165 replies to this topic

[NailBuster]

Hiya....  I'm setting up my 3 monitor cab build and had an idea with a solution to use a mouse for a plunger....  I know there are commercial solutions but I like 'playing' with things I have around the home and figuring out if it will work.  

 

Anyhow.....

 

Here's a google photo album of where I'm at currently:  https://goo.gl/photos/9CWb3TASEL7BRdBk7

 

what I used was:

 

a simple strap.... I used one from a shopping bag (one of those 'high-end' shopping bags I see my wife bring home and shed a tear when I see

some weight (i used a tweeter I found in a junk drawer)

an old mouse  (optical sensor)  

used a paint stir-stick for a wood-channel where the strap goes through and forces contact with the mouse sensor...

a bracket I had in a drawer for something I guess,  used some black-duck tape I had to hold it together for now (If it works out I'll figure out a more 'solid' connections)....

 

You can see in the photos/video how it works.  Seems pretty accurate...

 

Update:

 

Ok,  I've got it pretty much working/testing now.  Works with visual pinball X(or versions that support rY joystick axis for plunger?)...... works with Pinball Fx2 as well!!

 

Here are the files to get it working:

 

Files you'll need are here: www.nailbuster.com/nailcode/MousePlunger_v070.zip

 

There's a README.TXT file within the zip,  hopefully it'll be enough for you to setup.

 

Note:  by default when you run the 'agent' it will hide your systems Mouse pointer....  to get it back just press the middle wheel mouse.  You can disable this feature in the INI file...

 

take a look at what Bluemanuk has done to get the setup even better!..   see post here:  http://www.vpforums.org/index.php?showtopic=38064&page=4#entry403700

Edited by NailBuster, 16 April 2021 - 04:06 PM.

[NailBuster]

Just an Update....  I've written the utility/driver that translate the mouse movements to the rY joystick axis... works really great so far with pinballx....(I used the vJoy driver for joystick emulation) 

 

If you look at the album I've added a video of how the response is with the mouse analog plunger....I didn't have to modify any tables to get it working... just setup vpx to use rY......gotta love visualpinball x !!!

 

I've also added support/option to send the 'enter key' when a plunge is detected so that it works with tables that don't use a plunger (launch button).... that seems to work too

 

I just have to fine tune it and test it more(some issues with pinballx menu support) ....  don't know if anyone is interested in testing/trying out a solution like this.... I'd be happy to help out and provide files to test....

[Brer Frog]

Neat idea. thanks for sharing.

[STAT]

Looking good, never thought about this with a Mouse

[ta2686]

Great idea!

 

I am guessing that desktop users can also be able to use this utility?

[rockhouse]

excellent  a nice simple idea 

many thanks for sharing

[Outhere]

This is a sharp idea and affordable

[NailBuster]

Great idea!

 

I am guessing that desktop users can also be able to use this utility?

 

It does work for desktop users....  that's how I test it while programming....  but I'm not sure anyone would want to 'fling' their mouse around their desk to plunge   (probably knock over a few items on the desk)

 

FYI...  I've got my mouse plunger/cab working with Pinball FX2 using a 3rd party app (x360ce ) that emulates the 360 controller for joysticks....plunge works well.

 

Glad to see others agree that it is a simple and straight forward option.  I've been testing/playing more with it and I'm happy to report that it works really well so far....

[ta2686]

I know that some desktop users have been looking for an alternative for holding/releasing the enter key for the plunger and this sounds like a really good option.

 

Keep us informed!

[Brock101]

What an excellent idea.

I know what i will be using as my plunger setup, when i eventually get my cab built 

I am wondering when you are happy with everything and GO Final with your idea and software.

could there possibly be a guide made.

Thank you so much.

[NailBuster]

Update... 3 people have tried it out.... I've heard back from one of them with SUCCESS!!..   so I'm releasing the files for now...

 

Files you'll need are here:  http://www.nailbuste...lunger_v055.zip

 

There's a README.TXT file within the zip,  hopefully it'll be enough for you to setup....

 

let me know if you have any success with it....  

 

Note: You could use this util in desktop mode..  once running you move the mouse to the right (to pull down plunger) and then quickly to the left to release...  You would probably have to change the ini DELTA setting to a smaller value so you don't have to move the mouse too much.  If people actually start using it for desktop I could modify a version for desktop that works downwards/upwards move movement(or another way that makes sense for them)....

 

David

[rockhouse]

simple and excellent idea anyone used it in vp9 cabinet mode?

[JMG]

what an excellent idea! might try this out sometime

[Onevox]

Clever. wish you had posted 6 months ago. Do I need to bedazzle my mouse first?

[NailBuster]

Clever. wish you had posted 6 months ago. Do I need to bedazzle my mouse first?

 

It was a tragedy that a mouse so 'bedazzled' had to find its home inside a dark cab

 

I tried something different with the idea today.... same idea in general but I think it may work better.

 

I apparently like using paint sticks for 'things'....  I used a paint stick instead of a strap/weight....  I'm going to see which one I like better....

 

You can see latest video in album: https://goo.gl/photos/9CWb3TASEL7BRdBk7

[JMG]

thats also a nice improvement regarding simplicity... maybe the wood will grind away your mouse in a couple of years though

Edited by JMG, 24 July 2017 - 06:13 AM.

[Onevox]

You got me curious. What is the optimal surface for precision?

 

 https://www.amazon.c...S/dp/B0017D5Z40

[jbg4208]

Ohh I like the paint stick idea even better. Great work. Gonna have to try this.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Edited by jbg4208, 24 July 2017 - 02:46 PM.

[Brer Frog]

 

Clever. wish you had posted 6 months ago. Do I need to bedazzle my mouse first?

 

It was a tragedy that a mouse so 'bedazzled' had to find its home inside a dark cab

 

I tried something different with the idea today.... same idea in general but I think it may work better.

 

I apparently like using paint sticks for 'things'....  I used a paint stick instead of a strap/weight....  I'm going to see which one I like better....

 

You can see latest video in album: https://goo.gl/photos/9CWb3TASEL7BRdBk7

 

 

Which do you like better, the strap or the stick?

[NailBuster]

Which do you like better, the strap or the stick?

 

 

 

I would definitely go with the stick.....the motion seems better/smoother.  

 

If you are planning on trying it out, keep me posted.  Looking to get some more feedback on the idea.

 

:David