[RESOLVED] Noob alert. Pinball Pro, Pinball Arcade Fx2 etc

[odie]

Sorry for the vague title for this thread. I have my cabinet 90% built and I am ready to start setting up tables. Also I have a 2 screens and a DMD on the way and a plunger from virtuapin.

I see people using visual, future, fx2, zaccaria tables. But myself being new with no local resources I am trying to not setup myself up for failure.

What are the easist tables to setup for someone with no experience? What systems support cabinet modes and DMDs?

I have tried googling these questions I see no clear answers as it seems people have work arounds.

I am trying to ease into it and not get frustrated and have fun as I progress.

Thanks in advance.

[hlr53]

I can speak to FX2 as I just set it up. Probably the easiest of them all. It must be set up for cabinet support from Zen. I have a pinDMD v3 with two monitors and FX2 works perfectly using PBX. You have to run DMDext.exe (by Freezy) before running FX2.  For the back-glass there are many images or videos you can use for each table. I powered my pinDMD with a separate EVGA PC power supply. 5V from one side (red/black) of a 4 pin floppy drive Molex plug.

I can post my PBX settings for FX2 after I get home. You will LOVE Virtuapin's DMD. It is BRIGHT! Give it 5V and plug into USB and it is ready to go. No drivers needed for Windows 10.

I'm just getting started with Future Pinball and having some issues. Slamt1lt's tables are awesome! Haven't gotten to Visual yet.

There is no direct support for Zaccaria tables but you can run it as a custom setting. I have the Zaccaria tables and about 40 Pinball Arcade. PBA also uses DMDext perfectly.

 

[Draco1962]

@hlr53 - Can you provide the settings you have for the Zaccaria tables from your pinballx.ini and a copy of your Zaccaria xml file?

[hlr53]

Hi Draco,

I don't have Zaccaria set up yet but they do place an XML in the documents\Zacarria_Pinball directory. I wonder if we can work with that?

 

Attached

settings.xml

[PcTeknic]

I prepared this database, but then I did not use it, I did not like Zaccaria

Zaccaria Pinball.xml

[hlr53]

For Future Pinball download pinDMD.dll and openGL32.dll from pinDMD.com and put them in your Future Pinball directory. Create a file in Notepad and name it pinDMD.ini

Put this text inside:

[communication]

comport=COM3 

Which is where Windows will probably put it. Check your device settings to be sure.

For FX2 the settings are:

[PinballFX2]
Enabled=true
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980 [TABLEFILE]
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
Rotate=False
WaitFor=12
LaunchBeforeEnabled=True
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=D:\            Or whatever directory you put DMDext
LaunchBeforeExecutable=DMDext.exe
LaunchBeforeParameters=mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual --quit-when-done
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=False
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False

[odie]

  On 12/11/2016 at 11:04 PM, hlr53 said:

For Future Pinball download pinDMD.dll and openGL32.dll from pinDMD.com and put them in your Future Pinball directory. Create a file in Notepad and name it pinDMD.ini

Put this text inside:

[communication]

comport=COM3 

Which is where Windows will probably put it. Check your device settings to be sure.

For FX2 the settings are:

[PinballFX2]
Enabled=true
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980 [TABLEFILE]
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
Rotate=False
WaitFor=12
LaunchBeforeEnabled=True
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=D:\            Or whatever directory you put DMDext
LaunchBeforeExecutable=DMDext.exe
LaunchBeforeParameters=mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual --quit-when-done
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=False
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False

Expand  

Thank you!

[odie]

I cannot get DMDex to work. Not even the dmdex test after installing it. in the CMD prompt I get  "dmdext test is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file." I am lost.

[hlr53]

Make sure the command prompt is at the same directory where dmdext is located. Try to put a copy in C:\ as a test. Error looks like the wrong directory is set.

[odie]

Yes that was the problem. But it still is not working with FX2 by itself or via PinballX. 

 I tried running the CMD commands before and after FX2. dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual .

I have been able to get FX2 to have a backglass with virtual DMD on the second monitor but no luck running with a real DMD. Could be that it is a Steam install? Image in link of error.

 

[hlr53]

Something to do with that Steam link I'm guessing? I shut down for the night but can look at my system tomorrow if you don't have it solved by then.

[odie]

I appreciate it. I was able to get the DMD to work with FX2 outside of PinballX. I realized I was using a Beta, not sure if that was the reason or not.  Now to troubleshoot how to get FX2 and the DMD to work in PinballX.  DMD shows the PinballX splash screen just nothing from FX2.

It appears it isn't mirroring in FX2 when launching from PBX. When exit PBX and FX2 it stil shows an image of the DMD on the main display.

[hlr53]

Is FX2 working inside PBX without dmdext launch before enabled?

