32 replies to this topic

[jpsalas]

File Name: Tales of the Arabian Nights VP99

File Submitter: jpsalas

File Submitted: 10 Nov 2013

File Category: VPinMAME 9.x Recreations

Author(s): jpsalas
Manufacturer: Williams
Year: 1996
Permission to MOD?: Yes, without approval

This is still a beta of how TOTAN can be made using the new options available in VP916.
What have I used in this table:
- Fading Lightmaps (no need for full screen images for each step in the fading)
- 8 steps Gi (also no need for 8 full screen playfield images)
- fading flashers using alpha ramps
- the lamp using a primitive for a better rotating movement (thanks to Michael Gallo for the 3D lamp and the texture). Actually this is the main reason I release this table, so you can see this lamp in action
- the rubber posts and screws are also made with primitives (takes from FP), but I haven't learned yet how to properly add a image to the mesh. But for now they are a good example of static primitives.

Still it is a long way before it is finished, since I should like to use more 3D objects, for the genie and the magnet, and the targets. But that's something I still have to learn . But for now maybe some authors should like to see the fading lightmaps in action, and maybe some of you should like to play with a different TOTAN . The images of the playfield and apron are still the ones made by Grizz (from the "classical" version)

Some general notes about this VP916 version:
- this table does not use any extra refresh for the alpha ramps, since by turning off the Region Updates, the alpha ramps refresh quite well and there is no need for extra refresh lights. So turn off Region Updates, and turn on Hardware Rendering and the Region Optimization. I have included a small image shouwing you the option I use in VP916.
- the plastics light up by using alpha ramps, this saves a lot of work in photoshop and a lot of work adding the VP lights on top to make the fading effect. It also saves video memory. I still feel that the old way to make those plastics can look much better than simply adding an alpha ramp, but it is much easier to make it this way for newer authors, and the results are nor bad
- the flasher textures are the same as the gi textures and the lightmap textures. But the gi textures are made with 8 steps, and the lightmaps have a black bacground. I guess better textures will make better lights
- the table's size is adjusted to my monitor (a 16x10) so you may need to change the XScale on the backdrop settings. So if you have a...
4x3 monitor then change the XScale to be the same as the YScale
16x9 monitor then make the XScale to be the YScale multiplied by 0.83
in my monitor (16x10) the XScale is the YScale multiplied by 0.75

And yes, I'm still retired (as a VP author ) and I still have very little free time, but I always will find some free time for VP
 

Click here to download this file

[chinzman93]

I had to check the date of the post twice! Good to see that you still find a little time to fit VP in while in retirement.

[Aaron James]

                     

[LoadedWeapon]

Great job I just love the GI lighting glow/flashing looks so real..

One thing that seemed wierd is that the fps dont move... and its the same with the ball in or out.. Most tables show fps at 100 untill you start a game then it jumps up to whatever... This table sets at 179 no matter what playing or not.. seems low but it plays so fast and smooth no problems at all..

 Untitled.png   1.64MB   10 downloads

Edited by LoadedWeapon, 10 November 2013 - 06:31 AM.

[mfuegemann]

Thank You,

 

I will have a look as soon as possible. I am especially curious about the lamp. Primitives are still alien to me.

 

Regards

Michael

[mach2]

nice works Jp and thanks for find some free time for VP

[kiwi]

Thank you very much for your precious free time, the table is fantastic and works great.
Oops, you have reversed the Xscale multiplier ,

0.75 is for 16/9 and

0.83 is for 16/10 screens.
 

@ LoadedWeaphon : My poor PC beats your CAB, I have 260 FPS   .

 

Max

[jpsalas]

Thank you very much for your precious free time, the table is fantastic and works great.
Oops, you have reversed the Xscale multiplier ,

0.75 is for 16/9 and

0.83 is for 16/10 screens.

 

Max

Thanks Max! I guess I wasn't fully awake this morning I'll correct that info now

 

JP

[Pinball999]

Table is also looking quite good after a quick FS conversion

[bolt]

Thank you JPSalas.

