Well I have been wanting to do a custom pin for a very long time and procrastinated for a very long time but ever so slowly building up the design skills, reproducing parts in a 3d model space including the cabinet etc, making mods, reproduction parts etc (selfish plug to where you can find those) https://www.shapeways.com/search?q=swinks&sort=newest

I have been inspired by the other builds but pinballrockstar from the Minion pinball and a few others have been real encouraging and even though this theme might not be for everyone I am sure people might be able to offer some thoughts & help along the way and learn from my approach.
a good thread is the Minions Pinball
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/we-are-building-a-minions-pinball-updates-every-friday

Also no one has done a modern style Surfing Pinball with ramps so reckon it is overdue.

Some of you know that I have 2 dream theme pins - Surfing Pinball and Dukes of Hazzard Pinball (DoH). I jumped into the DoH a little too early (deep end) as have lots of ideas but the issue being the programming as have zero experience and would prolong the project alot and has already - so that one is being handbraked until I get this built which is way more achievable as it is going to be a simplier pin allowing me to build up some skills. Some of the game features in this one will be great experience for the DoH Pin.
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/dukes-of-hazzard-custom-pinball

Now for this game:
- it will be a simplier pin and a cross breed between a re-theme and custom pin - meaning I will be using the rules from an existing game and the playfield design will be custom.
- rules will be from Bally's Skateball as I will be using a full set of Altek boards and led displays and that means the programming is done as the game will be about going surfing and enjoying the experience and enjoying the surf session. I will be upgrading some mechs like the flipper mech to a 90's bally style to improve on some mechanical efficiencies but sure the slight drop in power may cause a challenge - see when I get there. I will also use a stern style sling mech.
- I tried to go for a fan layout with a difference
- once the game is running I can always then consider doing a proc / fast upgrade ??? if I feel the need but really keen in keeping this game as a shallow rule set but challenging to play - we will see how that goes.

Features
(will update with changes as we go along) currently it will have:
11 x drop targets
3 x additional switches linked to servo's via servo triggers to activate 3 additional mechs and will operate in a EM style way as no programming required. - more on these features later.
2 x slingshots at the bottom
1 x slingshot at the top to replace the pop bumper
4 x flippers
3 x roll over star inserts to replace the top in-lane switches
1 x swappable feature from a pop bumper to a 3 or 2 post horizontal spinner to add variety to the game play = means different playing experiences - this is the wave impact zone / a submerged rock ???
2 x reverse inlanes which is inspired by Bally's Fathom but with the Skateball style through gates.
1 x swappable bolt in centre post or a plate under the flippers to mix up the play
1 x direct feed ball launch to the bottom flipper (kook - a beginner surfer) or to the upper rhs flipper (pro surfer) via a switchable gate - still nutting this one out.
2 x ramps (one is the wave ramp) and other is a big move (aerial) or a back door move - gotta see how the wave and ramps turn out.

as for updates - will aim for weekly ones on a weekend either a Saturday or Sunday Aus Time and I intend to keep the modelling approach until I have the wave model down to ensure my shots are doable from a modelling perspective and then do a whitewood.

this is the skateball rule set to adopt into this game
Skateball Rules (resized).png
Edit 27-5-17
a friend let me know ages ago and forgot to update in regards to 2 roll overs on the mid lhs above the upper left flipper.
The game starts out with the two rollovers unlit, and they score 100 points when rolled over.
Dropping all 5 of the S-K-A-T-E drop targets the first time lights the bottom of the two rollovers,
Dropping the S-K-A-T-E drop targets a second time lights the top rollover.
Once a rollover is lit, it scores 1,000 points when rolled over, and advances the bonus by 1,000.
Next ball resets the rollovers which are then unlit.

top side
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bottom side
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side view to show the room for a Tiki / HUEY model. Amongst surfers the fun saying is Huey is the surf god providing us with good waves. So Huey will be a Tiki style feature that the ball will travel via a wireform to and collect bonus and then feed to the inalne.
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general layout and features
screen-capture-23 (resized).png

I am sure I will have a long and steep road to climb which will be all theory as I tinker at nights (time short with 2 young kids) and then do builds on weekends when I get to that stage. Please feel free to follow, pop in for a update, ask questions or offer constructive help along the way.

Dedicated for the rules - will keep updated

Added over 7 years ago: 9-7-17 - I can't add an image here but the first draft of the rules is located on page 4 - post 179

Dedicated for game names - will keep updated
Still haven't decided on a name and open to ideas
- Life's a Beach (LaB) - leaning towards this one
- Tube Time (TT)
- Surfing Waves In Nature's Kind Seas (Swinks )
Added over 7 years ago: Son of the Beach

Added over 7 years ago: Dedicated for game names - will keep updated
Still haven't decided on a final name and open to ideas
- Life's a Beach (LaB) - suggested by swinks
- Tube Time (TT) -
- Surfing Waves In Nature's Kind Seas (SWINKS for short ) - suggested by swinks
- Son of the Beach
- Surfing in the Waves - suggested by fifty

cheers Bas

old version of solidworks and then view in eDrawings and slight improvement on render, good thing everything is 1 scale and can test fit things prior.

