***PCUAE Manager***

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Jul 19, 2020 16:43:38 GMT spannernick and wesfranks like this

Quote

Post by spannernick on Jul 19, 2020 16:43:38 GMT

*********************PCUAEManager***************************
***********PROJECT CAROUSEL USB Anniversary Edition***************
====================================================

AND

You might not be able to see the images above, it might be cause the add blocker your using think they are adverts.

You need the full version first cause it has Java Runtime included and PCUAE Manager don't work without it.

WIKI is here... github.com/CommodoreOS/PCUAE/wiki

PCUAE Sites have now been closed down, sorry about this but its the best way forward.

PCUAE is now on here and Github only, back to how it was originally.

You should now only download this once cause it can now update itself, only will need to re download this again if full setup has been updated.

This now has a new setup file for you to download and install below.

You will need this for PCUAE Manager to work.

PCUAEManager Full release available for download Here

You can install PCUAE inside PCUAE Manager and it will download it from GitHub.

PCUAE releases are downloadable from GitHub Here

PCUAE AIO 3.1.0 beta is here now for download

thec64community.online/post/12790

======================================================================================================================

PCUAE Info
==============

PCUAE WIKI IS Here... github.com/CommodoreOS/PCUAE/wiki

If there is anything in PCUAE thats is not covered in the WIKI, I might of just forgot to add it, let me know I will update the Wiki with it as soon as I can, I can not always remember what I have added and cause I am working on PCUAE most of the time I do not have the time to update the WIKI as quick as I would like.

How to install PCUAE
==============

To install PCUAE download PCUAE Manager.

Open PCUAE Manager and click on the PCUAE Tab and you will see PCUAE Install to a USB drive, click on that item.

PCUAE Manager will then ask if you want to download PCUAE, click on Yes Button and it will start downloading the latest version, it will not take long about 3 minutes on fast broadband, then it will ask do you want to install PCUAE, click on Yes button again to start the setup so you can install PCUAE.

For a more in depth look then look at the PCUAE Walkthrough here… thec64community.online/thread/1005/pcuae-walkthrough

Fixed The Mode Changer so now works fine, added The Mode Changer and TheCarousel Version Changer to THEC64 Joystick Triangle buttons.

Press and hold Menu button and then press the LT(Left Triangle) button for TheCarousel Version Changer, this will work only on PCUAE Mode, this will change to the Go back to PCUAE Mode shortcut, if you load another Mode, if your in Atari Mode and press the Menu and TL button then it will go back to to PCUAE Mode.

Press and hold Menu button and then press the RT(Right Triangle) button for The Mode Changer, you can still use the CTRL keys too.

Autoboot Mode is now in The Mode Changer so can now be activated/deactivated or enabled/disabled.

When you load up The Mode Changer, it will now check to see if Autoboot Mode is activated and what Modes are installed on the PCUAE USB Drive before loading the Mode Changer Menu.

Sorting out any bugs that needed fixing before its release.

For THEC64 Mini only - in PCUAE - You can now play VIC20 games on the carousel... (thanks jj0), if you export the games from PCUAE Manager then when you select a VIC20 Gamelist with Carousel Gamelist Changer, it will automatically switch to the VIC20 Carousel for THEC64 Maxi(Amora) so you can load the VIC-20 games on THEC64 Mini, plus it changes the background music so you know its changed, it changes to the VIC-20 music by Boray.

How it works is by looking to see what Carousel Info Game Slot its using via `/usr/share/the64/games` and it looks for the VIC20.tsg file so if you change the VIC20 first slot(Carousel Info Game Slot) to something else and then the name of the tsg file changes then it will stop working and will not switch, it looks for its tsg file name then changes the carousel to the VIC20 Carousel and enables the VIC20 fix for THEC64 Mini, before loading the VIC20 Gamelist, if you then load a C64 gamelist then it will be back to normal and on THEC64 Mini(Argent) carousel again.

You can switch the VIC20 Carousel on or off too by enabling or disabling it in the Carousel Changer and it will enable it on all THEC64 Maxi/THEVIC20 Carousels in the Carousel Changer from 1.3.2 to 1.6.1, you might find somethings are not working properly like `Can't read USB stick` and the C64 emulator black screen bug, this is why you can turn it on or off, I could not fix them yet, trying to find out why it acts different in PCUAE and can not workout why. C64 Emulator and USB stick working now.

You can now use THEC64 Joystick in PCUAE Options Menu, TheCarousel Version Changer and The Mode Changer in THEC64 and now THEA500 Mini.

You can now refresh the carousel if you have a problem with it loading up, a black screen, just press when your on the carousel CTRL+0 and it will restart the carousel for you.

You can now do everything you can do on THEC64 Maxi now on THEC64 Mini within PCUAE....

To start a Mode ...say... VICE Mode

Make sure you install the Mode you want to use first from the PCUAE Manager if its not installed already

RT = Right Triangle button, Menu = The Menu button on THEC64 Joystick.

1. Start Mode Changer - Press and hold down CTRL(Menu)key and then press F5(RT Button)key and hold down both keys(buttons) for about 2 seconds.
2. Wait for it to load, it will check to see what Modes are installed first and show it on the screen, then load the Mode Changer, now use CRSR keys and SHIFT to navigate the Mode Changer Menu or use THEC64 Joystick and highlight option 2 - VICE Mode then press RETURN(Left Fire button)
3. VICE Mode will load and you notice the machine doing a reboot then maybe take 30 seconds to boot VICE Mode, you should then see the C64 Screen on your screen.
4. Press Menu button to get to the VICE Menu if you want to load a D64/CRT images or want to get to VICE Settings.
5. To switch VICE Emulators use CTRL and number keys 1 to 7 to change the emulator.

