683 replies to this topic

[Flying Dutchman]

Good suggestion xzotic!
I've done testing with an 'increasing light strength' in the past with the IJ Backglass .. you're right, it does make a difference but as WWW said .. the more frames the more the system got hammered.

The limit on amount of frames I've tested with a good result is up to 16 .. if you would use only 1 image of the lights positioned in a certain patern and increasing the light strength by a 1/4 you could
have 4 different 'screnario's' presented which would be very repetitive and so predictable to the person playing the table.


Thanks for your good suggestion!

[Flying Dutchman]

I've tested another IJ 'Active Backglass' - 13 different animations used with a total of 24 for the actual .exe to handle.
So there's more room to increase lighting on the same spots .. (thanks again xzotic ..).
Filesize executable = 10MB

Please do not judge on the quality of the vid. shown, it has to do with the capturing software I'm using .. the actual quality is
very good, don't worry! ;-)

'Example - Indiana Jones - Animated Backglass'

Cheers,
FD.

Attached Files

•  Example___IJ4___Active_Backglass.png   559.01KB   27 downloads

Edited by Flying Dutchman, 16 July 2009 - 03:25 PM.

[Flying Dutchman]

Another creation I've just tested well ..

Lord Of The Rings - thanks Unclewilly for the extreme high quality LOTR BG image (without the speaker-grill )

16 different images used for processing, 24 used for creation of the actual .exe.
Runs well for all tables (4:3 / FS) .. no problems there.

'Lord Of The Rings - Active Backglass - Example'

I'll keep you informed!

Attached Files

•  BB___LOTR___Active_Backglass___Example.png   215.34KB   21 downloads

Edited by Flying Dutchman, 16 July 2009 - 03:03 PM.

[Flying Dutchman]

And I've recreated & tested another one - new version = better.

The Shadow .. Enjoy!

'The Shadow - Active Backglass - Example'

All will be made publicly available as soon as the new site (Flying Dutchman's 'Backglass Paradise') will be released, which will be hopefully soon!

That is .. if anyone would be interested in the 'Active Backglass' approach.

So let me know for that matter .. so all can be improved/changed etc. so we can all benefit from it!
Otherwise I will keep it for 'Home Use Only' because I think it's adding a lot of fun to the gameplay of Virtual Pinball Tables!


Cheers,
FD.

Attached Files

•  The_Shadow___Active_Backglass___Example.png   297.18KB   20 downloads

Edited by Flying Dutchman, 16 July 2009 - 04:56 PM.

[pinball buzz]

Great work FD - this is too good to keep to yourself !!
Cheers Jon

[ynneBBenny]

So let me know for that matter .. so all can be improved/changed etc. so we can all benefit from it!
Otherwise I will keep it for 'Home Use Only' because I think it's adding a lot of fun to the gameplay of Virtual Pinball Tables!

I think the next stage is to upload some tables that are ready built with the backglass exe's including the launching script written into the tables.
This way you can get some better feed back. I know that this site doesnt allow un-authorized table mods, but I wonder if this qualifies as a mod or not. If this site doesnt allow the hosting of this sort of table, you may have to host them on your new site. It would be a pity if they are deemed as a mod.

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks for your feedback and idea's WWW!
Will wait until the new site opens up .. so ppl. can get the .exe's .. will explain how to adjust the script .. they can than do what they like

I don't think it should be seen as a mod .. it's an adjustment to the table .. the actual table isn't changed ..

Cheers,
FD.

Edited by Flying Dutchman, 17 July 2009 - 05:28 PM.

[Flying Dutchman]

Another test I did on a 'Cirqus Voltaire - Active Backglass' this time ..
I think the result is very nice!

'Cirqus Voltaire - Active Backglass - Example'


Cheers,
FD.

Attached Files

•  CV___Example.png   677.53KB   27 downloads

[ynneBBenny]

Heres an idea. (I'd do it myself, but my current computer doesnt allow dual monitors)(Craptop)

Open Camstudio and make the region cross over the two monitors.
Take a video screen capture of both the table, DMD, and Animated backglass in action.
That aught to sell the concept to any doubters

Oh and instead of posting videos only, post the exe's zipped, into this thread.

[Flying Dutchman]

WWW .. I would like to know for sure first if the adjustments to the script will be seen as a mod or not .. If I have to ask permission or not.
Up until now I haven't seen any clear reply .. to me it's just an addition to the table and so it should not be seen as a mod.

Hope to get some clear answers so we can continue the actively feed the concept/method into the Pinball community .. so we can all benefit!

