just came across your ZD Executor and discussions in "http://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=46861&start=45" which apart from you latest post seems to have petered out since mid December 2014.
I love what I have seen so far of ZD Executor. Thanks for all your effort.
There are 2 front ends I have used to date for Doom wads (Risen 3D Launcher (my favourite) and ZDL (good but I find too manual).
I truthfully would only use Risen 3D but it cannot run many ZDoom or GZdoom 3rd party Pwads where GZdoom with a FrontEnd can.
Consequently I need 2 engines Risen 3d and GZdoom and two launches. Risen 3D's and another. To date ZDL seemed the best (although noting like as simple as Risen 3D's however it is barely or not supported any more and ZDE seems to me the nearest to being the new favourite for users who want a ZDoom/GZDoom FrontEnd/launcher
I have tried out your ZDE and think it is VERY nice and will be be a great replacement for ZDL but FOR ME it has one or 2 issues and a few features I'd love to see which I feel could be very easy to incorporated and are important to make it a great/best FrontEnd. Hopefully you agree.
I only play single player games so cannot comment on the Multiplayer aspects of ZDE.
MY system is: Windows 7 Ultimate X64
=================
First the ISSUES (or I am not doing things correctly)
I cannot get the shortcuts to point to the correct path (unless I have FIRST saved the profile and THEN loaded it back.
If I try to save the profile and then immediately create a shortcut without loading the same profile back into ZDE it does not create the correct paths (took me a long time to realize what I currently need to do to create a working shortcut.)
What I tried and WANTED TO DO (which I thought logical)
Create the profile for an IWAD or whatever. (Let us say Plutonia).
a) I chose my settings and saved that profile.
b) I then clicked on Tools> Create Shortcut From Current Profile
c) I chose my path and named the shortcut Plutonia.ink
HOWEVER the shortcut path created is only "E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\zde.exe" -R -X
when I expected
"E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\zde.exe" -R "E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\Game Profiles\Plutonia.zdeprof" -X
To ME it does not seem to make sense that I must load back the same profile that is already currently in ZDE if I want to create a shortcut that is correct and works.
I personally would expect most people to do what I tried. Save the profile and whilst it is still currently in ZDE create a shortcut. I feel ZDE should be able to do that ONCE the USER has actually saved the Profile as it should now know all it needs.
=============
Unfortunately it appear I cannot directly upload files from my PC of screenshots. If you have a zde email address I will do so. In the meantime I will try to describe a few windows, tabs layout issues I am experiencing on my PC
FOR ME with the fonts and fonts sizes etc. that I use on my system that are ideal for my 1920 x1080 monitor I am finding the text labels on the Initial IWADS set-up window and 2 ZDE tabs are truncated or extend over borders or wrap (with 2nd lines clipped off bottoms in most cases).
a) a IWADS Set-up Window - flawed text labels listed below (others are OK)
I see
Doom 2 - Hell on Eart (then input field)
Final Doom - TNT: (then input field)
Evilution (wrapped and the bottom 15% approx. of THIS lines text clipped off)
Final Doom - The (then input field)
Plutonia (wrapped and the bottom 15% approx. of This lines text clipped off)
Hexen: Beyond Heret (then input field)
Hexen: Deathkings (then input field)
of the Dark Citadel (wrapped and the bottom 15% approx.of THIS lines text clipped off)
The rest are OK.
Interestingly so is the wrapped 2nd line of
Action Doom 2:
Urban Brawl
where the 2nd line Urban Brawl text is shown OK WITHOUT any bottom clipped off.
--
b) Game Tab. All text labels are OK but in the IWAD ready only field one name is cut off.
I see "Final Doom: The Plutonia Experiment (DM st"
I do not know what the cut off part should be.
--
c) Advanced Tab (Win 32 section)
"Tick box" and No idle is OK
but under that for next entry I see
"Tick box" Disable Joystick Suppor (r is half cut off as it rest of text by the box border
===========================
REQUESTS
1
Would it be possible to allow users to set their own default location for .zde.cfg.
I agree the place you assign by default is logical as a default. however, I like many users like to keep my data files out of my root drive (usually C:)as much as possible.
