Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: PacManFan on April 01, 2003, 09:39:34 pm
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Hello eveyone!
PacManFan here,
As I type this, I'm uploading a new version of EmuTron to www.pacmanfan.com (http://www.pacmanfan.com)
The new version is 2.10, You might have noticed that I've skipped a few numbers. There have been several sub-releases to various people who've been emailing me about adding / refining features. I finally took the time to document (mostly) everything, and posted a new release build.
In this version, there are a TON of new features. Reading off of my revision history file :
3/28/03
- Changes to list handling/ Extremely fast load list times
3/27/03
- Merged movieplayer with bitmaps, Bitmaps can now play movies in them w/effects PlayMovie() is now obsolete.
- Added "AnimateBitmap" to control bitmap movie animations
- Added "SetDisplayEvent" to change which event to use for the display
- Added "RandomInList" to move to a random item in a list. - For
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??? When I set up emutron it includes ALL of the mame games, not just the ones I have roms for. How do you filter that?
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??? When I set up emutron it includes ALL of the mame games, not just the ones I have roms for. How do you filter that?
In the Game Import Options screen, There is a "Exclude files NOT in Rom Path" checkbox.
When you save out your list file, you can replace the mymamegames.lst file, or add your list file into the catagorys.lst file.
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FWIW: www.pacmanfan.com (http://www.pacmanfan.com) should resolve in the next 24 - 36 hours or so if you wanted an easier to remember URL for your favorite front end...
(I'm gonna finally try it out, now that I'm in a windoze only scenario)
I'm currently still liking gamelaunchers look/functionality the best, but there are features that minwahs/lazarus has (sorting/etc) that I'm missing, sorely... =P
so, I'm gonna give emutron a shot...
Rampy
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is 2.1 in the ETSetupNOVB.exe file? (it calls itself 2.06 in the setup backgrounds, fyi)
Just curious/confused... should I grab the file w/VBruntimes?
Thanks!
rampy
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is 2.1 in the ETSetupNOVB.exe file? (it calls itself 2.06 in the setup backgrounds, fyi)
Just curious/confused... should I grab the file w/VBruntimes?
Thanks!
rampy
Yeah, I forgot to change the title to 2.10 in the setup file. If you've downloaded EmuTron before, you only need the etsetupnovb.exe , if you haven't get the etsetup.exe
-PacManFan
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One other thing I noticed after I posted the new version was:
In the etoptions.cfg file, I have an absolute path specifying the script file, Since your system is probably not set up like mine,
Change it to be scripts\mame.cfg
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Hey Pacmanfan...
I'm getting run-time error 339
component mscomct2.ocx blalah
h blah b
I have vbrun6sp5
I had another error but I was able to register those files manually to get further in using ETConfig... I get the error when I click on Emutron General Configuration or Game Categories.
I'm able to launch Emutron, but it looks really f'ed up in 16bit color 800 x 600... it looks ok if I manually change the resolution to 8bit color via etoptions.cfg.
*Shrug* just sharing on the 2nd part...but do need help on the ET config 339 error
thoughts?
rampy
(win98SE)
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Hey Pacmanfan...
I'm getting run-time error 339
component mscomct2.ocx blalah
h blah b
I have vbrun6sp5
I had another error but I was able to register those files manually to get further in using ETConfig... I get the error when I click on Emutron General Configuration or Game Categories.
I'm able to launch Emutron, but it looks really f'ed up in 16bit color 800 x 600... it looks ok if I manually change the resolution to 8bit color via etoptions.cfg.
*Shrug* just sharing on the 2nd part...but do need help on the ET config 339 error
thoughts?
rampy
(win98SE)
I'm posting just the etconfig program with VB runtime support to my site now as etconfig.zip . If you haven't already, try downloading the full 5mb etsetup.exe file and run it.
Let me know if that doesn't work.
-PacManFan
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I am impressed so far with EmuTron. So far I have to say this IS the Best FE for Arcade Monitors. If you are using andy's ArcadeCard, YOU NEED THIS FE. This is one of the few front ends that will allow you to change IPAC settings on the fly, run 321x240, and multiple "Customized" emulator displays. If you can write HTML, you can write script. The possabilities are endless.
