mamewah - layouts

[ringram]

I've tried to make/change the layout in mamewah, but am having difficulties. (is it just me or is the documentation not too clear?).

I've just re-installed mamewah (deleted old folder), and started over again with the most recent version. I've read the docs, and it seems the installaion of mamewah leaves out some of the folders, and all of the docs. Anyways...


I've downloaded some new layouts, but mamewah doesn't load them up. What is the proper file structure for them? Mamewah always loads up the default layout.

c:\mamewah\layouts\mame\mame.lay
c:\mamewah\layouts\mame\layout.lay
c:\mamewah\config\mame\layout.lay
c:\mamewah\config\mame\mame.lay

What am I missing? I can't seem to see the forrest through the trees these days.

[AlexKidd]

The latest version of mamewah changed around all the file paths and also as a bonus doesn't include any documentation! There is a thread on the mamewah forums that describes the new setup but it's really hard to find.

[ringram]

OK, so I'm not loosing it (not totally anyways).

mamewah looks good, and I'd like to learn how to set it up better. I guess I have to hunt through the forums a bit more....

[gonzo90017]

Inside the config folder you need to create a folder for every emulator. I'm using mame37b16. So inside the config folder I created a folder and named it mame37 inside it you should have your ini file for mame 37 in my case. And all your layout files. Just make sure you rename them. They used to be named mame-main now it should be just main, mame-options = options. I hope I was clear enought.

[Flip_Willie]

  I have v1.61, I am not sure if that is the same as yours, but it was the newest version when I got it.  I did this a few months ago, so bear with me if I do something wrong.  Because I suck at telling how to do things, I have attached some pictures.

(1). Find your MameWah.ini file and open it.

(2). Once the file is open, look under "Misc Options" and change the "Layout" options to the name of the folder which you have your layout in. 

(3). Go to the folder you have your layout in.  In my situation, it is in D:\Mamewah\layouts.  I am not sure, but I am pretty positive that your layout folder must be here.  Make sure and name the folder which contains your layouts and images the same thing you named it in the Mamewah.ini. 

(I have my sound files in this folder also.  Notice that they are named appropriately for the events in which they are used.  Also, notice that they have the extension .WAV in capitals).

(4). This part is a little harder. Notice that the images are named for the exact events in which they are used.  They MUST have these names. In my layout, I have one main image, and just a small text image that changes for each different emulator. 

Main = My main background. It is used in every scene.
NES-art1 , Mame-art1 , ZSnes-art1, etc. = The Small banner that changes for each emulator.
options = The option screen that pops up.
Message = The message that appears before a game loads.
layout.lay = Main layout.
Mame.lay, ZSnes.lay, Nes.lay, etc. = You need to create layout file for each emulator.  Make sure to
                                                   name them the same as your emulator.ini files.

So, this is how it works.  There are a few different types of artwork:

Main
Options
Message
Art1 - Art9

Now, naming the files like this, will make them universal images.  If you want images to be emulator specific, then name them like this:

WhateverEmulator-Main
WhateverEmulator-options
And so on.

But make sure that the labels you give for "WhateverEmulator" Correspond with your emulator ini. files.

If I just totally confused you, then check out http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Mamewah_Skins .  It has most of the answers.

Anyway, I hope that helped.

Just as it is,
FlipWillie

[ringram]

Thanks for the replies.

Flip_Willie, looks like things changed in mamewah1.62b13, it's more like Gonzo described.

I got it working last night. You have to have the layout labled "layout.lay", and the main background is "main.jpg", and so forth. And, all of the layout files have to be in the mamewah\mame\ folder (or in the folder of whatever emulator you are using).

It looks like they changed it all around for this version, and like Alexkid said, they didn't include any documentation. Even if you go to the mamewah site, the docs there still show how it's done in the previous version, so it only added to my confusion.

[Flip_Willie]

Thanks for the replies.

Flip_Willie, looks like things changed in mamewah1.62b13, it's more like Gonzo described.

I got it working last night. You have to have the layout labled "layout.lay", and the main background is "main.jpg", and so forth. And, all of the layout files have to be in the mamewah\mame\ folder (or in the folder of whatever emulator you are using).

It looks like they changed it all around for this version, and like Alexkid said, they didn't include any documentation. Even if you go to the mamewah site, the docs there still show how it's done in the previous version, so it only added to my confusion.

Well, I'm glad you figured it out.  Even with the documentation, it took me a 4-5 hours to get it to work.

Just as it is,
Flip Willie

[unclet]

Why not just use MALA or AtomicFE and save yourself 4 hours of work?  I guess some people still like to set up everything by hand .....

[ringram]

I'm going to try MALA and atomicFE, and GameEx. I want to try all of them and compare and see which one I prefer.

[loadman]

I'm going to try MALA and atomicFE, and GameEx. I want to try all of them and compare and see which one I prefer.

When you try MaLa don't forget you can import layouts ( you might us it as a starting point at least)
http://mala.arcadezentrum.com/easytrack.php?id=4

[topher0002]

While I agree mamewah is hard to get used to its better then the rest and hides windows comopletely when running, which to me is a big deal.  (in my opinion)  I tried them all and never got what I wanted until using mamewah.   I too ran into some frustration with the old layout system,  I learned that and then switched to the new version and they changed the paths,  but its much easier now because you dont have to have the resolution folders,  I actually found it pretty simple with the new version.  The bad news is as of right now the documatation that you get for layouts when you downlaod the new version is still for the old (as of today it was anyway, im sure he will get to it when he can,  you cant complain about a free awesome product)

Basically, a picture is worth 1000 words so i have just attached my screenshots of my directories,  thats all you should need,  there is nothing special about the ini files or anything in them.  Before looking at these remember and download thew newest version of mamewah from http://mamewah.mameworld.net/  (current version that i downloaded is 1.62b13)

Also there are some great examples for layouts to get you started at the site below, use a couple of these before you try creating your own because it will at least give you some examples to go over.

http://www.emuchrist.org/cpviewer/mamewahlayouts_bw.htm

Im no expert I just hope this helps,  works for me! =)