Cheers,
FD.

ps .. brilliant idea of the two screens recorded to see the gameplay & Active Backglass in action .. already done that (see YouTube Vids uploaded) with a cpl. of examples before:
'Scared Stiff'
'Indiana Jones'

Edited by Flying Dutchman, 25 July 2009 - 05:38 PM.

[Flying Dutchman]

Here's a little 'midnight snack' ..

A new 'Shadow' - this time demonstrated as a 2 screen setup with an Active Backglass.
The screencapturing software is responsible for the stuggering here .. the actual table play is not at all ..

'The Shadow - Active Backglass - 2 Screens Captured'

Cheers,
FD.

[Noah Fentz]

If you release the code to add the BG to the public, and they do it themselves, then it is not a mod.

[ynneBBenny]

Nice one Dutchy. Now no one can doubt ya.
I think you should PM Noah and destruc to find out if its deemed as a mod and the best way to work within the rules.

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks for the response Noah, much appreciated .. while most people are not into PS and so creating an 'Active Backglass' themselves too easily it
would be a better way to release the complete .exe containing the 'Active Backglass' with the piece of code seperately on how to adjust the table-script themselves ..

Please let me know if this is the best way to proceed .. sorry to bother ..


Below's the link of another test with an Active Backglass - 'Champion Pub' this time .. one of my old time favorites .. enjoy!

'Champion Pub - Active Backglass - Example'

Cheers,
FD.

Attached Files

•  Champion_Pub___Active_Backglass___Example_1.png   206.16KB   16 downloads

Edited by Flying Dutchman, 26 July 2009 - 07:27 AM.

[ynneBBenny]

Hey Dutchy These latest vids are worthy of embedding, not linking

I dont see the backglass exe as a mod issue. as it is seperate from the table.

The only mod issue is inserting the script into the table that opens the exe.

Destruc seems to be able to upload mods all the time?

BTW Go to your dual screen youtubes an insert some anotations to explain what people are seeing. Dual screen capture of active backglass setup without having to use spanning mode. Also Vista friendly.

[ynneBBenny]

Here go Dutchy, start by modifying and uploading JPSalas tables as he has given permission HERE

For the moment upload them to this thread so others can see whats happening. If the mods are good, I can imagine others also giving permission, or even doing similar mods.

Package the modified table with script, and exe into a zip file.

I started to make a better video tutorial showing how to make the mods, but I thought it might be stealing your thunder a bit. You need to be the person to make the vid, unless youd prefere my Aussie drawl

[Bob5453]

I dont see the backglass exe as a mod issue. as it is seperate from the table.

The only mod issue is inserting the script into the table that opens the exe.

Destruc seems to be able to upload mods all the time?

I wish I had a copy of the old forum mod rules as they were very descriptive and there were probably a thousand posts about what constitutes a mod, but that was then and this is now. The simple rule was this.... If you change the .vpt file in any way, you have created a mod, which you would then need the permission of the table maintainer to release it. This is why backdrops don't cause any problems if you just release the jpg of the backdrop.

Destruk never uploads or releases any mods without permission, he is the maintainer or joint maintainer on many, many tables and those are the ones he has uploaded along with a few that he has received permission for.

Permission is fairly easy to get, you ask nicely and you NEVER insult the other person's work.... Easier said than done for some people.

I'm not saying that the old VPF rules apply here as this is Noah's site and he makes the rules here.

[destruk]

I did upload some illegal mods at one time, due to confusion with the original author, however they were quickly taken down and the issue was resolved AFAIK. It does cause a lot of problems best avoided. For your animated backglasses, it'd be better to have them synchronized with the roms during a game, and for Cirqus Voltaire, how do you handle the backglass ball?

[Noah Fentz]

Thanks for the response Noah, much appreciated .. while most people are not into PS and so creating an 'Active Backglass' themselves too easily it
would be a better way to release the complete .exe containing the 'Active Backglass' with the piece of code seperately on how to adjust the table-script themselves ..

Please let me know if this is the best way to proceed .. sorry to bother ..


Below's the link of another test with an Active Backglass - 'Champion Pub' this time .. one of my old time favorites .. enjoy!

'Champion Pub - Active Backglass - Example'

Cheers,
FD.

I think if you uploaded the .exe's and the installation instructions in one zip, that would be best.

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks all for your constructive responses .. I'll upload the complete .exe's in future + instructions on how to adjust the table to automatically start/stop the Backglass.
destruk, you know what I do now is a simple repetitive animation by putting several images playing continuously during gameplay, but do you also see a way to sync with the roms during a game?

That would be superb!

Cheers,
FD.

ps the backglassball for CV is also repetitive and unfortunately not controlled by gameplay ..

Edited by Flying Dutchman, 26 July 2009 - 07:09 AM.