Marker Classification & Animations ZDSPB.com > Tech index > Marker classification & animations

Welcome to the new marker animations listing! Over the years I've attempted to organize markers into an easy classification method, but was never able to make a universal chart. There are simply too many overlapping designs; it's virtually impossible to create a single categorization system. To solve this problem, I've now created the giant listing below. An animation or diagram of each system is provided for visual purposes, then markers are described by the these variables:
1. How the bolt is controlled (mechanical [eg pump], balanced 4way triggering valve, unbalanced [eg blowforward], etc)
2. How the bolt is reset after firing (balanced 4way, blowback, spring return, etc)
3. Type of firing valve (spool valve bolt, or force-controlled poppet [FCP] that happens before or after bolt movement)
4. Type of air inlet restriction, if applicable (spool valve inlet, force-controlled poppet [FCP], or air constriction)
5. Sequence of firing movements, if applicable.

Terminology:
Remember! Markers often fit into multiple categories and many design aspects are borrowed from one-another. Some designs will fit within multiple categories, and some categories are subdivisions of others.

Submissions: If you have any additional animations for a marker not listed here, point them out to me and I will gladly host them!

Pop-up problems? The animation has to FULLY LOAD before the pop-up window will appear. Some animations are large in size (2-3 MB) so they might take a few seconds to load. If you get tired of waiting, open the link in a new tab instead.

