CPWizard v2.63 Released

[urbecrisch]

I'm using v106.  Does that mean I cannot use the pause/unpause button to turn on/off the CP viewer?

[urbecrisch]

Just checked and the pause key does not work?  Does this mean every time I use the CP WIZ, the game will always run in the background?  If so, any ideas/suggestions on getting around this?

[headkaze]

For Mame 106 there is not Mame Output System so therefore CPWizard can't detect Pause. The default key to show the CP in your case is KEYCODE_L so if you press the L key instead of pause it should show the CP. You can go to Edit->Options and set the Show Key to KEYCODE_P (P for pause) if you wan't.

[urbecrisch]

You can go to Edit->Options and set the Show Key to KEYCODE_P (P for pause) if you wan't.

Tried this and it doesn't work    Mame will pause, but the CP panel does not show.  I'm running the newest version of Mala which shouldn't cause any problems.  What next?

[headkaze]

Tried this and it doesn't work    Mame will pause, but the CP panel does not show.  I'm running the newest version of Mala which shouldn't cause any problems.  What next?

First run CPWizard and select View->Preview. Select a Mame game from the list and click Show. Does the menu show?

Next minimize CPWizard to the tray. Run a Mame game (outside Mala) then try pressing your Show Key set in Edit->Options->Input. Does it show?

Post here your results along with your CPWizard.log and CPWizard.ini files.

[urbecrisch]

Now I tried it and none of the inputs I set up show the CP?  Strange.  The preview shows the CP but during the game I cannot get it to show.  I tried in both Mala and Mame32.  How do I find the log and ini files.  I checked my CP WIZ folder but could not find them.  Thanks.

[headkaze]

Now I tried it and none of the inputs I set up show the CP?  Strange.  The preview shows the CP but during the game I cannot get it to show.  I tried in both Mala and Mame32.  How do I find the log and ini files.  I checked my CP WIZ folder but could not find them.  Thanks.

The should be in the C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data

Also make sure you don't have the following options set under Edit->Options->Mame

- Make sure "Use Mame Output System" is NOT ticked (that would prevent the CP from showing)
- Make sure "Detect Pause" is NOT ticked

[urbecrisch]

Using Mala, I got the pause button to work for the CP to view, however; the game does not pause.  Is this something that can be fixed or am I SOL?  In Mame 32, when I press the pause key to bring up the viewer, it minimizes Mame and does not show the CP.  Also, what are the names of the ini and log you need?  Still can't find anything with such names in the CP WIZ folder 

[headkaze]

Using Mala, I got the pause button to work for the CP to view, however; the game does not pause.  Is this something that can be fixed or am I SOL?  In Mame 32, when I press the pause key to bring up the viewer, it minimizes Mame and does not show the CP.  Also, what are the names of the ini and log you need?  Still can't find anything with such names in the CP WIZ folder 

The Edit->Options->Mame->Send Pause Key should do it again depending on your Mame version.

Not sure why it's not working in Mame32. My guess is your using the wrong settings for your version of Mame.

The files I'm asking for are called..

C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.log
C:\Program Files\CPWizard\CPWizard.ini

Sorry I thought they were in the Data folder, they're not

[urbecrisch]

Funny thing is I don't see either file in any of my CP WIZ folder.  What's up with that?

[headkaze]

Funny thing is I don't see either file in any of my CP WIZ folder.  What's up with that?

lol that is VERY strange. I have no idea why they wouldn't be there???

Now I'm very confused! 

[urbecrisch]

Did a C:\ search on my computer and couldn't find either file.  Only came up with config file:  Is there somthing I'm missing?

