57 replies to this topic

[kiwi]

I don't have many projects and the only backglass I can't recreate with the latest version is this one, the others work.

Edited by kiwi, 22 July 2022 - 06:41 AM.

[jarr3]

I don't have many projects and the only backglass I can't recreate with the latest version is this one, the others work.

 

Surf'n Safari.zip

 

Hi, I just tried this Designer Version from Github (new home of B2S Stuff). It is the latest pre-release on github (still same version but with added sha in the about box) 

 

 B2S Backglass Designer Version.png   87.02KB   6 downloads

 

And using this version I could import the B2S file. When you download, take "B2SBackglassDesigner-1.27.0.0-dd545e9-Release-win-x86"

 

/Jarr3

[kiwi]

 

I don't have many projects and the only backglass I can't recreate with the latest version is this one, the others work.

 

Surf'n Safari.zip

 

Hi, I just tried this Designer Version from Github (new home of B2S Stuff). It is the latest pre-release on github (still same version but with added sha in the about box) 

 

B2S Backglass Designer Version.png

 

And using this version I could import the B2S file. When you download, take "B2SBackglassDesigner-1.27.0.0-dd545e9-Release-win-x86"

 

/Jarr3

 

The b2s file is opened by the recent release, but it gets stuck when I try to create the directb2s file.

[jarr3]

The b2s file is opened by the recent release, but it gets stuck when I try to create the directb2s file.

 

 

Ok, I now see the same, will check! Thanks!

[jarr3]

Good morning,

 

I went back and double checked what we have in our repository about B2S Designer...

 

- Herweh released his B2S Designer 1.2 in 2013 (this is last official release I could find)

- Herweh released the source code to B2S Designer 1.26 in 2016. You can still find the source to it here. Toxie has as always done a HUGE effort to keep this alive for some years now!

- Westworld did a bugfix on top of 1.26 in 2017, but the source went gone on VPU and was never brought back to the SVN repo either. I have redone his fix which was released here in version 1.27

 

The source code released, was only one state in time, not a git or svn repository as I can see. So we do not have a clue what has happened between 1.2 and 1.26, anyone else knows? Is there any forum posts?

 

With every software there are bugs and if we compare 1.2 - 1.26 I assume (just a best guess) there are a lot of bug fixes (and maybe new features?). BUT as with every software... a bug fix or touching the source code in general, can mean new bugs introduced.

 

So, I have now sort taken on the task to continue B2S Designer and Server after Toxie at least for as long as I feel for it, and if you support me, I will do my best in fixing these issues.

I can not say that I have a lot of time to do this, but at least I will try.

 

I only ask for one thing:

• please log an issue on github, describing the problem. This is the link: https://github.com/v...ackglass/issues
• please tell the exact build you are testing in the format: 1.27.0.0-dd545e9 can be found on each executable under properties.

 

And please remember, this is a hobby. With the move to github (@jsm174 did a HUGE job here), I think we have simplified handling of the source code a lot. Before I had to do the changes and then ask @Toxie to take them over to the svn repo and he would build them (hand made) and put the result here.

 

It is really easy now:

1. Create a fork of the repository,
2. fix, commit and push back into your fork. Github should now automatically build a test release for you, which can be tested by everyone here.
3. If you think it will help the community, you can create a pull request, so that your changes will be integrated into the (new) official repository.

So with this, I officially invite everyone to try it out, if I managed to fix some of these bugs, you will too...  and of course we need support even if you are not into development... testing is as important...

 

@Andypc has already added one bug (for the server) and @mustang1961 a feature request (designer and server). This is the right way! Only bugs in the issue tracker are bugs...

 

The repository is combined between the designer and the server, but I hope it does not show up as a problem...

 

@kiwi, I think I have solved the issue ( I have added issue #4) you had with importing and generating B2S -> directb2s. I have also confirmed that this did not work with 1.26 either (but with 1.2!!!), so (lucky me) I did not bring in this error...

 

/Jarr3

Edited by jarr3, 21 July 2022 - 05:47 AM.

[jarr3]

@kiwi I have pushed a fix for issue #4:  here we will find the binary https://github.com/J...ckglass/actions

 

Please confirm, then we can push it to the official repo.

 

/Jarr3

Edited by jarr3, 21 July 2022 - 06:10 AM.

[kiwi]

@kiwi I have pushed a fix for issue #4:  here we will find the binary https://github.com/J...ckglass/actions

 

Please confirm, then we can push it to the official repo.

 

/Jarr3

I think I should create an account to download the file, can someone who has the file kindly give it to me?

 

Thanks

[Thalamus]

https://www.dropbox....220721.zip?dl=0

 

Latest designer, server and betterled in 32bit.

