236 replies to this topic

[Outhere]

Hi DDH69,

 

first of all, thanks for your DOFFX2!! I have so much fun now while playing PFX2!

My RGB "undercab complex" works fine with it. I have also mapped the left and right flipper buttons to the green and red channels of two RGB flashers, so I have nice color flashes when pressing the flipper buttons - while the RGB stripe goes through the rainbow colors :-)

 

Now I wanted to activate DOFFX2 when starting "Pro Pinball'". So I uncommented the "PROCESSES" line. It looks like this now:

 

PROCESSES=Pinball FX2, Pro Pinball

 

Unfortunately DOFFX2 doesn't start when running Pro Pinball. What have I done wrong? I've also tried with "ProPinball.exe" as task name, but whithout success.

This did it for me --- DOFFX2 set to "run as administrator

http://www.vpforums....e=8#entry354535

Edited by Outhere, 24 August 2016 - 08:28 PM.

[DDH69]

Also, I know we can set the RGB Output brightness in DOF with the DOF config Tool....

 

Would it be possible to specify the brightness of an RGB Output (or all) in DOFFX2 separately from the "master" setting we configured with the DOF config tool?

 

 

I'm also trying to understand more the "intent" of the MSG app.  It seems to be specifically used for when DOFFX2 is sleeping...am I right? So if I launched Future Pinball with a SUP file and DOFFX2 woke up...but then wanted to have something changed on the fly while FP is running, then the MSG app commands won't work at all, and I can't change anything until DOFFX2 is closed / restarted?

 

I know you have "plans" coming up, I'm just making sure I'm not trying to use the MSG app for something it wasn't meant to do?  I was originally going to have DOFFX2 "always" running with Force Active=0....then when FP (MAME, TPA, etc) is launched, DOFFX2 will wake up to that specific process and the SUP file I have for that system. I hoped it would take effect until I quit the game and then DOFFX2 will "sleep". Then when I run a different system, DOFFX2 will "wake" and change its configuration based on the SUP file for the new system.

 

 

However, I can only get the first SUP file / system to take effect. Afterward, when I quite the game, DOFFX2 sleeps,...then when I launch a different system , DOFFX2 "wakes" but doesn't re-configure with the new SUP file.  I get this with, or without using the MSG app.....

 

Is using DOFFX2 as a "Launch Before" (and not always running) the only way to do this? This is how I currently run it, then I use the MSG app to "quit" DOFFX2 when exiting back to Pinball X.

 

A couple of questions about the brightness.

1) Would it need to be set per RGB device or overall?

2) Do you know how brightness is performed?  is it simply a matter of taking the RGB values and multiplying them by a brightness constant, ie if brightness is 50% and White is $FFFFFF, then are the outputs set to $7F7F7F ?  if Crimson is $DC143C is 75% brightness $A50F2D ?

 

The intent of messaging DOFFX2 via the Msg app provided, VBScript or any other method, is to allow changing of DOFFX2 parameters without shutdown / startup.  There are a couple of commands (ie QUIT) and manually turning on outputs / colour that will process at any time, ie DOFFX2 doesn't need to be active (unless you have a SainSMart device which can only take commands from one source at a time).  IN addition almost any parameter can be changed while DOFFX2 in "asleep", ie between activation.  This allows for reconfiguration using messaging via 'Launch Before' and 'Launch After' messages.

 

You can send messages about Game Names, Game Flag Files, and in fact reconfigure almost everything.  You can even point it toward a SUP_INI file 'on the fly', so have parameters in a file rather than on the command line.

 

So you wouldn't use messages to reconfigure DOFFX2 while FP was running.  You could message it while FP was running to activate an output or colour from some other program you have running in the background (I can't think of an example, but its possible)

 

The way you describe using messaging sounds right.  It not working sounds wrong.  The changes should be in effect until you change them to something else, they replace, not just remporarily change.  As always happy to work through this with you.  A couple of things to check with DEBUG=1 do you see "Processing incoming message ......"?  If your sending a SUP_INI= message do you see "Reading real-time supplementary INI file ....."? After that you will not see debug messages per parameter unless you give an invalid parameter that doesn't cause a fatal exit, so you could try setting KEY_TO_COLOUR with a colour of "TerryRed" and you should see "KEY_TO_COLOUR has an an invalid colour of 'TerryRed' ".  The first two messages should come up regardless of DOFFX2 being awake or asleep, it would only get to the last (error) message if it was asleep, as processing of that parameter will not happen while awake.  Of course, I am human, so I program bugs, not aware of one here, but I never say never!  Feel free to PM if we need to get into the real detail (some may think this is detail enough!).