Marker: Firing assembly: Animation: Bolt actuation movement: Firing valve: Air inlet shutoff: Sequential firing action:
Mechanical hammer/valve pump markers:
Sheridan Animation Mechanical pump (heldforward) Hammer spring-firing valve inlet constriction
WGP Sniper
PGP Animation
Nelson Nel-Spot Animation
Sterling Animation
Splatmaster (articulating barrel) Animation
Phantom Animation
Traccer
Mechanical hammer/valve semiautomatic markers:
Kingman Spyder Animation Unbalanced against sear blowback bolt return Hammer spring-firing valve inlet constriction
PMI Piranha
VM68 Animation
F4 Illustrator Animation
Dragun
BE Stingray Animation
Tippmann Prolite/Carbine/98/A-5 /X7/Salvo/AlphaBlack/Gryphon Animation
Animation
BT-4 / BT-16 Animation
Valken SW1
Electronic hammer/valve markers:
WDP/APS Angel Animation Balanced bolt/piston air actuation forward/rearward Hammer air electropneumatic valve inlet constriction
Bob Long Intimidator Animation
Bob Long G6R Cutaway
Eclipse Ego/CSL/Etek Animation
Animation
Eclipse Ego LV1 Animation
SP Impulse Animation
SP 09 Impulse / JT Impulse Diagram
Bob Long Marq/Onyx/Victory Animation
Bob Long VCOM poppet ?
AKALMP Viking Cutaway
Vanguard Creed ARV Diagram
SP Nerve Animation fast
Animation slow
MacDev Cyborg Diagram
Evil Pimp
ICD Promaster Animation
AM Daidem
System-X NME
ICD Bushmaster
Tribal Twister/Mephisto/BBT
Air Challenger "265" concept
Alien Deception Diagram
TAS Cobalt/Ruby concept ?
Axon concept Animation fast
Animation slow
DP Fusion Animation fast Unbalanced air actuation forward - FASOR FASOR spring return Hammer FASOR valve inlet constriction
Animation slow
DP Fusion FX Animation
ICD BK0
Diablo Wrath
Infinity Legend Animation
WGP Autococker / AP Sovereign Animation Balanced isolated bolt actuation (heldforward) Hammer spring-firing valve inlet constriction
WGP E-Blade Autococker
Evil Omen Animation Unbalanced heldforward Spring bolt return inlet constriction Firing hammer controls bolt
ATS-AT Animation Unbalanced heldforward Spring bolt return inlet constriction Sequential - bolt controls firing valve
BE Rainmaker Animation Balanced bolt/piston actuation forward/rearward inlet constriction Sequential - bolt controls firing valve
Tippmann SMG60/SMG68 Animation Double action (no bolt) inlet constriction
AKALMP Excalibur Animation fast Balanced isolated bolt actuation (heldforward) Hammer air electropneumatic valve inlet constriction Dual-independant solenoids (firing first, then recocking)
Animation slow
Sandridge Firestorm Autococker Animation Balanced isolated bolt actuation (heldforward) Hammer FASOR valve Sequential FCP Dual-independant solenoids (firing first, then recocking)
Osiris Autococker
Balanced spool valve markers: (4-way bolt)
Smart Parts Shocker SFT/NXT HE/NDZv3/EvolveULP bolt Animation balanced bolt actuation forward-rearward spool valve bolt - balanced spool valve bolt
Animation fast
Animation slow
Evolve v1/v2 bolt Animation fast
Animation slow
DLX Luxe original Animation
Luxe 2.0 bolt Animation
FEP Quest Animation
Animation
Empire Vanquish Diagram
Renegade ZR1 Diagram
Machine Vapor Diagram
Air Challenger "264" concept Animation fast
Animation slow
Exalt marker concept Diagram
Lee Kirwan "Omega-II" concept Animation fast
Animation slow
Smart Parts Shocker SFT/NXT stock non-HE bolt Animation fast inlet constriction
Animation slow
Marmalade bolt concept Diagram Bladder reservoir*
Freeflow bolt Diagram Bladder reservoir*
Maelstrom-Ma concept Animation fast inlet constriction
Animation slow
MacDev Clone/VX/GT/GTi Animation Sequential FCP Bolt controls poppet
MacDev Droid Animation
TAS Zealot concept Animation fast Slave FCP valve Solenoid controls both inlet and bolt
Animation slow
Gen-E Matrix / Dye DM3 Matrix Animation fast spool valve bolt
Animation slow
Dye DM/M2/ProtoMatrix Fuse bolt Animation
Animation fast
Animation slow
Blowforward markers: (air sear, 3-way bolt, etc)
Dye Matrix - slambolt Animation unbalanced blowforward Air sear bolt return* spool valve bolt - blowforward Sequential FCP with bladder reservoir Bolt controls poppet
Dangerous Power G3/G4/G5/iq TFG bolt unbalanced blowforward Air sear bolt return spool valve bolt - blowforward Bladder reservoir
stock bolts Animation inlet constriction
TechT bolt Animation
Dangerous Power G5 Animation
Dangerous Power Threshold Animation
Eclipse Geo original Animation
Eclipse Geo+ Animation
SP Ion/XE/Vibe/ Epiphany/EOS/ SP8/SP1 stock bolt & stock-replica bolts Animation
Animation
Animation
bolt with dual tail o-rings Animation
Orange Nano bolt Animation
TechT L7 bolt Animation
QEV/no QEV Animation
DW Hollowpoint bolt Animation
Orange NanoExtreme bolt Animation Sequential FCP Bolt controls poppet
ICD Freestyle FS8 Animation
ICD Freestyle Animation inlet constriction
SP Shocker RSX Diagram
Regency Crome2 Animation
Vanguard Demon Diagram
Proto SLG Animation
Hostile Creations Rogue Animation Unbalanced actuation forward Air sear bolt return* spool valve bolt - switch valve spool valve bolt*
D3FY D3S
Proto Rail Animation unbalanced blowforward Air sear bolt return spool valve bolt - blowforward spool valve bolt
