atomic FE: some qustions

[papaschtroumpf]

so, I'm attempting to seriously lok at replacing mamewah. Mala site is down, so I figured I'd try atomic FE

Can I have multiple profiles, ne forMAME, one or gaeboy, one fo PC games...?

the manager allows to me create a pofile for only one of those things. how do I switch pofiles in the FE?

Attract videos look terible, they have green "snow" all over them (I'm using gamecreature layout)
The gamecreature layout says 648x... can I run it at hihger resolution? I tried to set the screen size at 1024x768 and it seems to work, but maybe it's the source of the movie playing problem?

Is there a way to skip the credits at the end when you exit

Is there a way to use movies as the screensaver? all I found was the ability to do slideshows.

is there any kind of "import" feature from mamewah files, especially game lists?

is there support for Johnny5 ? I would like to be able to set things up so that from the FE I can press a key and see the instructions for the game before I decide to launch it (especially true for PC files for whihc I creaqted my own controls.dat file)

I'm sure I'll have more questions

[papaschtroumpf]

I tried to adda the PC gmae plugnplay but I can't figure out how to tell it where the .lnk files are.
I do not want to move anything in the atomic FR root folder, I specifically set my cab directory tress the way I want them, and I need the FE to be able to deal with it. I found how to tell where my mame stuff was, but I can't find a similar option in the PC game plugin setup

Also, is the only way to have mutliple "emulators" to run the "conf chooser" screen at startup?

[youki]

Hi papaschroumpf,

Thanks for trying Atomic.

Can I have multiple profiles, ne forMAME, one or gaeboy, one fo PC games...?

the manager allows to me create a pofile for only one of those things. how do I switch pofiles in the FE?

Yes, you create one configuration by profile and then you "assemble" them as you wish with the MultiConfWizard.exe  (there is  a tutorial for that in the Doc folder , and check on my website the Documentation section there is great doc by Havok)

Attract videos look terible, they have green "snow" all over them (I'm using gamecreature layout)

It is a video codec problem. you need to change your codec, i don't know what video files set you are using, but with the circo's one, i use the XVID codec.  The XVID codec must be first in the list of codec of windows.  (before the DivX one)  I suggest you de-install the DivX codec if you have it.  De-install the XVID too. Then re-install the XVID and THEN re-install the DIVX (if you need it).  To be sure the XVID is first.

The gamecreature layout says 648x... can I run it at hihger resolution? I tried to set the screen size at 1024x768 and it seems to work, but maybe it's the source of the movie playing problem?

Atomic layout can work in any resolution. But there is no interrest to use a 640x480 in 1024x768 , it won't look better it will consume only more memory.  Anyway your video codec is not link to that It is a codec problem. (i had the same)

Is there a way to skip the credits at the end when you exit

Yes, you have to put by hand in the .CFG file  GREETINGS=NO

Is there a way to use movies as the screensaver? all I found was the ability to do slideshows.

In Atomic 0.18-1 , you can put snap  or you can say to Atomic to run random games for a given time.
And if you insert a credit in a game runs by the screen saver , the screensaver mode is turned off and you can play.
I think it is better than simple video.. most of the game have a demo mode...
But the ability to use video in screensaver "should" come very soon.

is there any kind of "import" feature from mamewah files, especially game lists?

No, but it wouldn't be too difficult i think.  I don't know how looks a Mamewah game lists , show me i could help you.
But i don't want put this kind of feature in standard, i would have the impression to "stole" something to minwah.

is there support for Johnny5 ? I would like to be able to set things up so that from the FE I can press a key and see the instructions for the game before I decide to launch it (especially true for PC files for whihc I created my own controls.dat file)

I don' t use personnally Johnny5  (i use CPV2) , but you can surely do that. You can launch external application from Atomic on keystroke and pass params.  (have a look to the documentation section of my website).  

[youki]

I tried to adda the PC gmae plugnplay but I can't figure out how to tell it where the .lnk files are.
I do not want to move anything in the atomic FR root folder, I specifically set my cab directory tress the way I want them, and I need the FE to be able to deal with it. I found how to tell where my mame stuff was, but I can't find a similar option in the PC game plugin setup

Also, is the only way to have mutliple "emulators" to run the "conf chooser" screen at startup?

What PC game module you used?  Mine or Angelscry?   

But for both ,  open the file :  <Atomicfe>\plugnplay\pcgames\pcgame.cfg with AtomicManager, and make point the "ROM Dir" to the place where are your shortcut.

[papaschtroumpf]

Thanks for the replies, I'll play with it some more.

 I'm pretty sure I used your plug in.

As far as attract videos, I have different enulators, PC game, etc... all with videos, so this is definitely a feature I would like to see in a front end.

[papaschtroumpf]

Sorry, somehow there must be some basic concept about it that I don't get. I can't figure out this "multi conf" thing, and the documentation doesn't help.

I want to have the following categories:
- MAME (with mutiple list)
- PC Games
- Game boy (and I want all gameboy types to be in the same group, I don't want to separate GB advance vs GB color for example)

(I have a few other emulators that  wouldn't mind setting up, but I guess I can do the above, I should be OK)


Also do I have a choice of how things look when selecting which game type I want? I would like my cab to stay consistent in the menus, so can  have thegame creature layout used to select "Mame", "PC Games", "Gameboy"?

[youki]

Here are some basic concept that can help you.

In Atomic , each configuration are independant.

It means you have one .CFG file (done with AtomicManager) for each "screen" you want have .

For instance you will have one CFG file for MAME
on CFG file for gameboy
one CFG file PCGames
etC..etc..

In addition of that, if you want divide for instance MAME in subcategory like "Racing, Shot them up ..etc.." , you will have to have one .CFG file by category too. (as it will be different screen)

Each Screen can have its own layout. (skin)   ,  so if you want all screen use the same layout you have to make point the "Layout Folder" (in AtomicManager) for each CFG file to the same Layout folder.

Now, how to build the structure as you want.

-make all your Config file  one by one individually.   Once each it works as you want.   use MulticonfWizard with the option "Use  only existing config to build tree" , then Select a .CFG file (Atomic will use this .CFG file as template to create .CFG file for Cobf selector screen "node"), then on the Tree  , right click on the top node  to pop a menu . From here you can create Node and Leaf.  For instance if you want create this kind of screen tree :

MAME
    All games
    Racing
    Shoot Them UP
GAME BOY
PC GAME

MAME is a "Node" (conf Selector)  ,  and all other are "Leaf" (existing configuration)

Note if you are using Atomic in plugnplay mode , you have to disable all your modules if you want your own configurations.  Or you can add your own configuration in the "Plugnplay" mode using the PlugnplayManager.

I guess it seem complex,  concept are different from Mamewah i think.   But if you go step by step it will be easy. I can help you.

I think the best to start for you, is to disable plugnplay module and start your first own config.
describe me precisly what you want achieve , i will guide you step by step.