Attract-Mode Support Forum

Attract-Mode Support => Themes => Topic started by: markc74 on February 12, 2018, 12:27:39 PM

Title: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: markc74 on February 12, 2018, 12:27:39 PM
Hi all,

After some great help from calle81 and popoklo, here's the layout I'll be using in my cabinet and is free for anyone to use/break whatever.

It's aimed at standard resolution (15hz) CRT's in vertical orientation. That's what my cabinet is so I've created it for that but it should be relatively straightforwards to scale if anyone wants to.

Video:

https://youtu.be/ST8crDZLBq8 (https://youtu.be/ST8crDZLBq8)

Features:

*History code was completely stolen from ArcadeBliss (http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=643.0) so all credit to them for making that work (thanks!)

Known issues

I'm posting it now, because it works well enough for what I need and the bugs don't bother me enough. However - if someone else wants to have a pop at it then please do. There's not a lot of code to it and I've included the photoshop artwork file in the attachment. The only thing I ask, is that if you do fix my shoddy code, then please upload it into this thread so I can read it and get better  :D)
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 12, 2018, 10:08:26 PM
FWIW I am using an ARpiCADE Pi3 system running on an arcade monitor that is in vertical orientation.

Unfortunately this layout comes up horizontally... and only takes up approximately 1/3 of the horzontal screen (pretty much like the video shows) that has been posted.

If I turn the image using the keyboard in attract it still only takes up 1/3 of the vertical screen and the images are super stretched.

This should be a vertical layout... right?   So it should fit the entire screen of a low-res crt screen that is oriented vertically.

What am I doing wrong?  Also... is it right that there are no display options?

Finally... how do you switch between tabs?  I only have a single stick and 2 buttons to work with (well,  and P1 and p2).

Thanks for the help...

Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: verion on February 13, 2018, 01:57:57 AM
Great theme!
... but blinking PLAY NOW is annoying, and scrolling the game list breaks (stops/pauses) blinking "pattern" that is even more distracting.
I would change that to non-blinking.
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 13, 2018, 03:08:43 PM
Were you supposed to include animate2 module with this layout?
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: markc74 on February 13, 2018, 05:09:50 PM
Hi FrizzleFried - my apologies, I made a mistake with the layout file orientation as it was set up to work on my laptop and not my cabinet. I've fixed it now and attached the new layout file - just drop this into the folder over the old one.

If you find that the screen is upside down when you run it, open the layout.nut file in notepad and change line 8 from:
fe.layout.orient=RotateScreen.Left; to fe.layout.orient=RotateScreen.Right; and that should sort it.

To switch between tabs, you need to set a control for custom1. (press TAB > Controls > Custom1 and set an input). I use button 1 to switch tabs and Start1 to launch so you should be ok with 2 buttons.

Animate2 can be got from https://github.com/liquid8d/attract-extra/tree/master/modules (https://github.com/liquid8d/attract-extra/tree/master/modules). Just drop the whole animate2 folder into your attract mode/modules/ folder and it should work. I didn't feel comfortable attaching it because it's someone else's work and I think they might prefer you got the latest version from their site.

Hi Verion - You're right about the flashing thing. I added it quite late and meant to only trigger it on layout start but never got around to it. The attached layout file removes the flashing entirely. I may come back to it and make it work properly and have  it as a toggle option so it's easy to switch on or off.

Let me know if you have any probems  :D
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 14, 2018, 08:11:48 AM
Awesome... the new Layout works great...

Now I need to acquire Flyers and Cabinets images... do you have a suggested source to get artwork?  Also,  I am guessing the INFO field is pulling from the Arcade History data file... where do I put that file in order for it to read it?  Same folder as the layout?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: markc74 on February 14, 2018, 09:54:51 AM
Awesome... the new Layout works great...

Now I need to acquire Flyers and Cabinets images... do you have a suggested source to get artwork?  Also,  I am guessing the INFO field is pulling from the Arcade History data file... where do I put that file in order for it to read it?  Same folder as the layout?

Thanks!

No worries!

I got my artwork from here --> http://www.progettosnaps.net/index.php (http://www.progettosnaps.net/index.php)

My history.dat file is my mame folder but it can go anywhere. Just make sure it's enabled and pointed to in the plugins area of Attract mode (Tab > Plugins > history.dat). Once you've set it up make sure you select Generate Index so that it can be read by the frontend
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: jedione on February 14, 2018, 03:38:08 PM
i like your style ,,,thanks
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 14, 2018, 07:36:20 PM
Awesome... the new Layout works great...

Now I need to acquire Flyers and Cabinets images... do you have a suggested source to get artwork?  Also,  I am guessing the INFO field is pulling from the Arcade History data file... where do I put that file in order for it to read it?  Same folder as the layout?

Thanks!

No worries!

