Setting up Pinball FX3 to launch directly into tables

[sundogak]

@Valkie71

Would double check settings as noted in the two screen snaps since have no issues.  Double check pointing to the Steam executable and not the PinballFX3 executable.  Also cut/paste in the code under the Default Command Line:

-applaunch 442120 -table_

[Valkie71]

5 hours ago, sundogak said:

@Valkie71

Would double check settings as noted in the two screen snaps since have no issues.  Double check pointing to the Steam executable and not the PinballFX3 executable.  Also cut/paste in the code under the Default Command Line:

-applaunch 442120 -table_

Yes, that was indeed the mistake I made! Thanks for the post.

[mrl72]

IS this still working for everyone? I just got my activation code from Zen and it's not working for me from launchbox. I've set it up exactly as outlined here.

Thanks.

 

UPDATE: Nevermind, I figured it out. It only works if you've purchased the table, doesn't work for trial tables. Duh.

Edited February 6, 2020 by mrl72

[Krazyg]

All you needed the activation code to make it work? I'm struggling to make it launch directly into the table game. 

[sundogak]

@KrazygIf you have the cabinet code then it will launch directly into that table if setup in LB correctly.  Screen snap your setup for the emulator and one table, so it will easier to spot issues.  The main thing is to double check the entries like noted in above post (particularly that underscore in the table launch command, best to copy paste that in). You also need to be pointing LB the PXP files which are not always obviously named. 

[Krazyg]

Thank you and everyone that has reached out and help. I emailed them for the code so i'll will have to wait and see. Since i have you here I'm checking out your Pinball Fx3 media pack and currently trying to set that up and notice you have a xml download folder where do i put that file in launchbox?

[sundogak]

Yeah, if you haven't activated the cabinet code from them none of the above will work.  As to the XML those go in the LB platforms directory:

...LaunchBox\Data\Platforms

I would make a backup of your existing Pinball FX3.xml file if you have one in case you decide to use the one you had instead.  The XML is optional and you can use the media without it but has all the metadata I could find and links to the PXP files.  Note the XML attached below has paths to default Steam FX3 directory in C: drive. I realized the one I attached in the media pack was pointing to my Steam folder on my D: drive which wouldn't work for most folks. 

Pinball FX3.zip

 

Edited July 12, 2020 by sundogak

[jtravapd]

On 6/6/2018 at 5:18 PM, Jay1984 said:

i used this but altered it to "Pinballfx3.exe -applaunch 442120 -table_File "

this worked for the microsoft store version. (with cabinet code)

many thanks

 

Just curious how did you enter or get a cabinet code for the microsoft store version? Zen said only the steam version has the cabinet code feature.  i tried using the microsoft app , not only doesn't it have the options anywhere listed in the app, i emailed them, which is why i had to switch over to the steam version and then got the cabinet code

[Jay1984]

5 hours ago, jtravapd said:

 

Just curious how did you enter or get a cabinet code for the microsoft store version? Zen said only the steam version has the cabinet code feature.  i tried using the microsoft app , not only doesn't it have the options anywhere listed in the app, i emailed them, which is why i had to switch over to the steam version and then got the cabinet code

a lot has changed in 3 years. I don't think this has worked for a while now.

I don't use that software anymore as the cabinet I use now is an arcade (15khz) CRT and not pinball cab. 

[cleverest]

Does the same exact process described in the original post here for how to Launch individual tables with FX3 still work with the latest Launchbox version? 

Is there no way to do this without pointing to a steam local install? It breaks the portability aspect of my collection...

[sundogak]

6 hours ago, cleverest said:

Does the same exact process described in the original post here for how to Launch individual tables with FX3 still work with the latest Launchbox version? 

Is there no way to do this without pointing to a steam local install? It breaks the portability aspect of my collection...

Yes, I have 12.1 and works.  No, if have Steam install then has to point to Steam folder. 

[C-Beats]

Pinball FX3 isn't a portable app at all and only the Steam version (with cabinet code) supports direct to table launch. If the relative path is the same between both machines you can still transfer seamlessly, but if it isn't then you will need to repoint the table files.

[cleverest]

3 hours ago, C-Beats said:

Pinball FX3 isn't a portable app at all and only the Steam version (with cabinet code) supports direct to table launch. If the relative path is the same between both machines you can still transfer seamlessly, but if it isn't then you will need to repoint the table files.

I don't have an original paid/Steam instance of FX3 unfortunately, so I don't think this is even an option for me.

[JoeViking245]

4 hours ago, cleverest said:

I don't have an original paid/Steam instance of FX3

If you're talking about getting a cabinet code for it, you don't need to have purchased FX3.  Just send the request for a cab code and a pict of where you might play it.  Be it your cab or your desktop PC.  I don't have a paid instance of FX3 and was able to get the code and can now launch directly into the ONE free table. (maybe they offered a 2nd one (or two) also?  It been a while)

[Your Friendly A.I Overlord]

3 hours ago, SLUGIE79 said:

I have had a look for the steam .exe

but I can’t find one is there anything else i can do

Remove -applaunch 442120 from the command-line. And if that still doesn't work you have to ask Zen for a cabinet code.

Edited September 11, 2022 by Your Friendly A.I Overlord

[Your Friendly A.I Overlord]

14 minutes ago, SLUGIE79 said:

i tried this before adding the the command line but it didn’t work like FX2

Pinball FX3.exe -table_

does not work? Than you have to apply for a cabinet code.

17 minutes ago, SLUGIE79 said:

is there a way for me to go straight back to launch box or big box when I exit a game on pinball FX2 ?

I don't have Pinball FX 2. But you could add an exit script in the "Running Script" tab. (Like you can with other emulators.)

$Esc::
{
WinClose, ahk_exe {{{StartupEXE}}}
)

 

[cleverest]

1 hour ago, SLUGIE79 said:

Hi There

i’m having a problem loading to individual tables I am doing it the same as I did my pinball FX2 and it’s going straight to the main screen I have had a look for the steam .exe

but I can’t find one is there anything else i can do as when i have set up pinball fx2 it goes straight to the right table

Also is there a way that when I exit the pinball FX 2 games  it will go straight back to launch box instead of having to go all the way back through the menus to exit pinball FX2

images and video attached 

thanks in advance

 

I don't believe you can launch into specific tables with FX3 without a special license. (unlike FX2), but If you or someone else figures out how and verifies it working, please let me know how. Thanks.

[JoeViking245]

4 minutes ago, cleverest said:

I don't believe you can launch into specific tables with FX3 without a special license. (unlike FX2), but If you or someone else figures out how and verifies it working, please let me know how. Thanks.

You're right. You can't.  But the "special license" is free.   

[Your Friendly A.I Overlord]

2 minutes ago, SLUGIE79 said:

I have been on the website and there’s this piece that you have to fill in will I be okay to put I’m using it for launchbox or big box?

Yeah, I have said that i wanted to launch into individual tables from a gaming frontend. But it wouldn't surprise me if the whole process is automated and nobody actually reads it. I think it's more a questionnaire about the usage of Pinball FX3.

[Your Friendly A.I Overlord]

48 minutes ago, SLUGIE79 said:

hi I get it so you just have to add the code and then it will unlock😊

Yes, you activate the code in Pinball FX3. *I assume* all that that cabinet code does is unlock the -table_ command-line parameter. But I could be wrong here.

Edited September 11, 2022 by Your Friendly A.I Overlord