Content Provider TerryRed Posted January 26, 2019 Content Provider Share Posted January 26, 2019 HOW TO CREATE MX LED EFFECTS AND DOF CONFIGS FOR DOF CONFIG TOOL (the EASY way), USING "DOF CONFIG CREATOR" To create, add, or modify DOF Lighting and Feedback for virtual pinball tables in a cabinet: - a virtual pinball table for Visual Pinball, Future Pinball, Pinball FX3 (or any emulator, etc) MUST have DOF support capability added to them. - the table / game must already be in DOF Config Tool's database - DOF commands and parameters need to be added to the table's config in DOF Config Tool (for each DOF toy) - you need a basic understanding of how switches, solenoids, flashers, lights, and other toys work in a pinball game. What makes a table DOF "capable"? To add DOF capability to a table, it must be able to trigger DOF commands to control the DOF configuration for the table on DOF Config Tool. Visual Pinball tables that emulate arcade "roms" through PinMAME, are already capable of triggering DOF commands. The "control" is all handled by the game's rom code, and PinMAME's output is what triggers the DOF commands. Most of these rom based tables already have DOF feedback and lighting added to them by Arngrim, and many others! (Amazing stuff) Visual Pinball tables that are EM (Electro-Mechanical) based, or Original tables (not emulating an arcade table) all need to have the DOF "trigger" commands added to the table script for every table action or event. Examples are solenoid actions, flashers, lights, shaker, etc. This means the table can have total control of how DOF is triggered. Examples of Visual Pinball (table script) DOF trigger commands: DOF 380, DOFPulse 'DOF triggers E380 with a small pulsed duration DOF 220, DOFOn 'DOF triggers E220 to turn ON DOF 220, DOFOff 'DOF triggers E220 to turn OFF Example of a Visual Pinball (table script) DOF trigger command that also supports SSF (surround sound feedback): PlaySoundAt SoundFXDOF("fx_kicker", 200, DOFPulse, DOFContactors), kicker1 ================================================================= FUTURE PINBALL AND DOF Future Pinball tables do not have rom emulation capability. Therefor ALL Future Pinball tables need to have DOF triggering commands (for all table events, and actions) added to the table script as well. Future Pinball either can use DOFLinx to add DOF support, or you can add DOF support directly. To add direct DOF support to a Future Pinball table without needing DOFLinx, see this post: https://vpuniverse.com/forums/topic/4902-how-to-add-dof-direct-output-framework-support-to-any-future-pinball-table/ PinEvent tables are created by TerryRed only, and will already have excellent DOF support added to them. Do Not change any DOF Config that starts with FP_PE ================================================================= DOFLINX DOFLinx can trigger most "standard" DOF toys (without the need for DOF Config Tool) using it's own internal commands. However for addressable leds, you MUST use DOFLinx "DOF" commands to trigger the table's DOF config on DOF Config Tool. Examples of Future Pinball (table script) DOFLinx "DOF" commands: FF_DOF "E",120,-1 'DOFLinx triggers E120 to pulse or turn ON FF_DOF "E",235,50 'DOFLinx triggers E235 for 500ms FF_DOF "E",120,0 'DOFLinx triggers E120 to turn OFF (Note: These "DOF" commands are capable of triggering ANY toy on DOF Config Tool as well) Pinball FX3 (and FX2) tables can't talk directly to DOF (due to it's restrictions). It also needs to have DOFLinx support added for each table, but this needs to be added directly to DOFLinx by DDH69 (creator of DOFLinx). For FX3, DOFLinx can trigger most "standard" DOF toys (without the need for DOF Config Tool) using it's own internal commands. However for addressable leds, we MUST use DOFLinx "DOF" commands to trigger the table's DOF config on DOF Config Tool. Again, all that is taken care of by DDH69. ======================================================== DOF Triggers These are designated with a letter followed by the trigger number. These are the different types of triggers that are used. PinMAME / Rom based tables use multiple triggers to represent the different devices in a real pinball cabinet. Sxxx Example: S17 These can be solenoids, and flashers. Lxxx Example: L25 m550 Blink fu500 fd600 These can be lamps, light inserts, button leds. Wxxx Example: W14 Blink fu500 fd550 These are for switches. These can be roll-overs, gates, buttons, drop targets, targets, kicker switches and more. Everything that is NOT emulated through PinMAME uses Exxx triggers. This can include Visual Pinball EM tables, Visual Pinball Original tables, all Future Pinball tables, and Pinball FX3 / FX2 tables. Exxx Example: E124 Red 250 AH100 ADU AS300 ======================================================== DOF Commands in DOF Config Tool Adding DOF commands can be overwhelming if you don't know what it all means...especially with addressable leds! In fact I may be the only person left doing them for Visual Pinball, and I've always been the only one doing them for Future Pinball. DDH69....FX3 is all yours! Here is an example of one DOF command for a single MX effect for one MX toy: W26 Purple 50 