51 replies to this topic

[wiesshund]

You could definitely put them in the coin door.
For me, that would be kinda awkward, trying to push the right ones, and see the screens to see what i just did etc.

But, it would be correct, if you really really wanted to make your cab as spot on to the real thing as possible.

 

They are something i use on a table once, if needed at all
set balls per game, or turn up the ROM volume on some williams etc machines.

I dont usually bother with changing the pricing because virtual quarters are free.

 

I have never had to clear the high scores, because i never get one LOL

 

The hardest part is remembering the darned key sequences as some of the older SS tables have a convulted way of doing it
but those are usually dip switches, so you are usually doing the via the F6 menu and then watching number sequences in the pinmame display

[Conehead]

Sounds like it's best that I just stick with the wireless keyboard option!

[wiesshund]

what ever works for you the best, is what is best.

But, it is also something that, say you decide later, Hey ya know what, i'd really like to have those.
You could always make a panel, with some mini buttons or get fancy with a digikey keypad, and add it

[whynotpizza]

Here is my layout of physical buttons...

 

Flipper Left

Flipper Right

Magnasave Left

Magnasave Right

Start (green)

Extra Ball (orange)

Launch (yellow)

Exit (yellow)

Pause - QTY 2 (red)

Volume UP (blue)

Volume DOWN (blue)

Coin - QTY 2 (green)

 

Also have a physical plunger custom made mouse interface to handle the pull action. Works great!

 

All of this comes together using the following...

 

PinVol v1.7 (March 13, 2019)  

  http://mjrnet.org/pinscape/PinVol.html

 

MousePlunger v070 (April 6, 2018)

  https://www.vpforums...showtopic=38064

  http://www.nailbuste...lunger_v070.zip

 

Pinscape Config Tool for KL25Z build 3379 (March 04, 2019)

http://mjrnet.org/pi.../swversions.php

 

Joy2Key Mapping Utility v5.8.2 (Dec 27, 2015)

  https://joytokey.net/en/

 

Make sure to spend time thinking this out. I happened to be lucky, and picked a button layout (during the wood working phase of this project) that happened to work well in the end. Stinks if you have to contemplate adding a button or two at the end!

 

Test, Test and do more testing. Lots of things coming together especially when you DOF a number of these buttons.

Edited by whynotpizza, 14 September 2020 - 12:23 AM.

[DBrown67]

I went with a minimalist approach as I built a 2/3 sized mini cab (based on a widebody).   So I have 2x flipper 2x Magnasave, Start, Exit, Extra Ball, and Launch.  So 8 buttons only with a hidden power button on the underside. To add coins I use the Extra ball as a shift button then press Start (though I can also add coins in the mech). Volume up/down is shifted the same using right flipper and right magnasave.  The extra ball hardly ever gets used as an Extra ball... it's basically just a shift.  Works great and I haven't seen the need to add buttons for anything else. If I need to tweak things I just plug a keyboard to the external USB hub hidden on the underside.

 

Going minimalist helps keep a very clean looking cabinet. Specially on a mini cab. I couldn't even fit a 60mm launch button... had to use a standard button.

 

 

Edited by DBrown67, 27 September 2020 - 10:27 AM.

[LynnInDenver]

I did wind up making one change before wrapping the cabinet in artwork, and added an explicit "Exit" button, since the intent was to be able to take it to the Pinball Showdown - adding the Exit button reduces the uninitiated user menu system "friction" in terms of what you need to do to operate the overall setup. I was thinking of putting a sign on the machine to provide an indication of how to get back to the menu, but decided that it wasn't going to be as frictionless as just adding another button.

 

Of course, COVID-19 broke our intent to take it to a show, probably until at least 2022 with the way things are going, but oh well.

[Conehead]

I did wind up making one change before wrapping the cabinet in artwork, and added an explicit "Exit" button, since the intent was to be able to take it to the Pinball Showdown - adding the Exit button reduces the uninitiated user menu system "friction" in terms of what you need to do to operate the overall setup. I was thinking of putting a sign on the machine to provide an indication of how to get back to the menu, but decided that it wasn't going to be as frictionless as just adding another button.

 

Of course, COVID-19 broke our intent to take it to a show, probably until at least 2022 with the way things are going, but oh well.

 

I ordered a cabinet shell from VirtuaPin and it comes with the buttons down the left front.  I was thinking of having Start, Exit, and asking him not to cut out the 3rd hole, but then I was considering using the 3rd one for Night Mode, i.e. cutting off the feedback devices.  If I don't use it for Night Mode I can probably use it as the USB access.  Either way, I thought I'd rather have it cut out and decide later what to use it for, than to not have it cut out and need it later.  Any thoughts on this?

