Timers

Related Config File Sections:

timers:

MPF config files include the concept of "timers" which you can use to count towards a specific event based on time. Timers can be configured to count up or down, at whatever interval you want, at any speed you want. You can use events to start, stop, pause, reset, or change their speed.

Timers post events with each "tick" which you can use to update the display, play sounds, etc. They also post events when they complete which you can use to stop a mode, play a show, etc.

Example uses of timers might include:

Hurry up count down to make a shot (with variable score based on how much time is left).
Timer to end a timed mode.
A timer which ticks periodically to rotate a lit shot left or right.
Etc.

The example config files section of the documentation contains examples of timers in modes.

Displaying the value of a timer on a slide

If you want to use your timer in a slide you have to set the value to a player variable first:

##! mode: your_mode
# in your mode
timers:
  your_timer:
    start_value: 0
    end_value: 20
    control_events:
      - action: start
        event: mode_your_mode_started
variable_player:
  timer_your_timer_tick:
    your_timer_variable_times_100:
      int: device.timers.your_timer.ticks * 100
      action: set
slides:
  show_timer:
    widgets:
      - type: Text
        text: (player|your_timer_variable_times_100)
slide_player:
  mode_your_mode_started: show_timer
##! test
#! start_game
#! start_mode your_mode
#! advance_time_and_run .1
#! assert_text_on_top_slide 0
#! advance_time_and_run 1
#! assert_text_on_top_slide 100

In this example we update the player variable timer_your_timer_tick every time the timer changes based on the tick event. The value is multiplied by 100 (but you can also omit this or do anything Variable player supports). Afterwards, you can use the variable in your slide.

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Timers

Displaying the value of a timer on a slide

Related Events