Backglass images not saving (again)

[DBrown67]

Hi guys 

 

I posted about this back in September 2022, but that thread is now locked. I sort of resolved my issue back then by going into Game Manager and checking "Hide Backglass", then I was able to take a shot using the S key, and then going back to GM and unchecking same box.

However, I've taken a break from VPX for a while (new job) and just decided to come back to my cab today. I upgraded PinballX to the latest version, and knew I had a few screenshots I needed to catch up on from months ago.

Now table screenshots work fine. No issues there. But I cannot get a backglass image to save at all. I believe pressing S does both, yes? I've tried checking and unchecking the Hide Backglass box in Game Manager. Nothing happens. I get the PinballX video which appears when no backglass image is available to load. But no matter what I do I can't save an image when backglass does load.

Files attached from my efforts today.

log.txt PinballX.ini

[DBrown67]

I tried deleting the table image to see if it would do both at once. No dice. Only the table image was recorded. In PinballX general settings there is an option at the bottom for using Playfield images or loading folders. What is the difference? I had it set to images but switched to folders. Nothing seems to change. And still can't record a backglass pic. 😵

EDIT:  I wondered if there may be a file limit for the folder? I had 335 images stored in there so removed some to test. Not that either.

[DBrown67]

I'm wondering if the location of b2s folder has anything to do with this? I'm at work now so can't check till later. But the authors moved the b2s files from Tables folder to its own directory. Only screenres.txt stays in Tables folder now I believe. I wonder if something moved on a VPX update.

If I can record screenshots directly through b2s, and then move them into PinballX that will be fine.

[scutters]

I normally use videos but just tried on my setup and the screengrab button did create an image in the Backglass Images folder ok.

Looking at your log file (which is when i assume you tried to take a screen shot from the backglass) on table launch it shows "Not Hide Backglass!", so make sure you have selected the 'hide backglass' option as in the first post. Also check what media files you already have for that table before and after trying the screengrab

On 7/16/2023 at 10:29 AM, DBrown67 said:

In PinballX general settings there is an option at the bottom for using Playfield images or loading folders. What is the difference?

That option is for the loading media shown on the playfield screen on table launch. Playfield images will take a screengrab of whatever media you have shown for the playfield in PinballX and will show that with a loading gif on top, loading media can use loading videos etc instead (default is random but you can use a plugin to have table specific loading media)

1 hour ago, DBrown67 said:

I'm wondering if the location of b2s folder has anything to do with this? I'm at work now so can't check till later. But the authors moved the b2s files from Tables folder to its own directory. Only screenres.txt stays in Tables folder now I believe. I wonder if something moved on a VPX update.

I don't think that will affect you. It would affect users who use B2S files in PinballX rather than backglass media, or use PBXRecorder to create media files.

[DBrown67]

OK will try again later. I thought "hide backglass" was to not show the bg in PinballX. All the 300 tables in Game Manager have this unticked. And tables without bg screenshots in the list do correctly state backglass as "missing media" on the right hand side.

I was checking the folders for existing files. Looked in both backglass and screen grabs folders in the Visual Pinball part of PinballX.

[Mike_da_Spike]

"Not hide backglass" will launch the table with the backglass media from pinballx enabled during game play. 

This setting can be used if you have a emulator/game that doesn't show a backglass or... for a nice transition from pinballx to visual. Pinball (as b2s can be showd on top of that window)

Pinballx ' thinks' that the media is showed from itself, and would not make a screenshot/video.

**commercial time**

DBM can create bulk videos if you have the "not hide backglass" checked. 

You can put "not hide backglass" as default and always create  videos, without unchecking the setting (and forgetting to put it back)

[DBrown67]

OK I had another go just now. Still cannot get it to work. Tried with that Hide Backglass box checked and unchecked.

I tried to attack from another direction. I loaded tables directly into VPX with Full Screen Exclusive off so I could use the mouse. Then I clicked on the backglass which kind of paused it, then pressing "I" key I got a screenshot saved in the designated folder (makes a snazzy camera sound when you do this). But the trouble is PinballX then stretched these images to the full size of my 1600x1200 monitor.

I use .res files in the tables folder to set the backglass size. This over-rides screenres.txt. I don't rely on the "one size fits all" in screenres.txt. A lot of backglass images look pants if you do this, especially 60s / 70s back boxes that are taller than they are wide.

B2Sserver is recording screenshots without any black bars. So this is why PinballX then stretches them to 1600x1200.

I really need to get PinballX to take the screenshot as is. It worked before so I cannot understand what has changed.

[scutters]

A couple of things to confirm;

1. Is 'S' mapped to anything in Visual Pinball keys as well as the screengrab in PinballX?
2. Log shows 3 screens found, but i think you only assign/use Backglass and Playfield directly in PinballX. Is that correct?

They're probably not related to the problem but best to confirm. I'll try and have a play around with screengrabs tomorrow.