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I'm glad to hear you so so ;)
-PacManFan
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I downloaded the new etconfig.zip and it installed allthough there were some filesharing conficts (no not the p2p kind=P) I chose to Ignore them and continued with the install...
After that process it (ETconfig) worked fine.
I am having some issues running advmame, but I've got nothing to share at this p;oint (i.e. I'll work it out on my own - unless I think it's a ET specific issue - although it works fine for GL=P)
*Shrug* btw http://www.pacmanfan.com (http://www.pacmanfan.com) should resolve around the world by now, if you wanted to start using it (may I suggest modifying some of your previous posts to the new URL?)
Rampy
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I haven't tried the latest version but just something I wanted to suggest. If you are using the vb installer to write your setup program go ahead and ditch it right now. I have found it's more trouble than it's worth. It seems to give you warnings on file replaces when it shouldn't and it replaces files when it shouldn't ect..... My guess is the installer is just too old as it was originally written for 95.
Just a thought.
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I must say I like the implementation of the blend animation. :D
The rotation still does not seem to work on my machine. I think i have setup it correctly, ie I selected the vertical cfg file and i set rotation to 90...
peter
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I haven't tried the latest version but just something I wanted to suggest. If you are using the vb installer to write your setup program go ahead and ditch it right now. I have found it's more trouble than it's worth. It seems to give you warnings on file replaces when it shouldn't and it replaces files when it shouldn't ect..... My guess is the installer is just too old as it was originally written for 95.
Just a thought.
Yeah, the VB installer is a piece of crap. I'm using a program called "Setup Factory" to do the main installation. It's a point and click interface, and it's very easy to import projects from vb or c++ and determine all the dependencies. It's a lot easier to use that Wise Install Manager , and definately more user friendly than InstallShield.
-PacManFan
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Do You have a url for that? I actually ended up having to write my own setup program this time around. I would like to get away from that.
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A little OT or OnTopic
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Emutron does not support Mpegs as of yet. But I did find a really nice Mpeg converter to AVI. Its called VirtualDub. I think the website is www.virtualdub.com.
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Do You have a url for that? I actually ended up having to write my own setup program this time around. I would like to get away from that.
http://www.indigorose.com/products/setup_factory1.php
(http://www.indigorose.com/products/setup_factory1.php)
It looks like the latest version is 6.0
I've got version 5
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A little OT,
Is there a repository somewhere for arcade movies? With Emutron, you can just as easily display an avi movie playing a small loop of the game in action rather than just a png snapshot. Is there a server somewhere that has these movies?
Or, is there a way to make avi's while mame is running?
-PacManFan
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Or, is there a way to make avi's while mame is running?
-PacManFan
Older versions of mame had the ability to record/output .avi files and I believe advancemame still does... (I know I've accidently enabled the audio recording feature before mid game =P)
hope that helps, in a vague sorta way...
rampy
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This frontend rocks!
2 questions
1- Can you cut and paste your daphne.cfg file and daphne.lst file into this thread? I'm having some difficulty with these, and I think taking a look at someone else's might help.
2- I'm not sure how to get the screensaver running. I looked at the docs, but it only tells about the event for the screensaver. I put an action underneath the "EVENT SCREENSAVER" line that would play an avi movie, but it doesn't seem to launch after the 60 seconds appointed in the etconfig.cfg file.
Thanks for one of the best frontends out there!!!!! It isn't necessarily easy to configure, but I've figured out quite alot on my own, and I actually enjoy tinkering with this one.
wee beastie
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This frontend rocks!
2 questions
Thanks for one of the best frontends out there!!!!! It isn't necessarily easy to configure, but I've figured out quite alot on my own, and I actually enjoy tinkering with this one.
wee beastie
Hey wee beastie,
Let see,
1- Can you cut and paste your daphne.cfg file and daphne.lst file into this thread? I'm having some difficulty with these, and I think taking a look at someone else's might help.
I don't have a script set up for Daphne yet, although I can't imagine that it's too hard. Post what you've got, and I'll see if I can configure it for you.
