v2.06 Assistance needed with VirtuaPin Plunger kit and Xpadder/Pinball FX 2

[Draco1962]

Well, it is my turn to ask for assistance with setting up my VirtualPin Mini cabinet. I have reviewed the PinballX Setup guide and still running into a rough patch getting Pinball FX2 to work with the cab. Long story short, the buttons are not working. I have confirmed that the VP Plunger kit v2 is working within PinballX and navigates the selections just fine. It is just not working with Pinball FX2 and Xpadder via the PinballX Xpadder plugin.

Here are my support files below and Xpadder profile. If anyone can lend assistance it will be much appreciated! I am very much the n00b when it comes to pincabs, Xpadder setups and the like and hopefully it will be something easy.

PinballX.ini

PinballX Support File Data

[Display]
Monitor=0
Rotate=270
Windowed=False
WindowWidth=480
WindowHeight=720
WindowX=0
WindowY=65
PlayFieldBrightness=200
WheelTextColor=ffffffff
WheelTextOutlineColor=ff000000
InfoTextColor=ffffffff
InfoTextOutlineColor=ff000000
FilterTextColor=ffffffff
FilterTextOutlineColor=ff000000
MenuColor=ff10165f
FullScreenWindowed=True
[backGlass]
monitor=1
x=0
y=0
width=1920
height=1080
[DMD]
Enabled=True
monitor=2
x=0
y=7
width=800
height=320
AutoPositionPinMAME=True
[FileSystem]
EnableFileMatching=True
[interface]
DesktopModeEnabled=False
EnableAdditionalDetail=True
ShowSystem=True
ShowRatings=True
[Audio]
StreamVolume=90
SampleVolume=90
PlaySoundInVideos=False
[startup]
playsound=True
playvideo=False
StartWithWindows=Yes
[KeyCodes]
quit=27
left=37
right=39
select=13
rotate=82
pageleft=33
pageright=34
exitemulator=27
ingame=80
screenshot=83
screenshotbackglass=66
instructions=73
volumedown=109
volumeup=107
[JoyCodes]
quit=0
left=9
right=1
select=8
rotate=
pageleft=10
pageright=2
exitemulator=
ingame=7
instructions=11
[Text]
Line1=Free Play
Line2=Press Start
[FuturePinball]
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=h:\-PINBALL-\-FUTURE PINBALL-
TablePath=h:\-PINBALL-\-FUTURE PINBALL-\Tables
Executable=Future Pinball.exe
Parameters=/open "[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]" /play /exit /arcaderender
LaunchBeforeEnabled=false
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=
LaunchBeforeExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True
LaunchAfterEnabled=False
LaunchAfterWorkingPath=
LaunchAfterExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchAfterHideWindow=False
LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True
MouseClickFocus=True
[VisualPinball]
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\-PINBALL EXES-\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\- Mint Cab Tables -
Executable=VPinball991.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
LaunchBeforeEnabled=false
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=
LaunchBeforeExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True
LaunchAfterEnabled=False
LaunchAfterWorkingPath=
LaunchAfterExecutable=notepad.exe
LaunchAfterHideWindow=False
LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True
NVRAMPath=C:\-PINBALL EXES-\Visual Pinball\nvram
[ExitScreen]
Enabled=True
EnableExit=True
EnableShutdown=True
[startupProgram]
Enabled=false
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=true
WaitForExit=false
[ExitProgram]
Enabled=false
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=False
WaitForExit=
[AttractMode]
Enabled=True
Timer=1
ShowFor=15
[system_1]
Name=Pinball FX2
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\Steam
TablePath=C:\Steam\Tables
Executable=PinballFX.exe
Parameters=
[system_2]
Name=MAME
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\- MAME -
TablePath=C:\- MAME -
Executable=mamep64.exe
Parameters=[TABLEFILE]
[AutoExit]
Enabled=True
Minutes=15
[Login]
Enabled=True
[setupWizard]
EmuPath1=C:\Emulators
AssetPath1=C:\Assets
RomPath1=C:\Roms
DefaultPathPrompt=True
DownloadDatabasePrompt=True
DownloadEmulatorPrompt=True
WizardMode=2
CustomArray=Display Settings|Pinball FX2
SearchArray=
SavePosition=False
SectionIndex=13
SearchText=
EmulatorIndex=0
EmulatorGroupIndex=0
DaphneIndex=0
HTMLAppsIndex=0
ExternalAppsIndex=0
RadioStationsIndex=0
NewsFeedsIndex=0
MappedDrivesIndex=0
SystemIndex=1
ShowPanel=True
FontSize=1
WindowState=0
WindowSize=650,673
WindowLocation=1295,261
[internal]
lastselected=Marvel - DeadpoolMARVEL_DeadpoolPinball FX2
filter_year=
filter_company=
filter_custom=
filtername=Tables
lastwheelcachematchsize=-1123
[GameListManager]
onlinemode=true
[PinballFX2]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=Steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980 "[TABLEFILE]"
WaitFor=-1
LaunchBeforeEnabled=False
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=C:\Xpadder
LaunchBeforeExecutable=Xpadder.exe
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
[Plugin_1]
Enabled=False
Name=PlugInLED.dll
[Plugin_2]
Enabled=False
Name=PlugInSpeech.dll
[Plugin_3]
Enabled=False
Name=QuickLaunch (PinballX Edition).dll
[Plugin_4]
Enabled=True
Name=Xpadder Plugin.dll