I wanted to add a bit more of a challenge as the ramp from the wave will direct feed to the rhs flipper but when activating the switch it will divert to HUEY for bonus collect - just trying to mix it up a little.

Also I have a trashed but populated Skateball playfield so have all the drops as well as the ball mech under the apron and full harness from the playfield to the boards = saves me alot of effort so I can in theory concentrate on the design, build and challenging parts - art...

DoH will come back and still listening to Kibbe and Finnegan podcast and getting lots of ideas for it

yes there will be a servo driven by a servo trigger board

big day in the garage making room for some building so not alot done today, added some posts and rubbers to build the playfield up and put it into a cabinet to get a feel.

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dug up a old original image and contemplated doing a throwback design to honor the Skateball rule set with some cabinet art.

original bally art
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2 concepts but will most probably do something very different
LaB-3 (resized).png

and a small update as building up the playfield so I can work out the wave ramp - some SS ball guides and some plastics and 2 large holes
LaB-25 (resized).png

thanks man, just having some fun

have added to the list

thanks

That is very cool @hassanchop, some really unique features - really nice work.

For this game I want it to be more of a free surf theme, where you are having the ultimate surf session.

To be honest, I never looked at Seawitch but I do like a orbit shot both ways so was a must. Since I have 2 trashed Skateball playfields, one is populated I was just going to do a re-theme (art only) and then I really wanted a wave shot that is elevated so I kept swinging to a new layout. I have had a skateball pinball (sidewalk surfer) and liked the challenge of the outlane on the lhs so wanted to keep that. Fathom has them on both sides but doesn't have the one way side gates like skateball so added that to both sides.

The ball launch is unique and fast feeds to the flipper or will go straight up when a shot activates a change so this is the beach paddle out of the jump off the breakwall shot, the rest of the skateball targets & flippers had to fit on the playfield AFTER I put in the Wave Ramp shot in so it isn't influenced by any other game but took 30+ versions to get something I am happy with on the screen (might still play crap).

The other different shot is the exposed pop bumper which is the impact zone, washing machine zone, (waves break / closeout) but this will be swappable for a 2 or most definitely a 3 post with a rubber linking all the post that are on a spinner to add variety to game play with a swappable feature.

It won't be a single level as will have the wave ramp & sculpture (see below) as that is something I really want.

What is different is this a build to see how a custom game goes on a 80's boardset and rules - with the challenge of the game and the not so deep rule set. If it works it might be the first for others that are nervous about programming as then there will be a way around that. Once I have a playable game that is fun to shoot I will jump in to the programming world and possibly change the board set out.

below is my 3rd attempt of a 3d wave that will sit above the 5 x wave drops with a ramp going through the tube = "Tube Time". But I will add alot more detail with trial, error & experience and some sort of lighting effect when you pass through the tube. I originally wanted the wave to rotate / move but still trying to work that one out, if at all.

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I increased the size of the wave a little and slid into place (floating - not mounted) just to start to get an idea of what to modify and factor in.

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Lab-28 (resized).png

then added a few holes and support posts for plastics and the wave toy etc as well as slots along the back for recessed led strips to edge light the acrylic back panel

LaB-29 (resized).png
LaB-26 (resized).png

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I intend to do a vertical 180 style to rhs of the wave as the "surfing aerial" shot. The wave will probably stretch out to the rhs more and more as a aid to visualise the ramps but not really have the ball on the wave at this point as then so unpredictable where it would travel. Though I had thought about different things to do in this area even it you don't have enough power and you then go down a hole (wipe out) and go via a subway some where???

starting to work on the ramp entry now which sets this shot up.

was unaware of a wave in another game, will check it out out of interest.

edit - just checked it out and interesting idea and like the variation that is added with the rotating ship - for me I will probably have a vertical 180 ramp to the rhs of my wave / 5 bank of drops but then catch the wave and tube from the left to right as a ramp shot above the drops.

just been working on the lhs ramp entry point and 1-2 plastics to aid in the look as well as what elements to design (wave hidden for the moment).

Lab-31 (resized).png

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yes, riding the wave ("shooting the curl"), though what you said and told me about (Waterworld) has given me an idea on rotating a wireform on the wave to alter the destination of where it goes ????

you never know,

cool idea, but not really the direction I want to go, but thanks for chiming in.

spent the last week at nights working on the ramp and the wave - is a tricky ramp and toy to blend together but have a concept and slowly nutting out the design.