[General]
RunOnStartup=False
VolumeControlEnable=False
DynamicDataLoading=False
GhostScriptExe=C:\Program Files\gs\gs\bin\gswin32c.exe
[HideDesktop]
Enable=False
HideDesktopOnStartup=False
HideMouseCursor=True
HideDesktopUsingForms=False
SetWallpaperBlack=False
HideDesktopIcons=False
HideTaskbar=False
MoveMouseOffscreen=False
[Mame]
Exe=C:\Mame\Mame32\Mame32.exe
Layout=1-24-08
LayoutOverride=Mame
UseMameOutputSystem=False
Screenshot=False
DetectPause=False
SendPauseKey=False
SkipDisclaimer=False
UseOverlay=False
Version=0.106
[MameFolders]
Cabinets=C:\Mame\Mame32\cabinets
Cfg=C:\Mame\Mame32\cfg
CPanel=C:\Mame\Mame32\cpanel
Ctrlr=C:\Mame\Mame32\ctrlr
Flyers=C:\Mame\Mame32\flyers
Icons=C:\Mame\Mame32\icons
Ini=C:\Mame\Mame32\ini
Marquees=C:\Mame\Mame32\marquees
Snap=C:\Mame\Mame32\snap
Titles=C:\Mame\Mame32\titles
Manuals=
PCB=
Previews=
Select=
[Layout]
LayoutName=1-24-08
[Display]
Rotate=0
Screen=\\.\DISPLAY1
AllowOverlays=False
ForceColorKey=False
ShowDelay=0
LabelLinkShow=True
LabelLinkSize=4
LabelSpotShow=True
LabelSpotSize=8
[Input]
ShowKey=KEYCODE_P
SelectKey=KEYCODE_LCONTROL
BackKey=KEYCODE_BACKSPACE
MenuUp=KEYCODE_UP
MenuDown=KEYCODE_DOWN
MenuLeft=KEYCODE_LEFT
MenuRight=KEYCODE_RIGHT
VolumeDown=KEYCODE_MINUS
VolumeUp=KEYCODE_EQUALS
ShowDesktop=KEYCODE_HOME
HideDesktop=KEYCODE_END
BackKeyExitMenu=False
[PDF]
GhostScriptExe=C:\Program Files\gs\gs\bin\gswin32c.exe
[IRC]
Server=irc.foreverchat.net
Port=6667
Channel=#ArcadeChat
NickName=CJB
UserName=CHRIS
RealName=CPWizard
IsInvisible=True
[LastWriteTime]
ControlsDat=1/5/2008 2:38:54 AM
ColorsIni=11/12/2007 6:14:26 AM
CatVer=12/13/2007 10:36:40 PM
NPlayers=12/19/2007 1:56:24 PM
HallOfFame=12/20/2007 12:15:10 PM
Mame=5/13/2006 5:56:44 PM
[Data]
ShowCPOnly=True
MameCP=False
GameInfo=False
GameHistory=False
MameInfo=False
ControlInfo=False
HighScore=False
MameArtwork=False
MameManual=False
MameIRC=False
EmulatorCP=False
EmulatorArtwork=False
EmulatorManual=False
OperationCard=False
NFO=False
EmulatorIRC=False
[Export]
ExportFolder=
[DataFiles]
ControlsDat=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\controls.xml
ColorsIni=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\colors.ini
CatVer=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\catver.ini
NPlayers=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\nplayers.ini
ListInfo=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\ListInfo.xml
MiniInfo=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\MiniInfo.xml
CommandDat=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\Command.dat
HistoryDat=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\History.dat
MameInfoDat=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\MameInfo.dat
HallOfFame=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\HallOfFame.xml
StoryDat=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\Story.dat
StdIni=C:\Program Files\CPWizard\Data\Std.ini

[headkaze]

Going by your recent post the CP is showing only Mame is not pausing?

SendPauseKey=False

I see you have that setting not set. Did you set the option to Send Pause Key?

[urbecrisch]

Yes, when I have the send pause key set the game has glitches and will not show anything.  Then I disable the set pause key and the CP viewer does not show at all!  Damn!  I can't image what I'm doing wrong.  Shouldn't be this difficult, right?

[headkaze]

Yes, when I have the send pause key set the game has glitches and will not show anything.  Then I disable the set pause key and the CP viewer does not show at all!  Damn!  I can't image what I'm doing wrong.  Shouldn't be this difficult, right?

Have you tried using command line Mame instead?

[urbecrisch]

Where can I get the command line version for Mame v106?  All I have is the Mame32 version.

[shock_]

Where can I get the command line version for Mame v106?  All I have is the Mame32 version.

http://mamedev.org/oldrel.html

[headkaze]

I also think something very strange is happening if you can't find the CPWizard.log file. That would help me alot to look at that.

[urbecrisch]

Is this what you're looking for?

