linking a layout to one particular emulator in mala

[hotdogs_stuff]

i built an arcade with an older dell dimensions 8300 desktop (which is still a nice machine), i installed a pre prepaired mala and emulator package with some increadible assortment of emulators and games. i added some PC games to the mala front end, but they use the default menu (space invaders, with text only) as opposed to the other 10 or so emulators which use the "automatic layout by emulator" tab in the mala menus.
i can change the menus my just selecting 1 single layout for all the emulators (and my pc games) but then i loose the cool individual "personalized" layouts for each emulator.
I'm having a hard time figuring out what mala need to see in the layout folder, and on the "other emulator" menus to associate a layout with an emulator (i hope that makes sense).
basically i just would like to have a new emulator linked to a particular layout, so when i leave the "automatic layout" box checked, my new emulator won't use the default menu, and tarnish the really cool mala setup i have going.

[hotdogs_stuff]

unfortunately no one was able to help me, but it's cool cause i figured it out, and maybe it will help someone else out if i post it.  mala's wiki wasn't very clear on what needed to happen in order for an emulator NOT to use the standard layout menu (space invaders with text only).

so (in mala) under the other emulators tab in the gui menu there is a line for the emulator's name. I was calling this the name of the file or program, because i thought that's what it was supposed to be. as it turns out this line doesn't have any real significance other than what the emulator name is on your list of emulators, and of course which emulator layout mala will associate with this emulator.
so for instance, I purchased the HD home version of dragon's lair from gamersgate, so i named the emulator "DRAGONS LAIR", then i went into the layout folders (I had several menu packs so), i found one i liked, renamed the folder and the .MLL file (in this instance i took one called "PC engine") to "DRAGONS LAIR", (and changed the first line of the .Mll file from 'PC engine' to 'DRAGONS LAIR'). then i opened the folder (now called DRAGONS LAIR) and found the "menu.jpg", which i opened in paint, copied and pasted some dragons lair logos and art on top of the PC engine logos and re-saved it (all still inside the LAYOUTS folder in mame).
the next time i opened up the emulator i call dragons lair, my layout was there, and working perfectly (with the .JPG snap i added to the snap folder with the same name).

[DaOld Man]

Sorry, just now seeing this. But looks like you figured it out.
I have found that the mll file needs to be named the same as the emulator, EX: nes emulator= nes.mll
Glad you figured it out.
How about a picture of that layout? Sounds interesting.