Need ZiNc Setup Help

[Tempest]

Red neck? I think you have to have a 6-pack on you at all times to be a red neck.

Come on....we all know he's a coffee drinker!

[Nologic]

hehe not sure if I'm feeling the love here or not.

[jombee]

Okay not a lot of response on this...maybe because its currently gamepad only.

Is there interest in a version that programs the I-PAC or something else?

Heh I just tend to take care of my needs first and everyone else afterwards so if there is a desire for an alteration let me know and I can look into it.

Hi,

An IPAC version would be great since I can't map the player 1 controls on my cab's control panel when using the default controller config with the CHD games.

Thanks!

[Tempest]

I apologize for yet another ZiNc setup help request, I know this topic has been covered here before but I've looked through all of the Zinc threads, scoured online and am still stuck. Here's where I'm at:

I've got Zinc running fine with the DaFreak ZincGUI (+winterblast plugin) and am able to customize the rendering and control settings to generate custom cfg files fine. I can't get Zinc to run through GameEx at all though. When I launch a game I get a black screen for awhile and then it goes back to GameEx. My only commandline option is still the default: --renderer=.\renderer.znc. I tried modifying this with --use-config-file and --use-renderer-cfg-file which didn't do anything.

The GameEx log doesn't have any specific info on why it errors out:

>>Running: cmd.exe /c/C: C:\Emulators\ZiNc\ZiNc.exe 61 --roms-directory=C:Emulators\mame\roms --renderer=.\renderer.znc

>>Exiting GameEx!

>>Saving Settings

>>Disposing Plugins

I've looked at NoLogics Zinc support files and downloaded another standalone wrapper mentioned on the forums but I'm not clear on how to use the wrappers and they're thin on explanation.

Can someone give me a nudge in the right direction? Better yet a 'do X then Y then Z' explanation. I feel like I've got all the pieces I just can't quite get them to fit right.

It would seem that I have placed myself in this same predicament. I too have set up Zinc using Dafreak's Gui and Winterblast's plugin. So now I have the same problem, to which I don't beleive an answer was given. Is my only choice to start over with Zinc? I actually tried some of the stuff below, and then found that it is specialized for gamepads. It was more simple for me to set up the controllers using "point and click" - just my speed, is there no way to use the configs that I have created?

[Nologic]

Man really wish I had let Brian or HK...hehe or anyone else tackle this project.

tempest please attach your configs...and I'll see if I can solve things...because more than likely you can use your configs...just with some changes made.

jombee -

I'll see about getting an I-Pac version up tonight...tho I'm flying blind as I don't have one...so its some guess work on my part based off what doc's I can find.

[shaunopp]

It would seem that I have placed myself in this same predicament. I too have set up Zinc using Dafreak's Gui and Winterblast's plugin. So now I have the same problem, to which I don't beleive an answer was given. Is my only choice to start over with Zinc? I actually tried some of the stuff below, and then found that it is specialized for gamepads. It was more simple for me to set up the controllers using "point and click" - just my speed, is there no way to use the configs that I have created?

Ok, maybe I can help with this since I've been through the ringer...er I mean 'process' once already, and everything is fully working on my cab. Which predicament are you still in Tempest, black screen, configuring controls or other?

The black screen one was an easy fix, for me I just had to turn off the 'Hide Desktop' Option in GameEx. If it's controls, definitely don't just use the Winterblast plugin, use Nologic's wrapper. Anyway, describe the exact problem a little more and I'll try to help and take some of the burden off of Nologic for being so gracious with his time and helping me (and others). Hey, suddenly I'm the Pay It Forward kid!

As for the IPac, just so we're clear, the one and only reason you would have to get that to work is to remap the controls for the 4 ZiNc CHD Games Hyper Athlete, Power Baseball, Susume and Wedding Rhapsody. If you're not concerned about those games it's a non issue, everything else is 100% configurable with his wrapper. Those games have a default set of key mappings that can't be remapped with the Winterblast plugin. Luckily Nologic's wrapper integrates with Xpadder so if you have a device that is a game controller (in my case a UltraStik 360 with the button wiring harness) you're in luck. Frankly those 4 games are nothing special IMO but I totally understand the obsession with getting everything going and deciding for yourself. Sorry if all of this is completely obvious to everyone but it may benefit someone else.

Anyway, Tempest fully describe the problem's and I will help.

