17 replies to this topic

[themotherbrain]

Hi everybody! I'm new to the game and I hate to be that guy but I'm having trouble getting my Visual Pinball tables up and running properly. I was hoping it wouldn't be too much trouble if I condensed my questions into this thread so I can reference it and maybe help somebody else in the process. There is so much info out there it is making our heads spin being new to the hobby. I've been trying to find the answers myself but I'm getting blocked at every turn with an incomplete answer or a missing file somehow. Here are some questions I have. I appreciate any and all help. PLEASE help me get this going. I haven't been able to enjoy any tables really because I'm in setup hell lol. I can only promise my sincere gratitude and that once I learn I will try to pay it forward! 

 

If it helps I am using windows 10 home 64. As far as know I have all the basic stuff up to date. I am intending to run a 3 monitor setup with dmd3 but I do not have the dmd yet as it is coming with the table that will be here shortly.

 

So I will start with these, but I'm sure I will have more!

 

 

1. I have installed VPX4 and I'm trying to get sambuild30 going, but when I download and extract the file there is no vbs script file. Why cant I find this file? The video I was watching says I need to put this in my script folder for it to run properly. Can I get a little direction?

 

2. I have the Attack from Mars table, Roms, B2S (VP9) version to get started. The digital dmd keeps disappearing behind the playfield and I cant get to it. I am able to get the backglass to load up but, when I try to right click to edit it, I cant pull up the menu that should pop up. Instead it just freezes and crashes if I push if the issue. What am I doing wrong that I cant get this menu to pop up? Also the sound is really low compared to the FP program. I can move where I want the sound around ok in the setting but it seems low to me. If I use family guy with FP it will blast me out of the room by comparison.

 

3. Why can't I find roms for half of these tables? I'd like to find ones like the Walking Dead 4k and AC DC but I don't see anything here? Is there a place I can go? If that is not something appropriate to discuss here I apologize.

 

4. If I promise you you liquour and women, will you come to my house and do this for me?!

Edited by themotherbrain, 01 April 2018 - 02:17 AM.

[32assassin]

1.  the latest Stern tables  that ran on the SAM hardware where not officially supported by the PINMAME team up to the VP 10.4 release.

if you installed the  VPX4  you already have the latest version of the "official"  sambuild30

 

you can double check by going into your scripts folder and you will find the sam.vbs file.

Visual Pinball\Scripts\SAM.vbs

 

you only need t upgrade if you want to have colored roms., 

 

2. when testing your initial set up; you should run your applications in windowed mode so that you can still use your mouse and see any errors that might pop up.

 

3.  as mentioned in 1,  SAM rons are not available in this site.

google  "romname.zip" and you will find them in other visual pinball sites.  or you can download them directly from stern

 

http://www.sternpinball.com/game-code

 

find, download and extract the correct rom you need 

go to your PINMAME folder

run Setup.exe

click on test

find  the rom you download  in the list

RENAME the  bin flie to the name found in the PinMAME test window

 

zip your renamed bin file.

place in your roms directory

 

I would suggest that once you have done all this you test run the rom in the PINMAME test window.

if you can't get it to run in this window your table will never load.

[themotherbrain]

Thank you for the response. A little help in the right direction means a lot to me. That really helps to know I have the files already so thanks for that info. I think I got the ROM thing figured out too. I seem to have VP running now in Pinball X. Now here are my next questions.

 

1. I am having trouble with the custom B2s stuff. I downloaded The Walking Dead Hannibal 4k table (freaking awesome btw) and tried to import a b2s file I wanted to use. I believe it was the 2014 Stern Backglass I found after a google search. I downloaded the file and renamed it to be the same as table file and put it in the tables folder. Now when I go to import it in PinballX, I'm getting a prompt that says a b2s already exists and asks if I want to overwrite it. If I say no I launch the table and get nothing. If I do overwrite, I still get nothing. What am I doing wrong here?

 

2. A couple of the tables I downloaded boot up and are not in arcade mode like the rest. I have probably a dozen vp9/vpx tables running properly but I have 2 that wont go into the full screen and I get the screen that shows the whole cabinet. The Back to the Future VPT file is one of them if it helps to know. How do I get this thing to go into the correct mode?

[32assassin]

1. the only thing you are doing with the Game Manager in PinballX is renaming files to match your XML list.  Since you manually added a dB2s file and renamed it to match your table,  you are literally repeating the process

when you are trying to import the same file.

 

I"m not running that table so I don't know for a fact,  but that table could be running on an outdated controller script. the Hannibal 4K table is probably a mod of an early VPX TWD table.

if you download a VP9 table or an early VPX table,  you will find that you need to enable the dB2s in the script or it will not launch  you can read about it here

http://www.vpforums....als&article=136

 

 

 

- Modify existing table script to change from using VPinMame server to the B2S Server:
    - Open table script 
    - If you see 'Choose Controller: 1-VPM, 2-UVP, 3-B2S' near the top of script, change it to option 3
    - Else, search for Set Controller = CreateObject("VPinMAME.Controller")             and change it to      Set Controller = CreateObject("B2S.Server")       

 

 

the controller script has been updated for VPX; you can automatically enable or disable the dB2s in the VP settings properties menu.

lucky for us their is no need to edit the script to enable or disable them.

