Playlist Auto Generate Tutorial

[Lordmonkus]

This is a feature that while not difficult is semi hidden in Launchbox so here is a guide to help get started with them.

The first thing you want to do is using the drop down menu on the top left hand side of the Launchbox window is to select "Playlists".

Next you will want to press the + button that you see at the top right of the above screencap, this will then bring you to the following window where you will set it all up.

Name it what you want to call it and if you want the playlist to show when viewing platforms check the "Include this Playlist in Platforms Lists" box and if you want it to show in a specific Platform Category choose from the dropdown menu below the checkbox.

Next go to the Auto-Populate tab and check the "Auto-Populate this Playlist" box. You will now be able to set all the different parameters that the list can be generated using.

The screen shots above will generate a playlist of games tagged with the genre of shooter in the games meta data. This of course as it sits will grab every single game in your library which can be rather unwieldy so let's narrow it down to only NES games.

Click the Ok button and your playlist should now be showing on the left.

You can use the Field, Comparison and Value to customize your playlists quite a lot. If you want to modify a playlist or remove it simply right click it and choose what you want to do from the context menu.

[vaderag]

Great - I totally missed this and exactly what I'm looking for...

Just wondering - is there an easy way to use this to get a Neo Geo (for example) Playlist for Mame?

[Tatts4Life]

Is there a way with Big Box inside the Arcade/MAME playlist to have it display systems and then that display games? In LB it has the option to display the system and I can see the games in that system. But I'm having trouble with BB figuring out what to do.

[coolspot]

Is there a way to add a dynamic filter - i.e. where platform= 'current platform'? I want to create a star rating playlist per platform, but I don't want to manually create one per platform.

Thanks!

[Darkholme]

Is there a way to use more than 2 criteria to fill a playlist? For instance, I'm trying to make some Genre playlists for games not in a series; and I also want a catch-all playlist to see any games that are neither in a series nor in one of my genre playlists.

This kind of filtering works with 2 criteria, but not 3 for some reason.
 

[Corgan]

I created a universal "recently played" playlist that show the last played games across all platforms.  I've also added it to the Platforms view.  I would like for this playlist to be automatically selected when starting BigBox.  Is there a way to make a specific menu item (a playlist acting as a platform) the default when booting BigBox?

[adamtoth]

Feature Request:

I like this feature, but would love to see it leverage OR conditions, and also more Comparison types, like Does Not Contain. For example, for the Nintendo Classics playlist from MAME, I'd like to be able to include all games where Publisher = Nintendo OR Title Contains "Vs." to also catch some of the Konami-developed Nintendo VS games. I'm also showing some "Game and Watch" handheld games in my Arcade platform Nintendo Classics playlist. I'd love to filter these out with a Publisher = Nintendo AND Title Does Not Contain "Game and Watch". And to be able to Nest/Combine these AND and OR conditions.

[Rlad]

I've been trying to make a playlist with contains genre 'Platform' but not 'Platform / Shooter Scrolling', but this doesnt seem possible without a 'does not contain'.

Edited September 21, 2020 by Rlad

[whazzzzzup17]

Is there a way to auto-generate only if its a complete word, with parenthesis?

Meaning, I want to create a 007 playlist, however, if I create a filter for "Title" and "007" it shows me tons of options such as MLB 2007, NFL 2007, etc.

 

Also, if I want to show Mario only and not Super Mario, you would think to add (2) title criteria, but this doesn't work as intended.

• Title - Contains - Mario
• Title - Does not equal - Super

The setup above, will output every title without Super and does not account for the first title option "Mario"

 

 

Edited September 28, 2020 by whazzzzzup17
Additional request

[Retrofrogg]

Keen for a "does not contain" rule also.

[Mr.Laor]

I've been hoping for more advanced auto Playlist options for a long time. Really need "and," "or" "but not/not" options. 

[VinceF]

Is the ability to create a playlist only if you've paid for premium or Big Box?  I've looked based on the screen shots above and don't seem to have that ability with the free version.... just wondering.