AH100 ADU AS300 Now if I want to have more effects to be used with that toy, they ALL must be on a single line, and only separated by a / Here is an example of the Back Effects MX toy on my Transformers update with multiple DOF commands: W26 Purple 50 AH100 ADU AS300/W24 Red 100 AT80 AH20 ADD AS300/W25 Blue 100 AT80 AH20 ADD AS300/W10 Purple 100 W300 AH80 ADD AS300 L25/W51 White 800 L13 AT0 AFDEN15 AFMIN10 AFMAX20/S3 White 60 AW100 AH100 ADD AS300 I consider that "simple" and small When you have many DOF toys, and complex MX led commands to keep track of, you can get lost pretty quick! I did my first MX Led config of ACDC LE on a notepad! I still have it and it was organized pretty good...but I'm afraid to go back in there to figure it all out again! ======================================================== Addressable Leds (MX): Addressable leds (also referred to as MX Leds) are currently made up of three main assemblies in a virtual pinball cabinet. A Back Matrix (1 to 10 strips), Left Matrix (single strip), Right Matrix (single strip), and RGB Undercab Complex Matrix. These offer far more diverse and complex light shows and animations compared to any other DOF toy. The "main" DOF "toys" that are used with MX Leds are: PF Back Flashers MX: used to emulate a real 5 RGB Flasher bar on the Back MX PF Left Flashers MX: used to emulate Flashers on the Left MX. These are positioned near where the flasher is located on the playfield. PF Right Flashers MX: used to emulate Flashers on the Right MX. These are positioned near where the flasher is located on the playfield. PF Back Effects MX: used for custom animations, effects, words, and Beacon Effects on the Back MX PF Left Effects MX: used for custom animations, and effects on the Left MX PF Right Effects MX: used for custom animations, and effects on the Right MX PF Strobe MX: used to emulate a strobe on the Back MX PF Beacon MX: this has not been used on any table PF PBX Back MX: this is used for "browsing" effects while using Pinball X RGB Undercab Complex MX: this mimics normal RGB undercab lighting, but can also have custom animations like the other MX toys. RGB 5 Flasher "emulation" vs Custom Animated Effects Support for MX Leds came long after most tables had full DOF added to them. Some people like Swisslizard, randr, Gech and others created amazing custom animated effects for some tables that made full use of the Back MX and Side MX's. This showed how diverse MX Leds could be compared to a standard RGB 5 Flashers bar. The commands for all these Custom Animated Effects are found under the Back / Left / Right "Effects MX" toys for those tables. However, many 100's of other tables didn't have ANY support for MX Leds at that time. So at one point, Arngrim added an excellent new feature to DOF Config Tool that would automatically take all the real RGB 5 Flasher, strobe, and Launch Ball entries, and auto-generate new commands that would mimic them on the Back Matrix and Right Matrix for (Launch Ball effect). As a result almost ALL VP tables now have a basic RGB 5 flasher and strobe emulation with MX Leds, and the user can decide what shape and size they will be. The commands for emulated RGB 5 Flashers for each table are found in the "PF Back Flashers MX" toy in DOF Config Tool. The only side effect this had was that those tables which already contained the really cool custom MX "effects" now also have duplicate effects for the same triggers with the emulated 5 RGB flashers. How should we create the MX Leds then? When I update a rom based table, or create new DOF for an original VP or FP table, I ONLY emulate RGB Flashers on the Side MX, NOT the Back MX (unless there are flashers positioned there on the playfield). This allows them to still be visible and positioned "where" the flasher actually is. This is something a 5 RGB FIasher bar can't do, and the default emulated flashers won't be setup like this. I keep the Back Matrix for animated effects, words, and all the other cool things like explosions, animated shapes, particle effects, plasma effects...you name it. If you add emulated 5 Flashers in there it becomes a busy mess and looks horrible! So while adding in MX effects I completely remove all entries in the Flashers MX toys, and paste them to notepad. Then I can use the triggers that were used with that for reference while creating MX effects (and MX Flashers for the side MX) for specific actions on the table. Once I have all those triggers assigned to an effect, and I'm confident the table config is complete, then I no longer need the old Flashers MX commands. =========================================================== Would if someone does NOT want RGB 5 Flasher "emulation" with the Back MX, and they just want effects and animations there? The user can simply erase all the entries for the "Back Flashers MX" toy for these tables, so they will only see the "effects". Would if someone DOES want RGB 5 Flasher "emulation" with the Back MX, and no effects and animations? If the user doesn't like or want the Effects that I or anyone else has added, they can simply erase all the entries for the "Back Effects MX" toy, and then click "Save and Create Basic Matrix