 

2. VIsual Pinbal does not work the same as an emulator and roms.

when you set up your emulator,  all roms will work on that emulator.

 

each Visual Pinball table is built using different methods and different versions of Visual Pinball and their are multiple versions of that table.

 

if you have a problem with a table post a link tot he table; 

or better yet

read through the support topic of that table, more then likely someone already posted your problem and someone else already posted an update for that problem.

Edited by 32assassin, 02 April 2018 - 01:20 AM.

[Runner]

 

2. I have the Attack from Mars table, Roms, B2S (VP9) version to get started. The digital dmd keeps disappearing behind the playfield and I cant get to it. I am able to get the backglass to load up but, when I try to right click to edit it, I cant pull up the menu that should pop up. Instead it just freezes and crashes if I push if the issue. What am I doing wrong that I cant get this menu to pop up? Also the sound is really low compared to the FP program. I can move where I want the sound around ok in the setting but it seems low to me. If I use family guy with FP it will blast me out of the room by comparison.

 

Not sure about VP9, but in VPX (VP10) tables, you can change the volume and I had to do it for Attack from Mars.  In VPX, launch your table and press on the END key on your keyboard and it will tell you that the coin door is opened.  Pressing on the 8 key will lower your volume and the 9 key will raise it.  If you haven't tried the Attack from Mars table in VPX, I highly recommend it.

[themotherbrain]

Thank you much for the help! I did grab the VPX AFM and it IS awesome. I did get around 40 tables up and running with proper sound level and b2s files..

 

edit: I had another issue I think I figured out just now.

Edited by themotherbrain, 20 April 2018 - 12:10 AM.

[32assassin]

funhouse is not a game with a DMD 

it has an alpha numeric dislplay

 

the scoring display is built in into the db2s file,   

 

 

if for some reason you want to run duplicate score dislays

1. in your db2s file (2nd display)

2.  PinMAME simulated DMD window (3rd display)

 

you need to go into the table script and change the hide DMD window line.

 

 

if you are running a LCD as your 3rd monitor,  you can google db2s with 3rd monitor support,  they will automatically display the alphanumeric display in your 3rd screen. 

 

 

edit

I made one here

http://www.vpforums....s&showfile=9459

 

You can run the  db2s file, right click on it and hide the grill

 

the scoring cards in the "DMD"  area will show up in  your DMD monitor (3rd screen)

 

their are other db2s files with 3rd screen support that move the alpha numeric display to the 3rd monitor.

Edited by 32assassin, 20 April 2018 - 12:31 AM.

[themotherbrain]

Thanks I was just about to say I didn't get it after all. I did get the screen to show up again, but now it goes behind the playfield. I can press alt+tab, but it doesn't stay when I reopen the file.

So you are saying this is not compatible with dmd3 then? The only place I can get the scoreboard is the db2s file? I had hidden the grille and dmd on the back glass and was just using the one on the playfield screen. Is there any way to make this thing stay up front so I don' thave to keep moving it?

Edited by themotherbrain, 20 April 2018 - 12:35 AM.

[themotherbrain]

I did already download that bttf b2s and I love the animation. That's some nice work man! I thought you were referring to an LED monitor for a 3rd screen. I obviously know the dmd3 is a lcd, I just read too quickly. So you are saying it will work correctly with the right b2s file when I get my new screen then correct?

Edited by themotherbrain, 20 April 2018 - 12:55 AM.

[32assassin]

I can't answer questions for hardware I don't have.

 

from what i read, the answer is no, its not compatible with he dmd3.  but again I don't know this for a fact.

 

 

you can try running the table with freezys dll

given that freezys dll  is compatible with dmd3

any display you get on freezys dll will be displayed on your dmd3

 but those are experiments you will need to try

 

or

wait and see if someone who owns a dmd3 responds.

[themotherbrain]

Fair enough. I guess I will have to wait and see. I would settle for getting this display to stay up front. I don't like the squashed look it gets with the grille visible. I'd appreciate it if anybody could help me with that. Thanks 32assassin!

[themotherbrain]

Ok I'm making progress. I got my previous issues sorted out it seems. So here is my next question. I have a couple tables that use ultradmd (goldorak, slimer, etc.). I figured out where to put the ultradmd files to make them run properly, but I can't seem to get the ultradmd screen to turn off when I exit a table. I have to actually close it manually. What do I need to do to correct this? 

[Thalamus]

Some tables doesn't have a exit routine that stops ultradmd "correctly". Try put this on the very end of the script and see if it helps.