Points 1 and 2 you can start any Mode this way, instead of VICE Mode select another Mode and do the same thing as 1. and 2.

PCUAE Manager Info(old)
=================

There is a folder inside PCUAE Manager called pcuae-install where it download PCUAE, so it stores the setup it has downloaded, it needs clearing out every now and then cause the folder will get big like will be like 2 GB or more, so for now until a solution, can you please delete all the setups in the folder otherwise it will use more space on your hard drive.

The Game Views now have the Carousel Info Game Slot included, they are the game slots that show what carousel your on and show some info on what shortcut keys to press in PCUAE.
.
PCUAE manager full install just been updated to update3, it now includes the game Sonic The Hedgehog 64.

PCU Game Manager is now renamed to PCUAE Manager. The main exe file is also renamed from PCUGameManager.exe to PCUAEManager.exe.

New features:

Installation of PCUAE and the different Mode packs. A new menu option "PCUAE" is available. The different install options in the menu automatically download the setup file and launches it from the manager.
Automatic updates of the PCUAE manager. A check for new versions is perfomed everytime the manager is started. It will download a new version and launch an updater to eliminate the need to copy the exe file manually.
New feature to swap the game file with the first saved state for a specific game to fix NTSC/PAL issues. Available in the tools menu. More information about this is available here.

2.2.0

New features:

Creation of info slots: New menu item for adding an info slot for the current game view. An info slot is like a title for a Carousel. Info slots are only shown for the view they are created for. It is possible to choose if the gamelist name shall be added as an overlay to the screenshot when adding a new screenshot. Default cover/screenshots are used, they can be edited just like any other game entry.

A check for a newer version of the PCUAE main install is performed at startup.

Support for mouse configuration for joystick ports that was added in the 1.6.1 firmware. A new checkbox is added to the joystick configuration panes for choosing mouse.

A link to the PCUAE Wiki is available in the help menu

When exporting or importing games or saved states a check is done if a PCUAE USB is currently available on any drive. The import/export dir is chosen automatically if a USB is available.

Fixes:

Generated .tsg files always use UTF-8 character encoding. Fixes a problem where texts where shown incorrectly in the carousel for specific languages.

2.2.1

Fixes:

Info slots for a specific view where shown for other views in some circumstances.

Info slots are deleted when a gamelist view is deleted from the database.

Other Fixes:

A saved state can be deleted, a delete button is available.
Pressing F5 to refresh the manager also updates the saved states for the selected game.
New image for saved states that are missing a screenshot

Here is the PCUAE Walkthrough just in case you need it... thec64community.online/thread/1005/project-carousel-usb-1-walkthrough

PCUAE WIKI is here... projectcarouselusb.online/help-2

The Carousel Info Game Slots(like: Favorites, 0 to G screens and so on) will now be included.

This was designed to work with Project Carousel USB Anniversary Edition, which is now included with PCU Manager.

You can make CJM files in PCUAEM now for the File Loader or Classic Mode so you can store your favourite games so if you want to switch games, PCUAE Manager is like a database for C64 and VIC20 Games, it has a better GUI then some of the other databases out there now.

Other features:

Multiple selection support in the game list. You can select multiple games with CTRL+click or SHIFT+click. Delete (CTRL+D) and mark/unmark favorite (CTRL+F12) works for multiple games at once. 
New option to include games that is missing an executable game file when importing from gamebase. A default Vice snapshot file file is used that shows a message "game file missing". They are also marked with the view tag "missing". This makes it possible to create a game view "viewtag contains missing" to easily filter them out in PCU Game Manager.

Mandatory fields for a game is now title, game file and one screenshot. Previously you also had to add a cover and two screenshots before saving the game.
Two new "missing" cover files are used for missing covers, one for C64 and one for Vic-20 games.
Support for multiple game entries with the same title. Covers, screens and game files get's a number suffix to avoid name collisions.
New option to add a duplicate game entry when the title matches an existing game in the database during import.
New menu option to reload current game view (shortcut: F5). Useful if you want to sort the game list after adding a game.
New import feature to import games from gamebase 64 or gamebase vic-20. More information is available in the wiki documentation.

Added some icons in the export dialog and scraper dialog.

Adds a "Does not contain text" operator to the gamelist view filters. With this you can create views where a text or property is missing, e.g. "All games that does not use accurate disk" or "All VIC-20 games that does not use Ram expansion".

Game view improvements:

Gamefile field is added to the filters when creating a game view to be able to filter on disk, tape or cartridge games.
All description fields are added to the filters and the operators "is empty" and "is not empty" to be able to filter out games with missing descriptions.
New UI field for a game: View tag. The view filter also contains this field. This can be used to create a custom view with games that does not match on the other fields. For example: GB64 contains over 1100 boulderdash clones. Some of them uses custom graphics. If you want to create a view with boulderdash games but only the ones using original graphics you can add a custom tag to the View tag field (e.g. boulder-og) for the ones you want and then create a view filter that only include the games with this tag available.

I have tested the gamebase import function with both Gamebase64 and gamebase Vic-20. If you find any bugs or problems post here.

Re-designed the UI to be able to support smaller screen resolutions. If the height of the window is below 800 pixels a scrollbar will appear for the joystick and system settings area. A width of 1300 pixels is required to be able to see everything.