So updates for the last week - ramp lead in tweaked as well as some plastics as needed them for a mental picture. There is a hole behind the wave drops that will be used to introduce a variable wave shot (hopefully) and possibly a wipeout drain subway hole ??? The wave and entry ramp has been a challenge but satisfying and for me the 3d model allows me to identify some of the problems. Again I know it isn't everyone's approach but when whitewood time comes it will be fun to see how it shoots and what changes are needed.

overhead view
LaB-34 (resized).png

the playfeild as a snapshot of it's progress
LaB-35 (resized).png

ramp lead in
LaB-36 (resized).png
LaB-37 (resized).png
LaB-38 (resized).png

as for the wave that is a bit of a challenge but a satisfying learning curve as I want it to be the main feature / toy of the game. I decided to approach it differently than my original approach so started fresh and take the profile of the proposed plastic to know the boundary of the wave and to then stay within a particular envelope. I can then take measurements from the 3d model to determine alignment for ball exit off the wave entry ramp and so on.

the first view is the plastic outline and then a wave shape and then multiple that on multiple planes. Each profile will eventually step back and down to align with the entry ramp exit. The curl of the wave will roll over with the intention of the start of the wave to be a almost full tube - so for the moment ignore the blockie looking wave.
LaB-39 (resized).png

then using a cad function of "loft" I can join and blend each profile to create a solid wave which is very blockie and will change alot.
LaB-40 (resized).png

blockie wave in the playfield model to get a sense of placement, alignment and scale.
LaB-41 (resized).png

Mothers Day tomorrow so much will happen for the next 24hrs here..... Have a good one with your wives and mums - they deserve the time.

cheers mate

just trying something a little different and want to incorporate a ramp wireform to feed into this lane near the turn so it will become a fast feed to the flipper while being clean as it feeds higher into the inlane.

just committed to the full new board set - a big step

screen-capture-18 (resized).png

you are totally right, have been sitting on this for a long time, feels great to say "lets go"

that was my original design desire but haven't solved that one yet.... currently designing a wave that depends on the power of the shot up there, with the ball hitting the wave and then track 1 or track 2.

slightly sided tracked over the weekend finishing a mod I started ages ago - decal and acrylic plunger plates

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a little update for the last 1/2 a week:
- a little on the wave but having a little bit of thinking time there
- working on plastics
LaB-42 (resized).png

- targets
LaB-43 (resized).png
Lab-44 (resized).png

- a ball limiting bracket for behind the flipper - I know this approach is different but the beauty is I can 3d print in plastic or even stainless and let light shine through as well
Lab-45 (resized).png
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Lab-47 (resized).png

something like that.

my intention is a weak to mild hit to the lhs ramp will send the ball onto the wave at a low path and feed the rhs horse shoe lane to the flipper (will be a fast feed to the flipper) and a strong hit to the lhs ramp will "hopefully" send the ball higher up the wave and on to a different wireform which will then divert the ball to the lhs above the lower 3 drops where HUEY the surf god is for bonus collect and then feed to the lhs inlane to the lhs flipper.

The rhs ramp entrance will be a 180 ramp onto the wireform that goes to the HUEY bonus collect (lhs inlane feed) - like a big wave move, hitting the wave lip, perform an aerial - hopefully a sound callout will tell you what you did ????.

since Skateball was recently played in the PAPA world titles, may as well post here as my custom game will use this rule set.

I was asked about the wave tracks - low and high and I intend to be the entry to the wave to be a bowl and then a high and low track that the ball can feed on to - stronger the hit the better chance of getting on the higher track - like a double up wave.

double_up_352 (resized).jpg

double up (resized).jpg

ignore the video on this clip - this will be one of the main sounds when you drain.

another almost mid week (in Aus) update

Boards have arrived

The full Alltek Boardset (MPU, Solenoid, Lamp with test board) has landed.

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And I started on the WAV Trigger boards from Sparkfun today for the games sound effects. I will go into more detail in the near future producing a pdf document that people to download and learn how to use these in pinballs from a no experience approach. I know a few guys have used them and I got some details but with no experience I was still a little confused so from my experience others should be able to give this ago for game rethemes or custom added sounds / music.

Below is my little custom SWINKS test rig comprising or 2 WAV trigger boards (red boards) and a board fitted with 32 switches to simulate playfield switches. This test rig will help me dabble and experiment before the playfield is ready and to test out my theories. The boards come with no fittings so you will have to buy the headers, cut to size and solder into place.

Why did I go for these boards: here is why - they are cool.
- each board takes in 16 inputs (switches)
- each board takes whatever sized mini SD card
- the SD cad can hold up 1000 songs / sounds = 8hrs of audio on a 8gb card at 16-bit, 44.1kHz Stero CD Quality output
- you can blend and overlap 8 x songs / sounds. This allows a switch on the cabinet to scroll through songs to the one you like and then play the ball. Each switch can connect access a selection of sounds from 1 to 80 odd and with the basic software you can tell it to go to next, random, stop when another sound comes on or to blend. You can also control volume on each batch so music folder a little softer and the sound effects pop over the top of it.

