Up-to-date authoring tutorials... do they exist?

[jedimasta]

I know this teeters on the verge of being a triggering question. I want to dive into creating my own table(s) and based on the designs like TerryRed and SlamT1LT have put out, as well as just kinda futzing with the editor, I've decided to go with Future Pinball. Trouble is that 90% of the tutorials out there are only how to get a cabinet running and the other 10% are how to convert tables to FizX or similar rather than actual authoring. The design forum here has been dead for 3 years, so I chose to post in the General Discussion instead. The closest thing I could find to a starter guide was that ancient PDF from PC Magazine.

 

Maybe I'm spoiled in that there are so many step-by-step guides to learning how to use apps like After Effects and Blender, but it'd be great to have a PDF or video series breaking down all the major elements of adding bumpers, ramps, lights, targets, etc ... in FP and touch on scripting. Yes,  I've opened up several existing tables to try and learn how others have done it, but it's super easy to get lost in the weeds when referencing the work of a designer at the top of their game.  TerryRed's AIO videos are very very good, I don't want to deny that I've learned a lot from him (still watching, frankly). I was just hoping there was something structured akin to the JakeInMotion After effects tutorials that touch on each effect of the software in digestible bits.

 

Any suggestions? Other than Git Gud?

 

Side note - is the Blender import/export thing just dust in the wind now with the later versions of the software? Terry, if yer reading this, how are you getting your custom models in and out?

[GeorgeH]

I don't think there have ever been very many guides.  You might look at my guide that is linked here.  It provides a basic overview of installation and setup.  The second level identifies ways to make simple changes so novices can do some minor customization.  The third level has some more advances topics.  TerryRed write the guide for adding FizX that I learned from:

https://pinballnirvana.com/forums/threads/all-in-one-example-table-fizx-fleep-ball-rolling-pup-ssf-dof-easy-to-add.21983/

 

Ultimately though, I think most of the guys learned from the FP manual that is in the help option of the editor.  I attached a PDF of the manual to the first level tier of my instructions that may help.  

 

Most of the FP guys hang out on Pinball Nirvana.  I suggest you post questions there if you need help.  

Edited March 8 by GeorgeH

[TerryRed]

There have never really been any up to date complete table building guides for either Visual Pinball or Future Pinball.

 

Most people start by doing simple mods of other tables to get an idea how things work, than go from there as knowledge and skills provide.

 

There are two parts to FP table building. (1) the classic basic normal FP part (covered in the FP manual) using only the FP editor. (2) using modern BAM features (which is mostly done in the bam menu during gameplay, and through script commands, etc).

 

 

Regarding models. BAM allows for adding in modern FBX and OBJ models into FP through its Model Importer app in the BAM folder. This will save the model to a single TGA file which is imported to FP through its Texture Importer, then use the correct BAM script commands to add the model to the table. Then from there you can use the BAM menu during gameplay to do some adjustments to the model, then from that menu CTRL+C to copy the settings to ram and then you can paste them into your script.

 

As far as Blender goes... what I do is use the older Blender 2.79 with the FP Import plug-in, then I save the imported FP table / models to a .blend file. Then I use the blend file with a new modern version of Blender. From there I do whatever I want for models and export them as FBX or OBJ, then use BAM Model Importer to get them back into FP.

 

 

It took me years of learning things to get to the point of PinEvent table mods / updates, let alone something like MOTU CE or Silent Hill.

 

As George said, Pinball Nirvanna will have more up to date guides, info, and tutorials on how to use BAM features.

 

 

 

 

[jedimasta]

Great stuff, thanks George. I'll pop over to PN and post as well. Much appreciated.