11 replies to this topic

[Junkyerd]

Hello.

 

I have been following this nailbuster's guide, In order to get VPX tables launched with or without pup-pack.

 

At early stages i make copies from the pup-pack tables, for example for the cactus canyon table, i have two copies from this table.

 

-Cactus Canyon (Bally 1998) VPW 1.1.vpx

-Cactus Canyon-PUP-PACK-VERSION-(Bally 1998) VPW 1.1.vpx

 

Then... it`s only to add a new alias-rom to the VPMalias.txt (this file it`s in vpinmame folder).

In this case i will add this line to the VPMalias.txt:

cc_13PUP, cc_13 

This means the cc_13PUP will use the cc_13 rom.

 

Then it`s only add this new rom to the table script.

In the Cactus Canyon-PUP-PACK-VERSION-(Bally 1998) VPW 1.1.vpx table script i will look for the gamename rom in the script (gamename=cc_13)and i will change this gamename (change cc_13 to cc_13PUP).

 

The last thing to do its in PUPvideos folder, i will change the PUP-pack folder for cactus canyon and i will name it cc_13PUP.

 

This way i have two versions from the table...one with pup-pack and the other one without pup-pack.

 

-Cactus Canyon (Bally 1998) VPW 1.1.vpx:    Will use cc_13 folder in PUPVideos folder and the cc_13 rom

-Cactus Canyon-PUP-PACK-VERSION-(Bally 1998) VPW 1.1.vpx:    Willl use cc_13PUP folder in PUPVideos and the cc_13PUP rom alias

 

 

My problem:

 

I was wondering about a way to have only one table (no copies) and launching the table from pinup popper selecting with or without pup-pack.

 

I am able to select the table in pinup popper and the option with or without pup-pack.

 

And the table launches with or without pup perfectly, but i have one problem...

 

If i launch the table without pup-pack there are no screens at all (only the backglass and playfield screens).

 

I have the option from pinuppopper to keep displays on for a certain table (you can see this option in games manager in pinup popper) for example for cactus canyon table i was interested to keep displays on 0,1 and 5 which are topper,dmd and full dmd.

 

But with this option active i have several screens when the pup-pack it`s active (i don`t want to have the pup-pack upon several screens, not good for FPS)

 

I am stuck at this point.. 

 

how can i get to configure screens when the pup-pack it`s not launched??? i don`t want windows screens when the pup-pack it`s not active and i don`t want several screens when the pup-pack it`s active.

 

 

Instructions

 

To get it working you will need to add this option to your popper script:

 

USEALTWHEELS=1

 

 

In your table script you will need to add this two lines: (and save the table):

 

 if GetCustomParam(1)= "NOPUP" Then .PuPHide=1 else .LaunchBackglass=1 end if
 .Games("altsimpprty").Settings.Value("sound") = 1

Here you have an example for the two lines pasted in a table script:

Sub Table1_Init
	With Controller
		.GameName = cGameName
		If Err Then MsgBox "Can't start Game " & cGameName & vbNewLine & Err.Description:Exit Sub
		.SplashInfoLine = "The Simpsons Pinball Party (Stern 2003)"&chr(13)&"VPW"
		.HandleKeyboard = 0
		.ShowTitle = 0
		.ShowDMDOnly = 1
		.ShowFrame = 0
		.Hidden = 0
                if GetCustomParam(1)= "NOPUP" Then .PuPHide=1 else .LaunchBackglass=1 end if
                .Games("altsimpprty").Settings.Value("sound") = 1
		On Error Resume Next
		.Run GetPlayerHWnd
		If Err Then MsgBox Err.Description
		On Error Goto 0
	End With

And here you have  the LAUNCH SCRIPT for VPX emulator in pinup popper: (IMPORTANT NOTE:In NAILBUSTER'S GUIDE you will see FSMODE=ExtMinimized. and i think this is an error you will need SET FSMODE=Extminimized or Disablefullscreen or enable fullscreen).

