29 replies to this topic

[Bob5453]

Demo - VP9 Stage3 WS



Version: 1.0
Category: Table Templates

Author(s): Bob5453

Description:
simple starter table for WS tables
Updated to Stage 3.

Demo VP9 for creating WS tables

Uses Dan's AlphaNumeric Display System.





View File

Submitted by Bob5453, on Nov 22 2009, 12:11 AM

[Bob5453]

I downloaded the Demo and I don't know what to do next?

I know most people feel they aren't very creative.... That's why we have so many VPM tables being worked on.

You don't really have to be creative to create an Original table, you just need to know what you like. There's a table called Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I just stole the top left corner of the layout from it and then moved the bottom 2 bumpers closer together.

This stuff is so easy my dog could do it.

Attached Files

•  DV9ss1.jpg   223.61KB   47 downloads

[destruk]

And how is modifying an existing proven layout to fit your own purpose being creative Bob? For there not being many creative people, there are at least 10 times as many original tables as there are VPM tables, they just don't usually get much attention because unlike a paid production house, most original authors create something and upload it instantly instead of running through hundreds of designs to get a better layout. Even authors like SDB (most would say his games were worth playing) used existing gottlieb designs to base his on, so it's not a new idea to skimp on design requirements.

[Bob5453]

And how is modifying an existing proven layout to fit your own purpose being creative Bob? For there not being many creative people, there are at least 10 times as many original tables as there are VPM tables, they just don't usually get much attention because unlike a paid production house, most original authors create something and upload it instantly instead of running through hundreds of designs to get a better layout. Even authors like SDB (most would say his games were worth playing) used existing gottlieb designs to base his on, so it's not a new idea to skimp on design requirements.

I was only joking.... Creativity is in the eye of the beholder or something like that.

[Bob5453]

Below you can see I borrowed a little from the Joker Poker table for the right side. I also switched the bumpers around to fit the layout a little better and I cut an opening on the left side sort of like what's in the Amazing Spider-man table. It's probably best to not add any graphics until you get the layout mostly done and playing smoothly.

Attached Files

•  DV9ss2.jpg   227.99KB   32 downloads

[Bob5453]

I didn't really intend to turn this thread into a WIP, but it does help to show you how a layout can be formed. I like targets, so obviously you are going to find targets in most of my projects, I also prefer EM tables, so my tables usually fall into that style. Below I added 3 targets in the middle, once again similar to the Amazing Spider-man table. You can see other changes and additions, I just need to think about the top right section of the table. You can shoot the ball at the lower left curved wall and it will travel between the middle targets and the spinner and enter that top left section, so I need something there to make that shot interesting.

Attached Files

•  DV9ss3.jpg   235.55KB   40 downloads

[jimbot]

This is very helpful for me - thanks Bob.

The rubber around the central slingshot triangle thing (with the targets) - can you stretch that somehow to fit the shape you want or do you have to create all the layers of walls by hand?

[Bob5453]

This is very helpful for me - thanks Bob.

The rubber around the central slingshot triangle thing (with the targets) - can you stretch that somehow to fit the shape you want or do you have to create all the layers of walls by hand?

You have to create all of the layers for each new different shape by moving control points and adding control points. It's not as hard as you would think. You can left click and hold the left click down and highlight or select entire areas and copy and paste them.

For a completely new rubber shape, I select a similar existing rubber, just copy and paste one layer and then reshape that layer and then copy it and paste it on top of itself 5 more times while adjusting the height and color of the walls for the rubber in this style. It's easier than it sounds and practice does help, usually only a couple of minutes for something like a newly shaped plastic, rubber and posts.

Here's another pic of my example layout, it definitely needs something, maybe the recycle bin.

Attached Files

•  DV9ss4.jpg   248.36KB   55 downloads

[Popotte]

It's a really nice table for a beginner. If one day I'll make a VP table, sure, I'll have a deep look to it!

[FDSystems]

It's a really nice table for a beginner. If one day I'll make a VP table, sure, I'll have a deep look to it!

The Future of Pinball is Visual!
Ask Steve....or my laptop....

Edited by 1234fd, 26 November 2009 - 01:09 AM.

[Bob5453]

Popotte already can script and create graphics, so he wouldn't need this demo, but there would be some happy VP'ers if he would make some VP tables. I think he would find it more rewarding than FP!

