The Aussie Pinball Arcade

Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => Pinball Emulation => Topic started by: Sinbad79 on May 04, 2014, 06:26:05 PM

Title: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 04, 2014, 06:26:05 PM
Hi guys

I'm obviously rather new to this forum, been lurking for some time and only recently registered after my recent (and first) pinball purchase.
There aren't any virtual pinball build logs on this website and given i've been working on mine for several months now, i figure i'll contribute - there seems to be increasing interest in these things, so......

Cabinet

Screens

Electronics

The machine is still very much a work in progress with about a month or so of work - mainly installations and wiring before this thing comes to life.
In the meantime, enjoy the progress pics....but firstly, some up to date snaps :)

Build Log to follow in subsequent posts...


Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 04, 2014, 06:26:43 PM
The machine was designed by myself in Solidworks based on dimensions i found on the net and verified against real machines.
Here we have a few images of the laid out parts on the CNC, ready to be lifted, sanded and put together dry (without wood glue at this stage - that comes later)
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 04, 2014, 06:27:07 PM
Mock-up assembly - the ease end beauty of CNC technology!
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: howzat on May 04, 2014, 07:18:59 PM
Hi Sinbad
Great post      Stuzzas artwork is impresive   Im building one and also have gone for a  46 screen and a 32 back box which  should be good .

I have to ask how do you think you will go setting  it up   it can be quite complex   We have had our fair share of problems 

We have found PinballX to be more user friend  than hyperpin       I wish you good luck with the project and will watch with intrest     Howzat
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: swinks on May 04, 2014, 07:20:45 PM
cool artwork and will be watching with interest, thanks for sharing
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Crashramp on May 04, 2014, 07:21:37 PM
That cab looks great, nice work.   ^^^
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 04, 2014, 07:22:24 PM
I already have hyperpin running, software side of this build is complete ahead of time. I've been contributing to the DX9 port of Visual Pinball over at vpforums so i'm all over that aspect. At this stage, i plan to run Visual Pinball and Fx2. Not much of a Future Pinball fan.

 
I knew ahead of time which theme i wanted to use for the cabinet, so i set out with this in mind and sourced the following

Side rails - black from JPD
Legs - either Mr Pinball or PSPA, dont recall which, sorry
Buttons - OzStick and Infinity Amusements

Shortly after ended up here....
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 04, 2014, 08:03:04 PM
Subwoofer test fit inside its housing, and playfield test fit along the routed grooves...perfect!
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: ddstoys on May 04, 2014, 08:08:31 PM
Nice work so far had visual pinball on my Mame machine and its great for getting the feel of a game before you shell out the cash.  Should be even better in a real cab
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Dozer316 on May 05, 2014, 01:55:38 AM
Looking very nice :)
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: howzat on May 05, 2014, 09:52:26 PM
Hi Sinbad
Thats looking really good  @@*   Between the p/field and lock down bar will there be a gap ?      If so would you use some type of apron or some perspex

I have a gap  in mine     Im interested to see your lock down bar as 46 play field is not a standard size   I DONT THINK            Howzat
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 06, 2014, 12:54:20 AM
Its a widebody cabinet with a widebody lockdown bar....

Yes there is a gap, but i plan on getting some sheet metal bent up and powder coated to use in between, cross that bridge when i get to it.
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: vinito on May 06, 2014, 11:45:54 AM
Here's a sound bite (and maybe the video too as it's kinda cool too) for ya. Maybe use short bites or for attract mode or none of it or whatever.
It's Alan Moore (the author, of course) narrating some of the Rorschach journal. The actor in the movie wasn't too bad, but when Alan Moore it's darker and just awesome IMO.


Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 06, 2014, 12:08:27 PM
Vinito
thanks for that - yea awesome clip.
Such an awesome comic - the animated series is brilliant too.
Not sure what i'll do for attract mode yet - i was thinking along the same lines before you posted - thanks for the link, much appreciated.
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: vinito on May 06, 2014, 12:27:33 PM
Looking that up got me curious and I quickly found this clip. It's a very long clip and it's pretty much all Alan Moore talking about his early life and a ton of other stuff. That first clip is a snippet from this one.
I got about halfway through and it's pretty interesting and well-done. His sense of humor is right down my dark alley.



And I got to thinking, just for fun you could add a couple "easter eggs" which are soundbites or whatever from "V for Vendetta", which is also an awesome movie. I liked the comic series of it well enough, but that one is a rare case when the movie surpassed the book.

Your cabinet is AWESOME by the way. Great job so far.
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on May 06, 2014, 12:46:25 PM
Thanks vinito - appreciate the feedback.
I'll check out the clip tonight when i get home from work.

The cabinet is only half the challenge, getting the hardware and software "tuned" so that the thing is actually playable as intended is the hard work... still to come. However yes, it really is a good looking machine IMO, in real life the 2 pack paint and clear really does set it off... the paint is flat, reflective like glass - especially after a nice polish/wax. Cant describe how nice it is to look at in real life. I'm very happy with it thus far.
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: dealers choice on June 05, 2014, 01:28:49 PM
That is one very neat machine.  ^^^ Excellent work. I am looking at making the same type as yours. I would be interested to know how much it has cost so far.
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on June 05, 2014, 03:31:10 PM
Thanks!

Machine cost (finished) is around $5k all up, i have gone all out on it though.
From high grade (non shrink) vinyl for the decals, to 2pack paint and clear coat etc etc.... to Allen Bradley contactors for the feedback. Its not a cheap exercise if you're considering it, although, im sure it can be done much cheaper than mine, i'm just anal about these things....
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Boots on November 03, 2014, 11:10:40 AM
Was fortunate enough to see this machine in the flesh on the weekend and it looks even better than the photos.
Evan has done an awesome job on this and the Watchmen is a great theme for a pinball.
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: Sinbad79 on November 03, 2014, 11:35:36 AM
Was fortunate enough to see this machine in the flesh on the weekend and it looks even better than the photos.
Evan has done an awesome job on this and the Watchmen is a great theme for a pinball.

Thanks Chris, i have to admit, it has come up better than i had hoped for, it really is a thing of beauty to be honest.
Let's hope the gameplay is up to par when i eventually get around to finishing it.
I'll post up some more pictures and perhaps a video or two when done.

If i had the skills to build a virtual table from scratch (like some of the guys over at vpforums) then i'd definitely spend some time building a fantasy Watchen table for it...

Was good to meet you as well btw.
Title: Re: Build Log: DC Watchmen Widebody 46"/32"/XpinDMD
Post by: dealers choice on March 25, 2016, 05:01:06 PM
Just wondering what brand and model screen you used for the play field as I've finished my back box and have a cab ready to fit a screen.