Here it`s working:

@echo off

START "" "[STARTDIR]Launch\VPXSTARTER.exe" 30 10 60 "Visual Pinball Player" 2
cd /d "[DIREMU]"

rem Change the following to EnableTrueFullScreen to default FullScreen Exclusive!     DisableTrueFullScreen

SET FSMODE=ExtMinimized

SET VPXEXE=VPinballX_GL64.exe

if "[RECMODE]"=="1" (SET FSMODE=ExtMinimized )
if /I "[CUSTOM1]"=="NOFSX" (SET FSMODE=ExtMinimized)
if NOT "[ALTEXE]"=="" (SET VPXEXE=[ALTEXE] )

SET ALTPARAM=
if /I "[ALTMODE]"=="NOPUP" (SET ALTPARAM=-c1 NOPUP )
if /I "[CUSTOM2]"=="ALTROM" (REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Freeware\Visual PinMame\globals" /v "rompath" /t REG_SZ /d "%C:\vPinball\VisualPinball\VPinMAME\altrom%" /f)

START /min "" %VPXEXE% "[DIREMU]" -%FSMODE% -ExtMinimized -play "[GAMEFULLNAME]" %ALTPARAM%

if %FSMODE%==ExtMinimized (START "" "[STARTDIR]Launch\PopperKeepFocus.exe" "Visual Pinball Player" 10)

And the close script

"[STARTDIR]LAUNCH\PUPCLOSER.EXE" WINTIT "Visual Pinball" 10 1
Timeout /t 2
if /I "[CUSTOM2]"=="ALTROM" (REG ADD "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Freeware\Visual PinMame\globals" /v "rompath" /t REG_SZ /d "%C:\vPinball\VisualPinball\VPinMAME\roms%" /f)

In the games manager you will need to add NOPUP in the alternate run modes section for the table:

 

This way you can select the table in popper and then you can select launch the table normal with the pup-pack or the new launch mode icon (NOPUP).

 

I was trying also the altrom mode.. but no results as i need to have two different names for the rom (one for pup-pack and different name for the version without pup-pack).

 

Maybe i need an option like ALTPUP or i don`t know

 

This time i need help

Edited by Junkyerd, 13 May 2024 - 08:41 PM.

[fhjui]

That are good ideas to solve that problem. But a bit complicated.

A more simple way is to create an own Emulator for tables with PUPpack, then this directory contains only the table file but no BG file.

The advantage is that an own emulator has its own launch script and an own config in B2S-settings file and thats much more flexible and easier to configure.

But I still changed the PUPpack directories and the cGameNames/VPMAlias like you to recognize which table has a PUPpack in the pupvideos directory.

I have described various options in my documentation https://mega.nz/fold...wAXZlOEMQGbdutQ in the dir "Installation vPin-Software with Baller-installer" chapter 16.6

[Junkyerd]

Wow your guide it`s simply awesome

 

Installation VPinball Software - Scripts, additional programs and batchfiles v1.1 EN

 

Its a very good manual for people like me..

 

Thank you so much..

 

About the problem...i will make a copy from each table pup-pack and will be launched from the same gamelist with not pup-pack tables.

 

I have prefer having one copy from the table and select launch with or without pup-pack, but when i launch without pup-pack i can`t configure screens, everything it`s empty but the dmd.

 

But i need to move forward, so the winner it`s MAKE A COPY FOR THE PUP-PACK TABLES.

 

Now i am trying to solve my media mess in pinup popper...giving propper media name to each table,ETC,ETC

 

Thanks

[fhjui]

>>I have prefer having one copy from the table and select launch with or without pup-pack, but when i launch without pup-pack i can`t configure screens, everything it`s empty but the dmd.
>>But i need to move forward, so the winner it`s MAKE A COPY FOR THE PUP-PACK TABLES.

 

yes that's the easiest way. As I described the directory structure in my docu:

- create a new table directory for the tables with puppack f.e. "Tables_PUP"

- copy the B2Ssettings.xml from the table dir. to this directory.