The logic being if my System falls over and I need to restore my latest working backup file of the C: Drive (I use Acronis True Image Home). When the restore is completed all changes since the backup are lost (of course) AND the most current games and application files that were stored at on that drive are totally lost. Consequentially I like to keep all data files (i.e. config files, save files, etc.) on a specific Data drive or in the case of my games on the games drive inside the actual Game folder.
Either way if you gave options to allow Users to use the ZDE default or set a User defined path then everybody would be accommodated according to their needs.
Please can we have User defined default path options for for Profiles & Shortcuts folders. So when a User clicks Save profile or Shortcuts it will always first open the defined path (be it ZDE's default or the Users)> Currently ZDE seems to open with the last accessed folder whether it be ZDE, games, IWADS, shortcuts or profiles etc.
Please forgive me for bringing up Risen 3D but it has 2 excellent aspects I really REALLY like above all other FrontEnds/launchers I have seen and I'd really love it if you are willing and happy to incorporate similar in your excellent ZDE
a) Risen 3D FrontEnd/Launcher has a Default opening tab where games shortcuts are in a scrollable list (alpha order) which is wonderful as I can open it scan down the shortcuts and I can launch my desired game by clicking on item.
I have yet to see a ZDoom/GZdoom FrontEnd that offers this (what I feel is a highly desirable and helpful feature). Most, maybe All, seem only interested in helping creating profiles & shortcuts (in some) but not going to (what I feel obvious from a USER perspective)the 3rd stage of a shortcut list where the desired game can be launched.
All (ZDE included unless I am missing something) either require a specific profile to be loaded and then it can be launched or as with ZDE the user can alternatively open a windows Explorer folder and then select the required shortcut .ink to launch the game.
May I make a BIG request that you add a Tab Launcher in which it has a scrollable list of ZDE shortcuts that can be launched by clicking on the desired title. That would be truly wonderful and easy to use and a complete package
b) Risen 3D has a folder logic I like, namely it has an IWADS folder or folders) (as does ZDE) BUT it is based upon separate folders for EACH 3rd party Pwad (named with game title) . There are 2 sub folders Pwads (where all the 3rd Party game's files go and a "savegame" folder where ONLY that particular game's save files will be saved and stored.
so the structure is Folder name <3rd party name> with 2 folders "Pwads" (where the 3rd party files are all placed) and "savegame" where Risen 3D will save all saves for that game only.
Because Risen 3D follows this structure it means (I believe):
a) different games saves cannot be accidentally overwritten by another's save file(s),
b)it is obvious which save files belongs to which game.
c)It allows Risen 3D to auto set-up its profile and extra save command lines etc. for each game because it knows what types of files to look for, the path structure for Pwad and savegame files (as all are in each games Pwads and savegame sub folders.
As a consequence users USUALLY do not have make ANY extra command line entries, shortcuts or profiles Risen 3 D even seems to know (guess correctly) which IWAD should be used for each 3rd party Pwad game launched by user.
All I normally have to do is:
i)Download the 3rd Party zip file
ii) create a folder with that "game's" name with sub folders Pwads and savegame.
iii) copy all files in the zip to the Pwads sub folder and then place the games folder in Risen 3Ds default Games Folder.
That's it:
I do not need to make any command line entries, save paths, shortcuts and define IWAD to be used, or do anything else.
I then run Risen 3D FrontEnd launcher and click on the game's name in the list (name is picked up from name of its folder) and the (game if compatible launches and runs).
If I wish to use such a structure with ZDE then it would be helpful if ZDE allowed a user path setting for the main Games folder (for 3rd party Pwads)
This post is NOT an intent to criticize but to offer info on issues I have found with MY set-up and feature requests that I feel would make ZDE a GREAT FrontEnd that would leave ZDL in its wake for a lot of users.
I hope I have explained clearly (and not waffled too much)
Thanks for reading
Kindest regards and Respect
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
When I save Profiles for both freedoom IWADS the profiles refer to GameWAD="13" and GameWAD="14")
HOWEVER if you try loading these Profiles back into ZDE an error message appears
"The IWAD selected in this Profile no longer exists or its name has been changed; please reconfigure the IWAD.
I checked the profile and it refers to the correct GameWADs 13 and 14 and the names have not changed.
