MaLa Tree Snaps

[CartmanDP1]

I have been trying to get MaLa Tree Snaps to work so that in my main menu when an emulator is selected a snap shows up, similar to this:


I have been searching these forums and the MaLa wiki but I am still lost

I set up my tree like this:


I then went to this menu and set the snaps directory


In that directory I have a file named mame.png and a file named nes.png

My layout for my main menu has a games list where the names of the emulators show up and a snaps box where nothing shows up right now

thanks in advance, hopefully this is enough info

[unclet]

Does MALA work with PNG files?

[CartmanDP1]

Does MALA work with PNG files?

just tested a .jpg and still no dice, also all of my snaps for my roms are png and they work fine, but thanks for trying to help out

[Organic Jerk]

The tree snaps file names have to reflect not just the name of the selection, but the name of the menu they fall under, as well.  The format for them is
" Menu name_selection name".

Therefore, for a setup such as :


Main Menu
   |_Nes
   |_Game Boy


The filenames for the snaps should be:


main menu_nes.png
main menu_game boy.png


This also applies for submenus as well.  You only need to type the name of the submenu itself, not the entire tree, in the filename. So for a setup such as:


Main Menu
   |_Nes
         |_Favorites


The snap for "Favorites" will just have to be named:


nes_favorites.png




Hope that helps!

[CartmanDP1]

this is exactly what i needed, cant thank you enough organic

[loadman]

I added info to wiki 

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Mala_Cool#MaLa_Tree

[slsimon]

I have been trying to get MaLa Tree Snaps to work so that in my main menu when an emulator is selected a snap shows up, similar to this:


I have been searching these forums and the MaLa wiki but I am still lost

I set up my tree like this:


I then went to this menu and set the snaps directory


In that directory I have a file named mame.png and a file named nes.png

My layout for my main menu has a games list where the names of the emulators show up and a snaps box where nothing shows up right now

thanks in advance, hopefully this is enough info

Very nice informative thread.  I will be setting up my Mala config like this when I get around to it.  By chance, can the background/layout in this posting above from cartmandp1 be downloaded from somewhere?  Very nice post.  Thanks,

[Katana Man]

I spent hours working on setting up a nice layout with high res pics of each console. My layout looks alot like this.  When I get it all cleaned up, I'll make mine available for download, including all of the .psd photoshop files too.

[loadman]

I spent hours working on setting up a nice layout with high res pics of each console. My layout looks alot like this.  When I get it all cleaned up, I'll make mine available for download, including all of the .psd photoshop files too.

[ARTIFACT]

great info! wow

[slsimon]

I spent hours working on setting up a nice layout with high res pics of each console. My layout looks alot like this.  When I get it all cleaned up, I'll make mine available for download, including all of the .psd photoshop files too.

For sure please do share.  If I can get a copy of these files, I will either use this background and or the background Shock_ has created for his machine.  Both backgrounds are very nice.  I will be keeping an eye on this post.  Can you provide an ETA on completion?  Keep up trucking with the nice backrounds.  Thanks,

[Katana Man]

I spent a few hours on it last night, but I still have a ways to go.  The layout contains Arcade Games, Atari, Nintendo, PC games, Jukebox, etc.. Inside Atari is a selection for Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, etc.. Each color coordinated as well.   I plan on releasing a zip file containing the entire layout set with all of the subdirectories and files.  This way, I could potentially be saving someone many hours of work.  I'll also release the individual images and .psd files.   The .psd photoshop files are key so if you have Photoshop, you can easily modify anything you want, or save the files in a different size or format if desired.
Right now, it's designed at 1280x1024 using .png files.  The .png format seems to work best for using this under any resolution you choose.  I think I'll need 1 or 2 more free nights worth of work to be able to release this.  That probably translates into 1 week.
Sneak peek:

[slsimon]

I spent a few hours on it last night, but I still have a ways to go.  The layout contains Arcade Games, Atari, Nintendo, PC games, Jukebox, etc.. Inside Atari is a selection for Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, etc..   I plan on releasing a zip file containing the entire layout set with all of the subdirectories and files.  This way, I could potentially be saving someone many hours of work.  I'll also release the individual images and .psd files.   The .psd photoshop files are key so if you have Photoshop, you can easily modify anything you want, or save the files in a different size or format if desired.
Right now, it's designed at 1280x1024 using .png files.  The .png format seems to work best for using this under any resolution you choose.  I think I'll need 1 or 2 more free nights worth of work to be able to release this.  That probably translates into 1 week.

