Correct way to shell Pinballx

[Pinballgab]

Usually in my other builds I've manually changed the root in the PinballX.bat with echo off and shelled the bat in the registry. A quick shell windows appear and then PinballX loads fine. This way the windows loading with the username (I've changed it to "System Loading") is present.

I've tried Instant Sheller which works very well in my other mini cabinet with maximus arcade but not with PinballX.exe

I'm missing something? What I need to shell with instant sheller, PinballX.bat instead? I'd like to hide everything, also the sign in loading screen.

[Mike_da_Spike]

I do not utilize the instant sheller, but is it not possible to direct it to pinballx.exe?

I still desire to employ the explorer as a shell, thereby enabling me to automatically log in and utilize my batch file to configure the screens, initiate doflinx and pinvol, and solely ascertain the execution of a single instance of pinballx.exe.

It's not as nice as running instant sheller, but it's good enough for me.

Perhaps a more experienced person can provide you with additional information on the topic of instant sheller.

[Pinballgab]

3 hours ago, Mike_da_Spike said:

I do not utilize the instant sheller, but is it not possible to direct it to pinballx.exe?

Yeah, I just wanna be sure that the file to shell is PinballX.bat and not the original exe. Pretty sure the bat is needed for the shell, need to try.

I use instant shell in my mini cabinet arcade, it hides everything. Then for configurations I use explorer.exe in Pinballx exit settings

[Pinballgab]

Just to clarify, I've been able to hide everything at windows log in (except username but i'm using "system loading") and put PinballX.bat in autorun.

Now my question is, why the bat is there? Can I just use PinballX.exe link in the autorun folder? I'm running PinballX also as administrator.

I'm on windows 11, I've tried manually shell the bat and using instant sheller, when I exit PinballX, apparently you lose some functionality, in my case taskbar and mouse are not working properly, so I'll stick with autorun.

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Another problem I have is related with joytokey which I'm using with Pinball Arcade game. It seems that joytokey is interfering with PinballX if it's running and I need to manually close with an autoscript (planning to delete Pinball Arcade anyway). Have you had the same problem using joytokey or similar?

[Mike_da_Spike]

The batch file is utilized by PinballX when accessing the settings.exe to launch PinballX during the Windows setup process. Its function is to copy the batch file to the user's 'run' explorer.

I have personally developed a custom batch file that executes upon Windows logon, without employing or substituting the shell.

There is no necessity to execute PinballX with administrative privileges.

All operations can be performed as a standard user.

Furthermore, I find the usage of JoyToKey undesirable, particularly considering that all the features I require can be accessed using a joystick.

[Pinballgab]

On 5/7/2024 at 2:20 PM, Mike_da_Spike said:

Furthermore, I find the usage of JoyToKey undesirable, particularly considering that all the features I require can be accessed using a joystick.

Yeah in an ideal all vpx\fp pinball cabinet but i use it for example with amiga\scumm\atari st emulators in my other cab

Now I'll try X360ce with pinball arcade, it seems that xinput keys are working with that but do you know what command line parameter to use to load and autostart tables for pinball arcade? I'm using free cam mod and i have \play [tablepath] [tablefile]

It loads to the table but then there's the info window to skip before click start and i cannot bypass that without mouse

[Mike_da_Spike]

6 hours ago, Pinballgab said:

Yeah in an ideal all vpx\fp pinball cabinet but i use it for example with amiga\scumm\atari st emulators in my other cab

Yes, I use it in my arcade cabinet as well, or do you have an arcade/pinball combined cabinet ?

6 hours ago, Pinballgab said:

Now I'll try X360ce with pinball arcade, it seems that xinput keys are working with that but do you know what command line parameter to use to load and autostart tables for pinball arcade? I'm using free cam mod and i have \play [tablepath] [tablefile]

A long time ago, I used TPA. I remember having issues with the freecammod because it required the correct version of TPA (and I always updated that one). I use the original Steam version since I purchased all the tables years ago. These are my TPA settings with the TPA loader (although I have disabled it):

The parameters are: -arcooda -table [TABLEFILE] (it's possible that -arcooda can be omitted, but I'm not certain).

A newer and better method is to use PinballArcadeLoader. The parameters are simply the executable file in the correct TPA Steam folder and the table name.
Refer to my example for guidance:

6 hours ago, Pinballgab said:

It loads to the table but then there's the info window to skip before click start and i cannot bypass that without mouse

Are you referring to the window that displays the table information? The cursor should be focused on the button, and you can press launch (or start) to close it. Once you have played the table, this window will not appear again. I have never been able to locate where this setting is stored.

I hope this helps

[Pinballgab]

4 hours ago, Mike_da_Spike said:

I hope this helps

I guess the best solution is get rid of Pinball Arcade and with some patience make a full vpx pinball cabinet, smoother, cleaner, better

[Mike_da_Spike]

You can still use The Pinball Arcade, but I don't like the physics and graphics.

I think most tables are now in Visual Pinball and it plays much better (and looks good).

And VPX launches pretty quick (an average game in 12 seconds).

But that's just my opinion.

You can still have a system with TPA and use the Pinball Arcade launcher.

[scutters]

On 5/7/2024 at 8:15 AM, Pinballgab said:

Another problem I have is related with joytokey which I'm using with Pinball Arcade game. It seems that joytokey is interfering with PinballX if it's running and I need to manually close with an autoscript (planning to delete Pinball Arcade anyway). Have you had the same problem using joytokey or similar?

It shouldn't interfere with PinballX, if it is it's probably a double key mapping issue somewhere with joytokey sending a key that is used in PinballX. If you only use buttons in PinballX and don't pick up a keyboard sometimes then clear the key mappings in PinballX.

[Pinballgab]

3 hours ago, scutters said:

clear the key mappings in PinballX.

This should work, I've always left keys mapping when setting up... but I had issue in the past also with maximus arcade+joytokey, usually it's only useful for amiga\atari st\scumm but those are extra emulators that you should use in a desktop situation (for example also dos box want a mouse always plugged in to work)

[Mike_da_Spike]

I have a question for you. Are you having two front ends for your system, or is it a coincidence that someone else is using your name?

https://vpuniverse.com/forums/topic/10299-vpx-gameplay-keys-not-working-when-launching-from-pinup-popper/

[Pinballgab]

It's me, i was testing pinup popper to see how it works but man, it's so messy and complex, moreover if you don't follow all the passages or use baller installer chances that will not work are high, like in my case. I couldn't play vpx at all. I'll stick with pinballx, maybe it's not fast as they say about pinup popper but it's way easier and everything works great.

I have also a slot machine cabinet with touch play (a bit outdated anyway) and I even created and programmed slot machines in it from scratch, check this out :

https://youtu.be/bJlixV0OawA?si=HgFiNYL-85Vs6QbY

 

My main pinball cabinet has PinballX, my minicabinet has Maximus Arcade, then I have a weecade cabinet and a slot machine cabinet with touchplay

I have made also a videogame in steam in 2020 and some other stuff http://www.gabartsdigital.altervista.org/#home

[Mike_da_Spike]

Wow. Nais !