[kiwi]

https://www.dropbox....220721.zip?dl=0

 

Latest designer, server and betterled in 32bit.

Thanks!

 

 

@jarr3

Tried it and creating the backglass works!

[jarr3]

 

https://www.dropbox....220721.zip?dl=0

 

Latest designer, server and betterled in 32bit.

Thanks!

 

 

@jarr3

Tried it and creating the backglass works!

 

 

@kiwi, Thanks, I will push the changes to the official repo. I really like the turnaround time

 

/Jarr3

[hauntfreaks]

hey heres a crazy idea.... how about copy and paste....LOL

also blends for snippets  (screen, overlay, multiply, darken, lighten, etc) this would make this outdated designer, much much more useable...... 

[wiesshund]

hey heres a crazy idea.... how about copy and paste....LOL

also blends for snippets  (screen, overlay, multiply, darken, lighten, etc) this would make this outdated designer, much much more useable...... 

 

copy and paste i can do

the rest may need actual support in B2S server for that?

 

B2S Designer is basically a glorified text editor, or sorts (remember microsoft front page?)
you can make a b2s entirely in notepad but i am too lazy to do all the math for proper object placement.

 

If i could code i would rewrite b2s server to be a VPX lite 
Imagine the backglasses you could make using actual table parts
lamps, flashers, prims that can rotate etc

 

Sadly i cant code it to dispense a sheet of toilet paper, let alone do anything cool
 

[hauntfreaks]

 

hey heres a crazy idea.... how about copy and paste....LOL

also blends for snippets  (screen, overlay, multiply, darken, lighten, etc) this would make this outdated designer, much much more useable...... 

 

copy and paste i can do

the rest may need actual support in B2S server for that?

 

B2S Designer is basically a glorified text editor, or sorts (remember microsoft front page?)
you can make a b2s entirely in notepad but i am too lazy to do all the math for proper object placement.

 

If i could code i would rewrite b2s server to be a VPX lite 
Imagine the backglasses you could make using actual table parts
lamps, flashers, prims that can rotate etc

 

Sadly i cant code it to dispense a sheet of toilet paper, let alone do anything cool
 

 

yeah having those blends would make things like flasher effects easier for the novice PS user, would also help stop people from using the terrible lighting generated from the designers stock lighting....
all the things in the designer were fine for 2012-13 VP, now that VP looks and plays good, the b2s is super lacking..... 

[wiesshund]

 

 

hey heres a crazy idea.... how about copy and paste....LOL

also blends for snippets  (screen, overlay, multiply, darken, lighten, etc) this would make this outdated designer, much much more useable...... 

 

copy and paste i can do

the rest may need actual support in B2S server for that?

 

B2S Designer is basically a glorified text editor, or sorts (remember microsoft front page?)
you can make a b2s entirely in notepad but i am too lazy to do all the math for proper object placement.

 

If i could code i would rewrite b2s server to be a VPX lite 
Imagine the backglasses you could make using actual table parts
lamps, flashers, prims that can rotate etc

 

Sadly i cant code it to dispense a sheet of toilet paper, let alone do anything cool
 

 

yeah having those blends would make things like flasher effects easier for the novice PS user, would also help stop people from using the terrible lighting generated from the designers stock lighting....
all the things in the designer were fine for 2012-13 VP, now that VP looks and plays good, the b2s is super lacking..... 

 

Personally, if i was the mad coder, my solution would be
1) build the B2S comms interface, that is used by external helper apps into VPX
so that those apps, like DOF etc can still function

2) rework VPX's renderer to be capable of spawning a 2nd instance
that can be instructed (via video prefs) to display on another screen at the set resolution

3) add another editing space in VPX that is the backglass, keeping the existing for POW and desktop backdrop work as it is presently used.

4) the ability to set the table script to load an external file for the backglass
Maybe something simple like
backglass=vpx for internal
backglass= "filename.vpb" for external

backglass = none  unless non would simply be implied by lack of backglass stuff

The backglass, unlike the backdrop, would be able to use any objects a table can 
and can have a ball put into play on it (useful for banzai run etc)

Aside from having a playable backglass, it gives (i think) incredible ability to add depth to a backglass
You could do a proper working HOM in like Space Invaders, and a lot of other things
You would also have really good lighting control, and actual transparency and the ability to light from behind etc
And you could have actual moving parts, as some backglasses do in fact have moving parts.
Hell you could probably step real prims around for score reel tables
 

5) the ability to click FILE > EXPORT > BACKGLASS
so that others can still make backglasses, because not all table authors like to make them
and also, so that a player could decide they want a different backglass, and could set the script to backglass = "filename"
and it would load the external instead.