Very good.  I enjoy the reads on this thread so I imagine I will be on here often.  I am fairly new to this forum so I am just trying to soak up all the information I can before I actually dig into installing and configuring all the software.  I actually have started a structure layout of all the files I may need in order to get Mala/mame and all necessary files working correctly as a preliminary step.  Just looking for some nice professional compatible backgrounds to use with Mala and multiple emulation setup.  Thanks for posting and I will be keeping tabs on this post for sure.  Thanks,

Just noticed you updated your post with pics.  Are those images of the game consoles static and or do you have them defined in Mala pointing to a specific console image? 

[Katana Man]

They are pointing to a specific image. I was able to make them work beautifully with transparency.  This way, you can tweak the background to anything you want, and the images will show up nicely.

Question for you guys:  Currently, this tree is 3 levels deep.  On the 3rd, gamelist level, I am temporarily using other people's background images from other publicly available layouts (example). I'm eventually planning on making my own, but for now, can I release this with other people's backgrounds in it? Of course, I would give credit where credit is due, but is that ok, or should I wait?

[ARTIFACT]

very cool

I want to eventually make my own layout, but this is looking great!
I love how you have console/system images with transparency and everything...

[Davrkw]

Just starting to use MaLa.  Seems like a great front end.  Just built my first tree.  I can't figure out how to navigate back or up a menu.  For instance, looking at the example above, where the screens were navigated from "Arcade games - Atari - Atrai 2600", if I am in the Atrai 2600 menu, and want to get back to the "main" Atari menu to play an Atari 5200 game, how to I navigate "up" or "back"?

[ARTIFACT]

you configure that in the gui options.

i set mine up to be escape / exit on my cab

[mike_bike_kite]

Sorry for piggy backing my questions on your thread but you guys seem to know about Mala I'm building a Mame cabinet with Jukebox - it's my 2nd Mame box but my 1st time with Mala and with Arcade Jukebox though.

• How do I get Mala to show the snaps for my games?
• I do have a snap directory full of images but how do I switch it on?
• Can the snaps be shown as an array rather than just a straight list down the page?
• Can I jump down page at a time?
• Is it possible to switch back and forth between Mala and Arcade Jukebox without using the mouse?

Mike Robinson

[loadman]

Have you ckecked the Wiki yet?

How do I get Mala to show the snaps for my games? Check the Wiki 
I do have a snap directory full of images but how do I switch it on?  Check the Wiki 
Can the snaps be shown as an array rather than just a straight list down the page? Ehh Umm Not sure 
Can I jump down page at a time? YES
Is it possible to switch back and forth between Mala and Arcade Jukebox without using the mouse? YES

[mike_bike_kite]

Have you ckecked the Wiki yet?

I tried to read/understand this one http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Mala_Setup and the related wikis that it points to. It pretty much reads like greek. It seems to go on forever about trees and layout but ignores the most basic things. It wouldn't be so bad but the options in Mala seem nonsensical to me - you pick gamelists and hope to be able to choose between displaying titles and snaps etc.

It would be neat if it just had a juke box option where you can either select the default jukebox or add another jukebox then where the music can be found. I seem to find myself going through every option box each time as I'm just not sure where I'm going to find something.

Mala appears very good and I'm sure it has all the options I need but I just can't find them in the wiki (assuming I have the right one) or the options screen.

How do I get Mala to show the snaps for my games? Check the Wiki

I didn't have the snaps initialy when I fist started Mala so I didn't enter it then. I now can't find any option (that works) to add the snaps back in - it just keeps displaying the names of the games no matter what

Can I jump down page at a time?YES

Perhaps you could tell me the letters I use or what option page I find it on or what other wiki may mention this.

