11 replies to this topic

[Tesla]

I've invented the new Aspect-Ratio of 14:9 for my Backglasses (on a common 1920x1080p LCD).

 

I now use it in my ScreenRes.txt (for a majority of my Tables). So image is no longer so squished vertically (where everyone looks fat), but NOT as square as 4:3 resolution (with the larger black side-bars).

 

Now I just use .res files for Original Tables designed with 16:9 Backglasses (like Beavis and Butthead) and for old-school Tables that still look best with a 4:3 Backglass-image (like Flash Gordon).

 

To get the smaller images to center, you divide negative pixels below by 2 and then use that number to adjust. The other number is common "divide by" number.

 

Maybe give it a try in a .res file first to see how you like it.

 

 

Backglass Resolutions and Aspect-Ratios

 

1920x1080  16:9    /120    -0 pixels

 

1680x1080  14:9    /120    -240 pixels (50% of 4:3 adjustment)

 

1680x1050  16:10  /105     Provided For Reference Only

 

1440x1080   4:3    /360    -480 pixels (and notice 120x3=360)

Edited by Tesla, 30 March 2023 - 04:07 AM.

[Carny_Priest]

Do you still have black bars or do you use a background image for the bit of screen real estate that is not taken up with the backglass?

[Tesla]

Do you still have black bars or do you use a background image for the bit of screen real estate that is not taken up with the backglass?

 

The area around my Backglass-LCD is black Plexiglass, so I just run the black bars. For me, it's more about the image itself ... being closer to looking correct (over having an image that takes-up the whole screen).

 

Can you think of something that would look better?

Edited by Tesla, 29 March 2023 - 11:45 PM.

[Gravy]

 

Do you still have black bars or do you use a background image for the bit of screen real estate that is not taken up with the backglass?

 

The area around my Backglass-LCD is black Plexiglass, so I just run the black bars. For me, it's more about the image itself ... being closer to looking correct (over having an image that takes-up the whole screen).

 

Can you think of something that would look better?

 

A while back I started experimenting with creating reflection frames to fill in the black areas for when the backglass was not set to fill 16:9 ratio, the frame is based on a reflection of the backglass. Here's an example:

 silverball.jpg   170.11KB   10 downloads

and download at https://vpuniverse.c...ackglass-frame/
 

[Tesla]

 

 

Do you still have black bars or do you use a background image for the bit of screen real estate that is not taken up with the backglass?

 

The area around my Backglass-LCD is black Plexiglass, so I just run the black bars. For me, it's more about the image itself ... being closer to looking correct (over having an image that takes-up the whole screen).

 

Can you think of something that would look better?

 

A while back I started experimenting with creating reflection frames to fill in the black areas for when the backglass was not set to fill 16:9 ratio, the frame is based on a reflection of the backglass. Here's an example:

silverball.jpg

and download at https://vpuniverse.c...ackglass-frame/
 

 

 

Interesting. When I get that table I'll give it a try.

 

And good example of what I'm talking about. There is not only people in the pic but even pinballs that really should be fairly round.

[Gravy]

 

 

 

Do you still have black bars or do you use a background image for the bit of screen real estate that is not taken up with the backglass?

 

The area around my Backglass-LCD is black Plexiglass, so I just run the black bars. For me, it's more about the image itself ... being closer to looking correct (over having an image that takes-up the whole screen).

 

Can you think of something that would look better?

 

A while back I started experimenting with creating reflection frames to fill in the black areas for when the backglass was not set to fill 16:9 ratio, the frame is based on a reflection of the backglass. Here's an example:

silverball.jpg

and download at https://vpuniverse.c...ackglass-frame/
 

 

 

Interesting. When I get that table I'll give it a try.

 

And good example of what I'm talking about. There is not only people in the pic but even pinballs that really should be fairly round.

 

Yeah, actually I could have reduced the ratio even further as the true backglass is meant to be closer to 1:1 I think (its approx 28" x 25" on the real table), so in my example it still has some egg shaped distortion but much better than 16:9

[htamas]

My backbox monitor is 4:3 (1600 x 1200). Some backglasses still look too stretched sideways or vertically, and if it bothers me too much, I also use the table-specific .res file (with black bars on the sides or on the bottom).

[Carny_Priest]

 

Do you still have black bars or do you use a background image for the bit of screen real estate that is not taken up with the backglass?

 

The area around my Backglass-LCD is black Plexiglass, so I just run the black bars. For me, it's more about the image itself ... being closer to looking correct (over having an image that takes-up the whole screen).

 

Can you think of something that would look better?

 

 

No, I saw that some people are implementing solutions with backgrounds for backglasses and grills. This was a feature that did not exist a couple of years ago when I was more active. I just didn't much like the black bars if I went with the true image aspect ratio. Where the backglass was pretty close to 1:1 there would be some big black bars. I don't attempt to preserve the correct playfield scale for the same reason. Gravy's solution is pretty interesting. In the release thread at VPUniverse he mentions a bezel reflection shader that changes in real-time based on table events. This would be really cool. 

