Timesaving Tips & Programs

[thatman84]

Hi All,

I have had a look about but cant find the tips thread im sure i sore once. So created this, apologies if this is not the right place.

So im spending a lot of time finding my feet with file management within HS and though there must be ways to save time.

If anyone has any tips for common file management task please let me know. (Before HS i just surfed the web and stored some photos!!!)

***EDIT

Task to find a solution to:-

Edit 200 .ini files at once with the same text (

Suggestions from this post saved me hours

Your best tool is the forum!! It's all here just need to find it.

The best tool I have found here is Agent47. (No offence) he has one hell of a memory for locating the info you need, well most of the time.

Here is an overview of the helpful stuff sugested and stuff I use regulary

• Hyperspin Comunity Spreadsheets WIP (Eventually to fully detail what official artwork and database are availiable, whats missing and whats being worked on)
• Notepad++ (with compare plugin, install plugin from plugins tab in N++) https://notepad-plus-plus.org/
• .bat Batch Files (Example code below)
• Firefox addon "Download them all" (one of many addons that can download all links on a webpage like Hyperlist)
• ROM in (and out of) folders (program that puts individual files in name matched folders. Great for adding a bunch of xmls to folders ready for the Hyperspin Databases folder) (link was broken last I checked) Found at EmuMovies http://emumovies.com/files/file/597-roms-in-and-out-of-folders/
• Files2Folders (Program similar to the one above) http://skwire.dcmembers.com/fp/?page=files-2-folder
• Full download of Hyperlist by SeanDyer87 (end of June 2016, see Post #8)
• SeanDyer87 File List Generator (creates a text output list of all files in a folder many handy uses) http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/topic/26764-hyperspin-community-united/?p=241219
• JPEXS Free Flash Decompiler (I used to extract PNG images from SWF, but many other uses) Guide by JackJamesBaker http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/topic/26726-extract-pngs-from-swf/
• FotoSizer (for batch converting the size of artwork to work with widesheen setups) http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/files/category/447-artwork-tools/
• Auto Kustom Wheel creator (I used for batch adding backgrounds and borders to wheels) http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/files/category/447-artwork-tools/
• Don's Hyperspin tools (I mainly use the renamer)

  Just found out that The filter list tool can do some real handy stuff. Created some missing list xml's for my ROM sets.

  http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/topic/28015-generate-an-xml-of-missing-roms-only/#entry253201

  http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/files/category/446-romdatabaserenaming-tools/

• Text2Folders (Creates folders from a list of text or a text file, simple and quick. I copied the Systems list from Community Spreadsheet and made folders from it) http://www.howtogeek.com/113672/text2folders-is-a-simple-batch-folder-maker/

I just added all 190 Hyperlist systems to my test setup via HyperHQ (took about 6hrs over 2 days).

Now the next task I expect to take me ages manually which i dont mind but wondered if there is an easy way

1. I need to download every Hyperlist Database (complete, thanks Sean)

2. Move every xml into the relevent HS folder (Complete, Thanks Wesfranks)

I have plenty of these sorts of tasks that I do manually thats just the next one as an example

**EDIT

Another thing on the todo list

Set all my systems to show a custom Special Art requiring every .ini file special art position section to be edited (Can be nearly done with Potts43 Special art organiser)

[ci2own]

Hi All,

 

I have had a look about but cant find the tips thread im sure i sore once. So created this, apologies if this is not the right place.

 

So im spending a lot of time finding my feet with file management within HS and though there must be ways to save time.

 

If anyone has any tips for common file management task please let me know. (Before HS i just surfed the web and stored some photos!!!)

 

I just added all 190 Hyperlist systems to my test setup via HyperHQ (took about 6hrs over 2 days).

 

Now the next task I expect to take me ages manually which i dont mind but wondered if there is an easy way

 

1. I need to download every Hyperlist Database

2. Move every xml into the relevent HS folder

 

I have plenty of these sorts of tasks that I do manually thats just the next one as an example

 

**EDIT

 

Another thing on the todo list

Set all my systems to show a custom Special Art requiring every .ini file special art position section to be edited

 

 

I think is better to add them from RocketLauncher, where you can also add emulators, databases and configure everything.

 

You can download Databases from here: http://hyperlist.hyperspin-fe.com

 

Next step is download ROMs and Media:

 

For easyway media you can subscribe to platinum hyperspin and emumovies or download it manually if you don't want to pay.

 

And for ROMs, just ask me. (is not allowed to share ROMs in this forum)

[ci2own]

He's not asking how to set it up, it sounds like he's asking for scripts to automate some of the tasks.

 

 

Sorry! My english is not so good. As he said he added 190 systems from HyperHQ i wanted to explain what i think is a better way to do it.

[Tomkun]

You can use NotePad++ to quickly edit a bunch of XML/ini files.

 

You can use Windows batch (.bat) files to quickly move/copy/rename lots of different files.

