youtube for a bit now.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
This is some serious badassery going on in the virtual pinball world and I can't wait to get involved. Vpin work is a couple projects back but I have been following your build on youtube for a bit now.

If you haven't watched them yet...look at the addressable led demo videos a bunch of posts back in this thread. They are amazingly cool, and I hope that Future Pinball will get support for them one day!

...but yes...I'm breaking new ground here.  When have you ever seen animated flashers combined with feedback devices used in a pinball cabinet this way?  I love it!

No matter how much work I may put into a table, it's always the machine gun and explosion effects that everyone likes.  :)

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Avatar (ULTIMATE 1.01) (p2.6) (DOFLinx - Cabinet Edition)


The Ultimate AVATAR virtual pinball cabinet experience...and only on Future Pinball with DOFLinx!

 
A video that shows off this excellent table with amazing DOFLinx cabinet effects can be seen at this link (in my cabinet) :







 
Features:

- amazing animated 5 RGB flasher effects

- animated explosion and machine gun flasher effects

- RGB undercab lighting changes based on multiball, score and game modes

- gear motor operates with the AMP Mech Walker's movement

- shaker motor and blower fan operates for magnets, cinematic videos, and many table events

- 10 solenoid support for all mechanical devices (flipper, slings, bumpers, etc)

- beacon lights up during cinematics and certain game modes

- strobe effects throughout

- flasher effects change colour based on mode and game progression

- Start, Coin, Launch Ball button lights: flash / On / Off during table events / functions

- all effects combine for an amazing feedback and light show!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:31:43 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Tron Legacy (STERN) (ULTIMATE) (DOFLinx - Cabinet Edition)

After all these years... the Ultimate Tron Legacy STERN virtual pinball cabinet experience is here! ...and only on Future Pinball with DOFLinx!

A video that shows off this excellent table with amazing DOFLinx cabinet effects can be seen at this link (in my cabinet) :






When the table first loads, press START (1) to turn on the table!  :)

Features:

- amazing animated 5 RGB flasher effects

- animated explosion and Light Jet machine gun flasher effects, and Light Cycle effects

- RGB undercab lighting changes based on multiball, game modes, and much more

- gear motor operates when shooting at the spinning disc

- shaker motor and blower fan operates for many table events

- 10 solenoid support for all mechanical devices (flipper, slings, bumpers, etc)

- beacon lights up during cinematics and certain game modes

- strobe effects throughout

- flasher effects change colour based on mode and game progression

- Start, Coin, Launch Ball button lights: flash / On / Off during table events / functions

- all effects combine for an amazing feedback and light show!

For SLAMT1LT's newest versions of his tables (without DOFLinx support), goto his website:

http://speak1970.wixsite.com/slamspinballemporium

Watch the video. This is a really cool table!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:32:14 pm by thagerty »

ndiniz

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 27
  • Last login:March 29, 2018, 12:18:22 pm
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
I want to make something like this. For starters, what frontend are you using? How much did it cost in Canadian dollars? I'm in the US, so I need to convert to US dollars. Nice rig!!!!!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Front End is Pinball X.

Cost....well I can't give you an accurate total as I just kept adding stuff in over a year.... maybe anywhere between $3000 to $5000?  I already had alot of the electronics and the cabinet was made from scratch. The only real pinball parts I used were the legs, plunger, and launch button, and the coin door was a cheap smaller door.

mafiafan123

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 112
  • Last login:March 01, 2022, 01:13:01 pm
  • i'd buy that for a dollar
Amazing work! Definitely a fan

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk


leapinlew

  • Some questionable things going on in this room with cheetos
  • Trade Count: (+4)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7906
  • Last login:Yesterday at 07:09:32 pm
But here's the million dollar question...

But do you play it? And, if you do, do you enjoy it, or are you finding things that need improved?

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

...play it....

....love it....

...always find new things I would love to do with it, and I'm always tweaking things.

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Yeah this new setup is not your normal vpin.  Just the new software adds alone, I play mine all the time and its not even in a cabinet yet, the effects are enough to keep you interested.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Another big difference....unlike arcade cabinets which are focused on mostly playing games....

.... virtual pinball presents opportunities to create games, or contribute to helping to make parts of pinball games.

Sadly....starting next weekend, i will be away from my cabinet for about 4 months for work. Maybe i'll be home on weekends.

Hopefully I can get Star Wars Death Star Assault (Ultimate 1.03) DOFLinx mod done before then...

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Star Wars Death Star Assault (ULTIMATE 1.04) (DOFLinx - Cabinet Edition)
 
The most explosive and Ultimate Star Wars pinball experience is here...and only on Future Pinball with DOFLinx!
 
A video that shows off this excellent table with amazing DOFLinx cabinet effects can be seen at this link (in my cabinet) :








Features:

- activate the Lightsabers (during attract mode) with the FIRE / 2nd flipper / Special Button
- amazing animated 5 RGB flasher effects
- animated explosion, Tie Fighter, and X-wing blaster RGB flashers effects
- RGB undercab lighting changes based on the intense action
- gear motor operates everytime R2-D2 rotates his head
- shaker motor and blower fan operates for explosions and other table events
- 10 solenoid support for all mechanical devices (flipper, slings, bumpers, etc)
- beacon lights up during cinematics and certain game modes
- strobe effects throughout
- Start, Coin, Launch Ball button lights: flash / On / Off during table events / functions
- Millennium Falcon Video mode!
- Chewie gets angry if you don't give him money!
- lots of video clips and sound effects for non-stop action!
- all effects combine for an amazing feedback and light show!
 
 
 
I was glad that I was able to get this done before I'll be gone for 4 months.
 
Another great video demo that's worth watching to the end....
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:32:51 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
just a suggestion, make a DOFLinx thread in either software or pinball section. Post your table updates there. More likely to get seen and it keeps the project thread more focused on the project itself.

I'll definitely consider that when I'm not far away from home for a long time, and I have more time for a dedicated thread (as that will lead to answering alot of questions at first).

Here are a few other videos of DOFLinx mods I did recently for those interested....


Bubble Bobble







Knight Rider







RetroFlair







....and finally a VERY cool Visual Pinball X table. The Walking Dead LE. This has the crossbow, full colour virtual DMD with pretty dots, PWM flashers, and a customized Cleland rom for original music and sounds from the TV show.

I also added my own little mod of the addressable led 5 RGB flashers emulation. Instead of the normal circle shapes, I have it spell out "DEAD". I think it looks pretty cool!






« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:35:24 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Transformers  :applaud:

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Transformers  :applaud:

I'm waiting for SLAM to finish his update, as its a big update. It's alot of work to transfer over a DOFLinx mod.... I know because I did it like 3 times for Star Wars DSA.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Now I'm finally back home after 4 months...and I'm going to be really busy getting my house ready to sell....but I figured I'd pass along some recent updates that have been going on.



First was my latest DOFLinx mod of DRAKKO's excellent Wipeout for Future Pinball. A video demo can be seen here:









Next, is a big update of Pinball X. Now it supports video toppers.  A video topper is displayed on a screen above your backglass screen. You can have Pinball X display a video here while browsing, but also while actually playing your game.  For me, I make use of this for the upper half of my dual middle screen. This makes my life soooo much easier. Now I finally have all of my media properly caught up and formatted to use with this for VPX, PFX2, and Future Pinball. A video demo can be seen here:








Lastly...  I decided to finally add in Letters and Shapes to DOF R3's   *shapes.xml file to be used with addressable leds for all tables.  After bugging poor Arngrim, he's added them to the DOF Config Tool!  So now everyone can use them!


Here's a quick video showing a few examples of a simple 5 flasher replacement for Tales of the Arabian Nights "TOTAN", Theatre of Magic "MAGIC", and Walking Dead  "DEAD".









I've also decided to try dabbling into doing DOF'ing for VP.  I've added full effects and animation for addressable leds for ACDC LE for VPX.  I'll have a video up soon enough to show that off!
« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:39:04 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
AC/DC LE for VPX. Such an amazing table. Gorgeous.

I think it deserves something special....   how about some cool new addressable leds matrix effects, animation, letters and words that appear for almost everything throughout the table events.