Config". =========================================================== "That all sounds complicated!" If you are completely new to this...it is! When DDH69 added MX led support to DOFLinx (at my urging), we both came up with an excel sheet tool, and standardized it to make adding in MX Leds to a table MUCH easier. This led to me doing lots of crazy and cool animations and effects. I updated this sheet over time and using it became second nature for me. Now I think others may want to give it a try! =========================================================== DOF CONFIG CREATOR! Let's do DOF and addressable leds (MX) the EASY way! After doing DOF and MX Led configs for numerous tables and creating hundereds of effects, I decided to overhaul the DOF Config Creator excel sheet (originally meant for MX Leds) to be more orgainzed and to also include most of the standard DOF toys. It now has almost everything you need for adding DOF and MX Leds! Now you can do a complete DOF and MX Led "Config" update for any table, easily! Features of DOF CONFIG CREATOR: - you can add MX Led effects to a table without needing to know "how" to create them. It can be as easy as copy, paste, then change the trigger value and colour. - templates for VP, FP, which inlcude examples of MX Leds and DOF for most standard pinball devices and events. - many examples of my MX Led effects and animations I've created, ready to use! - lists all DOF shapes, characters, numbers, and letters for easy reference. - list of standardized "reserved" triggers used for FP and FX3. - includes my own real DOF and MX examples for an original VP table (Stranger Things: Stranger Edition, DOF and MX), a rom based VP table (Transformers, MX only), and a FP table (Star Wars DSA, MX only). It also includes my VP video tutorial example of Star Wars (Data East). BEFORE YOU START... First, I HIGHLY recommend you watch these videos before you try to do anything! They will help you understand how DOF works and will make the process MUCH easier. DOF Config Tool tour video: This first video is a tour of DOF Config Tool. It helps to explain many of it's features and how you will be working with it. DOF, MX Leds and Table Configs. The "Basics": In this video I go over the "basics" of DOF, MX Leds, and creating table configs. I also give a preview of my "DOF Config Creator" excel sheet. Video Bookmarks: Intro: 0:01 DOF Basics: 2:18 DOF (Table script) Trigger Commands 5:51 DOF Trigger Types: 12:30 DOF Commands: 16:50 Addressable Leds (MX): 21:40 DOF Config Creator Sheet Tour: 34:00 Stranger Things: SE (VPX original table example): 42:17 Transformers (VPX rom based example): 43:50 Star Wars DSA (FP DOFLinx example): 44:42 "DOF Config Creator" video tour! This video gives you a full tour and describes everything you'll be able to use with my "DOF Config Creator" Sheet. This tool makes adding addressable leds and DOF configs to DOF Config Tool much easier! "DOF Config Creator", Table Template "Basic" Tutorial: Before you even "think" about creating any DOF table configs, you MUST....absolutely MUST watch my "DOF Config Creator", Table Template "Basic" Tutorial video that explains HOW to use it! You WILL mess something up if you don't watch the video, and waste lots of time! You have been warned! It's easy to use, but there are a few simple steps that are REQUIRED for it to be used properly, and I can't explain that easily in a post. I need to show you. "DOF Config Creator", Add MX Leds to a VP Table, Tutorial (updating Star Wars - Data East): In the video l show you how to easily add addressable led (MX) effects and animations to a (rom based) VPX table. I update the MX Leds for Star Wars (Data East). I'll show you how easy it is by using my Template and pre-programmed MX led effects! I also show what sources I use to determine what Triggers are required. Once you learn how to create your own custom MX led effects and DOF...the possibilities are endless! Video Bookmarks: Video Comparison of Default RGB 5 Flasher Emulation vs Custom Animated MX Led Effects: 0:00 Sources to use to find the Triggers you'll need: 2:55 Start with the VP Table Template: 4:25 Remove ALL unwanted Actions / Rows: 6:35 Find and add what triggers we need: 13:15 Add new MX effects: 23:40 Change the colours: 25:30 Edit an existing Effect: 26:39 Clearing unwanted DOF Config Tool commands: 31:10 Keeping handy DOF Config Tool commands for reference: 32:30 How to use positional MX Flashers on the Left and Right MX: 34:56 Use the Service Menu to find and TEST solenoids, flashers, and switches: 37:12 Copy and Paste (Formula Only) the Green Cells when you are DONE! YOU MUST DO THIS! 43:19 Completed Sheet. Explanation of how the last of the triggers were found and how they are used: 47:15 How MX Flashers are sized and positioned: 52:05 Copy and Paste to DOF Config Tool: 1:00:49 Make any fixes, changes: 1:02:43 Final Play testing demo and thoughts: 1:03:54 =========================================================== Sources for finding the Triggers being used in a table: DOF Config Tool: It may already have commands added for standard DOF toys. The triggers can be referenced to what toy they are used in. Simple examples would