 

For example, this batch will make your Hyperspin collection compatible with RetroFE:

DEL "..\RetroFE\collections\Main\menu.txt"
FOR /D %%G IN (*.*) DO (
   (Echo "%%G" | FIND /I "Main Menu" 1>NUL) || (
   (Echo "%%G" | FIND /I "Frontend" 1>NUL) || (
ROBOCOPY "../RetroFE/collections/Sega Genesis/" "../RetroFE/collections/%%G/"
COPY "Main Menu\Video\%%G.mp4" "%%G\Video\video.mp4"
COPY "Main Menu\Images\Wheel\%%G.png" "%%G\Images\Wheel\logo.png"
COPY "..\HyperSpin\Databases\%%G\%%G.xml" "..\RetroFE\meta\hyperlist\%%G.xml"
ECHO %%G>> "..\RetroFE\collections\Main\menu.txt"
)
)
)

I know you didn't ask how to do that exactly, but perhaps it will give you some ideas for automation.

[wesfranks]

I may be confused now, but if you are still talking about an easy way to get all the Hyperlist XMLs and sort them.......

 

I used a Firefox addon called "Download Them All" which is one of many download managers.

Navigate to http://hyperlist.hyperspin-fe.com/ and mouse right-click anywhere on the page and select "Download Them All" from the context menu.

It downloads everything from the page that has links (systems.xml, dats, and useless html redirects) and puts them in a download folder. Delete the html redirect links and copy all the xmls into a separate folder. Also has dats, but you won't need those for this.

I then used a utility hosted on EmuMovies, http://emumovies.com/files/file/597-roms-in-and-out-of-folders/ which works on all files, not just roms. Extract the "Put Roms in Folders.exe" and move to the folder you moved your XMLs into.

When you execute this file, it places all of the properly named systems.xml files into folders matching the file name and therefore, the proper HyperSpin system name (since that is how they are listed and downloaded from the Hyperlist DB).

Drag all of these folders to your HyperSpin Databases folder in your HyperSpin setup.

Done. Took about 2 minutes.

 

Since the Genre databases are 2 layers deep behind the html redirect and a dropdown menu for specific genres, you can't use this method for those XMLs. But it is probably best since that would muddle up the systems.xml download and make things confusing. Most people quickly extract genre databases per system using Don's HyperSpin Tools-Split Hyperlist utility anyway.

 

Hope I wasn't so confused that I missed something.

[SeanDyer87]

Hi All,

 

I have had a look about but cant find the tips thread im sure i sore once. So created this, apologies if this is not the right place.

 

So im spending a lot of time finding my feet with file management within HS and though there must be ways to save time.

 

If anyone has any tips for common file management task please let me know. (Before HS i just surfed the web and stored some photos!!!)

 

I just added all 190 Hyperlist systems to my test setup via HyperHQ (took about 6hrs over 2 days).

 

Now the next task I expect to take me ages manually which i dont mind but wondered if there is an easy way

 

1. I need to download every Hyperlist Database

2. Move every xml into the relevent HS folder

 

I have plenty of these sorts of tasks that I do manually thats just the next one as an example

 

**EDIT

 

Another thing on the todo list

Set all my systems to show a custom Special Art requiring every .ini file special art position section to be edited

I actually have all the xml's from HyperList from the community united project when we was making the spreadsheet anyways i shared in a zip in that thread before but ill add them here for you aswell mate hopefully they will help you out 

HyperSpin XML's.zip

[thatman84]

Thanks ci2own I don't really need RL but I may use it if it easier to change things. I use HS Android

I may be confused now, but if you are still talking about an easy way to get all the Hyperlist XMLs and sort them.......

 

I used a Firefox addon called "Download Them All" which is one of many download managers.

Navigate to http://hyperlist.hyperspin-fe.com/ and mouse right-click anywhere on the page and select "Download Them All" from the context menu.

It downloads everything from the page that has links (systems.xml, dats, and useless html redirects) and puts them in a download folder. Delete the html redirect links and copy all the xmls into a separate folder. Also has dats, but you won't need those for this.

I then used a utility hosted on EmuMovies, http://emumovies.com/files/file/597-roms-in-and-out-of-folders/ which works on all files, not just roms. Extract the "Put Roms in Folders.exe" and move to the folder you moved your XMLs into.

When you execute this file, it places all of the properly named systems.xml files into folders matching the file name and therefore, the proper HyperSpin system name (since that is how they are listed and downloaded from the Hyperlist DB).

Drag all of these folders to your HyperSpin Databases folder in your HyperSpin setup.

Done. Took about 2 minutes.

 

Since the Genre databases are 2 layers deep behind the html redirect and a dropdown menu for specific genres, you can't use this method for those XMLs. But it is probably best since that would muddle up the systems.xml download and make things confusing. Most people quickly extract genre databases per system using Don's HyperSpin Tools-Split Hyperlist utility anyway.