I present to you...my 1st ever DOF mod for a VP table. The AC/DC cabinet "FIRE" edition!  ;)    I added in all the DOF for addressable leds, as well as a couple of beacon and FIRE button functions! (Arngrim already had the normal DOF stuff done)

Some effects included are:

- animated effects for the electric spinner,

- animated effects for the bell

- letters that light up (with effects) for each target (AC/DC, TNT, ROCK) and the AXE rollovers

- animated effects and the word "FIRE" that show up when the cannon is ready to fire

- side rail effects for each ramp

- bumper and slingshot effects

- side rail effects for drain

- 5 flasher emulation on the side strips, positioned where they are on the playfield



Here is a video demonstration a bunch of gameplay in my cabinet. You've never seen a VP table look quite like this.....






« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:41:03 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
You Have the POWER!!!  with my MASTERED Edition update to "Rom's" excellent "Masters of the Universe" Future Pinball table. I've also created an "all-new" DOFLinx cabinet mod as well. This table mod is inspired by SLAMT1LT's tables as well as the newer pinball machines (from JJP, Stern, Heighway Pinball) that now use monitors instead of DMDs.

      A video demonstration that shows off all the features of the MASTERED Edition as well as the DOFLinx mod can be seen here:







MASTERED Edition:

- new backglass with various fanart. Formatted specifically to work with 16:9, and 4:3 screens.
- new full motion video sequences for almost all table actions and modes. These are NEW hi-resolution video clips that now appear on the backglass (and display HUD for desktop users)
- new info display shown on backglass
- new sound clips

Watch Prince Adam dance to the beat (and the animated matching flashers) of Castle Multi-Ball!

Experience the woosh of blower-fan air from Ripper Multi-Ball.

FEEL the POWER (and shaker motor) when you become HE-MAN and see your power emanate from the flashers.

FEAR Skeletor as he launches his devastating 9-Ball Multi-Ball and watch him laugh at you on the backglass.

Go beyond the days of DMDs and see full hi resolution videos and info displays on the new animated backglass.

Don't be a cheap skate, or Skeletor will get angry!

With 1000's of images, and new sounds...this makes for a MOTU experience like no other, and a Pinball experience found nowhere else!



DOFLinx Cabinet Edition:

-10 solenoid feedback for flippers, bumpers, slings, kickers, etc
-gear motor for Castle Grayskull, Ripper, and He-Man
-shaker motor feedback to feel the power and action
-blower fan feedback for Ripper ramp
-5 RGB flasher animated effects
-RGB under cabinet lighting
-beacon and strobe effects
-coin, start, and launch button leds


A normal Desktop version of the MASTERED Edition as well as a DOFLinx Cabinet version of the MASTERED Edition will be on PinSimDB when approved.


Here are some still pics from the Desktop version.







« Last Edit: July 08, 2017, 09:44:12 pm by thagerty »

Namco

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 621
  • Last login:March 08, 2024, 06:12:56 pm
  • Now addicted to Williams pins... all of them.
    • Freddo Mame Project
Uh, Terry?...Please update your photobucket account :P



« Last Edit: July 06, 2017, 12:05:52 am by Namco »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Uh, Terry?...Please update your photobucket account :P


Unfortunately Photobucket changed their TOS.... so now I basically have to PAY them now if I want to host my pics, as apparently they are too popular.   :(

I'm not playing that game...so I need to find another free hosting service that won't hold my pics hostage. If anyone has good suggestions, please let me know.

Once I do, I will have to edit ALL of my posts to the new site's links... which will take a long time.

PL1

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9390
  • Last login:Yesterday at 07:39:08 pm
  • Designated spam hunter
I need to find another free hosting service that won't hold my pics hostage. If anyone has good suggestions, please let me know.
I've heard that arcadecontrols.com will provide free hosting for your pics.*   ::)


Scott

* Cheesecake thread posts and spam excluded.  :lol
« Last Edit: July 06, 2017, 02:40:48 am by PL1 »

Namco

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 621
  • Last login:March 08, 2024, 06:12:56 pm
  • Now addicted to Williams pins... all of them.
    • Freddo Mame Project
Uh, Terry?...Please update your photobucket account :P


Unfortunately Photobucket changed their TOS.... so now I basically have to PAY them now if I want to host my pics, as apparently they are too popular.   :(

I'm not playing that game...so I need to find another free hosting service that won't hold my pics hostage. If anyone has good suggestions, please let me know.

Once I do, I will have to edit ALL of my posts to the new site's links... which will take a long time.

Fair enough, it's not too hard to just click on one of the links and see them on photobucket 1st person. I'm going to start cutting soon on a sorta bartop pinball with a trackball and 4-way stick, so Pinkadia is an obvious inspiration.

DeLuSioNal29

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 4778
  • Last login:October 20, 2023, 11:39:06 pm
  • Build the impossible -"There is no Spoon"
    • DeLuSioNaL's YouTube Videos
I need to find another free hosting service that won't hold my pics hostage. If anyone has good suggestions, please let me know.
I've heard that arcadecontrols.com will provide free hosting for your pics.*   ::)
This.

Post them here:  http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,149895.msg1622199.html#msg1622199
Stop by my Youtube channel and leave a comment:

1500points

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 550
  • Last login:November 20, 2018, 01:44:12 pm
    • How to succeed at Robotron
I have been wanting to build one of these for years but can't quite seem to get onto the on ramp with all of the bits and pieces to accomplish it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

As for photobucket being lame....

I've been slowly getting all the pics hosted and linked on a new site.... starting from the first post on. Should be done later tonight.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

....and..... it's done. All pics should now show up in the posts. Hope I never have to do that again.

Britxpatusa

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3
  • Last login:January 19, 2024, 11:41:42 am
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
WTH SlamT1lt stopped releasing tables  :badmood: :hissy: :angry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Well, I'd like to say that this post is about an upgrade to the pincab, but....

We just moved to Ottawa this week. Its been a long couple of weeks of packing, loading, cleaning, and living in a hotel with myself, wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. VERY tiring.

We were happy to finally take possession of our new home, and to see the moving truck arrive with all of our stuff. The move went amazingly well without any real scratches or damages to the house.

Amazingly, our items arrived undamaged.... except for "one" thing......







:(


Namco

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 621
  • Last login:March 08, 2024, 06:12:56 pm
  • Now addicted to Williams pins... all of them.
    • Freddo Mame Project
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Sorry to see that, man. See, I knew you should have put glass in there! When I make mine, I'm putting plexi. Well now you can upgrade the display. 4k, perhaps?

Richie_jones

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 307
  • Last login:February 10, 2024, 02:04:21 pm
NOooooo..haha just read this entire thread and now this!!, Time for some more mods??

barrymossel

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 498
  • Last login:October 29, 2021, 11:25:52 am
  • Spectrum
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.0.html
I am not crying easily, but this almost got me going... This is such a shame. I just love this build. Pleasssse fix it asap, as it deserves it!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Small video of the new mancave space....in a total mess of course.




Cabinet should be up and running soon....








barrymossel

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 498
  • Last login:October 29, 2021, 11:25:52 am
  • Spectrum
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.0.html

Small video of the new mancave space....in a total mess of course.




Cabinet should be up and running soon....
Clean up your Windows desktop!  ;D

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Small video of the new mancave space....in a total mess of course.




Cabinet should be up and running soon....
Clean up your Windows desktop!  ;D

Lol...I've heard that from 3 people today.... 

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Ok, so now I'm a much happier man. My mancave is mostly up and running. PinKadia is alive again, and the simpit is shaking the house again after a long absence... driving my wife crazy!



Here's a video tour describing what I have, and how everything works and is wired together and how VR is setup to work with everything. I show off the simpit and how my 12 transducer telemetry feedback setup works and you also get to "hear" how it works too! It is amazing combined with VR!









If want to skip right to the simpit demo then go here....



https://youtu.be/jKHKb9YML8w?t=5m2s



Just waiting for the new TV to get replaced, then I'll make a stand for that to go over the simpit to bring the screen closer.  Then the last screen and game consoles will go the the unused space.


yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Everytime you say mancave, I want to punch a kitten.
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Everytime you say mancave, I want to punch a kitten.