[Tempest]

Shaunopp,

I don't have the black screen issue. I would say that the biggest problem is controls.I took a step back last night, and figured out that of course I can't use WB plugin, because GX doesn't interact with that interface. DUH! I think Bkenobi mentioned that, but it didn't hit home until last night.

Also, Using Zinc Gui, I have found that the games run better using the Soft GPU tab. My settings there are:800x600, Fullscreen, don't show framerate, framerate detection, framerate limit 100.

I did not try these on all of the games, so they may not be best overall.

I did find the games that I tried to run faster, and look better using Soft GPU. I didn't see a plugin for that....I am still willing to buy a grahics card if that will help. (I'm using Intel on board graphics now)

My command line is:

C:\Emulators\zinc\ZiNc.exe --roms-directory=C:\Emulators\zinc\roms --renderer=C:\Emulators\zinc\Plugins\Renderer_D3D.znc --controller=C:\Emulators\zinc\Plugins\Controller_KB.znc

My system:

7:16:25.7 2/1/2008: GameEx: Version 9.08: Starting Log

17:16:25.8 2/1/2008: Operating System Platform: Win32NT

17:16:25.8 2/1/2008: Operating System Name: Windows XP

17:16:25.8 2/1/2008: Operating System Version: 5.1.2600

17:16:25.8 2/1/2008: Checking for versions of .net Framework installed

17:16:25.8 2/1/2008: .net Framework 2.0 Installed

17:16:25.8 2/1/2008: Intel® Celeron® CPU 2.40GHz, 1022MB

I do have an minipac which I use for my Control Panel, and trackball. I also have a U360, but I do not use the wiring harness for input or output. I would be willing to re-wire my panel if it would help, as that would solve the another problem I have with not being able to use Page up/down in GX, which apparently can't be done the way I am set up now. (two different devices)

I don't think at this point that missing 4 games will kill me, like most everyone else here, am mostly doing this as a hobby, with the bonus of playing games when I have friends over. I originally started with Mame 0.36, and a 1x12 board with a spinner and two buttons just to pay Tempest. I didn't touch it again, until Mame 0.111, then skipped to Mame 0.121 to where I am now. I thought that I had my cabinet built, until I saw some of the cabinets here, you guys have done a great job! So for now I'm playing with the software, and waiting for warm weather to build a new cab.

Now, I'm rambling....

Don't apologize for pointing out the obvious, sometimes it's just what I need!

[jombee]

jombee -

I'll see about getting an I-Pac version up tonight...tho I'm flying blind as I don't have one...so its some guess work on my part based off what doc's I can find.

Thanks! that would be great.

[jombee]

As for the IPac, just so we're clear, the one and only reason you would have to get that to work is to remap the controls for the 4 ZiNc CHD Games Hyper Athlete, Power Baseball, Susume and Wedding Rhapsody. If you're not concerned about those games it's a non issue, everything else is 100% configurable with his wrapper. Those games have a default set of key mappings that can't be remapped with the Winterblast plugin. Luckily Nologic's wrapper integrates with Xpadder so if you have a device that is a game controller (in my case a UltraStik 360 with the button wiring harness) you're in luck. Frankly those 4 games are nothing special IMO but I totally understand the obsession with getting everything going and deciding for yourself. Sorry if all of this is completely obvious to everyone but it may benefit someone else.

Yes, that is correct. All the other games work fine, the problem is with the CHD games.

I would have to disagree with you about hyper athlete, I think it's a very nice cab head-to-head game.

[shaunopp]

I would have to disagree with you about hyper athlete, I think it's a very nice cab head-to-head game.

Agreed, Hyper Athlete is pretty fun. Power Baseball isn't bad either but the Wedding Rhapsody and Susume are poop.

[jombee]

Wedding Rhapsody and Susume are poop.

lol, agreed!

[shaunopp]

I don't have the black screen issue. I would say that the biggest problem is controls.I took a step back last night, and figured out that of course I can't use WB plugin, because GX doesn't interact with that interface. DUH! I think Bkenobi mentioned that, but it didn't hit home until last night.

You can, and in fact should, be using the WB plugin to map your controls! I think Nologic's wrapper is a much easier way to do this though. I'd just start over with that, seriously just delete or rename your ZiNc folder and download Nologic's ZiNc setup and read doc's which are very detailed. You won't have to worry about modifying the command line, just point GameEx to the ZiNc wrapper .exe and maybe change a couple config files in Nolo's ZiNc folder and you're good to go.

