I'm one of the few hold-outs still running visual pinball on a single screen, aka desktop mode. Thankfully the majority of table authors still include a desktop option.
Most will include a desktop backdrop or background but some do not. Some will simply have the table floating in black space. Backdrops are, in many cases, a personal preference thing while others are functional with the scoring displays "built-in".
My goal here is to tackle the most basic how-to since I was helping another VPU user add a backdrop to loserman76's (rip) vpx table, Yukon Special. I will use this as the example in this tutorial.
As we see it has only a solid gray backdrop with a single score reel. We can spice this up a bit with a nice image for the backdrop.
I make my own backdrops either from scratch or by bashing together from other peoples backdrops. I prefer my backdrops to look like a room. I'm attaching one I think will look good for this game. Its got rustic wood floors and a barnwood back wall. You can use any image you like! Create your own to match your screen resolution. I started by using Image Manager built into Visual Pinball to export backdrop images from other tables. I have to throw some thanks out to guys like @32assassin , @batch, @hauntfreaks and many others who took the time to create some magnificent artworks and who also encourage me to create.
I'll be using VPX 10.7.4-64bit but all current versions will work the same for this. I prefer using the 64 bit versions when editing as it tends to be robust. As always make backups of anything you want to save in case something goes sideways. I usually make a folder and name it WORKING under the table's folder. I also keep every game table in it's own folder but whatever you do, please make a backup first. As the narrator says in Bally's Creature from the Black Lagoon, "and now on with the show!"
Read the text and follow the pics.
Download my bd-plank-barnwood.png to your Yukon folder (or wherever you like, doesn't matter really as long as you'll be able to find it)
Now open the table in edit mode and on the left click on the toggle backglass view button
You should see the silhouette of a table in the middle surrounded by boxes- these are the score reels and lamps simulating the backglass. I will be using the directb2s instead so I will drag these lamps and reels off screen (the bounding box).
To do this use your mouse and drag a selection area around the reels and lamps and then use your cursor keys to slide them off screen per pic attached. Note if they do not move they are locked so again select them all then click EDIT, LOCK. There is no unlock, it just toggles by color change (blue is unlocked, gray is locked)
Once cleaned go to Table, Image Manager
In image manager click on Import and then go to the folder that has the backdrop you just downloaded and select it.
It will now show in the list of images and a preview will be on the right. Click OK.
Now back in the editor you should click on the dropdown arrow where it says DT Image. Scroll to find the bd-plank-barnwood image. NOTE- for backdrops to be visible make sure the box for Enable Decals is checked.
To get an idea of what it will look like go to View and select Playfield Image/Backdrop.
Click on File-Save and you're done!
Since we are using the directb2s backglass you need to edit or create a screenres.text (or tablename.res) and position the glass and size it how you like. I'm attaching mine as an example for this table. My screen is 1920x1200 but it will work nicely for 1920x1080 as well. The same methods apply regardless of screen resolution.
Ok so there is the very basic steps to add a backdrop. Perhaps in the future I'll dive deeper into active or functioning backdrops. I just worked on a very cool active backdrop for Mauipunter's Speed Racer Mod. It was fun to do but is a lot more than I can include here.
I hope this tutorial helps!
Yukon Special (Williams 1971).res
