OpenBOR Launch Application (Windows)

[MetisConnetis]

EDIT; Here's the beta version
http://lavalit.com:8080/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=284

Hi people!

First, sorry for my poor english, I'm from Spain.

I've developed a very simple GUI (for Windows) to launch OpenBor mods.

It's a tree list showing the PAK files in the PAK path (arranged by name, folder, or custom field), showing the first screenshot of that game (the XXX - 0000.png) and a simple process that erases all pak files in pak root folder and copy from the folder to the pak root and launches OpenBor.exe in the giving path.

I made it because the pak selector in OpenBOR always failed me. Also, I can see all the games arranged by custom field (in my case, by "Saga"), change its name (not touching its original filename), see screenshots and to assign a different "OpenBOR.exe" in any case the last build isn't working. And, of course, launch that game in one click.

Do you think it's something you would like to test or isn't really necessary? I didn't see any application like that, maybe i'm wrong...

I'll post it if you want 

Bye and nice to meet you!

[Bloodbane]

 Sound good! Can we see some shots?

[MetisConnetis]

I'm in job right now. Tonight, I'll made a few screenshots and I'll post it here.

[pong_666]

i would love to test it been wondering if it was possible to devise something like this..........from what you said it sounds like a heaven cent XD

[MetisConnetis]

Hi guys, here are the screenshots.

I know, it's ugly  , but I barely have time to program and I don't want leave this project.

It's "almost" done, right know it works fine, I want to add all text in english & spanish, and a couple of tweaks, and multi-screenshot support and it's done ¡

I'll post the .exe and the visual studio 2010 express source when dinished (I guess it'll be in a couple of days). 

[maxman]

Looks nice. If it would be done, I think it would look awesome. But what really clicks to my mind though is having the search box, as in if you search for the name of the pak/mod title (only there would be too many mod in the list I think). I don't know. It's just me with my opinion.

[BeasTie]

One good thing that could be added (if you diddn't already) is to allow different OpenBoR versions to be selected for each mod.  Then you could have each version of openbor engine and just select with each mod what version to use.  The actual .exe files could be named by version number - eg. 3711.exe for latest version.   

[ryomaneo]

awesome idea right there
i couldent put it any  better myself 

[MetisConnetis]

Hi guys!

Here it's the openborl.exe. No manual still, I'll explain here the basics, but I think the application it's quite simple.

Installation; simply unzip the file where you want. The application creates some kind of setup files, so new directories will be created. A new folder in any place it'll be ok.

If the application doesn't works, maybe it's necessary to download last Microsoft NET Framework. I don't want to do an installation file by now

Setup; the first time the application runs, shows the settings screen. Just selecting the "OpenBOR" path fills the other fields.
The Application moves all *.pak files in pak root to TEMP folder (in \Paks)
Just create a folder and move all the files inside, in Pak folder. Otherwise, it'll ve moved to TEMP.

Once finished, simply press "Save".

I detail all the features;

- Each time the application it's executed or the list refreshed (button "Refresh" in the "Order By" section") scans the PAK folder to list, in the desired order, all the pak files.
- If you press the "Edit" button in the Info Panel that appears when you select a game, you'll be able to change the Name, the Group (this it's useful to sagas, in my opinion), the Rating (just for order) and the exe file (more information later). The pak files doesn't changes at all.
- The application uses the "0000" screenshot as the cover. Up to "0005" screenshots can be seen. To see that image larger, simply click it and it'll be switched with the cover image. If you don't like the alternative screens, pressing that gray button in the "Order By" section hides all images but the cover. The monitor button switch between 16:9 and 4:3 cover and screenshots aspect ratio.
- To run a game, just double-click or, selected, press the "Run" button. The .pak file it'll be copied to pak root folder and openbor will be executed.
- Alternative executable; To assign an non-standar exe to a specific game, simply choose the .exe (any name works). Important; The exe must work in the shell and the "pak" folder must be EMPTY. I suggest just to create an EXE folder with any version you want to use with all its files and folders (except the pak file). To avoid having the same pak file in two locations, the exe will be copied and deleted from that location (the pak location in anternative exes it's automatic scanned).

Well, I know, that "guide" sucks!! I did it in my job so don't complain too much

Any bug, suggestion or whatever, please, say it to me.

And thanks. I'm very grateful to you, for that impressive mods you do

[BeasTie]

Sounds good, but that's strange that it delete's the default PAK folder, many people will probably neglect to change this and delete their collections.

[MetisConnetis]

You're right.

It's dangerous, so there's no more danger in my last edit

Now, if found any files in root PAK directory, it'll be moved to a TEMP folder inside \PAK

I changed the .EXE in my previous post and the "guide".

Thanks for the feedback

[Damon Caskey]

Nice concept. Oh, and welcome to Lavalit!

DC

[MetisConnetis]

Thanks for the welcome

Nice to meet the people that makes all this great stuff.

I edited the zip with a quick guide to launch and configure the application, and minor fixes. I hope it likes you all

[MatMan]

Looks nice. Great idea...also welcome to lavalit  .

[MatMan]

Could you update the picture to randomly display any of the screen shots of that game per every x seconds.

The app has been uploaded to lavalit server http://lavalit.com:8080/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=284