Also - you are aware that you can get UltraDMD to display in you Pindmd3 ?

Sub Table1_Exit():
  Controller.Stop
  If Not UltraDMD is Nothing Then
    If UltraDMD.IsRendering Then
      UltraDMD.CancelRendering
    End If  
    UltraDMD = NULL 
  End If
End Sub

Edited by Thalamus, 01 May 2018 - 12:51 AM.

[themotherbrain]

Thanks for the response Thalamus. Unfortunately that script did not seem to help when I pasted it into the game's script file. I hope to solve this at some point, but I actually could use your help still since you know how to set up the dmd3. I got my screen installed and I can see the pinball x graphics displaying on the dmd when in the pinball x menu, but when I start a vpx game it goes blank. I searched for answers and I downloaded your archive linked below to attempt to get it going.

 

http://www.vpforums....=37887&p=386238

 

I put each set of files into the folder they belong in and replaced the files when asked. I then unblocked all of the replaced dll files. After that I am struggling to figure out what I need to do next. The install pdf seems pretty vague to me and I am inexperienced at this kind of thing. I would be grateful if I could get some assistance to help me get it running.

[Thalamus]

My example exit code needs the table to be named 'table1' - many authors don't change the name, others do. If the table is not named 'table1' you have to change the first line to the same name as the table or the sub will not be called on exit. Put the exit code to the very end of the table script.

 

About the pindmd3 going black. Do you mean that once a table loads it goes black and never shows up again until you exit the game ?

 

http://vpinball.com/...-dmddevice-dll/

 

I still run mine like this, so, it should still apply.

Edited by Thalamus, 13 May 2018 - 07:20 AM.

[themotherbrain]

Ok back at it again. Thalamus, I was able to get my DMD3 working with my VPX tables thanks to the collection of files you had posted. Thanks for taking the time to put those together. For those interested in knowing the answer to one of my previous questions, the DMD3 will in fact will work with alpha numeric tables.

 

Now it seems I am having a different issue that has to do with UltraDMD. I had right clicked the virtual DMD after opening a table that uses UltraDMD. I checked the box to hide the virtual DMD as my scoreboard is working and didn't figure it would hurt. I seem to be having problems now. When I close the table, I am getting a "pindmd v3 not found" error. After that, if I open a table, I get the same error and the scoreboard will not work. If I restart the computer it works fine until I open another table that uses UltraDMD, at which point the problem repeats itself. It is the only thing I messed with so it has to be relevant.

 

I am hoping just making the virtual dmd visible again will alleviate the issue, but I can't figure out how to get to the UltraDMD settings, because there is no screen to right click. How do I get to it? I know on many other table you can use F2 to get a menu, but it doesn't work in this case. Is there something I did wrong, something I should be doing, or is there perhaps some kind of update I need possibly? I could live with having to exit UltraDMD manually, but now its causing issues with function. Can anybody help?

Edited by themotherbrain, 27 May 2018 - 10:48 PM.

[Thalamus]

Give me the exact name and link to one table you are having troubles with. It might be that editing registry is the easiest solution. You could also delete all information you've done for the table. http://vpinball.com/...ble-to-default/

Edited by Thalamus, 28 May 2018 - 05:33 AM.

[Johngreve]

 
Now it seems I am having a different issue that has to do with UltraDMD. I had right clicked the virtual DMD after opening a table that uses UltraDMD. I checked the box to hide the virtual DMD as my scoreboard is working and didn't figure it would hurt. I seem to be having problems now. When I close the table, I am getting a "pindmd v3 not found" error. After that, if I open a table, I get the same error and the scoreboard will not work. If I restart the computer it works fine until I open another table that uses UltraDMD, at which point the problem repeats itself. It is the only thing I messed with so it has to be relevant.
 
I am hoping just making the virtual dmd visible again will alleviate the issue, but I can't figure out how to get to the UltraDMD settings, because there is no screen to right click. How do I get to it? I know on many other table you can use F2 to get a menu, but it doesn't work in this case. Is there something I did wrong, something I should be doing, or is there perhaps some kind of update I need possibly? I could live with having to exit UltraDMD manually, but now its causing issues with function. Can anybody help?[/quote]

Hi Motherbrain....I feel your pain man.....been there multiple times myself.
Not sure if this will help but you need to go into Regedit to enable the virtual DMD again.....
Do this by clicking “start” on your toolbar then enter Regedit in the search box then double click on the Regedit.exe that pops up.
Now navigate to HKEY_Current_ Users\Software\UltraDMD....then change the “virtualDMD” to either true or false to enable UltraDMD again. These instructions were for Win7 so if your running Win 10 Things May be different. I was working off my notes here as it’s been quite a while since I got myself into this situation myself but I did just fire up the cabinet and run through what I just described. I believe that this will get your UltraDMD display visible again on the playfield. Hope this helps in some way and good luck.