2- I'm not sure how to get the screensaver running. I looked at the docs, but it only tells about the event for the screensaver. I put an action underneath the "EVENT SCREENSAVER" line that would play an avi movie, but it doesn't seem to launch after the 60 seconds appointed in the etconfig.cfg file.
Do you have the latest 2.10 version of EmuTron? In the docs, I outline how to use the screen saver. Basically, after the screensaverdelay time has elapsed, the program calls the SCREENSAVER_START event (If you have one).
In this event, you can load up your movie file just like you would a bitmap.
Then EmuTron calls SCREENSAVER_DISPLAY instead of DISPLAY to draw the screen for every frame.
After the user presses a button /mouse/joystick, the program calls SCREENSAVER_END, so you can clean up / reload bitmaps etc..
Then EmuTron goes back to the normal DISPLAY event
So, to play a movie in the screen saver:
I would use the background bitmap (because it's already there)
Step 1 - Load a movie into a bitmap. The movie will start to play automatically. It will play once.
To get it to loop, use the LOOP flag in the animatebitmap, this will make the same movie play over and over.
The SCREENSAVER_DISPLAY function below will draw the movie to the screen.
After the user presses a key, the SCREENSAVER_END event will be called automatically by the program, and you can reload your normal background bitmap into there. (Personally, I have the MameArcade.avi file playing as a background all the time)
EVENT SCREENSAVER_START
ACTIONS
LoadBitmap(backgroundbitmap,Appdir + "movies\mamearcade.avi")
AnimateBitmap(backgroundbitmap,LOOP,"none")
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
EVENT SCREENSAVER_DISPLAY
ACTIONS
DisplayBitmapStretchFit(backgroundbitmap,backgroundrect)
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
EVENT SCREENSAVER_END
ACTIONS
LoadBitmap(backgroundbitmap,Appdir + "images\backgrnd.jpg")
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
Some more things you can do:
Instead of looping one movie, load a list of movies into a list variable, and use the callback function in AnimateBitmap to notify an event to load the next movie when it's done playing.
Here's the code to do it below:
Let's say you have a movies.lst file which contains:
mamearcade.avi
movie2.avi
movie3.avi
movie4.avi
//declare a list for the movies
List movielist
// this event will load a movie, set it up to play once,
// and when the movie is done playing, it will call
// itself to load another movie from the list
EVENT LoadNextMovie
ACTIONS
LoadBitmap(backgroundbitmap,Appdir + "movies\" +CurListItem(movielist,0))
AnimateBitmap(backgroundbitmap,SINGLE,"LoadNextMovie")
NextInList(movielist,1)
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
EVENT SCREENSAVER_START
ACTIONS
LoadList (movielist,AppDir + "lists\movies.lst",1)
FireEvent("LoadNextMovie")
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
EVENT SCREENSAVER_DISPLAY
ACTIONS
DisplayBitmapStretchFit(backgroundbitmap,backgroundrect)
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
EVENT SCREENSAVER_END
ACTIONS
// restore whatever background bitmap you were using before
LoadBitmap(backgroundbitmap,Appdir + "images\backgrnd.jpg")
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
I hope this all helps, Post what you've got for Daphne, and I'll see if I can help you.
-PacManFan
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Hey everyone, just an update of a few WIP and a few questions,
First the WIP's
1) Keyboard lights control will be in the next version, I have two functions to control this: SetKBLight and ToggleKBLight
You will be able to set and toggle lights on you cab from within EmuTron, I've got mine going Night-Rider style right now.
2) History function to return the info out of the History.dat file so you can display it on the screen. This will be in the next version.
3) 3d support for .x and .3ds files. I've got the basic support in now, but I need to work out a way to control it all without adding too many functions to the scripting language.
4) I've already put in a better way to launch applications than using the .bat files I'm using now. EmuTron can Pause where it is, run the application(mame, etc..), and return to exactly where it left off without having to re-load / restart the script. This will be in the next version.
I've heard a few people saying that they miss / want a sorting capability in the FE. My question is : What kind of sorting should I support? Basic alphanumeric sorting should be easy, I'm think about putting in support for sorting on 3 - 4 "columns" of information, Like sorting first by manufacturer, then by name, or sorting by year, manufacturer, then name.
