22 replies to this topic

[widget2k13]

sorry to ask, i have read through a lot of posts but cannot find how to setup my plunger for fx3, is there an easy way to get it working, i have pinscape installed and it works fine in vpx 

[DDH69]

Don't be sorry.  In all of my haste I may have overlooked a guide for this.  I'll give you the basics, see how you go, and then I'll look at more documentation when I get time.

 

1. Set DOFLinx to run in DEBUG=1 mode
2. Right click and select "Test Joy Stick"
3. Select the "Joystick #"  that is your Pinscape
4. When you move your plunger you should see the "Current Z Position" change
5. Move the plunger to the point where you want a ball release to be imminent once you release the plunger - note the number
6. Slowly bring the plunger back to the point where the ball should release - note the number
7. Setup your parameters in your DOFLinx.INI as per the guide (cut below)

 

PLUNGER_AXIS=A

No default, can be left out of INI file.

“A” is the axis to read the plunger position from.  At present the only valid option is “Z” (no quotes) indicating the Z-axis for a plunger.  This is used to allow a plunger to trigger ball launch in FX3.

 

PLUNGER_JOYSTICK_NUMBER=XX

No default, can be left out of INI file.

Valid values are 1 to 16 being the joystick ID # that the plunger device is connected to.

 

PLUNGER_KEY=KK

No default, can be left out of INI file.

The key number to send to FX3 when the plunger passes the PLUNGER_PULL_POINT and then returns back past the PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT.

To send the default launch key of FX3 being <ENTER> this line should read PLUNGER_KEY=0D

 

PLUNGER_PULL_POINT=NNNNN

No default, can be left out of INI file.

If PLUNGER_AXIS and PLUNGER_JOYSTICK_PORT are set, this is to point at which the plunger being pulled is registered.  Values can be determined from the Pinscape setup tool or DOFLinx in DEBUG mode using the Test Joystick function.

If your plunger has a Z-Axis range of 0 at rest through to 65000 at full pull, then PLUNGER PULL_POINT could be 40000 and PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT=20000.  You will need to test to determine the best values.  There should be a reasonable gap between PLUNGER_PULL_POINT and PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT to avoid accidental triggering.

 

PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT=NNNNN

No default, can be left out of INI file.

See PLUNGER_PULL_POINT

[widget2k13]

thanks for the reply, i added this to my ini from your ini file , is this where i add them numbers to ?

 

#FX3_FOCUS=0

 

JOY_PORT=1

JOY_X_OFFSET=32767

JOY_Y_OFFSET=32767

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_POINT=-2500

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_POINT=2500

FX_FORWARD_NUDGE_POINT=2500

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_KEY=4C

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_KEY=52

FX_FORWARD_NUDGE_KEY=20

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_INPUT=A2

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_INPUT=A3

[DDH69]

 

thanks for the reply, i added this to my ini from your ini file , is this where i add them numbers to ?

 

#FX3_FOCUS=0

 

JOY_PORT=1

JOY_X_OFFSET=32767

JOY_Y_OFFSET=32767

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_POINT=-2500

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_POINT=2500

FX_FORWARD_NUDGE_POINT=2500

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_KEY=4C

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_KEY=52

FX_FORWARD_NUDGE_KEY=20

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_INPUT=A2

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_INPUT=A3

 

 

You can add it anywhere in the DOFLinx.INI file, location is irrelevant to the program.  IF you add them close to the items you listed then it will all be neatly together, so a good idea.

[widget2k13]

sorted it and it works thank you so much for the help mate your a godsend

[DDH69]

Thanks for letting me know.  Glad to hear that you've got it working.  I will look to write a short set of instructions and post shortly.

[Baron Shadow]

 

 

thanks for the reply, i added this to my ini from your ini file , is this where i add them numbers to ?

 

#FX3_FOCUS=0

 

JOY_PORT=1

JOY_X_OFFSET=32767

JOY_Y_OFFSET=32767

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_POINT=-2500

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_POINT=2500

FX_FORWARD_NUDGE_POINT=2500

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_KEY=4C

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_KEY=52

FX_FORWARD_NUDGE_KEY=20

FX_LEFT_NUDGE_INPUT=A2

FX_RIGHT_NUDGE_INPUT=A3

 

 

You can add it anywhere in the DOFLinx.INI file, location is irrelevant to the program.  IF you add them close to the items you listed then it will all be neatly together, so a good idea.

 

 

I have tried it but i only got the Plunger working but no Nudge

How do i see what i have to put there ?