After a little intuition and experimentation I found that ZDE thinks these two Later Added freedoom IWADS are ACTUALLY GameWAD="7" and GameWAD="8" (not 13 and 14).
I edited the 2 profiles to reflect these new numbers and NOW ZDE can recognize the IWADs and load their profiles without error (and I can then create shortcuts for them)
I assume as they are the 7th and 8th IWADS that I have installed with ZDE, that ZDE is ignoring the non existent IWADS in between that I do not have and renumbering based on the 9 IWADS I DO have (0 to 8) even though the freedoom IWADS are 13th and 14th in the input IWAD list and 13 and 14 are what ZDE saves to their profiles.
I think ZDE needs to recognize the number an IWAD is in your input list (13 and 14) (and not renumber based those that exist) to avoid inconsistency, confusion and error messages.
Hope this helps bloodbat
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Hi bloodbat :)
just came across your ZD Executor and discussions in "http://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=46861&start=45" which apart from you latest post seems to have petered out since mid December 2014.
I love what I have seen so far of ZD Executor. Thanks for all your effort.
There are 2 front ends I have used to date for Doom wads (Risen 3D Launcher (my favourite) and ZDL (good but I find too manual).
I truthfully would only use Risen 3D but it cannot run many ZDoom or GZdoom 3rd party Pwads where GZdoom with a FrontEnd can.
Consequently I need 2 engines Risen 3d and GZdoom and two launches. Risen 3D's and another. To date ZDL seemed the best (although noting like as simple as Risen 3D's however it is barely or not supported any more and ZDE seems to me the nearest to being the new favourite for users who want a ZDoom/GZDoom FrontEnd/launcher
I have tried out your ZDE and think it is VERY nice and will be be a great replacement for ZDL but FOR ME it has one or 2 issues and a few features I'd love to see which I feel could be very easy to incorporated and are important to make it a great/best FrontEnd. Hopefully you agree.
I only play single player games so cannot comment on the Multiplayer aspects of ZDE.
MY system is: Windows 7 Ultimate X64
=================
First the ISSUES (or I am not doing things correctly)
If I try to save the profile and then immediately create a shortcut without loading the same profile back into ZDE it does not create the correct paths (took me a long time to realize what I currently need to do to create a working shortcut.)
What I tried and WANTED TO DO (which I thought logical)
Create the profile for an IWAD or whatever. (Let us say Plutonia).
a) I chose my settings and saved that profile.
b) I then clicked on Tools> Create Shortcut From Current Profile
c) I chose my path and named the shortcut Plutonia.ink
HOWEVER the shortcut path created is only "E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\zde.exe" -R -X
when I expected
"E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\zde.exe" -R "E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\Game Profiles\Plutonia.zdeprof" -X
To ME it does not seem to make sense that I must load back the same profile that is already currently in ZDE if I want to create a shortcut that is correct and works.
I personally would expect most people to do what I tried. Save the profile and whilst it is still currently in ZDE create a shortcut. I feel ZDE should be able to do that ONCE the USER has actually saved the Profile as it should now know all it needs.
=============
FOR ME with the fonts and fonts sizes etc. that I use on my system that are ideal for my 1920 x1080 monitor I am finding the text labels on the Initial IWADS set-up window and 2 ZDE tabs are truncated or extend over borders or wrap (with 2nd lines clipped off bottoms in most cases).
a) a IWADS Set-up Window - flawed text labels listed below (others are OK)
I see
Doom 2 - Hell on Eart (then input field)
Final Doom - TNT: (then input field)
Evilution (wrapped and the bottom 15% approx. of THIS lines text clipped off)
Final Doom - The (then input field)
Plutonia (wrapped and the bottom 15% approx. of This lines text clipped off)
Hexen: Beyond Heret (then input field)
Hexen: Deathkings (then input field)
of the Dark Citadel (wrapped and the bottom 15% approx.of THIS lines text clipped off)
The rest are OK.
Interestingly so is the wrapped 2nd line of
Action Doom 2:
Urban Brawl
where the 2nd line Urban Brawl text is shown OK WITHOUT any bottom clipped off.
--
b) Game Tab. All text labels are OK but in the IWAD ready only field one name is cut off.
