19 replies to this topic

[wizowor]

I'm trying FP for the first time. It is installed on my Windows 7 machine, set to run as admin, and XP SP3 compatibility. I've downloaded a couple tables including the Sci FI Classic demo table. I can run FP and load a table, but when I try to play it (pressing F5), after a few seconds I get a Windows message "Future Pinball has stopped working." I have Virtual Pinball with Hyperpin running on this machine just fine. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[GSGregg]

Hi, wizowor;

when I try to play it (pressing F5).....

Did you mean, just-plain '5' (Add Coin 1)? The 'F' keys are for choosing camera angles, etc.

 

Go into Preferences; in Editor Options, UNcheck 'Load Image into Table Editor', and in Video / Rendering Options, CHECK 'High Quality Pinball Models'.

 

 

GSG

[wizowor]

Pressing F5 in the FP editor should start the loaded table so I can play it. All I get is the error I mentioned. I never get to the point where I can play. I tried the check box changes you mentioned, but no change in the result. It still crashes every time.

 

It appears to have something to do with how the monitor preferences are set up. If I swap around my playfield and backbox monitors in the FP video properties I can get to a table loading screen with progress bar before it crashes.

Edited by wizowor, 16 September 2014 - 02:26 AM.

[GSGregg]

Sorry about that; I hardly ever go into 'Table' and I forgot about that F5. Also, I'm on a single-display desktop and can't even experiment with Display 1, 2, etc.    

 

Good luck

[The Loafer]

Wizowar: what are your computer specs? Can you post a screenshot of your settings? Did you put the fpl files in the library folder?

Edited by The Loafer, 16 September 2014 - 02:02 PM.

[wizowor]

I'm using a 2.8Ghz core 2 Quad running Windows 7 with 4Gigs of ram. I have finally got to the point where I can play a table. Thanks for the FPL tip. They were in the tables folder. The only way it will not crash is if I disable the use second monitor as back box option and also turn off arcade mode. My system is in a virtual pinball cabinet, so this is not ideal. Anyone have any ideas?

[Outhere]

What are the specs for the video card?

Try without  compatibility mode..

[wizowor]

I'm using the motherboard's built in video. I tried disabling XP compatibility but same results.

[wizowor]

Here are the settings I'm using. Basically they are just the ones you get when you select the default medium settings.

Attached Files

•  Capture.PNG   36.33KB   11 downloads

Edited by wizowor, 23 September 2014 - 02:13 AM.

[Outhere]

When I was using the built in video the only game I could get to run in FP was the sonic hedgehog
 

[gimli246]

you've probably done this already but check to see that the integrated computer graphics is up to date with all drivers ( opengl etc..)

also try minimum settings, one monitor at lower resolution.

 

Close any competing programs initially ie pinball x/hyperpin etc...

 

consider a graphics card (which is a good idea anyway)

 

starting with sci fi is good as it is a simple table and then once you figure it out, gradually increase options

[maceman]

Hi, wizowor;

when I try to play it (pressing F5).....

 

 

Go into Preferences; in Editor Options, UNcheck 'Load Image into Table Editor', and in Video / Rendering Options, CHECK 'High Quality Pinball Models'.

 

 

GSG

 

After you tried Greg's suggestion here, did you exit FP and then try restarting?

Also, try setting the textures to 'high', exit and restart and try again.....

I see noting wrong with your snapshot that should close the program other than what he has suggested, or your FP installation is corrupt somehow.

I would try another FP.exe

Cheers,

Maceman

[wizowor]

I have tried all the above suggestions with the same result. Maybe some day I'll drop in a video card and see if it helps. Not too high on my list right now since VP works fine as is.

[Joe]

I have tried all the above suggestions with the same result. Maybe some day I'll drop in a video card and see if it helps. Not too high on my list right now since VP works fine as is.

The newer builds of VP do use 3d video.

 

intel on board video sucks and the older chips can't use that much video ram. FP can crash if the settings are to high for your card / you run out of video ram.