I would attach your PBX log and init files so we can see the settings. My FX2 settings are posted earlier and they work OK for me.

 

[odie]

  Reveal hidden contents

[Display]
Monitor=0
rotate=270
Windowed=False
WindowWidth=480
WindowHeight=720
WindowX=0
WindowY=65
PlayFieldBrightness=230
WheelTextColor=ffffffff
WheelTextOutlineColor=ff000000
InfoTextColor=ffffffff
InfoTextOutlineColor=ff000000
FilterTextColor=ffffffff
FilterTextOutlineColor=ff000000
MenuColor=ff40cf30
[BackGlass]
monitor=1
x=0
y=0
width=1920
height=1080
AutoPositionB2S=True
UseB2S=True
[DMD]
Enabled=True
monitor=2
x=0
y=0
width=1040
height=272
AutoPositionPinMAME=True
[FileSystem]
EnableFileMatching=False
[Interface]
DesktopModeEnabled=False
EnableAdditionalDetail=True
ShowSystem=True
ShowRatings=True
[Audio]
StreamVolume=90
SampleVolume=90
PlaySoundInVideos=True
[Startup]
playsound=False
playvideo=False
StartWithWindows=No
[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
credit=53
plunger=164
[JoyCodes]
quit=7
left=9
right=1
select=10
rotate=3
pageleft=10
pageright=2
exitemulator=7
ingame=6
instructions=14
Credit=11
Plunger=0
[Text]
Line1=Free Play
Line2=Press Start
Featuring=Featuring
Tables=Tables
PlayGame=Play Game
Instructions=Instructions
Information=Information
Flyer=Flyer
Gameplay=Gameplay
Tutorial=Tutorial
ExitGame=Exit Game
ReturnToGame=Return to Game
Return=Return
Exit=Exit
Shutdown=Shutdown
[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=True
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\Visual Pinball\Tables
Executable=VPinball_9_0_2.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
AutoConfigure=True
[ExitScreen]
Enabled=True
EnableExit=True
EnableShutdown=True
[StartupProgram]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Users\SteamBox
Executable=dmdext.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=true
WaitForExit=false
Parameters=dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual
[ExitProgram]
Enabled=false
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=False
WaitForExit=
[AttractMode]
Enabled=True
Timer=1
ShowFor=15
MuteAudio=False
[System_1]
Name=MAME
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\- EMULATORS -\- MAME -
TablePath=C:\
Executable=mamep64.exe
Parameters=[TABLEFILE]
SystemType=0
[AutoExit]
Enabled=False
Minutes=10
[Login]
Enabled=False
[PinballFX2]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980 [TABLEFILE]
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
Rotate=False
WaitFor=12
LaunchBeforeEnabled=True
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=C:\Users\SteamBox
LaunchBeforeExecutable=dmdext.exe
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=False
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=True
LaunchBeforeParameters=dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual
[Internal]
lastwheelcachematchsize=-1123
lastselected=DroidsSTARWARS_DroidsPinball FX2
filter_year=
filter_company=
filter_custom=
filtername=Tables
[PinballArcade]
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 238260
Process=PinballArcade11.exe
WaitForSelect=150
Enabled=True
[GameListManager]
onlinemode=false
[RealDMD]
EnableColor=True
Color=ff008000
[SetupWizard]
EmuPath1=C:\Emulators
AssetPath1=C:\Assets
RomPath1=C:\Roms
DefaultPathPrompt=True
DownloadDatabasePrompt=True
DownloadEmulatorPrompt=True
WizardMode=1
CustomArray=
SearchArray=
SavePosition=False
SectionIndex=13
SearchText=
EmulatorIndex=0
EmulatorGroupIndex=0
DaphneIndex=0
HTMLAppsIndex=0
ExternalAppsIndex=0
RadioStationsIndex=0
NewsFeedsIndex=0
MappedDrivesIndex=0
SystemIndex=0
ShowPanel=True
FontSize=1
WindowState=0
WindowSize=832,590
WindowLocation=2984,208
[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=False
Name=Xpadder Plugin.dll

Yes FX2 works within PBX but no DMD on the DMD, the DMD will work when launching DMDext manually before starting PBX and then launching FX2 via PBX. I am also able setup a virtual DMD.

