A Different Perspective...

 As progress continues on the 2D layout, one thing has become abundantly clear... The initial image I had been working from wasn't going to work in the long-term.

Old playfield reference

The picture above was created by modifying an existing screenshot, to account for the forced perspective. That initial modification made it fairly easy to determine whether or not a physical version of Space Cadet would even fit into a standard pinball cabinet, and if the parts on the playfield are the size of real pinball parts.

While working on the layout, another issue of perspective reared its ugly head! Where exactly do some of the playfield mechanisms go?! Sure, estimations could be made, but for a more accurate measurement, something else had to be done. Which brings me to the heart of this post.

Taking a closer look, there is some perspective still at play as one moves farther up the image. Parts that were hidden become more visible. The picture below shows exactly how drastic this perspective is, when comparing the slingshots and the upper arch. The grey-colored portion visible at the top arch would normally be hidden under the plastic mounted above it, if viewed directly from the top. The slingshot doesn't have this with the rubber ring that sit beneath the plastic triangle.

Perspective comparison

To account for this, I divided the screenshot into two "layers". An upper layer for the plastic light shields, pop bumper caps, and the like. The lower layer for the main playfield. This lower layer was then stretched vertically until it matched up with the border of the upper layer. The end result is a suitable stand-in for a "full playfield scan", a term used by digital pinball recreators to refer to a continuous scan of a bare playfield (often using a handheld scanner).

Lower layer lightened. Small green arrow showing distance stretched

With this improved rendering of the Space Cadet playfield, a more accurate layout can be designed. After the topside layout has been drafted, all of the mechanisms for the underside will be accounted for, along with any topside adjustments necessary.

Completed modifications

The elevated playfield on the left side, because of the reduced effect of perspective, will not need to be modified at this time.

Slowly, but surely, Mission: Space Cadet forges ahead! Stay tuned for more updates as we weigh the pros and cons of different pinball operating platforms in the next update.