And now for something a little different....

[menace]

Introducing the pinball Invasion!!  This will be a virtual pinball based machine made from a gutted pinbox and modified for a 21" monitor.  Controls will likley be a single trackball with usb keyboard stashed down below.  So far I have the pinbox cut down to 34" long and have added on the hinged topbox (for future moving or access to guts).  The monitor mounting barcket has been added and I'm trying to decide the sideart (put a thread in artwork which has had 0 interest though LOL)

[severdhed]

interesting idea...but i must say i'm a bit confused.  If this is a machine for playing pinball games, why a trackball?  I can see the need for flipper buttons, a plunger, maybe some nudge buttons and a few navigational buttons if you are planning on playing multile tables, but I just dont see a need for a trackball.

enlighten us

[Lutus]

Im no psychic but if I were to guess why, I would think that he is going to use the trackball as a mouse to navigate through his pinball machines.

Why not just use a frontend capable of running pins???

[menace]

The plan at this point is to use vplauncher which needs a mouse input to scroll through the games.  I was leaning this way simply cause I like the interface showing a screen shot, table rules etc in an easy to manage list.  But this is by no means written in stone--if someone has a good fontend that could be navigate quickly and easily using just the flipper buttons and the plunger I'd definitely consider it...The goal is to keep it simple with as low overhead as possible since some of the games require a bit of horsepower to run multi-ball features.  Although with a 1.7 celeron system I'm not that worried for just this app..

[severdhed]

I am having a little issue with the table not taking focus on launch, but If i can get that sorted out, MALA would be a good choice for you.  you can set which buttons navigate the menus, so you could make the left flipper move up in the list, and the right one move down, and the plunger to select the game. Like i said there are a few kinks yet to be worked out, but if i get it working, i'll let you know.

UPDATE:::

i installed Future Pinball on my cabinet and it works very well.  I configured future pinball's controls to match that of my panel. (left flipper=n, right flipper=m, plunger=f, coin=3, start=1, exit=esc)

i also configured mala so that

start game=f (plunger)
move game list down=m(right flipper)
move game list up=n(left flipper)


so now when i fire up mala, it brings up my list of future pinball tables, i then can scroll through them using the flipper buttons, and select the one i want using the plunger.

this launches future pinball and loads the table for playing.  it plays just fine.  when i hit the Esc button, future pinball closes and i am right back at MALA. 

mala can be configured to display screenshots of the tables, im not sure if you can get it to display the rules or not.  It will however give you a very immersive experience that really hides the fact that you are running a windows app.  you can completely customize the appearance of the layout too.

just a thought....

Im still trying to get visual pinball working, but it isnt cooperating like future pinball.

[JamIt]

interesting idea...but i must say i'm a bit confused.  If this is a machine for playing pinball games, why a trackball? 

I like the trackball idea.  You can double-dip and use this for bowling/golf games.  Absolutely no worries about smashing yer fingers.

[More Cowbell]

Wow! I really like this idea. How does the hinged top make it easier to move? Seems like it would get in the way. I also like the idea of making it pinball/bowling/golf. A great way to incorporate those games into an interesting format.

[menace]

Got the cabinet sanded and painted (background color) and the legs re-attached--I went with the hinge not so much for opening but definitely for dis-assembly--just undo the hinge screws and quick as you can say bob's your uncle--two pieces.  next step is to cut the steel trim and fasten that to the sides...

Good thought on the MALA thing--will have to investigate that and see if it can be a little less obvious this is a windows box (even though everyone knows it I guess there's no sense in flaunting it...)

[FLAPS]

I have to say I really do love the idea, I considering trying something similar with some of the plywood I've got left over but I'll wait to see how you get along with yours first. Also I don't know if it's any help but Mamewah does work pretty well as a frontend for virtual pinball and/or pinMAME.

[theCoder]

Oh, man, I'm in love with this project.  Make sure you put the ProPinball series in it.  Its the most realistic pinball sim out there. 

What about putting in real "nudge" sensors.  You could hook up a wire to a copper rod, dangle it close to a copper plate, ground the plate, and have the rod wired to the "nudge" key input.  This could work for front, left & right nudge.  It would give you a much more authentic interaction than nudge buttons.

Very cool project !

[Knievel]

Menace did you ever see this project?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=40723.0

Similar idea, I thought it was pretty slick.

[Stingray]

Menace, very cool idea. I've contemplated doing the same thing myself. I very much look forward to seeing how yours turns out.

-S

[menace]

Yeah I've seen that TNG one a few times while googling for stuff for this project--the wife hates it though cause she sees it as too big for what it does--hence why mine was pared down to its 2/3 size.  I've got the pc setup, but not installed as well as the monitor.  I've also got the side rails on and am thinking up some artwork ideas both for the marquee area and the "apron"  For the interface I've nixed the trackball and decided to go with a touchpad recessed into the apron--my thought here is to save my 3" ball for a more dedicated use--the touchpad will be easier to use and more discreet.

[More Cowbell]

Updates?