Support for undo/redo in all text fields. Each field has it's own history.
All text fields in the UI have a right-click popup menu with copy/cut/paste/undo/redo.
All "-" characters in the description fields are removed when editing or exporting games since those can mess things up for the carousel.
The description fields tab text is shown in bold when a description for a specific language is available.
Support for custom translations (almost any ISO 639-1 language). The custom translation will always be added to the english description field.
Maximum number of log files kept on disk has been reduced from 5 to 3.
Better error handling when importing games, if an info file cannot be read properly it will show in the import dialog.

Other stuff:

Language support for the description field. Tabs for en, de, fr, es and it languages added. When exporting a game all languages are generated in the tsg file. The english description is used for all languages that have no text so that the carousel shows the English description for other languages also.
Sorting in the game list is case insensitive
Smarter file selection for downloaded zipped game files from gb64.com.
Game count for all games and favourites are updated properly when adding/removing games, or adding/removing favourites.
Exporting games: Removed the "favourite format" where each game had it's own folder. Added option to delete all games in the selected folder when exporting. Added option to not generate a games subfolder in the export directory.
Importing games: Added possibility to import from a folder without a games subfolder.

Adds two new scraper sites: gb64.com and c64.com. From both it's possible to download game files directly.
System model is set based on scraped game from MobyGames.com (C64 or VIC-20)
Adds option to manually crop a screenshot by moving the rectangle to crop. Useful for Vic-20 screenshots.
Adds a "Clear all favorites" menu option if you like to do so.
Adds CTRL + S shortcut for saving a game.
Adds a field for "view tag" to import dialog so that you can add a custom tag for imported games (e.g. "demo" or "intro" if you import from introbase/demobase).
.d81, .prg and .p00 files are not compressed when added to the game manager.
Adds better logic for picking a correct entry in zip or rar files during gamebase import. Picks the first file with a file ending matching any of "d64", "t64", "prg", "p00", "d81", "d71", "x64", "g64", "tap", "crt", "vsf".

New feature: Export games to File loader. A cjm file is generated for the system and joystick configuration.
Re-design of the Export dialog to be able to export game list views directly.
Adds 5 additional favorite lists (6-10).

The help documentation has been updated for exporting games.

Tip: Gamebase 64 version 17 is out (the site has already been updated, offline version is probably available soon), so now you can import a lot of new games :)out the new scraper sites. I also updated the help documentation a bit with info about the scrapers.

java.sql.SQLException: no such column: 'Description_de'
I have updated the documentation on the wiki (opened by F1) a bit for importing/exporting games.

Current features:

Importing games from an already existing Carousel folder (in the format the Maxi game tool defines). You can overwrite already existing games in the database or skip them, just adding missing ones.
Add screenshots in gif, png or jpeg formats by drag-drop. You can also automatically crop the screenshots to 320x200, which is the preferred size for the carousel. It will crop out the border of a regular screenshot from Vice.
Create custom views in the tool to look at specific games. I was inspired by the gamebase application here, you can create simple query's like "All games where title starts with A", or "All games where year is before 1987". The view definitions are stored in the database.

Import games to the database
Export games to a carousel folder
Add/delete games
backup/restore database

Run Vice from the tool to test the games directly
Add a scraper for fetching game info from MobyGames.

Adds Vice button to launch Vice with the system settings specified
in the settings section.
Allows for saving a game when changing casing of the title
Screenshots are resized when saving to 320x200.
Crop a screenshot always crops the center of the image.
Vic-20 screenshots are scaled better when added.
When editing fields the cursor stays in the right position all the time.
Year field is a spinner now where only valid values are 1978-2021.
Help menu item is now directed to the wiki on the github site. Help information has been updated: Help info
Added some icons in the export dialog and scraper dialog.

Adds a "Does not contain text" operator to the gamelist view filters. With this you can create views where a text or property is missing, e.g. "All games that does not use accurate disk" or "All VIC-20 games that does not use Ram expansion".

Some small bug fixes:

Importing game entries with a missing game file is handled better. If the System config string contains "basic" no game file is required when saving a game.
New games get "adventure" as genre if none has been selected. Previously the genre was empty if you didn't explicitly select a value in the genre drop down box before saving.

The first fix is useful if you like to do some custom gamelist entries like this:

How to install PCUAEM
================

Run "pcuaio-pcum-2.0.0-setup.exe" to install PCUAE Manager, you don't have to install PCUAE now, you install it inside PCUAE Manager.

It will install PCUGM, in "PCUAE Manager" folder in "C:\Games\Project Carousel USB - AIO" first, (you can change its location if you want, If you want it installed somewhere else, it dose not need to be on your C:\ drive, DO NOT install it in Program Files, you will start to have problems with Admin rights, Oces its install thats it now install PCUAE from inside PCUAE Manager by click on the PCUAE Tab.

It now has a desktop shortcut.lnk file that connected to "PCUAEManager.exe" thats in "PCUAE Manager" folder that it adds to your desktop..

its called "PCUAE Manager", if you extract the files with Winrar or 7zip this will not be added, it only works in the install setup SFX.

Because its a Self Extracting Archive you can open it up with Winrar and 7zip.

PCUAE will need to be installed on a USB Stick/SD Card 1GB or greater and from inside PCUAE Manager.

More on PCUAE look here.

Please have a try!

If you find any bugs please report an issue for it here: Github issues or in this thread.
For ideas and discussions you can post in this forum or here: Github discussions
For Project Carousel USB bug reports or discussions post it in its thread here: PCU Thread

lantzelot and spannernick

Last Edit: Mar 24, 2023 18:40:22 GMT by spannernick

1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Nov 24, 2020 21:50:13 GMT spannernick, gurce, and 1 more like this

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Nov 24, 2020 21:50:13 GMT

Hi Nick, I will include a scraper in the application I'm currently coding, the PCU game manager. I have some code that will scrape game information and cover/screenshots from www.mobygames.com/. Still some work to do for it, but it looks promising.

