Future Pinball

[Headrush69]

18 minutes ago, 2L8ULUZ said:

I will try the set up in the pics you posted... makes perfect sense when I get home next week. But if i could get some guidance on downloading and importing covers, images etc. That would be great! 

S

If you get the FP and BAM all in one installer mentioned previously, it will set everything up correctly. When you call FPLoader.exe it will automatically launch Future Pinball.exe, you do not need to call it or need a shortcut.

As for media, somewhere in these forums someone has posted a link to a lot of Future Pinball media in a directory structure set up to copy directly into the LB media folder. Otherwise it's a manual process. For missing videos, I used LB's built in OBS support to record gameplay videos.

Edit: LOL, it's this thread. Look at the first post.

 

Edited January 9, 2021 by Headrush69

[sundogak]

4 minutes ago, 2L8ULUZ said:

I will try the set up in the pics you posted... makes perfect sense when I get home next week. But if i could get some guidance on downloading and importing covers, images etc. That would be great! 

S

Once BAM is installed you only ever launch from the FPLoader and not from the original FP.exe.  Even the FPT extensions should then list FPloader as the "APP" to open with per Windows:

Also note, that contrary to all the "install" guides you can setup all tables in their own folders. This goes a long way to keeping the chaos of files to minimum and updating tables is easier.  FP will look for scripts, sounds, and other requirements in the location where the FPT is launched first, then go to the library folders is not present.  Only BAM CFGs (which are named after the table) have to stay in the BAM CFG folder. 

On media, pinball is simply a headache on that front and probably took me longer to setup pinball then all other platforms combined (media wise).  LB DB is not setup well for pinball in that it lumps everything into "pinball" versus by emulator type (FP, VP, Pinball FX).  So it is not useful for anything pinball related in my view (could be with some category changes, but doesn't seem to be priority). Plus, there are zillions of versions of tables by different authors and updates.  So you pretty much have to hunt media down or get packs from various sources such as one in this thread or in places like PinballX/GameX site (some media behind paywall).  The key is to pick a naming convention for your tables and media and stick to it.  LB will pick up the name of any media that is named the same as the "ROM" or in this case, the FPT table name.  Most pinball media you will find in packs outside LB site tends to  be in the form of Attack from Mars (Bally 1995) or slight variations. Thus, you can then take your media and dump it into the Launchbox images folder (or video) and it will match in LB.  LB will ignore anything in parenthesis as far as matching media and "roms".  That can be a problem occasion with above naming in that if same identical name of table then have to fiddle with format to get LB to not pick up wrong media match.  Also, the LB naming of image types doesn't quite match for pinball so you have to decide where you want things. Entirely up to you. In my setups for VP, FP, TPA, and FX3, I setup media similarly so that for FP it is ...\LaunchBox\Images\Future Pinball\

1. Screenshot - Game Title: Backglass screenshot
2. Screenshot - Gameplay: Desktop view of table
3. Clear Logo: Logo for table
4. Screenshot - Game Select:  Full table view screenshot
5. Etc...

Ultimately, less import in LB which category you chose but that consistent. You can then set priorities in LB to display what you want in whatever order.  Hence, why try to keep full screenshot table images separate from desktop since they can toggle priority of which I want to display. You do have to be a bit careful with LB in that it annoyingly will rename your media with the "-01" endings and change name if you edit table in LB after you dump the media in the folders.  Then it is just a matter of either finding packs and/or doing your own screenshots. BAM has screenshot utility that ultimately I used to snap all my backglass and table images.  There are some AHK scripts to do it "automatically" but found it was more trouble than worth than to open...snap...drag file into LB folder (this was before OBS feature).  The problem you get into with many packs is that they are not named the same as your tables so you can either rename, or as I found quick to just screenshot what you got. 

If you have Pinball FX3, then media pack for all images is done along with videos (can also see as example of how media works since applicable to FP as well). But with FP and VP you will have to spend time to aggregate and/or rename what you find on web or brute force it by doing your own media.  

 

 

[lou silver]

Updated the link for Box Fronts and Clear Logos etc.. thanks Sundog for the BAM info.

 

[vgbox]

I follow this thread, installed FP and BAM according to this guide, imported The latest FP games zips (144GB) to launchbox, but the games won't load, error message appears "There was a problem loading that file.".