Animation fast
Animation slow
Proto Rail 2011 Reflex Animation
Dye DAM
SP Ion & Ion clone SP spring valve concept Diagram unbalanced blowforward Sequential FCP Bolt controls inlet valve
Eclipse Geo+ Animation link unbalanced blowforward Slave FCP valve Solenoid controls both inlet and bolt
Eclipse Geo2/Geo3 Animation Bladder reservoir
Eclipse CS1 Animation slow
Animation fast
Dye NT Animation unbalanced blowforward Air sear bolt return spool valve bolt - blowforward* spool valve bolt Firing valve controls bolt
Pixie concept Animation fast unbalanced blowforward Air sear bolt return spool valve bolt - blowforward spool valve bolt Firing valve controls bolt
Animation slow
Shadowmachine concept Animation fast unbalanced actuation forward (FASOR) Air spring bolt return (FASOR) spool valve bolt - FASOR* spool valve bolt
Animation slow
Bob Long Insight NG Animation Unbalanced blowforward* Air sear bolt return spool valve bolt spool valve bolt
AGD Automag /Minimag/Exmag E/X Mag with RT valve Animation fast Unbalanced blowforward Spring bolt return spool valve bolt - blowforward Sequential FCP Mechanically-linked bolt & inlet
Animation slow
Pneumag modification Animation fast
Animation slow
Level-10 bolt Animation
Tiberius Tac8 Diagram
ICD Desert Fox Diagram link
Deadlywind Aedes (mQ) Animation fast Unbalanced blowforward Spring bolt return spool valve bolt - blowforward inlet constriction Firing poppet controls bolt
Animation slow
Hammerless poppet marker: (FCP, etc)
mQ-equipped electronic Autococker (E-Blade etc) Animation Balanced isolated bolt actuation (heldforward) Sequential FCP (closed bolt) inlet constriction Dual-independant solenoids (firing first, then recocking)
SP Shocker Sport Animation Balanced isolated bolt actuation (heldforward) Sequential FCP (closed bolt) Sequential FCP Firing valve controls inlet valve; dual-independent solenoids (firing first, then recocking)
Animation fast
Animation slow
PneuVentures Shocker Diagram Unbalanced actuation forward Air spring bolt return
Husher Impulse concept Animation link 99% balanced bolt actuation forward-rearward spool valve bolt - balanced spool valve bolt
J4 Torque Animation Unbalanced actuation forward Air sear bolt return* spool valve bolt - switch valve spool valve bolt* Spool valve bolt with spring inlet valve; air sear is the dump chamber
AirStar Nova (articulating barrel) Animation fast Unbalanced heldforward Spring bolt return Sequential FCP (closed bolt) Sequential FCP Firing poppet controls bolt
Animation slow
AirStar SuperNova (articulating barrel) Animation fast
Animation slow
Warmachine Assault-80 Articulating barrel version
PGi Mayhem/FROG Diagram
Mayhem pistol concept Diagram
ICE Epic Animation Unbalanced heldforward* Spring trapdoor return Sequential FCP (closed bolt) Sequential FCP Mechanically-linked firing valve & inlet
Legion Shocker concept Animation fast Unbalanced heldforward Air spring bolt return Sequential FCP (closed bolt) Sequential FCP Firing poppet controls bolt
Animation slow
SP Ion & Ion clone y0da900 closed bolt mod Animation
Thorpydo Plunger concept Animation
Gnucleus concept Animation fast
Animation slow
Icebreaker T-shirt launcher concept Animation Single action (no bolt)
Thumper-A concept Animation fast Unbalanced heldforward Air spring bolt return Sequential FCP (closed bolt) spool valve bolt Firing poppet controls bolt
Animation slow
Thumper-B concept Animation fast
Animation slow
Warmachine Assault-80 Stationary barrel version Animation fast Unbalanced blowforward Spring bolt return Blowforward & Sequential FCP Sequential FCP Poppet controls bolt forward, then bolt controls poppet backward
Animation slow
Eclipse Etha Animation Unbalanced blowforward Spring bolt return spool valve bolt - blowforward Sequential FCP Inlet valve controls bolt
Tippmann X7 Phenom (Flexvalve) Cutaway
Culex concept Animation fast Air spring bolt return
Animation slow
Eclipse GTEK/GMEK Animation
Lurker Paragon Animation fast Balanced bolt actuation forward-rearward* spool valve bolt - switch valve inlet constriction Firing poppet controls bolt; solenoid fed using dump chamber air supply
Animation slow
Invert-Empire Mini Animation fast Unbalanced actuation forward Spring bolt return Sequential FCP inlet constriction Bolt controls firing poppet
Animation slow
Animation
Empire Axe Animation fast
Animation slow
BT TM7, TM15 Animation
TM7/TM15/Empire DFender Cutaway
XXXI King Cobra Animation
SP mqev "spoppet" concept Animation fast Balanced bolt actuation forward-rearward Sequential FCP spool valve bolt Bolt controls firing poppet
Animation slow
Combustion markers:
Tippmann C3 Animation Mechanical pump (heldforward) Propane combustion valve Sequential FCP* Inlet valve is momentarilly-actuated by pump handle
Leftovers:
Airbow gun Single action (no bolt) Air compression valve inlet constriction*
DRV Diagram Double action (no bolt) Hammer spring-firing valve inlet constriction
E-volt concept Animation Unbalanced heldforward Spring bolt return Hammer spring-firing valve* inlet constriction* Firing pressure is created by a compression chamber during each shot