Do you know of any other site that contains good game information?

Here's a screenshot of the PCU Game Manager WIP:

629

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Nov 24, 2020 22:26:58 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Nov 24, 2020 22:26:58 GMT

Nov 24, 2020 21:50:13 GMT lantzelot said:

Hi Nick, I will include a scraper in the application I'm currently coding, the PCU game manager. I have some code that will scrape game information and cover/screenshots from www.mobygames.com/. Still some work to do for it, but it looks promising.

Do you know of any other site that contains good game information?

Here's a screenshot of the PCU Game Manager WIP:

View Attachment

wow.. I am speechless..

www.c64.com/

www.lemon64.com/

www.gamebase64.com/search.php?h=0

www.c64-wiki.com/

Do you use Discord..?

discord.gg/eFs5u3kb

Last Edit: Nov 24, 2020 22:50:43 GMT by spannernick

1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 2, 2020 9:42:13 GMT spannernick, gurce, and 1 more like this

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 2, 2020 9:42:13 GMT

Hi,

Here is an update on the progress of the PCU Game manager and what features I will include in it.

I started implementing this since it's a lot of work adding games to the Maxi game tool. You have to copy all information from somewhere and create screenshots in the right format (png), or download them and convert them if they are in other formats. I also wanted to make it easier to create custom game directories (the favorite folder in PCU for example, or if you like to modify any existing folder with other games).

Spannernick posted a suggestion in the PCU thread of an application where we can manage all games for PCU, which made me think of how we can do this easily. I started to implement a java application for this purpose (I'm a java developer since 20+ years, so that's the language I know in my sleep

).

The application will include a SQLite database (on file) where the game information is stored. Screenshots, covers and game files are located in separate folders.

Current features (working):

Importing games from an already existing Carousel folder (in the format the Maxi game tool defines). You can overwrite already existing games in the database or skip them, just adding missing ones.
Add screenshots in gif, png or jpeg formats by drag-drop. You can also automatically crop the screenshots to 320x200, which is the preferred size for the carousel. It will crop out the border of a regular screenshot from Vice.
Create custom views in the tool to look at specific games. I was inspired by the gamebase application here, you can create simple querys like "All games where title starts with A", or "All games where year is before 1987". The view definitions are stored in the database.

Under development:

Modifying and saving a game entry (70% done)
Adding a new game entry from within the tool (70% done)
Scraper for downloading game information from mobygames.com when creating a new game entry. Available game information and screenshots/covers will be possible to download automatically (50% done)

Todo:

Export function to export games to a separate folder. You will be able to export all games in a view, or by selecting individual games. The games will end up in a folder with the same structure as the Maxi game tool uses, so it will be possible to open directly in that tool, or included in PCU without modifications.
Export in different formats. The fav folder in PCU uses a different structure (one folder for each game). You can choose to use that format if you like while exporting.
Add support for more sites in the scraper.
Add support for editing "system information" (c64, vic20, true drive emulation etc).

I would like to get the export function in place before sharing anything (to make it useful).

If you have any suggestions on features you like to see I'm happy to hear them.

Last Edit: Dec 2, 2020 9:51:07 GMT by lantzelot

629

jj0
THEC64 Developer

Manic Miner rules!

Posts: 984

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 2, 2020 10:55:33 GMT spannernick likes this

Quote

Post by jj0 on Dec 2, 2020 10:55:33 GMT

Dec 2, 2020 9:42:13 GMT lantzelot said:

Hi,

Here is an update on the progress of the PCU Game manager and what features I will include in it.

I started implementing this since it's a lot of work adding games to the Maxi game tool. You have to copy all information from somewhere and create screenshots in the right format (png), or download them and convert them if they are in other formats. I also wanted to make it easier to create custom game directories (the favorite folder in PCU for example, or if you like to modify any existing folder with other games).

Spannernick posted a suggestion in the PCU thread of an application where we can manage all games for PCU, which made me think of how we can do this easily. I started to implement a java application for this purpose (I'm a java developer since 20+ years, so that's the language I know in my sleep

).

The application will include a SQLite database (on file) where the game information is stored. Screenshots, covers and game files are located in separate folders.

Current features (working):

Importing games from an already existing Carousel folder (in the format the Maxi game tool defines). You can overwrite already existing games in the database or skip them, just adding missing ones.
Add screenshots in gif, png or jpeg formats by drag-drop. You can also automatically crop the screenshots to 320x200, which is the preferred size for the carousel. It will crop out the border of a regular screenshot from Vice.
Create custom views in the tool to look at specific games. I was inspired by the gamebase application here, you can create simple querys like "All games where title starts with A", or "All games where year is before 1987". The view definitions are stored in the database.

Under development:

Modifying and saving a game entry (70% done)
Adding a new game entry from within the tool (70% done)
Scraper for downloading game information from mobygames.com when creating a new game entry. Available game information and screenshots/covers will be possible to download automatically (50% done)

Todo:

Export function to export games to a separate folder. You will be able to export all games in a view, or by selecting individual games. The games will end up in a folder with the same structure as the Maxi game tool uses, so it will be possible to open directly in that tool, or included in PCU without modifications.
Export in different formats. The fav folder in PCU uses a different structure (one folder for each game). You can choose to use that format if you like while exporting.
Add support for more sites in the scraper.
Add support for editing "system information" (c64, vic20, true drive emulation etc).

