I am thinking about building a custom PIN next year. STV "Voyager" is my favorite series of the francise and an ideal candidate to get artwork for the PF and BG translite.
Where do you start with the planning of a custom PIN?

My thoughts are as follows:

1. Select the "host". Another STTNG wide body? or any particular system number with a DMD would be preferable, also depends on what toys i want in there..

2. How or who makes translites?

3. How to get artwork scanned, printed or silkscreened on to a PF?

4. Who writes software and what language is required?

5. Who burns sound files onto Roms?


I saw the Rush game at the Toronto show, but did not get a chance to meet or speak to the owner about it.

I realize this is a large endovour and am simply seeking info at this time.

thanks guys!

Dave Astill was the owner of the RUSH pin but he was not the creator (although he probably knows a fair bit of what went into it). Do a search on Maaca for RUSH pin and you'll get the info on the creator of the pin (as well as the AC/DC pin)

Quoted from aerostarz

I saw the Rush game at the Toronto show, but did not get a chance to meet or speak to the owner about it.

The creator is around MAACA at times.  I had the pleasure of meeting him last year to pick up some parts.  I picked his brains for a few hours on the engineering, software and general pitfalls of creating the Rush game.  I came away with a new found respect of all that is required for a game.  It is a monumental task.  Something I would love to do one day but it requires far more time than I have.

If you want an easier way to possibly get into it, buy a p-roc board and try to code/program an existing game with a newer theme.  You could reprogram a STTNG to be a different Star Trek theme.  Do you have any knowledge of software development and how pinball machines work in relation to the switch matrix, lamp matrix and solenoid drivers?

http://www.pinballcontrollers.com

Quoted from SquidVicious

Dave Astill was the owner of the RUSH pin but he was not the creator (although he probably knows a fair bit of what went into it). Do a search on Maaca for RUSH pin and you'll get the info on the creator of the pin (as well as the AC/DC pin)

Thanks for the tip!! I have spoken to Dave once via email, still need to get back to him regarding some roms...

Quoted from Monkeybug

The creator is around MAACA at times.  I had the pleasure of meeting him last year to pick up some parts.  I picked his brains for a few hours on the engineering, software and general pitfalls of creating the Rush game.  I came away with a new found respect of all that is required for a game.  It is a monumental task.  Something I would love to do one day but it requires far more time than I have.

If you want an easier way to possibly get into it, buy a p-roc board and try to code/program an existing game with a newer theme.  You could reprogram a STTNG to be a different Star Trek theme.  Do you have any knowledge of software development and how pinball machines work in relation to the switch matrix, lamp matrix and solenoid drivers?

http://www.pinballcontrollers.com

The thought of rebranding a STTNG has crossed my mind.. but the toys would be the same.
I have minimal software development experience but have developers working for me at work. The link you provided above is excellent in addition to the feedback. thanks again!

This may be a good start and has also led me here http://www.oddchange.com/freewpc/

If you don't want the same toys/layout as an existing machine, then it sounds like it might be easier to start from scratch.  Then you can design the PF the way you want it, perhaps working with existing plastics (that you can either salvage or buy reproductions of) to avoid having to build them yourself.  Personally, I'd probably work on creating the layout and rules in something like Visual Pinball first to get a feel for what I want to build, and then port them to an actual controller later on.  

Quoted from Chris Bardon

If you don't want the same toys/layout as an existing machine, then it sounds like it might be easier to start from scratch.  Then you can design the PF the way you want it, perhaps working with existing plastics (that you can either salvage or buy reproductions of) to avoid having to build them yourself.  Personally, I'd probably work on creating the layout and rules in something like Visual Pinball first to get a feel for what I want to build, and then port them to an actual controller later on.  

Visual Pinball eh?
Interesting, i will look into this also!.

thanks

Sean

As for your translite, I have designed my own backglass for a project of mine so the only advise I have on this is "photoshop" my friend......learn it or have someone do it for you.  Learning the software is not too bad but to be good at it takes a while especially depending on what you want to do.

take care

Quoted from gmaranda

As for your translite, I have designed my own backglass for a project of mine so the only advise I have on this is "photoshop" my friend......learn it or have someone do it for you.  Learning the software is not too bad but to be good at it takes a while especially depending on what you want to do.

take care

have you printed the artwork on the plastic film as of yet?

Is there a name or term for the printing process or plastic used?

good theme

Quoted from aerostarz

have you printed the artwork on the plastic film as of yet?

Is there a name or term for the printing process or plastic used?

It is call a backlit vinyl film, print shops have a variety of different kinds but they all refer to it as backlit since it has to have the white layer on the back to diffuse light.  I have not printed mine yet but I have checked a few places including a member here (machine.slave) : http://archive.maaca.org/s107351202.onlinehome.us/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1263481545/ he told me he could do what I required and the price was very good.

So maybe you can start there but any good print shop will do what you need as long as you have a good HD picture of what you want.

Hope this helps

take care

Quoted from gmaranda

It is call a backlit vinyl film, print shops have a variety of different kinds but they all refer to it as backlit since it has to have the white layer on the back to diffuse light.  I have not printed mine yet but I have checked a few places including a member here (machine.slave) : http://archive.maaca.org/s107351202.onlinehome.us/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?m-1263481545/ he told me he could do what I required and the price was very good.

So maybe you can start there but any good print shop will do what you need as long as you have a good HD picture of what you want.

Hope this helps

take care

Thanks a million!! "backlit vinyl" film eh? cool.
I better get the ole photoshop re-installed and ready to go!

Sean