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Pinball FX (Steam 2023) - LB How to Setup Direct Launch


sundogak

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On 7/30/2023 at 2:30 PM, L0deRunR said:

Many thanks. For Epic, this works for me;

Epic_pinballfx.png

I have also the epic version but can't find solution to get online pinball fx when launch table with launchbox/bigbox. I have an Invalid ID error (but net connection is ok).

When i launch Pinball Fx from Epic launcher, i don't have this ID error.

Anyone please have a solution to launch individual table from Launchbox with correct ID ? 

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Updated original post with new tables and table IDs:

  • Pacific Rim Pinball – 186
  • Battlestar Galactica Pinball – 170
  • Xena: Warrior Princess Pinball – 167
  • Knight Rider Pinball – 177
  • Super League Football – 36

Media pack also updated.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 30/7/2023 at 8:30, L0deRunR said:

Muchas gracias. Para Epic, esto funciona para mí;

Epic_pinballfx.png

Hello, can you explain to me the process by train, the Epic Game one and it doesn't work for me, it doesn't launch the independent tables, it only launches Pinball.exe.

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6 hours ago, zerosero04 said:

Hello, can you explain to me the process by train, the Epic Game one and it doesn't work for me, it doesn't launch the independent tables, it only launches Pinball.exe.

I can confirm table launch works for the epic games version... if there is no data folder in PinballFX\Mods\Cabinet you need to create it. (I had to create data folder)
Then extract all the data files into that folder, thanks to @sundogak for all the work. Follow his steps to import all the tables into LB.. profit!

 

*edit
also you will need to change all paths in PInballFX.xml.. you can use notepad++ replace tool

find and replace

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Pinball FX\PinballFX\Mods\Cabinet\Data

(your location) ex. D:\Roms\PINBALL-FX\PinballFX\Mods\Cabinet\Data

 

Edited by drewjbx
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  • 4 weeks later...
On 8/3/2023 at 12:49 AM, TekkamanBlade said:

Thank you very much, @sundogak for the detailed guide. Everything worked, and it was easy to follow. I also want to thank you for all the files you provided. Below is a link to a platform theme and video marquee I created. 

Also, not super clean, but I have the emulator closing with ESC. The only downside is that it launches Steam before the game. Sort of like TeknoParrot does when launching a game.  

***Place in Running Script***

Esc::
Process,Close,steam.exe
Run,taskkill /im "steam.exe" /F
ExitApp

 

IMG_1199.MOVFetching info...  

 

 

Sorry if somebody has already answered this, but the script doesn't work if already logged in to Steam.  It was working when steam logs in each time you launch a table, but if you have log in from boot activated. it just reacts normally.  Any suggestions?

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  • 3 weeks later...

@sundogak this is an amazing piece of work - thank you for clearly taking everyone through how to get this set up. It's really appreciated. And adding the media too is just the icing on the cake. You're an absolute diamond!

 

Does anyone know how to Escape back to BigBox ? I'm in the same boat as @ennahh76 in that the Escape mode mod posted by @TekkamanBlade isn't working for me?

 

Esc::
Process,Close,steam.exe
Run,taskkill /im "steam.exe" /F
ExitApp

 

I think the Pinball FX app is stealing the use of the Escape key and just overriding whatever BB tells it? I've tried using F5 as well but that didn't work?

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

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Posted (edited)
On 7/26/2024 at 10:25 AM, Johnny T said:

@sundogak this is an amazing piece of work - thank you for clearly taking everyone through how to get this set up. It's really appreciated. And adding the media too is just the icing on the cake. You're an absolute diamond!

 

Does anyone know how to Escape back to BigBox ? I'm in the same boat as @ennahh76 in that the Escape mode mod posted by @TekkamanBlade isn't working for me?

 

Esc::
Process,Close,steam.exe
Run,taskkill /im "steam.exe" /F
ExitApp

 

I think the Pinball FX app is stealing the use of the Escape key and just overriding whatever BB tells it? I've tried using F5 as well but that didn't work?

Anyone any ideas?

Thanks

Pinball FX and FX3 take exclusive control (as well as Future Pinball) away from Launchbox so any AHK script within LB will not be read.  I mention briefly (I think) in the setup for FX.  There is an alternative way to do it but requires you to make a compiled AHK script.  You then point to that EXE which has both the table launching component as well as the functions to exit out of FX.  As the compiled AHK is running in tandem to FX any commands it sees will be executed. I adapted one I did for FX3 for FX. 

There are three steps:

  1. make a suitable AHK script
  2. compile the AHK script
  3. alter LB to point to that executable as an emulator

Step 1: AHK Script (for STEAM VERSION!). Pinball FX Script  FX_Launcher_Classic.ahk  Pinball M Script (Basic same setup as FX): Pinball M_Launcher.ahk Pinball FX3: FX3_Launcher_Classic.ahk

See example below for Pinball FX. Note I am not AHK expert and this is cobbled from various other scripts and the one I had for FX3. But it does work on my setup.  Copy to a text editor and adjust as needed.  This the file you will drag and drop to compile in Step 2.  If don't want the Xbox controller portion can delete that block. Alter the Escape key exit however you want. It is set in script to use "alt + ESC"  as I still wanted to be able to use FX's normal ESC ability to get back to menus in FX if needed.  You could delete the "!" if just wanted to use Escape. 

Spoiler

 

;AHK.EXE SCRIPT to launch a specific Pinball FX and exit using commands noted below
;Exit Method 1: Use ALT ESC from keyboard to exit FX.  Exit Method 2: Use XBOX Guide Button to exit
;Note that variable passed from LB splits the name into two: %1 = Table  ////  %2% = the table number in dummy file ###
;Thus, only use %2 and hardcode the "Table" portion in this script.

