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Tools & Resources Directory

Comprehensive directory of tools, resources, and community assets for virtual pinball development.

Scanning Equipment

HP Scanjet 4600/4670

  • Best for playfields, translites, and decals
  • See-through scanner design provides 100% accurate scans
  • Perfect stitching alignment
  • Hard to find, expensive (around $130 used)
  • Requires specific cables - scanner useless without them
  • NOT good for backglasses (blurry results)

Epson V300

  • Best for backglasses and plastics
  • More available than 4670
  • Good complement to HP 4670

Epson Perfection V39

  • Cheaper and more available alternative
  • Thin focal range (directly on glass only)
  • USB2 has data transmission issues, use USB3
  • Requires decasing for playfield scanning
  • Adequate for surface-only scanning

Professional Services

  • Cruse scanner: Commercial large format, one-pass scanning (~$130 per scan)

Scanning Best Practices

Scanner Setup (Borgdog's Method)

  • Custom scanning stick with marked positions
  • 3 strips of 5 scans each
  • Ensures parallel scans for MS Image Composite Editor
  • Dark room preferred for consistent results

Scanning Settings (ClarkKent Guidelines)

  • 600 dpi required (300 dpi too low for digital halftone prints)
  • TIFF file format (never JPG or PDF)
  • Always include surrounding unprinted wood borders
  • Archive original scan parts
  • Overlap scans absolutely necessary

Preparation

  • Clean playfield thoroughly before scanning
  • Remove lane guides if needed (slide out unless epoxied)
  • Measure physical playfield and include measurements

3D Modeling Tools

Blender Plugins & Resources

  • VPX Toolkit: Core workflow for VPW tables
  • Pinball Parts Library: https://github.com/vbousquet/pinball-parts/releases
  • Comprehensive Blender parts library with screws, posts, bumpers, standard hardware
  • Regularly updated with community contributions

CAD Files & References

  • Pinball Makers Files: https://pinballmakers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Files_Section
  • Useful collection of pinball parts, pins, posts
  • Good for reference, remodeling, or scale verification

Material Resources

  • Greyscalegorilla Surface Imperfections: https://godownloads.net/greyscalegorilla-surface-imperfections-scratches-maps-free-download/
  • Scratch textures for ramp materials
  • Texture #43 recommended for ramps

VPX Primitives & Assets

Flupper Insert Collection (VPW Exclusive)

  • Complete collection of insert primitives and textures
  • https://mega.nz/file/4BhlWCaC#O96jAFrMRo6t7_2NGRG1vxcrnT4VjQHXK3GRgpFbz0w
  • https://mega.nz/file/1QZmjDiI#aAqbf9aXaQfDWnKgoJO1scZ07eu7KfgpSsCtJcPBHw0
  • https://mega.nz/file/pQJhzSwQ#ZUMSM86G3ZDMjiu2UgQYljZIrENJBANBREWjQfpVuJE
  • BK2000 official download for lightning inserts
  • Not for distribution outside VPW

Williams/Data East Bats

  • https://mega.nz/file/RZoGjYwQ#A4fEDLYTZks3lWCk7TJH7EQdyStRyRz0Rht_Kyz0SRw
  • WilliamsBats_White_colors.zip
  • Data_East_bats.rar and VPW_bats.rar

2-Inch Flipper Collection

  • https://drive.google.com/open?id=1_1GILEU1OLdqWfGkbLi5Vy4z0X2m9RjD
  • Four meshes: raised text left/right, no/stamped text left/right
  • Stamped versions use normal map and texture

Small Plastic Post

  • https://drive.google.com/open?id=10J0c_1BnPBsHDSCMzHTJewGLTMJ6uih6
  • Quick-modeled with AO texture

Flupper Bumper Models

  • https://mega.nz/file/EJ4TBDYD#YekdUQPTmg8FC51jRj71KKUgZJFok-PBwyHp-NqKodg
  • Base and top models with excellent topology
  • Ready for subdivisions and bevels in Blender

Graphics & Decals

High-Res Stern Resources

  • KMS Handel Decals: https://www.kms-handel-shop.de/de/stern-pinball/gehaeuseteile-assemblies/decals
  • KMS Handel Translites: https://www.kms-handel-shop.de/stern-pinball/gehaeuseteile-assemblies/translite
  • London Pinball Decals: https://www.londonpinball.co.uk/product-category/pinball-decal/
  • WARNING: Sites may reduce quality - recommended to scrape and archive