1/29/2008 12:48:19 AM: CPWizard v1.57
1/29/2008 12:48:21 AM: OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
1/29/2008 12:48:21 AM: Version: 5.1.2600
1/29/2008 12:48:21 AM: Build: 2600
1/29/2008 12:48:21 AM: RAM Total: 1280 MB
1/29/2008 12:48:21 AM: RAM Used: 912 MB
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.53GHz
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6200
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: Video Driver: 6.14.10.9371
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: Video RAM: 256 MB
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: Sound Card: Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: Sound Card: Dell Movie Studio Audio Device
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: Sound Card: SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: .NET: .NET Framework 1.1 Installed
1/29/2008 12:48:22 AM: .NET: .NET Framework 2.0 Installed
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Initializing InterComm Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Initializing Cmd Line Watcher
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Starting InterComm Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Initializing Display Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Initializing Program Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Reading Config
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Initializing Main Menu
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Initializing Layout Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:24 AM: Initializing Game Info
1/29/2008 12:48:25 AM: Initializing History Dat
1/29/2008 12:48:25 AM: Initializing MameInfo Dat
1/29/2008 12:48:25 AM: Initializing Command Dat
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing Story Dat
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing Artwork Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing Mame Manuals
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing Emulator Manuals
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing Emulator OpCard
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing NFO Viewer
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing IRC
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing SendKeys
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing Mame Interop
1/29/2008 12:48:26 AM: Initializing Mame Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Initializing Emulator Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Initializing Keyboard Hook
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Initializing Direct Input
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Initializing MCE Remote
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Initializing Input Manager
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Initializing Profiles
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Initializing Bezel
1/29/2008 12:48:27 AM: Reading Mame Data
1/29/2008 12:48:29 AM: Mame Version 0.106
1/29/2008 12:48:29 AM: Initializing Mini Info Xml
1/29/2008 12:48:29 AM: Initializing Mame Ini
1/29/2008 12:48:29 AM: Reading Mame Ini
1/29/2008 12:48:29 AM: Initializing Mame Cfg
1/29/2008 12:48:29 AM: Initializing Mame Command Line
1/29/2008 12:48:29 AM: Reading Mini Info Xml
1/29/2008 12:48:31 AM: Reading All Mame Cfg's
1/29/2008 12:48:31 AM: Creating MainBitmap
1/29/2008 12:48:31 AM: Shutting Down Mame Interop
1/29/2008 1:10:04 AM: ERROR @ Show (ProgramManager)
1/29/2008 1:10:04 AM: Error creating window handle.
1/29/2008 1:10:04 AM:    at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.CreateHandle(CreateParams cp)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateHandle()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.CreateHandle()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.get_Handle()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.Show()
   at b3.a(a A_0, Int32 A_1, Int32 A_2)
   at ae.k()
1/29/2008 1:32:40 AM: Shutting Down Program Manager
1/29/2008 1:32:40 AM: Writing Config
1/29/2008 1:32:41 AM: Exiting

[headkaze]

Is this what you're looking for?

Yes it helps alot. This tells me why the CP is not showing is because "Error creating window handle.". This means it can not create the window to show the CP.

I am curious, what are you running to use up 912 MB of your 1280 MB RAM? That seems to be alot of stuff you have running. I just launched up CPWizard with IE 7 and 7 tabs open and for me I get 678 MB of 1022 MB RAM used. I don't think it's what is causing the problem though.

Can you try setting a "Show Delay" under "Display Options" to say, 5 to 10 seconds and see if the error goes away?

[urbecrisch]

RAM was lower this time but still had problems.  The screen glitches and does not show CP.  I set the delay to 10.  Here's the log:

1/30/2008 5:38:34 PM: CPWizard v1.57
1/30/2008 5:38:35 PM: OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
1/30/2008 5:38:35 PM: Version: 5.1.2600
1/30/2008 5:38:35 PM: Build: 2600
1/30/2008 5:38:35 PM: RAM Total: 1280 MB
1/30/2008 5:38:35 PM: RAM Used: 694 MB
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.53GHz
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6200
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: Video Driver: 6.14.10.9371
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: Video RAM: 256 MB
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: Sound Card: Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: Sound Card: Dell Movie Studio Audio Device
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: Sound Card: SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: .NET: .NET Framework 1.1 Installed
1/30/2008 5:38:37 PM: .NET: .NET Framework 2.0 Installed
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Initializing InterComm Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Initializing Cmd Line Watcher
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Starting InterComm Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Initializing Display Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Initializing Program Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Reading Config
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Initializing Main Menu
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Initializing Layout Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:40 PM: Initializing Game Info
1/30/2008 5:38:41 PM: Initializing History Dat
1/30/2008 5:38:41 PM: Initializing MameInfo Dat
1/30/2008 5:38:41 PM: Initializing Command Dat
1/30/2008 5:38:43 PM: Initializing Story Dat
1/30/2008 5:38:43 PM: Initializing Artwork Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:43 PM: Initializing Mame Manuals
1/30/2008 5:38:43 PM: Initializing Emulator Manuals
1/30/2008 5:38:43 PM: Initializing Emulator OpCard
1/30/2008 5:38:43 PM: Initializing NFO Viewer
1/30/2008 5:38:43 PM: Initializing IRC
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing SendKeys
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing Mame Interop
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing Mame Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing Emulator Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing Keyboard Hook
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing Direct Input
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing MCE Remote
1/30/2008 5:38:46 PM: Initializing Input Manager
1/30/2008 5:38:47 PM: Initializing Profiles
1/30/2008 5:38:47 PM: Initializing Bezel
1/30/2008 5:38:47 PM: Reading Mame Data
1/30/2008 5:38:49 PM: Mame Version 0.106
1/30/2008 5:38:49 PM: Initializing Mini Info Xml
1/30/2008 5:38:49 PM: Initializing Mame Ini
1/30/2008 5:38:49 PM: Reading Mame Ini
1/30/2008 5:38:49 PM: Initializing Mame Cfg
1/30/2008 5:38:49 PM: Initializing Mame Command Line
1/30/2008 5:38:49 PM: Reading Mini Info Xml
1/30/2008 5:38:51 PM: Reading All Mame Cfg's
1/30/2008 5:38:53 PM: Creating MainBitmap
1/30/2008 5:38:53 PM: Shutting Down Mame Interop

[headkaze]

That's not the full log. Did it have the same error in the log?

[urbecrisch]

No.  Here's the rest:

1/30/2008 10:26:15 PM: Shutting Down Program Manager
1/30/2008 10:26:18 PM: Writing Config
1/30/2008 10:26:21 PM: Exiting

Not sure why it's acting up like this 

[headkaze]

I would suggest you turn off the delay again. Now I would try editing your mame.ini file and making sure the following setting is set:

Code: [Select]

switchres                 0
I'm guessing it's when Mame is being minimized and the resolution is changed back to your desktop it might be causing a problem.

Also I would be testing this outside any front end just to make sure it's not some conflict there. Also when its "not showing" can you get it to show by pressing ALT-Tab?

[Dazz]

Headkaze,

Thank you for putting together this app...  I really like it, but I see a couple issues that I need to figure out if it is just me or the application.

I've been trying to learn CPV2 and this one to determine which I like best.  I have setup CPV2 and it works good, but I am having focus issues once the CPV2 window is closed.  I' looking into using CPWizard now to see how it functions and looks.  I am having a couple issues with it (more then likely it's me and not the app, but I need some direction).

I think configuring the buttons is a bit more cumbersome then it should be.  With CPV2 it uses P1_BUTTON1 and pulls what you have configured in MAME as your button1.  So, if I had to reprogram my controller for some reason I wouldn't have to go in and update my viewer as well.  Simply re-program MAME and it finds the config immediately.  With your app you have to specify what key input goes with what button.  Re-programming a controller would require you to update the viewer with the new inputs as well... duplicating work. 

The second issue is that I encountered when building my control panel design in CPWizard.  I could see the buttons and items I added in CPWizard designer, but once I tested (Preview) it the buttons were gone, but labels still showing.  I think this had something to do with the grouping, but I haven't quite figured out how exactly the grouping works.  How exactly does CPWizard work with shared buttons/inputs?  I copied my player 1 button 1 and button 2 over to other buttons that I use for 4 way games.  When testing I see the labels, but sometimes they are next to my 8-way setup and not the 4-way setup.  I'm assuming that this goes back to the grouping that I still cannot figure out how to use correctly...   Below is an image to what I am describing... As you can see some of the controls are faded out.  In this image none of the labels or inputs have groups assigned.



