Hyperspin Launcher

[Faahrev]

Hi all,

Introducing Launcher.

It's a little program that allows you to run and choose from a (custom) set of systems before running Hyperspin.

All it takes is this program (unzip to a location of your own choice) and your own custom set of 'Main Menu.xml's'

Suppose you'd like to run Hyperspin with only the Arcade systems. Or systems that are hand-held.

Copy your Main Menu.xml to whatever name (but with the extension .opt) in \Hyperspin\Databases\Main Menu, edit this file to your liking and you're done. Repeat for other uses (no duplicate names of course..)

I'm sure you can think of some other examples that you can use (Brand, Era, Generation etc.)

First off, MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR "MAIN MENU.XML". It WILL be overwritten.

Then copy the "Main Menu.xml" to any name you wish (eg. Arcade.opt) and edit it the way you like containing only the systems you would like to run when starting HS. Repeat for every list you want to make.

Example Main Menu folder:

Main Menu.xml

All Systems.opt

Arcades.opt

Consoles.opt

Nintendo.opt

Sega.opt

First Generation Consoles.opt

Second Generation Consoles.opt

Again, I'm sure you can come up with some lists of your own.

An option for selecting the previous .opt will be created automatically and added to the list if the folder used (Main Menu) is writable.

Run the program. Follow the instructions. The first time (only) it will ask for the location of the HS folder.

It will present a simple dialog containing a list of the system choices you created. Use the cursor keys for up and down. Exit by closing the window or ESC. Select by double clicking or ENTER or use one of the buttons.

OK & Exit will only change the Main Menu.xml

OK & Run (Default) will change the Main Menu.xml and execute Hyperspin.

Double clicking a title works as the first option; OK & Exit.

ENTER works as the second; OK & Run

Tip:

Since other applications (HLHQ, Hypersearch etc.) use the Main Menu.xml be sure to run Launcher and select the appropriate list BEFORE you run any of those.

Tip2:

If you have less experience performing file-actions in Windows (or XML type files), the safest way to create an .opt file is to open the existing "Main Menu.xml" with Notepad++ (Google it, it's free) by right clicking on the file, select "Edit with Notepad++", making your changes and selecting 'save as' from the menu. Since XML is a windows registered extension, copying and renaming can cause the file having the wrong extension (eg. Consoles.opt.xml). If the extension is registered, the latter .xml in the name is invisible.

Plus you can use Notepad++ to edit an existing .opt file by right clicking it and select "Edit with Notepad++"

REMEMBER TO MAKE A BACKUP OF THE EXISTING Main Menu.xml ANYWAY!!

Enjoy.

Launcher.zip

[Agrajag]

Thanks for this. I'll have to find time over the weekend to try it out as it looks like something I'll find very handy.

I plan to have a cab connected to my TV, so this will let me start up HS with only arcade systems or only home systems and handhelds, depending on which screen I'm using.

[Faahrev]

Like I said; I'm sure everyone can find a good reason using this. I didn't think of aspect ratio (assuming that's what you mean) but there it is.

Have fun!

[zero dreams]

Very useful for me right now. I've got over 200 systems on my main menu and quite a few have missing themes, wheels, videoes, etc and this is a good way for me to narrow it all down to the largest working setup I can have while maintaining a list of missing items. I don't know of any checkers that validate the main menu media so, much appreciated.

I initially just copied my Main Menu.xml and added the .opt extension when I renamed it but that didn't work. Doing it the right way and opening the xml in Notepad++ and saving it with the opt extension allowed it to populate when I started the launcher. Just thought I'd throw that in there for anyone who's as dumb as me.

[Agrajag]

Well both screens will be 1920x1080 and everything will be displayed in the correct aspect ratio, so it was more that I want to choose between games designed to be played with a joystick while standing in front of a cabinet, or with a joypad while sitting in front of a TV.

However, if it could also change Settings.ini and set the HS windowed resolution to 1440x1080 for MAME themes to be shown correctly on the cabinet, and 1920x1080 for the widescreen unified megatheme on the TV, that would be absolutely fantastic.

[relic]

weird i did what you said mine shows nothing even so my database isnt blank what am i doing wrong

nm i think zero got it

im still at a loss tho i get invalid xml now i try erase all systems and choose mame only it still tells me its invalid when i go in

09:27:45 PM | HyperSpin Started

09:27:45 PM | Going FullScreen

09:27:45 PM | Checking for updates

09:27:45 PM | Update Check Complete

09:27:45 PM | Startup program: Xpadder.exe

09:27:45 PM | Startup params: p1

09:27:45 PM | Working directory: C:\HyperSpin\Utilities\Xpadder\

09:27:45 PM | Window State: NORMAL

09:27:45 PM | Launching Xpadder.exe

09:27:45 PM | Command Line is Xpadder.exe p1

09:27:45 PM | Playing intro video

09:27:46 PM | Error intializing joysticks

09:27:46 PM | Menu Mode is multi

09:27:46 PM | Loading Main Menu.xml

09:27:46 PM | Main Menu.xml is invalid

09:27:46 PM | ERROR IS Error #1085

[Faahrev]

Could you PM me your Main Menu.xml ?

The program does nothing else then copy the chosen *.opt to "Main Menu.xml" so probably there was an error in the .opt file.

