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Main => Software Forum => Topic started by: Avrus on February 02, 2008, 06:38:40 pm

Title: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Avrus on February 02, 2008, 06:38:40 pm
So I've spent the better part of this afternoon searching the forums and the interwebs to find a way to do this.  I'm not sure why it isn't readily apparent because I would think that EVERYONE running a front end would want to do this?

I want to create my own custom categories (.lst) and sort them first by control type (2 way or 4 way), 8way, trackball, spinner, pedal, etc.

Then sort the categories further in the 8way for fighting etc.

Here's the problem:

I thought Romlister would do this, but I need it to create a .lst file which is what Maximus Arcade uses.  Romlist seems to output in csv, Mala and XML format but not .lst.

Anyone have any suggestions?
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Avrus on February 03, 2008, 07:39:39 am
No one is sorting their games by controls and such?
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: NOP on February 04, 2008, 10:23:04 am
In case anyone is wondering, Avrus and I are in PM getting this sorted out.
I mean, the topic of game lists comes up and I don't post a reply?   Unheard of!
;D

if anyone is interested in the final outcome, let me know and I'll post the solution here.

-jeff!
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on February 04, 2008, 10:41:00 am
In case anyone is wondering, Avrus and I are in PM getting this sorted out.
I mean, the topic of game lists comes up and I don't post a reply?   Unheard of!
;D

if anyone is interested in the final outcome, let me know and I'll post the solution here.

-jeff!

Post the solution please.... I'm just about to start using Maximus.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: M37R01D on February 04, 2008, 12:42:33 pm
As I said on the MA forums, their is only one way to do this is

Quote from: M37R01D
If you want separate rom list for a specific emulator you will need to goto the settings, then game list and create a new favorites folder,
Then import the list to your new folder, and delete whats not needed in that folder.
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Dazz on February 04, 2008, 03:52:56 pm
I've been following the various threads on this topic as I too am interested in doing something similar.  I would like to generate a list of games by the number of players.  There has to be a way to use catver to create the list then export it to Maximus. 
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: NOP on February 04, 2008, 04:31:41 pm
I've taken a look at a couple sample .lst files from Avrus, and they are 100% binary files, so some magical component in maximus knows how to create and read these files, or the specification is out there somewhere.  Before ROMLister can add support for .lst, I need the spec for how those files are laid out.  (I couldn't see *any* ascii text inside those lists, so I have no idea how that stuff is generated)

can anyone get me started in the right direction?  Sorry I'm being lazy, but I'm currently at work and am pretty busy...

-jeff!




Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Avrus on February 04, 2008, 07:47:16 pm
I've taken a look at a couple sample .lst files from Avrus, and they are 100% binary files, so some magical component in maximus knows how to create and read these files, or the specification is out there somewhere.  Before ROMLister can add support for .lst, I need the spec for how those files are laid out.  (I couldn't see *any* ascii text inside those lists, so I have no idea how that stuff is generated)

can anyone get me started in the right direction?  Sorry I'm being lazy, but I'm currently at work and am pretty busy...

-jeff!

Try firing off an email to:
mameseer@maximusarcade.com

That's the author of Maximus Arcade.  Can't imagine why he wouldn't be receptive to helping out, as it would provide more ease of use for people wanting to use his FrontEnd.
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: NOP on February 05, 2008, 02:03:14 pm
message sent. 
we'll be in a holding pattern til I get a response.
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Avrus on February 05, 2008, 02:28:45 pm
message sent. 
we'll be in a holding pattern til I get a response.

I'll try and be patient.   ;D
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Dazz on February 07, 2008, 05:42:56 pm
According to Mameseer from Maximus Arcade this will be added in the next beta.

Quote
Hi all,

Sorry to be such a recluse lately. I have many events going on in my life and its been rather hectic... but

I have been steadily working on the next beta of Maximus Arcade. It's still a number of weeks out but it's going to have some of the features you all have been patiently waiting for Smile

Some of the features include:
- Add/Edit emulator setups
- Add/Edit resolutions
- Definable text fields with pattern templates
- Definable images with assignable options (bezel, cabinet, cpanel, flyer, marquee, snap, title)
- Renaming the 'Skin Editor' to 'Theme Editor'
- Rebuilt the Theme Editor and it imports/saves themes 2-3 times faster than previous versions
- Should see some speed gains in the frontend as well
- Added more tool options for easier theme building
- Hardware based transitions (think OpenGL type transitions without using OpenGL)
- Additional game list building options for MAME (horizontal, vertical, year, manufacturer, players, control, chd)

cheers,
mameseer
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Avrus on February 07, 2008, 10:22:03 pm
n/m I can't read apparently.
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Minwah on February 08, 2008, 09:10:38 am
- Additional game list building options for MAME (horizontal, vertical, year, manufacturer, players, control, chd)

I was gonna say can't you just use the FE to create your filtered lists...
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: NOP on February 08, 2008, 09:53:33 am
I was gonna say can't you just use the FE to create your filtered lists...

well, the deal with using ROMLister is that you can do some crazy-ass filtering combinations, like "all the 4way, 2way or 8way, maze, non-adult, vertical, cocktail, 3 buttons or less" games, all in 1 search command.  I'd be honored if a developer stuck my engine into their front end, (err, that didn't really sound right!) but you typically get a lesser filtering ability which requires you to do a lot of additional weeding by hand.

I'm certainly interested in seeing what maximus comes up with.  I've heard nothing back from my email to him.

-jeff!
Title: Re: Create custom category lists?
Post by: Dazz on February 08, 2008, 10:10:25 am
I was gonna say can't you just use the FE to create your filtered lists...

well, the deal with using ROMLister is that you can do some crazy-ass filtering combinations, like "all the 4way, 2way or 8way, maze, non-adult, vertical, cocktail, 3 buttons or less" games, all in 1 search command.  I'd be honored if a developer stuck my engine into their front end, (err, that didn't really sound right!) but you typically get a lesser filtering ability which requires you to do a lot of additional weeding by hand.

I'm certainly interested in seeing what maximus comes up with.  I've heard nothing back from my email to him.

-jeff!

I for one second this motion.   I would love to see this kind of advanced filtering/custom lists.