I see "Final Doom: The Plutonia Experiment (DM st"
I do not know what the cut off part should be.
--
c) Advanced Tab (Win 32 section)
"Tick box" and No idle is OK
but under that for next entry I see
"Tick box" Disable Joystick Suppor (r is half cut off as it rest of text by the box border
===========================
REQUESTS
1
Would it be possible to allow users to set their own default location for .zde.cfg.
I agree the place you assign by default is logical as a default. however, I like many users like to keep my data files out of my root drive (usually C:)as much as possible.
The logic being if my System falls over and I need to restore my latest working backup file of the C: Drive (I use Acronis True Image Home). When the restore is completed all changes since the backup are lost (of course) AND the most current games and application files that were stored at on that drive are totally lost. Consequentially I like to keep all data files (i.e. config files, save files, etc.) on a specific Data drive or in the case of my games on the games drive inside the actual Game folder.
Either way if you gave options to allow Users to use the ZDE default or set a User defined path then everybody would be accommodated according to their needs.
Please can we have User defined default path options for for Profiles & Shortcuts folders. So when a User clicks Save profile or Shortcuts it will always first open the defined path (be it ZDE's default or the Users)> Currently ZDE seems to open with the last accessed folder whether it be ZDE, games, IWADS, shortcuts or profiles etc.
Please forgive me for bringing up Risen 3D but it has 2 excellent aspects I really REALLY like above all other FrontEnds/launchers I have seen and I'd really love it if you are willing and happy to incorporate similar in your excellent ZDE
a) Risen 3D FrontEnd/Launcher has a Default opening tab where games shortcuts are in a scrollable list (alpha order) which is wonderful as I can open it scan down the shortcuts and I can launch my desired game by clicking on item.
I have yet to see a ZDoom/GZdoom FrontEnd that offers this (what I feel is a highly desirable and helpful feature). Most, maybe All, seem only interested in helping creating profiles & shortcuts (in some) but not going to (what I feel obvious from a USER perspective)the 3rd stage of a shortcut list where the desired game can be launched.
All (ZDE included unless I am missing something) either require a specific profile to be loaded and then it can be launched or as with ZDE the user can alternatively open a windows Explorer folder and then select the required shortcut .ink to launch the game.
May I make a BIG request that you add a Tab Launcher in which it has a scrollable list of ZDE shortcuts that can be launched by clicking on the desired title. That would be truly wonderful and easy to use and a complete package
b) Risen 3D has a folder logic I like, namely it has an IWADS folder or folders) (as does ZDE) BUT it is based upon separate folders for EACH 3rd party Pwad (named with game title) . There are 2 sub folders Pwads (where all the 3rd Party game's files go and a "savegame" folder where ONLY that particular game's save files will be saved and stored.
so the structure is Folder name <3rd party name> with 2 folders "Pwads" (where the 3rd party files are all placed) and "savegame" where Risen 3D will save all saves for that game only.
Because Risen 3D follows this structure it means (I believe):
a) different games saves cannot be accidentally overwritten by another's save file(s),
b)it is obvious which save files belongs to which game.
c)It allows Risen 3D to auto set-up its profile and extra save command lines etc. for each game because it knows what types of files to look for, the path structure for Pwad and savegame files (as all are in each games Pwads and savegame sub folders.
As a consequence users USUALLY do not have make ANY extra command line entries, shortcuts or profiles Risen 3 D even seems to know (guess correctly) which IWAD should be used for each 3rd party Pwad game launched by user.
All I normally have to do is:
i)Download the 3rd Party zip file
ii) create a folder with that "game's" name with sub folders Pwads and savegame.
iii) copy all files in the zip to the Pwads sub folder and then place the games folder in Risen 3Ds default Games Folder.
That's it:
I do not need to make any command line entries, save paths, shortcuts and define IWAD to be used, or do anything else.
I then run Risen 3D FrontEnd launcher and click on the game's name in the list (name is picked up from name of its folder) and the (game if compatible launches and runs).
This post is NOT an intent to criticize but to offer info on issues I have found with MY set-up and feature requests that I feel would make ZDE a GREAT FrontEnd that would leave ZDL in its wake for a lot of users.