[DDH69]

So, half way there, that's good news!

 

You can test out, and determine you settings via the test function which is available via right-click when you have DOFLinx running visibly with DEBUG=1.

 

Also, have a read of the DOFLinx guide.  You will likely need to change your nudge keys in FX3.  The example above has the left and right FX3 nudge keys set to "L" and "R", then DOFLinx detects any other nudge keys you have set on your cabinet, ie L-Ctrl and R-Ctrl.  Have a read of the key codes and check the settings for FX_xxx_NUDGE_PUT= and FX_xxxx_NUDGE_KEY= are correct for your setup.

[Friffy1]

Sorry to necro this!  Trying to get this working but having (almost) no luck!

 

I've setup my ini with values that I'd think make sense.  But the result is I pull the plunger back, and then the on-screen plunger slowly moves all the way back.  Then I release, and it releases.  Not at all the 1:1 experience I get in VPX/VP9/FP.  Seems what I'm getting is an all or nothing result.  No fine control over the plunger.  So no way to hit skill shots, etc.

 

Am I doing something wrong?  Or is a near 1:1 response not possible with PFX3?

 

 

Thanks!

 

 - Tom

[fR33Styler]

Gday Mate (from down upper)

 

I have a question too.. .but first i like to thank you for your great work for this community!!! i greatly appreciate this!

 

The nudge-settings work fine in my setup (Pinscape) with L/R-Keys & Magma (CTRL) too... great stuff!

 

But i have a problem with the Plunger:

 

@ Debug -> Test Joystick everything is fine (Current Z Position vom 0 to 65511 during move my fader).. so i put in my DOFLinx.ini:

 

PLUNGER_AXIS=A
PLUNGER_JOYSTICK_NUMBER=1
PLUNGER_PULL_POINT=65511
PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT=0

 

But in FX3 nothing moves?!?

 

Any Ideas where to take a closer look on?

(X360CE i dont need with DOFlinx right?)

 

Best regards from Germany

Ralf

Edited by fR33Styler, 22 January 2020 - 11:47 PM.

[Outhere]

X360CE i dont need with DOFlinx right? -- Right

My plunder set up  - this is what I use for FX2/3 - x360ce 32 bit

https://www.vpforums...=43339&p=441636

[DDH69]

You may want to shorten the range to about 10000 and 55000.  The reason for this is that these are trigger points, not the absolute ends of the plunger travel.  If in pulling the plunger you don't hit the ends of the travel range that you have specified then the plunger will not trigger the launch.

[fR33Styler]

Thx both...    it helped to be "inside the triggerpoints" for me with:

PLUNGER_JOYSTICK_NUMBER=1
PLUNGER_AXIS=Z
PLUNGER_KEY=0D
PLUNGER_PULL_POINT=63000
PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT=35000

But it´s not woking completely round - but i´ll try with a few numbers to get the best solution (also try X360CE as a alternative)

[java388]

just got my PBX3 up an running in full cabinet mode on my machine.  how exactly do i make it so that i can use the plunger?  imagine trying to explain to a 7 year old

 

also, would anyone know the steps to set up the DMD and the Backglass?

 

Thanks so much!

 

pabloman

[scampa123]

I have an analog plunger and a Pinscape board in my setup.  I've run the DOFLinx utility to get my plunger settings (so its reading the plunger for the values.  I cannot seem to get it working with FX3 however.

 

Is this because it is an Analog (pot) plunger?  If yes, then why is the utility reading the values?

 

Does anyone have a guide for setting up an analog plunger to work with DOFLinx and FX3?

 

Thank you!!

[DDH69]

I have an analog plunger and a Pinscape board in my setup.  I've run the DOFLinx utility to get my plunger settings (so its reading the plunger for the values.  I cannot seem to get it working with FX3 however.

 

Is this because it is an Analog (pot) plunger?  If yes, then why is the utility reading the values?

 

Does anyone have a guide for setting up an analog plunger to work with DOFLinx and FX3?

 

Thank you!!

 

I use a pot on my Pinscape board, so it definitely works with that.  I have never written a guide more than you see above, not sure if anyone else has documented it more around the place.

 

Happy to help work through it.

[scampa123]

 

I have an analog plunger and a Pinscape board in my setup.  I've run the DOFLinx utility to get my plunger settings (so its reading the plunger for the values.  I cannot seem to get it working with FX3 however.

 

Is this because it is an Analog (pot) plunger?  If yes, then why is the utility reading the values?

 

Does anyone have a guide for setting up an analog plunger to work with DOFLinx and FX3?