Xpadder Plugin Log

PinballX Support File Data

12/5/2015 11:22:45 PM : Xpadder Plugin (Version: 1.0.1)
12/5/2015 11:22:45 PM : Plugin initialized OK!
12/5/2015 11:22:45 PM : No profiles found for PinballX Interface! Closing!
12/5/2015 11:22:56 PM : Found profiles for Pinball FX2! Loading...
12/5/2015 11:22:56 PM : ERROR: Could not load Xpadder profiles for Pinball FX2!
12/5/2015 11:23:21 PM : No profiles found for PinballX Interface! Closing!

log.txt

PinballX Support File Data

23:22:44.7 12/5/2015: PinballX - Version 2.04
23:22:44.7 12/5/2015: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (15.9GB)
23:22:44.7 12/5/2015: Loading Settings
23:22:44.7 12/5/2015: Initialize Component
23:22:44.7 12/5/2015: Initialize Display
23:22:45.8 12/5/2015: Loading PlugIns
23:22:45.8 12/5/2015: Loaded Plugin:"Xpadder Plugin" Version 1.0.1 By Adultery
23:22:45.9 12/5/2015: PlugIn: "Xpadder Plugin" Initialized OK
23:22:45.9 12/5/2015: Using Plugin System Version: 1
23:22:46.1 12/5/2015: Created DirectX BackGlass Window
23:22:46.1 12/5/2015: Created DirectX DMD Window
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: Hiding Cursor
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: Hiding Taskbar
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: Displays: 3
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: Load Game List
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: Loading Database: Pinball FX2
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: Loading Database: MAME
23:22:46.2 12/5/2015: Loading Custom Database: Pinball FX2 - Marvel Pinball
23:22:46.3 12/5/2015: Loading Custom Database: Pinball FX2 - Star Wars Pinball
23:22:46.3 12/5/2015: Loading Custom Database: Pinball FX2 - Super League Footbal
23:22:46.3 12/5/2015: Loading Custom Database: Pinball FX2 - Zen Pinball
23:22:46.3 12/5/2015: Finding and matching artwork and videos
23:22:46.6 12/5/2015: Loading Game Statistics and Scores
23:22:47.1 12/5/2015: Main display running full screen windowed.
23:22:47.1 12/5/2015: Loading Surfaces
23:22:47.2 12/5/2015: Finished Loading Surfaces
23:22:47.2 12/5/2015: Initialize Audio
23:22:47.3 12/5/2015: Set Keyboard Controls
23:22:47.3 12/5/2015: Initialize Joystick
23:22:47.3 12/5/2015: 1 Joystick Attached
23:22:47.3 12/5/2015: Started
23:22:55.9 12/5/2015: Launch System
23:22:55.9 12/5/2015: Waiting for threads
23:22:55.9 12/5/2015: Disposing display
23:22:56.8 12/5/2015: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe -applaunch 226980 "MARVEL_Deadpool"
23:23:08.8 12/5/2015: Found Pinball FX 2 Process
23:23:20.6 12/5/2015: Exit System Control Pressed
23:23:21.8 12/5/2015: Created DirectX BackGlass Window
23:23:21.8 12/5/2015: Created DirectX DMD Window
23:23:21.8 12/5/2015: Main display running full screen windowed.
23:23:32.3 12/5/2015: Exiting
23:23:32.4 12/5/2015: Showing Taskbar
23:23:32.4 12/5/2015: Unhiding Mouse Cursor
23:23:32.4 12/5/2015: Disposing Plugins
23:23:32.4 12/5/2015: Saving Settings
23:23:32.4 12/5/2015: Waiting for Online Thread
23:23:33.4 12/5/2015: Bye

