Zinc Control Configuration Utility+

by Howard Casto

Version 1.5
==============
Fixed a bug in the wrapper config function.
Fixed a bug that kept groupings for saving.
Made checkboxes wider.
Made displaying the command line prior to launch optional (there's a checkbox in the launch section).


Version 1.0
==============
Initial Release

About:
======
This utility allows the practical and easy configuration of all playable zinc games's controls.  
All games with similar control types are automatically grouped together and the control types 
are arranged so that you can understand the real games physical button layout.  Controls used by 
every game are grouped together in the general tab.  

Besides this, ZC (zinc config)  can also be used as a simple front end.  Games can be launched 
from the "launch" tab.

Rudimentary config file managment (just launces the files in notepad) is also supported.

There is also support to output dat file by calling zinc as well as configuring my generic 
command line wrapper automatically, based upon the settings you set within ZC. 




Setup:
======

Extract everthing that came in the zip to your zinc directory.  If you will be using my wrapper,
now is a good time to drop it in your zinc folder as well.... no need to configure it as this utiliy 
will do it for you.

Also, just in case you don't know, you need winterblast's latest controller plugin (1.6).  

If you aren't running windows xp then you'll need to install microsoft's vb6 runtime files, which aren't included.  

That's it for setup. 





Useage:
=======

Right off the bat, ZC has two command line switches:

-listinfo [optional path]   	Works just like mame's listinfo, and generates a (partial) dat file from zinc. (Saved as zinc.dat by default)
-cfgwrapper			Asks zinc for the gamelist and then uses it and your ZC settings to setup the wrapper automatically.

Besides those bookkeeping functions, ZC is fairly self-explainatory.  Click on a button to remap it.  Save when done.  That's pretty much it!

Some important notes:

When configuring things, take special care to make sure the right player option is checked or else you'll be binding for the wrong player!

The cfg managment buttons assume that your zinc config file is named "zinc.cfg" and your renderer config file is named "renderer.cfg"  
they don't work otherwise.  Since there is absolutely no reason to name them any different I don't see this as an issue. 

If you are having trouble making a zinc.cfg simply delete yours and click on the "Manage Zinc Options" button.  ZC creates one for you!

You can manage groupings by clicking on the button, but as of zinc 1.1 they are automactially sorted for you.

If you DO decide to manage the groups (or a newer version of zinc comes out) use the "scan for changes button"
in the groups window first, as it asks zinc for a new gamelist and "automagically" sorts any new games the best it can.

Limitations:
============

When you bind a control, alt or shift key, ZC assumes it's the left one, as it can't tell the difference.

Joysticks aren't yet supported.

This utility hasn't been tested in windows 9X, it should work, but might need some dependencies.  If you have issues contact me.

This utility is totally and completely dependant on zinc... so it won't function outside of your zinc folder.

The dat file generated lacks file sizes....also as of this posting zinc's output for the chd games is flawed, causing a corrupted dat.  
It should work fine for front-ends but maybe not clrmamepro.

When you have ZC auto-config your wrapper file, it ignores your current settings and overwrites them (which should be ok).


FAQ:
====

Q:  Why so many different layouts?  

A:  Because zinc has over 70 games and two sets of inputs.  The layouts I've given are the bare minimum required as some games use the inputs differently.

Q:  My joystick won't bind, why?

A:  Probably because I haven't added joystick support. This utility is designed for mame cab users, not people running zinc on their desktop pc.  
    Joystick support comes later.

Q:  Why do I have to edit my zinc.cfg/renderer.cfg file manually?

A:  Because those settings are quite easy to setup, while winterblast's plugin isn't. Also a new version of zinc is coming out, which may add new options.  

Q:  What is this wrapper thing you keep talking about?

A:  It's available in the "wrappers" section of the site where you got this file.  Basically it allows front-ends that don't natively support zinc to 
    launch it as they would a regular mame game.

Q:  Dunk Mania's controls aren't right.  What gives?

A:  Wow, how can you play with that giant logo blocking the screen?  I sure couldn't and thus I didn't bother to check it's inputs. 

Q:  The controls for Star Galdiator (or insert your obscure capcom fighter name here) are goofy how come?

A:  Star Gladiator, it's sequel and made a couple of other games have un-documented control panels.  I have no way of knowing the real layout, but when
    you go into the switch test menus for these games it shows a graphic using said "goofy" layouts.  Therefore, officially I have them grouped with the 
    capcom 6 button layout(they use 4 buttons, but are hooked up using a capcom harness).  If you can find me a pic of one of these game's control panels,
    I'll be happy to add a grouping for it.


 