I got my artwork from here --> http://www.progettosnaps.net/index.php (http://www.progettosnaps.net/index.php)

My history.dat file is my mame folder but it can go anywhere. Just make sure it's enabled and pointed to in the plugins area of Attract mode (Tab > Plugins > history.dat). Once you've set it up make sure you select Generate Index so that it can be read by the frontend

Got everything working EXCEPT the history.dat in the layout.  Flyers... cabinets... vids...etc.   I do generate a HISTORY.DAT file and I can see the HISTORY data by hitting H on the keyboard,  but it's not coming up in the layout.

I am using a ARpiCADE setup which has been interesting getting to work as the directory structure is surely different than the PC...

I'm guessing the front end is looking for HISTORY.DAT in a certain location and not finding it there.   The plugin IS finding the history.dat file and like I said,  I can generate an index and I can see the history data by hitting H... it's just not coming in in the layout under INFO...

I'll update if I figure it out...

EDIT: ...found the windows C: path and changed that to /boot/history.dat,  moved the dat file to the FAT32 BOOT folder and all is well.

I also added a "tick" sound when changing game... and because I run the ARpiCADE on a 19" standard res CRT,  I upped the font size to 24 point,  decreased the number of games listed on screen to 11,  expanded the game list box's width by 100px to account for the larger font... and made sure that the box hid to the right 100 additional pixels when moving to the information tab.

One thing I have noticed... when I only had the videos (no flyers/cabinets/history) the theme was exceptionally responsive.  Hold the stick down and it would jump from game to game exceptionally quick...

...since adding the flyers and cabinet images (plus history),  it's much... much... MUCH slower.  I'm guessing the additional load time for the different art is taking it's toll on the Pi3's storage speed capabilities...

I intend to do a little more testing when I have time to determine if there is a decent enough speed gain by eliminating the cabinet images... if so,  I may look in determining how easy/difficult it would be to remove the tab completely... I'm guessing,  however,  it's the flyers that are what's slowing it down (or the combination of the two)... the flyer images tend to be pretty large (some 2MB or more).  It might behoove me to adjust the image size for all of them to 640x480...
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 15, 2018, 07:09:12 PM
Almost to where I want it... however it's going to be a bit of a pain to write instructions on how to setup for the Pi. 

:)

I WOULD like to figure out how to add a "sound" to the custom1 button push.  Ideally I'd love to set up two sound... one for the button push 1, 2, and 3... and a different sound for button push 4 (back to list of games).  I'm trying... but failing thus far.  Here is what I have...

https://youtu.be/VGu314worYE
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 16, 2018, 12:37:10 PM
I've come across a small "issue".  Many of the Arcade History entries are longer than the single screen this front end provides.  Any way to either add "scrolling" to the HISTORY page or,  perhaps,  pagination (push a button for the next page kind of thing)?
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 16, 2018, 12:54:30 PM
I re-skinned this layout last night... I thought it needed a little something.  Here is the result:

You can download the images below... I also included my LAYOUT.NUT which includes a few tweaks (32point font, 9 entries on screen (though I may have moved that to 11 since I too this photo), centered "manufacturer" line, slightly tweaked selection coloring (more yellow),  slightly more visible fonts in places... and a "sound" for when you switch between ROMS (included as well... put it in the LAYOUT folder). 




Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: markc74 on February 16, 2018, 02:39:53 PM
I think Arcade Bliss had it it working (or somewhere did anyway). Only thing you needed to be careful of is that I created a surface for the history so you might need to take that into account. TBH I got everything I needed to know from the top bit but it did slightly bug me that I couldn't see the rest.

If you do get a solution then post it up as I would definitely be interested
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on February 16, 2018, 02:44:46 PM
Certainly understandable and I do appreciate the work you put in to it... if anyone can chime in on how to either add scrolling to the HISTORY component ... or pagination (as mentioned... though I think this might be actually harder to implement)... please let me know.

Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: markc74 on February 16, 2018, 02:54:08 PM
Oops. Overwrote my last post when I meant to edit it... anyway - the crux was:

- ace to see it on a CRT - I like what you've done with it
- I officially give it to the forum to own
- I'll probably create a horizontal version at some point for my other cab but I'll see if anyone else fixes the bugs first  ;D
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: ryuuji on March 09, 2018, 06:35:04 AM
- I'll probably create a horizontal version at some point for my other cab but I'll see if anyone else fixes the bugs first  ;D

Yes please
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: YellowBirdAZ on March 09, 2018, 12:21:21 PM
It looks very nice, good job.