Xpadder Plugin Settings.xml

settings.xml

Xpadder Profiles, etc.

Xpadder profiles.zip

[Carny_Priest]

I'm running a VirtaPin v1 plunger kit which also emulates a joypad and not a keyboard. I don't use the xpadder plugin. I use antimicro.

https://github.com/Ryochan7/antimicro

Antimicro to map the exit button to Esc key and an ahk script to kill the FX2 process on Esc keypress

For flippers, plunger, nudging - x360ce so that the plunger kit emulates an x360 controller. x360 already has an online config for FX2 although you may want to do some tweaking of deadzones.

https://github.com/x360ce/x360ce

It's all opensource/donateware

[Draco1962]

Thanks for the reply. I may give that a try if I can't get it ironed out using Xpadder and the plugin which I would prefer.

Are there any detailed instructions on how to set up x360ce for PinballX and Pinball FX2? I have searched for both Xpadder and x360ce but have only come across mentions of using it but not any real details.

[Carny_Priest]

Don't know about xpadder. X360ce is pretty close to self starting. Copy it to the same folder as the fx2 executable. Run it. Allow it to download the Fx2 profile from the Internet. It should automatically detect the plunger kit. You may have to go to the Advanced tab and select 'Pass Through' to activate. You will be able to test the configuration. It's set and forget. It will run automatically when you start Fx2.

[Draco1962]

Didn't realize it would be that easy. I will give it a try. I am sure there may be some tweaking required to fine tune the nudge and plunger from some of what I have read.

[Draco1962]

OK, so not quite as easy but making some progress. It is recognizing some inputs but is majorly going crazy. I am not sure iof it is the nudge (horizontal) settings, or the pkunger, but the cursor is jump scrolling through the grid and yet the buttons on the cab are not responsive. Gonna call it a day and try again tomorrow night. Once I get it figured out, I am creating some documentation so that others may be able to figure it out a little easier.

[Tom Speirs]

Just to let you know - I never touched XPADDER as the cab uses a gamepad. Maybe the cabinet is "tilted". I don't think it had tilt features but its possible.

[Draco1962]

Pinball FX2 works natively with an Xbox 360 controller. If I recall correctly, PinballX does not have built-in support for the 360 controller as GameEx does.

As a result you have to program Xpadder or other 3rd party programs to trick Pinball FX2 into thinking that the VirtuaPin Plunger kit is a 360 controller.

There is component built into the kit's board that detects nudging of the cabinet along the x axis. Others have been able to program that for physical nudging. I am fine with just using the white buttons on either side of the cab.

I wasn't getting any response via Xpadder but x360ce is, just need to experiment a little.

So far x360ce is only picking up the plunger and nudging axis but not buttons both inside and outside of PinballX when running Pinball FX2.

[Tom Speirs]

Did you get what I said though, the nudging detection may have kicked in?

[Tom Speirs]

PS: At the front of the cab you should be able to unplug the usb connection. Then plug it in. Look at the light, what colour is it?

[Tom Speirs]

Also, not that I have setup PinballFX but I very much doubt that it screws over every gamepad manufacturer other than Microsoft? My common sense tells me it should work without xpadder but I could be wrong.

[Draco1962]

Yes, I got what you said about the nudging detection. That is something that can either be adjusted for and probably disabled.

