Attract-Mode Support Forum

Related Stuff => Emulators => Topic started by: sosimple on January 16, 2020, 06:13:34 AM

Title: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 16, 2020, 06:13:34 AM
Hi. I am probably oftopic, as the forum is for attractmode, and my question is not 100% for this, but as i haven't registration to more appropriate site, I'll ask it here.
I have mame, amstrad, pinball emu, setup and working fine in attractmode and now I try to add Amiga.
I setup winuae, downloaded some game rom, and kickstart files, and it works ok, i can play.

But after searching here, i found out that i need FS-UAE emulator to use it from attractmode..
So my real problem is that i can't make FS-UAE to work.. I setup it, watching some video in utube, i do exactly the same. I use for kickstart files the same i used in winuae, and same .adf games rom (as floppy) which all worked in winuae. But when press start button in fs-uae emulator, i get the window "FS-UAE- Amiga 500", i hear sound of floppy drive and see a white picture with a blue disk which write amiga workbench v1. 3 and nothing else. It stay there.
 I have spent many hours trying everything. In YouTube videos it boots in game.

Is there a problem with kickstart files? I read somewhere (but i am not sure i have understood well) that in fs-uae i need to buy the kickstart roms, and they need to have a rom.key in the kickstart folder?  I don't have that rom.key but winuae was working..
If anyone knows.. Many thanks.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: manzarek on January 16, 2020, 08:56:24 AM
It happened exactly the same to me, after so many headaches or reluctantly relinquished, but I would also be interested in solving the problem.  >:(
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 16, 2020, 09:22:05 AM
Thanks for the reply.. At least i am not alone..  :)
 Is there anyone who use amiga in attractmode? How did you succeed?
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: bionictoothpick on January 16, 2020, 03:54:09 PM
I have. And I'll get you the info.

The games below were the reason I spent the time getting it to work:

Archon
Fire Power
Gridiron by Bethesda
One on One
_____

executable           addons/WinUAELoader/WinUAELoader
args                 -mode auto -rom "[romfilename]"
rompath              ..\..\..\attractmode\addons\WinUAELoader\WHD\
romext               .zip;.adf
system               Amiga
artwork    flyer           ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/snap
artwork    marquee         ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/marquee
artwork    snap            ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/snap
artwork    wheel           ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/wheel

And I used this: https://headsoftware.net/index.php?category=winuaeloader
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 17, 2020, 04:59:33 AM
I have. And I'll get you the info.

The games below were the reason I spent the time getting it to work:

Archon
Fire Power
Gridiron by Bethesda
One on One
_____

executable           addons/WinUAELoader/WinUAELoader
args                 -mode auto -rom "[romfilename]"
rompath              ..\..\..\attractmode\addons\WinUAELoader\WHD\
romext               .zip;.adf
system               Amiga
artwork    flyer           ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/snap
artwork    marquee         ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/marquee
artwork    snap            ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/snap
artwork    wheel           ../../attractmode/scraper/amiga/wheel

And I used this: https://headsoftware.net/index.php?category=winuaeloader

Many thanks man.. I'll try this. I didn't know this program. Winuae do works so i think i have more luck by using this. I will ask in this thread if i stuck anywhere.

  I had amstrad cpc back then.. Amiga was always a dream.. :)
I have downloaded all gamerome i had in amstrad to see how they look in amiga, and some others.
There is a video in utube with most amiga games. It is 7 hours long!! It show 10 seconds of every game.
I didn't see 7 hours, (but probably 2 hours) i was fast forward what i was not interested in, but i selected 200 games from there to download..
After all this work, selecting from all those games, finding the rom and the videosnap, i should complete the project although i wont play.

One question : Many games are in .adf format (floppy disc image) 2-3 disks.
I had chose fs-uae because you could set a list. So you coul have one game name for every game to compine with one videosnap and use it in attract mode. Does winuae loade using a similar approach?  Or should i download the games in hard disk format (whdload format i think it is named) which i don't have..
I have all games in .adf format.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 17, 2020, 07:50:57 AM
Ok , I found something importand. I had download game roms (.adf) from archive.org site. They was working with winuae. But wasnt with FS-UAE.
I try redownload from https://www.planetemu.net/roms/commodore-amiga-games-adf?page=A and find out that those roms ARE WORKING with FS-UAE !!
I think that from archive.org are original files, while from planetemu are hacked somehow , and fs-uae doesnt working with oriinal adf.
I think that if i re download the files from there my problem will be solved, if i want to go with fs-uae method but i will consider winuae loader method also.
Thanks all for the help, and i hope it will be usefull to others.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: Neosys on January 18, 2020, 04:40:52 AM
@sosimple
I use winuae with the winuae loader and only hd files. ahead you have only one file for all games and the games load a lot faster.
everything works perfectly.  ;)
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 18, 2020, 11:25:23 AM
@sosimple
I use winuae with the winuae loader and only hd files. ahead you have only one file for all games and the games load a lot faster.
everything works perfectly.  ;)
I know , it is probably the best solultion but havent succed in load other files than adf. What format do i need for hd files? hdf? or iha , ipf ?
Should I f first create a virtual hd in amiga, as i show in a video? I never had amiga so i dont know the os.
Any link to download a gamerom in hd format which work? Should i setup something in winuae?

