PinballX Help with TPA

[pinballnoob]

Hi gang,

I could use some help getting TPA to work with PinballX if anybody could spare the time and the expertise! I'm not looking for anything especially fancy, like scripts or whatnot... I would simply be satisfied to just get TPA to launch through PinballX and maybe from there I could tinker more. Just getting to the opening menu would suffice. I will list my current PinballX config lines that aren't working, and what I'm using for Zen Pinball, though I'm not sure why. It would be nice if it launched as dx11, but beggars can't be choosers! I have downloaded iRotate and am comfortable just manually ctrl+alt+arrow to rotate as necessary just to get around scripting.

I've looked at forums at PinballX, here, and other places for this info but I can't seem to get what I need. Either the info is too in depth for me to follow, or the instructions I have found just don't work.

As an aside, I find myself completely down the rabbit hole with pinball. I've taken the Virtual Pinball plunge, and have PinballX working as well as I need it to for my Zen and VP tables, and it would be so nice to have TPA there too.

Thanks in advance with any leads or advice you can give!

From my Pinballx.ini:

[System_3]
Name=Pinball Arcade
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
TablePath=
Executable=Steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 238260

[PinballFX2]
Enabled=True
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Executable=steam.exe
Parameters=-applaunch 226980
Process=Pinball FX2.exe
WaitFor=-1

 

[Robert Misner]

make sure pinballx is running in fullscreen window mode and make sure tpa is set to run in a window. I'm currently still using NukePA.exe but not sure its helping all that much since most of the features are broken with dx11

 

[pinballnoob]

Thanks for the advice! I tried it but it didn't help. I'm going to keep tinkering... I may just delete all my TPA setups and start over. I feel like I'm missing something. I think when mpad said a front end would eat three days of my life he was pretty spot-on! haha. So far I'm only 2 days in but TPA is gonna take a 3rd I think.

 

[pinballnoob]

Okay, after some more tinkering I think you were right on track with the window settings. I have tried different combinations of TPA/PinballX window settings and can get TPA to 'sort of' load. I can get the game to start, but PinballX doesn't understand that it is running and either stays on top of the screen, or runs in the background and is active.

 

[Robert Misner]

http://www.nukelauncher.com/item.asp?iid=35
try this..even tho the automatic movement to the table isn't' working the launching and making sure the game is in the foreground does work.
I find you have to exit tpa manually then use the pinballx exit key to return to the menu screen.

heres my nukepa.ini file from the steam directory.

; Downloaded from http://www.NukeLauncher.com Software Written by Jeff Diamond / Time299
; Full documentation available at http://www.nukelauncher.com/item.asp?iid=33
; Full support available at http://www.gameex.info/forums/topic/15308-app-new-nukelauncher-for-the-pinball-arcade/
; My email address is info@nukelauncher.com
;
; I really love and need the help of the pinball community!
; I think my code is faster and better than anything else out there, so if I have
; saved you time or made your pinball life any better please make a donation via paypal
; ************************* Please donate via paypal ***************************
; https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5Z2AVMPZMZUSW