I love shooters and really was tempted to go vertical, but the cab I have is multiplayer so I felt like it needed horizontal for games like The Simpsons and TMNT.
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: cathaldub on March 21, 2018, 08:05:01 AM
Nice theme, any idea if there is something similar for horizontal CRT?
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: FrizzleFried on March 22, 2018, 06:41:49 AM
I am considering modifying this theme to use on a horizontal cabinet...
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: cathaldub on March 22, 2018, 04:48:27 PM
I am considering modifying this theme to use on a horizontal cabinet...
I’ve made a good start on it, I’m yet to see how it looks in my cabinet but will have a go over the weekend, I’ve been looking for something clean and simple like this for a while
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: churchofsolipsism on June 25, 2018, 04:22:25 PM
Many thanks to the op/ OG Markc74's work and FrizzleFried for his excellent reskin, which I ended up using - just the thing I needed for my mini cocktail cab!

Couple of quick questions, though:
1. Has anybody managed to add scrolling to the history texts?
2. Might be I'm just too dumb to get it, but for the life of me I can't find Animate2 at

https://github.com/liquid8d/attract-extra/tree/master/modules

which I seem to need for the layout? Is there any other place I can download it?
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: Ezryel on June 22, 2019, 09:33:00 AM
Hi, I'm new to this forum as you may be able to tell.  I'm having trouble finding the download link for this vertical layout.   

Can someone please assist?
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: verion on June 22, 2019, 12:03:04 PM
It's in a first post (at the bottom).
You have to be logged in to see it.
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: Ezryel on June 23, 2019, 10:20:41 PM
Hi,  I downloaded the file "The Invaders.zip" from the first post and placed it in the appropriate folder for AM layouts on my Pi 3. 
When I'm in AM and hit TAB, go to Displays, I select the "The Invaders" of the many layouts I have installed, back out of the AM submenu...but AM freezes. I can still SSH to do a reboot from command line.  When the pi reboots, I see code cycling at a rate too fast for me to read.

Any help is appreciated.
What details can I provide about my set up that will help?
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: keilmillerjr on June 24, 2019, 01:54:09 AM
Hi,  I downloaded the file "The Invaders.zip" from the first post and placed it in the appropriate folder for AM layouts on my Pi 3. 
When I'm in AM and hit TAB, go to Displays, I select the "The Invaders" of the many layouts I have installed, back out of the AM submenu...but AM freezes. I can still SSH to do a reboot from command line.  When the pi reboots, I see code cycling at a rate too fast for me to read.

Any help is appreciated.
What details can I provide about my set up that will help?

Use SSH and launch attract so you can get your log on your desktop. Or try launching from pi and redirecting the output stream to file using "attract > log.txt“. "attract | tee -a log.txt“ might work as well,  writing standard output to terminal and file.
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: churchofsolipsism on June 27, 2019, 04:34:14 PM
How time flies... so, has anybody managed to add scrolling to the history texts?

Also, still there's no way to download the Animate2 module from

https://github.com/liquid8d/attract-extra/tree/master/modules

which I seem to need for the layout. Is there any other way I can get my hands on it? Thanks!
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: rand0m on August 08, 2019, 02:35:21 AM
@markc74  really great theme, i love how transition works between list/flyer/info panels. Just the thing i was looking for my theme.

How time flies... so, has anybody managed to add scrolling to the history texts?

Also, still there's no way to download the Animate2 module from

https://github.com/liquid8d/attract-extra/tree/master/modules

which I seem to need for the layout. Is there any other way I can get my hands on it? Thanks!

Go this page > https://github.com/liquid8d/attract-extra
click on clone or download and download zip
move/copy animate2 folder from /modules to AM/modules.
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: churchofsolipsism on April 30, 2020, 08:54:46 AM
No idea what's going on, but all the layout variations from this thread crash Attractmode on my PC. All other layouts I have tried work, but when I use this vertical layout Attractmode freezes and I have to use the task manager to end it. I would love to use this theme on my vertical cab, but no luck...
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: chunksin on May 22, 2020, 08:18:32 AM
I had the same issue, it was hunting for the history.dat file, the path is hard coded in the layout.nut file so adjust it for your install of Attract Mode. The filepath (even in Windows) needs forward slashes to find the file so make sure your path has them. Install the font included in the zip file attached, I couldn't find Captain so used American Captain instead!
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: mahuti on January 08, 2021, 06:32:11 PM
I made my own version of this. Under the hood it's quite different, so I changed the name and made a new post

http://forum.attractmode.org/index.php?topic=3866.0

Just wanted to say thanks for making a great layout. There are bits and pieces of code reused, and the layout was reused. Hope none of you mind. I posted credit in the post and in the readme.
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: markc74 on January 26, 2021, 08:47:48 AM
Just saw the other thread -

I certainly don't mind. I usually code something until it does what I need it to do, then get another idea and do that instead. Glad you were able to use and improve it!
Title: Re: Vertical CRT layout 0.2
Post by: mahuti on January 26, 2021, 01:18:34 PM
I'm working on history scrolling. I have a version that kinda works, but not 100% yet.