be Strobes, Beacons, Flippers, and Slingshots. Those triggers can also be used for MX Led commands. Service Manual for the real pinball machine (VP only): For Rom based VPX tables, this is an excellent source that will list every solenoid, flasher, switch, and light with the proper trigger numbers that must be used. Service Menu for the game (VP only): While playing a VP table, this is also a great tool for reference and for testing your DOF Configs. Table Editor and script: You can sometimes find the trigger numbers you need by clicking on components in the table editor, or searching in the script. For all VP EM or Original tables, or any FP tables... the ONLY sources you have will be the DOF commands used in the table's script (assuming the table has DOF support added) and DOF Config Tool (assuming there is a DOF Config already available). This will show you what Exxx triggers you need for what devices and events the table is using. Triggers for Rom based tables: Sxxx = solenoids, flashers Lxxx = light inserts, button leds, bulbs and other table lights Wxxx = switches such as roll-overs, gates, buttons, drop targets, targets, kicker switches, etc. Triggers for all other tables (EM, Original), and all FP tables: Exxx = used for all events, solenoids, flashers, lights, and switches on the table. =========================================================== Guidelines to follow when using DOF Config Creator: -make a copy of the Template, and use that for your new Config -look at other "completed" tables as a working reference -MX "effects" and animations are only used in "* Effects MX" toys -MX emulated "RGB 5 flashers" are only used in "* Flashers MX" toys. Preferably the Left and Right Flasher MX, and positioned where the flasher is on the table (instead of using the Back Flashers MX, leave that for effects.) -MX strobe effects are only used in "PF Strobe MX" -MX Beacon effects are currently only used in "PF Back Effects MX" When adding or Removing any Rows: -only "add / remove" Rows between the Red "Formula Line" and the Red "Final Line". DO NOT "add / remove" anything above or below those Rows! (watch the video tutorial!) -when you are "done" and want to copy your "Completed DOF Commands" to DOF Config Tool to test, you MUST do the following FIRST! Select all the "Formula Line" GREEN Cells and then choose COPY. Then select ALL the Cells below that and including the "Final Line" GREEN Cells and choose PASTE "FORMULA ONLY". This is needed to ensure that all DOF Commands are being added and arranged correctly to your "Completed DOF Commands" (watch the video tutorial!) -no extra spaces in DOF commands! Very important! -use the Ball Roller / Controller with VPX and FP when testing your DOF commands! It's MUCH easier than trying to "play" the game for testing. For VPX it can be enabled in the Editor options (use mouse only to move around the ball, left flipper to disable it). For FP, its configured in the Game Keys and Controls (use a gamepad's thumbstick, much better than a mouse!). =========================================================== Use LedConfigTester.exe to check your final DOF Config Tool "Generated" config files for any parsing errors with your DOF commands! - DO NOT submit ANY DOF config for Public Consideration if you have parsing errors in your new DOF Config commands - be careful as some spreadsheet programs may format thing differently - watch for EXTRA SPACES! DOF does not like extra spaces and WILL consider them an error =========================================================== DOF Config Tool Guidelines: You can update ANY table any way you want for your own personal "Candidate Configuration". This will have NO effect on the current "PUBLIC Configuration". Do whatever you like...go crazy! If you want to change DOF / MX leds for a table that already has "completed DOF and MX Led effects" for your personal "Candidate Configuration".... that's fine. However, DO NOT "Submit for Public Consideration" for these tables, please. Understand, that the "PUBLIC Configuration" is for everyone to use. So if you submit your "Candidate Configuration" and your update is added, then the current "PUBLIC Configuration" is GONE for everyone! The point here is...we don't want some of the really cool MX Configs from myself, Swisslizard, randr, Gech and others to be lost forever! However do feel free to update tables that don't have "completed MX configs"... and go ahead and "Submit for Public Consideration". Please only submit "Completed" configs or "fixes"...not numerous minor updates. If there already is a "completed" config for a table, and you made your own custom "Candidate Configuration" anyway that is significantly different or unique...please share your "Sheet" on this thread as an "alternate config". Maybe others will want to give it a try! Show off your updates in a video! I'd love to see what others can do with this tool! =========================================================== "Completed" DOF and MX Configs: Please DO NOT "Submit for Public Consideration" for MX Leds on these tables. Ask these first guys if you can make any changes. FX3 and FX2 Tables - these are all completed by DDH69 PinEvent tables