220 replies to this topic

[jeffnet]

Mine should be here tomorrow, can't wait!

[koadic]

Has anyone figured out the optimal settings to use the PBW nudge?

There is no 'magic' setting as it is all dependent on the individual calibration, because no two are gonna be the same.

[jasonsmith]

Has anyone figured out the optimal settings to use the PBW nudge?

There is no 'magic' setting as it is all dependent on the individual calibration, because no two are gonna be the same.

This is true, just got mine today and calibrated about 6 times before I was happy. In the end all I did was continue to nudge the table, left, right, forward and little back and continued until I got the bouncy + in the tightest pattern I could get with it as close to the center as I could get.

The instructions should state to keep nudging and nudging until you get things stabilized. It took a while but it's really nice now, I'm quite happy with it.

I'm not happy with the plunger though, it's only using half of it's travel and cant be controlled with accuracy. I'm using FP only but I can see the half travel and non smoothness in the calibration and have no idea how to get it to use it all.

EDIT: I thought I should mention I am using this with the iPac2, they work nicely with each other.

Edited by jasonsmith, 03 November 2012 - 03:23 AM.

[koadic]

If you use 9.13, you can check the 'override default layout' box and use the rZ axis for the plunger (instead of Z) as that usually had quite a bit more usable resolution in travel. If you are talking about it not moving the plunger on screen until pulled out a bit, I know a fix for that too.

[koadic]

Lol, just reread and saw that you were using for FP only... anyway, I think I can still help with the plunger issue. I know on my cab, I had to manually adjust the calibration after the fact as I too was having issues with it not moving until I pulled it out half way. To do this, I used a program called DXTweak2, although if you are using Windows 7 you need to use an older version. Quoted from another thread I posted it in, and obviously if you are only using FP, don't worry about step 1...

Some Basic Trouble Shooting tips...

1.) make sure VP is seeing your plunger move from 0 to 25...
2.) make sure your plunger axis is being read via direct input as 0 to 1000 (or -1000 to 0, depending on how it is set up), instead of -1000 to 1000, as VP will only start accepting input starting from 0...
3.)If plunger axis is being read as -1000 to 1000, see below:

..3a.)XP - DXTweak2 - This will allow you to shift the centerpoint of the axis (and even adjust calibration) on the fly, just make sure you are adjusting the proper one

..3b.)Vista/7 - It can also be done with an older version of DXTweak2, you just need to make sure that you click on an unused axis first (like X/Y Rotation), and hit 'Axis Defaults', as this will enable the 'Apply' button, otherwise there is no way to apply the changes. If you can't get it to work, there is a more involved solution, and requires some registry editing. I have listed the steps necessary in this post for those of you who need to go this route.

So say the raw values for the Z axis are 32 for the minimum, and 78 for the maximum, the center point will be set at 55 by default, but to work optimally, it needs to be changed to 32 (in this example). There is also the possibility of using the Z rotation (rZ) axis for the plunger on the Mot-Ion kit (with my custom build and upcoming official build), but it is reversed, so you would have to set the center point to the maximum value instead of the minimum

[jasonsmith]

Awesome, I'll give DXT a go and report back, thanks.

EDIT:

That sure fixed things up in a hurry.

My min was showing 105:

In the calibration I set the min to 0, left the max at 179 and set the center in-between, it gave me plenty more play but there was a delay in first movement, so...

I set the min to 20, left the max at 179 and put the center in-between and it starts immediately and reacts just as the plunger acting with full travel.

My only wish now is to reduce the jumps in position the further it's pulled out. It seems as though in the beginning it's very precise but as you move it out the movements are far more course. Any hints to deal with that?

Also I tried changing up the Z rotation numbers but they didn't do anything, are they relevant in anyway?

EDIT2: LOL, my turn, I just re-read your post and noticed your Z rotation comments. I'll play around some more.

Thanks again koadic, much appreciated.

Edited by jasonsmith, 03 November 2012 - 07:35 PM.

[koadic]

You shouldn't really need to mess with the minimum/maximum values as those should be set properly when calibrating, all you need to do is move the centerpoint to the minimum value so you only have 'positive' movement instead of both positive and negative (from center). And if I recall correctly, I think I was informed that the rZ axis didn't work with FP, but not 100% on that, and you would have to make sure you calibrated that axis as well when you did the setup (although you can manually calibrate it with DXTweak2 after finding min/max values)

So, to sum up, 105 minimum, 105 center, 179 maximum...

Edited by koadic, 03 November 2012 - 08:39 PM.

[jasonsmith]

Funny thing, I tried to just move the center and it killed my travel by half. Meaning the plunger wouldn't even make it to the back of the plunger channel. After I changed the min from 105 to 20 it was perfect. I tried dropping the center point again and only got half movement again. I'll play some more and see what I did wrong.

