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(Topic ID: 295095)

Animated Launch Ball Button

By Vimtoman

2 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 238 posts
  • 96 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 47 hours ago by bossk4hire
  • Topic is favorited by 69 Pinsiders

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AFM - Game Play.gif
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There are 238 posts in this topic. You are on page 3 of 5.
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#101 2 years ago
 
???

pins4u

Pinside apprentice

BW Gaborone

3y 34,400 1,037

Quoted from Mr_Tantrum:

What is the patent number? Patents are only as good as the claims within them, and variants can exist without being in violation. To deem that SH has some patent without actually referencing the specific patent doesn’t really do much for anyone.

I was merely pointing out something I am aware of (I have personally visited the Suzo Happ factory in China and viewed these buttons). They told me that they had a patent on them, that was good enough for me.

If by pointing out that further investigation should be done because of what I know isn't enough to trigger people to go and look for themselves, well, I have no intention of wasting my time doing so. I'm not making these so I have no interest in finding out, just trying to offer assistance by imparting some first hand knowledge.

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#102 2 years ago
 
ZIT

Zitt

Pinball-Mods.com

US Austin, TX

11y 112K 7,873 15 10

Quoted from Mr_Tantrum:

Did you hit a wall with this project?

Have you tried quoting any PBA projects recently?
The whole electronic market is F-e-d due to these shortages and FAB capacity.
I tried ordering some connectors last week which I've NEVER had issues getting... and they were backordered until end of Dec... best case.
I had to order alternates I've never seen... and had to order 150 of them because they weren't available in single unit quantities.

A friend of mine uses FPGAs in a lot of his products from Xilinx... and he told me that he got a notice in the recent past that effectively said:
" if you are using our old sh1t... we are canceling all outstanding POs and do not anticipate filling any orders for the foreseeable future"
So; you need to be using their latest expensive stuff ... or your products are dead.

If the OP is having any of these issues... it's going to be a while before he's even close.

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#103 2 years ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Project just on hold due to other projects but still being worked on.
Just had a new pcb delivered which has PWM lamp sensing added.

Tests to be done so will be a while yet.

This will be a limited run for friends and not a production item

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#104 2 years ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Well I have a working model.
Switch input works
Lamp PWM sense works

But I'm not happy with the complexity of the build.
Just too much to go wrong.

So have decided that the mod is not going to be released at this time.

I will make a few up for friends that have helped.

Project closed.

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#105 2 years ago
 
ZUM

Mr_Tantrum

Mr_Tantrum

US Fort Worth, TX

8y 140K 12,539 3 6 75

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

Well I have a working model.
Switch input works
Lamp PWM sense works
But I'm not happy with the complexity of the build.
Just too much to go wrong.
So have decided that the mod is not going to be released at this time.
I will make a few up for friends that have helped.
Project closed.

We appreciate the creativity and effort. Unfortunately, not every idea can come to fruition.

9 months later
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#106 1 year ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Quoted from Mr_Tantrum:

We appreciate the creativity and effort. Unfortunately, not every idea can come to fruition.

Still not forgotten I owe you one

I will be starting this mod up again after I finish the one Im designing now.

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#107 1 year ago
 
DAP

stumblor

Stumblor Pinball

GB London

5y 111K 1,391 17

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

Still not forgotten I owe you one
I will be starting this mod up again after I finish the one Im designing now.

Great news Andrew this is an awesome mod which deserves to see a full release.

I'll be picking up a R&M in the next few weeks that has one of your proto buttons in it. Can't wait to see it in person.

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#108 1 year ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Quoted from stumblor:

Great news Andrew this is an awesome mod which deserves to see a full release.
I'll be picking up a R&M in the next few weeks that has one of your proto buttons in it. Can't wait to see it in person.

Its the only one out there

8 months later
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#109 11 months ago
 
JCK

ballzach1

Pinside+ Frequent

7y 24,150 9 3 7

Oh my god, just discovered this, pleeeeease make one of these for The Big Lebowski!!! All of the aftermarket mod shooter buttons are not lighted, so our only option is the generic lighted "shoot Ball" button that comes factory installed, or an opaque non-lighted half bowling ball. This would be great to have in attract mode, these buttons you are making look sweet!!! I think you could sell a shitload of them for any game that has a button instead of the traditional knob, I know I would buy one immediately!!! Keep up the good work!