Since I was having issues using your designer and the buttons/joysticks disappearing I created my design in PS3.  I can use my design image in CPV2, but for some reason if I try to change the background to my image in CPWizard the background goes blank.  The image is .png at 640x480.  Is there something that I am missing?  Does the app not work like this?  *** I just figured this out.  Apparently the image MUST be located in the Media folder of CPWizard and not anywhere else.  I had the image on my desktop originally. ***

Third,and final, issue... is there a way to turn off the Snap to Grid that the designer does?  I've found that sometimes when the element snaps to the grid on the design it doesn't always line up correctly.  Sometimes it will snap in the center of the grid boxes... This is very annoying... This is one of the reason as to why I decided to make a .png of my control panel instead of using your designer.

I've looked at your documentation, but didn't see anything that would answer my questions... Any suggestions or anything that would be able to assist me?

[headkaze]

If you set up a LabelLink then if the control isn't found it will alpha fade it out. Remove the LabelLink's to the controls you don't want this to happen to. I'm going to add a new option to turn off the alpha fade.

I think configuring the buttons is a bit more cumbersome then it should be.  With CPV2 it uses P1_BUTTON1 and pulls what you have configured in MAME as your button1.  So, if I had to reprogram my controller for some reason I wouldn't have to go in and update my viewer as well.  Simply re-program MAME and it finds the config immediately.  With your app you have to specify what key input goes with what button.  Re-programming a controller would require you to update the viewer with the new inputs as well... duplicating work.

Believe it or not the way CPWizard works is better. This was a design decision and Johnny 5 uses the same technique (I followed Howard's advice and use the same method). Using the KeyCode instead of the P1_BUTTON1 type names means that if you have custom ctrlr or cfg files for the game it can take that into account. You should not be changing the keycodes on your CP, once you have them set that should be it. If you remap a game in Mame CPWizard will take those remappings into account.

I can use my design image in CPV2, but for some reason if I try to change the background to my image in CPWizard the background goes blank.

The image file has to be placed inside the CPWizard's Media folder. Oh just re-read looks like you figured that out

Third,and final, issue... is there a way to turn off the Snap to Grid that the designer does?  I've found that sometimes when the element snaps to the grid on the design it doesn't always line up correctly.  Sometimes it will snap in the center of the grid boxes... This is very annoying... This is one of the reason as to why I decided to make a .png of my control panel instead of using your designer.

Press the little grid button to turn off Snap to Grid.

[Dazz]

If you set up a LabelLink then if the control isn't found it will alpha fade it out. Remove the LabelLink's to the controls you don't want this to happen to. I'm going to add a new option to turn of the alpha fade.

Ahhh, I thought I tried that.  I'll go back and revisit that. 

Believe it or not the way CPWizard works better. This was a design decision and Johnny 5 uses the same technique. Using the KeyCode instead of the P1_BUTTON1 type names means that if you have custom ctrlr or cfg files for the game it can take that into account. You should not be changing the keycodes on your CP, once you have them set that should be it. If you remap a game in Mame CPWizard will take those remappings into account.

Gotcha and I see where you are coming from.  Lately I've been re-programming my controller quite a bit lately trying to iron out any possible windows functions from coming up while playing different emus.  So this was fresh on my mind, but I guess once I get it programmed to my liking I will not have to program it again.  Works for me.

Press the little grid button to turn off Snap to Grid.

I just did that and it works, but I like having the grid as well to line up with other elements that the yellow lines don't intersect with.  A suggestion would be to allow the grid to stay and have a tick to turn of snapping.

Also, what about the possibility of an anchor type system?  I don 't quite know how to explain it, but perhaps the image might help.  I think this would be nice to have especially with games that have long button names.



With apps like this the main issue that I have is that the text is very difficult to line up without overlaying another buttons text.  This has always discouraged me from using any CPView system in the past.  Since my graphic skills have increased a bit since last time I used these I'm trying again with my own designs.  Basically you can attach an anchor anywhere on your design, tell the label to anchor to that element and then the application displays a line to that element to the anchor.  The anchor would be an invisible element, but the line would not.   I think with something like this you can simply place an anchor, choose the color of the line you want, and attach it to that label.  If you move the label anywhere on the screen the line would always follow the label and be connected to its anchor point.  Perhaps even allow multiple anchor points to a single label...

Sorry this is just an idea that I would personally like to see in any app like this...  I really like how your Link/group system works.  I am going to go back and play with that for a bit.