 

[JimboJambo86]

On 9/28/2020 at 12:39 AM, whazzzzzup17 said:

Is there a way to auto-generate only if its a complete word, with parenthesis?

Meaning, I want to create a 007 playlist, however, if I create a filter for "Title" and "007" it shows me tons of options such as MLB 2007, NFL 2007, etc.

 

Also, if I want to show Mario only and not Super Mario, you would think to add (2) title criteria, but this doesn't work as intended.

• Title - Contains - Mario
• Title - Does not equal - Super

The setup above, will output every title without Super and does not account for the first title option "Mario"

 

 

Just discovering this issue also. Trying to amend the sports arcade playlist to not include "Sport / Soccer" games as i have them in a separate playlist.

[mgtroyas]

Same problem here. I try to create a playlist of Capcom arcade games that aren't cps1, cps2 nor cps3 source (which have separate playlists). It's not working as multiple conditions over same field.

@Jason Carr There’s a simple solution: for “Editor” or "Developer" fields there are already additional operators “Has all the values”, “Has at least one of the values” and “Doesn’t have any of the values” for semicolon separated multiple values list. This just needs to be extended to the other text based fields (Title, Source, Region, Platform...).

I think this bitbucket ticket applies: https://bitbucket.org/jasondavidcarr/launchbox/issues/4565/playlist-auto-populate-suggestions-and-or

Edited June 22, 2021 by mgtroyas

[C-Beats]

Hello @mgtroyas, Thanks for the suggestion. I've put a few more comparison types in LaunchBox for string fields that should be coming out in the next beta release that should help with issues like this. I'll review the types you mentioned and see what we can do.

[C-Beats]

@mgtroyas Your requested feature is in the recently release 11.13 beta 1 build. Can leave any comments about it here: 

 

[mgtroyas]

@C-Beats Mmm perhaps I'm doing something wrong, but I get this exception, both using "," or ";" as separators:

 

The option is marked red when selected on the list, and isn't translated to Spanish, perhaps it's missing the translation.

(Inner Exception)

The given key 'DoesntContain' was not present in the dictionary.

App:     LaunchBox
Version: 11.13-beta-1
Type:    System.Collections.Generic.KeyNotFoundException
Site:    Void ThrowKeyNotFoundException[T](T)
Source:  System.Private.CoreLib

   at System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2.get_Item(TKey key)
   at Unbroken.LaunchBox.Windows.Data.FieldComparisonTypes.GetComparisonType(String comparisonTypeKey)
   at Unbroken.LaunchBox.Windows.Desktop.ViewModels.AddEditPlaylistViewModel.DefineXmlCollection(Object )
   at Unbroken.LaunchBox.Windows.Desktop.ViewModels.AddEditPlaylistViewModel.Save()


(Outer Exception)

Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.

App:     LaunchBox
Version: 11.13-beta-1
Type:    System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException
Site:    System.Object InvokeMethod(System.Object, System.Object[], System.Signature, Boolean, Boolean)
Source:  System.Private.CoreLib

   at System.RuntimeMethodHandle.InvokeMethod(Object target, Object[] arguments, Signature sig, Boolean constructor, Boolean wrapExceptions)
   at System.Reflection.RuntimeMethodInfo.Invoke(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
   at System.Reflection.MethodBase.Invoke(Object obj, Object[] parameters)
   at Caliburn.Micro.ActionMessage.<>c.<.cctor>b__33_0(ActionExecutionContext context)
   at Caliburn.Micro.ActionMessage.Invoke(Object eventArgs)
   at System.Windows.Interactivity.TriggerBase.InvokeActions(Object parameter)
   at System.Windows.Interactivity.EventTriggerBase.OnEvent(EventArgs eventArgs)
   at System.Windows.Interactivity.EventTriggerBase.OnEventImpl(Object sender, EventArgs eventArgs)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.ButtonBase.OnClick()
   at System.Windows.Controls.Button.OnClick()
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.ButtonBase.OnMouseLeftButtonUp(MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.OnMouseLeftButtonUpThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.ReRaiseEventAs(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args, RoutedEvent newEvent)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.OnMouseUpThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseTrustedEvent(RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessStagingArea()
   at System.Windows.Input.InputProviderSite.ReportInput(InputReport inputReport)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.ReportInput(IntPtr hwnd, InputMode mode, Int32 timestamp, RawMouseActions actions, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 wheel)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, WindowMessage msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.InputFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)