Hahaha....I knew this was coming.  I honestly haven't said "mancave" much since my post from way back, when it annoyed you before. After watching the video I knew I'd hear about it here (but nowhere else it seems).

:)

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
Everytime you say mancave, I want to punch a kitten.

Hahaha....I knew this was coming.  I honestly haven't said "mancave" much since my post from way back, when it annoyed you before. After watching the video I knew I'd hear about it here (but nowhere else it seems).

:)

Think of the kittens, bro. Think of the kittens. :cheers:
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Apparently its not just you guys who hate "mancave". A friend of mine who runs vpinball.com also hates that term.  I'll just call it Gameroom from now on.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2017, 09:42:48 pm by thagerty »

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html

Apparently its not just you guys who have "mancave". A friend of mine who runs vpinball.com also hates that term.  I'll just call it Gameroom from now on.

***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

yotsuya

  • Trade Count: (+21)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 19955
  • Last login:March 17, 2024, 12:41:11 am
  • 2014 UCA Winner, 2014, 2015, 2016 ZapCon Winner
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636.msg1420628.html
***Build what you dig, bro. Build what you dig.***

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
A day of greatness is upon us....

DOFLinx will soon support triggering "any" DOF device and command.

This means that finally.... addressable leds (MX), will work with Future Pinball and Pinball FX2!

 

Here's a coming soon "reveal" video I made....   "Let there be light!"






rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Very nice man, no need for the additional flashers on the backglass, woohoo.


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Very nice man, no need for the additional flashers on the backglass, woohoo.

I keep thinking the same thing....maybe if I one day redo my backglass to a hybrid PB2K style, then that will happen. Also, all the FP and FX2 tables need to be updated with the new FF_DOF "E",xxx  commands that trigger the DOF MX commands.

MOTU was easy to do because of how I did the script mod (every action has its own sub routine, all VERY organised). Other tables aren't as easy, but they will get there.

FX2 tables will be very easy for DDH69 to update since they are much simpler for effects. He just addes the new commnds to the existing xxx.FX2 file.


Arngrim has all the FX2 tables and a big list of FP tables on the DOF Config Tool now!  They don't have DOF yet (and you need to wait for DDH69 to return from vacation to finish up the DOFLinx update), but you "should" be able to use the Pinball X entries for your tables for Pinball X effects.  I haven't tried it yet, but you may need to have the table name (or description?) in Pinball X match the  "romname" in DOF Config Tool.   For FP it would be the fp_romname, and FX2 would be fx2_romname.


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
....and whats awesome about this is (when its released), is that if you want to change any MX effects, colours,etc  for a specific table....you don't need to touch the FP table script or FX2 at all.  You just change it on DOF config Tool in your custom table config, just like you can with VP!


rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
ok it looks like if there are any VP tables with a similar name it pulls in the back effects for FP tables.

regardless if its set up in the DOF config tool.

I'm sure now that he has the individual tables for FP and FX2 whatever you put in the PB MX back will override the preliminary match it tries to do initially.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
ok it looks like if there are any VP tables with a similar name it pulls in the back effects for FP tables.

regardless if its set up in the DOF config tool.

I'm sure now that he has the individual tables for FP and FX2 whatever you put in the PB MX back will override the preliminary match it tries to do initially.

Yah, I'm playing with that now.

It "seems" that if your Table's "Description" in Pinball X Game Manager (which is the same name as your PBX media files for the table) matches closely with what is in the "Table Name" in DOF Config Tool.... then it will show whatever effect you entered in PF Back PBX MX.

Just tried it with FX2 and FP tables.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
ok it looks like if there are any VP tables with a similar name it pulls in the back effects for FP tables.

regardless if its set up in the DOF config tool.

I'm sure now that he has the individual tables for FP and FX2 whatever you put in the PB MX back will override the preliminary match it tries to do initially.

To clarify even further....

It will ignore the "FX2:" and "FP:" that's in the table name in DOF Config Tool.

It will ignore brackets in a table name ,  "Aliens Legacy (Ultimate)"

Some name need to be the same.

So in DOF Config Tool you will see:

FP: Aliens Legacy (Ultimate)
FX2: Aliens
FX2: Bethesda - Doom

If you want your specific PF Back PBX MX effects (that you entered for that table in DOF Config Tool) to show up in Pinball X, you would have Pinball X's "Description" in Game Manager (and also your table's media to match) be like this:

Aliens Legacy, or Aliens Legacy (Ultimate)
Aliens
Bethesda - Doom      (just having Doom didn't seem to work)

It would be nice if we could also use the table's "rom" entry in the xml files for the "system's" database. That would allow us to use any naming convention we want.


rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
You on win 10 or 7

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Win 10, 64 bit.

i5 2500k 8GB ram, GTX 970  in the cabinet.

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Caution on updating to the 1720 creator.  I did and it hosed up my pbx DMD and DOF output at bootup, still haven't figure out why.

The PBX direct output log has a line that says no config file can be found, but when i exti out of pbx and back into it, it finds it, but if i shell to it, the file can't be found.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Yah, I think I had that update already....and yah it causes some weird stuff at first.  This is the only major thing I don't like about Win 10. (though if you persist you can disable updates)

ivwshane

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1036
  • Last login:December 24, 2022, 09:35:21 pm
    • My first mame cab! (WIP)
I've only got one word!


DAMN!!!!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Masters of the Universe: Mastered. DOFLinx MX Cabinet Edition
 
You have the power of the ultimate light show in a pinball cabinet! This is the first Future Pinball table to use addressable leds thanks to the new DOF led MX support in DOFLinx 5.20!
 
You have never seen a light show quite like this in a pinball cabinet! Amazing effects and animation that surround the playfield!
 
A video demonstration can be seen here in my cabinet:







This table has the complete cabinet feedback and lighting support for the following:
 
- 10 solenoids for flipper, slingshots, bumpers, etc..
- 5 RGB flashers
- Blower Fan
- Shaker
- Gear motor
- Strobe
- Beacon
- Start button
- Coin button
- Launch Ball button
- RGB Undercab Lighting
- Addressable leds
 
 
Requirements:
 
- DOF R3 installed (for DOFLinx cabinet feedback and lighting) and addressable leds already setup and working (for MX led effects).
- DOFlinx 5.20 or higher is REQUIRED, even if you don't have addressable leds.
- addressable leds are NOT required to play this table, but they are HIGHLY recommended.
- to use the addressable leds with this table you must have your DOF "config" files updated by using DOF Config Tool! (just like you would for Visual Pinball)
 
 
To play a Future Pinball table with addressable leds support (DOFLinx MX):
 
- update DOFLinx as per normal (must be 5.20 or higher). Make sure you copy over the new DOFLinx.vbs to "Future Pinball \ Scripts".
- add DIRECTOUTPUTGLOBAL=c:\DirectOuput\Config\GLobalConfig_b2sServer.xml   (assuming you have it there)  to your DOFLinx.ini file.
- download the awesomeness of a Future Pinball DOFLinx MX table
- check DOF Config Tool to see if support for that table has been added to it yet  (you will see FP tables start with "FP:") If there are no DOF commands showing for that table, its not supported yet.
- "Generate" a new Config File (containing directoutputconfig30.ini in the zip)  and copy the new files to your "DirectOutput \ Configs"  folder.
- play the epicness that is Future Pinball with DOFLinx cabinet feedback and addressable leds!
 
 
DOFLinx 5.20+ download link:
 
http://www.vpforums....&showfile=12318


Table will be available here when approved:

http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=13089


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Star Wars Death Star Assault (Ultimate): DOFLinx MX Cabinet Edition

Witness the most explosive light show in a pinball cabinet thanks to the new DOF addressable led MX support in DOFLinx 5.20!

You have never seen a light show quite like this in a pinball cabinet! Amazing effects and animation that surround the playfield!