- create a new emulator "VPX PUP", copy the launch and close script from the default VPX emulator

- with this new emulator a new media dir. is created

- change the game folder and media dir in the popper setup to the new directory

- copy the vpx table file to the new dir.

- import the table to popper

- you can copy existent media files to the new media dir

 

the screenres.txt should be centralized in an extra directory where b2sserver is "installed"

Advantage is that you can run the same table with or without puppack table


 

Edited by fhjui, 18 May 2024 - 10:22 AM.

[Junkyerd]

Your guide it`s the best!

 

The new options in my PinUp Popper Operator menu when i play a table it`s...i don`t have words...where have you been before?? want to marry me? 

The new option Switch Anaglyph ON/OFF its AWESOME.

 

Now i can enjoy reshade or built-in anaglyph in the PERFECT WAY.

 

So many options now in popper..no need to config in vpx editor no more 

 

German technology in the scripts and bats man. Thanks!!  

Edited by Junkyerd, 18 May 2024 - 09:29 AM.

[Junkyerd]

Following the guide i will try to build a script for select altsound 0, 1 or 2, and i hope it will be possible to launch pinsound 1.8.93 before altsound 2 it`s selected via script..

 

Copied from the guide for disable the second pinMAME DMD window (when you are playing the table..., this script closes the table and reopen with  second dmd  window disabled, real quickly...follow the guide)

 

DisabeDMDWindow.ahk

#SingleInstance force 
WinGetTitle, Title, A  'get the title of the window 
;SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir% 
send {F1}              ;send F1 for vPinMAME DMD-windows 
Sleep, 250 
send !D                ;send 2x Alt-D to jump to the correct field 


Sleep, 50 
send !D 
sleep, 50 
send {space}  ;send space-key two times for activating/deactivating internal VPinMAME DMD 
;send 20x Tab-key because the OK-Button is not a normal ok-button from its programming 
Loop 20 
Send {Tab} 
Sleep, 50 
Send {Enter} 
Sleep, 50 
; send again ok for the popping-up confirmation window 
Send {Enter} 
ExitApp 

 I understand this will be my .ahk file

(but mine will be instructions for change the altsound option in vpinmame)

 

But how can i create the  exe file for this .ahk file???

 

Using hotkey it`s possible to create the.exe file for my .ahk file???

 

Then i will need a .cmd file for  my new option "change altsound" in pinup popper operator menu (if somebody could help me..)

 

POPGAME_ChangeAltSound.cmd

@echo off 
if /I "%~x2" NEQ ".vpx" goto end 
ChangeAltSound.exe 
CloseVPXEditor.exe 
timeout 2 
cd /d "..\..\visualpinball"
VPinballX.exe -play %2 
CD /d %~dp0 
rem timeout 2 
rem Se

if somebody could help me...

how could i create the ChangeAltSound.exe file?

what program i will need for create this .exe file??

Any heklp for create the .exe file please????

 

 

With luck i will tachieve it and i will try to explain step by step..

 

Thanks

Edited by Junkyerd, 28 May 2024 - 02:31 PM.

[viking245]

But how can i create the  exe file for this .ahk file???

 

Using hotkey it`s possible to create the.exe file for my .ahk file???

if somebody could help me...

 

how could i create the ChangeAltSound.exe file?

what program i will need for create this .exe file??

 

 

If you have AutoHotkey installed on your computer, you should be able to simply right-click the .ahk file and select Compile Script.

 

Side note: to send the Tab key 20-times, you can use: [without needing the 'Loop' line]

Send {Tab 20}

Does the batch file (.bat or .cmd [exact same file, just 2 different file extensions]) need to be an exe?  They should all execute just the same.

[fhjui]

Autohotkey consists of 2 parts, the IDE for editing and creating scripts and the compiler to create exe files. I have used SciTE for editing the ahk-files.

