55 replies to this topic

[mameman23]

 

Well its time for build number 2 and I decided I wanted to do a P2K style cabinet. This is the first of 2 P2K cabinet I am building at present. The 2nd is a full 100% replica of a RFM machine.

With Tron just around the corner and how great it looks I decided it would be a pretty cool theme to do. At some point I want to learn to program the VP software and will probably have a crack at building a table to go with the theme.

I'll update this thread with the build details and items used as I go like I did with Dr Who, but just wanted to put the start of this out there for everyone to see.

One twist on this design is that it will still be a 3 monitor cabinet. a) Playfield screen, b) Backglass screen and c)a screen inside the head of the machine like the original P2K design that will reflect the DMD screen down onto the playfield glass.

Artwork will be like a P2K machine and will center on the cabinet head with a border around it. The design for the head artwork will be cut from the fullsize sheet once in place to do this.

Here are some dimensions to work from. The head is a real pain, but as long as both sides match, however you shape it really does not matter that much.

The glass size i used was 21 3/4"x 42 1/4" (but please check this after you have built your cabinet as you do not get a second chance when dealing with tempered glass)

 

UPDATE:

for those wanting to create the same reflected DMD effect with an LCD, the easy option is changing the registry entry for each rom (or the default entry). The option you need to change is called flipy. Change the value from 0 to 1 and your DMD image will be inverted so it displays correctly in the reflection.

Edited by mameman23, 10 January 2013 - 03:13 PM.

[Rawd]

You are crazy. I like it!

[BK3K]

Greetings Programs, I would like to know the cost after your cabinet is complete.
It looks fantastic.

End Of Line!

[studmuff]

Awesome Idea! I can't wait to see this built.

[faralos]

you might want to pm PracticeDummy, since he is currently building a Tron pin for VP9. I'm sure he has many resources you may want or need, and maybe vice versa. looks cool though, I love tron (who doesn't? well talking with my gal (who was born In Australia and lived her teen years in Afghanistan (I kid you guys not) She actually has NOT SEEN TRON! So We will be renting it soon so she can enjoy the 'animated' real life that makes up tron much as it did for the original Lord of the rings cartoon that also came out in the 70's i think. that one used the same practice of drawing on each frame of film. but anyways cool looking cab so far... keep us posted...

[mameman23]

small update today (its cold up here!!). have completed the mounting of the head sides (sunk the nuts/washers into the side of the cabinet), will cover with adhesive black disks when finished like williams did on other machines. have fitted head top, and 3rd monitor panel. currently working on the former shape to form the speaker grill area below the backglass display.

[Lyanheart]

I love the shape of that backbox

[mameman23]

todays update, brrr still cold.

Test legs are in place.

hole cut for DMD CRT, test fitted CRT. need to make some spaces to raise it about 3/8" to get the face of the monitor more flush.

 

AOC 24" monitor for backglass mounted.


next up, mounting playfield monitor and speaker panel.

Edited by mameman23, 10 January 2013 - 03:15 PM.

[Practicedummy]

Looking good!

[mameman23]

construction has pretty much to come the end now, today's tasks completed.
back door cut, and lock fitted.
speaker grill formed and mounted
playfield screen support rails installed.
 

tomorrow, time for filler and sanding, then finally it can come into the warm for the next bits

Edited by mameman23, 10 January 2013 - 03:16 PM.

[Practicedummy]

Looking good man! Looking forward to the finished product.

[bolt]

Looks very good.

[Rook]

Are you doing any of the reflection projection the real Pin2K cabinets had, or are you just using the monitor directly?

Either way, the project looks cool!

[rascal]

Looks really cool!
How are you going to reverse the DMD display so that it looks correct in a reflection? Do you have a program to do this?

[mameman23]

Are you doing any of the reflection projection the real Pin2K cabinets had, or are you just using the monitor directly?

Either way, the project looks cool!

its reflecting just as the p2k did. will working on it again tonight. I have it working currently. I don't currently have a sheet of P2k glass (it has a reflective coating on the top section). I want to do some experimenting on what i can use on the back of the glass to give it a bit more reflective quality.

currently on plain glass, you cant do it directly over the playfield as its not visable enough, however with the limitations of the cabinet width and using a 37" screen, i have a section just past the playfield i can project onto and can darken that are up to make it show more.

Again, for early stages currently its looking good, just a case of tweaking more to see what else i can do.

will upload a pic tonight.

Edited by mameman23, 28 December 2010 - 09:34 PM.

[mameman23]

here's a video of the initial test of the DMD reflecting on a piece of glass over the playfield. currently the glass as no reflective coating added to it. Its not too bad. even in normal light.
I think if I was to reposition it so it was fully over the playfield it will need a reflective element on the glass to make it stand out against the playfield screen.

I'm actually pretty happy given the screen limitations due to cabinet width to have it display above and beyond the screen.

currently running the DMD with the double size option to make it stand out more.

I'm thinking about trying a light mist coat of krylon mirror paint or spray window tint on that portion of the glass to make it more reflective.

It's pretty neat effect that it hovers over the glass and due to the nature of the DMD dot display actually has a 3d look to it.



some pics

Edited by mameman23, 10 January 2013 - 03:17 PM.

[lettuce]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, thats a really good effect for a first attemp Greg, so will only get better when you add the reflective galss or paint, you must be dead chuffed!!

[mameman23]

ok bit of a delay in getting a few more pictures uploaded. went into the basement yesterday to find a outside tap feed had broken from I guess the frost and left me with about 150 gallons of water in the basement. partly covered the P2K pin, missed the Dr Who machine but the screen was out and was sitting in an inch of water (still drying before testing) and drowned my vinyl cutter. Maybe after couple weeks of drying it will be fine.

Anyway, back to the machine...
whats left to do...
a.playfield glass and tinting.
b.artwork
c.t-moulding for 1 side
d.backglass (glass)
e.bezel for playfield monitor
f. back apron for cabinet (behind playfield monitor)
g.speakers
h.gpwiz for led's and button inputs
j. solenoids etc for feedback
k. A pc so Dr Who can have his back
l.under cabinet lighting for that sorta Tron glow.

I am just about happy with the reflection of the DMD now. The slight tinting of the glass has done what I needed. reduced the reflection back from the glass that was giving it an offset reflection and making it a little tougher to read, plus gives it some additional darkness to reflect against.

Added bonus is it's a lot easier to play with the DMD more in view that it is in a normal DMD setup. certainly getting started on my 2nd P2K cabinet now



 

 

 

 

Edited by mameman23, 10 January 2013 - 03:20 PM.

[Blitz17]

Very nice!

[Lyanheart]

Again, I love the look of that backbox, but overall that machine is pretty freakin sweet. Awesome way to do the DMD.