are TerryRed's FP tables / DOF mods and pup-pack releases only - DO NOT use or modify my PinEvent DOF configs for my tables on DOF Config Tool! (they start with FP_PE) - I have VERY specific DOF configs that are designed to work only with my PinEvent table updates - everyone is free to use the standard FP DOF configs to mod other FP tables for DOF =========================================================== "DOF CONFIG Creator" excel sheet download link: V1.1, Jan 5 - 2020 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vASLAIf4lVnUQFbQp8jU9xn05KqeBvfT A big thanks to: -DDH69 for helping to create the original version of this sheet long ago. I knew almost nothing about excel back then, so without him this never would have been possible! -DeeGor and Arngrim for creating the excellent DOF Config Tool -SwissLizard for creating the excellent Direct Output Framework (DOF). I've never had the pleasure to talk to him, but I hope he sees what his work has allowed others to create. His addressable led configs for some tables are great examples to strive for! -randr, Gech, SwissLizard, and anyone else who created the first excellent addressable led examples we all enjoy today! -mjr for maintaining and updating a centralized version of DOF that included many updates over the last few years. Thanks for DOF R3++ -Nailbuster for DOF initialization code for FP NOTE: I originally created this Tool for my own personal use. I am sharing it here for anyone to freely use. I take NO responsibility for how you use it. Use at your own risk. It's important for you to have a basic understanding of how DOF works, how pinball game mechanics work, and also how to use an excel sheet to best be able to use this Tool. I have provided all the video tutorials, and links within the sheet for everything you should need. It took me a long time, and I worked hard to get this ready for you guys to use. Please take some of "your" time to watch and read everything I have laid out for you before jumping in and using this. Good luck, and enjoy guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Content Provider MajorFrenchy Posted January 26, 2019 Content Provider Share Posted January 26, 2019 Thanks for this man, I know how much work was put into this and thank you for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDH Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 ????????? And so the butterfly emerges from that original spreadsheet. Excellent descriptions and walk-through to share with the community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Content Provider trochjochel Posted April 26, 2019 Content Provider Share Posted April 26, 2019 thanks for this great work. It also makes us normal users a cool mx update for tables to make. I will try it anyway and share the result when it gets good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Content Provider MrH Posted July 17, 2019 Content Provider Share Posted July 17, 2019 Thanks Terry awesome work. Am keen to get into it. I want ask first is Star Trek LE actually up to date? I noticed in the vpx table there is the red chaser light strip that happens from time to time but it doesn't happen on the MX leds, would love to incorporate that. And I was wondering, could you have GI environment lighting on the mx leds? for example on a real pinball table there would be GI led bulbs that are mostly on during gameplay, could I have a number of leds on the strips always on and have them in the areas that the bulbs are on, on the playfield to match. And if the GI bulbs turns off, then the leds turn off. Make sense?! Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanea1 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Great videos thanks for all the hard work, im slowly getting there boy there lot to learn but all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Content Provider TerryRed Posted April 10, 2021 Author Content Provider Share Posted April 10, 2021 Updated post a bit. It's been a long while. - I added info about my PinEvent tables (and how no one is to modify my PinEvent DOF configs... they start with FP_PE) - added a link to a post that shows how to add DOF support to any Future Pinball tables without needing PinEvent or DOFLinx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnInDenver Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 Thanks for updating, Terry. Also, I went ahead and just downloaded the spreadsheet, partly because I'm adding more and more DOF toys to our cabinet here, and it'll be handy if I finally get off my duff and start making my own proper tables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Content Provider goill773 Posted April 12, 2021 Content Provider Share Posted April 12, 2021 Thanks Terry, the spreadsheet works like a charm! Yo I can see how crazy it would be managing this through Notepad or with pen/paper!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefaan Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Amazing work Terry. You collecting and presenting all this information saves all of us a lot of time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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