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#110 11 months ago
 
ZUM

Mr_Tantrum

Mr_Tantrum

US Fort Worth, TX

8y 140K 12,539 3 6 75

Quoted from ballzach1:

Oh my god, just discovered this, pleeeeease make one of these for The Big Lebowski!!! All of the aftermarket mod shooter buttons are not lighted, so our only option is the generic lighted "shoot Ball" button that comes factory installed, or an opaque non-lighted half bowling ball. This would be great to have in attract mode, these buttons you are making look sweet!!! I think you could sell a shitload of them for any game that has a button instead of the traditional knob, I know I would buy one immediately!!! Keep up the good work!

OP discontinued the mod (actually, never released it), but I'll let him comment on the reasons why.

1 month later
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#111 10 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Quoted from Mr_Tantrum:

OP discontinued the mod (actually, never released it), but I'll let him comment on the reasons why.

I'm going to restart it and yes I still owe you one....

Just finishing off Ultraman mod and then jump onto this.

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#112 9 months ago
 
MSW

ToucanF16

Pinside+ Frequent

10y 122K 5,195

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

I'm going to restart it and yes I still owe you one....
Just finishing off Ultraman mod and then jump onto this.

Good, I’d be in for a couple, especially TBL.

1 month later
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#113 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

UPDATE

Have redesigned the button circuit which I'm tesing out now.
So far looking good and should now make user installation easier.

Still have interfacing to pinball to sort out but getting closer for completion.

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#114 8 months ago
 
MSW

ToucanF16

Pinside+ Frequent

10y 122K 5,195

Great. Looking forward to the updates!

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#115 8 months ago
 
DUG

GreenMachine19

Pinside member

US Groton, CT

10y 63,800 1,549 5

I’m in for AFM. Can’t wait.

1 week later
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#116 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

AFM remake version will be the first to be released.

No official logo though.

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#117 8 months ago
 
NWR

paulbaptiste

Pinside+ Frequent

US Danville, IL

4y 128K 2,194 15 17 1

Quoted from ballzach1:

Oh my god, just discovered this, pleeeeease make one of these for The Big Lebowski!!! All of the aftermarket mod shooter buttons are not lighted, so our only option is the generic lighted "shoot Ball" button that comes factory installed, or an opaque non-lighted half bowling ball. This would be great to have in attract mode, these buttons you are making look sweet!!! I think you could sell a shitload of them for any game that has a button instead of the traditional knob, I know I would buy one immediately!!! Keep up the good work!

A man after my own heart!

Looking forward to seeing the first version of this. I love watching Andrews work whether I own the game or not.

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#118 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

UPDATE...

Made a big step regarding the build.
FYI...
Previously had to bore out the lamp section of the switch and had 5 wires stuffed through that section.
Not a pretty sight and button not free in movement.
Worked but was never happy with the result hence me originally shelving the mod.

Well now its free and and no wires with a bit of magic inside.

Had already invested in a test of the button pcb and that has worked really well.
Now just waiting for the main pinball interfacing pcb to arrive and an updated button circuit.
Hopefully no cock ups on the main pcb.

Spending bit of time updating the AFM animations.
Fancied some motion on the UFO's body.

Will have launch ball, Launch Bomb modes with some free running animations seamlessly playing in attact mode.

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#119 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Short vid of UFO' departure movements.

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#120 8 months ago
 
???

Svente69

Pinside member

DE Essen

3y 30,800 276 4 8

Also in for the AFM Remake…..

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#121 8 months ago
 
DAP

stumblor

Stumblor Pinball

GB London

5y 111K 1,391 17

Count me in for AFM!

I was lucky enough to try @vimtoman's version for R&M and it was completely awesome.

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#122 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

And a TBL version started

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#123 8 months ago
 
ZUM

Mr_Tantrum

Mr_Tantrum

US Fort Worth, TX

8y 140K 12,539 3 6 75

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

And a TBL version started

Love the bowling ball!

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#124 8 months ago
 
MJH

Markharris2000

Pinside member

US Fremont, CA

4y 81,050 2,902 3 10 1

Can we see what the assembled button would look like soon?

