[RESOLVED] PinballX -> Pinball FX 2 Steam Basic Installation

[stefanaustria]

Hi all,

i have read here many about FX 2 ... today i got Pinball FX 2 over Steam (i hate it, whatever, FX2 must go in my Cab ;-)

I do all with Basic Installation, mean: all in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Pinball FX2"

Is there a "Easy Step by Step" to add them on my Pinball X Cab ?

Already i have "FX2 Walking Dead" on PinballX Menu, but cant start Table(s) ... example: Walking Dead is in the "data_steam" Folder.

Also 490 VPT Tables and so on, i am not a Noob (i hope ;-) but this Steam Thing ... argh ...

I have a 2 Screen Cab, maybe a Solution for the DMD at Screen 2 would be nice ...

( greetings to my Friends from VPF and VPU )

Edit 1: ok, DMD at Screen 2 solved ...

[Draco1962]

Try the tips in the documentation found here. Let us know if you run into any problems or if this resolves your issue.

[stefanaustria]

Is there anywhere the lastest .exe for the Script Folder ?

All it is not easy, not at FX2, not at PinballX ...

[stefanaustria]

1. Walking Dead start with DMD on Screen#2, ok.

2. PinballX show me Playfield, Backglassimage, Wheel, ok.

Next ... i had tried some Parameters in the .ini, nothing start

the WD over PinballX ...

I dont have a .akh or .exe File in PinballX/Script Folder ...

Can anyone help me ?

I need: File in the Script, if need.

Correct Parameters in .ini or UI-Settings, maybe others ?

Do i need the Autohotkey Programm or is a complete .exe enough ?

Tom Speir said allways, we should post here, so here is it ;-)

[tthurman]

patience, grasshopper

There's some really talented members here who go out of their way to help with issues like this. I may be a couple of days before someone with the answer sees your thread though.

[stefanaustria]

I dont count, how much helps i have been given about VP, PinballX, MAME and MANY others, since 1998 !!! ...

(and never go out of Way ... i try to help, example see at VPF ...)

There are Basics, and i can do it solve myself, but would cost me Time, that i havent atm. (much Works, much on the Way) ...

Thanks for any Steps ...

I will try to get this .akh Script, take AutoHotKey (free ?), make a .exe, give it in PinballX/Scripts,
and then try a littel with the Parameters, Steam.exe or PinballFX2.exe, ... whatever, ...

Whats about without .akh or this .exe, is it possible ? Is there a "tricky" to get a Backglass Image
over Steam.exe or PinballFX2.exe on Screen#2 ..

I do only Need, how to Start 1 Table from PBX (or not over PBX, if there a other Way for the Backglass Image),
i dont Need a full Story ;-)

I am happy enough, if i can get a example for "Walking Dead" Table to Start ... thats really all :-)

( a quick Info to the "Script", and what is the "ledset.bat" ... in the Settings.ini )

Ok i can and must wait "Days" (have only some Minutes at my Cab on next Weeks, that is why your help would be great) ... :-/

[Carny_Priest]

Basic

PinballFX2.xml should look something like this:

<menu>

<game name="TheWalkingDead">

<description>The Walking Dead</description>

<manufacturer>Zen Studios</manufacturer>

<year>2014</year>

<type>SS</type>

<hidedmd>False</hidedmd>

<hidebackglass>False</hidebackglass>

<enabled>True</enabled>

<rating>0</rating>

</game>

</menu>

If all you want to have is The Walking Dead and no other tables for now, the most basic thing would be to simply have PBX launch Steam.exe.

The parameter=-applaunch 226980

This at least launches the game.

You would probably need a keyboard attached to navigate to the main menu and select The Walking Dead but this is the quickest way to get going.

This is a solution that works for many people. It's never worked for me as I have focus issues if I launch any Steam app. PinballX does not give up control, and I have to Alt+Tab to bring focus back to the game. I always have to run a script.

This is a basic script that only launches FX2.

#NoEnv

#SingleInstance force

RegRead, SteamDirPath, HKCU, Software\Valve\Steam, SteamPath

Run, "%SteamDirPath%\Steam.exe" -applaunch 226980,,UseErrorLevel

process, WaitClose, Pinball FX2.exe

ExitApp

Install AutoHotkey.

Use notepad to copy the lines of script into a file called LaunchFX2.ahk.

In Windows Explorer navigate to the file LaunchFX2.ahk. Right-click and Compile Script. AutoHotkey creates a file LaunchFX2.exe.

In the Settings Wizard the executable would then be LaunchFX2,exe with no parameters.

If you were looking to launch right into The Walking Dead table itself, that's where things get harder. Where The Walking Dead is located in the Main Menu varies by user depending on the version of program people have installed and which tables have been purchased.

You would have to add lines of script to the program simulating key presses that will navigate through the menu and select the table that you want. There are a number of example scripts in the FX2 thread and on the FTP that you can use to help you with this part.

Sorry, it is not easy. But this is because FX2 does not support launching tables from the command line as VP and FP do. Tables can only be launched from the main menu within the FX2 program. It is not the fault of PBX. That's why these scripts exist to work around the limitations imposed by FX2, TPA, etc.

Good luck.

[stefanaustria]

Yes, with a Commandline Support, this would be nice !

I hope, ZEN does more in this Direction, with Backglass too, Direct Table Start, ...

Maybe PBX and ZEN can give a "Little Handshake" ... i really love both (and VP) !

But i know, it ts a FX2 "Problem" ...

Yesterday i buyed ZEN Tables over Euro 120,- ... and still have "this" Problem ...

I think i want a Solution, which is not possible atm. ...

But i try your Ways ...

Overall, THANK YOU !

[Draco1962]

A direct, integrated PinballX solution probably won't happen if there isn't command line support. Just the nature of most frontends and why we have to be creative with workarounds to get the square peg in a round hole sometimes.

[Tom Speirs]

Since I see someone reading the post - I just wanted to update and mention since this was posted PinballX does have integrated support for Pinball FX now. We also have the excellent NukeLauncher