For now i use fs-uae , adf floppy files but i have setup floppy to maximum speed by uae_floppy_speed = 0
It is a working alternative . Probably worse but i wont add many games so i can live with this for now. But in future i may change things.


Edit..
Ok i found how to run in fs-uae launcher hd games. (. Iha). The problem was i had setup amiga 500.
It needs to setup amiga 1200 after all.. How to know that?...
One thing i solve, another problem is created.. By loading floppy disks, i fould save state (so i could load a game from where i saved it before. This way i could load very fast a game also, as by loading saved state, it loaded from where i was in previous time, so no nag scenes etc).
But by loading hd files this option is disabled.. I googled it and found out there is not a solution for this :
http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=80860

Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: Neosys on January 19, 2020, 11:54:19 AM
Hi. look at that.

https://forums.launchbox-app.com/topic/28969-a-perfect-commodore-amiga-winuaeloader-exe-aviable/page/3/

the user Locutus74 has probably found a solution, but with winuae, winuae loader and whdload.

tried it but unfortunately it doesn't work. damned.

PS: in winuae you have to convert the games from .lha to amiga conform .zip so that winuae loader can handle it.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 20, 2020, 04:18:14 AM
Hi. look at that.

https://forums.launchbox-app.com/topic/28969-a-perfect-commodore-amiga-winuaeloader-exe-aviable/page/3/

the user Locutus74 has probably found a solution, but with winuae, winuae loader and whdload.

tried it but unfortunately it doesn't work. damned.

PS: in winuae you have to convert the games from .lha to amiga conform .zip so that winuae loader can handle it.
Thanks.. I'll read it. Didn't expected that complicated amiga support.. For now i don't have much free time actually.
Thanks all for the help.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: dmmarti on January 20, 2020, 07:22:36 AM
The P-UAE core within Retroarch has been getting alot of updates lately.

It works great using *.hdf files.

You have to have the kickstarts and the WHDLoad.prefs files all named and placed into the \system folder ... but once you have it setup, *.hdf files work great.

If you're a Retroarch user, this lends itself to easy controller setup and the other added options Retroarch has as well.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 21, 2020, 02:17:58 PM
I still experiment with fs-uae. I actually find many benefits to this that probably wasnt in past as anyone was using winuae i suppose..
anyway, I can run it through attractmode by this (I am not an expert, there may be a better way). I use a portable version of FS-UAE, windows 10.

executable         D:\sosimple\Portaible\MAME\Amiga\FS-UAE\Launcher.exe
args             "D:\sosimple\Portaible\MAME\Amiga\FS-UAE\Configurations\[name].fs-uae"   
workdir               D:\sosimple\Portaible\MAME\Amiga\FS-UAE\Configurations\
rompath               D:\sosimple\Portaible\MAME\Amiga\FS-UAE\Configurations\
romext               .lha;.adf.zip.fs-uae;<DIR>
system       Amiga
info_source  thegamesdb.net
exit_hotkey  Escape
artwork    snap           D:\sosimple\Portaible\MAME\Amiga\snap;  D:\sosimple\Portaible\MAME\Amiga\VideoSnaps


It works excellent . I dont actually load the real file (which maybe .Iha, .adf etc, but i call the .fs-uae file that Fs-UAE emu create from the list of games i have inside FS-UAE emu. So some games are in .adf, others in .Iha, all works.

The problem: Videosnap sound doesn't stop when game start.. I also have the same problem in FuturePinball emulator, which i load in a siminar way through attractmode.
If anyone has a solution for this..
I also can't return to attractmode with a button eg escape, but i havent try much on this yet.

thanks,
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: progets on January 21, 2020, 04:50:20 PM
The problem: Videosnap sound doesn't stop when game start.. I also have the same problem in FuturePinball emulator, which i load in a siminar way through attractmode.

Configure-->Emulators--><emulator_name>-->Non-Blocking Wait Mode = x
x = seconds to wait
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 22, 2020, 12:01:59 AM
The problem: Videosnap sound doesn't stop when game start.. I also have the same problem in FuturePinball emulator, which i load in a siminar way through attractmode.