[jpsalas]

Table is also looking quite good after a quick FS conversion

It is not the meaning to run the table in FS mode, since I have used normal images for the saucers. Even the big ufo, which is a primitive, it still uses a flat image, and when it is rotated it doesn't look good. Also the flashers are quite high, so when you rotate the table they will not be on the right spot But when the saucers and the ufo will be done as 3D objects then it will be easier to rotate and change angle or point of view. But I guess by the time I learn how to make them in 3D we'll have newer versions of the editor or editors

[Shadowsclassic]

I too had to do a double take on the date of this post! So glad to see JP back authoring even if it is only a guest appearance! :-)

Edited by Shadowsclassic, 10 November 2013 - 03:04 PM.

[Pinball999]

 

Table is also looking quite good after a quick FS conversion

It is not the meaning to run the table in FS mode, since I have used normal images for the saucers. Even the big ufo, which is a primitive, it still uses a flat image, and when it is rotated it doesn't look good. Also the flashers are quite high, so when you rotate the table they will not be on the right spot But when the saucers and the ufo will be done as 3D objects then it will be easier to rotate and change angle or point of view. But I guess by the time I learn how to make them in 3D we'll have newer versions of the editor or editors

 

I know But I was talking about TOTAN

[LoadedWeapon]

Thank you very much for your precious free time, the table is fantastic and works great.
Oops, you have reversed the Xscale multiplier ,

0.75 is for 16/9 and

0.83 is for 16/10 screens.
 

@ LoadedWeaphon : My poor PC beats your CAB, I have 260 FPS   .

 

Max

lol yea thats why i say it's wierd no other table is that low.. I thought because i was running 2 versions at the same time but when i tried it again it was still the same.. but it pays smooth so no biggy

[jpsalas]

 

I know But I was talking about TOTAN

 

hahaha yes, TOTAN may look quite good in FS without too many changes

[Pinball999]

 

Thank you very much for your precious free time, the table is fantastic and works great.
Oops, you have reversed the Xscale multiplier ,

0.75 is for 16/9 and

0.83 is for 16/10 screens.
 

@ LoadedWeaphon : My poor PC beats your CAB, I have 260 FPS   .

 

Max

lol yea thats why i say it's wierd no other table is that low.. I thought because i was running 2 versions at the same time but when i tried it again it was still the same.. but it pays smooth so no biggy

 

It could come from the memory leaks found in a previous build. It seems to be fixed with the latest.

[LoadedWeapon]

Naa I always run the latest update..

[jpsalas]

Just a small note about this Beta 4:
After seeing LoadedWeapon night mode I realized I didn't uploaded the latest beta of TOTAN. Not much has changed from beta2, I mostly experimented with some 3D objects. I used a simple primitive for the ramp magnet, but just ignore the Genie it is just an inflated doll, hahaha. This beta4 still uses the same lightmap for the fading lights, mostly because I wanted to use the "newer" possibilities, even if still think that the fading steps made with a graphics editor will always be better, but the lightmaps is a good alternative.

I guess the only thing "new" in this beta4 from beta2 is the ramp magnet made with a primitive. (again, just ignore the Genie, even if the image by ClarkKent is very nice )

 

Just a note about the 8 levels GI: after experimenting with the 8 levels I noticed that the level 7 and 8 are the same (old news since this was known from the beginning), but I also noticed that the level 0 happens too often. I watched the Gi on an video of the real TOTAN table I saw that the GI during the attract mode is fading slowly up and down, and in my table it also faded but it blinked a lot of times. After seeing the values received from vpinmame I saw the numbers fading up and down and sometimes I saw a 0 that should not be there, making the Gi turn off and blinking strangely. That did not happen in the real table. That's why I ignored the 0 value in the GI routine, and this way the GI fades in and out very nicely

[Shoopity]

Hey JP, I posted in Loaded's mod page but I'll ask here, do you have a fix for the lamp "rubbing"?  The last table I played you only got credit once per 360 spin and you're suppose to get two per 360.

[jpsalas]

Hey Shoopity: I didn't know that, but it shouldn't be  a problem to add it. I'll take a look at it.