;this forces closed any prior launch 
#SingleInstance, Force 

;Alter the "GameMode" to fit your purpose or can make multiple EXE files for launch. 
Run, "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe" -applaunch 2328760 -GameMode Classic -Table "%2%"

;Wait while FX open and if close manually then exit script
Process, Wait, PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe
Process, WaitClose, PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe
ExitApp

;Send input if executable active; likely not needed but left in
#IfWinActive ahk_exe PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe
SendMode, Input 

;Alt ESC exits FX
$!Esc::
	WinClose, ahk_exe PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe
	ExitApp
return

;Xbox Controller Guide button exits
$vk07::
	WinClose, ahk_exe PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe
	ExitApp
return

If wanted to use ESC by holding it for 5 seconds so still allows use of normal FX Escape key usage then sub in this portion in above script.  I haven't tried this but should work based on one I had for another emulator:

Esc::
{
    keywait, Esc, t5
if errorlevel <> 0
{
WinClose, ahk_exe PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe
Exitapp
}

Notes:  One part that caused me headaches is normally you pass the "Rom" name from LB to an AHK script using the "%1" variable.  However, because the "ROM" name in this case is "Table 123" with a space then LB passes both pieces as a separate variable. So "Table" is %1 and "123" is %2.  I spent a bunch of time on this not realizing it as FX had no space and thus passed as one variable.  For the AHK I just pass %2 from LB with the table number and hard coded the "Table" portion in the AHK script. 

Also, the Pinball FX executable is "PinballFX.exe in Steam but when I used AHK spy it appears that Steam launches another and that is called "PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe".  I couldn't get mine AHK script to work with PinballFX.exe as AHK didn't see any process that was that name. That is unique to FX as FX3 didn't do this.  If having issues double check with AHK Window Spy (utility can search via google), launch a normal FX window and see what is running.  When I run Window Spy this is processes AHK sees for FX and FX3:

PinballFX  
ahk_class UnrealWindow
ahk_exe PinballFX-Win64-Shipping.exe
ahk_pid 35440

PinballM  
ahk_class UnrealWindow
ahk_exe PinballM-Win64-Shipping.exe
ahk_pid 38304

Pinball FX3
ahk_class PxWindowClass
ahk_exe Pinball FX3.exe
ahk_pid 27628

 

Step 2: Compile AHK script to EXE

The easiest way I find is using this little tool here which allows you to drag and drop your AHK text script and it will make an EXE: http://www.alvarezeninternet.com/AutoHotkey-Compiler.rar

Screenshot2024-07-27183137.png.dbea6b782ebcc3842bb24c545b48ec3d.png

When finished you should get an executable file.  Drag your executable to the Steam directory. You can technically place anywhere but this is where I keep them for simplicity.  Note for FX3 had different game modes which is what you can also do with FX. 

Screenshot2024-07-27185335.thumb.png.bcd53ff87dd1affea5ef1ba19e950c9c.png

 

Step 3: Make all this work with Launchbox. 

Add an emulator in LB. I have chosen to keep both the "normal" way to launch FX and then also via AHK executable. Depending on your preference you can then default one or other but still have the ability to right click on table and launch with the other emulator.  Go to Manage Emulators and add in that AHK Exe.  I chose to call mine "Pinball FX_AHK" but you can call it whatever. Point to where you placed the AHK Executable you did in Step 2.  Note there are NO launch commands as those are managed via the AHK EXE. 

Screenshot2024-07-27185555.thumb.png.5c30a06b09d86203e5dee22fcd002b81.png

In the emulator window make sure like with other FX setup that you have check the three boxes below as you don't want LB sending the full path or the extension of the dummy file. You just want the Table ### sent to AHK.

Screenshot2024-07-27185631.thumb.png.6af9963fbc233b62b63a5bb8b408c127.png

You should then be able to use either "emulator" to launch with or without the AHK setup for any FX table. 

Screenshot2024-07-27190126.thumb.png.30f07bed2fa569fc361007dbfb02ffe4.png

Typically, recommend disabling the Pause screen feature as well, at least during initial test setup.

Screenshot2024-07-27194542.thumb.png.0fedce9cb8a27e3298bc68e4ec0a0ccf.png

Edited by sundogak
attached Pinball M, FX, and FX3 AHK scripts
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Attached to post above Pinball M AHK exit script. Similar to FX on how to setup for Pinball M. Note similar to FX it's executable for purpose of AHK is PinballM-Win64-Shipping.exe  Added FX3 for heck of it as well.

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15 hours ago, sundogak said:

Attached to post above Pinball M AHK exit script. Similar to FX on how to setup for Pinball M. Note similar to FX it's executable for purpose of AHK is PinballM-Win64-Shipping.exe  Added FX3 for heck of it as well.

Great work Sundogak, as always, thanks :) 

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  • 5 weeks later...
6 minutes ago, zugswang said:

Hi,

Will you be doing updates ?

Thanks again for share 👍

Pinball FX 2023 update 1.0.18 - 1.0.19 (29.08.2024)

New tables: Goat Simulator, The Princess Bride.

I have been, with several updates since original post as tables come out. Those tables just came out yesterday (and terribly interesting in my view).  But will get to them at some point.

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2 hours ago, sundogak said:

I have been, with several updates since original post as tables come out. Those tables just came out yesterday (and terribly interesting in my view).  But will get to them at some point.

ps, I have now updated it myself and both new tables working fine .... FYI 👍

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Updated first post XML and data folder files with two new tables.  Will update the media post shortly.  Data/XML current as of all tables released as of August 29, 2024. 

  • The Princess Bride Pinball - Table 184
  • Goat Simulator Pinball - Table 187

 

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