Level2VPin/README.md

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# Level2VPin
Virtual Pinball Cabinet à la Level2
# Bill of Materials (BOM)
## PC Hardware
### Graphics Adaptors
2 nVidia Cards, recent ones, no need for crazy expensive ones. GTX460 1GB at least.
### Power-supply
You will need a 750W supply to be sure the system runs smoothly.
### Mainboard
Robust and compatible Mainboard
### Processor
Any Intel i7
### Speakers
Mid-range 2-speaker setup. Or a [Pinball Cabinet Kit](http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=70)
Approx. 99€
A complete [Flipper Fidelity Sound System Kit](http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16&products_id=120)
Approx 130€
### Monitors
3 are needed in total
* Backbox/Backglass, head of the cabinet (32") Approx. 300€
* Dot Matrix Display (15.6") Approx. 300€ [in a Kit with USB Interface](http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=231)
* Playfield (46") Approx. 1500€ if [Commercial grade used](http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=29)
For the main playfield the thinner the screen, the better. Mainly because the flipper buttons need to be in the most natural position for game play.
### Memory
2x8GB Ram
### Disk
1xSSD Disk
## Cabinet Hardware
### Electronics
#### Fans
:warning: The cabinet will become hot. Proper cooling is needed. Suggesting 200x200x20 fans. If you want to play it fancy, get fans with LEDs.
Approx. 20€ a piece
#### LED Flashers
These are high-powered LED elements and need passive cooling.
Approx. 10€ a piece
#### Nudge
Nudging a Pinball table is essential to good game-play.
#### Buttons
We will need quite a few buttons. From the 2 Flipper buttons, 2 Nudge Buttons to the Start buttons and maybe a plunger button.
The [following buttons](http://www.ultimarc.com/ultralux.html) have RGB LEDs pre-wired for the PacLED64
Approx. 84€
#### Plunger
Research if there is a digital "analog" [plunger](http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_id=199).
#### iPac
The iPac allows you to control arcade buttons, switches etc through USB. It acts like a keyboard and sends a keyboard signal.
Latency is an issue and I would advise against rolling your own with an Arduino or Raspi.
Approx. 70€ from [Ultimarc](http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=2)
#### PacLED64
The PacLED64 is an LED controller and lets you connect LED lights.
Approx. 70€ from [Ultimarc](http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=5)
#### Alternative: LED-Wiz
A more universal piece of hardware that can control many different types of outputs, like solenoids, motors, lights etc.
### Woods
### Misc. Hardware (joints, legs etc.)
4 table legs
1 Coin door (Approx. 60€ from [Ultimarc](http://www.ultimarc.com/store/section.php?xSec=9&xPage=1&jssCart=3fb4ca3db5c0c8a631d4d777d9515933))
#### Glass
To make the experience more real adding a piece of tempered glass over the big play-field screen is recommended.
## Software
* Windows 7 Pro (To run XP compatibility mode) Approx. 160€
* Visual Pinball
* VPinMAME
* PinballX
* DirectB2S
* Direct Output Framework
# Build
## Reference Pinball
We are very fortunate to have access to a real Pinball Machine.
The machine in question is "The Who's Tommy Pinball Wizard" (January 1994).
[IPDB](http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?id=2579)
[WikiPedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Who%27s_Tommy_Pinball_Wizard)
## Precision
Some DIYers suggest a precision of 3mm (for the main screen fitting for example)
## Art work
Obviously the Level2 Pinball cabinet wants to be customized with beautiful Art-work. We would need someone to design the outer shell of the cabinet.
# Resources
[Biscuit joiner (Nutfräse)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscuit_joiner)
[Blogger detailing his steps in Building a cabinet](https://vpcabinet.wordpress.com/)
[Virtual Pinball Forums and Software Resources](http://www.vpforums.org/)
[Fractions in inch to mm](http://www.hamuniverse.com/antfrac.html)
## Non-PC Part Vendors
[iPac controllers, LED management and more](http://www.ultimarc.com/)
[Connecting a real Dot-matrix to your PC](http://www.pindmd.com)
[Virtuapin, commercial DIY Cabinets](http://virtuapin.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=9361125f7b96c5d60456f6e76a11eb9e)
[Traditional pinball and arcade game parts](https://na.suzohapp.com/)
## Pinball Repositories
[OpenGL "Batman" Pinball](https://github.com/loganfsmyth/pinball)
[Pinball Mini for iOS using Cocos2d and Chipmunk (outdated)](https://github.com/adambyram/pinballmini-ios)
[Some notes on building a VPinball Machine](https://github.com/dave-ops/virtual-pinball-machine)
[Helper tool to manage VPin ROMs](https://github.com/jbienz/PinTools)
[DirectOutput framework for virtual pinball cabinets](https://github.com/DirectOutput/DirectOutput)
# Rough cost-estimate
| Item | Price |
|----------------------|---------------|
| PC-Hardware | 2300€ |
| Software | 160€ |
| Screens | 2100€ |
| Wood | 1000€ |
| Glass | 150€ |
| Pinball HW | 700€ |
| Tools | 300€ |
| Misc | 120€ |
| **Total Cost** | **6686€** |
# Comm channels
[Slack](https://level2lu.slack.com/messages/vpinballcabinet/)