Would this be useful for anybody? The etconfig program can already do simple list sorts, but I'll put in multi-column sorts if anybody wants them.
So, my open-ended question is: What other features would you like to see?
-PacManFan
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My God PacManFan you're creating features faster than I can update the scripts in my cab.
I honestly can't think of any updates that you need at the moment.
As far as daphne goes, I've got it to the point that it can launch daphne games. Problem is though, that it launches the game using the ETLaunch.bat. The ETLaunch bat file also iincludes lines to relaunch Emutron (obviously after daphne has launched). It seems that there is a conflict at this point. The screen goes blank as Daphne runs thru the game diagnostics, then ETLaunch.bat keeps running, launches Emutron (which covers over Daphne) then it causes both programs to crash. This was the same problem that existed with using the ETLaunch.bat file to run Jukebox7 as well. Any ideas if there is a workaround? I suppose I may just have to wait for a later version... Oh well.
Thanks for the help with the screensaver. I thought I had the latest EmuTron docs, but I could be wrong.
Once again, I can't say it enough, Thanks for such a versatile frontend!!
Happy coding,
wee beastie
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My God PacManFan you're creating features faster than I can update the scripts in my cab.
I honestly can't think of any updates that you need at the moment.
As far as daphne goes, I've got it to the point that it can launch daphne games. Problem is though, that it launches the game using the ETLaunch.bat. The ETLaunch bat file also iincludes lines to relaunch Emutron (obviously after daphne has launched). It seems that there is a conflict at this point. The screen goes blank as Daphne runs thru the game diagnostics, then ETLaunch.bat keeps running, launches Emutron (which covers over Daphne) then it causes both programs to crash. This was the same problem that existed with using the ETLaunch.bat file to run Jukebox7 as well. Any ideas if there is a workaround? I suppose I may just have to wait for a later version... Oh well.
Thanks for the help with the screensaver. I thought I had the latest EmuTron docs, but I could be wrong.
Once again, I can't say it enough, Thanks for such a versatile frontend!!
Happy coding,
wee beastie
Yeah,
I ran into that problem with Emutron re-launching over a program I just launched. As I said in my previous post, I fixed that whole issue by putting in a differant method to launch applications. I guess I can release another version (maybe this weekend) that has the whole pause - launch app - resume thing.
Make sure you download the latest 2.10 from www.pacmanfan.com (http://www.pacmanfan.com), it's ogt the updated docs, and a new setup program.
-PacManFan
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Rock on!!!! ;D
I look forward to the next release. Also, one more question. When you put out the new release with the version that can pause emutron and launch another program, will I need to redo all the old scripts I've written (that currently work)? I guess, what I'm really asking is if the script files are "forward compatible"?
Thanks again,
wee
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Rock on!!!! ;D
I look forward to the next release. Also, one more question. When you put out the new release with the version that can pause emutron and launch another program, will I need to redo all the old scripts I've written (that currently work)? I guess, what I'm really asking is if the script files are "forward compatible"?
Thanks again,
wee
Yeah, all the scripts are forward compatible, I've added a new function called Launch2 that takes a few more parameters
Launch2 ( exename , exepath ,parameters , pause)
exename is the name of the application you want to launch,
exepath is the path it's located
parameters is the parameters you're passing,(like the rom name)
pause is a flag , 0 or 1 to let emutron know whether or not it should wait until the program finishes before continuing.
You'll have to make some minor changes to the LAUNCH_GAME event
so, instead of:
EVENT LAUNCH_GAME
KEYDEFS
SCAN_LALT ||JOY1_B1 || JOY2_B1 || MOUSE_BUTTON1
END_KEYDEFS
ACTIONS
playwave (WavePath+LnchSound)
SaveState()
OpenWriteFile ("ETLaunch.bat")
WriteToFile("cd " +mamepath)
WriteToFile(mamename + " " + rompath + CurListItem(testgamelist,FILECOL) + ".zip")
WriteToFile("cd " + emutronpath)
WriteToFile("emutron.exe")
CloseWriteFile()
Launch("etlaunch.bat")
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
you could do:
EVENT LAUNCH_GAME
KEYDEFS
SCAN_LALT ||JOY1_B1 || JOY2_B1 || MOUSE_BUTTON1
END_KEYDEFS
ACTIONS
playwave (WavePath+LnchSound)
Launch2(mamename,mamepath, rompath + CurListItem(testgamelist,FILECOL) + ".zip",1)
END_ACTIONS
END_EVENT
This makes launching a game much simpler.