I would like to get the export function in place before sharing anything (to make it useful).

If you have any suggestions on features you like to see I'm happy to hear them.

This is great,sounds like an excellent tool. I wonder if you can also add joystick/controller configuration to it. This is somewhat outside the import/export games functionality, but it could be something like:

Selecting a joystick/controller that's connected to the PC the tool is running on
Letting the user define which button/direction should do what on the Mini/Maxi, using existing configuration from gamecontrollerdb.txt as start (if available)
Adding the definition as line in the PCU's gamecontrollerdb.txt, replacing existing line if needed

I think this would be a great help for people who want to add a controller to te Maxi.

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 2, 2020 13:31:11 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 2, 2020 13:31:11 GMT

I was wounded how you where going to add a game to the 0_fav folder and that fine..

Exporting a game to the folder is a good idea..

I can now change the way I have done it in PCUAEv1.20 back to the way it is now, I added 2 new folders in the 0_fav folder, favgames1 for games with one folder for each game and favgames2 for how THEC64 Maxi Game tool adds them.

This is why I am waiting for PGM release so every thing in it works with PCUAEv1.20..

Last Edit: Dec 2, 2020 15:51:10 GMT by spannernick

1

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 2, 2020 15:51:14 GMT jj0 likes this

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 2, 2020 15:51:14 GMT

I have a suggestion but don't know if you could do it.. To have a `*` star next to the games name in the gamelist in PCU Game Manager(PGM) to let you know if a game is in the Favourite Carousel Gamelist Screen(CGS) 0_fav folder already so say I copy Spy Hunter from the S_to_Z/games folder to 0_fav/games folder PGM scans the 0_fav folder to see that Spy Hunter is in the favourites folder and adds a `*` star to its name like "*Spy Hunter" to let you know its in the Favourites(CGS) screen already.

1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 9, 2020 9:53:11 GMT spannernick and kugelblitz like this

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 9, 2020 9:53:11 GMT

I added the PCU game manager to github yesterday: PCU game manager

Here is an update:

Current features (working):

Importing games from an already existing Carousel folder (in the format the Maxi game tool defines). You can overwrite already existing games in the database or skip them, just adding missing ones.
Add screenshots in gif, png or jpeg formats by drag-drop. You can also automatically crop the screenshots to 320x200, which is the preferred size for the carousel. It will crop out the border of a regular screenshot from Vice.
Create custom views in the tool to look at specific games. I was inspired by the gamebase application here, you can create simple querys like "All games where title starts with A", or "All games where year is before 1987". The view definitions are stored in the database.
Modifying and saving a game entry
Adding a new game entry from within the tool
Support for editing "system information" (c64, vic20, true drive emulation etc.).

Under development:

Scraper for downloading game information from mobygames.com when creating a new game entry. Available game information and screenshots/covers will be possible to download automatically (50% done).
Export function to export games to a separate folder. You will be able to export all games in a view, or by selecting individual games. The games will end up in a folder with the same structure as the Maxi game tool uses, so it will be possible to open directly in that tool, or included in PCU without modifications.
(10% done)

Todo:

Export in different formats. The fav folder in PCU uses a different structure (one folder for each game). You can choose to use that format if you like while exporting.
Add support for more sites in the scraper.
Start Vice from within the tool with the selected game loaded.
Some convenience methods for backing up the db, restoring a backup or creating an empty db.
Handle "favorites" in some way. In gamebase you can mark a game as a favorite and have a special view for it.

I will try to finish the export function and then I can build a test version for anyone to test if you like. There will surely be bugs...

Last Edit: Dec 9, 2020 9:55:30 GMT by lantzelot

629

spannernick THEC64 Administrator PCUAE Creator.. :) Posts: 2,775	*PCUAE Manager* Dec 9, 2020 12:48:53 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by spannernick on Dec 9, 2020 12:48:53 GMT Wicked, its getting there, just want I always wanted, and how it would be.. Thanks, all for your hard work.
	Last Edit: Dec 19, 2020 19:22:18 GMT by spannernick 1

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 19, 2020 19:25:29 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 19, 2020 19:25:29 GMT

Dec 9, 2020 9:53:11 GMT lantzelot said:

I added the PCU game manager to github yesterday: PCU game manager

Here is an update:

Current features (working):

Importing games from an already existing Carousel folder (in the format the Maxi game tool defines). You can overwrite already existing games in the database or skip them, just adding missing ones.
Add screenshots in gif, png or jpeg formats by drag-drop. You can also automatically crop the screenshots to 320x200, which is the preferred size for the carousel. It will crop out the border of a regular screenshot from Vice.
Create custom views in the tool to look at specific games. I was inspired by the gamebase application here, you can create simple querys like "All games where title starts with A", or "All games where year is before 1987". The view definitions are stored in the database.
Modifying and saving a game entry
Adding a new game entry from within the tool
Support for editing "system information" (c64, vic20, true drive emulation etc.).

Under development:

Scraper for downloading game information from mobygames.com when creating a new game entry. Available game information and screenshots/covers will be possible to download automatically (50% done).
Export function to export games to a separate folder. You will be able to export all games in a view, or by selecting individual games. The games will end up in a folder with the same structure as the Maxi game tool uses, so it will be possible to open directly in that tool, or included in PCU without modifications.
(10% done)

Todo:

Export in different formats. The fav folder in PCU uses a different structure (one folder for each game). You can choose to use that format if you like while exporting.
Add support for more sites in the scraper.
Start Vice from within the tool with the selected game loaded.
Some convenience methods for backing up the db, restoring a backup or creating an empty db.
Handle "favorites" in some way. In gamebase you can mark a game as a favorite and have a special view for it.

