How difficult is 3Darcade to setup and run properly?

[arcadecab]

I am relatively new to MAME and frontends, but I have virtually mastered the ins and outs of MAMEwah--which I truly love, but if I did try something else just to mix in and out with for something different, I would like to try 3darcade.  The walk through and 3d models look truly awesome and the new "Ultracade" setup that is possible is really nice.  I am not a computer programmer by any means and I know that 3darcade is not nearly as user-friendly as MAMEwah, or so I have heard.  At what level should you be before taking on a 3darcade setup?  Are there some shortcuts or other ways for the novice/moderate mamer to get most of the effects of 3darcade without pulling hair out in frustration with all the ins and outs that are possible?  Just wondering if anyone else has taken out 3darcade without extensive computer experience and if it is within reach.  I CD/DVD with an automatic setup of 3darcade would be nice and some menu-driven "noobie-proof" options.  
Thanks.

[)p(]

I am relatively new to MAME and frontends, but I have virtually mastered the ins and outs of MAMEwah--which I truly love, but if I did try something else just to mix in and out with for something different, I would like to try 3darcade.  The walk through and 3d models look truly awesome and the new "Ultracade" setup that is possible is really nice.  I am not a computer programmer by any means and I know that 3darcade is not nearly as user-friendly as MAMEwah, or so I have heard.  At what level should you be before taking on a 3darcade setup?  Are there some shortcuts or other ways for the novice/moderate mamer to get most of the effects of 3darcade without pulling hair out in frustration with all the ins and outs that are possible?  Just wondering if anyone else has taken out 3darcade without extensive computer experience and if it is within reach.  I CD/DVD with an automatic setup of 3darcade would be nice and some menu-driven "noobie-proof" options.  
Thanks.

just try it ;-)

there is a little setup guide in the docs you can reach by the "newuser please readme" link in the main fe folder. it explains step by step how to start...should take no more then 5 minutes ;-) (basically you only have to pint the fe to your mame and to the artwork to start.)

there might come a cd available in the neear future with everything preinstalled.

[arcadecab]

Thanks )p(.  I will just have to try it--I didnt realize there was a newuser doc.  I am very interested though in the CD with 3dArcade preinstalled with all the cool options that 3Darcade has available, ie 3d models cabinets, walk-though, and ultracade type menu option.  I hope that becomes a reality soon and I am sure there would be plenty of others that would really appreciated the CD!!

[lhallmark]

I think the 3D Arcade is almost as cool as the games we play. Setting it up is not real hard as there are numerous preconfigured arcades and skins included or available for download from the site. Once you get the bug you could probably spend ALOT of time changing things to the way you want them.
Peter is the creator and he seems to always be available to help. For example, I asked how to combine features from two different arcades and skins. Peter replied back on  the forum on how to do it and then a little later posted a custom config file to do what I wanted.
I am currently using an arcade configured by Scapino that shows 114 cabinets at a time residing in two different rooms, each with an upstairs level. The other mode has an Ultracade-like wheel in which to choose your games.
There's also some really cool new graphics being done by some of the users.
Sorry for the long-winded post. In retrospect, it's not to hard to set up and use but you can put a lot of time into creating the perfect arcade for you if you want to.

Lance
SF II MAME cabinet in progress
Safety Harbor, FL

[DjinniMan]

I downloaded 3D Arcade a few weeks back, and I was struck by how slick the interface was.  I think the options and such are a bit clunky, but certainlynot so much that it is unusable.  I've had lots of fun just walking through arcades and seeing what other people play.

On a related note, what exactly will this CD contain?  I'd love to have all the models/bitmaps/etc. for my games to set up.  I know some stuff is downloadable, but having it all in one place would be a big timesaver.    (And would cause less headaches!)

[)p(]

On a related note, what exactly will this CD contain?  I'd love to have all the models/bitmaps/etc. for my games to set up.  I know some stuff is downloadable, but having it all in one place would be a big timesaver.    (And would cause less headaches!)

The idea is to have all of the most relevant emulators/artwork/models/etc setup in subfolders of the fe. For example mame, vp, daphne and mfme without roms offcourse ie probably only arcade games. An undocumented feature of the fe is that it can accept relative paths like this "@\emulators\mame\marquees\" which will basically mean you can just dump it in a folder and run the fe. For running games offcourse roms have to be added... we'll see if this comes from the ground or not...

peter

peter

[DjinniMan]

Wow, that sounds great, I'll be watching for updates!  Thanks for the work you've put in on this slick frontend!

[Wienerdog]

Wow, that sounds great, I'll be watching for updates!  Thanks for the work you've put in on this slick frontend!

I really have to second this opinion.  It really amazes me that this is not the most used FE.  I just don't get it, what is better about the other FEs?  I know I wasn't doing any hard core playing and I did have a few crashes, but man, that is one cool piece of software to make a custom cab that much better.  Nice work peter.  If you don't get enough praise... you really deserve more.

[)p(]

Wow, that sounds great, I'll be watching for updates!  Thanks for the work you've put in on this slick frontend!

I really have to second this opinion.  It really amazes me that this is not the most used FE.  I just don't get it, what is better about the other FEs?  I know I wasn't doing any hard core playing and I did have a few crashes, but man, that is one cool piece of software to make a custom cab that much better.  Nice work peter.  If you don't get enough praise... you really deserve more.

Thanks, i have had my share of praises ;-)

But consider this most people don't need all the bells and whistles of it. Just an easy to setup efficient way to pick games with a customized skin in goes with their cab. Although 3darcade can be setup like that and is how i use it mostly on my cab. I personally think the fpsarcade is fun on the desktop but not on my cab! ;-) Therefore it is more suited for people that want something different and or want to have fun with fiddling with all the customization you can do with it.

peter

[Howard_Casto]

Exactly,  it's the same reason that everybody seems to like mamewah over dk and emutron.  Most people just don't want cool features i guess.  

I tend to agree with you though.  I see no reason why everybody shouldn't use 3darcade at this point as it'll do just about anything.  

[)p(]

Exactly,  it's the same reason that everybody seems to like mamewah over dk and emutron.  Most people just don't want cool features i guess.  

I tend to agree with you though.  I see no reason why everybody shouldn't use 3darcade at this point as it'll do just about anything.  

I disagree.  Easy setup with limited options is the best way to start for most people and probably all they need.
For those that want more or are ambitous right form the3 start there is 3darcade, dk and emutron :-)

peter

[knuttz]

Arcadecab take the leap, you won't be disappointed.  I love the wheel interface in 3darcade.  I also dig the video previews as they help guests decide which game they want to play.  Everything runs smoothly on my Athlon XP 2000+ and the fe hardly ever crashes.  If you really want a cool interface you should definitely check out fe3darcade.  The ss is of my skin.  The artwork was taken from GSXRMovistar's DK skin "gamenotover" as well as the vegasbigredwheel skin.

Edit:  Cause i cant speel tu goood