[aet]

By default, I got 2 cutouts on the bottom from Virtuapin. I didn't even think to discuss it with Paul first. I decided to use the bottom center cutout for night mode button, but I also wanted a stock coin box, and that interfered. So I ended up filling the center cutout and moving it elsewhere (over to the left). The right side cutout I used for power, but not the button they had in mind, so I modified that cutout to take the rectangular sized buttons (like the one in the front!). If I had it to do over again, I would request that both of those cutouts be the same, and move the center one. The 3rd button down the left side of the face is often "extra ball". If you don't want or need it, ask him to not cut it! I am going to put USB ports on the coin door, rather than in a button hole. Another surprising thing, versus pictures I saw online, were the 2 cutouts for air flow. In mjr's guide he shows them at the back, but in my case they were at the front, just behind where the cashbox fence goes. It did not matter to me, but I am going to cover one of them, and slap a fan for intake on the other. Anyway, my overall point is, you may want to discuss with Paul exactly what cutouts you are going to get and where. Possibly detail where you want every one of them!

[Conehead]

The 3rd button down the left side of the face is often "extra ball". If you don't want or need it, ask him to not cut it! 

 

Thanks for your advice.  In general, I'm fine with where the default cutouts are and the only thing nagging me at the back of my mind are the 3 cutouts on the left.  I can't think of what to use the 3rd cutout for if I don't want "Extra Ball".  Do you think it would look strange to have the USB outlet there?  If so, I will send Paul a note that I only want 2 cutouts and not 3....one for "Start" and one for "Exit".  Fortunately my cabinet is still in "queued for production" status.

[wiesshund]

Take the 3rd button
Never know, you might get a table that needs a non standard function

 

[Conehead]

Take the 3rd button
Never know, you might get a table that needs a non standard function

 

 

Thanks for your input!

[Conehead]

I guess I can cover the 3rd button hole with this in the meantime.

 

PS. I tried to attach a picture instead but couldn't figure out how to do it.  Does anyone know?

[wiesshund]

I guess I can cover the 3rd button hole with this in the meantime.

 

PS. I tried to attach a picture instead but couldn't figure out how to do it.  Does anyone know?

put a button in it, you can always map it later when needed.
Then you dont have to go and pull things open to add wiring etc later

 

I know i have a few tables that want the oddball button for something.
I think hyperball is one, one of the ACDC ones has a fire button for the cannon, there is a few others.

Better to have a button little used, than no button which suddenly becomes important that time you want to use it?
 

[Conehead]

 

Better to have a button little used, than no button which suddenly becomes important that time you want to use it?
 

 

 

Good advice!

[Conehead]

BTW, I bought the button package from VirtuaPin and it includes two lighted buttons, a Yellow "Start" button and an unlabeled Green button.  Ideally I'd like a Green "Start" button and a Red "Exit" button, and perhaps a Blue yet-to-be-determined-use button for the 3rd hole.  I tried taking apart the Yellow button to move the "Start" label to the Green button but it's a bitch to get the plastic cover off, so I stopped trying.  Do you know how/where I can order custom Green "Start" and Red "Exit" buttons?

[wiesshund]

I am pretty sure their buttons open up to put custom labels in, but i dont have any buttons supplied by them
so i am not sure on how they open.

Someone here has them so should know, or virtuapin should be able to tell you.
Might wait a bit for an answer 1st?

[Conehead]

Yes, I agree.  I'm going to wait until my cab arrives and I start putting the pieces together before I get granular enough to start thinking about the right type of button.  Get everything up and running first, and something like a Start button being the wrong colour falls pretty far down on the priority list.  First things first.

[GeorgeH]

I don't have a cab but you will need these if you install Future Pinball:

 

Flipper Left

Flipper Right

Start

Launch (plunger)

Exit

Pause

Coin

Special 1 (Slamt1lt sometimes has a fire button that uses this key)

Special 2 (used to display some menu systems or other functions.  I think some cabs don't have this but I think you will occasionally use it.)

 

Optional:

3 Nudge Keys (I'm not sure about these but you might need them if you don't have an accelerometer)

Music Volume UP

Music Volume DOWN

Sound Volume UP

Sound Volume DOWN

There are 2 second flipper keys but I think everyone sets these to be the same as the main flippers.

[aet]

https://www.pinballl...p-assembly.html pinball life has the green start button. I don't know if you will be able to find an "Exit" button - maybe. I couldn't find one at pinball life or marcospecialties. Probably you will have to buy the color you want and print a custom label, and yes, those buttons are a pain to take apart. 

[mjr]

I am pretty sure their buttons open up to put custom labels in

 

They do: see "Custom Labels" here: http://mjrnet.org/pi...?sid=cabButtons

 

I don't think you'll find a pre-printed "Exit" button anywhere, and the color combinations available for the standard labels (Start, Extra Ball) are pretty limited, so custom labels are the way to go.