I will try to finish the export function and then I can build a test version for anyone to test if you like. There will surely be bugs...

Look at your profile its changed... Have a nice day...

and a good xmas..

1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 7:53:00 GMT kugelblitz likes this

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 20, 2020 7:53:00 GMT

PCU Game manger version 0.9.0 is finished now. You can download it from here: PCU Game manager download

Current features:

Import games to the database
Export games to a carousel folder
Add/delete games
backup/retore database

This should be considered a beta release, there are probably some bugs that needs to be fixed. My plan is to include two more features before doing a 1.0.0 release:

Run Vice from the tool to test the games directly
Add a scraper for fetching game info from MobyGames.

There is a readme.txt in the download folder with some info. I have not written any documentation yet, but plan to have something accessible in the "help" menu later on.

Please have a try!

If you find any bugs please report an issue for it here: Github issues
For ideas and discussions you can post in this forum or here: Github discussions

Merry Christmas!

Last Edit: Dec 20, 2020 7:53:57 GMT by lantzelot

629

spannernick THEC64 Administrator PCUAE Creator.. :) Posts: 2,775	*PCUAE Manager* Dec 20, 2020 12:48:46 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by spannernick on Dec 20, 2020 12:48:46 GMT Is it ok if I add the VIC20 games(CTRL-5) that I added to PCUAEv1.20beta..? Vic 20 games are in the VIC20 folder so has its own folder but are in the same format as the game tool adds them, theirs 196 games.
	Last Edit: Dec 20, 2020 12:50:05 GMT by spannernick 1

spannernick
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PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 13:41:34 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 20, 2020 13:41:34 GMT

I added them by importing them but when I want to export them the c64 games are not split from the vic20 games its only split 1942 from the rest, probably have not implemented that yet, it thinks the rest of the games are vic20 games..

its only has at the moment 0-G, H-R and S-Z and no VIC20 in the All Games drop down box so can't spilt the Vic20 games from all the other c64 games.

I love it so far, its great and just what I imaged what the PCU Game Manager would be like in my head..

Last Edit: Dec 20, 2020 13:48:35 GMT by spannernick

1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 15:11:24 GMT via mobile

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 20, 2020 15:11:24 GMT

Dec 20, 2020 13:41:34 GMT spannernick said:

I added them by importing them but when I want to export them the c64 games are not split from the vic20 games its only split 1942 from the rest, probably have not implemented that yet, it thinks the rest of the games are vic20 games..

its only has at the moment 0-G, H-R and S-Z and no VIC20 in the All Games drop down box so can't spilt the Vic20 games from all the other c64 games.

I love it so far, its great and just what I imaged what the PCU Game Manager would be like in my head..

You can add a custom view for vic 20 games, use the ... button to the left of the game view dropbox, then create a filter ”system contains vic”

629

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 17:46:54 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 20, 2020 17:46:54 GMT

Dec 20, 2020 15:11:24 GMT lantzelot said:

Dec 20, 2020 13:41:34 GMT spannernick said:

I added them by importing them but when I want to export them the c64 games are not split from the vic20 games its only split 1942 from the rest, probably have not implemented that yet, it thinks the rest of the games are vic20 games..

its only has at the moment 0-G, H-R and S-Z and no VIC20 in the All Games drop down box so can't spilt the Vic20 games from all the other c64 games.

I love it so far, its great and just what I imaged what the PCU Game Manager would be like in my head..

You can add a custom view for vic 20 games, use the ... button to the left of the game view dropbox, then create a filter ”system contains vic”

Worked it out... thanks for the tip..

ignore the part where it says in the picture *<--------- VIC 20 Games --------->* it copied the screen info game slot too, I deleted it.

Will it be OK to add it to PCUAEv1.20beta, that's why I wanted a new PCU Game Manager to replace the C64 Maxi Game Tool and adding games with it was a pain in the...a$&..

It will be in its own zip in the same Folder as PCUAE...?

If so I been uploading the one I m using cause I have added the VIC-20 games to it plus the filter so now there are 303 games in total..

I love it so far, its great, 10 times better..

Oh AVG just scanned it and uploaded it to there servers to check, and it passed so it now in the virus database..

BTW cause I changed your group you automatically have monitor rights on the forum now, everyone that's in THEC64 Developer group is one but you don't have to use it you don't want to, just letting you know , and wanted to do it as a thank you for making this..

oh you should be able to edit the first post now..

done for you already.

Last Edit: Dec 20, 2020 18:23:39 GMT by spannernick

1

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 18:28:29 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 20, 2020 18:28:29 GMT

I want to add a Favorites filter so I can add the Games from the 0_fav folder in PCUAE(Favorites Carousel Gamelist Screen(CGS), do I do the same thing but put fav instead or if you want to add games to the 0_fav folder do I click on the games I want then export them..?

But if I do that I have to manually remove a game from the 0_fav folder, if I want to remove it, I think having a copy of the games in the 0_fav folder in the PCU Games Manager would be better like 0 - G, H - R and S - Z and look better and I can just export them over the way to do it with the other games and add games to the Favorite list from the others game lists in PCU Games Manager.

This is just a idea and suggestion..