This would require vpx to know what is backglass code or not
either a separate backglass code window
It perhaps a fixed backglass codeblock designator

something akin to php/xml tags

<backglass>

junk

here

</backglass>

 

But umm, yea
I dont have any skill to do that.
So i'm just a mouth flapping in the breeze

[hauntfreaks]

 

 

 

hey heres a crazy idea.... how about copy and paste....LOL

also blends for snippets  (screen, overlay, multiply, darken, lighten, etc) this would make this outdated designer, much much more useable...... 

 

copy and paste i can do

the rest may need actual support in B2S server for that?

 

B2S Designer is basically a glorified text editor, or sorts (remember microsoft front page?)
you can make a b2s entirely in notepad but i am too lazy to do all the math for proper object placement.

 

If i could code i would rewrite b2s server to be a VPX lite 
Imagine the backglasses you could make using actual table parts
lamps, flashers, prims that can rotate etc

 

Sadly i cant code it to dispense a sheet of toilet paper, let alone do anything cool
 

 

yeah having those blends would make things like flasher effects easier for the novice PS user, would also help stop people from using the terrible lighting generated from the designers stock lighting....
all the things in the designer were fine for 2012-13 VP, now that VP looks and plays good, the b2s is super lacking..... 

 

Personally, if i was the mad coder, my solution would be
1) build the B2S comms interface, that is used by external helper apps into VPX
so that those apps, like DOF etc can still function

2) rework VPX's renderer to be capable of spawning a 2nd instance
that can be instructed (via video prefs) to display on another screen at the set resolution

3) add another editing space in VPX that is the backglass, keeping the existing for POW and desktop backdrop work as it is presently used.

4) the ability to set the table script to load an external file for the backglass
Maybe something simple like
backglass=vpx for internal
backglass= "filename.vpb" for external

backglass = none  unless non would simply be implied by lack of backglass stuff

The backglass, unlike the backdrop, would be able to use any objects a table can 
and can have a ball put into play on it (useful for banzai run etc)

Aside from having a playable backglass, it gives (i think) incredible ability to add depth to a backglass
You could do a proper working HOM in like Space Invaders, and a lot of other things
You would also have really good lighting control, and actual transparency and the ability to light from behind etc
And you could have actual moving parts, as some backglasses do in fact have moving parts.
Hell you could probably step real prims around for score reel tables
 

5) the ability to click FILE > EXPORT > BACKGLASS
so that others can still make backglasses, because not all table authors like to make them
and also, so that a player could decide they want a different backglass, and could set the script to backglass = "filename"
and it would load the external instead.

This would require vpx to know what is backglass code or not
either a separate backglass code window
It perhaps a fixed backglass codeblock designator

something akin to php/xml tags

<backglass>

junk

here

</backglass>

 

But umm, yea
I dont have any skill to do that.
So i'm just a mouth flapping in the breeze

 

so you want VPX to act like FP..... yeah we have all been saying that for many many years..... as for the designer, we have also suggested many things to make it better, looking for someone with the skills it would take... its never taken on by the few that could do it... its always "fuck those B2S guys"....lol

[wiesshund]

Well no one was working on B2S until recently i dont think
and as for the designer, the source was not even available.
Basically, it was a dead project until Jarr3 started looking at it to try to fix some bugs with it
I think Jarr3 had to do some reverse engineering on it to get workable source code to even do that.

 

But no, not really like FP
i mean it's backglasses are not a whole lot better than B2S really
and you cant put actual 3d table objects etc on it


 

[toxie]

Maybe(!) we can finally start with 2nd screen support in VP, now that OpenGL becomes a first class citizen.

DX9 didn't really have good support for something like this.

[hauntfreaks]

Maybe(!) we can finally start with 2nd screen support in VP, now that OpenGL becomes a first class citizen.

DX9 didn't really have good support for something like this.

you guys are the best of the best..... well maybe 

[xenonph]

Is there any way to add WebP format to be an acceptable format for pics used in this B2S Designer?

Backglasses with alot of animations create a huge B2S file.

It has the potential to cut file size by 67% just by converting png pics to WebP format.

 

It was added to VPX7.2, so was just wondering if it would be hard to also add it to this B2S Backglass Designer?

 

Thanks for all the work being done on this!

It is appreciated!

[wiesshund]

Is there any way to add WebP format to be an acceptable format for pics used in this B2S Designer?

Backglasses with alot of animations create a huge B2S file.

It has the potential to cut file size by 67% just by converting png pics to WebP format.

 

It was added to VPX7.2, so was just wondering if it would be hard to also add it to this B2S Backglass Designer?

 

Thanks for all the work being done on this!

It is appreciated!

 

B2S designer does not store the images at face value
It stores them as Base64 data.
I do not know if webp would convert to base64, but if it did, i am not sure what file savings might take place

 

DirectB2S is purely a text format (go ahead, open it in notepad++)