What to do next?

Also, where to put each of the files linked in the opening thread?

Screenshots:

Edit Emulator:

Edit game screenshots from one of the games for example:

How the FP games folder looks like (inside each folder it is all zips):

The error message:

Edited February 4, 2021 by vgbox

[sundogak]

@vgbox You are trying to load a zip file. You cannot do that with Future Pinball.  You have to either extract to a per table folder (i.e., The Fifth Element folder, and all files inside it) and then point to that FPT file within the folder (my preference) or move all associated files in extracted folder to appropriate Tables (.fpt), Scripts (vbs,fps) , and Library (.fpl) Folders in FP root.  

[vgbox]

2 hours ago, sundogak said:

@vgbox You are trying to load a zip file. You cannot do that with Future Pinball.  You have to either extract to a per table folder (i.e., The Fifth Element folder, and all files inside it) and then point to that FPT file within the folder (my preference) or move all associated files in extracted folder to appropriate Tables (.fpt), Scripts (vbs,fps) , and Library (.fpl) Folders in FP root.  

I thought ticking "Extract roms archives before running" would be useful. I was wrong. Your file extraction preference sounds good to me.

To test the waters, i unziped "5Th Element, The" .zip file content to a folder, imported its folder various .fpt files, loaded the game from LB, the game loads but closes after the initial in game loading screen. What to do next?

BTW, In the LB import process, should i uncheck everything aside of only importing the .fpt files? LB and Emumovies databases don't seem to have any FP content. 

Are the folders "Future Pinball Original Tables" (1045 zips) and "Future Pinball Recreated Tables" (566 zips) a good place to start for basic mass importing? 

Basically, i want to have a huge FP collection but without "clones" and "bootlegs" (mame terms) to play on my desktop PC.

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by vgbox

[sundogak]

@vgbox Within LB, you only ever import FPT files.  Basically, think of them as the "ROM". All the other are support files (scripts, sounds, xml).  

Second, I would test things outside LB first to make sure it works. If double click on FPT file and launches, then should work fine in LB.  Then tackle the LB portion with import of FPT file. My guess, is that if you try and launch FPT file it won't work in above example.  

Third, you have things setup correctly with right files in place. Unlike other emulators it isn't as easy to get everything done in one big dump.  I assume you are using a PD set of tables.  Unfortunately, that is not setup to unzip and go out of the box.  Those zips have many versions as well as many "physics" variations. You have to open, and then move versions you want. If just extract all it will be a mess.  My recommendation is you stick with one version initially and most recent. Once get hang of it all, then can always go back and add additional versions if want.  Also you will notice that in that PD set some of the files say "FP Physics adjustment 2.4" or similar.  Anything with different physics has to have an XML in the folder with the same exact name as the table (FPT file).  Sadly, they didn't include the XML files in that set and even more annoying is that in some cases not all tables are labeled with correct physics version.  So only way is when playing if ball moves "weird" or slow then likely the physics type isn't right (i.e., using 1.0 physics when it is really 2.3).  For some I had to go to http://www.pinsimdb.org/ site and for most tables it indicates physics type (course have to match version/edition). 

So to address this, you must go to the BAM folder and under the XML folder you will see things labeled "fp-2.4.xml".  All these files are the standard physics XML files by version.  That means it is a physics file version 2.4.  So you COPY that file and place in the folder you have the FPT in, rename it exactly the same as the FPT.  If you also take the fp-p1.0.xml and copy it to the root BAM folder and rename as default.xml you will not need to copy an XML file for any physics 1.0 tables.  Physics 1.0 was the original Future Pinball physics type so most older tables use that.  It saves you from having to copy an XML those. For all others that are NOT 1.0 physics you have to use the appropriate XML from the BAM folder.  BAM will always use the XML file in the folder that is named after the table as priority before the default.xml.  

Below is a screen snap of my 5th Element table (fun by the way!) which I have the night and normal version.  I put a text note to indicate physics type because it gets REALLY confusing otherwise. Since I only keep one versions (most times), I have a text file to indicate which one it is and I just rename the table with table name, if original or company name, and year.  The reason for that is helps immensely later when trying to work all the media.  But naming is completely up to you.  