So in review PBX launching DMDext= not working

Launching DMDext outside of PBX and entering the code and then launching PBX and playing FX2=working

Launching DMDext and then FX2 outside of PBX=working

In PBX I tried setting up Launch First before PBX and Launch First for FX2 and neither work.

ini attached

[odie]

  Reveal hidden contents

[Display]
Monitor=0
rotate=270
Windowed=False
WindowWidth=480
WindowHeight=720
WindowX=0
WindowY=65
PlayFieldBrightness=230
WheelTextColor=ffffffff
WheelTextOutlineColor=ff000000
InfoTextColor=ffffffff
InfoTextOutlineColor=ff000000
FilterTextColor=ffffffff
FilterTextOutlineColor=ff000000
MenuColor=ff40cf30
[BackGlass]
monitor=1
x=0
y=0
width=1920
height=1080
AutoPositionB2S=True
UseB2S=True
[DMD]
Enabled=True
monitor=2
x=0
y=0
width=1040
height=272
AutoPositionPinMAME=True
[FileSystem]
EnableFileMatching=False
[Interface]
DesktopModeEnabled=False
EnableAdditionalDetail=True
ShowSystem=True
ShowRatings=True
[Audio]
StreamVolume=90
SampleVolume=90
PlaySoundInVideos=True
[Startup]
playsound=False
playvideo=False
StartWithWindows=No
[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
credit=53
plunger=164
[JoyCodes]
quit=7
left=9
right=1
select=10
rotate=3
pageleft=10
pageright=2
exitemulator=7
ingame=6
instructions=14
Credit=11
Plunger=0
[Text]
Line1=Free Play
Line2=Press Start
Featuring=Featuring
Tables=Tables
PlayGame=Play Game
Instructions=Instructions
Information=Information
Flyer=Flyer
Gameplay=Gameplay
Tutorial=Tutorial
ExitGame=Exit Game
ReturnToGame=Return to Game
Return=Return
Exit=Exit
Shutdown=Shutdown
[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=True
WorkingPath=C:\Visual Pinball
TablePath=C:\Visual Pinball\Tables
Executable=VPinball_9_0_2.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
AutoConfigure=True
[ExitScreen]
Enabled=True
EnableExit=True
EnableShutdown=True
[StartupProgram]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Users\SteamBox
Executable=dmdext.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=true
WaitForExit=false
Parameters=dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual
[ExitProgram]
Enabled=false
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=False
WaitForExit=
[AttractMode]
Enabled=True
Timer=1
ShowFor=15
MuteAudio=False
[System_1]
Name=MAME
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=C:\- EMULATORS -\- MAME -
TablePath=C:\
Executable=mamep64.exe
Parameters=[TABLEFILE]
SystemType=0
[AutoExit]
Enabled=False
Minutes=10
[Login]
Enabled=False
[PinballFX2]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980 [TABLEFILE]
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
Rotate=False
WaitFor=12
LaunchBeforeEnabled=True
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=C:\Users\SteamBox
LaunchBeforeExecutable=dmdext.exe
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=False
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=True
LaunchBeforeParameters=dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual
[Internal]
lastwheelcachematchsize=-1123
lastselected=DroidsSTARWARS_DroidsPinball FX2
filter_year=
filter_company=
filter_custom=
filtername=Tables
[PinballArcade]
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 238260
Process=PinballArcade11.exe
WaitForSelect=150
Enabled=True
[GameListManager]
onlinemode=false
[RealDMD]
EnableColor=True
Color=ff008000
[SetupWizard]
EmuPath1=C:\Emulators
AssetPath1=C:\Assets
RomPath1=C:\Roms
DefaultPathPrompt=True
DownloadDatabasePrompt=True
DownloadEmulatorPrompt=True
WizardMode=1
CustomArray=
SearchArray=
SavePosition=False
SectionIndex=13
SearchText=
EmulatorIndex=0
EmulatorGroupIndex=0
DaphneIndex=0
HTMLAppsIndex=0
ExternalAppsIndex=0
RadioStationsIndex=0
NewsFeedsIndex=0
MappedDrivesIndex=0
SystemIndex=0
ShowPanel=True
FontSize=1
WindowState=0
WindowSize=832,590
WindowLocation=2984,208
[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=False
Name=Xpadder Plugin.dll

 

[odie]