- Lightsabers,
- explosions
- X-Wing and Tie-Fighter Blasters
- flashing words like SPECIAL, PADAWAN, JEDI, SOLO
- targetting computer
- video mode

A video demonstration in my cabinet can be seen here:







This table has the complete cabinet feedback and lighting support for the following:
 
- 10 solenoids for flipper, slingshots, bumpers, etc..
- 5 RGB flashers
- Blower Fan
- Shaker
- Gear motor
- Strobe
- Beacon
- Start button
- Coin button
- Launch Ball button
- Fire button
- RGB Undercab Lighting
- Addressable leds
 
 
« Last Edit: September 25, 2017, 09:37:10 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Since I haven't really done any FX2 videos for DOFLinx, I think the new release of 5.20 which supports addressable leds makes this a good reason to have a video demonstration.

DOFLinx is part of the complete cabinet experience for Pinball FX2!

-addressable leds
-B2S active backglass
-full DOF feedback and lighting support

Add in freezy's dmdext for virtual DMD (clean round dots) or real DMD support




« Last Edit: September 26, 2017, 04:58:20 pm by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Retroflair: DOFLinx MX Cabinet Edition

Wipeout: DOFLinx MX Cabinet Edition


Witness a modern light show in a retro theme, thanks to the new DOF addressable led MX support in DOFLinx 5.20!

A video demonstration in my cabinet can be seen here:










These tables have the complete cabinet feedback and lighting support for the following:
 
- 10 solenoids for flipper, slingshots, bumpers, etc..
- 5 RGB flashers
- Blower Fan
- Shaker
- Gear motor
- Strobe
- Beacon
- Start button
- Coin button
- Launch Ball button
- RGB Undercab Lighting
- Addressable leds
 
 

Scotty_C

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 107
  • Last login:December 20, 2023, 05:56:08 pm
  • The addiction is strong!!
keep up the amazing work...one day I'll understand how to do this stuff (and have my own vpin ;) )

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Finally, my new screen has come in. Upgraded to a 43 inch 4K TV, and it looks beautiful. Everything is crisp and clean and smooth, no lag. Here's an updated video of the Gameroom and TerryRed Studios.....  ;)






ivwshane

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1036
  • Last login:December 24, 2022, 09:35:21 pm
    • My first mame cab! (WIP)
Is your cabinet a standard wide body? With the new 43" TV did you need to decase it and if not is the tv bezel hidden underneath the glass rails?

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Is your cabinet a standard wide body? With the new 43" TV did you need to decase it and if not is the tv bezel hidden underneath the glass rails?

Williams Widebody.... no need to decase it (newer TV's are harder to do that with because they are not edge-lit)...bezel not hidden under glass rails, but they are partially hidden under my addressable led rails.

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
did you swap over to PBFX3 yet?

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
did you swap over to PBFX3 yet?

Not until I know DOFLinx and dmdext will work with it.  I have tried it out though and the upgraded tables look really nice.


Avatar (Ultimate) for FP is updated to DOFLinx MX now, and it looks awesome! Just waiting on Arngrim to add it to the DOF Config Tool database before uploading the table.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Avatar (Ultimate): DOFLinx MX Cabinet Edition


Featuring the most stunning particle effects, explosions, and machine gun blasts never seen before in a pinball cabinet!


A video demonstration in my cabinet can be seen here:








This table has complete cabinet feedback and lighting support for the following:

10 solenoids for flipper, slingshots, bumpers, etc..
5 RGB flashers
Blower Fan
Shaker
Gear motor
Strobe
Beacon
Start button
Coin button
Launch Ball button
RGB under cabinet lighting
Addressable Leds


Table will be available once the MX configs are added to DOF Config Tool's public database.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Tron Legacy (Stern) (Ultimate): DOFLinx MX Cabinet Edition



The Grid's most awesome addressable leds make for Light Cycle ramp effects, Light Jet Cannons, Explosions and the coolest de-resolution effects you have ever seen in a real pinball cabinet!



A video demonstration of this table can be seen here in my cabinet:









This table has complete cabinet feedback and lighting support for the following:

– 10 solenoids for flipper, slingshots, bumpers, etc..
– 5 RGB flashers
– Blower Fan
– Shaker
– Gear motor
– Strobe
– Beacon
– Start button
– Coin button
– Launch Ball button
– RGB Undercab Lighting
– Addressable Leds

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

OK...so with Stranger Things Season 2 about to start... I thought something could use an addressable leds update! I asked ScottyWic if it would be ok for me to add custom addressable leds triggers to the table and DOF MX code to the table script and he said go for it!

So I did!

Note, I didn't replace or change the normal DOF (I did fix a couple DOF trigger errors). I added completely different trigger commands and "E" numbers used only for DOF MX leds.   This allowed me to do whatever I wanted without interfering with what was already there.  It also allows anyone who doesn't like what I did to simply erase the "MX commands" for their custom config for the table in DOF Config Tool...and simply "Generate Basic MX Config" to go back to the Basic MX Flashers emulation....but who would want that?  ;)

The new table version 2.2 (with my DOF MX updates) was submitted to ScottyWic, so he'll be uploading it soon.  I also submitted the "all new"  DOF MX commands to DOF Config Tool (which REQUIRES 2.2) which is waiting approval.

What would a TerryRed update be without a video....  here is a demo of my DOF MX mod of Stranger Things 2.2:






rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

The Getaway: Hi-Speed 2

Here is a demo video of my update to the addressable leds for this table. Some of the highlights:

- I kept all of Swisslizard's original MX led effects
- added new RPM Tachometer "VROOM" effect (activated with flipper when ball in plunger lane)
- "SHIFT" flashes on back MX whenever shift light is on.
- Added Orbit Effects.
- Added animated effects for ALL actions on the table.
- Added Red / Blue Beacon effects.
- Removed any duplicate PF Back MX flashers that already had animated MX Effects.
- Added some flashers and effects on the Left and Right MX.
- Very cool light show!


If you want to skip my ranting at the beginning, go to 2:40 to go right to the demo.









The update has been submitted to DOF Config Tool. Once it has been approved, you just need to update your DOF Config files with the Tool and you are good to go!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I present to you, the world’s first PinUp Player table mod, Tron Legacy VPX (PUP Edition).

PinUp Player is a new program that allows for full video files to be played on your backglass, topper or dmd screen, when triggered from in table events. This basically means you can have a JJP-like backglass, Stern-like middle screen, or a SLAMT1LT FP-like table.

This is not using a PinUp B2S (easy method that doesn't need any mod of the table), and was a complete mod of the table script. I created all the videos myself (1920×1080 for Backglass, and 1920×822 for Topper), inspired by SLAMT1LT’s FP version. Skip to 3:20 to get right to the demo and skip by rambling. Note: The backglass video in the upper right may seem to stutter…that’s because OBS wouldn’t record it nicely, whereas my cabinet shows that the videos all play perfectly all the time!

Since this is a rom based table. I have no access or control over any of the game code or actions. I literally made A LOT of new code specifically for PUP that works based on only triggers / switches from the game, and the playfield lights and neon ramp colour logic. It’s a miracle I was able to pull this off, as this works with most MB modes, as well as the jackpots,etc all having unique videos with titles,etc.  Because of this, I also wasn’t able to do anything for Sea of Simulation, End of Line MB,  or portal, as they all use White for neon ramp colours, and I have no way to differentiate them.

Enjoy….so cool!






PinUp Player can be downloaded here:

http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=38979&page=1

TheGreatRedDragon

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 76
  • Last login:December 23, 2023, 12:40:53 pm
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
This is madness. Glorious, glorious madness. I've never wanted a pinball cab until now.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html


Here is a demo of my PinUP Player mod, of my DOFLinx MX mod of SLAMT1LT's Tron Legacy (Stern, Ultimate) FP table running in desktop. While this is FP (and it doesn't use roms), you still need to create a PUPB2S to work with DOFLinx.  So you still have total control from FP (through script) using DOFLinx PUP B2S calls.  As a result, I'm able to have properly controlled videos and many more videos compared to the VPX PuP Edition.

It's running in 1920x1080 windowed fullscreen. Since FP doesn't give this option, I set FP to windowed, and set the resolution of FP in the registry, and used a program called "Windowed Borderless Gaming" to force FP to Borderless Windowed Fullscreen.