Note since these are physics 2.4 I have an XML file for each version name identically.  You then import the FPT file in LB. Again, test first by double clicking the FPT and see if works.  Note I put a folder in mine of "other versions" which I dumped stuff into that wanted to keep but didn't set them up in LB. 

For very new tables, 2019ish or so and newer, most table creators were using the feature that builds the XML file into the table (a life saver). So you will see on newer SlamT1LT tables (as example) they will mention something like "custom physics" and typically those you don't have to hassle with any physics settings XML files.  So example below of one of SlamT1LTs tables released in 2020 (Blade Runner),  Just the FPT table and VBS file (which is likely already in your scripts folder anyway).  So the cool thing is as new tables are developed you will not have to hassle with physics versions.  Before BAM came around it was even more painful because you had to have separate executables that were hacked to run different physics versions.  So even the XML process is far easier than before.

If the table is a "zedonius" physics table then you have to again go to the BAM\XML folder and copy not just XML but also the zip file.  Again, renaming them to FPT table name.  Zedonius tables need that extra zip file (do not unzip it). 

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by sundogak

[kidshoalin]

I dabbled with Future Pinball, never loaded properly with my graphics card and settings, downloaded Pinball FX3 and its soooooo much more fun to play with, in fact it keeps me coming back to play online and with family/friends, my OPINION Future Pinball is cool but it seems outdated compared to Pinball FX3, 2 each his/her own though, have fun with your experience

[vgbox]

@sundogak
I run fploader outside of LB, go to file, open "5Th Element, The (rom)(2.2)[JACKPOT Edition]".fpt, press "play table", after the initial loading screen the table appears but unplayable with the error message on top:
"Pinball Meditation Error
Script Error Line: 16
Variable is undefined: 'nvBallsPerGame'"
I try to run "Jipar-007-CASINO ROYALE" and the same message appears, also when i run the table from clicking the .fpt file itself.
Is this a physics problem? Does not seem like it.

BTW, When i check "run as administrator" for fp.exe then bam fploader won't open so i uncheck it.

Yes, i'm using the latest PD set "Future Pinball (2020-11-21)". So for this i have to pick games one by one for LB and then import it. 
A bit disappointing, no mass import like mame...

@kidshoalin

I got GTX1660 SUPER which was the most recommended GPUs in its price range (maybe still is) from about a year and a half ago so i doubt its a GPU issue/limitation. Never tried FX3, glad it works for you.

Edited February 5, 2021 by vgbox

[sundogak]

@vgbox You can mass import FPT files into LB but typically easiest is to point to a folder and have it import all *.fpt files.  The issue was if you extracted the PD files in mass then there are TONs of FPT files that may or may not have the associated files needed in correct location so will harder time troubleshooting. 

As to meditation errors, usually means some issue with your settings.  

Check editor preferences, particularly that "load image into Table Editor" is not checked.  

Other is to check that high quality textures is checked and Model quality is set to high. Many tables need these settings.  

[vgbox]

 

@lou silver

The problem was that i checked fp.exe for run as administrator. i checked fploader for run as administrator instead and problem solved.

So i downloaded your files instead of the pd set, all the files in the opening thread links - .fpt, images and videos, imported the .fpt to LB, in the import process unchecked everything related to info and media download, only checked "combine roms with matching titles into a single game". it imported 2415 tables, not 2600, Is it the correct amount?
after that i overwrite lb images folder with one your images folder, added the video snaps, replaced the xml with yours.

What is the difference between the "box fronts clear logos" and "cover art" linked content? They both have the same lb images folder structure... 
How to mass change the tables addresses in the xml file so the tables load from lb? My tables are outside of fp folder.
Do you have good links to add more video snaps?

 

Edited February 9, 2021 by vgbox

[sundogak]

55 minutes ago, vgbox said:

@sundogak

The problem was that i checked fp.exe for run as administrator. i checked fploader for run as administrator instead and problem solved.

So i downloaded your files instead of the pd set, all the files in the opening thread links - .fpt, images and videos, imported the .fpt to LB, in the import process unchecked everything related to info and media download, only checked "combine roms with matching titles into a single game". it imported 2415 tables, not 2600, Is it the correct amount?
after that i overwrite lb images folder with one your images folder, added the video snaps, replaced the xml with yours.