Send me an email, and I'll email you back an attachment. (136k - exe and example script)
-PacManFan
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*email sent*
thanks,
nick
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[FLATTERY]
OMG, you are my own personal jesus christ, pacmanfan.
The new exe file with the Launch2 command works great. I'm still having a bit of trouble with Daphne, but I haven't really sat down and tinkered with it too much yet. It does, however, launch everything else just on my cab just perfectly!!!! It seems to have solved the problem of Emutron running over top of any other program you are trying to launch (mentioned above). Jukebox and PC games work great now.
If you're still looking for future modifications, I'm sure I can come up with a few suggestions, but as it is, EmuTron, meets my demands plus some! ;D ;D ;D
[/FLATTERY]
Extremely grateful for your hard work,
nick
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One question, is there a way to stop an mp3 that's already playing? When I launch my mame script, i have the ambientsound.mp3 (from Emulaxian) playing in the background. Problem is, that when the screensaver starts running, the mp3 continues playing.
If there isn't a way to stop an mp3, that is one addition you could make.
thanks,
wee beastie
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PacManFan
You mentioned you were looking for requests on sorting??
I haven't installed your fe yet, but what about being able to sort by Gerne,category, and Gamelists?
Also, is it possible to create then change what gamelist your selecting from?
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OK, sorry to beat a dead horse, but this might solve some people's problems in the future using daphne with emutron.
I have managed to get it to work!!!
You need to add the parameters -nohwaccel
and don't use the -fullscreen parameter.
Strangely, if I run it from the daphne commandline, I can use any parameters I like, but the -fullscreen parameter seems to have a conflict with Emutron. If yo simply delete that parameter you'll get daphne to load the game. You'll hear sound, but see no video. If you use the -nohwaccel parameter, this will give you the audio and video, and everything works great!!! I'll keep messing around with the parameters to see if there's an "optimum combination"
wee beastie
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Also, is it possible to create then change what gamelist your selecting from?
Sure, that's what the catagory list does, the catagory list has the name an filenames of your other lists. You can change between catagorys by using the LCTRL key.
-PacManFan
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OK, sorry to beat a dead horse, but this might solve some people's problems in the future using daphne with emutron.
I have managed to get it to work!!!
You need to add the parameters -nohwaccel
and don't use the -fullscreen parameter.
Strangely, if I run it from the daphne commandline, I can use any parameters I like, but the -fullscreen parameter seems to have a conflict with Emutron. If yo simply delete that parameter you'll get daphne to load the game. You'll hear sound, but see no video. If you use the -nohwaccel parameter, this will give you the audio and video, and everything works great!!! I'll keep messing around with the parameters to see if there's an "optimum combination"
wee beastie
ARe you using the Ultimarc Card (Arcade VGA - Andy's Card)? If so, The Overlays in Daphne are not supported. You need to use no hardware acceleration.
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Daphne also has issues with the order in which you pass commandline options and also if there are any stry spaces. Your best bet is to configure a game using daphne loader and check the "show command line parameters" option. Then run the game and it will show you the exact syntax for that game.
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Yeah, HC I noticed that Daphne is a bit picky. I am launching it correctly. It's not my video card (ATI AIW 128) as I can do fullscreen and hardware accel when I just launch it from a command line or Daphne Loader. However, when I launch it from a commandline within Emutron, I can't do fullscreen or hardware accel. I've also tried using your keystroke wrapper to launch Daphne Loader within Emutron. Same problem exists.
So, It must currently be a conflict between EmuTron and Daphne that will not allow me to run fullscreen and hardware accel. It seems this may either be a limitation of the frontend or (more likely) an option I've missed in EmuTron. This is not a major problem, though, as I can use the Daphne parameter -x 640 -y 480 and get VERY close to full screen (you just get a white line at the bottom).