All the Upper Left Backglass videos are running at 1920x1080 30fps, and the middle left Topper videos are running at 1920x822 30fps. Looks so much nicer than the FP original videos in a cabinet, and also look stunning in 4K desktop too! The FP original videos are on the right.





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
This is a video demo on my new updated Tron Legacy (PuPCapB2S Edition)... I need a better name. :) 

It's a video preview of a new upcoming feature of PinUP Player, called PuPCapture that NailBuster's been working hard at completing. This feature basically uses DMD images (from dmdext) to trigger PuP videos.  The last half of the video explains more about PuPB2S and I show how PuPCapture works.

This version of the table includes all the previous updates by Dozer, DJRobx, Rusty Cardones, and Haunt Freaks....based on ICPjugglas VPX table. The table will be available when the new version of PinUP Player that supports this function is released (its still a WIP feature).

Watch the entire video to get most of your answers.... :)





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I have been busy working away at helping with the testing and development of the new PinUP Player. Today I created a demo video showing off PuP's new features with a few different tables on different systems. One of these tables is Aliens Pinball FX3, and another is Future Pinball Tron Legacy DOFLinx: MX PuP Edition. The first table is Avatar VPX showing off a PuP-Pack created by NailBuster and xkane47. The last shows off my updated Tron Legacy PuP-Pack Edition of the VPX table.  The very end of the video shows a special use of DOFLinx for MX Leds and PuP in a non Pinball game.  :)



The Aliens FX3 demo shows off the new PuP-Pack active Video Backglass and Topper I created for the table....but it also shows off DDH69's excellent MX Leds effects for the table in action as well!



The Future Pinball Tron Legacy DOFLinx: MX PuP Edition demo shows off DOFLinx triggering MX Leds effects but also shows how DOFLinx is used to trigger PinUP Player for active Video s for the Backglass and Topper screens.



The Aliens PuP-Pack is still WIP, but it has some cool stuff!







thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here you go guys. My 3 part video for PinUP Player setup and install. I go through and show EVERYTHING you need to do for setup BEFORE you install PuP. Then I show the entire install and configure process. Then I explain the features and demonstrate a test for each system. I highly recommend watching the entire 3 videos to better understand how it all should be setup, and how PuP works.

Part 1: Setup your System BEFORE installing PuP



Part 2: Install and Configure PuP. Explain features.



Part 3: Demo and Test of each Pinball system that works with PuP.




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here's a video (featuring my new Tron PuP-Pack) demonstrating PinUP Players' new WIP features such as Overlay and Underlay support both of which can be changed by any trigger (note the NEON colours change for MB modes,etc).

It also shows the new Splash Video function (plays a new video then returns to previous video instead of stopping it), as well as using StopFile to stop only specific files that may be playing, or StopPlayer to stop all videos on a screen.

So you have a DMDExt DMD overtop an Overlay still image, which is over top of two Topper video layers, and a Backglass layer which uses an Underlay still image as well. NOTE: this PuP-Pack is for those who don't have a 3rd screen DMD or real DMD. Until these new PuP features came along, this wasn't possible! Two other PuP-Packs will be made for the other setups!






thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I've been a busy boy for the last few weeks...

I'm helping Nailbuster test a new front end he's been working on called PinUP Popper!

It's made for virtual pinball, but also can be used for probably most emulator systems, or PC Games as well.

The video does a better job at explaining it than my typing...







...cool stuff.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Announcing my All-New Tron Legacy LE, VPX PinUP Player PuP-Packs. 3 different packs for almost any cabinet configuration.



The Max Pack: PuP Backglass, PuP Topper, and real DMD or virtual DMD on their own screens. 

This is by far the best looking version.

For anyone who has a real DMD or an LCD DMD screen. (Topper is optional). 

Has a brand new "framed" backglass with animated lens flares and colour changing neon effects to match the neon ramps and the gamemodes, other animations and new Topper videos. It makes the older PuP-Pack look very boring and simple in comparison. 

(2 Backglass video layers, 2 Topper video layers).



3 on 1 screen Pack: PuP Backglass, PuP Topper, DMD (PinMAME or DMDExt) are all on the Backglass screen.

For those who MUST have their virtual DMD on the backglass screen (16:9) and don't have room for anything else. If you have a "square" backglass screen, then you can try the other two packs ("Max Pack" or "2 on 1") and have the DMD below the PuP Backglass.

This Pack uses still image overlays for the new "framed" neon border. This overlay will change neon colours for game modes as well, but only has single colour transparency, and can't have animated neon or flares, or other animation on the border, so it's not as nice looking as the "Max Pack".

You need to position your virtual DMD at the bottom center of the PuP Backglass.

(1 Backglass video layer, 2 Topper video layers, virtual DMD Layer, 1 Overlay layer)



2 on 1 screen Pack: PuP Backglass, and PuP Topper on the Backglass screen. Real DMD or LCD DMD on a separate screen (unless you have a square screen that gives you space for it below the PuP Backglass)

For those who want the Topper on the backglass screen (16:9) and don't have room for anything else. If you have a "square" backglass screen, then you can also try the "Max Pack" and have the DMD below the PuP Backglass (Topper is optional with Max Pack).

This uses still image overlays for the new "framed" neon border. This overlay will change neon colours for game modes as well, but only has single colour transparency, and can't have animated neon or flares, or other animation on the border, so it's not as nice looking as the "Max Pack".



A video demo of all 3 packs can be seen here:




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Some long overdue cabinet upgrades are coming...





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Stranger Things: Stranger Edition!


A video demo of ScottyWic's fantastic Stranger Things: Stranger Edition table for VPX.....  featuring DOF, MX Leds, and PinUP Player awesomeness!





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Progress is slow....but the plunger is done...




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Into the abyss of the inside of my cabinet...




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

So...now that I had some time....yes...after 3 years...the cab is shaking!!! I finally installed a real Stern Shaker Motor.







thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
So after almost 3 years it finally happened.

I now have a lockdown bar.... as well as a new 1 player - 2 stick control panel (instead of the monster 2 player - 3 stick 1000 button panel).

The 2nd stick is still great for MAME 2 stick games, but is awesome for pinball games like The Getaway! But there's a twist!

Presenting the world's first control panel blower fan vent. ;) This works so much better for me than having it come out through the coin return or on top of the cab!

Is all of this goofy and different than everyone else's cab? Yup...what else would you expect from me?  :)





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Coming Soon... SSF for FX3! (and Future Pinball)







Once the new DOFLinx is released, I will upload 2 sets of "FX3 SSF" PuP-Packs!

The "DEFAULT TRIGGERS" PuP-Packs set will work for all tables with the standard Flippers, Slings, Bumpers, Drain, Ball In, Launch, and Nudge for SSF. These will use the same sounds and 3D positions for every table.

You simply setup DOFLinx for PUP SSF, and then copy these pup packs into your PinUPSystem folder.


For a more Complete SSF Experience:


Now, if you want more than the default sounds and positions...well this will require some editing of PuP-Packs from yourself or others.

I will make available, the "ALL TRIGGERS" PuP-Packs that can be a more table specific and complete SSF experience. HOWEVER, these need to be COMPLETED!

You would only copy over one of these PuP-Pack if you intend to edit them!

You simply need to play the game (using this version of the pack for the table), listen to the "numbers" you hear (and note where you heard it). Then you edit the PuP-Pack, find the trigger using the "number" you heard, and then change the sound file to what kind of action it is, and edit the 3d position of where the sound should come from.

It may sound complex...its not. Its very easy. Just watch my entire video and you will see me explain everything.


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Aliens FX3 PuP-Pack! DOFLinx, SSF, and optional Movie Soundtrack!

I've updated my Aliens FX3 PuP-Pack to have more videos, use newer PuP features, and it has optional SSF (Surround Sound Feedback) and Movie Music!


Video preview:







This FX3 table can run on a cabinet and have excellent hardware, lighting, and surround sound feedback, and an active video backglass using the combination of the following programs:

- DDH69's DOFLinx will trigger all cabinet feedback related functions. This includes solenoids, shaker motor, blower fan, RGB flashers, RGB undercab, strobes, beacons, MX leds,etc . It also will trigger the Pinup Player SSF (surround sound feedback) actions.