Also, Using Zinc Gui, I have found that the games run better using the Soft GPU tab.

This'll be a crapshoot depending on your card and monitor. I use an ArcadeVGA card and arcade monitor and D3D seems to work best for me. The key is to expiriment in the GUI and when you find something that works, transpose the settings to the config file in Nolo's ZiNc folder.

I do have an minipac which I use for my Control Panel, and trackball. I also have a U360, but I do not use the wiring harness for input or output. I would be willing to re-wire my panel if it would help, as that would solve the another problem I have with not being able to use Page up/down in GX, which apparently can't be done the way I am set up now. (two different devices)

Unless you change your U360's to be all either gamepad or keyboard mapped, the GameEx nav issue will remain since you can't mix and match control types. For ZiNc (as long as you don't want the 4 CHD games) it won't matter. You can assign keys or gamepad buttons in any combination. Nologic's setup even contains the dik_codes.txt file and other very useful guides to assigning keys in the 'Support' folder. Did I mention you should download and use that yet?

[Tempest]

Shaunopp,

I got around to looking at Zinc today, downloaded Nologic's files, jogging my memory.....

I think the problem for me is that using xpadder doesn't help me with my control panel buttons, because they are connected via the minipac, which is seen as a keyboard. So now I either have to use xpadder, and auto hot key, or re-wire my buttons to my joystick.

I'm thinking that the biggest problem .....F!@k it, I'm not going to try and guess what my problem is, because I don't have a clear enough view of the big picture to even know!

Here's what I have done:

Mame

Daphne

Raine

Nebula

Visual Pinball

These are all working, no controller problems.

I guess the best thing would to re-wire my CP. My logic is that it won't be a big deal to change the controllers in my existing emulators, and I would be forward compatible if I wanted to add game pads in the future. (And I said I wouldn't guess! )

Somebody stop me if this makes no sense at all. (Seriously!)

[bkenobi]

It's funny that you are having problems with your keyboard encoder so you are contemplating switching things over to a gamepad encoder so you can use a software program to remap them to different keyboard inputs

Well, it's funny cause I considered for a while buying a keyboard encoder to replace my gamepad encoder to eliminate having to use the software to remap to keys... DOH! It's all circular!

[shaunopp]

Tempest, you're making no sense so let me stop you there.

Here's some more instructions:

You're right, Xpadder doesn't help you. The only time Xpadder comes into play with Nolo's setup in ZiNc is if one of the 4 CHD games is launched. By default these 4 games are mapped to certain keys which can't be changed. Nologic's wrapper allows you to bind those keys differently to match your cab setup if what you're using is a game controller device. You don't have your buttons setup as game controller buttons, you have them running through your Minipac and mapped as keys so you're boned as far as the 4 CHD games go in ZiNc and you don't have to worry about doing anything with Xpadder. Just filter out or don't launch those games.

For all of the other games however, you need to remap your buttons because by default Nologic's setup binds game controller buttons. Inside of your ZiNc folder is going to be a folder called Config or cfg. Inside of this is a text file for each game with the key bindings. Looking at them you should see they say 'joy0', 'joy1' etc. You just need to change them to instead be the letters you have assigned to your buttons. You can't just put a 'K' or and 'L' however as it expects something different. Inside of the Support folder is a list of the keycodes that you need to use to assign a letter or number instead of just the letter or number. I'd just change one for testing to verify it works and then you can change the others manually or do a find/replace with a good text editor. Your joystick should work fine since it's a game controller device.

The only other trick is that the bindings are jacked for S11 games so these map a little differently which you'll see when you look at those configs. In the Support folder is a list of all of the ZiNc games and what system they're derived from ZN1, ZN2, RZ etc.. so you can see which games are the S11's. Also you'll see which are the KN1 games (the 4 CHD games we've been talking about).

This remapping is all you should have to do to be up and running.

[Tempest]

Shaunopp,

Well, believe it or not...I (we) did it!

I truly appreciate your patience, I'm sure if I was you I would have poked my eyes out just so I didn't have to see any more posts about Zinc!

Thanks!

[shaunopp]

Shaunopp,

Well, believe it or not...I (we) did it!

I truly appreciate your patience, I'm sure if I was you I would have poked my eyes out just so I didn't have to see any more posts about Zinc!

Thanks!

Glad to hear it Tempest, congratulations! Just passing along the patience that was offered to me in this thread by others. Enjoy