Last Edit: Dec 20, 2020 19:03:24 GMT by spannernick

1

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 19:18:55 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 20, 2020 19:18:55 GMT

I am going to test this in Gadget Mode on theC64 Maxi/THEVic20, it a new feature that PCUUAEv1.20 can do(thanks to jj0), if you plug a USB-A to USB A cable in the USB Port in the back of THEC64 Maxi/VIC-20, you can press and hold for 2 seconds CTRL-C and it will mount the drives from the THEC64 Maxi/VIC-20 on your PC, you will see them come up like when you plugged your USB stick in your PC and then able to open the USB Stick with PCUAEv1.20 on it, I have added games this way using THEC64Maxi Game Tool and it worked fine, this is how I added the VIC-20 games, so now need to test PCU Game Manger and see if a game can be exported to the USB Stick from the PCU Game Manager, I don't see why it would not work, Gadget Mode don't work on THEC64 Mini, it not compatible, it kernel can't do it so if you try it on THEC64 Mini, the Carousel will just restart.

1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 20:46:20 GMT

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 20, 2020 20:46:20 GMT

Dec 20, 2020 18:28:29 GMT spannernick said:

I want to add a Favorites filter so I can add the Games from the 0_fav folder in PCUAE(Favorites Carousel Gamelist Screen(CGS), do I do the same thing but put fav instead or if you want to add games to the 0_fav folder do I click on the games I want then export them..?

But if I do that I have to manually remove a game from the 0_fav folder, if I want to remove it, I think having a copy of the games in the 0_fav folder in the PCU Games Manager would be better like 0 - G, H - R and S - Z and look better and I can just export them over the way to do it with the other games and add games to the Favorite list from the others game lists in PCU Games Manager.

This is just a idea and suggestion..

The problem with the favorites is that there is no unique column or value the game manager can filter on right now. The game views uses querys for different columns in the database. If you like you can download SQLite Studio and open the pcusb.db file there, there you can see how data is stored in the db with different columns.

What I plan to do is to introduce a favorites column in the database and a feature to mark a game as "favorite" by pressing a keyboard shortcut. There will also be a game view for favorites that filters on this column. I can also add an option when importing games so that all games from a specific folder is automatically marked as favorite in the db.

629

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 20:55:17 GMT

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 20, 2020 20:55:17 GMT

"Will it be OK to add it to PCUAEv1.20beta, that's why I wanted a new PCU Game Manager to replace the C64 Maxi Game Tool and adding games with it was a pain in the...a$&..

It will be in its own zip in the same Folder as PCUAE...?"

Yes, you can include it if you like.
I was thinking about if we should try to manage a "master" database in some way, perhaps having anyone that wants to contribute being able to submit games to it. Something similar to the gamebase 64 initiative. In that way we could build up a big library over time from where you can export games and include in the PCU folders any way you like.

629

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 20, 2020 23:36:40 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 20, 2020 23:36:40 GMT

That's what I was thinking, marking the game in the gamelist that in favorites with a star, like "*Beach Head" so you know its in the 0_fav folder too.

Having a master database is a good idea and you can swap and change games easily.

Last Edit: Dec 23, 2020 15:49:06 GMT by spannernick

1

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 23, 2020 15:54:35 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 23, 2020 15:54:35 GMT

Dec 20, 2020 20:46:20 GMT lantzelot said:

Dec 20, 2020 18:28:29 GMT spannernick said:

I want to add a Favorites filter so I can add the Games from the 0_fav folder in PCUAE(Favorites Carousel Gamelist Screen(CGS), do I do the same thing but put fav instead or if you want to add games to the 0_fav folder do I click on the games I want then export them..?

But if I do that I have to manually remove a game from the 0_fav folder, if I want to remove it, I think having a copy of the games in the 0_fav folder in the PCU Games Manager would be better like 0 - G, H - R and S - Z and look better and I can just export them over the way to do it with the other games and add games to the Favorite list from the others game lists in PCU Games Manager.

This is just a idea and suggestion..

The problem with the favorites is that there is no unique column or value the game manager can filter on right now. The game views uses querys for different columns in the database. If you like you can download SQLite Studio and open the pcusb.db file there, there you can see how data is stored in the db with different columns.

What I plan to do is to introduce a favorites column in the database and a feature to mark a game as "favorite" by pressing a keyboard shortcut. There will also be a game view for favorites that filters on this column. I can also add an option when importing games so that all games from a specific folder is automatically marked as favorite in the db.

Because I have added VIC20 games, there been added to the O - G, H - R and S - Z games, What I am trying to do is get them to show C64 games only in 0 - G beteen 0 and G but its not doing it, I added a row..

System /Begins with text /64

but its not working, so I must be doing something wrong...?

Last Edit: Dec 23, 2020 16:03:00 GMT by spannernick

1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 23, 2020 20:34:08 GMT sjakie43 likes this

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 23, 2020 20:34:08 GMT

Dec 23, 2020 15:54:35 GMT spannernick said:

Dec 20, 2020 20:46:20 GMT lantzelot said:

The problem with the favorites is that there is no unique column or value the game manager can filter on right now. The game views uses querys for different columns in the database. If you like you can download SQLite Studio and open the pcusb.db file there, there you can see how data is stored in the db with different columns.

What I plan to do is to introduce a favorites column in the database and a feature to mark a game as "favorite" by pressing a keyboard shortcut. There will also be a game view for favorites that filters on this column. I can also add an option when importing games so that all games from a specific folder is automatically marked as favorite in the db.

Because I have added VIC20 games, there been added to the O - G, H - R and S - Z games, What I am trying to do is get them to show C64 games only in 0 - G beteen 0 and G but its not doing it, I added a row..

System /Begins with text /64

but its not working, so I must be doing something wrong...?

This is actually not possible to do right now, since the filters you define for a view are either "OR" (any filter must match) or "AND" (All filters must match).
To support this I could add an option for the game view so you can specify if it's for C64 or Vic 20 games, or both.