Recent Log:

   9:51:55 Exception

 

Edited June 28, 2021 by mgtroyas

[neil9000]

2 hours ago, mgtroyas said:

@C-Beats Mmm perhaps I'm doing something wrong, but I get this exception, both using "," or ";" as separators:

 

The option is marked red when selected on the list, and isn't translated to Spanish, perhaps it's missing the translation.

(Inner Exception)

The given key 'DoesntContain' was not present in the dictionary.

App:     LaunchBox
Version: 11.13-beta-1
Type:    System.Collections.Generic.KeyNotFoundException
Site:    Void ThrowKeyNotFoundException[T](T)
Source:  System.Private.CoreLib

   at System.Collections.Generic.Dictionary`2.get_Item(TKey key)
   at Unbroken.LaunchBox.Windows.Data.FieldComparisonTypes.GetComparisonType(String comparisonTypeKey)
   at Unbroken.LaunchBox.Windows.Desktop.ViewModels.AddEditPlaylistViewModel.DefineXmlCollection(Object )
   at Unbroken.LaunchBox.Windows.Desktop.ViewModels.AddEditPlaylistViewModel.Save()


(Outer Exception)

Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation.

App:     LaunchBox
Version: 11.13-beta-1
Type:    System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException
Site:    System.Object InvokeMethod(System.Object, System.Object[], System.Signature, Boolean, Boolean)
Source:  System.Private.CoreLib

   at System.RuntimeMethodHandle.InvokeMethod(Object target, Object[] arguments, Signature sig, Boolean constructor, Boolean wrapExceptions)
   at System.Reflection.RuntimeMethodInfo.Invoke(Object obj, BindingFlags invokeAttr, Binder binder, Object[] parameters, CultureInfo culture)
   at System.Reflection.MethodBase.Invoke(Object obj, Object[] parameters)
   at Caliburn.Micro.ActionMessage.<>c.<.cctor>b__33_0(ActionExecutionContext context)
   at Caliburn.Micro.ActionMessage.Invoke(Object eventArgs)
   at System.Windows.Interactivity.TriggerBase.InvokeActions(Object parameter)
   at System.Windows.Interactivity.EventTriggerBase.OnEvent(EventArgs eventArgs)
   at System.Windows.Interactivity.EventTriggerBase.OnEventImpl(Object sender, EventArgs eventArgs)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.ButtonBase.OnClick()
   at System.Windows.Controls.Button.OnClick()
   at System.Windows.Controls.Primitives.ButtonBase.OnMouseLeftButtonUp(MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.OnMouseLeftButtonUpThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.ReRaiseEventAs(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args, RoutedEvent newEvent)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.OnMouseUpThunk(Object sender, MouseButtonEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseTrustedEvent(RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessStagingArea()
   at System.Windows.Input.InputProviderSite.ReportInput(InputReport inputReport)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.ReportInput(IntPtr hwnd, InputMode mode, Int32 timestamp, RawMouseActions actions, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 wheel)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, WindowMessage msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.InputFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)

Recent Log:

   9:51:55 Exception

 

Maybe a section can only have one definition so separators do not work. Have you tried a separate entry for each source?

[mgtroyas]

No, that was the way I tried on 11.12, seems still not being valid. With three separated "Source" sections, all 164 games are shown:

With only one section, filtering works (130 games shown):

For comparison, no "Source" filtering, all 164 games shown:

Ok but I've found how to make it work! I must use the "No tiene ninguno de los valores" ("Doesn't have any of the values") instead, then only 86 games are shown as expected:

So seems that option is working. Anyway I think "Doesn't contain" has some problem, as it's marked in red when selected, and if used the error exception shows when accepting changes:

[mgtroyas]

I suspect "Has at least one of the values" option isn't also working. I tested even with only one option, and in any case it shows zero results.