Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Front End Support => MaLa Frontend => Topic started by: swindus on April 04, 2006, 04:40:10 am
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Improvements
- Added desktop resolution handling. Changes the desktop resolution on various events (start, option dialog, quit). Uses resolution of fixed size layouts or specified resolution
- Some small changes for lo-res resolutions. (Windows sizes and fonts)
- Added screensaver with a picture slideshow
- Added ability to use lnk files as rom files. Use/start any windows application/pc game from a game list
- Added 32 user leds. Now all 64 leds can be user leds
- Splash rotates now to the MaLa orientation and can be used as startup timer to avoid to fast loading on some systems when MaLa is started with windows
- Added debug log file to ease error detection
- Added 'snaps' for MaLa tree nodes/items
- MaLa Layout: Added check to find controls out of scope when changing the layout size
- MaLa Layout: New menu layout
- MaLa Gamelist: Added functions: 'Add game list', 'Exclude game list' and 'Copy roms to folder'
Changes
- Support for nplayers.ini removed (Server is mostly down). All informations are now grabbed from the controls.ini file
- Changed the default controller settings to standard mame/jamma layout
Bugfixes
- Fixed: Wrong game is displayed on lcd after starting a random game
- Fixed: Layout displays sometimes not correct
- Some more small bugs
http://mala.arcadezentrum.com/download.html
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Sweeeeet! :P
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I just started to check out MaLa and I have to say, well done! I really like what I'm seeing. :applaud:
I'm going to try making my ProjectMayhem3 skin for it and see how it goes. I have a couple of questions though;
1. Can I add alpha blending to the game list? I'd like to place a transparency mask over the list, so the top and bottom of the list fade into the background and the center of the list remains opaque.
2. Can I select an overlay image based on the seleceted games orientation? If a vertical game is selected, I'd like to have a vertical border on top of the screenshot and likewise, if a horizontal game is selected, I'd like to have a horizontal border on top the the screenshot.
3. Does it support standard serial LCD modules? I have one of these (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=17856.0) and would like to use it.
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3. Does it support standard serial LCD modules? I have one of these (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=17856.0) and would like to use it.
No only Parallel LCD's but they are relatively cheap....click here (http://character-lcd-lcds.shopeio.com/inventory/catalog.asp?ACTION=2&cat=Lcds&sub=Character%20Lcd)
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1. Can I add alpha blending to the game list? I'd like to place a transparency mask over the list, so the top and bottom of the list fade into the background and the center of the list remains opaque.
No, but you can use a color gradient on the game list. But this will only work perfectly on one color backgrounds for your case.
2. Can I select an overlay image based on the seleceted games orientation? If a vertical game is selected, I'd like to have a vertical border on top of the screenshot and likewise, if a horizontal game is selected, I'd like to have a horizontal border on top the the screenshot.
Maybe this can be done with the so called definable images. Use orientation for naming and place the snap in front of the definable image in the z-order. Then create two images, one for horizontal orientation and one for the vertical orientation.
3. Does it support standard serial LCD modules? I have one of these (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=17856.0) and would like to use it.
You need a HD44780 compatible LCD and the MaLa Hardware to use a LCD with MaLa.
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A small bugfix update is available on the MaLa webpage:
Bugfixes
- Pictures (Snap, Marquee, CPanel) are not displayed when using shortcuts for a game list.
- Path of video files for other emulators not saved.
- Access violation on hardware detection when splash is displayed on MaLa start.
- Info window: Index out of range error on controls page
- Info window:Text not correctly cut off on history page.
- Video display: Key input not recognized in some cases (Cursor up and down).
- Video display: Video is displayed on a flipped layout/screen.
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Hi i just downloaded and installed MALA today and i think its great much easier to set up than other frontends.
ive got mame running perfectly on it just going to get the layout how i want it then all will be brilliant. :cheers:
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:cheers:
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- Splash rotates now to the MaLa orientation and can be used as start up timer to avoid to fast loading on some systems when MaLa is started with windows
If anyone is is interested I have the splash time set to 7 secs on my Mame Table.
The reason this was required is I choose to have a random game load on start up and also have Mala as the windows shell (to hide windows). Without a start-up delay windows would get all confused and change to the screen resolution to match the random game that had loaded.
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Can mala set the mode on 49 way joys used with the gp-whiz49?
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How does it work to set the mode on 49 way joysticks?
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According to the website for gp-whiz49 click here (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=202&zenid=a2b5c8489c77fb29628625ef3b73e00e) it does not need any special drivers or config files?
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Swindus,
The 49-way sticks/controllers from GroovyGameGear allow you to "digitally" restrict the joystick on the fly. You can make the joys act like a 2-way horiztonal, 2-way vertical, 4-way, 8-way, etc. You change the "digital restrictor" through software calls.
- Some FE's (I think GameEx) have built in support for the 49-way, changing the restriction on the fly, based on the game you pick in the FE.
- Some custom versions of MAME (like PowerMame) also have built in support.
- You can also use something like SirPoonga's set49mode program (found here (http://fe.donkeyfly.com/forum/index.php?board=14.0)) to call before launching MAME.
PS. What I'd really like to see in Mala is support of the LEDWIZ. Similar to what you do today with your Mala Hardware, where you are able to light up game controls as you scroll through the game list in Mala.
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Thanks edge!