[PLUGIN] FlexDMD+ Plugin 2.1 , and it’s not just for real DMDs!

[Mike_da_Spike]

This project originally started to help users who were experiencing issues with the standard XDMD implementation.
However, I wanted to push the boundaries of what could be displayed on a real DMD.

That vision led to the creation of FlexDMD V2.0, a highly optimized plugin designed for both Virtual and Real DMD setups.

Why upgrade from the built-in DMD player?
FlexDMD V2.0 gives you complete control over your DMD attract mode.
To see exactly what makes this plugin special, let's take a look at the configuration options.

Installation

• Download the attached .zip file.
• Extract and place the DLL into your PinballX\Plugins folder.
  
• Open PluginManager.exe. You should now see FlexDMD V2.0 in your list.
  
• Highlight the plugin and click Configure.
  

Core Features & Media Control
When you open the configuration, you'll see a range of new options.
By default, the plugin behaves similarly to the standard PinballX DMD player: it plays media from your Real DMD Color Videos, Real DMD Videos, or DMD Videos /Images folders, followed by the table's highest score.

However, FlexDMD V2.0 adds powerful customization:

• Loop Control: Choose exactly how many times a video loops. If you are using static pictures, you can define exactly how long they stay on screen.
• Custom Text Colors: Don't want the default orange? Use the built-in color picker to match your cabinet's theme.

HD Panel Support & Custom Clock
As of version 1.3, the plugin fully supports 256x64 HD resolutions. This is incredibly useful for Virtual DMD users and those running ZeDMD HD panels.
You can also turn your DMD into a customizable clock :

• Check Show Clock to enable it.
• Interval: Set the minimum time before the clock appears. (Note: The plugin will always finish its current media or high score animation before cutting to the clock).
• Duration: Choose how long the clock stays on screen.
• Format: Toggle between 12-hour and 24-hour formats.

Left :128x32 DMD with 24hour format,
Right : 256x64 (useHd is checked) with 12 hours format

Advanced PINemHi Integration
If you are a PINemHi user, this plugin unlocks a whole new layer of features.
Simply point the plugin to your PINemHi folder using the PinemHi Path text box to enable these options.

• Show Badges: Proud of your achievements? This option cycles through the badges you've earned for the current table. It looks especially stunning on a 256x64 HD panel. (Please note: Badge images are exclusive to HD panels and will not be displayed on standard 128x32 screens).
  
• Show High Scores: Enable this to pull and display detailed PINemHi scores. You can use the checklist below to select exactly which score categories you want to see.
  

 

Weekly Challenge Countdown
For the competitive players, there is a dedicated Show Count Down feature designed to work seamlessly with @scutters PinballX Pinemhi Challenge Table Launcher plugin.

When you launch the weekly 5-minute challenge table, this feature triggers a live 5-minute countdown on your DMD.

Because VPX takes a moment to load, you can add "Extra Seconds" in the configuration to ensure the 5-minute timer aligns perfectly with the actual start of the game.

It acts as a perfect visual helper so you know exactly when PINemHi will terminate the VPX session.

(Note for Real USB/COM DMD users: The plugin locks the display during the countdown, so standard VPinMAME information will not be shown until the challenge table ends).

How the Carousel Works (And a Quick Warning)
FlexDMD V2.0 displays all your selected features in a smooth, continuous loop (a carousel). Here is the order of operations:

• Splash Screen: Briefly shows whether you are running the Standard or HD rendering mode.
• Media Display: Your DMD videos or images.
• PINemHi Badges (If enabled).
• PBX High Scores.
• PINemHi High Scores (If enabled).
• The Clock will interrupt this sequence based on your interval settings.

Here's a visual overview :

Important Tip: Be mindful of how many PINemHi high score categories you enable. If your PinballX "Attract Mode" interval is set too short, PinballX will move on to the next table before the DMD has enough time to display all the information you've selected!

Below is the dll and the code will be available on github as well
https://github.com/MikedaSpike/PinballX-Plugin-FLEXDMD

 

 

 

PBXFlexDMD.zip

[Mike_da_Spike]

Updated to version 2.1 :

This release focuses on stability, cleaner initialization, improved DMD handling, and several bug fixes that enhance overall plugin reliability.

Improvements

• Updated plugin version to 2.1
• Moved DebugMode initialization earlier in the configuration loading process for more predictable behavior
• Refactored FlexDMD DLL loading
• Removed the DMDDEVICE_CONFIG environment variable when a custom dmddevice.ini path is used
• Ensures cleaner and more consistent DLL resolution
• Renamed the wrapper to FlexEngine (previously “wrapper”) to reflect its actual role

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue where the carousel kept running when Pinemhi data was empty
• Added path tracking to ensure correct file resolution
• Fixed idle state behavior (timer now stops correctly when no work is pending)
• Removed leftover debug output
• Fixed a 5‑second pause when a badge was not found

Many thanks to @pcraenme for testing this version and providing valuable feedback and bug reports that helped improve this release.