The Web - VirtUal Pinball eXTreme

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Ond:
Its Friday! yeah maybe not where you are, but it is here. Along with re-doing the connections and general wiring to the Pinscape KL25Z board I've been motivated to clean up and improve a few other things as well. When I started this project I knew very little about virtual pinball and building virtual pinball machines. Having a largely playable machine has some advantages. In my case I see all the things that bug me or just general opportunities for improvement. Take the back-box for instance. My original design was based on 'The Web' back-glass graphics. The single back-glass 4:3 monitor was to combine the graphics and DMD on the one screen. I didn't really think about all the other cool tables I could play, or the amazing artwork on some of the back-glasses for these tables. I found myself constantly modifying back-glass artwork to fit my design.

One day i had a dim light bulb moment that went something like this - "If I added a third monitor for a DMD display and rebuilt my backbox so that I use ALL of that 4:3 monitor display for just artwork I won't have to butcher back-glass files any more!" For a supposedly clever dude I can be very slow on the uptake sometimes.

Like many new to Vpins, I added all kinds of tables to my machine. Some of the newer fantasy tables (tables that are not replicating real pinball machines) impressed me at first with their intricate complex gameplay, graphics and sounds. After some time I removed a lot of these though. I now favor older tables or replica tables that are really well designed. The arcade building journey seems to always ultimately become a purists exercise. I'm fine with that. Any vpin builders have their favourite tables? Tell me about them and why you like them.

Here's some pics of back-glass artwork on my vpin using a 3-monitor setup allowing the complete artwork:

I'll have to build a new back-box with fittings for the two monitors as well as speakers etc. I'll post that when I get to it.

Zebidee:

--- Quote from: Ond on April 23, 2026, 07:01:34 pm ---One day i had a dim light bulb moment that went something like this - "If I added a third monitor for a DMD display and rebuilt my backbox so that I use ALL of that 4:3 monitor display for just artwork I won't have to butcher back-glass files any more!" For a supposedly clever dude I can be very slow on the uptake sometimes.

--- End quote ---

Heh, just means that you really are human!

What size third monitor are you looking for? Something long & wide I guess? Can you use an LCD display designed for advertising?

Every one those back-glass artworks remind me somewhat of "Ex Machina" the movie. And Metropolis.

Ond:
Yes, I have a thing for those robot ladies :laugh:

If you look closely at the back-glass pics I posted you'll see I already have the third monitor. Its this one:

GeeekPi 7 Inch LCD Screen for Raspberry Pi, 1024x600 IPS a non touch screen, small display.

Here's some more clarifying pics see...

firstly flooded with light so that monitor can really be seen. I'm just testing it at the moment and configuring Visual Pinball and PinballX so that the new 3 monitor setup works properly.

In normal low lighting that looks more like this:

That image of the Mech-spider is actually a video. Final cabinet reveal will feature all display art (video or static). I designed the spider, which is a 2D feature of the original 'The Web' pinball artwork for multiple purposes including animation and 3D printing. Here is the master:

3D printed it can be posed as it has moveable joints. I'm tempted to print that fellow and perch him on the top of the Back-box :P

Here's a closer look at the 3rd Monitor displaying the DMD for Attack From Mars in normal lighting:

The original back-box front frame will have to be re-done to fit the new speaker/monitor setup. I'm fine with that. There's a few things I'd like to improve in the new version.

Overall I'm very pleased with the direction this project is taking. There's just so much to learn about the emulator and front-end software setup, especially for optimal game play and virtual pinball experience.

Zebidee:
Oh right, I should look closer. Guess I was so besotted by the robot ladies, barely noticed it there in the dark.

PL1:

--- Quote from: Ond on April 23, 2026, 07:01:34 pm ---Any vpin builders have their favourite tables?

--- End quote ---
Haven't done a build, but here are some tables to consider:
* Medieval Madness (Williams)
* Lord of the Rings (Stern)
* Doctor Who (Bally)
- Scared Stiff (Bally) - Has a spider spinner
- Addams Family (Midway)
- Creature from the Black Lagoon (Bally)
- Elvira and the Party Monsters (Bally)
- Evel Knievel (Bally)
- Indiana Jones (Williams)
- Jurassic Park (Data East)

In the non-realistic but fun category, Liteuser made Young Frankenstein and Spaceballs tables. :lol

Scott

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