So no bally sound board needed on this game as these WAV trigger bords will bring up the modern sounds and music. You can step up to connect this board to a audino level and allow more than 16 switches but I don't want to get that involved hence the use of 2 boards.

https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/wav-trigger-hookup-guide

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I am not understanding this, sorry...

you are right and it isn't the finished wave, at the moment the ridge is helping me visualise the trough which the ball will roll in.

you do get these types of waves (sort of) on reef breaks when the water sucks up just before a reef and the pit of a wave is lower than the water surface in front of it. Often the lip is as thick as the tube - can be dam scary. I had a surf session in the late 80's out at Shark Island and one of the scariest surfs ever and it was only 6ft tube and 6ft lip.

photo shows a reef suck

BowenTahiti11BBSR7_0333n_1314514227-copie (resized).jpg

Cool, that would be a great experience and that is a solid wave as well, I could never surf Teahupoo but the wave fascinates me, Shark Island was scary enough at 6ft. My biggest has been about a solid 10ft many years ago now. I haven't surfed since I was dumped almost 2 years ago snapping my collar bone on a solid wipeout into a shallow sandbar and shoulder didn't heal well and high risk of breaking again as they chose not to operate (x-ray was about 6 months after the break - 1/4" gap at the thinnest gap).

RHS Clavical - 8 months after - measurements (resized).png

Redhead Beach is my local about 5 minutes away - pretty sure the last beach in Australia with a Shark Tower still standing - but does not handle beyond a solid 5-6ft and then not rideable as it juts out and so exposed. We get whales passing by during winter within a few hundred metres.

Redhead (resized).jpg

My other local is 5minutes away in the other direction - Blacksmiths Beach & Blacksmiths Channel which link to the lake. When all of Newcastle's waves are massive and closing they all head to Blackies and you can go for the paddle out or you jump off the breakwall (hence the reference to the ball shooter lane) and catch a wave from the centre of the channel and reforms at the end of the breakwall and if you make that you can potentially link up a second reform and land on the beach about 500 metres (1500ft) from where you started. This has been the longest waves I have ever caught. I took this photo from the end of the breakwall about 4-5 years ago. Only scary thing now is the rising amount of sharks visiting the lake (Lake Macquarie - largest salt water lake in Australia) due to local councils stopping commercial fishing so a feeding ground for the white pointers and bull sharks.

screen-capture-16 (resized).png

back to pinball designing.

I shortened (3/4") the shooter lane U turn (end of the breakway) to allow a better mech for the end of the breakwall to re-direct on launch to the top rhs flipper.

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Add a hole in the playfield and plastic to plan out the Huey Surf Idol which will be the bonus collect point in the game via a wire form from the wave ramp.

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great to know:
goal one - is build and get it flipping with a skateball boardset and rules,
goal two (Dream) - is to go a proc / fast boardset and add a full set up custom rules and multiball etc. you never know at that stage maybe we could team up like the Buffy crew and your not far down the highway.

that is still the intention and was the plan from the beginning and hence why I have the big hole in the playfield under the wave for a motor etc - got to nut that one out.

appreciate everyone's input.

thanks for your comments and yes that's how I am picturing it and think I can a new concept in my head that might just work,

back to designing

thanks kaboom has stirred some more thoughts, have come up with a similar idea with a 2 part wave, one is static and the top section is rotating and potentially roll around 60 degrees starting at a peaking wave and rolling through to a tube.

The idea is the static wave houses 2 bearings in each side and the rotating wave has a curved slot for the wave to roll on the bearings. This can be driven by a rotational motor.

Tube would direct the ball lower to the RHS flipper
Peaking wave would direct the ball higher to HUEY and then the LHS flipper

Maybe the game could be set for a switch activation to move the wave from one position to the next or it could continuous rotate back and forth adding the challenge for a timed shot.

LaB-50 (resized).png
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that was my original plan if I had a stationary wave sort of like post #67 with a medium hit gives you the lower path and hard hit gets you the higher bath and if either one did not get to the crest and fulfill that shot it would roll back and go down a gobble hole and then spit out mid playfield

WOW, I love your sketches !!!!! I would of give 10 likes if I could of

very very early days I had thought of something similar but nothing as cool a vision in my head compared to this visually but then deviated very quickly as I using the 4 flipper set up that skateball offers and wanted the orbit shot to be like the paddle out and not too easy to catch the wave.

I do agree on not making a design too complicated and a stationary design would be preferred and then relies on ball strength to get the perfect wave.

will have to have a good think now.... dam what a cool sketch.

boy that visual helps alot and will consider some elements of that.
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- really want to keep the 4 flippers and my current planned layout as want some a little bit of a challenge to play
- love a 2 stage static wave but rely on ball hit strength to complete the 10/10 wave experience for that satisfying feeling
- maybe a shot off the top left flipper can lead to a backdoor crest / tube
- then top right flipper leads to the inner and more closed tube like wave

gotta have a good think on this one.....

this is a blend between Star Gazer's idea and my original idea but just a fast concept design.

idea is the orbit shots still exist and there will be a diverter to aid in feeding into the drop target area and rhs top flipper. LHS ramp will feed the wave ramp (better than this concept) and then there will be a high and low trough in the wave to the right and the ball power will get a higher ride and more reward. The RHS ramp to the right of the 5 drops would be a 180 degree and land the ball onto the high trough.

this still needs a heap of work and a third trough would lead the ball to the horozontal spinner / or swappable to a pop bumper

LaB-53 (resized).png

it's only going to have one pop bumper but even then this is swappable for a horizontal spinner (with options) - really want the game to have that variable experience.

the pop bumper / horizontal spinner will probably be a submerged rock thingy...

that sculpture is super cool....

have been playing with the wave and working out how to model a shape with one entry and 2 exits. As much as a mechanical toy that rotates would be cool I am still leaning to a static wave shot that has 2 possible exits and relies on playing skill.

