I'm having problems figuring out how to setup bubbamame to use my cpviewer layout. All I want it to do it use the 1 layout file & jpg that I use in cpviewer. But I cant quite understand what to create/edit.... regarding the ini/lof/txt files etc in the panel folder
You need:
1) a ctrlr file - tells MAME how to map keycodes onto controls
2) a control layout file - either a .lof (Johnny) or .lay (CPViewer) file. It controls where the text labels are printed for each control.
3) images of the control panel parts and background image. I've provided some samples
4) a panel file - describes where your controls are
5) cpmaker.ini - tells where all the various files are and sets options.
I've provided samples of all these.
Writing a panel editor application is a very large project. It's on the back burner at the moment.
I've provided several examples for you. Just pick one and start playing around with it. I would start by laying out your panel first. Put however many buttons you have, 80 or so pixels apart, and your joysticks and other controls, and play with it until it looks right to you.
If you use Johnny make sure your background image is jpg. (Johnny chokes on pngs).