8 bit computers snapshots and covers

screech

I'm new here and haven't made any presentation, but a friend send me here to offer you something ;)

I participate to a big BDD project named screenscraper
Data & Media in Multilangue with lot's of HD media and autogeneration of support and box.

You can see an exemple here for C64 : 1942 data

And this is the generated 3DBox :

I also make a Scraper for Recalbox (normally it work on Retropie Too, it's based on Emulationstation so...) named Universal XML Scraper

This scraper can make lot's of thing an for exemple what I named a MIX template. (See the WIKI )

Multi picture (scraped or not) in one picture for emulationstation theme.

This is some exemple of what It can make :

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And with the good theme this is some rendered view (on recalbox) :

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If you want I can make a template for you to have exactly what you need.
A fixe background picture with a scraped 3DBox.

The only problem, is Screenscraper is less than 1 year old, it already have a very nice BDD but, some media are missing. So if you want a nice scrape (and a nice media) don't hesitate to participate.

And if you have any problem with Screenscraper or Universal XML Scraper, just call ;)

tronkyfran

WoW!!!! That would be awesome!!! If I can focus on doing just the 3d template for various systems everything will be much much faster.

I'm not sure of how do you generate the 3d views from the covers, but It would be perfect if I can have 1 background layer , your media cover layer multiplicated by a 2nd layer, and a cristal reflection(add) 3d layer. Maybe Im asking for too much...

screech

I actually working on the V2 for universal XML Scraper with a lot's of new "MIX template" function like transparency, cuting, mask layer, ... Why not a cristal reflection ;)

In the worst case, we can cheat with a fake schadow on a fixe transparent layer ;)

look the template I'm working on :

It's already possible ;)

(This template is in stand by, working on the V2 ;) )

The template for 3D Case is simply the flatten box texture ;) you have "gabarit" for nearly each system if you want to contribute ;) (And if it lake of gabarit, just ask, we will add it ;) )

tien_huu_1408

@screech I know 3D box art mixed addons on Recalbox. Is it can be applied in Retropie? How to do this?

screech

Hi @tien_huu_1408 , it's not an "addon", it's my soft : Universal XML Scraper.

It scrape your roms and generate a gamelist.xml file + picture.

The picture can be a simple one (screenshot, 2D Box, 3D Box, Wheels, ....) or a "MIXed" one.

On the Wiki, there is a tuto to create your MIX template if you want something particular or you can use the "premade" template.

I haven't made a "Retropie" Profil for scrape right now, but the recalbox one (or the Emulationstation one) must work. Recalbox is based on Emulationstation (same as Retropie I think ?) so the gamelist.xml must be the same.

If you want, I can make "quickly" a profil for Retropie to test ;)

UDb23

@screech Your software tools looks great !
What OS does it require to run and generate gamelist.xml: Raspbian ? Windows?
Does it scrape only from Screenscraper site or can it also scrape from other sites like mobygames ? (they have an extensive list of games with cover art for commodore vic-20 and many other systems).

tien_huu_1408

@screech Hope you could help me create a profile for Retropie. I know Universal XML Scraper is a scraper program on Windows. Thanks a lot. Hope to hear from you asap!

tronkyfran

Ok, @screech , what workflow do you think we should follow? Maybe we can make a test with the already done case for amstrad? I can make it ready in no time, and once its polished we can go on with the same metodology for the rest of cases..

screech

@UDb23 UXS (the small name of Universal XML Scraper ;) ) run only under windows (really sorry) and scrape only from Screenscraper (not so sorry ^^)

But Screenscraper grow fast ;) we are actuelly on completing Sega system, but old computer are comming ;) meanwhile, if you want you can submit your own cover if you want ;)

@tien_huu_1408 I'll work on a Retropie Profil today ;) so I can release a new version with all the things matching retropie environnement ;)

@tronkyfran If you want a MIX template, just send me you "background" and the standard size you want ;) ( for now, waiting the UXS V2 with reflexion and/or shadow function, if you want I can try to make a "fake" shadow)