11:19:45.9  12/18/2016:  PinballX - Version 2.28
11:19:46.0  12/18/2016:  Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 64-bit (7.9GB)
11:19:46.0  12/18/2016:  Loading Settings
11:19:46.0  12/18/2016:  Launching Startup Program: dmdext.exe
11:19:46.0  12/18/2016:  C:\Users\SteamBox\dmdext.exe dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual
11:19:46.0  12/18/2016:  Initialize Component
11:19:46.0  12/18/2016:  Initialize Display
11:19:47.2  12/18/2016:  Loading PlugIns
11:19:47.3  12/18/2016:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  Hiding Cursor
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  Hiding Taskbar
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  Real DMD Intialized
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  CPU:  Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4590 CPU @ 3.30GHz
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  Displays: 2
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  Load Game List
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  Loading Database: Pinball FX2
11:19:47.4  12/18/2016:  Loading Database: Pinball Arcade
11:19:47.5  12/18/2016:  Loading Database: Visual Pinball
11:19:47.5  12/18/2016:  Finding and matching artwork and videos
11:19:47.6  12/18/2016:  Loading Game Statistics and Scores
11:19:48.3  12/18/2016:  Main display running full screen windowed.
11:19:53.1  12/18/2016:  Loading Surfaces
11:19:53.3  12/18/2016:  Finished Loading Surfaces
11:19:53.3  12/18/2016:  Initialize Audio
11:19:53.3  12/18/2016:  Set Keyboard Controls
11:19:53.3  12/18/2016:  Initialize Joystick
11:19:53.4  12/18/2016:  Auto configure Visual Pinball
11:19:53.4  12/18/2016:  1 Joystick Attached
11:19:53.4  12/18/2016:  Started
11:19:56.3  12/18/2016:  Launch System
11:19:56.3  12/18/2016:  Waiting for threads
11:19:56.3  12/18/2016:  Disposing display
11:19:57.7  12/18/2016:  C:\Users\SteamBox\dmdext.exe dmdext mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual
11:19:57.8  12/18/2016:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe -applaunch 226980 STARWARS_Droids
11:20:12.3  12/18/2016:  Found Pinball FX 2 Process
11:20:14.0  12/18/2016:  Exit System Control Pressed
11:20:15.4  12/18/2016:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
11:20:15.4  12/18/2016:  Real DMD Intialized
11:20:15.4  12/18/2016:  Main display running full screen windowed.
11:20:18.0  12/18/2016:  Exiting
11:20:18.0  12/18/2016:  Showing Taskbar
11:20:18.0  12/18/2016:  Unhiding Mouse Cursor
11:20:18.0  12/18/2016:  Disposing Plugins
11:20:18.0  12/18/2016:  Saving Settings
11:20:18.0  12/18/2016:  Bye
 

[hlr53]

I just fired up PBX, ran a Star Wars table, and shut it down:

14:47:53.7  12/18/2016:  PinballX - Version 2.28
14:47:53.7  12/18/2016:  Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (15.9GB)
14:47:53.7  12/18/2016:  Loading Settings
14:47:53.7  12/18/2016:  Initialize Component
14:47:53.8  12/18/2016:  Initialize Display
14:47:54.9  12/18/2016:  Loading PlugIns
14:47:55.5  12/18/2016:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
14:47:55.5  12/18/2016:  Created DirectX DMD Window
14:47:55.6  12/18/2016:  CPU:  Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700K CPU @ 4.00GHz
14:47:55.6  12/18/2016:  GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080
14:47:55.6  12/18/2016:  Displays: 2
14:47:55.6  12/18/2016:  Load Game List
14:47:55.6  12/18/2016:  Loading Database: Pinball FX2
14:47:55.7  12/18/2016:  Loading Database: Pinball Arcade
14:47:55.7  12/18/2016:  Loading Database: Visual Pinball
14:47:55.7  12/18/2016:  Finding and matching artwork and videos
14:47:55.9  12/18/2016:  Loading Game Statistics and Scores
14:47:56.6  12/18/2016:  Loading Surfaces
14:47:56.7  12/18/2016:  Finished Loading Surfaces
14:47:56.7  12/18/2016:  Initialize Audio
14:47:56.8  12/18/2016:  Set Keyboard Controls
14:47:56.8  12/18/2016:  Initialize Joystick
14:47:56.9  12/18/2016:  Auto configure Visual Pinball
14:47:56.9  12/18/2016:  No Joysticks Attached
14:47:56.9  12/18/2016:  Started
14:48:01.5  12/18/2016:  Launch System
14:48:01.5  12/18/2016:  Waiting for threads
14:48:01.5  12/18/2016:  Disposing display
14:48:02.3  12/18/2016:  D:\\DMDext.exe mirror --source=pinballfx2 --no-virtual --quit-when-done
14:48:02.3  12/18/2016:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe -applaunch 226980 STARWARS_Episode_4
14:48:14.6  12/18/2016:  Found Pinball FX 2 Process
14:48:18.2  12/18/2016:  Exit System Control Pressed
14:48:19.5  12/18/2016:  Created DirectX BackGlass Window
14:48:19.6  12/18/2016:  Created DirectX DMD Window
14:48:26.8  12/18/2016:  Exiting
14:48:26.8  12/18/2016:  Disposing Plugins
14:48:26.8  12/18/2016:  Saving Settings
14:48:26.8  12/18/2016:  Bye
 

Maybe put a copy of DMDext into your root directory temporarily :c:\ and change the Launch before working path in PBX settings to there and see what happens?

Maybe someone else will see something comparing our log files?

[odie]

I got it working. Simple reboot.

[hlr53]

Good to go