Here the link to an installation video https://www.youtube....h?v=n3fSs3zNCKs. I can suggest this channel "Autohotkey Gurus"

 

The easiest way to run vpx in this case is to create an own cmd file as you have done with POPGAME_ChangeAltSound.cmd.

You should copy the compiled exe file and the cmd file to the launch dir of PinUpsystem. Because the operatormenu expects this dir as standard to run programs.

Then add the call of the cmd file in the Operatormenu file choosing PopperOperatorEdit.exe. The syntax is slightly complicated, I have dscribed this in my docu.

Edited by fhjui, 29 May 2024 - 03:49 PM.

[Emanoel299]

About Pup_Pack ON/OFF for tables that has rom name in Pupvideos folder.

 

Yeah, it is cool for the peopleo that like scripts OK.

 

My simple idea is copy the rom and rename it.

In the table script call this renamed rom where is called

Edit VpinAlias.txt with assigned new rom to old rom.

Copy the table and backglass in rename them.

 

You will have two similar tables. One with Pup_Pack (no Backglass) and other without Pup_Pack with backglass

It works fine in my system.

 

As you are using Pup_Pack for the old table, you can delete the old backglass.

Edited by Emanoel299, 29 May 2024 - 05:05 PM.

[Junkyerd]

About Pup_Pack ON/OFF for tables that has rom name in Pupvideos folder.

 

Yeah, it is cool for the peopleo that like scripts OK.

 

My simple idea is copy the rom and rename it.

In the table script call this renamed rom where is called

Edit VpinAlias.txt with assigned new rom to old rom.

Copy the table and backglass in rename them.

 

You will have two similar tables. One with Pup_Pack (no Backglass) and other without Pup_Pack with backglass

It works fine in my system.

 

As you are using Pup_Pack for the old table, you can delete the old backglass.

 

Yeah, absolutely, this it`s my method now...

 

There are some tables (flintstones, simpsons pinball party, etc..) works better without pup-pack,  so...i want to be able to select table with or without pup (like the u2 song).

 

So, for example for simpsons, i put this line in vpmalias.txt

simprtyPUP, simprty

Then copy the table and put simprtyPUP in the script for the table with pup.

 

Of course i need to rename pupvideos folder to simprtyPUP.

 

Then i have one table with pup and the exact copy table without pup able to select in popper, next each other...

 

But the perfect solution would to be able (via launch script emulator in popper) to activate ON keep media displays on, only when you launch in altmode.

 

 

Thanks for your answers now i will try to make a script for activate pinsound

[Junkyerd]

Thanks to viking245 and fhjui...

 

I will try to make a tutorial about making my script for enabling pinsound or altsound.

 

Totally based in the fhjui guide (thanks again for this wonderful guide):

 

I have assumed you know about pinsound, altsound and the use of previous versions of pinsound...

 

MAKING SCRIPTS

 

-First you must download the autohotkey program

 

I recommend to follow the guide from fhjui, but i will try to share my experience..

 

First you must grab one .ahk file from the launch folder in pinup system folder (for me was perfect the disabedmdwindow.ahk file from the guide, but you can grab whatever .ahk file)

 

Make a copy from this ahk file and copy whattever you want..

 

First i want to make a script for run the pinsound program and i want to make another script for close the pinsound program whenever i want (playing or selecting tables in popper)

 

Two scripts :

 

-RunPinSound.ahk:

#SingleInstance force

WinGetTitle, Title, A	'get the title of the window

;SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%


Run "C:\YOU MUST PUT HERE YOUR ADDRESS FOR YOUR PINSOUND PROGRAM\PinSoundStudio.lnk" -minimized
ExitApp 

-ClosePinSound-ahk:

#SingleInstance force

WinGetTitle, Title, A 'get the title of the window

;SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%


Winclose PinSound Studio
sleep 1500
ExitApp

Now we need to press the right mouse click button upon the .ahk file and select COMPILE WITH GUI (maybe you will be asked to install version 1 of autohotkey, you must select YES, AND INSTALL)

 

You must select the type  Autohotkey A32.exe (like base file bin/exe line in this image): 

 

 

And press convert and now you will have two new .exe files.