I hope I have explained clearly (and not waffled too much)
Thanks for reading
Kindest regards and Respect
Hi bloodbat :)
Just found another issue relating to freedoom Phase1 and freedoom phase 2 IWADS with profile creation and reloading into ZDE.
I added these 2 freedoom IWADS
this is the consequential new "C:\Users\User.zde.cfg" file:
<config>
<zde recent0="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\ZDE Game Profiles\FreeDoom Phase 1.zdeprof" recent1="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\ZDE Game Profiles\test.zdeprof" recent2="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\ZDE Game Profiles\FreeDoom Phase 2.zdeprof" recent3="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\ZDE Game Profiles\FeeDoom Phase 1.zdeprof" recent4="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\ZD Executor\ZDE Game Profiles\Plutonia.zdeprof" firstrun="False" windposx="111" windposy="448" showpaths="True" checkiwad="False" quickprof1="" quickprof2="" quickprof3="" quickprof4="" quickprof5="" closeonlaunch="False">
<wadfile0 name="Ultimate Doom 1 v.1.9" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\doom.wad" wadtype="1" gametype="0">
<wadfile1 name="Doom 2: Hell on Earth v.1.9" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\doom2.wad" wadtype="0" gametype="1">
<wadfile2 name="Final Doom: TNT Evilution Unknown" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\tnt.wad" wadtype="0" gametype="2">
<wadfile3 name="Final Doom: The Plutonia Experiment (DM starts bug)" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\PLUTONIA.WAD" wadtype="0" gametype="3">
<wadfile4 name="Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders v.1.3" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\HERETIC.WAD" wadtype="1" gametype="4">
<wadfile5 name="Hexen: Beyond Heretic v.1.1" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\hexen.wad" wadtype="0" gametype="5">
<wadfile6 name="Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel v.1.0" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\HEXDD.WAD" wadtype="0" gametype="6">
<wadfile7 name="" path="" wadtype="3" gametype="17">
<wadfile8 name="" path="" wadtype="3" gametype="17">
<wadfile9 name="" path="" wadtype="3" gametype="17">
<wadfile10 name="" path="" wadtype="3" gametype="17">
<wadfile11 name="" path="" wadtype="3" gametype="17">
<wadfile12 name="" path="" wadtype="3" gametype="17">
<wadfile13 name="Freedoom: Phase 1 v.0.9" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\freedoom1.wad" wadtype="1" gametype="13">
<wadfile14 name="Freedoom: Phase 2 v.0.9" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\Iwads\freedoom2.wad" wadtype="0" gametype="14">
<wadfile15 name="" path="" wadtype="3" gametype="17">
<engines count="1">
<engine0 name="GZdoom" path="E:\GAMES\GZDoom\gzdoom.exe">
</engine0></engines></wadfile15></wadfile14></wadfile13></wadfile12></wadfile11></wadfile10></wadfile9></wadfile8></wadfile7></wadfile6></wadfile5></wadfile4></wadfile3></wadfile2></wadfile1></wadfile0></zde>
</config>
When I save Profiles for both freedoom IWADS the profiles refer to GameWAD="13" and GameWAD="14")
HOWEVER if you try loading these Profiles back into ZDE an error message appears
"The IWAD selected in this Profile no longer exists or its name has been changed; please reconfigure the IWAD.
I checked the profile and it refers to the correct GameWADs 13 and 14 and the names have not changed.
After a little intuition and experimentation I found that ZDE thinks these two Later Added freedoom IWADS are ACTUALLY GameWAD="7" and GameWAD="8" (not 13 and 14).
I edited the 2 profiles to reflect these new numbers and NOW ZDE can recognize the IWADs and load their profiles without error (and I can then create shortcuts for them)
I assume as they are the 7th and 8th IWADS that I have installed with ZDE, that ZDE is ignoring the non existent IWADS in between that I do not have and renumbering based on the 9 IWADS I DO have (0 to 8) even though the freedoom IWADS are 13th and 14th in the input IWAD list and 13 and 14 are what ZDE saves to their profiles.
I think ZDE needs to recognize the number an IWAD is in your input list (13 and 14) (and not renumber based those that exist) to avoid inconsistency, confusion and error messages.
Hope this helps bloodbat