- Freezy's dmdext (DMD Extensions) will render the FX3 DMD to real DMDs or a new virtual DMD window with nice clean "dots". It will also output the DMD images to Pinup Player for PuPCapture.

- NailBuster's Pinup Player will create an active video Backglass and Topper. It monitors the dmdext DMD output and will play videos on your Backglass or Topper screen when it sees specific DMD images. It also plays movie music tracks in the same manner. For PuP SSF (surround sound feedback), it relies on DOFLinx to tell Pinup Player when to play the SSF sounds.

-TerryRed is the poor sap who created this Aliens FX3 PuP-Pack.

« Last Edit: July 22, 2018, 04:30:31 pm by thagerty »

rablack97

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2215
  • Last login:May 11, 2022, 06:50:10 pm
  • If you don't try, you have no chance at innovation
Cool as always Terry  :applaud:


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Tron Legacy (Stern Ultimate) DOFLinx: MX PuP SSF

Now updated to support my new PuP-Pack with new videos and SSF (surround sound feedback). A Future Pinball first!


Video preview:






thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here it is...the first video preview of my new Transformers PuP-Pack!

So far it has 229 different videos on 6 different PuP Screens with an Overlay image. It uses over 200 PuPCapture images monitoring the DMD to trigger the videos using newer features of Pinup Player 1.3.6.

This was a mountain of work that took a good 3 weeks to (almost) finish. (still more to do) The bottom "Text" area is sized perfectly for a DMD for those who need to have their DMD on the backglass screen...so this should work for everyone.

I used the Ball Controller to show as many videos as quickly as I could...and it still was over 35 mins!

There is something new through almost the entire video as the videos will be different if you choose Autobots or Decepticons. The backglass animations on the different PuP screens will also change depending on what you choose.






« Last Edit: September 11, 2018, 03:28:16 am by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
I asked Tarcisio Caleiro if he could make his excellent Bumblebee Topper video (modded from an excellent T2 video) work as a Decepticon as well. So he did, and I was going to add them as optional Toppers....but I thought, why not try something even cooler! Choose your EYES!




yo1dog

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 368
  • Last login:October 10, 2023, 10:48:49 am
    • MikeArcade
This build is pretty amazing. It looks very authentic.

I am not usually a fan of the RGB LED controls look, but on that pinball table it looks right at home. Nice work!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here is a new preview video of my Transformers PuP-Pack...but now with all new high quality stereo music from the OST of the movies! This is not cruddy mono SAM sound from the rom...this is all new music files played from Pinup-Player controlled completely by gameplay events. Let's call them PuP-Tracks!

I show many of the modes quickly so you can hear a lot of the music.

You also get to see "Battle For Cybertron". The final game mode. I have a good 19 videos just for that mode, but you only see some of them in the video.

Featuring:

-new OST music for every mode (a lot)
-your choice (Autobot or Decepticon) will determine the main mode's music that will play (one player only)
-Autobots and Decepticon's main mode music will also change with every new game!
-OST music is totally optional
-I have a special track at the end (for High Score) just for Optimus Pin!

I made this work by using Pinball Browser to "mute" all the music files in the table's rom. Sam sound is limited to mono 24000Hz quality...so these PuP-Tracks are a complete game changer for SAM tables that was only previously possible in the Future Pinball versions.

To use these PuP-Tracks, you will need to use my "muted" custom rom.

You can always turn down the table's VPX sound if you want the PuP-Pack's music louder.

This PuP-Pack will REQUIRE an even newer update (possibly 1.3.7 beta) to Pinup Player that will be made available.

This PuP-Pack should be available soon. I'm currently converting it down to a smaller size from the current....yup.... 3GB+ that it is right now! Since I was able to convert Stranger Things: SE from 2.5 GB down to 600MB....I'm hoping I can do similar with this Pup-Pack!

Heavily inspired (and a few music files borrowed) from Rom and SLAMT1LT's excellent FP version.

Enjoy the video!





« Last Edit: September 18, 2018, 12:21:34 am by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
When it's approved on DOF Config Tool...you too can have this new Transformers light show. This was the quickest and easiest DOF MX Led update I've ever done. Explosions, laser blasts, electrical effects, and flasher effects positioned around the playfield.




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
So this is my final look for my Jaws PuP-Pack. I MUST have everything locked down as final before I can make the rest of the pack because of the drop shadows and also the effects I do. This video shows the default look, but at half way you will see the DRAIN effect I’m playing with. Just wait for it. This Pack is using a video underlay layer at 60fps for the water, main video layer in the middle, overlay still image for the frame, and the bottom middle video layer changes for Text and modes, or can be used for UltraDMD for those who need to. I also have an Overlay Video layer for the Drain effect…maybe others…not sure yet.










thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here's a video demo of my new Masters of the Universe (VPX) PuP-Pack. I went beyond my original Mastered mod for the FP table! This PuP-Pack features an Underlay layer for the sky that will change video effects for each MB mode as well strike lightning when you hit your flippers. The castle's eyes will change colour for each MB mode and other events. The center videos play action from events throughout the entire game. All of this is covered by an Overlay layer of Castle Grayskull. This all makes for a stellar combination!

The original (stunning) Castle Grayskull image was made by Ankit Bhatnagar.

The modified image was edited by Tarcisio Caleiro.

The Visual Pinball X conversion (of Rom's excellent Future Pinball original table) was converted by randr.

Pinup Player (the software that plays the active video backglass) was created by Nailbuster.

PuP-Pack was created by: TerryRed




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
A new "full gameplay" video of me playing randr's VPX conversion of Masters of the Universe in my cabinet running my new PuP-Pack with the "Text on Topper" option, as well as my DOF and addressable led effects for the table. I recorded this using a dollar store "bendy" cell phone clip and my cell phone. Works pretty good!






thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Cool new feature for PuP and Popper! Transparent 24 bit Videos! Video Wheel ARCs! Overlay transparent Videos!

Here is a demonstration of a new upcoming feature in Pinup Player and Popper. Transparent (24 bit) Video support for any PuP screen! This means you can have loads a neat overlay video effects while browsing through Popper....and in PuP-Packs! Very cool stuff!

The Tarcisio Caleiro ARC used in the demo is NOT the final version...its an older WIP version that I used for testing because I still had the project file.

Note the ARC actually has a transparent center that shows an additional Transparent VIDEO layer underneath (the red LAVA liquid looking stuff). This mean we can have animated wheelbars or ARCS! Different ones per system,etc Very cool! You can also just have no "image" and just use an entire Transparent Video Arc!

Since all PuP screens can be transparent, this means that other screens can be used in a similar manner. So you'll see the "Loading" screen is a transparent "blood" animation that still shows the playfield video playing underneath! Imagine all the cool effects that can be done!

Unlike the Jaws "Drain test" video that had a similar effect....that video was "fake". It was a composited video combining the blood layer and another video underneath.

This is REAL-TIME 24 bit video with transparency! Cool as f**k!

Note: As far as how far this can be used, or how well it will run on all systems is unknown. I've only tested this on my PC running in HD. I haven't tested in my 4K cab yet, as I'm far away from home right now.





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

"DOFLinx: Effects" (Stargate and After Burner Demo). Use MX Leds, DOF, and PuP-Packs with any game!

Have you ever wanted to use some of my cool Addressable Led effects / animations in a pinball game...or maybe a PC game...MAME arcade game? What about your DOF lighting and feedback? Maybe also use a PuP-Pack?

Well now you can!

This is a demo of "DOFLinx: Effects." I created 100's of addressable led effects and animations, as well as all sorts of DOF lighting animations and feedback... and I added it all to "ONE" rom configuration in DOF Config Tool! Almost 1000 Exxx triggers can be used!

This rom allows any VPX table, FP table, or ANY other game to use them through DOF / DOFLinx script commands.

For tables and games that DON'T have DOF capability (PC, Zaccaria pinball, MAME,etc), this also means they can be controlled with Startup Events, or with key / button presses using DOFLinx! While that may not be the same as full DOF control (using script commands)... the video demo shows that it can still do some cool stuff!