[Liteuser]

Very nice Demo Bob.

Building a VP table, It's so Easy, A Cave Man could do it!

Thanks

[Bob5453]

I finished my example layout and I think it plays pretty well. I removed all of the target lights as they are now drop targets. Dropping a target lights those star triggers above the spinners one at a time and the spinner 10X arrow lights. The kicker cup at the lower left shoots the ball up into the bumpers and the kicker cup at the top right shoots the ball up to the top center lane.

Anyway, making an Original table can be a lot of fun, I'm surprised more people don't do it.

Attached Files

•  DV9ss5.jpg   245.08KB   54 downloads

[marv75]

Nice demo Bob! Someday I will make the PG-13 table! (Wink!) 1st I need to get a LEGAL copy of Photoshop which costs hundreds of bucks and you guys would have to hold my little hand on scripting....(Maybe even NC-17 table Bob)....As soon as my meds are straight and I can clearly focus and not have insomnia 3 or 4 times a week I might be up to it....Break out the Hustlers!

Edited by marv75, 06 December 2009 - 07:38 AM.

[wtiger]

...1st I need to get a LEGAL copy of Photoshop which costs hundreds of bucks

Try The Gimp. It's free and similar to Photoshop. You can read/write Photoshop .PSD files too.

www.gimp.org

[kruge99]

Wow! this totally slipped under my radar until I saw the link from destruk in the default table contest! This is looking fantastic Bob, is the download link for the 1.0 version or the one you have taken a screenshot in your most recent post? I'd definitely like to take a look at it!


Best Regards,
Todd.

p.s. I'd like to give a shout out for "The GIMP" as well. It's what I cut my teeth on, graphically speaking. I've used it in my current WIP of my original Avro Arrow table, in the ID4 table for the 90's workshop, as well as manipulating Martin's graphics for Stern Galaxy. I was amazed at the powerful tools in The GIMP, even though it's footprint is a measly 14Mb download. Check it out.

[Bob5453]

.....is the download link for the 1.0 version or the one you have taken a screenshot in your most recent post? I'd definitely like to take a look at it!

The download link is simply for the basic table layout of the default table I created for the aformentioned contest, but since you were limited to a 500 kb file, I thought I would finish the default table or starter table with scripting and comments and such as I would have if it weren't for the 500kb limit.

The screenshots are just an example of me showing someone how easy it is to create a new layout with borrowing some ideas from other tables.

[Bob5453]

Here is where you can see how a table can totally change appearance with just a couple minor changes....

I added a picture (found on the web) to be used as the playfield.
I added a new texture to replace the old blue plastic texture.
I changed the hue of the post graphic.
I changed the hue of the bumper graphic.

That's all I did since the last screenshot, I actually just did it while I was watching a basketball game.

Attached Files

•  DV9ss6.jpg   320.07KB   74 downloads

[StevOz]

Nice demo Bob! Someday I will make the PG-13 table! (Wink!) 1st I need to get a LEGAL copy of Photoshop which costs hundreds of bucks and you guys would have to hold my little hand on scripting....(Maybe even NC-17 table Bob)....As soon as my meds are straight and I can clearly focus and not have insomnia 3 or 4 times a week I might be up to it....Break out the Hustlers!

You don't need any special graphics programs or skills to create a good looking original, all three tables I've made were made using simple free graphics programs irfanview and xnview. They look plenty good enough to me.

Here is where you can see how a table can totally change appearance with just a couple minor changes....

I added a picture (found on the web) to be used as the playfield.
I added a new texture to replace the old blue plastic texture.
I changed the hue of the post graphic.
I changed the hue of the bumper graphic.

That's all I did since the last screenshot, I actually just did it while I was watching a basketball game.

That looks pretty good bob, would make a nice table and lends itself well to a 3 ball multiball SS type table.

[Bob5453]

You don't need any special graphics programs or skills to create a good looking original, all three tables I've made were made using simple free graphics programs irfanview and xnview. They look plenty good enough to me.

This is true up to the point of where this example table appears above, but to take it to the next level, you would need a graphics software that allows you to work in layers. I have a very old copy of Photoshop 6 that my son gave me about 6 years ago and I have slowly learned to do most of the things I want to do with it. I improve graphically each year.

Here's the current above playfield after a couple of days of Photoshop work.

Attached Files

•  test.jpg   315.61KB   40 downloads