Tutorial for B2S Aspect Scaling and Background Frames

[Protomech]

I was requested to put together a guide on how to display b2s stencil frames using the b2s server background feature.  There are other guides that I’ve come across, some outdated, and still see questions on how to set this up, so here is my take on it.  This is essentially an extension of the nailbuster guide here but more of a step-by-step specifically geared towards creating authentic backglass scaling on widescreen backglass monitors.  You can utilize the backgrounds on older versions of the backglass server but the .res file numbers will be different which are designated as “Small Button Option” in the nailbuster guide.  This guide will be using the numbering format of the backglass server 2.0+.  I’ll also be walking through this assuming a three-screen cabinet setup so if you have a real DMD or no DMD screen on your table, you’ll need to set your DMD sizes and locations as needed.

 

This first step, which should obviously be done already, is to make sure your screens are set up properly.  The playfield screen is set to the left, the backglass screen to the right of it, and the DMD screen to the right of the backglass screen, all at 100%, all in landscape mode, and all aligned vertically to the top of the playfield screen.

 

Next, you’ll need to have your default screenres.txt created.  You can do this through the B2S_ScreenResIdentifer, selecting that the playfield and backglass are fullsized. 

 

To use individual scaling or backgrounds for each table, you’ll start by copy-pasting the screenres.txt file and renaming it <table name>.res.  The <table name> must match the directb2s name exactly or the server will use the settings in the screenres.txt file instead of the <table name>.res file. 

 

The next step is to open the < table name>.res file in a text editor like Notepad.  Here’s how I prefer to explain each of the numbers:

3840       #playfield monitor width

2160       #playfield monitor height

1280       #backglass monitor width

720         #backglass monitor height

2              #backglass screen number

0              #backglass x offset

0              #backglass y offset

1366       #dmd monitor width

768         #dmd monitor height

1280       #x offset position of the DMD image from the top left of the backglass monitor

0              #y offset position of the DMD image from the top left of the backglass monitor

0              #y-flip dmd

0              #x offset position of the directB2S from the top left of the backglass monitor

0              #y offset position of the directB2S from the top left of the backglass monitor

1280       #directB2S width

720         # directB2S height

 

For authentic scaling, you’ll need to calculate the aspect ratio of the authentic backglass.  In this example, I’ll just use the older Gottlieb 2 & 4 player EM machine backglass size of 25-7/8” X 21-7/8” for an approximate aspect ratio of 1.18:1.

 

Since we want the “#directB2S height” to still fill the “#backglass monitor height”, we’ll leave that alone but we will set the “#directB2S width” to be 1.18 X the “#directB2S height” equaling 850.

Next, we’ll need to offset the directB2S so that it will be centered on the backglass monitor.  Take the “#backglass monitor width” of 1280, subtract the “#directB2S width” of 850, and divide that number by 2 equaling 215.  Enter this number into the “#x offset position of the directB2S from the top left of the backglass monitor”. 

 

Save the <table name>.res file and launch the table.  You should have the authentically scaled directB2S file on your backglass monitor.  If the image is still stretched to fill the entire screen, right-click on the backglass screen to open the settings and set the Background to “Visible”. 

Save the changes, exit out of the table, and relaunch it.

 

You will notice, however, that while your directB2S is authentically scaled on your widescreen monitor, you now just have empty screen letterboxing the edges.  This is where the backglass server backgrounds come into play.  You can upload an image file and have the <table name>.res file load it to have that image displayed behind the directB2S.

 

What I do for simplicity is upload my background frame image using the same <table name> into my tables folder so my table, directB2S, screen res, and background frame are all together, but you can use any name for your background and put it into any directory you want.

 

For the Gottlieb example above, I’ll use the 1977 Bronco/Mustang frame available here.  For each of the Bronco and Mustang tables, open the <table name>.res file and add the path of the background image below the line for “# directB2S height” .  For example, C:\vPinball\VisualPinball\Tables\Bronco (Gottlieb 1977) Frame.png.  Save the <table name>.res file and launch the table.  You should have the stencil art of the backbox filling in the space on the sides of the scaled directB2S.

 

[Tikimaster]

Thankyou. I tried to explain it here: Maybe its a addition for your nice explanation.

 

[Cliffy]

Excellent work but should be posted in Tutorials so people can find it

[Thalamus]

I'm no the home stretch of my cab rebuild, and I was hoping that there is a way to make the default screenres.txt to work with background ??! It would to me make more sense to make a res when there isn't a background to be perfectly honest. Hmm. Maybe I'll compile that one myself.

Edited December 20, 2024 by Thalamus

[JFR1]

22 hours ago, Thalamus said:

I'm no the home stretch of my cab rebuild, and I was hoping that there is a way to make the default screenres.txt to work with background ??! It would to me make more sense to make a res when there isn't a background to be perfectly honest. Hmm. Maybe I'll compile that one myself.

You're doing a cab rebuild? Curious what you're up to. Any pics?

[Thalamus]

It is the same cab, but, new hardware. 4070 Super, Nvme disk didn't fit, so, using old SATA SSD for now. WIll get myself a new MB at a later time. Main upgrade is PF monitor ( well - TV ), a 4K 120Hz OLED. Looks amazing to be perfectly honest. Well, replaced the older Plunger kit from Zebboards too. From V2 til V5. Had a broken left magna save for ages on the old one. And, yeah, reinstall of all software on Win10.

 

... and - for the time being, I'll resort to setting the default value. It should for me make more sense I think.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Thalamus