The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Software Support => DOS/WinCab => Topic started by: ozonejl on December 13, 2007, 12:14:01 pm
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Hey, I'm new to the board and to using this program. First of all, I must say I'm impressed with wincab and its ease of use. It didn't take long for me to figure out how to skin and customize. I just have a few questions that I couldn't find answers to...hopefully it's not annoying. Everyone seems nice around here.
1. I was considering making a jukebox with two displays. From my research, it isn't possible to run a program full-screen in two monitors unless the program specifically allows it. Thoughts?
2. I'm about to do some experiments to see if I can make a skin with old school title strips and a display for album art. Is this possible, or does the jukebox have to be cd style to show artwork?
3. Is there a simple way to link the coin function to an actual coin slot instead of a key? I thought this would be a fun way to make a slush fund for our basement "pub."
Again, awesome program. I had a few suggestions, but I forgot what they were. I've been a little busy the last few days.
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Hey, I'm new to the board and to using this program. First of all, I must say I'm impressed with wincab and its ease of use. It didn't take long for me to figure out how to skin and customize. I just have a few questions that I couldn't find answers to...hopefully it's not annoying. Everyone seems nice around here.
1. I was considering making a jukebox with two displays. From my research, it isn't possible to run a program full-screen in two monitors unless the program specifically allows it. Thoughts?
I do not know. I use DirectX to display the screen; I have no specific provisions for multiple monitors, nor dio I have such a setup to even test it. Are you hoping to show the same image on both monitors?
2. I'm about to do some experiments to see if I can make a skin with old school title strips and a display for album art. Is this possible, or does the jukebox have to be cd style to show artwork?
No, this is currently not possible; however, you can use a background image on CD labels just as you can on classic labels. (Oddly, no one has ever used this feature on a CD skin, not even myself.) With an appropriate image you can give it an old-school look.
3. Is there a simple way to link the coin function to an actual coin slot instead of a key? I thought this would be a fun way to make a slush fund for our basement "pub."
Yes. A coin slot is just a switch with a coin validation mechanism in front of it, so you can hook it up through any method you would hook up any other control panel button. A "roll-down" type coin acceptor would be perfect for such an application:
(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/e-clec-tech_1976_189411875)
Happ carries this and other acceptors at http://www.happcontrols.com/coindoors/acceptors.htm , but they can be found brand new at half the price on eBay. Just make sure you choose a mechanical one instead of an electronic one.
Again, awesome program. I had a few suggestions, but I forgot what they were. I've been a little busy the last few days.
Thank you for the kind words! I apologize for the delay in answering your questions.
--Chris
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1. Essentially, I was hoping to have two displays in a cabinet set up like this: A bottom screen sitting parallel(ish) to the floor with the card catalogue, and a second screen with song, selection and credit information- plus album art. I think a skin would run like this in a window stretched across both monitors, but I was hoping to make it work full screen in both. I might not even try to make this set up a reality; As time has gone by, my friends and I have been more than happy with one display.
2. As stated, I might jettison my whole original idea in favor of the more conventional skin I've been making. If I get more ambitious, I might do the "album art with old title strips" thing just because I like messing with the program.
3. If anyone has a link where I can learn how to do this, it would be nice. I can go looking on my own, but I like saving time. Do you just solder the switch to a key on the keyboard, or what? Please don't go to a lot of trouble explaining this to me, but if someone has a link to where I can learn, I will gladly follow. I'm guessing I need to look around the MAME forums some more?
Oh, and we're running the jukebox on my friend's Vista computer. Vista sucks.
Thanks for the help. If I turn into a decent skinner, I'll let ya know.
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1. Essentially, I was hoping to have two displays in a cabinet set up like this: A bottom screen sitting parallel(ish) to the floor with the card catalogue, and a second screen with song, selection and credit information- plus album art. I think a skin would run like this in a window stretched across both monitors, but I was hoping to make it work full screen in both. I might not even try to make this set up a reality; As time has gone by, my friends and I have been more than happy with one display.
This is theoretically possible using a windowed display; to create a windowed display, simply specify a resolution not suported by your monitor. However, performance will be lower. Windowed modes are technically an unsupported configuration, but with a decently powered machine it should work fine.
3. If anyone has a link where I can learn how to do this, it would be nice. I can go looking on my own, but I like saving time. Do you just solder the switch to a key on the keyboard, or what? Please don't go to a lot of trouble explaining this to me, but if someone has a link to where I can learn, I will gladly follow. I'm guessing I need to look around the MAME forums some more?
The most common way to do this would be to use a keyboard encoder (see http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Keyboard_Encoders). Hacking a keyboard (http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_input.shtml#KeyboardPort) is also an option; most of the "regulars" here will not recommend it due to many drawbacks related to arcade machines but for a jukebox where only one key is pressed at a time a keyboard hack would work fine. Finally, you could hack apart an old gamepad and connect switches to the gamepad's switches. If the only input you need is a coin switch this could be an easy and inexpensive way to go, especially if you have an old gamepad that is worn out but still has a couple of functioning buttons.
Thanks for the help. If I turn into a decent skinner, I'll let ya know.
If you have any questions about skinning, please let me know. The skin definition files are poorly documented and not well implemented, so I know how tricky it can be to create a skin.
--Chris