To add a covert to Screenscraper for CPC for exemple, you just need to match the "gabarit" cover ( here : http://www.screenscraper.fr/medias/65/wheels/box-texture-gabarit.png ), create an account, select the game you want, and submit the cover ;) Just after that I (or other admin) will validate your cover and it will generate the 2D and 3D Box ready to be scraped ;)

tien_huu_1408

@screech Hope to get your new version for enjoying this weekend.

screech

Hi every one, sorry, I'm pretty late ;)

This is a speciale release for Retropie : 1.5.0.11-Rp

If someone want to try ;)

Normally :

Launch the Exe
Choose your language
Choose your profile ('ScreenScraper (MIX)-Retropie' for exemple)
Choose to use Autoconf or not (if you have access to your retropie from your windows with samba Share, say yes ;) )
In SSH Menu choose "Kill Emulationstation" (or kill it manually via putty or directly on your retropie)
Choose your Mix Template in configuration/Change Mix Image Profil
Choose your system in Configuration/Auto configuration (if you choose autoconf at start ;) )
Or
Config your path in Configuration/Configuration
Then clic on the Scrape arrow in the center ;)

Let me know if there is problem ;)

tien_huu_1408

@screech : Thanks a lot. I will try it . But could you make a guide for using it?

screech

sorry, for now, I only have a Tuto in french TUTO

But the process is pretty simple (look my post just up there)

I'm working on a V2 and when it's done, I'll make a full Tuto with all the option ;)

tien_huu_1408

@screech Tonight I will try Retropie profile. But still wait for your 2nd version. Thanks a lot. What's new in the 2nd version?

screech

The V2 is far to be ready, but : All the XML function where rewrotted (more efficient, and faster ) GUI remade (more intuitive) Easyer to use with split of all the configuration (noob configuration and Expert configuration) New MIX Template function (shadow, layer mask, reflections,...) and much much better log ;)

tien_huu_1408

@screech I tried with Dr. Mario from MAME-libretro. It generated gamelist.xml and dr.mario-image. I transferred into corresponding directory in Retropie. The information is good but does not show the scrapped image. I chose template 4img and Retropie-Mix profile.

To deal with this problem, I changed image size to 400x288 and it worked like a charm.

One more thing, some roms cannot be scrapped. Could you send me the PSD template for each type to manually create the image for those missing ones?

I would like you add some futures:
1/ Connect via Samba Shares automatically
2/ Scrap all systems
3/ Scrap missing roms only
4/ Add more themes and profiles

Hope to hear from you asap. Thanks!

How to solve it? I think the large image should be resized? But which resolution should I change?

screech

@tien_huu_1408

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So, In "Edit/config" menu you can :

Specifie the size of your Width & Height final picture ( for exemple 400x288)
Specifie in "Systems path" (Auto.conf. group) the path to your Share directory with all the different system (used for the Scrap All Function or the selection of your system to scrape)
In the down right corner "New XML File" make a new XML file (Thank you Captain obvious ^^) and "Append XML file" only add missing roms

In "Edit" menu you can

select directly the system you want to autoconfigure Path (if you have configured Auto. Conf correctly in Edit/conf)
Scrape all the System

The system list in auto configuration is the directory list of the "Systems path"

I can add more MIX Template no problem, but you can do it too ;) this is the Tuto : https://github.com/Universal-Rom-Tools/Universal-XML-Scraper/wiki/[TUTO]-Make-your-own-MIX-Template

Unfortunatly, I can't send you the PSD template... Because, there isn't any PSD ;) UXS make the final picture from scratch ;)

Hope it help ;)

paradadf

Hello @tien_huu_1408,

Just jumping here trying to help. I don't know if you already read it, but there is a how-to about adding data/media to Screenscraper:
[How To] Screenscraper

If you are logged in, you can see in the box and label textures a flat template to download. The 3D box is automatically generated from the flat image.

spannernick1

Will you be making Mega CD Pal cases at all,I just tried it and its mostly US Sega CD cases..:(..??

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paradadf

You just need to add the missing box arts to the dabase and don't struggle anymore... you will be able to scrape it correctly for the eternity.