 

Then you need  to build two more .cmd files (BAT FILES for the operator menu):

 

POPGAME_RUNPINSOUND.cmd:

@echo off

RunPinSound.exe

timeout 3


:end

POPGAME_CLOSEPINSOUND.cmd:

@echo off

ClosePinSound.exe

timeout 3

:end

Put all this files (two .ahk ; two .exe; and two .cmd files, six ifiles total) in the LAUNCH folder in pinupsystem folder.

 

The last step it`s to open the PopperOperatorEdit.exe (in pinupsystem folder) :

 

This example it`s for the RunpPinSound script: and the ClosePinSound script (open PopperOperatorEdit.exe and add the first two lines like the image , then save it):

 

 

 

You will have three files for the runpinsound script: in your launch folder in pinupsystem folder:

 

-RunPinSound.ahk

-RunPinSound.exe (you have build before,with autohotkey)

-POPGAME_RunPinSound.CMD

 

And you will have three files for the Closepinsound script: in your launch folder in pinupsystem folder:

 

-ClosePinSound.ahk

-ClosePinSound.exe (you have build before,with autohotkey)

-POPGAME_ClosePinSound.CMD

 

So six files total.

 

Now you can open or close the pinsound program fin pinup-ppopper whenever you want. it;

 

The next step its for change ALTSOUND in the table when you are playing,

Each script will activate altsound  mode 0, 1 or 2, when you are playnig the table and you select the script for activate altsound 2 (for example) the table will close and then reopen with altsound 2 active

Thanks to fhjui and his wonderful guide.

Edited by Junkyerd, 05 June 2024 - 10:29 PM.

[Junkyerd]

Ok We can switch on/off the pinsound program while we are in pinup popper selecting or playing a table.

 

Now we want to change AltSound mode..if we are playing a table...the script will close and then will restart the table with the altsound mode selected previously (and will save this config until you will rechange it).

 

I am gonna explain the first script and the nex two scripts (aaltsound 1 or 2) you could imagine how to make it..

 

Let`s start with the AltSound mode ZERO or rom sound mode:

 

First the .SelectAltSound-0-ROM-SOUND.ahk file:

#SingleInstance force

WinGetTitle, Title, A	'get the title of the window

;SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%

send {F1}	;send F1 for vPinMAME DMD-windows
Sleep, 1250
send {TAB 11}		;send TAB 11 times to jump into altsound section in vpinmame
Sleep, 1450
send {0}                ;send key 0 for select AltSound=0 (rom sound mode)
sleep, 450

Send {Enter}
Sleep, 150
; send again ok for the popping-up Confirmation window
Send {Enter}
Sleep, 250

ExitApp

Then the POPGAME_SelectAltSound-0-ROM-SOUND.cmd file;

Maybe you will need to change the VpinballX.exe emulator name (in your case)

@echo off
if /I "%~x2" NEQ ".vpx" goto end
SelectAltSound-0-ROM-SOUND.exe
CloseVPXEditor.exe
timeout 3
cd /d "..\..\visualpinball"
VPinballX.exe -play %2
CD /d %~dp0
rem timeout 2
rem SendPuPEvent.exe 15
:end

If you build the .exe file with autohotkey, you are finished with the files.

 

For this scripts i want to make a menu named SOUND MODE, and when you enter you can select: this options;

 

-Modo 0 Rom-Sound

-Modo 1 Alt-Sound

-Modo 2 Pin-Sound

 

If you select one of the scripts, the table will reopen with the altsound mode selected previously.

 

 

 

Open PopperOperatorEdit.exe

 

Copy the last line (display=SoundMode Config):

 

 

With the line we are creating the SOUND MODE menu , will be able during the gameplay, pressing the operator menu in popper

 

Now we need to create the menu with the options:(copy the 4 lines with altpinsound):

 

 

 

Finished

Edited by Junkyerd, 05 June 2024 - 10:17 PM.