Hardware & Cabinet¶

This guide covers physical hardware considerations for VPX development, including magnets, flashers, DOF configuration, VR performance, GPU recommendations, and cabinet-specific features.

Magnets in VPX¶

Magnet Limitations¶

VPX magnets don't attract upward - they only work horizontally. Attempted use of magnets in the air for upper playfield functionality failed.

Workaround: Use a surface to simulate the magnet effect, though it doesn't look like a magnet visually. A custom magnet effect could be programmed to work vertically. (mysda, apophis79, Die Hard Trilogy)

Magnet Behavior Tuning¶

GrabCenter=True helps magnets reliably hold balls. VPX magnet simulation is limited; requires extensive tweaking for approximate behavior. (sixtoe, Godzilla)

Upper Playfield Magnets¶

Upper playfield uses magnets controlled by flipper buttons to let player select which lane the ball drops into (similar to Twilight Zone).

Considerations: - May need pulse mode instead of hold - Needs visual indicator (lights or DMD callout) to show magnets are active - Should be disabled during multiball - Use diverter to block upper PF entry when disabled

(mysda, astronasty, Die Hard Trilogy)

Real Machine Hardware¶

Flashers vs Lamps¶

Flashers: High-voltage very bright lamps controlled by relays/solenoids. They appear on the main coil diagram. Used when designers want a blinding, fast light.

Lamps: Regular lamps on the lamp matrix.

Example: Pop bumper 1 on Iron Maiden is a flasher; bumpers 2 and 3 are regular lamps that follow the white GI. (sixtoe, Iron Maiden)

Flasher Location Discovery¶

To find unknown flasher positions on a real machine: use the machine's test mode to fire specific flasher numbers.

On Spike 2 systems, navigate the test menu to locate the flasher number. This revealed a previously unknown under-playfield flasher (170) at the sarcophagus on Iron Maiden — the owner had never noticed it. (sixtoe, Iron Maiden)

Data East GI and Relay Architecture¶

Guns N' Roses electrical architecture: - Single GI string controlled by relay RY1 on power supply board - Separate mux relay K1 on driver board switches solenoid output between: - 8 flashers OR - 8 coils (Trough/Release/AutoFire/VUKLeft/VUKRight/Scoop/TrapDoor/Knocker) - They are mutually exclusive - Flashers driven by TIP transistors (silent) - Right orbit skull light wired to GI (always on when GI is on) - Slingshot and bottom lane lights directly wired to power (always on, not CPU controlled) - Both relays (RY1 GI relay, K1 mux relay) are mechanical and produce audible clicking sounds - K1 is on solenoid output 10

(niwak, iaakki, sixtoe, Guns N' Roses)

Relay Sound Accuracy for System 11¶

Critical distinction for sound design: - Flashers: Driven by MOSFETs (solid-state, silent) -- do NOT add relay click sounds - GI switching: Uses actual mechanical relays that produce audible clicks - The AC Select relay controls GI bank switching and should have a relay sound - Always check machine schematics to determine which outputs use relays vs MOSFETs - Some machines use relays to swap solenoid banks, creating complex sound patterns

(iaakki, robbykingpin, apophis79, Space Station)

Godzilla Hidden Magnets¶

Godzilla has 4 magnets (per manual diagram), not 2 as commonly assumed. Hidden under-playfield magnets randomly throw balls during multiball (appearing in front of taxi targets). Cabinet rumbles in sync — a "Godzilla stomping" effect. (ebislit, sixtoe, Godzilla)

Playfield Measurements¶

Godzilla Specifications¶

Playfield: 45 x 20.25 inches (confirmed)
Blueprint overlay on playfield scan helps locate post positions
Post type: half-post rubbers (545-5151-00) with lower rubber mount, 1-1/4 inch

Reference photo guidelines: - Phone resting sideways on playfield (height reference) - Reverse angle shots from backbox toward flippers - Hidden areas - Profile shots with playfield tilted up

(sixtoe, ebislit, Godzilla)

Gottlieb System 3 Flippers¶

Gottlieb System 3 flippers are extra wide at the base compared to standard flippers. Measure carefully to ensure proper dimensions. (lumigado, gedankekojote97, Street Fighter 2)

Kicker Assembly Specifications¶

Gottlieb Kicker (number 5): - Baseplate: C-15707 (trans red or white) - Switch arm: C-15708 (trans red or white) - Metal hole liner: A-11151 - Kicker arm assembly: A-16045 - Hole size: 1.25" (standard for kickers) - Hole liner height: 0.487" - Liner thickness: 0.02" - Liner is basically flush with playfield, maybe slightly below - Gottlieb hole has no bevel

(borgdog, phreezie, VPW Resources)

Cabinet Components¶

Dual Leaf Switch Installation¶

Double leaf switch mounts to side of cabinet. May need extra spacers at base for proper alignment with button. Switch contacts button at specific point for two-stage activation.

The curved center leaf faces away from cabinet wall. Remove the white bracket that comes with some switches as it positions the switch too low. (rothbauerw, Iron Maiden)

DOF Blower Fan Ideas¶

Run blower/fan at low speed during specific modes, then burst of air when events occur.

Caution: DOF implementation should wait until table is feature-complete. Improper DOF configuration burned up solenoids on GOTG release. Always have a DOF expert handle final implementation. (soundscape2k, daphishbowl, Iron Maiden)

DOF RGB Lockbar Button¶

RGB lockbar button controlled by Pinscape (Oak Micros) works in BM66 (cycles during attract, lights for gadgets).