 

Hope I wasn't so confused that I missed something.

That is the sort of thing I'm after especially the combining files and folders of same name. Thanks

Any other go to programs or tricks that you use.

I actually have all the xml's from HyperList from the community united project when we was making the spreadsheet anyways i shared in a zip in that thread before but ill add them here for you aswell mate hopefully they will help you out

So many posts I didn't remember! Thanks man but looks like a few other DL'd them before I have!

You can use NotePad++ to quickly edit a bunch of XML/ini files.

 

You can use Windows batch (.bat) files to quickly move/copy/rename lots of different files.

 

For example, this batch will make your Hyperspin collection compatible with RetroFE:

DEL "..\RetroFE\collections\Main\menu.txt"
FOR /D %%G IN (*.*) DO (
   (Echo "%%G" | FIND /I "Main Menu" 1>NUL) || (
   (Echo "%%G" | FIND /I "Frontend" 1>NUL) || (
ROBOCOPY "../RetroFE/collections/Sega Genesis/" "../RetroFE/collections/%%G/"
COPY "Main Menu\Video\%%G.mp4" "%%G\Video\video.mp4"
COPY "Main Menu\Images\Wheel\%%G.png" "%%G\Images\Wheel\logo.png"
COPY "..\HyperSpin\Databases\%%G\%%G.xml" "..\RetroFE\meta\hyperlist\%%G.xml"
ECHO %%G>> "..\RetroFE\collections\Main\menu.txt"
)
)
)

I know you didn't ask how to do that exactly, but perhaps it will give you some ideas for automation.

Thanks for this, so many things to learn. I tried opening all my ini files and changing one line but cocked it up! Wanted to change rompath= Line but it changed everything with rom in it!

I have heard of .bat files I will look at your retrofe one to give me some ideas. Thanks (it may take me longer to figure those out and test them than doing it manually!)

If anyone has any other handy ticks or common bat file commands I'll update my 1st post with things I come across.

[SeanDyer87]

also a program called Files2Folder may help mate ive not used it with HS but it may help as all it does is move files 2 folders > http://skwire.dcmembers.com/fp/?page=files-2-folder

also i posted a batch script in the community united thread aswell for making a text list of the files you have in a folder if that helps mate its here > http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/topic/26764-hyperspin-community-united/?p=241219

[ninja2bceen]

Plz put the file list generator in the third party apps section

Yes files to folders is a gem

[thatman84]

also a program called Files2Folder may help mate ive not used it with HS but it may help as all it does is move files 2 folders > http://skwire.dcmembers.com/fp/?page=files-2-folder

also i posted a batch script in the community united thread aswell for making a text list of the files you have in a folder if that helps mate its here > http://www.hyperspin-fe.com/topic/26764-hyperspin-community-united/?p=241219

 

got it theses look helpful.

 

just used the one westfranks sugestted and its a god send as it highlighted a few mistakes when i manually added the systems with hyperhq.

 

The best 2 were "Clapcom Play System"  & Namco System 32" !!

 

community rocks again

[thatman84]

updated 1st post with all the tips i have right now from everyone

 

thanks again

[Metalzoic]

I use a program to easy mass copy paste files into folders. Something Windows should have built in.

I use it if I need to copy 2000 bezel frames into 1000+ folders all in one click for example.

[thatman84]

I use a program to easy mass copy paste files into folders. Something Windows should have built in.I use it if I need to copy 2000 bezel frames into 1000+ folders all in one click for example.

Cool, what program would that be?

[Metalzoic]

n2ncopy

I just call it the "copy a bunch of shit at once thingy".

[scooter1974]

n2ncopy

I just call it the "copy a bunch of shit at once thingy".

 

I use this as well. It shall now be known as "copy a bunch of shit at once thingy" I like that name more.

[gigapig]

My suggestion (first at least) is ToRAR5 by Rfancella. This is the sort of thing that blows me away about this community and how people with the right skills can bash clever stuff out.

 

Converts your dusty old 7z to the faster extracting RAR5 and saves space and tonnes of time.

 

You can find it and thank Ron or send him a beer Here.

 

Although the Thanks button seems to have gone

[SeanDyer87]

Plz put the file list generator in the third party apps section

Yes files to folders is a gem

I didnt realize there was a demand for it but yeah sure I can but it might not be for a week or so if I forget tho feel free to remind me mate.

[thatman84]

updated with text2folders, special art organiser and a task that needs a solution

[thatman84]

Little update and honourable mention to one Assasin amongst us.

[thatman84]

was wondering if you spotted it

 

Its better to be a snap'on than a wallmart tool (i have no clue if wallmart is still a thing or does tools)

[JoyStickKilla]

Is this what you want? It is what I use to do a mass text edit of the same thing in all the inis

 

http://findandreplace.codeplex.com/