[headkaze]

With apps like this the main issue that I have is that the text is very difficult to line up without overlaying another buttons text.  This has always discouraged me from using any CPView system in the past.  Since my graphic skills have increased a bit since last time I used these I'm trying again with my own designs.  Basically you can attach an anchor anywhere on your design, tell the label to anchor to that element and then the application displays a line to that element to the anchor.  The anchor would be an invisible element, but the line would not.   I think with something like this you can simply place an anchor, choose the color of the line you want, and attach it to that label.  If you move the label anywhere on the screen the line would always follow the label and be connected to its anchor point.  Perhaps even allow multiple anchor points to a single label...

Sorry this is just an idea that I would personally like to see in any app like this...  I really like how your Link/group system works.  I am going to go back and play with that for a bit.

CPWizard already does this, but I don't call it an Anchor I call it a LabelLink Under Edit->Options->Display if you have LabelLink set to show and you have your labels properly linked to images it will draw a line from the centre of the label to the centre of the image. So you don't have to have labels over images, you can have them at a distance and the arrow will show what control the label belongs to. This is why it's best not to draw your CP in Photoshop but to design it in the CPWizard. I'm very good with Photoshop but I find the CPWizard editor very intuitive to use, even easier to use in some respects.

BTW I just uploaded Version 1.58 which has added options under Edit->Options->Display to toggle Alpha Fade and the value of the alpha.

[Dazz]

CPWizard already does this, but I don't call it an Anchor I call it a LabelLink Under Edit->Options->Display if you have LabelLink set to show and you have your labels properly linked to images it will draw a line from the centre of the label to the centre of the image. So you don't have to have labels over images, you can have them at a distance and the arrow will show what control the label belongs to. Give it a try

Seriously?  I guess I haven't spent enough time messing around, was busier getting annoyed with my controls fading to try that part.

Question...  Do you have to use one of your images to link it to?  Or is there a way to link it to an area already created on the background image?  I really would like to use my already created control panel instead of having to design using your images.  (nothing against it, but I just found it easier to do in Photoshop)

BTW I just uploaded Version 1.58 which has added options under Edit->Options->Display to toggle Alpha Fade and the value of the alpha.

[headkaze]

CPWizard already does this, but I don't call it an Anchor I call it a LabelLink Under Edit->Options->Display if you have LabelLink set to show and you have your labels properly linked to images it will draw a line from the centre of the label to the centre of the image. So you don't have to have labels over images, you can have them at a distance and the arrow will show what control the label belongs to. Give it a try

Seriously?  I guess I haven't spent enough time messing around, was busier getting annoyed with my controls fading to try that part.

Question...  Do you have to use one of your images to link it to?  Or is there a way to link it to an area already created on the background image?  I really would like to use my already created control panel instead of having to design using your images.  (nothing against it, but I just found it easier to do in Photoshop)

BTW I just uploaded Version 1.58 which has added options under Edit->Options->Display to toggle Alpha Fade and the value of the alpha.

[/quote]

I just uploaded a screenshot to my last post to show you LabelLink's. Sorry but I did not design CPWizard to use a static image in the background. If you need to have arrows then you will need to put the buttons there using the CPWizard editor, sorry

[Dazz]

I just uploaded a screenshot to my last post to show you LabelLink's. Sorry but I did not design CPWizard to use a static image in the background. If you need to have arrows then you will need to put the buttons there using the CPWizard editor, sorry

Thanks for the screenshot.  That is what I have been looking for.  Didn't understand the terminology I guess.  I'm going to go play around with this app more now that I know it can do what I want.  Looks great.

Hmmm... I wonder if creating a blank/transparent .png and using that would act as an anchor.  I just tested and left the image blank, but testing shows your blank image instead of nothing.  I'm going to try this and see if it works.

/edit... OK, I created a 1x1 transparent pic in PS.  I can use that as an anchor point and it works.  It works great, but it is impossible to re-position a 1x1px invisible image.  lol

Next and final question (I hope), is it not possible to change the color of the LabelLink arrow/line?

[headkaze]

I just uploaded a screenshot to my last post to show you LabelLink's. Sorry but I did not design CPWizard to use a static image in the background. If you need to have arrows then you will need to put the buttons there using the CPWizard editor, sorry

Thanks for the screenshot.  That is what I have been looking for.  Didn't understand the terminology I guess.  I'm going to go play around with this app more now that I know it can do what I want.  Looks great.