For Teensy-based setups, Arduino control of the button works but DOF config tool mappings like (RGBFire) and (FireButton) may not map correctly. Needs deeper investigation of DOF config tool settings for Teensy boards. (soundscape2k, daphishbowl, Iron Maiden)

GPU Recommendations¶

GPU Recommendations for VPX (2021)¶

GTX 1080 was old top-range, now comparable to RTX 3060
RTX 3000 series adds real-time raytracing
Worst time in history to buy GPU (2021 shortage)

For VPX + Octane: RTX 3060 recommended (more powerful than 1080, adds RTX features). (sixtoe, tomate80, Judge Dredd)

GPU Performance on Heavy Tables¶

GTX 1060 3GB performance on Judge Dredd: - FPS drops to 50 when pursuit sirens fire - Not texture-size related (4K images) - Cause: Complex flasher system (8 GI levels, unlinked from GI) - Primitive swapping complexity also contributes

Optimization attempts (minimal gains): - Disable flasher blooms: 53→55 FPS - Insert normals off except VR mode - Comment out debug prints

TFTC runs better because simpler flasher system (GI on/off only). (tomate80, sixtoe, iaakki, Judge Dredd)

4K Performance Benchmarks¶

Heavy tables at 4K: - i7-3770 + GTX 1060 3GB: Borderline, some tables lag especially during complex modes - i7-6700 + GTX 1060: Runs well at 4K - GTX 1660 Ti: Maintains 60fps on any table at 4K - GTX 2080 Ti / 3000 series: More than enough for VR + 4K

Optimization tips: - Turn off antivirus on cabinet PCs - Internet connection not needed for play - Resource intensive tables = many graphics, lights, scripts

(tomate80, sixtoe, iaakki, benji084, Spider-Man)

VR Hardware¶

VR GPU Requirements (2020)¶

Minimum VR GPU for VPX: GTX 1660 "if you behave." GTX 1080 with i5-6600K runs great. RTX 3060 Ti suggested as ideal cheap option.

VR renders everything twice (once per eye), so a 4K texture effectively becomes 6K+ in terms of GPU load. (sixtoe, Monster Bash)

VR Headset Recommendations (2020)¶

Quest 2 (wireless): $300-400 - Needs USB-C cable (~$30, NOT $80 Oculus cable) for PC VR - Works standalone too - Wireless requires good router; wired reduces latency - 64GB model sufficient

HP Reverb G2: Best quality, $600, long wait times

Rift S: Good but older, wired

Pimax: Build quality issues

Minimum GPU: GTX 1660 Ti / RTX 2060. GTX 2080 Ti more than enough. (sixtoe, oqqsan, benji084, Spider-Man)

VR Performance - Oculus Link vs Virtual Desktop¶

GNR ran poorly on Oculus Link (unplayable during multiball) but smoothly via Virtual Desktop on the same hardware. Reinstalling VPinMAME resolved the Oculus Link issue.

VR users should try Virtual Desktop if experiencing Link performance problems. Open Composite (non-Steam) with wired Quest 2 reported smooth performance. (astronasty, Guns N' Roses)

Display Calibration¶

Display Affects Table Appearance¶

Many complaints about table darkness stem from uncalibrated displays. Old/faded LCDs, low brightness settings, and incorrect GPU driver color settings (limited vs full range) significantly affect perceived brightness.

Different display types (4K TV vs gaming monitor vs VR headset vs cabinet LCD) show the same table very differently. Authors should test on their primary display and accept that not all setups will look identical. (pinstratsdan, terryred, Monster Bash)

Sound Hardware¶

Ramp Sound Implementation¶

Reference tables: - Plastic ramps: Flupper's TOTAN (corner/curve impact sounds) - Wire ramps: nFozzy's Space Station (metal rail sound, perfectly responds to ball speed)

Best practices: - Live recordings of actual table useful for reference but not ideal for VPX (ball speed varies) - Space Station launch metal ramp setup is perfect - same size ramp, sound responds to speed dynamically - Add bump triggers along wire ramp regardless of main rolling sound (subtle wire hit sounds) - Plastic ramp corner hits should be cranked up volume - very pronounced on real table - Add ramp entry/hit sound at base of ramps

(gtxjoe, benji084, Police Force)

Scanner Hardware¶

Scanner Recommendations¶

Best for playfields: HP Scanjet 4600/4670 - See-through scanner design - 100% accurate scans (no distortion) - Perfect stitching alignment - Hard to find, expensive (~$130 scan service alternative) - Requires specific cables (scanner useless without them)

Best for backglasses: Epson V300 - Good for backglasses and plastics - 4670 NOT good for backglasses (blurry results) - More available than 4670

Alternative: Epson Perfection V39 - Cheaper and more available - Thin focal range (directly on glass only) - USB2 has data transmission issues, USB3 fine - Requires decasing for playfield scanning - Adequate for surface-only scanning

NOT recommended: Modified flatbeds with lips raising glass off playfield (inaccurate due to distance)

Professional option: Cruse scanner (commercial large format, one-pass, ~$130 per scan)

(VPW Resources)

Cabinet OS¶

Win10 Ghost Spectre Superlite¶

Win10 Ghost Spectre Superlite build recommended for lean pinball cab installations. Very lean, no issues, DOF works fine. Available via YouTube channel with current release links. (soundscape2k, Iron Maiden)