I am going for a shot to the wave from the upper rhs flipper up the left ramp to the wave (still to be modeified and entry point cut out of the wave and if you connect a strong shot you ride the wave higher and collect the bonus, if the shot is weaker then you still get the fun of a wave but awarded standard points.

The wave still needs alot of tweaking but getting similar to Star Gazers concept but still keeping the orbit shot as a orbit and feed to the upper flippers with the aid of a switch activated diverter.

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I need to make the wave wider on the lhs so not so egg shaped, and a more defined second ridge at the mid point. Later on will be the foam ball at the peak of the wave.

- on the render above your post there is 2 bits of metal poking through (at around 10 o'clock point) which I am yet to break through the wave shape - will do this soon once I get a wave shape that I like.
- we are on the same "wave" length with the lighting.

- I am still not satisfied on my planned shot for the 180 ramp between the 5 bank and 3 bank of drops this might evolve into a different shot like you are suggesting.

- the foam ball, breaking crest of the wave will be added very similar to how Star Gazer sketched it but more in the middle (peak crest) rather than the whole lot, and that is where I ideally I would like to hide the lighting.

- I had always focused on running the 2 out points back to both lower flippers, but I actually am liking your suggestion as you are right it could drop the ball right near the flipper for a well aimed and power shot for the bonus collect higher wave ...... liking it

and a general thanks for the kind words and support, it does help and is motivating as even though it is my design, thoughts and ideas by others does contribute to a even better game. Don't be offended if I don't run with ever idea as there are still some unique elements to be added to the game and fill some voids.

thanks mate, looking forward to your next build, love the custom pin threads as some very cool projects in action and completed.

Other items progressing:
- I have been in touch with Third Coast Pinball who does wiring kits for 80's bally games and since this game will being running on the rules and boardset of 80's game. He can make up all the wiring (90-95%) for this game to suit the all new Alltek boardset. I know I could work this out and do it, but am time poor and impatient as really want to have a whitewood flipping this year.
- Another relatively local aussie pinhead has a machine shop and is happy to cut a whitewood once I am ready.
- I have all the inserts, mechs, most switches etc ready to go

biggest hurdle at the moment is the wave, as that is the main feature of the game and sets up ramps and other features that need to be designed in.

yeah agree, hence sticking with the static wave as I can 3D print it, test, refine and really interested if the 2 wave exit works, if it does

how cool, and dam you for playing it before me lol....

how does it feel overall....

thanks Pete for your thoughts

there is a target on the rhs above the right sling that will divert the ball on launch to the upper rhs flipper (jump off the breakwall / jetty) and the skill shot is launch and try and get the bonus collect on ball launch and upper right flipper hit so it will have a skill shot and the skill is trying to prep that diversion on the first ball to enjoy on the next few balls. I think the skill with launching to the lower flipper will be trying to tame the ball, like surfing choosing the best place to paddle out through the sets.

cool music, never heard of them before and liked the intro and the cars / bikes at random times was different.

I will have to check them out, thanks

I re-worked the ramp, got rid of the egg shape and has a nicer flow to it, but still more work to the exit, as well as cut out the entry for the lead in ramp and you can see where the stainless steel lead in ramp is poking through

the entry ramp needs to be shortened back at the curve to allow the ball to travel high or go in low on a weaker shot

LaB-59.png

LaB-60.png

Got the wave ramp very close now - hopefully a hard hit will connect a high traveling ball to one wireform for bonus collect and low to medium hit will hopefully travel low to a lower wireform. Now just starting to work on the entry point of the SS ramp lead in.

LaB-61.png

I don't think there is nothing wrong in this approach I think and was waiting for you to chime in, Skateball is a good game, all the rules are there, all the wiring will be there and it is more than a re-theme as totally new layout with new sounds and totally new art.

my main approach is to try something different with something existing (using a proven boardset with existing rules) and document & share so others can be influenced to have ago. Like myself, there are many others that are keen to do a custom pin and fearful of programming. At least for this project I don't have to worry about that yet and concentrate on designing, timber, plastic and metal work, wiring and art and leave out the programming which is probably 40-50% of the work (uneducated wild guess).

in edition I am going for a more of a simplier pin as discused in Aurich's thread "what do you need to make a simplier pin" as it will have displays for the scoring and rely on the art and place-cards to tell you what to do. Dmd's and lcd's are cool and would love to go that way not needed for this game as this is about catching the idea wave and getting a good wave count for a surf session built into a game.