[koadic]

Maybe that is the way you need to set it up for FP, not sure... all I know is only moving the center point was enough for VP. Essentially you did the same thing though, moving the center closer to 105, you just moved the minimum as well.

[jasonsmith]

Even funnier now...

My stock numbers were 105/142/179 (min/ctr/max)

My first "good" config was 20/80/179 - This produced a full pull and was about as smooth as I could make it.

I tried 105/105/179 just now and the plunger moved it's entire length in the first 1/4" of movement, it was fast.

My last "good" setup is 105/179/179 - This is about identical to the first good setup and reacts about the same as well. A little longer stroke with the first one though.

Now as for FP, the only setting for the plunger you have is the GAIN. The instructions say to use a GAIN setting of 1. I tired 1.5 and obviously it just swings quicker in a shorter amount of travel and the opposite when set lower than 1. Not much to do there I think, DXT is the way to go.

___________________

When I look at the RAW movements of the plunger they aren't very fine near the end and jump, that to me says the movements just can't be made any finer as they can't even be reported as such. Seems strange that it would be built like that on purpose, maybe there's an issue with the coil or something.

Edited by jasonsmith, 03 November 2012 - 09:25 PM.

[jeffnet]

Can someone post a picture of the connections on the back of the launch ball button? I don't know which is which, the power for lamp, and connection for switch.

I'm trying to figure out where I'm wiring this, I know the ground is on the bottom... anyone care to share a pic ?

[jasonsmith]

Question... What is causing the bounce in the X and Y Axis's? because mine does bounce around quite a bit. I know a little is normal but mine is a bit more than a little. If my deadzone is below 2.6 or so I will get the odd ball fluctuations without moving the cab. It seems as though I need to set my deadzone around 3+ so it registers the big spikes only as I the ball will kinda do crazy things otherwise. I do have a really old PC if that has anything to do with it. Is there by any chance some software that can stabilize it some?

[jeffnet]

I found I have to recalibrate upon pc restart. I've figured out how to hook it up!

[vulbas]

hello,
with some tables that uses a plunger that does not work. the ball will not start. I use a mo-tion plunger.
but if I press the button launch the ball starts.
it must modify the script tables?
I am very happy with the product for the nudge. and plunger with tables that works with,
here a video



thx for your help

[koadic]

hello,
with some tables that uses a plunger that does not work. the ball will not start. I use a mo-tion plunger.
but if I press the button launch the ball starts.
it must modify the script tables?
I am very happy with the product for the nudge. and plunger with tables that works with,
here a video



thx for your help

In this instance, you will want to open the table in the editor, select the plunger object (usually located at the bottom right of the table) and check the box named 'Enable Mechanical Plunger'. Then, after you have played the table and confirmed it is working as desired, make sure to save the table so you don't lose the changes you have made.

[vulbas]

thank you very much for your quick response. I'll test.
I use vpinball rev 336 4GB and it works very well. I'll try the 343.
is there a post that talks about your work?

[koadic]

It's not my work really, most of the recent stuff had been thanks to toxie. I've just taken the time to compile the .exe's and make them available.

[jasonsmith]

Okay I'm starting to get frustrated. I did a re-calibration and now I can't get a left nudge, the ball goes to the right now matter which side of the table I nudge or tap. I've checked the numbers in DXT and all seems okay but even there when I nudge it only shows a right movement. Anyone know why this is happening??

EDIT: Re-calibrated another 5 times and finally got it to use both sides.

Edited by jasonsmith, 07 November 2012 - 08:39 PM.

[jeffnet]

OK got a new issue, I got it all calibrated and it seems to stay that way (for now) but now but when exiting using the mot-ion exit button on tables that have B2S active backglasses (example Cirqus Voltaire) do not go away, the backglass is still running. Any ideas how to make it exit when leaving table? What's wierd is if I use the escape key on keyboard it goes away.

Edited by jeffnet, 08 November 2012 - 05:02 AM.

[jasonsmith]

Not sure if you're using the latest and greatest FPLaunch but in the middle of this page, it has a solution for your issue I think. - http://www.hyperspin...Loading-screens

Here is what it says:

exitEmulatorKey - default: Esc
Warning:
It is recommended to use "e" key for exit key instead of "Esc" cause Esc makes lot's of problems.
If you have PBW or PBW kit it is recommended to use button Joy16 for exit instead of Joy8 cause Joy8 also makes some problems.

For list of known problems and info how to change exitEmulatorKey read on.

1. If you use B2S tables and if you use Esc for exit key it will close B2S backglass every time you press Esc to open exit menu. To solve this use e or some other key for exit.
Warning:

To use B2S tables with FPLaunch you have to let FPLaunch start and close the backglass. To do this change table name so that it ends with B2S and rename B2S exe to the same name. Also edit every B2S table and change launch backglass to false in table script.

Edited by jasonsmith, 08 November 2012 - 05:07 AM.