Other Equipment:

Item: Animation: Comments:
Tippmann Cyclone loader Animation Drive sprocket is actuated by blowback air pressure from the valve, then returned by a spring.
Dye Rotor loader Animation link A planetary gear set is used to increase torque on the drive sprocket
RAP4 M68 grenade launcher Animation Push-button dump valve.
Milsig Heat Core grenade launcher Animation Blowforward dump valve actuated by a small triggering pilot valve.
Floating poppet regulator Animation fast Simplified animation for a "floating poppet" piston-based regulator. Fluid enters the piston chamber and forces it to expand against the spring, allowing the valve to close.
Animation slow
Floating poppet diaphragm regulator Animation fast Simplified animation for a "floating poppet" diaphragm-based regulator. Fluid enters the diaphragm chamber and forces it to expand against the spring, allowing the valve to close.
Animation slow
Moving base regulator Animation fast Simplified animation for a "moving base" regulator. Fluid passes through the piston and forces it to expand against the spring, closing the valve.
Animation slow
Autococker "3-way" directional valve Animation (non-sealed) These two-position valves are actuated mechanically in order to control airflow through one of the two possible output ports.
Animation (sealed)
Parker K-series solenoid Animation fast This "piloted" indirect solenoid valve combines a 4-way directional valve (spool) which is actuated by a miniature 2-way air pilot, controlled by the electromagnet. Other piloted solenoids work similarly.
Animation slow
Mac 43-series solenoid Animation fast This direct-acting solenoid valve has a 4-way directional spool linked directly to its electromagnet. Other direct-acting solenoids work similarly.
Animation slow
Shoebox compressor/intensifier Animation fast This is a pressure intensifier that boosts "shop air" input pressure (90-100 psi) up to HPA tank levels (3k-4.5k). The red release spring is the feedback mechanism; as the pressure increases, mechanical leverage causes it to eventually push against the on/off switch when tank pressure is achieved.
Animation medium
Animation slow
Freedom8 compressor/intensifier Animation fast The Freedom8 Shoebox is an upgraded version of the original design. Notably, it uses an adjustable pressure limit switch instead of the preset mechanical shutoff.
Animation medium
Animation slow
4C eye system 4C off animation The 4C eyes monitor the ball dropping motion and allows the marker to initiate firing before the next ball is fully seated.
4C on animation
Chop animation Animation fast Demonstration of different types of paintball breaks in a marker. This was meant to highlight the difference between a ball being chopped and a ball breaking in the barrel.
Animation slow
Eclipse Deftek offset feed Animation Push-button dump valve.

Updates: (reverse-chronological, newest-first)
2018.Nov.11 - Added animations for Deftek offset feed, slower Eclipse CS1, and GTEK/GMEK.
2016.Jul.24 - Added animations for the following: Eclipse CS1, BT-16, Proto SLG, SuperNova.
2015.Nov.8 - Revised the terminology section by adding nested lists and more prominent examples of each type.
2015.Nov.6 - Added an animation for the AirStar Nova. I've also reinstated the "categories" used in the past. Maybe it'll help organize things. I also added prominent examples for some of the marker terminology definitions.
2015.Oct.25 - Added a few assorted animations meant to suppliment tech articles from other portions of the website. Of them is a set of simple regulator animations (both styles of regulator design) and an animation for a direct-acting Mac solenoid. I also made an animation of an Empire Axe to show some of the different internals compared to Minis.
2015.Mar.31 - Added an animation for the Milsig Heat Core, a grenade launching addon for other equipment.
2015.Feb.28 - Added the Alien Deception and Shocker RSX to the listings. Added animation links for a Tippmann Model98, Eclipse LV1, Ion Hollowpoint bolt, and MacDev Clone series. Also reclassified some markers by adding a new category of firing valve called the SWITCH VALVE, which is found in the following markers: J4 Torque, Lurker Paragon, Hostile Creations Rogue, and D3FY D3S. This firing method is sufficiently different as to create a new category in order to describe it.
2014.Sep.1 - Updated the animation for the Lurker Paragon, added a diagrams for the unreleased Mayhem pistol, and added an animation for an AEG airsoft gun that represents the unreleased E-volt marker.
2014.May.22 - Updated animations for both classic Shoebox and Freedom8 compressors (updated graphics and internal details). Also repaired a couple dead links to outside pages that weren't loading. All videos and youtube links now read as "animation link" which opens in a new window.
2014.May.18 - Added animations for the Freedom8 Shoebox compressor/intensifier.
2014.Apr.24 - Added an animation for an Ion with Orange NanoExtreme bolt, and a diagram for the Shocker SFT Marmalade bolt concept. Also fixed the link to the Shocker Freeflow bolt diagram. Revised the terminology descriptions at the top of the page.
2014.Mar.26 - Added animations for the following: ICD Freestyle FS8, DLX moving base type regulator, and TAS Zealot.
2014.Mar.7 - Added information for the Icebreaker concept and Lurker Paragon. Also, retro-actively added the updates section that you are currently reading.
2014.Feb.11 - Links to outside webpages have been fixed (the popup images interfered with them). Added the terminology section at the top of the page. Added listings for the following: paintball chopping animation, DRV pistol, airbow-gun, Empire DFender, Thorpydo Plunger, and J4 Torque.
2014.Jan.6 - Get out from under your rock, the new and updated mass classification page is now online! The old animation listing pages have been removed and replaced with this single giant chart. The amount of content on this page tripled in size and now includes concept markers, prototypes, and listings for virtually every prominent marker design ever produced.