Hmmm... I wonder if creating a blank/transparent .png and using that would act as an anchor.  I just tested and left the image blank, but testing shows your blank image instead of nothing.  I'm going to try this and see if it works.

/edit... OK, I created a 1x1 transparent pic in PS.  I can use that as an anchor point and it works.  It works great, but it is impossible to re-position a 1x1px invisible image.  lol

Next and final question (I hope), is it not possible to change the color of the LabelLink arrow/line?

Your in luck today because I just finished another project recently so I have enough time to update again. I've been meaning to allow you to change the color, so I've uploaded another version with this update

The reason a 1x1 transparent  pic won't work is because it's too small and it's transparent. I would make the image about 16x16 and have a circle in the middle that is slightly opaque. That way you will be able to select it and move it around.

By the way you can use the cursor keys to move selected objects around one pixel at a time even with the Snap To Grid" option enabled. This means you can line up objects pixel perfectly while still having the grid showing.

[Dazz]

You rock!  Thank you very much for the app and the quick updates!

Ok, one more quick question... Do you know if your .diff plays nicely with the Highscore.diff that changes the pause key when you hit TAB?

[headkaze]

You rock!  Thank you very much for the app and the quick updates!

Ok, one more quick question... Do you know if your .diff plays nicely with the Highscore.diff that changes the pause key when you hit TAB?

Yes my diff works fine with the highscore diff. I use a Mame version that has them both applied on my cab

[Dazz]

You rock!  Thank you very much for the app and the quick updates!

Ok, one more quick question... Do you know if your .diff plays nicely with the Highscore.diff that changes the pause key when you hit TAB?

Yes my diff works fine with the highscore diff. I use a Mame version that has them both applied on my cab

Thank you.  I just finished compiling and it appears to have worked.  Haven't tested yet though. 

Again, thank you very much for this program, the quick updates and all of your assistance!

[Dazz]

Ok, I love your app... Works great now that I've spent some time with it.  I am now delving into the other aspects of it.  Just come across the command.dat support.  I found a site via the Wiki that has the command.dat files.  Looks like the latest build is from Feb 2007.  Is this file being up-kept or is this the most recent version?

[urbecrisch]

I would suggest you turn off the delay again. Now I would try editing your mame.ini file and making sure the following setting is set:

Code: [Select]

switchres                 0
I'm guessing it's when Mame is being minimized and the resolution is changed back to your desktop it might be causing a problem.

Also I would be testing this outside any front end just to make sure it's not some conflict there. Also when its "not showing" can you get it to show by pressing ALT-Tab?

switchres was already set to 0.  Just tested now and in Mala the CP viewer works, however; still unable to pause game even though the show button is set to "P". 

[headkaze]

I would suggest you turn off the delay again. Now I would try editing your mame.ini file and making sure the following setting is set:

Code: [Select]

switchres                 0
I'm guessing it's when Mame is being minimized and the resolution is changed back to your desktop it might be causing a problem.

Also I would be testing this outside any front end just to make sure it's not some conflict there. Also when its "not showing" can you get it to show by pressing ALT-Tab?

switchres was already set to 0.  Just tested now and in Mala the CP viewer works, however; still unable to pause game even though the show button is set to "P". 

Do you have the "Send Pause Key" option set under Edit->Options->Mame? If your using P to show the CP and Send Pause Key on then it will be sending the 'p' twice. So it will be pausing then unpausing. This is why the default show key is L. Because when you press L to show with the Send Pause key it will send 'p'. So I would try changing the Send Pause Key option until you can get Mame pausing.

BTW It's alot less painful using a newer version of Mame

[urbecrisch]

Works now, although a times the CP does not show up.  I have to press the show key a few times to get it to work.  I'm thinking of updating to the newest Mame version so should not be a problem in the future.  Thanks for helping out.  How do you fade the buttons which are not being used?  That would be a cool feature to have on my cab.  Thanks again.

[headkaze]

Works now, although a times the CP does not show up.  I have to press the show key a few times to get it to work.  I'm thinking of updating to the newest Mame version so should not be a problem in the future.  Thanks for helping out.  How do you fade the buttons which are not being used?  That would be a cool feature to have on my cab.  Thanks again.

You need to use a LabelLink. So you select a button then show the button's properties. Then under Label Link select the label it is associated to. Then if the control is not being used it will alpha fade the control out.