How did you copy the existing Main Menu.xml to the .opt file(s)?

[Faahrev]

Well both screens will be 1920x1080 and everything will be displayed in the correct aspect ratio, so it was more that I want to choose between games designed to be played with a joystick while standing in front of a cabinet, or with a joypad while sitting in front of a TV.

However, if it could also change Settings.ini and set the HS windowed resolution to 1440x1080 for MAME themes to be shown correctly on the cabinet, and 1920x1080 for the widescreen unified megatheme on the TV, that would be absolutely fantastic.

Not really the scope of the program and I can't replicate the situation you describe.

But if you can PM me the settings for one choice and again for the other, perhaps I can be of assistance..

Please indicate which file is for what function.

[gigapig]

Just given this a test drive, looks pretty simple, but so am I.

I Copied the Main Menu xml multiple times and edited each one with the systems I wanted.

Ran the Launcher and chose the path to HS, then the list appears.

Selected an option but noting happens after that, I assume HS should start?

Thanks

[Faahrev]

Selected an option but noting happens after that, I assume HS should start?

Yes it should. Provided you clicked on OK & Run or ENTER after making a selection in the list.

If not, could you provide me with the name and location of you Hyperspin executable?

The program error checks if Hyperspin.exe is present in the folder written in the Launcher.ini file so I'm interested to see your answer.

Also, after making a selection other than the last time it takes a little longer for HS to start.

[Agrajag]

Not really the scope of the program and I can't replicate the situation you describe.

But if you can PM me the settings for one choice and again for the other, perhaps I can be of assistance..

Please indicate which file is for what function.

Thanks very much. I'm at work at the moment so will PM you when I've had time to look at this properly at home.

[Agrajag]

PM sent about my idea, thanks.

Also, this utility works nicely as it is but I hope you will at some point be able to give it a full screen interface that looks a bit like HyperSpin, so cab users don't have to see a Windows dialogue box when starting up.

[Faahrev]

I used AHK to create the working script and converted it into an executable.

It's the lack of the ability that prevents me from making some nice GUI around it.

If somebody has any idea how to I would be grateful.

I'll have a look at your PM tonight. Shouldn't be impossible.

But with the 'windows' type dialog box I'm afraid...

[bleasby]

I used AHK to create the working script and converted it into an executable.

It's the lack of the ability that prevents me from making some nice GUI around it.

If somebody has any idea how to I would be grateful.

I'll have a look at your PM tonight. Shouldn't be impossible.

But with the 'windows' type dialog box I'm afraid...

Faahrev, if you want to make any gui with ahk, just take a look at gdip.ahk. I made hyperpause entirely based on ahk gdi, and it is very powerful if you want to create gui like effects from the most simple primitives.

If you want a small code example, just take a look at the code that I made on the vbalink module for the Players Selection Menu. The function StartPlayersSelectionMenu() creates a ahk gdi menu that could be more or less adapted for your case. That could be a good starting point if you are interesting on doing graphic things with ahk;

[Faahrev]

You got me interested there...

I'll definitely give it a try.

Thx very much for the suggestion and tips.

Meanwhile, using the 'boring' GUI and by special request (Agrajag) I updated the program.

Now you can define two different resolutions you can select before starting HS (read the thread for more information).

The resolutions can be defined in the Launcher.ini (created at first run).

[settings]
HSDir=D:\HyperSpin\Hyperspin
ResWidthUMT=1920
ResHeightUMT=1080
ResWidthStd=1440
ResHeightStd=1080

If no values are defined, it will use the values mentioned above by default.

In the fore-mentioned brilliant designed GUI a checkbox is added.

When checked, the UMT/Alternative (UMT) resolution will be used.

When unchecked (default) the standard (Std) resolution will be used.

The updated version:

Launcher 2.0.zip

@Agrajag

I fitted my cabinet with these neutrik connectors (USB, UTP, HDMI) for external use.

Maybe a suggestion when building yours?

[AshuraX]

Hello, I do not understand the use of your program, but it looks interesting, but again I'm not sure I understand its use. Your software allows for swapping Menu while on Hyperspin? Could you, if you have time give us a preview video.

Thanks

[Faahrev]

I'll try:

Hyperspin and Hyperlaunch HQ (and other programs) depend on \Hyperspin\Databases\Main Menu\Main Menu.xml (MM)

If you want any change, you would have to edit MM and save and run HS.

The reasons why are multiple like I said in my first post.

With this program you can make your own versions of MM, give them a name like [MyName].opt and choose which version of MM you wish to use BEFORE running HS, HLHQ or others.

Secondly, you can use two different resolutions if you use a portable HS-system on different monitors.

This is just an example. If you create your own .opt files those will be shown.

Please read this thread and especially the first post again more carefully.

If you can't find any use for it, you'll probably won't need it....

[AshuraX]

Ok! . Nice program, and it will be a good idea to integrate this tweak option on the future hyperspin version.

Thanks. Cheers

[floatingyeti]

I wish we could just have the genre submenu for the main menu.

[Agrajag]

Thanks very much indeed Faahrev, that's exactly what I wanted and you've done it in a more elegant way than I thought of!

As for those Neutrik connectors, I've already seen them a while ago and thought about having them on my cab, but thanks for the reminder.