 

The "plans"   are very close.  The messaging above is not related to the "plans".  FP is messaging DOFFX2 in real time for 16 toys and RGB on my cabinet at present.  Today I plan to add fans, strobes and RGB flashing commands.  I'll be PM'ing you (and a few others) to test this out shortly.  Its taking me more time to modify the FP script than the code the program.  Just proves I'm no table author!

 

Hi DDH69,

 

first of all, thanks for your DOFFX2!! I have so much fun now while playing PFX2!

My RGB "undercab complex" works fine with it. I have also mapped the left and right flipper buttons to the green and red channels of two RGB flashers, so I have nice color flashes when pressing the flipper buttons - while the RGB stripe goes through the rainbow colors :-)

 

Now I wanted to activate DOFFX2 when starting "Pro Pinball'". So I uncommented the "PROCESSES" line. It looks like this now:

 

PROCESSES=Pinball FX2, Pro Pinball

 

Unfortunately DOFFX2 doesn't start when running Pro Pinball. What have I done wrong? I've also tried with "ProPinball.exe" as task name, but whithout success.

This did it for me --- DOFFX2 set to "run as administrator

http://www.vpforums....e=8#entry354535

 

 

Thanks - I've added this to the V3 guide.

[TerryRed]

OK....I got some reading and testing to do DDH69...thanks.

 

I honestly have no idea about how brightness of RGB are handled...   having control over each RGB or all is what I was thinking.

 

Having the DIFF or RANDOM as an option for KEY_TO COLOUR / COLOUR TOGGLE would be cool too! 

 

I finally have some time to play a bit.... and I agree that I find it quicker to use DOFFX2 to do some cool stuff for something like FP, and I could have used some other possible methods... but I have not scripted any tables yet, so that is something that your app can make easier...  

 

Very excited!

Edited by TerryRed, 25 August 2016 - 03:24 AM.

[DDH69]

...

 

Having the DIFF or RANDOM as an option for KEY_TO COLOUR / COLOUR TOGGLE would be cool too! 

....

 

So a "special" colour called RANDOM (that selects a colour randomly from the current colour palette) with the existing functionality for KEY_TO_COLOUR and KEY_TO_COLOUR_TOGGLE?

[bent98]

DDh69

Any chance of combining your program with freezys dmd ext? It would be awesome to have both program unified as one. Most people with cabs have real dmds and run dmd ext and doffx2 simultaneously.

[TerryRed]

 

...

 

Having the DIFF or RANDOM as an option for KEY_TO COLOUR / COLOUR TOGGLE would be cool too! 

....

 

So a "special" colour called RANDOM (that selects a colour randomly from the current colour palette) with the existing functionality for KEY_TO_COLOUR and KEY_TO_COLOUR_TOGGLE?

 

 

Exactly! It could be "Rainbow" or "Random" or "Game Name Colours" (ie DeadPool, BioLab, to match the "theme of the table").

[DDH69]

DDh69

Any chance of combining your program with freezys dmd ext? It would be awesome to have both program unified as one. Most people with cabs have real dmds and run dmd ext and doffx2 simultaneously.

 

Happy to look at anything going forward, but heavily into the development at present.  Also, don't forget those one or two people with three screen cabinets like myself who don't use dmd ext but things like future DMD.

[TerryRed]

 

DDh69

Any chance of combining your program with freezys dmd ext? It would be awesome to have both program unified as one. Most people with cabs have real dmds and run dmd ext and doffx2 simultaneously.

 

Happy to look at anything going forward, but heavily into the development at present.  Also, don't forget those one or two people with three screen cabinets like myself who don't use dmd ext but things like future DMD.