In the end if I want more I can dive into p-roc, fast, Open Pinball Project whatever and on sell the existing boardset if I want. Apart from a little bit of money there is no loss for me and it is my experience that I am willing to share.

cheers

Jady

tweaked the lead in ramp & wave enough to test out in the near future and now happy to move on with other parts of the game

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Yes to draw all these parts takes alot of hours but I intend to be getting into this more in the future and the library of parts is then extremely helpful for future designs and this is how Stern designs games

actually Solidworks is pretty good and I just taught myself. My background was on the tools building light aircraft then cnc machinery for a total of 17 years and lastly custom fit-out of high end motorhomes 3 years then pulled my finger out and did mechanical engineering studies and been into project & asset management since so designing is a way for me to stay in touch with designing skills. I used autocad and similar in the first 2 jobs but nothing 3d. It's only that when I got into pinball a few years ago did I get into 3d design and find it valuable as I can fine tune my designs, test assemblies etc before I make a thing and in the engineering world is the standard approach. I am yet to put my design into a physical test but confident that somethings will be right from the get go and some won't - half the fun and part of the learning.

For me time is my challenge and since having young kids I don't get alot of shed time at the moment so designing in 3d at night suits my time allowances.

I was in a different job about 18months ago and was using the Autocad version of a 3d package - Inventor and did NOT find it as friendly at all, Autocad 2d is a horrible package compared to Solidworks and these guys were the originals in 3d drawing software and made it very approachable.

As for designing parts, it is really a matter of your approach:
machinist approach - start with a stock piece of material (say a cube) and then remove sections as if you were machining parts away.
building approach - adding materials / shapes to a existing shape and build it up

I tend to use both styles and it doesn't matter.

eg for a builders approach if we wanted to draw up a post in a game that the rubber sleeves slide over:
- select view - I would go for a top view
- sketch 1 - draw a circle, and then enter the diameter the same as the threaded bolt, then tick to finish
- feature 1 - select the circle and then a heap of 3d options are shown - select extrude and type in the distance, then tick finish
- sketch 2 - select sketch function and it will ask for a face in which you select and this is for the flange that sits on top of the playfield and then draw a circle and type in the required diameter and repeat a few times

with experience and practice the post might take a couple of minutes and the rubber sleeve is really simple and be 1 minute. Some other parts can take hours but apart from time it doesn't cost you anything in materials, manufacturing, contract costs to test and simulate.

Also if you want to get into 3d printing you need to learn 3d design to then create a STL file to then 3d print.

computers and their programs take practise, I can draw pictures but feel dumb as well when code is brought into the subject.

enjoy the waves mate, nothing beats that feeling when you get a great wave on a beautiful day.

during the week, about a 1hr to 1 1/2hrs after the kids are in bed and wife watching crappy tv shows

just a small little update, something for testing the whitewood, but it might stay for the finished game.

some games need a centre post so I decided to make the centre post optional with a slight redesign. A recess in the playfield can be filled with a custom plug insert (post) or a custom rubber bump post - good for a drain monster if I have bad design luck or a add-on for when the kids want to play...

with
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without
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or a wipeout ....

I have tweaked the wave to be narrow on the lhs which I think has improved the look in balance and to allow a functional toy (so to speak and still yet to be refined) in the back lhs corner - which has been something I have wanted to do in a long long time.

1. What is the toy?

2. What is the function?

Hint for 2. - I don't think it has ever been done before but every game has one.......

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yes it is, something a little different and you can get a visual on how much you can tilt the game, using a few custom parts and a 6mm rod end bearing.

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Yes that's the plan, soft glowing white or yellow then red flash

thanks guys,

been wanting to do it for ages as it really fits the game theme, if others want to use the idea that is fine as would be cool to think they got the idea from here.

I know there will be a difference in mechanical advantage - with my tilt mech potential having a slight disadvantage for cabinet side movements but very effect in front to back movements, but it will be adjustable top side for sensitivity from really tight to very loose and with the reverse outlanes I expect nudging.

Ideally I would love the buoy to have 3 stage lighting:
white light - general GI effect
yellow light - some general movement and getting close to a tilt
red light - TILT

decided to change the buoy to have a centre light up post and then started working on a wireform (not finished yet) from the lower wave that feeds it back to the top right flipper for a re-feed to have a better shot at the bigger wave - for collect bonus.

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Nice idea but to start with it will be just using the initial flipper power with the existing set of rules. If I ever re-program there would be some varied things I would add in but that is way in the distance at this point.

I am hoping that it comes down to timing with the wave ramp if you time it poorly the shot will only just make around and if a well timed shot leads to the collect bonus tiki / huey

I am wanting to and most probably in those 4 different surfboards as those boards will be art and not lit inserts like a few people have asked about. Eventually each board will vary in shape to link better to boards that typically are a twin, tri, quad and penta fin boards. Each with a timber look stringer as well as most probably one board in a timber grain. And probably leave a swirly trail of timber grain amongst a colourful art package.

they are very cool but dam pricey especially the set

thanks very much for the kind offer mate, but you keep it and save it for your game

Have had a few things going on at work so haven't made alot of progress but the planned wireform from the lower wave was fouling with the plastic and was not totally happy with the top inner layout.

I ended up moving the 5 bank targets over to the left and angle a bit more and relocate the switch that was going to be below the rhs 3 bank targets up under the wave as this is the "duck dive" target.