[DBrown67]

I will check the S key, but I doubt t it is that. I do get playfield images recorded, it's just backglass that doesn't.

EDIT: Can confirm the S key is not configured anywhere in VPX.

Yes, I only use backglass and playfield in PinballX. I do have a 3rd screen for dmd/pup packs, but I couldn't get PinballX to snapshot those properly. It's a mini 1080p and many dmds use an overlay to make up full screen. But PinballX would only snap the dmd portion and then stretch it to full 1080p. That's a separate issue I never got solved, so just decided to disable 3rd screen in front end.

But I really do want to record backglass ofc.

EDIT 2:  Only other things I can think of is if the path for savin backglass images has changed somehow? Or the monitor ID no. have changed. But PinballX is displaying everything perfectly for tables with full media.

[scutters]

Yeah, didn't think they'd be affecting much.

Had a quick play on the cab, backglass screenshots are working for me every time so long as the backglass media is hidden in PinballX on game launch.

Really not sure what's happening on your system. Maybe try clearing out your 'Screen Grabs Backglass' folder for your VPX system under the media folder if you haven't done that already.

[DBrown67]

When I get home I will temporarily rename those folders and make new empty ones. See if it makes a difference. I will try anything now.

When you say backglass media should be hidden in PinballX.... only way I'm doing it is to check the box of individial tables in the game manager. Is there a way to do this globally for all? In settings perhaps?

As an aside, I'm not that bothered if it's PinballX that takes the screenshot. If I could use a 3rd party tool to take them then move them into PinballX, that would be fine. Tried that with b2s direct, but it didn't work out. But I don't want be involved in editing/cropping stuff in Paint or whatever. Too much hassle.

[DBrown67]

Just tried again. Renamed "Screen Grabs Backglass" folder and also "Backglass Images folder". Then remade namesake empty folders.

Went into Game Manager and ticked one table to Hide Backglass (all others are unchecked).  Started PinballX and tried 2 tables, (hidden backglass one and another), pressing 'S' for screenshot and when I exited back to PinballX still no backglass images. Nothing in the new folders either.

[scutters]

Maybe @Tom Speirs will have an idea why your backglass images aren't being captured, i'm all out of ideas now.

Pbx Recorder can grab images or playfield media for you from VPX though so that could be a workaround for now. Note that if you read through the comments you'll find some later versions. It should work if you still have a copy of screenres.txt still in your tables folder (so long as you remove the comment lines)

[Tom Speirs]

ill look at it soon. i was also planning an adding automated image capture alongside the existing video capture.

[DBrown67]

UPDATE:  Just before leaving for work I tried PinballX database, as per scutters suggestion. That was correctly identifying present and missing media (as was Game Manager to be fair).  In database there is a box to "hide backglass in game" which I checked. I saved the database when prompted and closed program. Restarted PinballX and tried to take a screenshot of a backglass with a set .res that PinballX would stretch out to full screen if saved thru B2s server. But this time Bingo!  It took the screenshot with no issues.

I will try more tonight as I have a few to do. But seems like the hide backglass buttons are having a differeing effect between programs? Or maybe a glitch somewhere ironed out when the database saved?

[scutters]

1 hour ago, DBrown67 said:

UPDATE:  Just before leaving for work I tried PinballX database, as per scutters suggestion. That was correctly identifying present and missing media (as was Game Manager to be fair).  In database there is a box to "hide backglass in game" which I checked. I saved the database when prompted and closed program. Restarted PinballX and tried to take a screenshot of a backglass with a set .res that PinballX would stretch out to full screen if saved thru B2s server. But this time Bingo!  It took the screenshot with no issues.

I will try more tonight as I have a few to do. But seems like the hide backglass buttons are having a differeing effect between programs? Or maybe a glitch somewhere ironed out when the database saved?

Strange... were you closing Game Manager after changing the 'Hide Backglass' option? (think Game Manager only saves the database xml on exit)

If that's not it then maybe the database xml had corrupted somehow and database manager saving it fixed it(?). Only way to know would be to try the Game Method method for Hide Backglass again and see what happens now.

[DBrown67]

OK tried with Game Manager again. I definitely am saving the xml after checking "hide backglass" (at least I'm saying yes to the prompt). And when I launch PinballX and go to record a backglass I get nothing. Doesn't save anything.

However, I can do exactly the same with the Database, and then when I launch PinballX I *can* save backglass images. So something is amiss with the Game Manager.

[scutters]

Is the 'originalVisual Pinball' database just a backup copy of the 'Visual Pinball' database in ..\PinballX\Databases\Visual Pinball ?

Maybe that's confusing Game Manager somehow. If it's a backup try moving that file somewhere else. At least you've got a workaround using Database Manager instead if not.

[DBrown67]

I don't know how that stuff works. Do Game Manager and the Database use the same file? Anyway as you say, it's kinda solved for me. I don't need to use Game Manager if Database works. And PinballX itself is now taking screenshots as intended.