 

 

 

I also use 3 screens...but I actually just started using dmdext for PFX2, as I think the hi-res "dots" it puts out on my monitor looks "much" better than the normal dmd display PFX2 uses. I hope Freezy can get this working in a way so I can properly use dmdext for PinMAME dmd output in a hi resolution with "dots". I'd also like to see FutureDMD have the option for "dots".

 

That being said.... I think poor DDH69 has been busy enough and has made amazing progress with DOFFX2!

Edited by TerryRed, 25 August 2016 - 10:23 PM.

[Mace]

First up thanks TerryRed investing in pinnacle games profiler has let me start using DOFFX2 at last, in fact I've managed to set it up so pinnacle starts and then loads DOFFX2 which has got around all my issues with my cabs controller outputting joystick button commands. As a bonus for anyone else who has this challenge Pinnacle plays nicely with x360ce so it's possible to permanently get the cab to output keyboard commands and joystick commands as well as axis (for the plunger and nudge) which makes everything compatible.

DDH69, this is a very cool program it really does improve on things, thank you. I still have one issue though, my controller is the pinsscape v2 Mike's (mjr) open source project here: https://developer.mb..._Controller_V2/ the controller is based around the Freedom KL25Z microcontroller board and DOFFX2 'sees' the controller and my Ledwiz exactly as it should i.e. as Ledwiz #1 & #8 both report 32 outputs too (although I only use the first ten of the KL25Z. Here's the issue the command 101-132 work fine but 201-210 do nothing. DOFR2 & R3 drive those 201-210 outputs just fine, as does the PinballX ledwiz plug in.

There does not seem much point in posting up all my .ini's as everything works fine and reports as it should, as the controller code is open could you suggest where the wheels may be falling off please?

By the way I'm all for the 'random unicorn giving out a technicolor yawn' suggestion too ;-) Happy to help test if you want volunteers too.

[DDH69]

First up thanks TerryRed investing in pinnacle games profiler has let me start using DOFFX2 at last, in fact I've managed to set it up so pinnacle starts and then loads DOFFX2 which has got around all my issues with my cabs controller outputting joystick button commands. As a bonus for anyone else who has this challenge Pinnacle plays nicely with x360ce so it's possible to permanently get the cab to output keyboard commands and joystick commands as well as axis (for the plunger and nudge) which makes everything compatible.

DDH69, this is a very cool program it really does improve on things, thank you. I still have one issue though, my controller is the pinsscape v2 Mike's (mjr) open source project here: https://developer.mb..._Controller_V2/ the controller is based around the Freedom KL25Z microcontroller board and DOFFX2 'sees' the controller and my Ledwiz exactly as it should i.e. as Ledwiz #1 & #8 both report 32 outputs too (although I only use the first ten of the KL25Z. Here's the issue the command 101-132 work fine but 201-210 do nothing. DOFR2 & R3 drive those 201-210 outputs just fine, as does the PinballX ledwiz plug in.

There does not seem much point in posting up all my .ini's as everything works fine and reports as it should, as the controller code is open could you suggest where the wheels may be falling off please?

By the way I'm all for the 'random unicorn giving out a technicolor yawn' suggestion too ;-) Happy to help test if you want volunteers too.

 

Mace - thank you, thank you (and @davidlinch will thank you too).  I think you've just made me twig to something about the KL25Z.  Working now (sorry TerryRed doing this one first, and all before the FP stuff I really want to do!)  Standby for an update ......

[Mace]

DDH69, just PM'ed you, there's an issue with the link you sent over.

[DDH69]

DDH69, just PM'ed you, there's an issue with the link you sent over.

 

Cut ... then paste .... never could get the hang of that - sorry. 

[senseless]

Was buried under a big stack of work during the last week . I just love this little gem and enjoy FX2 and PBA soooo much more now! Big hand of applause for DDH69 for investing. Back to playing pinball .

[Mace]

 

DDH69, just PM'ed you, there's an issue with the link you sent over.

 

Cut ... then paste .... never could get the hang of that - sorry. 

Oh Yes! We are good to go with Freedom support - see PM

[DDH69]

 

 

DDH69, just PM'ed you, there's an issue with the link you sent over.