Tweaked the wave a little more and with the 5 bank moved as well as the duck dive target I also moved the 3 bank target a little and this allowed for a wipeout diverter to drop the ball to the spinner / pop bumper and hopefully to the upper right flipper. This diverter will be tweaked but at the moment gives me a concept to drop the ball - still not 100% happy but it is a start.

What is the "Duck Dive" Target and "Rip" Target
The Duck Dive target once hit will activate an up post under the wave that will stop a orbit shot and bump it into the impact zone if going from the left to right. Alternative if you shoot up to the rhs orbit it will hit the diverter and roll back down so you can connect with the rhs upper flipper to shoot the wave ramp. So the duck dive target hopefully will play a bit of strategy in game play.
The Rip target under the upper lhs flipper will drop the up post and allow full orbit shots in both directions.

For those not surfers -
Duck Diving is paddling out the back and pushing the board underwater to go under the wave.
A Rip is the movement of water that you can use to get you out the back easier though can also add a challenge when surfing or staying in the right place.

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cheers man

since this is based on Skateballs rules I have considered incorporating details similar to the girl and guy that are on either side of the bonus buildup that are on skatebaords but on surfboards on the wave obviously not wearing shoes.

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lol..... those shoes would spear holes in boards

internet is finally back on, down due to fibre upgrades in the area.

I have made some changes to the layout
- removed one set of drop targets as in Skateball they are used as they are dangerous shots and in this game were sort of trying to fit them in but have decided to leave them out for the moment, though still toying with a sub playfield????
- tweaked the location of the other 3 bank and 5 bank targets
- due to the 2 banks of drop targets being close the 5 bank drops might have to have the related inserts in a custom angled cover above the drops.
- changed the duck dive target next to the 5 bank drops
- added a spinner to the lhs
- tweaked the wipeout wireform from the lower exit of the wave ramp
- added a sketch line of the desired wireform to be a fast feed to the lower rhs flipper
- added the saucer to the lower / mid left hand side with a surf god above it with Huey spelled down the in lane to guide progress to larger bonus points to collect. The god at the moment is a Moai from Easter Island but will have to hire someone to design me a custom one.

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9-7-17 - here is a rough draft rule set blueprint, though after doing it I am going to relocate the spinner to the wave ramp so it is encouraging to ride the wave for bigger point accumulation. The lettering is just a rough draft - this will be fine turned when the times comes.

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The apron will get addition art, but would like to keep the full rules on there as it tells the player everything to do and they just decide on there strategy, that's the theory anyway.

I wish I could draw and build "fibre" speed,

but if anything - interest is dropping here, and might improve once I start building something so might not post as often or only when there is something meaty to show, people only want to see so many models.

cheers guys, I know the theme is probably for the select few so I figured people weren't interested.... I will still post and like the log idea is good, good as a historical development log as well.

I am hoping this side of Christmas for sure and a fellow pin head in Aus as offered to cnc it for me so I just need to fine tune a few more mechs and the swappable pop bumper and spinner and trying to work out a way to lock a ball for a multiball feature and can get the files off to him.

as for hardware I am hoping and no reason why it isn't possible is to run it using an alltek boardset with skateball rules. I have all the boards and all the 90's bally mechs, playfield hinges etc, all the skateball harnesses from the playfield to the boards as well as the power supply etc. Shawn from Third Coast Pinball is currently making me the custom remaining harnesses for the displays to the boardset, cabinet and between the boards - so alot of the backbones is in progress.

Art won't start until it is playable but have a style that I want to go with but that is in the vault, but might work on a draft trans in 2017 as this will then setup the playfield and cabinet.

gotta go to work, but thanks for the boost.

A mate in NSW has offered to help out. I was going to buy a X-Carve and still probably will but his kind offer to help out will enable me to get a proto up and running faster. It's a bit of a learning curve for him as a little different from hie regular line of work.

I am kicking myself now as I use to have a cnc in the garage but sold it about 6 years ago to make room for pinballs, arrrrh....

thanks everyone (lurkers included) for chiming in as has given me a boost to keep sharing the level of progress updates, as I was just thinking I was boring the crap out of people.

once I drew in the drop target assembly underneath I realised that the mechs were inferring with each other so I tweaked some more.

I still wasn't happy with some of the flow and shot opportunities so removed the slingshot that was to the right of the ramp entry point and the large amount empty space under the wave ramp - so now have a inner loop shot that feeds the ball back around to the upper right flipper on a powerful shot or on a weaker shot behind the 3 bank drop for a planned servo driven ball lock for hopefully a working multiball - "Dropin Multiball" or "Share Wave Multiball" even though Skateball doesn't have a multiball.

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that sounds better, DONE.

over hear when growing up we called it a share wave though have heard the party wave quote

Just thought to switch for a night and playing around with fonts, curves etc. I was originally going to call it Life's a Beach but now leaning to the name "Tube Time". This is just a concept to let the juices flow but open to tweak suggestions. I do visualise the logo to have those wavey curves with probably a green blue, blue and dark blue colouring with a black backdrop and white highlight lines.