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#125 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Quoted from Markharris2000:

Can we see what the assembled button would look like soon?

Just like a standard launch button

I will show pictures of what I had originally and the current version thats to be released.
Soon as my main playfield pcb is tested will reveal all.

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#126 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Quoted from Mr_Tantrum:

Love the bowling ball!

Taken me two days to build that.
Big learning curve on Blender.
Still have a few more to make for TBL.

AFM is pretty much finished .
I'm struggling in decision of "quality of video".
At present its as crisp as you can get regarding the display size.
I can fit more animation if compressed but does add bad artifacts which shows up quite a bit due to resolution of screen.

Will test out closer to the final version.

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#127 8 months ago
 
DUG

DugFreez

Speaker Light Kits

12y 94,550 4,456

I'm still interested in one for a Monster Bash remake.

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#128 8 months ago
 
ETN

etien

Pinside member

FR Fontainebleau

6y 48,300 458 16 6

Hi, I know there is no limit on how much mods our pinballs can take, I am bewitched by the effort, but wouldn’t make it more logical to start with the ‘fire’ button which is in plain sight in the middle of the lockbar rather than the ‘start’ button which is sort of discrete ? ( think Potc, Godzilla, Jurassic Park and so on )

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#129 8 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Quoted from etien:

Hi, I know there is no limit on how much mods our pinballs can take, I am bewitched by the effort, but wouldn’t make it more logical to start with the ‘fire’ button which is in plain sight in the middle of the lockbar rather than the ‘start’ button which is sort of discrete ? ( think Potc, Godzilla, Jurassic Park and so on )

You know theres no wiring involved with that button.
Removing lockbar would be probmatic.
May look at it though

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#130 8 months ago
 
DAP

stumblor

Stumblor Pinball

GB London

5y 111K 1,391 17

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

And a TBL version started

dude YAS!

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0
0
#131 8 months ago
 
NWR

paulbaptiste

Pinside+ Frequent

US Danville, IL

4y 128K 2,194 15 17 1

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

And a TBL version started

I’m in! Super psyched for this one!!

0
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#132 8 months ago
 
???

matlynch91

Pinside+ Pro!

2y 73,050 496

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

And a TBL version started

Amazing!

0
0
0
#133 8 months ago
 
DUG

DugFreez

Speaker Light Kits

12y 94,550 4,456

Quoted from etien:

Hi, I know there is no limit on how much mods our pinballs can take, I am bewitched by the effort, but wouldn’t make it more logical to start with the ‘fire’ button which is in plain sight in the middle of the lockbar rather than the ‘start’ button which is sort of discrete ? ( think Potc, Godzilla, Jurassic Park and so on )

This mod is NOT for the start button. It is for the larger ball launch buttons (on the right side) on certain games.

0
0
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#134 8 months ago
 
ETN

etien

Pinside member

FR Fontainebleau

6y 48,300 458 16 6

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

You know theres no wiring involved with that button.
Removing lockbar would be probmatic.
May look at it though

Good point, if it makes it too cumbersome to remove it that could be a no go

0
1
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#135 8 months ago
 
???

adamross

Pinside+ Frequent

US Los Angeles, CA

6y 81,050 1,364 5

Please add me to list for TBL

0
1
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#136 8 months ago
 
FAV

bemmett

Pinside+ Addict

12y 127K 3,967 126 2

Put me on the list for TBL

0
1
1
#137 8 months ago
 
MKV

Nepi23

Pinside member

FI Helsinki

11y 70,800 1,926 7

Please add me to the list for TBL and AFMR.

0
1
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#138 8 months ago
 
TIM

timlah79

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 81,050 880 5

Please add me to the list as well for TBL. Awesome!

0
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#139 7 months ago
 
JC

ezatnova

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 52,800 781 6 9

Jumping on the list for TBL

1 week later
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#140 7 months ago
 
NLA

Nilser

Pinside+ Frequent

1y 30,400 12

Please add me to the list for TBL and AFMR

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#141 7 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Heres a test for the TBL pin.
Almost finished off videos. No copyright assets.
Standard Launch button housing. video shows the complete button.
Have yet a few more videos to do and testing on pinball to do.
This video shows the launch button and small bowling alley section activating.