Is it possible to switch back and forth between Mala and Arcade Jukebox without using the mouse? YES

I read all the info I could find - the standard jukebox works ok but doesn't look too hot, I installed arcade jukebox but could only get it to run by right clicking the Mala screen and switching from Mame to jukebox - I won't have a mouse on the finished box so this won't work for me. I tried an option screen where you could list other emulators mame/jukebox etc and the key to press to run them - this sounded just what I needed but sadly it didn't work

Mike

[ARTIFACT]

to jump lettersjust assign one of your controls to 'letter up' and 'letter down' i think its under gui

right click in mala + click options...

[loadman]

To have snaps displayed you need to:
1) Set the path in Mala where your snaps are stored
2) Use a Layout that uses snaps or make a layout with a snap window

To go up and down a page set the 'x' amount to the number of items in your layout as described in here:
http://mala.arcadezentrum.com/controllerconfig.html

I tried an option screen where you could list other emulators mame/jukebox etc and the key to press to run them - this sounded just what I needed but sadly it didn't work]I tried an option screen where you could list other emulators mame/jukebox etc and the key to press to run them - this sounded just what I needed but sadly it didn't work

You can run 3rd party apps this way. Send us details and or screenshot of how you set it up


Please change the Wiki sections you think are deficent. Just use your forum loging /password

[mike_bike_kite]

I'm using Mala v1.04 on an XP system. I'm also trying to use the arcade jukebox software.

My attempts at displaying snaps

• GUI > Options > show pictures - ticked
• GUI > Info win > moved snap to top of the list
• Mame config > Pics & Vids > snap title = snap directory

My attempts at setting the jukebox

• Sounds & music > jukebox -> can select default jukebox but no other
• Other EMU config > tried setting the jukebox here but this wouldn't work
• Controller > keyboard > external apps > app#1=mala and set app#2 to jukebox program, you can even set the key to switch across - sounded too good to be true ! wouldn't work.

Oddly after all this messing around the sound has now gone from my XP box. I guess I'll fix that later. I have tried using powermame and this took 5 mins to set up and view the snaps etc but doesn't appear to be capable of controlling a jukebox or running a game on startup. The reason why it took 5 mins was because the menus were obvious to use.

I'd be quite happy altering the wiki but at present am still completely in the dark. When I need to alter somethin on Mala I simply go from one menu to the next and try everything that looks close.

I'm not using trees or layouts for the simple reason I don't know what one is - is there a simple default one that I can use? Would it help me?

Mike

[retrometro]

I spent a few hours on it last night, but I still have a ways to go.  I plan on releasing a zip file containing the entire layout set with all of the subdirectories and files.  This way, I could potentially be saving someone many hours of work. 

I like how clean your layout looks.  I would very much like to use your layouts for the consoles layouts.  Please post when you're done! 

[shock_]

My attempts at displaying snaps

• GUI > Options > show pictures - ticked
• GUI > Info win > moved snap to top of the list
• Mame config > Pics & Vids > snap title = snap directory

I'm not using trees or layouts for the simple reason I don't know what one is - is there a simple default one that I can use? Would it help me?

First - and I don't mean to sound rude - but this thread hijacking has probably gone on long enough.   I suggest you post your issues in a new thread and leave this one to the original topic

Second - snaps vs text is a MaLa Layout thing, not a Mala settings thing.  You missed something Loadman said (emphasis mine):

To have snaps displayed you need to:
1) Set the path in Mala where your snaps are stored
2) Use a Layout that uses snaps or make a layout with a snap window

There isn't a snap-based layout on the MaLa Layout downloads page so you'll have to make one yourself.  I wrote the book on that part so I hope you have better luck there    I've never been happy with the scroll speed using image-based gamelists, but YMMV.

[mike_bike_kite]

First - and I don't mean to sound rude - but this thread hijacking has probably gone on long enough

You're quite right - sorry.

[Katana Man]

I like how clean your layout looks.  I would very much like to use your layouts for the consoles layouts.  Please post when you're done! 

Done!  You can see them here.  Enjoy!