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There is already a animation movie - "Surf's Up", and the saying "Life's a Beach" has been around for a long time so "Tube Time" is really becoming my pick at the moment.

Here is pinside's "surf" games

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that is very cool, I checked out ebay and not a cheap mag. Do you know how many pages it is?

the design is getting more and more refined to the point that the game hopefully has some variety in the shots.

now with:
- a inner orbit around the back of the 5 bank drops that will feed to the upper right flipper, except when the "Party Wave" shot is open and then this inner orbit will feed to the impact zone and possibly the upper left flipper.
- when the "Party Wave" shot is opened (guide section that will pivot) allowing the ball to feed into a vuk that will feed into a wireform lock up and over the wave ramp for the "Party Wave Multiball". To release the Party Wave Multiball you will have to shoot the high wave to wireform shot to release the second ball on to the wireform to the lower right flipper. This will be a steal feature in a multiplayer game play.
- added arrow inserts for hopefully when and if the game can get custom rules etc
- the 3 rectangular inserts will also be for one day when the game can get custom rules - Perfect Day Bonus, Reform Combo and with the exception - "Party Wave Multiball" for current way or custom ruled game.

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cheers mate...

thanks Kevin for your thoughts / ideas.

with the buoy the colour can be easy changed but the left side of the game is going to have a few land features, and I too have to look into that a bit more.

as for the ramp, if it is just one ramp would be 3d printed and then probably fibreglassed or maybe vacuum formed - really don't know at this stage, but either way something is doable. Plan 3d printed initially to test if the design and shape actually works... lol

what is a link to your game that you are working on?

glad you found the thread - the more the merrier,

and thanks for your thoughts and will add the name suggestion was leaning that way as well originally but will add to the list to possibly do a poll at a later date.

a little electrical update.

Pinsider Mk1Mod0 over at Third Coast Pinball is doing a sweeeeet job on the custom wiring harness for this game.

Since the game will initially be running off a full set of new Alltek boards and an existing Skateball Harness, I just needed a custom harness to fill in the gaps as I did not have anything to copy and this is his area:
- leads between the boards
- leads from the boards to the displays
- leads down into the cabinet for a 90's Bally coin door, start as well as fully working coin mechs etc.
- leads between the power supply to various places as well as a extra power outlet inside
- there are 2 x 12vdc plugs which are for the 2 x WAV Trigger boards for the games sound effects

Super stoked and Mk1Mod0 is the man for Bally 80's style harnesses

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cheers and thanks for the offer, agreed a good signwriter has great style but I already have a vision of the direction which will be revealed later when that process starts ....

but I really appreciate the thoughts and input

I had considered famous / iconic places based on the actual location but not their surf names which is a cool idea, and if the game ever evolves into a game running on a set of fast or proc boardsets with a full set of custom rules the addition of some inserts with cool surf break names would be a cool addition to the game. But at the moment I want to go down the generic game name so players who are surfers can associate with a break they like surfing. I did try to have a game with a left and a right in it to better lend to any break around the world but was a little more of a challenge so this game is a left hander.

yes, I am so glad to find mk1mod0 even though on the other side of the world so not quite like what you guys have - would love a weekly crew meet and build session.

In those photos that was his game with original boards but with what will be my new harness. here is a picture of my boards stashed in the shed ready.....

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for the guys that like some of the little details

This is on the right side where the 3 bank drops are, with a wireform for the wipeout side of the wave ramp that will be height adjustable via a locking block that will be underneath. The plastics will be a 2 part plastic with the one over the drops having art, and the other one will get interaction with the ball in the drop down area so will be clear and replaceable. The playfield plug will be stainless to take drops from the ball but allows me to integrate a rollover switch in the plug for feature trigger.

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If I eventually step up from the Skateball rules & Alltek boardset to custom rules and appropriate boardset one day I really would like the game to be around having the ultimate surf at a surfers dream location and once you achieve then you get to choose another location. Each location would have a different set of goals (targets / shots) to hit to setup for the ultimate surf and then you ride the wave (ramp) with the setup in place to be awarded the ultimate wave.

But for the moment it will be situated in a dreamy location and let the imagination of the player pretend they were there.

not a big update but still showing the progress of the next wireform, and also changed the detail of 3 x inserts near the bottom of the shot showing roller over switch inserts

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thanks, but still gotta make it, but I am enjoying the design process and learning alot as I go.

cheers guys - it has evolved and hoping that the intention of variance of ball flow takes a little more to master the game and wave ramp as well as satisfying to catch the wave

current progress shot
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the wave will still get the foam look added to the top of the wave like Star Gazer's concept - this image has been so inspiring for me - thanks @Star Gazer ...
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and another form of inspiration has been my well used surf music surf wave cookie jar for the last 15 years, as well as the beach, surf mags etc
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I still am in the midst of adding the next layer / step up of wireform rails / guides as well as a 3rd on the higher side of the wave.

In addition the party wave wireform will direct balls on to this wireform as well - so still more to be done...