I'll have more information soon on the DOFLinx forum. Anyone can do this using my "DOFLinx SUP ini Creator".

Make sure you watch the Stargate demo on the second half of the video!





barrymossel

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 498
  • Last login:October 29, 2021, 11:25:52 am
  • Spectrum
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,157647.0.html

"DOFLinx: Effects" (Stargate and After Burner Demo). Use MX Leds, DOF, and PuP-Packs with any game!

Have you ever wanted to use some of my cool Addressable Led effects / animations in a pinball game...or maybe a PC game...MAME arcade game? What about your DOF lighting and feedback? Maybe also use a PuP-Pack?

Well now you can!

This is a demo of "DOFLinx: Effects." I created 100's of addressable led effects and animations, as well as all sorts of DOF lighting animations and feedback... and I added it all to "ONE" rom configuration in DOF Config Tool! Almost 1000 Exxx triggers can be used!

This rom allows any VPX table, FP table, or ANY other game to use them through DOF / DOFLinx script commands.

For tables and games that DON'T have DOF capability (PC, Zaccaria pinball, MAME,etc), this also means they can be controlled with Startup Events, or with key / button presses using DOFLinx! While that may not be the same as full DOF control (using script commands)... the video demo shows that it can still do some cool stuff!

I'll have more information soon on the DOFLinx forum. Anyone can do this using my "DOFLinx SUP ini Creator".

Make sure you watch the Stargate demo on the second half of the video!



That's really cool!

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

"DOFLinx Effects": What is it? How does it work?

In this video I explain what "DOFLinx: Effects" is and how it works for any game...   and it's limitations compared to proper DOF for Visual Pinball or Future Pinball Tables.






thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Here is a video that explains all about DOFLinx SUP ini files...how they work, and how you can use them with DOFLinx: Effects.

It gives you a tour of the DOFLinx: Effects spreadsheet, and shows you how to easily create SUP ini files  with my SUP ini Creator Tool.


Video Bookmarks:

Setup DOFLinx to wake up for your game: 1:38

What is a SUP *.ini file?: 4:02

Tour of the SUP ini Creator: 8:48

Create your SUP *.ini File: 24:12

Test your SUP *.ini file: 38:00





« Last Edit: January 10, 2019, 01:24:53 am by thagerty »

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

OK...so I made a new video that will show you all the DOF / MX Led effects the you can use with DOFLinx: Effects!

Now when you look up a desired effect on the DOFLinx:Effects spreadsheet, you won't need to guess at what it will look like... you can see it in the video!





dgrace

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 339
  • Last login:Yesterday at 09:22:25 am
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
Are there any good tutorials on pinballX? I'm trying to get pinball fx2 games to launch directly from pinbalX frontend. Itried using NukeLauncher but no go. Thanks

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Are there any good tutorials on pinballX? I'm trying to get pinball fx2 games to launch directly from pinbalX frontend. Itried using NukeLauncher but no go. Thanks

I haven't use PBX for a long time now. Last I did it worked fine with a legit version of FX2.

Best place to ask is in the PBX forums.

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
OK…now THIS is a single screen Desktop Theme!


Going back to old ideas from my first Theme I made for Pinup Popper back before it was released… this works really nicely for a Desktop Theme, and looks really nice in 4K.

This uses the PuP Backglass for the Underlay videos, the PuP Playfield for gameplay videos, and the PuP DMD for whatever you want like marquee / banners..or DMD videos.

It also works nicely with the transparent loading videos as well, and also uses my new Text Zones update.

Works great for Desktop view of Pinball Emulators, Arcade Games, and other Emulators.

….and yes I love Neon…. though I need to get Tarcisio to help out with creating an alternate version that uses matching metal / chrome instead of the neon framing.

 
This Desktop Theme will be released when the new Pinup Popper 1.4 update is released.


The video below shows off all the Playlists, and shows how everything looks when browsing… and also flyers, and loading into a table with the transparent 24 bit ARC videos.

This is bling for a desktop gaming thing!








For those who are allergic to watching an entire video... here are some pictures...








































thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Not content with just the previous T-ARC for desktop...here is the new Desktop / Arcade Theme I made for the upcoming release of Pinup Popper 1.4...only this time featuring the original Tarcisio Popper Bar.

It features Underlay videos for each Playlist, Playfield videos for gameplay, and DMD videos at the bottom for Marquee / Banner videos.

Each Playlist can have their own Videos and BAR image for everything. Each game can also have their own videos for everything. It also features my new Text Zones update, which makes use of Popper SQL database for lots of options on what text is displayed for each game!

Looks and performs really nicely in 4K!

I have now probably made every type of theme in every configuration possible... ARC on PF, Bar on PF (in landscape, portrait, HD and 4K)....ARC on BG, Bar on BG... now ARC and Bar in a Desktop Theme.

I may be wrong...but I think Popper is the only front-end that has ever had this kind of flexibility to create any theme / layout you want with BAR / ARC, etc.



The video below shows off all the Playlists, and shows how everything looks when browsing… and also flyers, and loading into a table (the new stunning TAF) with the transparent arc videos.

..and this is a 4K video now...so it looks really nice!








....and for those to silly to watch a video...here are pics.




































thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html


JAWS (VPX) PuP-Pack


You're gonna need a bigger pincab!

This is the VPX version of my Jaws PuP-Pack. It's a fairly simple table so it only took a few days...but I may update it later when I have more time.

I had a couple of days free time away from my military training course, so I finally got this sucker done!

Thanks goto Rom and SLAMT1LT for the original FP tables, and RandR for the VPX conversion!

Thanks also to Tarcisio Caleiro for his excellent Jaws default background video!


The Future Pinball Ultimate Pro JAWS PuP-Pack is coming... but that table has way more content and modes,etc so it will need a much larger PuP-Pack...and of course the table will need to be updated to work with it. (When I have time).



A video demo of the PuP-Pack can be found here:





And some pics for those who don't watch videos


















thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Coming Soon... Tron Legacy "End of Line" PuP-Pack.

Completely reworked (using newer PuP features) with new videos for events such as Game Start, Drain, Ball Saved, TILT, Attract Trailers, and all new "Mode Title" videos. Now includes (for the first time) PORTAL mode videos...but most importantly...

New (optional) hi quality "stereo" OST music from the movie that replaces the mono 22000Hz SAM system music.

Video debut trailer here (you see new videos half-way in...but it's all about the music and emotion, man!)





...some pics for those who can't be bothered with a 2 min video...



One of the changes I made to Tron Legacy "End of Line" pup-pack... Mode "Intro" videos.

In the previous Max Pack, each mode would start with a long "Intro" video, and just keep that video looping continuously during the entire mode. I've never been a fan of that (unless it works well like ATC mode on Aliens FX3 pack), as it makes everything way too busy, and Jackpots and other video events just blend in and don't stand out. More isn't always better.

So now I have shorter Intro videos play only once (with animated text), and then you will see the default backglass, but now with the Mode Text on the bottom and the coloured neon border and flares still showing for the mode. Since this pack doesn't use an Overlay image (can't do the neon flares that way)... this needed to be baked into the videos. This makes for a more "clean" look, and is really how I wanted this pack to originally look.

















Another addition to Tron Legacy: "End of Line" pup-pack, was adding some missing videos such as Ball Saved (now on the backglass), TILT, more Drains, and more Game Starts, and more Attract mode Trailers.























This PuP-Pack will be replacing the current "Max Pack".

It is designed for 3 screen users (with an LCD screen DMD),  or 2 screen users who have a real DMD. The backglass portion of the pup-pack won't be able to display a virtual DMD, due to using two fullscreen video layers. The optional Topper videos will also need a dedicated space / screen as well.

Those users who don't have a dedicated space for a DMD, will need to use the older "2 on 1" or "3 on 1" packs.


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
This videos shows the dramatic difference between using PuP-Tracks for OST Stereo Hi Quality Movie music vs the original SAM System 22000 Hz Mono music. Some of the PuP-Tracks music is the same as the SAM original (but better quality and in stereo), whereas some game modes use completely different OST music, making for a more cinematic experience.