Configure-->Emulators--><emulator_name>-->Non-Blocking Wait Mode = x
x = seconds to wait
Ok thanks! That was easy after all.

I now only need to exit game. I think this will not as easy as in amiga every game has a different key to exit..
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 22, 2020, 06:35:40 AM
I have found that in keyboard F12 + Q exit emuator fs-uae. I try to set this to a button in my gamepad. In folder fs-uae/controllers there are 2 configuration txt.
[default]
include = universal_gamepad
axis_0_neg = dpad_left
axis_0_pos = dpad_right
axis_4_neg = dpad_up
axis_4_pos = dpad_down
button_0 = south_button
button_2 = east_button
button_3 = west_button
button_8 = select_button
button_9 = menu_button

I try to charge button_8
I set button_8 = action_key_f10
to test if it will send f10 key as i read in fs-uae site, but doesn't work.
Also i read joystick_0_button_0 = action_quit
also doesnt work. I tried
button_8 = action_quit
also doesn't work..

If anyone knows how to do it.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: Neosys on January 22, 2020, 08:52:18 AM
So now I have solved it perfectly for me.

1. Games in whd load format, i.e. hard disk images:
Advantage: Fast loading times, only one file
Disadvantage: Saving is currently not possible. not with winuae and also not with fs-uae

2. Games in Disk Format (ADF)
Advantage: Saving as a save state and loading possible.
Disadvantage: slightly longer loading times. (you can increase it e.g. in winuae) and floppy disk change
This can be solved with Disk Swapper.

Conclusion:
Games that I don't necessarily have to save or want to save will be taken as WHDload hd images and if I consider that I have to save then I'll use the disk format (ADF)

I have implemented a symbol (disc symbol) in my layout for amiga for games that I can save, so when I choose a game I am shown what can or cannot be saved.

greeting  ;)
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 23, 2020, 12:36:51 PM
I think with fs-uae floppy disks are better than every other method (hard disk , cd etc) in some or probably most games. It is slower only the 1st time you try a game, and lightning faster every other time if you do this :
Lets say we try a game for example : Barbarian.  Loading from floppy. We setup this in fs-uae launcher, run it, it will load the floppy much slower, see some loading screens etc. We select to start 1 player game, it starts. We press F12 and save state.
In the configuration folder (in my settings is
D:\sosimple\Portaible\MAME\Amiga\FS-UAE\Configurations
There fs-uae created the file
BarBarian.fs-uae
We open it in notepad and see his:
# FS-UAE configuration saved by FS-UAE Launcher
# Last saved: 2020-01-19 16:14:43

[fs-uae]
floppy_drive_0 = D:/sosimple/Portaible/MAME/Amiga/Games/Barbarian - The Ultimate Warrior (1987)(Palace)[cr Pulsar].adf
joystick_port_1 = USB Gamepad
kickstart_file = D:/sosimple/Portaible/MAME/Amiga/FS-UAE/Kickstarts/Kickstart v1.3 rev 34.5 (1987)(Commodore)(A500-A1000-A2000-CDTV).rom



If we add at the end:
load_state = 1


Then next time we select barbarian from attract mode list of games, it bypass everything and go to game imediatelly. No login screens , no loading, dont even have to press the button to start the game. We already playing..
It auto load the 1st save we have done.
We can do this for every game. Perhaps it is even easier, i read somewhere if we create a default.fs-uae file or something, and set it there, it does it for every game if there is a save state, but havent try this yet.

I still haven't find a way to exit fs-uae emulator by a button in gamepad to return in attractmode. (It does it by F12+Q or ALT+Q). I registered in fs-uae forum to ask there. If i found a solution i will post it also here. I use atractmode in a tablet. I dont always have keyboard connected when i play so it is important for me to go back in attractmode without keyboard... :(
I have created autoit script to do that, but doesn't work stable..

Edit. I resolve the 2nd problem i had. In the above example , when I add to the configuration file load_state = 1 ,  I also add:
joystick_0_button_8 = action_quit
and the button i want on the gamepad i use quit fs-uae emulator and go back to attract mode as i wanted.. You can do the same eg with keyboard escape key in similar way.