[NukePA]
Version = 1.3 ; This NukePA release includes all table up to and including "EarthShaker" Pinball Arcade - version 1.33.8
Database = D:\games\PinballX\Databases\Pinball Arcade\Pinball Arcade.xml ; file name and path to your "Pinball Arcade.xml" (or) If using GameEx / Hyperpin / Hyperspin path to your fake roms folder
StartDelay = 10000 ; Default: 15000 - for time between launch and first keystoke, mine works as low as 2000
ScreenDelay = 1500 ; Default: 1500 - for time between screen changes, mine works as low as 900
MovementDelay = 100 ; Default: 100 - for menu movement speed, mine works as low as 10
AutoStart = true ; Default: true - for auto start table, set to false will take you to the table, but you must press start (Enter) to start begin playing.
StartsOn = MyTables ; Set to "PreviousSeasons" or "MyTables" depending on what menus option is auto selected in your version of Pinball Arcade.
Rotate = 0 ; Default: 0 - for screen rotation values are 0,90,180,270 must have iRotate or video driver that supports screen rotation hotkeys Ctrl+Alt+ left/right/up/down
BlockInput = false ; Default: False - Used to block all keyboard and mouse input untill table is loaded.
ExitMethod = savekill ; Default: savekill - other setting are kill|savekill|saveexit see (Nuke Read Me First) for more info
PinballTables = Addams Family,Attack From Mars,Big Shot,Black Hole,Black Knight,Black Knight 2000,Black Rose,Bram Stokers Dracula,Bride Of Pin-Bot,Cactus Canyon,Centaur,Central Park,Champion Pub,Cirqus Voltaire,Class 1812,Creature from the Black Lagoon,Cue Ball Wizard,Cyclone,Diner,Dr. Dude,EarthShaker,ElDorado City Of Gold,Elvira and the Party Monsters,Firepower,Fish Tales,Flight 2000,Funhouse,Genie,The Getaway,Goin Nuts,Gorgar,Harley-Davidson,Haunted House,High Roller Casino,High-Speed,Jack-Bot,Junk Yard,Lights Camera Action,Medieval Madness,Monster Bash,No Good Gofers,Party Zone,Phantom of the Opera,PIN-BOT,Roadshow,Ripleys Believe It or Not,Safe Cracker,Scared Stiff,Space Shuttle,Star Trek The Next Generation,Starship Troopers,Tales of the Arabian Nights,Taxi,Tee'd Off,Terminator 2,Theater of Magic,Twilight Zone,Victory,Whirlwind,Whitewater,WHO Dunnit,Xenon,
[KeyBindings]
KB_Left_Flip =
KB_Right_Flip =
KB_Left_Nudge =
KB_Right_Nudge =
KB_Center_Nudge =
KB_Ball_Launch =
KB_Escape = ]
KB_ViewChange =
KB_UP =
KB_DOWN =
KB_LEFT =
KB_RIGHT =
KB_Instructions =
KB_Pause =