 

Thank you!!

 

I use a pot on my Pinscape board, so it definitely works with that.  I have never written a guide more than you see above, not sure if anyone else has documented it more around the place.

 

Happy to help work through it.

 

Thank you!

 

I know DOFLinx is working because my solenoids go off and the shaker on some of the FX3 tables...but I haven't been able to get the plunger going...

 

Here is my entry for the plunger:

 

######## PLUNGER ########
PLUNGER_AXIS=Z
PLUNGER_JOYSTICK_NUMBER=1
PLUNGER_KEY=0D
PLUNGER_PULL_POINT=65527
PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT=34000

Do I need anything else??  Port 1 was the port in the test tool and I grabbed the numbers from the tool...I pulled the plunger all the way back and put that number in the PULL_POINT (65527) and then released the plunger and used the number where the plunger is at rest (34000)...

 

FX3 doesn't show me pulling the plunger or anything.  Is there something I should look for in the DOF LOG?

Maybe this is causing an issue (I know its not about the plunger but maybe its passing that part or something):

 

 

2020.11.23 19:20:17.644    Config for RomName FX3_WMS_SAFECRACKER exists in LedControl data. Updating cabinet and config.
2020.11.23 19:20:17.644    EXCEPTION: DirectOutput framework has encountered a exception during setup.
2020.11.23 19:20:17.644    EXCEPTION: Thread:
2020.11.23 19:20:17.644    EXCEPTION: Message: NullReferenceException --> Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
2020.11.23 19:20:17.644    EXCEPTION: Stacktrace:    at DirectOutput.LedControl.Setup.Configurator.Setup(LedControlConfigList LedControlConfigList, Table Table, Cabinet Cabinet, String RomName)
2020.11.23 19:20:17.644    EXCEPTION: Stacktrace:    at DirectOutput.Pinball.Setup(String GlobalConfigFilename, String TableFilename, String RomName)
2020.11.23 19:20:17.644    EXCEPTION: Targetsite: Void Setup(DirectOutput.LedControl.Loader.LedControlConfigList, DirectOutput.Table.Table, DirectOutput.Cab.Cabinet, System.String)
2020.11.23 19:20:27.765    Debug: Disposing LedWiz instance 08.
2020.11.23 19:20:27.765    Debug: Disposing LedWiz instance 08.

 

I'm not really using any LED control in

[DDH69]

That DOF error should be looked at, but it should not impact DOFLinx.  I'm no expert on those errors, but l I can see in that error is that its referencing LEDWiz instance 08, that is usually the Pinscape emulated instance.  So unless you need Pinscape to specifically emulate a LEDWiz I'd always suggest turning that off in your Pinscape config.

 

Regarding the plunger, the idea is that your trigger point is part way through the pull back of the plunger, so point when you've pulled it far enough that this is going to launch a ball.  This is generally not all the way.  Can I suggest you try PLUNGER_PULL_POINT=50000.  Likewise the release point is when it artificially presses the [RETURN] key to launch the ball in FX3.  Can I suggest trying PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT=40000.  These settings will ensure that a full pull and release passes both points.

 

With the above in place we will have 1 of 2 paths to follow;

a) fine tuning the numbers on those settings to get it how you want it, or

b) finding out why the key press is either not triggering or getting to FX3.

 

Regarding b) , if we need to do that I'll likely need to send a new version of DOFLinx as there are no DEBUG messages in this area.  Its not a problem if we do need to, I suspect we'll be down the a) path anyway.

[scampa123]

Any just like that you fixed it!! 

 

I cannot believe that the numbers being off like that made it not move at all.. I added the numbers you suggested and it works!

 

I cannot thank you enough!!  I really appreciate, as I could not figure it out.

DDH69 Is there a place to see all the FX3 table which use toys?  I'm thinking the fan.  I noticed one of my games used the shaker motor.  It would be great to see what toys the FX3 games use.

Thanks again!

[DDH69]

Great news, glad we got it going.  Those numbers were just a guess.  If you want different trigger and release points have a play around with one at a time.  You can either edit your DOFLinx.INI and restart each time, or alternatively change them on the fly with something like "DOFLinxMsg PLUNGER_RELEASAE_POINT=XXX"

 

I do not have a cross reference of toys used in FX3 games.  I must admit though, its a question growing in popularity.  I might have to put a little tool together that scans the raw FX3 files and makes a table........ Hmm, more I think about that the more it sounds like a good idea, keep an eye out    you've inspired me.