Design Templates

  • Deadflip Pinball Sketch Template: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xmv77kh8ks49src/PINBALLSKETCHTEMPLATE.psd

Apron Cards

  • Pinball Rebel: https://www.pinballrebel.com/pinball/cards/
  • Ken's site hosting since 90s with custom cards

Sound Resources

Fleep Sound Package

  • Fleep Sound Functions v2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UaU3cC0umyv5kSTPUC_652UBo8cngO50/view
  • Fleep Sounds Folder: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jdscd8i2cnpaeaf/AABN2lQXfLRSc9r9iBLWNy4oa
  • Implementation Guide: https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Adding-Fleep-Sound-Package--BINdwBapDcUvEyDIntVlGBVaAQ-jKBeTlcYksoH7xhmMQrkq

Sound Effect Libraries

  • BBC Sound Effects Archive: http://bbcsfx.acropolis.org.uk/
  • Massive library with thousands of free sounds
  • Hanna-Barbera SFX: Complete library with 2,200+ royalty-free effects
  • https://archive.org/details/HB01SFX
  • https://archive.org/details/HB04SFX
  • https://archive.org/details/HB05SFX

Altsound Tools

  • PinMAME Altsound Editor: https://vpuniverse.com/forums/topic/4489-pinmame-altsound-editor/
  • Extract sounds from ROMs and create altsound packages

Image Processing

Compression Tools

  • ImageOptim (Mac): https://imageoptim.com/api
  • Lossless compression, 40-50MB reductions typical
  • Optimage (Mac): Lossless PNG to WebP conversion
  • 90%+ size reduction for PNG to WebP
  • 60%+ lossless reduction for PNG alone

AI Enhancement

  • Topaz Gigapixel: AI-enhanced upscaling to 8K

Documentation & References

Technical Documentation

  • CVPMObjects Documentation: https://www.vpforums.org/Tutorials/vbsdoc.html
  • Comprehensive CVPM object definitions

Table Dimensions

  • Modern Table Dimensions Reference: https://pastebin.com/C9mzWkKH
  • Comprehensive list in inches, VP units, aspect ratios, 1:1 pixel resolutions

Blueprints

  • Pinball Vault Blueprints: https://www.pinballvault.com/product-category/blueprints/
  • Low-res but useful for checking playfield alignments
  • Expensive, potentially original production blueprints

Community Asset Collections

Devious626 Asset Collection

  • https://1drv.ms/f/s!Agv5xpyUp3HmopwqsirZW7VUtNajZw
  • Graphics, sound fx, music, brushes, textures, primitives
  • Large collection including some paid assets

Wylte Resources

  • Ball and Scratch Images: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UHKAHlwUtpI_Zz1Yi55lSjQd6N8W0nOe/view
  • Brightest Ball HDR: ball_HDR_brightest.hdr file

Specialized Tools

Light Control

  • Light State Controller: https://github.com/mpcarr/vpx-light-controller
  • Custom light control for original tables
  • RGB support and advanced sequencing
  • Mission Pinball Show Creator integration

Voice Synthesis

  • FakeYou: http://fakeyou.com
  • Deep fake text-to-speech and lip-synced video

Code Tools

  • WinMerge: https://winmerge.org
  • File and folder comparison for tracking script changes

VPW Most Wanted Spreadsheet

  • https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DnhYMXK6WnD0h3ILqqC1IO2Ap_9L_hbX_E1yaXFdsU0/edit
  • Centralized tracking for needed resources and scanning priorities

Community Collaboration

Successful 2024 Model

  1. Resource owners make playfields available, provide scanners
  2. Local scanners perform scanning with borrowed equipment
  3. Professional stitching correct geometry, ensure accuracy
  4. Cleanup artists redraw/clean in Illustrator/Photoshop
  5. Project leads coordinate efforts

Equipment Sharing

  • Scanners loaned between members
  • Maximizes coverage without everyone buying expensive equipment
  • Paladin and M.Carter78 coordinating with Passion4Pins archive

Restoration References

Photo Galleries

  • Pencilneck Restoration Galleries: https://pinside.com/pinball/community/pinsiders/pencilneck/forum/topics
  • Earthshaker, Funhouse, Whirlwind, King Pin, Gilligan's Island

Professional Stitching Services

  • ClarkKent offers geometry-corrected stitching
  • EBisLit maintains public playfield collection at ebislit.com
  • Bord handles professional stitching with geometry correction