Or perhaps have two tables in the dialog, one where any filter must match, and one where all must match. Then you could add System /Begins with text /64 in the one that must match... you could also do more complex querys in that way, like "all C64 games starting with 0-G that uses accurate disk" for example.

I'll see what I can do...

629

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 23, 2020 23:07:00 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 23, 2020 23:07:00 GMT

Dec 23, 2020 20:34:08 GMT lantzelot said:

Dec 23, 2020 15:54:35 GMT spannernick said:

Because I have added VIC20 games, there been added to the O - G, H - R and S - Z games, What I am trying to do is get them to show C64 games only in 0 - G beteen 0 and G but its not doing it, I added a row..
but its not working, so I must be doing something wrong...?

This is actually not possible to do right now, since the filters you define for a view are either "OR" (any filter must match) or "AND" (All filters must match).
To support this I could add an option for the game view so you can specify if it's for C64 or Vic 20 games, or both.

Or perhaps have two tables in the dialog, one where any filter must match, and one where all must match. Then you could add System /Begins with text /64 in the one that must match... you could also do more complex querys in that way, like "all C64 games starting with 0-G that uses accurate disk" for example.

I'll see what I can do...

Ok, thanks that be great..

1

spannernick THEC64 Administrator PCUAE Creator.. :) Posts: 2,775	*PCUAE Manager* Dec 24, 2020 20:45:48 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by spannernick on Dec 24, 2020 20:45:48 GMT I added all the games now from PCUAE and there are exactly 829 games, including the Vic-20 games..
	1

lantzelot
THEC64 Developer

Posts: 200

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 30, 2020 12:46:32 GMT spannernick and kugelblitz like this

Quote

Post by lantzelot on Dec 30, 2020 12:46:32 GMT

PCU Game manager 1.0.0 is finished now: Download

I added a bunch of features to this one:

Scraper for Mobygames.com
Favorites toggling with F12
Running games in Vice
VersionChecker
More advanced game view filtering
Help file (F1)

PLEASE NOTE: I had to upgrade the java version and do some changes to the database, so the old database for version 0.9.0 does not work with 1.0.0.
If you have added games you can first export them to a folder and then import from that in version 1.0.0.

I'm pleased with how the scraper turned out, now it's easy to fetch game information, covers and screenshots directly from mobygames.com.

Please have a try!

629

sjakie43
PCUAE Supporter

Demobase Creator

Posts: 171

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 30, 2020 19:21:03 GMT

Quote

Post by sjakie43 on Dec 30, 2020 19:21:03 GMT

Hi,

I have tried to add a TAP file (Jet Pac) but the manager refuses to run it.....

VICE error

Extra Arguments on command-line: taps\jet pac.tap

-autostart-handle-tde +truedrive =joydev1

I was really hoping that TAP files can be run because snapshot files are useless with multi parted taps for exampl

I think the proggie needs an extra handle for TAP files, i really hope you can fix this

And i was very eager if the memory expansion would work because that did not work on the old Gametool, but the old gametool DID try to load a TAP file correct but had no memory for it

Regards

Sjakie43

Last Edit: Dec 30, 2020 19:21:43 GMT by sjakie43

577

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 30, 2020 23:44:37 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 30, 2020 23:44:37 GMT

That's just VICE inside PCU Game Manager, that will be sorted out in time, I just tested adding the tap file of Jet Pac for VIC-20 to PCU Game Manager and then export it to PCUAE and it loads fine and I set it to bank 1 for 8k..

1

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 31, 2020 0:08:24 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 31, 2020 0:08:24 GMT

Dec 30, 2020 12:46:32 GMT lantzelot said:

PCU Game manager 1.0.0 is finished now: Download

I added a bunch of features to this one:

Scraper for Mobygames.com
Favorites toggling with F12
Running games in Vice
VersionChecker
More advanced game view filtering
Help file (F1)

PLEASE NOTE: I had to upgrade the java version and do some changes to the database, so the old database for version 0.9.0 does not work with 1.0.0.
If you have added games you can first export them to a folder and then import from that in version 1.0.0.

I'm pleased with how the scraper turned out, now it's easy to fetch game information, covers and screenshots directly from mobygames.com.

Please have a try!

Thanks for all your hard work, tested the Scraper and it works fine, import and export works fine and like how you done Favorites, very easy to add them..

but export is showing the wrong amount of games then the games view...?

1

sjakie43
PCUAE Supporter

Demobase Creator

Posts: 171

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 31, 2020 8:26:29 GMT

Quote

Post by sjakie43 on Dec 31, 2020 8:26:29 GMT

how did you get the TAP file added(saved) ?

I think the TAP file format is one of the MOST played games for the VIC20.

It's a bit strange that the Gametool could load TAP files with no problem(except for the memory expansion setting not working) and the Game Manager cannot even load it.

I will do nothing for now with the Game Manager until i can add some TAP files i guess....Its such a basic function just like prg,crt and D64.....

For now i wish everyone a happy newyear

577

spannernick
THEC64 Administrator

PCUAE Creator.. :)

Posts: 2,775

***PCUAE Manager*** Dec 31, 2020 11:52:12 GMT

Quote

Post by spannernick on Dec 31, 2020 11:52:12 GMT

When you add a game and run it in the PGM it sends a commandline to VICE to run it, the comandline in PGM is wrong at the moment to run tap files so it don't run but only in PGM on the PC but will if you add the games then export it to PCUAE, I have tested the game, it runs and start loading the tap file in PCUAE, some games that you added to THEC64 Games Tool did not always run in VICE in it.

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