Also, you get different OST music tracks for each new game you start…or you can add your own easily.



All game modes are shown with “Original” and “New OST Music”.








thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
After a long time... I'm finally back at doing a FP table DOFLinx update! This time for SLAMT1LT's Ultimate Pro edition of Rom's Jaws table for Future Pinball.

The regular DOF toys, buttons, flashers, shaker, gear, fan, beacon, strobe, MX Leds, etc are all in there!

I also have a brand-new PuP-Pack for the table that includes SSF (surround sound feedback).

Here are some preview pics of the Pup-pack!

This table is VERY different than any previous Jaws tables out there.

Many more modes (Panic Alarm, Shark Cage, Pond, KILLER SHARK, Barrel MB, Orca MB, Jaws MB, Kill Jaws, etc)... Civilians (balls) can get Eaten during different modes and affect bonuses that can be used in your next game...a new (Walking Dead LE style) Harpoon Launcher, and more!

Over 200 videos (timed to match the in-game voice overs, etc), Topper videos that give animated instructions for gameplay during each mode, and 80+ PuP SSF 3D positional sounds.

This is for version 1.02 of the table. I'm waiting for 1.06 of the table to drop (which looks better and has more stuff), and then I'll add this to that table and add the new content from that table update to this pup-pack.

For those wondering... this table requires the newest BAM, and uses the newer Dynamic physics (so it plays much better than normal FP), better lighting, shadow maps, and more. You will need to use a program (like cmdow) to "hide" your FP backglass in a cabinet setup (because this pup-pack uses multiple layers)...but I'll show you how (it's easy).

Good news...it can work for desktop users too! You simply need to force FP to a Borderless Windowed mode (I'll show you how, again easy) to allow the pup-pack to play on top of the FP window.



















































For more info on SLAMT1LT's current and upcoming releases, goto his website here:

https://speak1970.wixsite.com/slamspinballemporium

thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
...and here's a bunch of quick video demos (of the table and pup-pack) showing the main modes in the game, including the end mode!



Harpoon, Killer Shark and Game Over



Panic Alarm (quick demo)



Shark Cage



Pond, Civilians Eaten and Random Clips



Orca MultiBall



Barrel Multiball



Jaws Multiball



KILL JAWS! (currently 1.02 ending. This will change with 1.06 and higher)


thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Doh! I just saw this now... I've been working away at a big update to SLAM's 1.03 update as well. :)

I'll have to play around to see how your mod works gimli! I am so tempted to try a Star Trek phazers mod now :)

Star Wars DSA (Ultimate Pro 1.03 update - Future Pinball).  Awesome Attract Mode! (Gameplay and TerryRed Lights mod test)

SLAMT1LT added in my Lightsaber mod to his excellent Star Wars DSA Ultimate Pro 1.03 update!

He also added new options for changing Lightsaber colours. On top of that, he also added a sweet attract mode! (with one specifically cool moment) ;)

I decided to add some more additional updates myself to see how they would look. (shown in this video)

'** TerryRed Updates ** (these may or may not be included in SLAM's next update. I did this for fun)

- increased brightness of white saber blade light (when using lower post processing gamma settings it wasn’t bright enough)
- slightly adjusted angle / size / position of holograms for a better view of glow in all camera views (adjusted mini-playfield to match)
- updated lights (Lightsaber hilt, Kickback, outerlane left bulbs, Defense Bonus Lights) to change colour to match the Lightsaber colour change
- added user option in script to adjust the brightness of playfield insert lights and some bulbs (for GI on and GI off)
- added Vader Red Ring Light to Light Inserts Brightness option (makes hi voice-overs much more noticeable when GI is off)
- Added option for SLAMT1LT BAM Light Preset settings to be used automatically on table start.
- Added some amusing voice overs for the excellent TerryRed Saber mod special mention
- adjusted the attract sequence (GI on and off) for a more dramatic effect









Youtube link for 4K 60fps video demo (when YT finishes processing):




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Retroflair (original table on normal Future Pinball) vs my updated Retroflair (BAM Edition) mod.



This is a video of my first attempt at taking an older Future Pinball table (made by the talented rom), and updating it to modern BAM features.



You can see the drastic difference in not only how much better it plays (and I don't really know much about physics)...but also how stunning it can look with the following changes:

BAM dynamic physics
new controlled g.i. lighting using hardware nano flashers
BAM RGB flashers (that look so cool!)
BAM shadow maps
BAM ball texture
BAM ball and flipper shadows
BAM global lighting and post processing
BAM controlled brightness of light inserts
This looks and plays so much better....and looks so cool in BAM Open VR!



I already have DOFLinx support on the table, but I may update it to use the new iCOM BAM plug-in (thanks Nailbuster and Ravarcade!), that allows FP to use DOF directly without needing DOFLinx.



Link to 4K 60fps Youtube demo video:








thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
...and so a new era begins...





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Just another video showing you my big progress with my PinCab while you can still see inside of it. Now I have a Fire Button on the lockdown bar, and Apron LCD Screen, a 16:9 Middle Screen, a working tilt bob and analogue nudge, SSF... and more!





thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
The pinball cabinet , PC, VR and simpit are all now working together... and after a few years, I finally have pinball cabinet glass! I also have some tinted plexi blades to cover the MX Leds on the sides to match the back panel. It's going to look real nice when it's all setup!



thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

This video finally shows the first reveal of my updates to my virtual pincab.

I reworked the Popper T-Bar to now display on my new Apron screen, and the Text and details to display on my mid-screen.

I also now have animated "grill videos" for each playlist, but you can have them for each table if you want.

I'll have gameplay demos showing the apron screen being used with PuP-Packs and the mid-screen being used with PUPDMD and PinEvent.






thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
This video talks all about reflections on your playfield and how to get rid of them using either privacy / security screen, or a custom glare guard.
I also show gameplay demos to show how the games look with and without reflections using my crazy custom glare guard and privacy screen on my MX Leds.



thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html

Here’s a quick video preview that shows off (in my cabinet) some of the DOF and MX Leds I added to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (VPX) by Scotty Wic.

I have effects for the potion cauldron, the wand Lock, shimmer / modes, Goblet Fire, Dragon Fire, particle effects for each mode and colour matched with the undercab lighting… and much more than I can show in this video.

There will be more DOF updates coming. Sorry for my phone’s crap audio.

I really need a high quality new video camera of some sort.




thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
Jaws Ultimate Pro 1.08 PE (Future Pinball, PinEvent)

PUPDMD 16:9 FullDMD wip.

Here's a few screenshots of my 16:9 FullDMD option (Stern style Middle screen) running with the Ultimate Pro version of the pup-pack.

The bottom half will display videos that visually show you what to do in the game, and changes depending on the mode or events happening.

The top half is PUPDMD text and scoring that will run in realtime, and it doesn't interfere with the bottom portion.

Works out really nice!























thagerty

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 197
  • Last login:March 02, 2020, 11:30:19 pm
    • forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,150352.0.html
How many ways can Pup do a PUPDMD on a Future Pinball table if you have your PuP screens properly placed?  :)

LCD DMD (4:1 standard DMD size)

Real DMD - only 128x32 dots  :(

FullDMD 16:9 fullscreen (Stern style)

LCD DMD on the Backglass (for 2 screen users)

Topper/Under above the DMD for split middle screens

























kaze1sd

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1
  • Last login:June 19, 2020, 04:25:11 pm
  • I want to build my own arcade controls!
Arcade Controls
« Reply #230 on: June 10, 2020, 02:35:46 pm »
Awesome cabinet @thagerty!  :notworthy:

I think I would also like to build a hybrid cab as I am limited on space. 

Now that you have PinKadia for awhile would you change anything if you had to do it over again?  I know being a hybrid cab there are definitely going to have to be some concessions to make but are you satisfied with the arcade controls distance from the front?  Would you move them further up/back (further back for comfort OR further up to bring pinball playfield closer)?  Definitely interested in your opinion.

Thanks again for sharing PinKadia with us and all the work with PUP.  I definitely want to thank you for your VPX getting started write-up and your YouTube videos.  They have definitely been helpful in me getting started with VP.