I see sliderpoint lives in washington (far stretch from nevada). I was honestly thinking just today, could a group of pinball enthusiasts (each with a talent) all collaborate on a project from a distance and get a pinball designed? Seems like every homebrew person struggles with at least 2-3 out of 4 aspects of design. It would be nice if experts can focus on each part of it. I can do mechanical, and a little bit of art, and can struggle through electrical, but I know almost nothing about programming.

someone beat you to it
http://pinballbuilders.com/?cat=2

not so much help.. Help means "I can't figure this out, help".. "Ok, so get this framework, get a basic running game, then go look at this example code to see how it could implement on your design". Believe me, I would love to do every aspect of what it takes to build a pinball machine (like ben heck), but even if you know what you're doing it can take years of working nights and weekends. If you're on a learning curve, your project will get really stale from grinding it out.

I'm talking about sharing the workload, but you'd have to convince 2-3 other pinball enthusiasts also excited by the same theme (nothing drives a project more than something you're passionate about). I helped Hugh from OPP with all the artwork and voicework for sharpe shooter 3 because I felt it was payback for letting me beta test early OPP boards. Hugh is good at electronics / programming, but he might struggle with a layout from scratch (hence re-using the sharp shooter donor playfield).. And when I saw what he was planning for artwork, I had to jump in. Not to say I'm a great artist, but it turned out pretty good for homebrew.

SS3_cabinet_art (resized).jpg

sharpe_shooter3_playfield (resized).jpg

So did I:
http://pinballmakers.com/wiki/index.php/Files_Section
wireform_bracket (resized).jpg

If you're working on anything custom pinball, don't even debate it.. Get a 3d printer, it'll open up your world.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/3d-printing-noob

Those 3d printed ramps worked well. I like the flow. What do you have planned for the upper left playfield?

that flow looks great. I'm curious what happens if you go UP the left ramp since it dumps from the upper playfield? Or are you going to have a one-way gate eventually so you can't enter it.

I've considered building one for years, but if I'm going to do it I'm going to want a large platen. Looks like you're doing maybe 12x12" sheets which seems very reasonable. Seems like the vacuum isn't nearly as important as having a storage tank to store a large vacuum to quickly pull the material.

Are you using a common shop vac, or a true vacuum pump?