What is the difference between the "box fronts clear logos" and "cover art" linked content? They both have the same lb images folder structure... 
How to mass change the tables addresses in the xml file so the tables load from lb? My tables are outside of fp folder.
Do you have good links to add more video snaps?

 

This is @lou silver upload, not mine, so he would be best to answer.

[vgbox]

8 hours ago, sundogak said:

This is @lou silver upload, not mine, so he would be best to answer.

Sorry, my mistake.

Edited previous message.

Edited February 9, 2021 by vgbox

[lou silver]

Get the XML file copy it to Launchbox/Data/Platforms

Copy the Box fronts clear logos etc stuff to Launchbox/Images

Get the emulator and the instructions to set it up properly.

You could do these things and then start downloading all the tables-

they go in the tables folder found in the Future Pinball emulator folder

I've retitled all the table names from lower case so mixing in other people's

stuff might mess things up. ie missing artwork tables etc however as my

screenshots show this is a complete set box front / clear logo wise.

Will be starting a complete revamp of FP soon BAM updated tables -

a better emulation solution artwork and maybe a complete video snaps set.

 

 

 

[TJ_on_Launchbox]

I just want to thank you Lou Silver.

This Post from you is just outstanding and a huge help for everybody who wants to play Pinball Games.

 

I am very new to Retro Gaming. Especially interested in Pinball and Light Gun Games.

With all your help i managed to load some Pinball Games in my Launchbox.

Some things are still unclear but i think i will also manage this in the next Days.

So once again thank you very much for everything.

Edited February 13, 2021 by TJ_on_Launchbox

[TJ_on_Launchbox]

How do i mass Import these Tables to Launchbox?

When i click Import and select the files yo have uploaded then it also imports all the scripts and fonts which are in the files with the Tables.

Is there an easy way of importing all the Tables at once and ONLY the Tables?

 

Thanks

[MadK9]

26 minutes ago, TJ_on_Launchbox said:

How do i mass Import these Tables to Launchbox?

When i click Import and select the files yo have uploaded then it also imports all the scripts and fonts which are in the files with the Tables.

Is there an easy way of importing all the Tables at once and ONLY the Tables?

 

Thanks

There shouldn't be any other files in the Tables folder except the *.fpt files.

[TJ_on_Launchbox]

2 hours ago, MadK9 said:

There shouldn't be any other files in the Tables folder except the *.fpt files.

There are many library files, scripts and texts (fpl, rtf, txt, vbs, ini)

For example the Table "back_to_the_future_ultra-table_1_02_ultra_zedpinball_physics_1_0"

It has the *ftp file plus 6 other files including a Zip File with loads of other Files in it (BMP, JPG, MODELS, SHADERS etc)

And my second question is:

Most of the Tables have several Tables. Which one should i import to Launchbox?

For example "Attack from Mars" is 9 times there with different versions. and Austin Powers has two Versions.

 

[MadK9]

5mins in google you could of found this information easily,

fpt = Tables folder

vbs/ini/fps = scripts folder

fpl = Librairies folder

fpram= fpRam folder

cfg files = BAM\Cfg folder

 

Some small zips should be kept alongside the main table file as these are normally just Ball textures. To check this just open the ZIP and you should see a BMP folder, this is a Ball texture file. You can also add these to the BAM\Balls folder, make sure you leave them as zips though.

 

Just import the fpt files. This is why its better to build your own setup with tables you actually want, rather than a dump of god knows what.

Edited February 17, 2021 by MadK9

[vgbox]

@lou silver

Thanks for this thread and effort.

I downloaded your files, all the files in the opening thread links - .fpt, images and videos, imported the .fpt to LB, in the import process unchecked everything related to info and media download, only checked "combine roms with matching titles into a single game". it imported 2415 tables.
after that i overwrite lb images folder with one your images folder, added the video snaps, replaced the xml with yours.

1. Is 2415 tables the correct amount of imported tables? 
2. What is the difference between the "box fronts clear logos" and "cover art" linked content? They both have the same lb images folder structure... 
3. How to mass change the tables addresses in the xml file so the tables load from lb? My tables are outside of fp emulator folder and as a result won't load from lb.

 

Edited February 18, 2021 by vgbox