0
1
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#142 7 months ago
 
NWR

paulbaptiste

Pinside+ Frequent

US Danville, IL

4y 128K 2,194 15 17 1

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

Heres a test for the TBL pin.
Almost finished off videos. No copyright assets.
Standard Launch button housing. video shows the complete button.
Have yet a few more videos to do and testing on pinball to do.
This video shows the launch button and small bowling alley section activating.

I volunteer to test if needed…I’m selfless like that.

1
1
0
#143 7 months ago
 
JAY

jyeakley

Pinside+ Frequent

13y 115K 1,416 73

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

Heres a test for the TBL pin.
Almost finished off videos. No copyright assets.
Standard Launch button housing. video shows the complete button.
Have yet a few more videos to do and testing on pinball to do.
This video shows the launch button and small bowling alley section activating.

Please add me to TBL list!

1 week later
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0
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#144 7 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Tests have been completed on CGC Remakes so AFMR will be ready soon.
TBL will be next test.
New pcb's arriving next week.
Pushbuttons stuck in customs due to UPS broker cockup on Duty.

Not long before contacting all requests!!

0
1
1
#145 7 months ago
 
NWR

paulbaptiste

Pinside+ Frequent

US Danville, IL

4y 128K 2,194 15 17 1

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

Tests have been completed on CGC Remakes so AFMR will be ready soon.
TBL will be next test.
New pcb's arriving next week.
Pushbuttons stuck in customs due to UPS broker cockup on Duty.
Not long before contacting all requests!!

Let's go! I'm ready for my TBL button! Great work here. Thanks for all you contribute to this hobby of ours.

0
1
1
#146 7 months ago
 
???

matlynch91

Pinside+ Pro!

2y 73,050 496

Quoted from paulbaptiste:

Let's go! I'm ready for my TBL button! Great work here. Thanks for all you contribute to this hobby of ours.

Confirming I’m in for a TBL button. TY

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#147 7 months ago
 
DAP

stumblor

Stumblor Pinball

GB London

5y 111K 1,391 17

I'm in for TBL also mate!

..becuase I just remembered I drunken texted Phil on Friday night ordering one. I stand by my inebriated decision!

0
0
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#148 7 months ago
OP
 
VIM

Vimtoman

Pinside+ Pro!

5y 67,550 635 2

Quoted from stumblor:

I'm in for TBL also mate!
..becuase I just remembered I drunken texted Phil on Friday night ordering one. I stand by my inebriated decision!

It's a beaut of a game. Whens it due?

0
0
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#149 7 months ago
 
DAP

stumblor

Stumblor Pinball

GB London

5y 111K 1,391 17

OP
Quoted from Vimtoman:

It's a beaut of a game. Whens it due?

No idea actually, hopefully not for a while as I've only just paid for scooby as well!

3 weeks later
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#150 6 months ago
 
ZUM

Mr_Tantrum

Mr_Tantrum

US Fort Worth, TX

8y 140K 12,539 3 6 75

I just received my animated AFM launch button, and it is pretty awesome . . . Vimtoman delivers again! Installation with the included instructions was a breeze, took me less than 10 minutes, and no cabinet modifications were required. The only thing to be aware of when installing is to mount the controller pack high enough to where the cable extending from the button will reach its port. As far as the mod itself goes, the parts are all high quality, everything fits perfectly, all connectors came pre-installed, and the installation is really clean. There is one really long cable that goes to the shooter lane switch, and it is long enough to allow for cable management and full playfield movement.

In addition to the animations, the button also flashes around the perimeter (red in my case) signifying to push the button to launch ball. Below are the three animation sequences on the button.

Here is the animation when the ball is in the trough awaiting launch.
AFM - Launch Ball.gifAFM - Launch Ball.gif

Here is part of the animation during game play. Basically, all the search lights going, saucers come into view, center saucer's tractor beam is searching, then a cow is beamed up.
AFM - Game Play.gifAFM - Game Play.gif

This is what it looks like when a Martian Bomb is ready to use.
AFM_Bomb.gifAFM_Bomb.gif

Here's a look at the front of the cabinet with the button installed.
IMG_9891 (resized).JPGIMG_9891 (resized).JPG

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