The light on the card is green unless I press the right flipper button then it turns blue until I release it.

Regarding Pinball FX2, there are quite a few posts on the VP, Steam, and I believe even the Zen forums regarding this issue with using other than 360 controllers, hence users resorting to x360ce or Xpadder as an alternative.

[Draco1962]

It is likely that Pinball FX2 is only programmed for Xinput, whereas the VirtuaPin Plunger kit is Dinput only, hence the reason for using Xpadder or other 3rd party programs to emulate key presses.

[Carny_Priest]

Resetting by unplugging the controller and plugging back in is a very good idea. From there, it sounds sounds like you need to adjust axis dead zones in the Advanced tab. I don't recall what settings I have for mine. I'm not near my cab at the moment.

[Draco1962]

If you could share your settings that may go a long way to helping me get this configured. I did unplug and replug the controller, but had to come to a stopping point last night so will probably revisit this evening.

So close... yet...

[Draco1962]

Getting closer. I found a thread here that describes some of what I am experiencing so will tinker some more tonight. I confirmed that the plunger is the cause of the lack of control on the menu page when I boot to Pinball FX2 directly outside of PinballX. Pulling the plunger out about 3/4 of the way seems to silence the jumping on the page. Getting closer...

[Draco1962]

Looks like I may have to disable the nudge motion of the controller if I can't lower the sensitivity. On some of the tables with heavy bass in the music (Walking Dead) the bass thump will register as a hard nudge and tilt the table. A few questions:

- If I disable the nudge with the motion part of the controller, how can I program x360e to use the secondary buttons on the sides to be my nudge buttons? On the 360 controller, it is the Dpad.

- The plunger is working in Pinball FX2 outside of PinballX, but not inside it. Any ideas on how to fix? Not a deal breaker if I can't get that to work as pressing-holding the Start button on the cab works fine.

[Carny_Priest]

Getting closer. I found a thread here that describes some of what I am experiencing so will tinker some more tonight. I confirmed that the plunger is the cause of the lack of control on the menu page when I boot to Pinball FX2 directly outside of PinballX. Pulling the plunger out about 3/4 of the way seems to silence the jumping on the page. Getting closer...

That thread is a little out of date. It has gotten easier for me to configure the controller with later versions of x360ce. Here are my settings:

I don't even have deadzone set in the Advanced tab. If I have trouble with the plunger, I just unplug the USB and plug it back in to recalibrate.

[Draco1962]

Thanks for sharing your x360ce setup. I have tried pulling and releasing the plunger after startup which is supposed to recalibrate it with mixed results.

I was finally able to get some response from it but minimal so will try tweaking a little more using your settings as a guide.

As for nudge, I am not giving up just yet, just have it disabled for now so I can get everything else working.

On a positive note, I was able to play a few Pinball FX2 tables with working flippers, Start, and exit buttons! Yay!

[Draco1962]

When I create my setup document for this I plan to note that the calibration and dead zone settings will vary, same for any joystick. No two will be the same. Also, button assignment will vary as everyone has different arrangements and/or preferences.

[Draco1962]

I have not been able to overcome the sensitivity of the nudge function, with or without the advanced settings. My guess is the placement of the accelerometer within the cab relative to the subwoofer (right in front of it). Likely the issue is a little bit less with a longer playfield. Unplugging/reconnecting the USB for the controller card has no impact on this and muting the volume altogether results in only movement from touching the cab. Gotta have sound so nudge is out for now unless I can figure out how to apply it to the two extra side buttons.

[Carny_Priest]

Have sensitivity with other programs or is this only with FX2?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Draco1962]

Since x360ce is only running with Pinball FX2, it doesn't impact anything else as it closes once I exit a table. I am sure based upon my observations and actions it will be similar in other programs is x360ce is required.

[Draco1962]

I didn't do anything with x360ce today, but the plunger is now working just fine. No clue why, but if it ain't broke...

[Carny_Priest]

Yep, happens to me too. Might just be a VirtuaPin Plunger Kit thing. Usually unplugging and plugging back in the controller to recalibrate will reset the plunger/nudging. Rebooting may not work unless you enable ErP in the motherboard BIOS.