[Launch]
LaunchBefore =
LaunchAfter =

and this is my pinballx.ini

[Display]
Monitor=0
rotate=90
windowed=False
windowwidth=1080
windowheight=1920
windowx=0
windowy=0
PlayFieldBrightness=230
WheelTextColor=ffffffff
WheelTextOutlineColor=ff000000
InfoTextColor=ffffffff
InfoTextOutlineColor=ff000000
FilterTextColor=ffffffff
FilterTextOutlineColor=ff000000
MenuColor=ff009ebf
FullScreenWindowed=True
WheelAutoCrop=True
[BackGlass]
monitor=1
x=125
y=0
width=1350
height=1200
UseB2S=False
[DMD]
Enabled=False
monitor=1
x=450
y=930
width=1000
height=220
UsePinMAME=False
[FileSystem]
EnableFileMatching=True
[Interface]
DesktopModeEnabled=False
EnableAdditionalDetail=False
ShowSystem=False
ShowRatings=True
WheelOverlay=3
OneClickLaunch=False
EnableDefaultFilters=True
[Audio]
StreamVolume=70
SampleVolume=70
PlaySoundInVideos=True
[Startup]
playsound=False
playvideo=False
StartWithWindows=No
[KeyCodes]
quit=49
left=51
right=52
select=50
rotate=82
pageleft=40
pageright=38
exitemulator=221
ingame=80
screenshot=83
screenshotbackglass=66
instructions=88
volumedown=109
volumeup=107
[JoyCodes]
quit=
left=
right=
select=
rotate=
pageleft=
pageright=
exitemulator=
ingame=
instructions=
[Text]
Line1=Use Flippers to Cycle Tables
Line2=Hit Player Two To Start
[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=D:\games\Visual Pinball
TablePath=D:\games\Visual Pinball\Tables
Executable=VP_physmod5.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
LaunchBeforeEnabled=True
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=D:\games\PinballX
LaunchBeforeExecutable=display.exe
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True
LaunchAfterEnabled=True
LaunchAfterWorkingPath=D:\games\PinballX
LaunchAfterExecutable=display.exe
LaunchAfterHideWindow=False
LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True
LaunchBeforeParameters=/rotate:0
LaunchAfterParameters=/rotate:90
[ExitScreen]
Enabled=True
EnableExit=True
EnableShutdown=False
[StartupProgram]
Enabled=false
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=true
WaitForExit=false
[ExitProgram]
Enabled=false
WorkingPath=
Executable=notepad.exe
Paramaters=
HideWindow=False
WaitForExit=
[AttractMode]
Enabled=True
Timer=1
ShowFor=30
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=NukeLauncher.exe
Parameters="[TABLEFILE]"
SystemType=0
[Internal]
lastwheelcachematchsize=625300
lastselected=Creature from the Black Lagoon (Williams 1992)Creature from the Black LagoonSystem_2
filter_year=
filter_company=
filter_custom=
filtername=All Tables
lastwheelcachematchsize2=460986
[System_2]
Name=Pinball Arcade
WorkingPath=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\
TablePath=
Executable=NukePA.exe
Parameters="[TABLEFILE]"
Enabled=True
SystemType=0
LaunchBeforeEnabled=False
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=D:\games\PBA Camera Mod
LaunchBeforeExecutable=PBAFreeCamMod.exe
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=False
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
[SetupWizard]
EmuPath1=C:\Emulators
AssetPath1=C:\Assets
RomPath1=C:\Roms
DefaultPathPrompt=True
DownloadDatabasePrompt=True
DownloadEmulatorPrompt=True
WizardMode=1
CustomArray=
SearchArray=
SavePosition=False
SectionIndex=20
SearchText=
EmulatorIndex=0
EmulatorGroupIndex=0
DaphneIndex=0
HTMLAppsIndex=0
ExternalAppsIndex=0
RadioStationsIndex=0
NewsFeedsIndex=0
MappedDrivesIndex=0
SystemIndex=1
ShowPanel=False
FontSize=1
WindowState=0
WindowSize=797,849
WindowLocation=87,331
[GameListManager]
onlinemode=false
[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
[System_3]
Name=Visual Pinball X
Enabled=False
WorkingPath=D:\games\Visual Pinball
TablePath=D:\games\Visual Pinball\Tables
Executable=vpinballx.exe
Parameters=/play -"[TABLEPATH]\[TABLEFILE]"
LaunchBeforeEnabled=false
LaunchBeforeWorkingPath=D:\games\PinballX
LaunchBeforeExecutable=display.exe
LaunchBeforeHideWindow=False
LaunchBeforeWaitForExit=True
LaunchAfterEnabled=False
LaunchAfterWorkingPath=D:\games\PinballX
LaunchAfterExecutable=display.exe
LaunchAfterHideWindow=False
LaunchAfterWaitForExit=True
LaunchBeforeParameters=/rotate:0
LaunchAfterParameters=/rotate:90

 

[pinballnoob]

Oh wow, thanks! I will have to try the NukeLauncher... it sounds super effective!

Also, your ini file makes mine look really sad. haha.

I will come back and post results after I work on this some more over the weekend.

 

[pinballnoob]

Okay, the old-school restart-your-computer-fix made everything suddenly work. It has been on for two or three straight weeks with a lot of stuff going in and out and a lot of constant changes, especially to PinballX and other Pinball stuff.

So, my next order of the business is to figure out how to jumpstart the DirectX11 version. But, that's enough for tonight I'm just happy to have it boot to PinballArcade.

Thanks Robert! Your insight into the windowed modes was key. I never would have thought about that.

 

[pinballnoob]

Nice thread about starting up DX11 from this forum here: http://digitalpinballfans.com/showt...-shortcut-to-launch-the-DX11-version-directly

tl;dr, you rename pinballarcade11.exe to pinballarcade.exe. Not without its own problems, but, for me it works okay.

I've come across a different snag. If I'm already logged into Steam, I get the errors I mentioned earlier about PinballX being confused. However, if I am not logged into Steam before I attempt to load TPA PinballX does its thing just fine.

 

[mpad]

You are almost there
In reality it took me like 2 days alone to figure out that window mode stuff. If you read through the nukepa thread on the pinballx forum you can see me cry but after that Jeff put it in the official manual.

Also latest gfx drivers and yes a restart here and there helps.

Also if you use x360ce always suspect this little bugger first if you notice weird behavior on your setup. I did a full windows reinstall only to realize later that my x360ce files were messed up.