***** All problems solved..
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 23, 2020, 03:12:48 PM
A small video showing how fast you can load and start a game with floppy disk and save state.
Dont be confused by the theme. It is mine for amstrad cpc as i haven't made an amiga yet, but it is fs-uae and amiga games running.

https://youtu.be/WuhLcz8IyT8
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 24, 2020, 01:13:36 PM
I found a way to use lha rom files and still use save states. In advanced settings we add
unsafe_save_states = 1
relative_temp_feature = 1

and save states works. Also it can auto boot to 1st save state if there is. So I dont need floppy images any more. I have all the benefits.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on January 27, 2020, 03:15:01 PM
I uploaded to YouTube the final project.. :) (just for display, no download).
If you want to see the list of games i choose and the theme, here it is :
https://youtu.be/uSb-QaIhoeo

I also created and uploaded an amstrad cpc theme here:
https://youtu.be/oIwWmuo_gtM

I would like to do the same for commodore 64 but haven't have much time now, to make it from scratch..
If anyone have a commodore theme uploaded somewhere with everything in a pack, i would appreciate if he could pm me a link.
Thanks,

Edit. I finally created a commodore 64 also..
https://youtu.be/WdVeHgzc2a8
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: hermine.potter on February 08, 2020, 11:23:34 AM
I've tested different variations. Now I'm using portable fs-uae in version 2.8.3.0 (supports more commanline commands).
Pressing ESC exists fs-uae. My config:
Code: [Select]
executable           C:\attract\EMU\amiga\fs-uae.exe
args                 --floppy-drive-0="[romfilename]" --fullscreen --floppy-drive-0-sounds=0 --floppy-drive-speed=100 --floppy-drive-volume-empty=100
rompath              C:\attract\EMU\amiga\ROMS
romext               .adf
system               Amiga
info_source          thegamesdb.net
exit_hotkey          Escape
artwork    marquee         C:\attract\scraper\amiga\marquee
artwork    snap            C:\attract\scraper\amiga\video;C:\attract\scraper\amiga\flyer
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: sosimple on February 10, 2020, 05:44:20 AM
I've tested different variations. Now I'm using portable fs-uae in version 2.8.3.0 (supports more commanline commands).
Pressing ESC exists fs-uae. My config:
Code: [Select]
executable           C:\attract\EMU\amiga\fs-uae.exe
args                 --floppy-drive-0="[romfilename]" --fullscreen --floppy-drive-0-sounds=0 --floppy-drive-speed=100 --floppy-drive-volume-empty=100
rompath              C:\attract\EMU\amiga\ROMS
romext               .adf
system               Amiga
info_source          thegamesdb.net
exit_hotkey          Escape
artwork    marquee         C:\attract\scraper\amiga\marquee
artwork    snap            C:\attract\scraper\amiga\video;C:\attract\scraper\amiga\flyer

Why using adf? iha have only benefits. Only reason to use adf is if you already have your collection in adf and you don't want to re download again.
In my video of amiga attract mode above, i have add info how to do everything. I even have links where to easy find iha..
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: hermine.potter on February 11, 2020, 05:41:38 AM
lha is a simple file archive. adf is the "classic" amiga disc file.
see no advantages?
i've got legal game files from my amiga classix cds.
game publisher offers their free games in .adf format. See Factor5 (http://www.factor5.de/downloads.shtml) (amiga version of r-type; Turrican)
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: ^F117^ on May 27, 2020, 03:05:42 PM
I've tested different variations. Now I'm using portable fs-uae in version 2.8.3.0 (supports more commanline commands).
Pressing ESC exists fs-uae. My config:
Code: [Select]
executable           C:\attract\EMU\amiga\fs-uae.exe
args                 --floppy-drive-0="[romfilename]" --fullscreen --floppy-drive-0-sounds=0 --floppy-drive-speed=100 --floppy-drive-volume-empty=100
rompath              C:\attract\EMU\amiga\ROMS
romext               .adf
system               Amiga
info_source          thegamesdb.net
exit_hotkey          Escape
artwork    marquee         C:\attract\scraper\amiga\marquee
artwork    snap            C:\attract\scraper\amiga\video;C:\attract\scraper\amiga\flyer

Hi, and if the disk game are 2 floppies?
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: hermine.potter on May 27, 2020, 10:14:32 PM
-make and use configuration files and use Diskswap (https://fs-uae.net/docs/floppy-images)
or
-WHDload (https://fs-uae.net/whdload-support)
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: ^F117^ on May 28, 2020, 06:36:14 AM
Thank you for respond me, unfortunately the swap it is not automatic, so it's no good for a bartop system.
Title: Re: Amiga emulators setup for attractmode?
Post by: hermine.potter on May 29, 2020, 01:31:16 AM
-make and use configuration files (https://fs-uae.net/docs/floppy-images) (floppy_drive1 to floppy_drive4)
or
-WHDload (https://fs-uae.net/whdload-support) (one gamefile)