 

Cut ... then paste .... never could get the hang of that - sorry. 

Oh Yes! We are good to go with Freedom support - see PM

 

 

This is  great news.  Thank you for your help.  I will clean up he code and get a workable v2.04 as we start testing V3 beta.

[DDH69]

Version 2.04 link now in the first post of the the thread.

 

Just a few bug fixes, mainly getting the KL25Z board right.  Thanks Mace and davidlinch.

[Totaltimo]

 

 

The process name is usually the EXE file name with no ".exe".  So in your case possibly "PROCESSES=Pinball FX2, ProPinball".  If in doubt look up the process name from task manager.  There is a description of doing this in the guide.  Let me know how you get on.

 

 

The task manager says "Pro Pinball" as taskname. The exe file is named ProPinball.exe. So I've already tried with "Pro Pinball" "ProPinball" and "ProPinball.exe", but DOFFX2 doesn't wake up. I will try it again this evening, maybe I've made something wrong.

 

 

If you're still stuck post your INI file and a screen shot of the process details.  We'll work this through and get an answer.

 

 

Hi DDH69,

 

DOFFX2 still doesn't recognize the "Pro Pinball" task, even though it already runs as administrator. I've tried with different variations of the task name. This is how the taskmanager looks like while running Pro Pinball:

 

https://www.dropbox....anager.png?dl=0

 

This is my INI-file:

 

https://www.dropbox....x2_ini.png?dl=0

 

It works perfectly with PBFX2, by the way :-)

[DDH69]

 

 

 

The process name is usually the EXE file name with no ".exe".  So in your case possibly "PROCESSES=Pinball FX2, ProPinball".  If in doubt look up the process name from task manager.  There is a description of doing this in the guide.  Let me know how you get on.

 

 

The task manager says "Pro Pinball" as taskname. The exe file is named ProPinball.exe. So I've already tried with "Pro Pinball" "ProPinball" and "ProPinball.exe", but DOFFX2 doesn't wake up. I will try it again this evening, maybe I've made something wrong.

 

 

If you're still stuck post your INI file and a screen shot of the process details.  We'll work this through and get an answer.

 

 

Hi DDH69,

 

DOFFX2 still doesn't recognize the "Pro Pinball" task, even though it already runs as administrator. I've tried with different variations of the task name. This is how the taskmanager looks like while running Pro Pinball:

 

https://www.dropbox....anager.png?dl=0

 

This is my INI-file:

 

https://www.dropbox....x2_ini.png?dl=0

 

It works perfectly with PBFX2, by the way :-)

 

 

While Pro Pinball is running can you open a command prompt and run "tasklist".  Its the lines related to Pro Pinball that are of interest.

[Totaltimo]

 

 

While Pro Pinball is running can you open a command prompt and run "tasklist".  Its the lines related to Pro Pinball that are of interest.

 

 

Yes, I can :-)

 

I have three "ProPinball.exe" tasks - one for the backglass, one for the dmd and one for the game itself:

 

https://www.dropbox....er_cmd.png?dl=0

 

The PROCESSES-line in the INI file looks like this:

 

PROCESSES=Pinball FX2,Pro Pinball,ProPinball.exe

 

I also tried to exchange the order of the tasknames, e.g. "ProPinball.exe" in first place, but that doesn't make a change.

[DDH69]

 

 

 

While Pro Pinball is running can you open a command prompt and run "tasklist".  Its the lines related to Pro Pinball that are of interest.

 

 

Yes, I can :-)

 

I have three "ProPinball.exe" tasks - one for the backglass, one for the dmd and one for the game itself:

 

https://www.dropbox....er_cmd.png?dl=0

 

The PROCESSES-line in the INI file looks like this:

 

PROCESSES=Pinball FX2,Pro Pinball,ProPinball.exe

 

I also tried to exchange the order of the tasknames, e.g. "ProPinball.exe" in first place, but that doesn't make a change.

 

 

In that case the name should be "ProPinball" with no spaces.  So "PROCESSES=Pinball FX2,ProPinball".

 

If this doesn't work I have a little app that lists all running process names using the same code that detects them in DOFFX2.