[jarr3]

Cool, can you show the res files examples here?

Have you also tried the new context menu to simplify added the custom res file to your table?


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[Gravy]

 

 

Do you still have black bars or do you use a background image for the bit of screen real estate that is not taken up with the backglass?

 

The area around my Backglass-LCD is black Plexiglass, so I just run the black bars. For me, it's more about the image itself ... being closer to looking correct (over having an image that takes-up the whole screen).

 

Can you think of something that would look better?

 

 

No, I saw that some people are implementing solutions with backgrounds for backglasses and grills. This was a feature that did not exist a couple of years ago when I was more active. I just didn't much like the black bars if I went with the true image aspect ratio. Where the backglass was pretty close to 1:1 there would be some big black bars. I don't attempt to preserve the correct playfield scale for the same reason. Gravy's solution is pretty interesting. In the release thread at VPUniverse he mentions a bezel reflection shader that changes in real-time based on table events. This would be really cool. 

 

Yeah, that reminds me that I meant to contact the guys making that bevel shader and whether it might be possible to implement something similar in realtime. I don't think I ever did make contact.

[Tesla]

Cool, can you show the res files examples here?

 

 

Sure

 

# This is a ScreenRes file for the B2SBackglassServer (v1.3.1.1 or higher) 

# Generic Custom Aspect-Ratio 14:9 Backglass with FS 3rd-Screen DMD

# If 16:9 is 1920x1080, and 1440x1080 is 4:3 (using -480), 

# then 50% of that is -240 (which gives you 1680x1080)

1080

1920

# Screen-1 size Above (in Portrait), Screen-2 Below (as Landscape)

# For a 14:9 Backglass image, use 1680x1080 instead of 1920x1080

1680

1080

# Backglass Display DeviceName screen-number. This cabinet wants 1 here.

1

# Position of Backglass start (1920-1680=240) /2 (to center) = 120

# Previously 1080 here + 120 = 1200

# Position of Backglass start (840=1920-1080) My-Cabinet-Constant 

1200

840

# Resolution of my DMD 16:10 Screen-3 below (ie, 1280x800)

1280

800

# Position of DMD. Normally, 1920,280 works here for my 3rd-FS-DMD

# Position Adjust 1920-120 (see above) = 1800

# Position of DMD start (280=1080-800) My-Cabinet-Constant 

1800

280

0

0

0

0

0

Edited by Tesla, 30 March 2023 - 03:27 PM.

[Tesla]

This is my new ScreenRes.txt file (so ends up being used for a majority of my VPX-tables).

I had to re-calculate some coordinates after upgrading my Playfield monitor from 1080p/60Hz to 1440p/75Hz.

Note: My older tables (like Flash Gordon) still use my other generic 4:3 Backglass-imaged .res file.

 

# This is a ScreenRes file for the B2SBackglassServer (v1.3.1.1 or higher) 

# Custom Aspect-Ratio 14:9 Backglass with Full-Screen 3rd-Screen DMD (generic for wide-use)

# In Windows, Left-most display is Primary - All 3 Displays are top-edge aligned

# PLAYFIELD Screen resolution & size - width/height (Portrait 9:16)

1440

2560

# BACKGLASS Screen size - width/height (Landscape 16:9)

# For a 14:9 Backglass image, use 1680x1080 here instead of 1920x1080

1680

1080

# Backglass Display DeviceName screen-number. This cabinet now wants 0 here.

0

# If 16:9 is 1920x1080, and 1440x1080 is 4:3 (using -480), 

# then 50% of that is -240 (which gives you 1680x1080 above)

#

# Position of Backglass start (1920-1680=240) /2 (to center) = 120

# Previously 1440 here, so now + 120 = 1560

1560

0

# width/height of the DMD area in pixels on 3-screen cabinet (DMD gets defaults if 0,0)

# Resolution of my 16:10 Screen-3 for DMD (B2S or Full) displaying area

1280

800

# DMD x/y position of the DMD display-area, relative to the upper left corner of the BACKGLASS screen

# Normally 1920,0 works here for my 3rd-FS-DMD

# Position Adjust 1920-120 (see above) = 1800

1800

0

# Y-flip, flips the LED display upside down

0

# Background x/y position when StartBackground is active

0

0

# Background width/height when StartBackground is active

0

0

# C:\path\Frame = The path to background image or black if none selected.

# C:\path\my_bezel_for_EM_or_grill_for_dual_screen.png

# This line would turn off B2SWindowPunch if activated

#B2SWindowPunch=off

# These lines would change the B2SWindowPunch & cutter regular expressions

#B2SWindowPunch=^different regular expression$

#cutter=^another window$

Edited by Tesla, 15 November 2023 - 08:07 PM.