[GSGregg]

Hello again, wizowor;

 

You haven't mentioned getting any Virtual Memory / pagefile errors, so disregard this unless you have.....but if so, here's an article that goes through the process of checking or changing the setting:

http://www.tech-reci...virtual-memory/

 

I still think the problem here is insufficient video memory (FP needs a lot), and bear in mind that any onboard graphics processor gets its memory from system RAM, which is inherently slower than dedicated video RAM, especially if system RAM is DDR, DDR2, or DDR3 (two transfers per clock pulse) while a vidcard could have GDDR5 (four transfers per pulse). Then, there are the differences between bit rates of the interfaces involved; GPU/CPU, RAM/CPU, and HDD (in case of virtual memory being employed) /RAM.

 

Also, Integrated Graphics' share of system RAM is limited; GMA 3000 (and its earlier-generation predecessors, 3100 and 3150) could access only 256MB, and GMA X3000 and X3500 only 384MB. If you have one of the 4500-series, 1700MB is an adequate quantity until the slower transfer rate of RAM vs. V-RAM is considered. Check your computer specs for which IGP you're running.

 

(I didn't account for a motherboard using Intel and AMD together; do they even DO that?)

 

 

 

Cheers; GSG

Edited by GSGregg, 06 October 2014 - 12:05 PM.

[wizowor]

Ok, so I've installed a graphics card.... no more crashes! Unfortunately, I can't get the playfield and backbox to display properly in their monitors. The backbox is there, but small and with some other image cut off to the right. Only a small part of the playfield is seen in the upper left corner of the monitor. And I thought getting VP and Hyperpin set up was a pain!

Attached Files

•  Backbox.jpg   96.31KB   5 downloads
•  Playfield.jpg   151.5KB   4 downloads

[GSGregg]

Your first photo resembles the backglass view you get when you press Tab to see the score when playing desktop...as I mentioned, I have no second display, but I assume there could be a similar image with Arcade Mode / Display 2. The cutoff image to the right is the Einstein caricature hanging on the wall of the 'game room'.

Your second photo shows the normal rendering of the playfield before it has been sized and moved ('translated'). Press Scroll Lock to bring forth the adjustment instructions and use either of the Page Up / Page Down keys to toggle between Translate and Scale, then use numpad keys 2, 4, 6 and 8 to adjust:

Translate___________Scale___

2) Move DOWN_____Shorten

4) Move LEFT______Narrow

6) Move RIGHT_____Widen

8) Move UP________Lengthen

When you get it where you want it, Escape back to the Editor, click File and SAVE the table and it'll stay put. I think the backglass can be sized to fill its display, too, but I'm not sure how to do it.

 

At any rate, have fun!

[wizowor]

Sweeeeeeeeet! Thanks to all for the help. Is there a way to speed up the ball a bit? Seems like the ball rolls a bit slower than in the real world.

[ghostmachine]

GOOD TOPIC- it happens to mee too.. here is what i did.

 

1. Open Future pinball and check Video Settings.. Disable Shadows, Enable High Textures.. make sure you have your Video Card set up.. use Direct X 9, or 10.

2. I use Future Pinball 1.9 ZED, and 2.6, 1.9 is the best, but for editing and creating go with the other version.

3. If table keeps crashing and theres no way to get it to work, uncheck Show Playfield, and uncheck show gameroom.

4. If all else fails.. that means the author did something wrong.. there are tables with bad script right from the start.. I think Creature from the Black lagoon, and Bram-S Dracula both have them.

5. Usually BAM will mess things up too.

[GSGregg]

Is there a way to speed up the ball a bit? Seems like the ball rolls a bit slower than in the real world.

Search the forums and you'll find many discussions here about the 'floaty' ball and the scattergun behavior of flippers and slings in Future Pinball. The Editor allows one to right-click and select any object and change its characteristics, i.e. table slope, flipper or slingshot strength, rubber elasticity, etc. Experiment to your heart's content (if you go too far, you can always extract or download the table again) and keep in mind that changing one parameter will probably have some effect on another.....

 

Btw; since I just like crunching the numbers, what video card and motherboard are you running, if you don't mind? It may help get a handle on your Display 2 possibilities.

 

ghostmachine is right about scripts, but we have to hand it to the FP Authors who had to script every little beep, burp and switch input that ROMS in solid-state tables have had for, what...almost forty years, now. VPinMAME does take some load off of VISUAL Pinball recreation, I imagine.

 

 

GSG