Anyway, just letting people know how to get daphne to work within this frontend. I hope this helps someone else.
wee beastie
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Yeah, HC I noticed that Daphne is a bit picky. I am launching it correctly. It's not my video card (ATI AIW 128) as I can do fullscreen and hardware accel when I just launch it from a command line or Daphne Loader. However, when I launch it from a commandline within Emutron, I can't do fullscreen or hardware accel. I've also tried using your keystroke wrapper to launch Daphne Loader within Emutron. Same problem exists.
So, It must currently be a conflict between EmuTron and Daphne that will not allow me to run fullscreen and hardware accel. It seems this may either be a limitation of the frontend or (more likely) an option I've missed in EmuTron. This is not a major problem, though, as I can use the Daphne parameter -x 640 -y 480 and get VERY close to full screen (you just get a white line at the bottom).
Anyway, just letting people know how to get daphne to work within this frontend. I hope this helps someone else.
wee beastie
Hey wee beastie,
Are you using the new exe version I sent with the newLaunch2 command?
Or are you using the old Launch() function to launch Daphne? I haven't tried it out yet with Daphne. I'l download a copy and see if I can get it to work from within EmuTron. I'll report back my findings.
-PacManFan
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That's with the new exe version.
I don't recall if I tried using the other exe version (2.10)
Really, though, PacManFan, I didn't want to alarm you by posting this minor bug. I can get Daphne to run satisfactorily and you really don't need to trouble yourself with fixing this if you've got other stuff to do. I just posted so others could get Daphne to run without needing to tinker too much
wee beastie
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That's with the new exe version.
I don't recall if I tried using the other exe version (2.10)
Really, though, PacManFan, I didn't want to alarm you by posting this minor bug. I can get Daphne to run satisfactorily and you really don't need to trouble yourself with fixing this if you've got other stuff to do. I just posted so others could get Daphne to run without needing to tinker too much
wee beastie
Well, the main function of a front end is to launch emulator /programs, so if it's having a problem with launching ANYTHING, it's a fairly high-priority bug in my mind.
I'm experimenting with a few other C++ / windoze calls to launch applications and to group and manage running processes. Hopefully next version it'll be rock solid launching anything. Thanks for doing a lot of testing for me.
-PacManFan
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If that's the case, I'm glad to help!!! I really do appreciate you letting me in on the latest exe file and all your hard work that made Emutron possible ;D ;D ;D
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Hey, I finally got this thing to somewhat run. I need to stop being lazy and look at this scripting langauge to figure out how to customize it and get some lists to apear (and how to change lists). You need sometype of utility that configures the common stuff at least.
I keep forgetting what the default keys are, it is VERY annoying to look through the scripts for this.
Still need to make it easier to support multiple rom directories. I guess I have to search for that old thread again.
Also, what language is this wrote in? I ask because I might have better ways of doing things. The way mame is launched is horrible. At first I thought EmuTron crashed and just quit.
Also, a little video flaw, my taskbar (the part with the time and small icons) flashes through.
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Hey, I finally got this thing to somewhat run. I need to stop being lazy and look at this scripting langauge to figure out how to customize it and get some lists to apear (and how to change lists). You need sometype of utility that configures the common stuff at least.
Yeah, I do have a utilty to make lists, but as I remember, you were having problems getting it to run.
[quote ]
I keep forgetting what the default keys are, it is VERY annoying to look through the scripts for this.
Well, they can be differant for each differant script. where do you think I should put them? Maybe at the top of each script in a comment block?
[quote ]
Also, what language is this wrote in? I ask because I might have better ways of doing things. The way mame is launched is horrible. At first I thought EmuTron crashed and just quit.
[/quote ]
I've got that covered now, I'm about to release a new version with the abilty to pause the FE, launch a game, and than continue. The way I'm currently launching games is through a DOS bat file, I'm using a better way now (CreateProcess).
EmuTron is written entirely in C++ with a little asembler thrown in.
-PacManFan
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Well, something in the docs saying what the default keys are would be nice.