Basic Questions.

[HatefulGravey]

I have decided this software will run my MAME machine in the near future. I'm loving Launch Box and look forward to getting the paid features as soon as I'm all set up on the other machine. My questions then. 

 

How do I scrape for game art and such after the initial import? It asks if you want to download the bezels and videos and such when you import the files manually but I don't have the accounts for the video files yet and I'm noticing that there aren't bezels for some consoles that I feel like there should be. Is there a way to go back and tell the software to get those videos or other art work? I saw a folder for manuals in the file system. Can LB get those for me too somehow?

 

I am setting up LB on my main PC to test it. I have clearly decided LB is my plan moving forward. Can I just move the LB folder to my new machine and run everything like I can on this PC or do I need to go through all the setup again on the PC in the MAME machine? I'll do the work again, but it would be nice to be able to set everything up on this machine and then swap everything over at one time.

 

I know this is basic stuff, but I'm grateful for your time. 

[JoeViking245]

25 minutes ago, HatefulGravey said:

How do I scrape for game art and such after the initial import?

Select a game, then press Ctrl+A (to select all games in that platform).  Then Tools < Download < Update Metadata and Media for Selected Games...

Sticking with MAME (Arcade), I suggest selecting Advertisement Flyer - Front in leu of Box-Front as arcade cabinets weren't shipped in 'boxes'.  Crates, yeah.  

Videos and Manuals only come from EmuMovies.  The LaunchBox Database doesn't have those.  When you purchase you LB license, I believe they also provide a discount code for an EmuMovies subscription (which is required for downloading from within LB).

 

35 minutes ago, HatefulGravey said:

Can I just move the LB folder to my new machine and run everything like I can on this PC

Again, sticking with MAME, yes.  It's easiest to manage if your emulator(s) are installed in /LaunchBox/Emulators/.  Then it's just a matter of moving the /LaunchBox/ folder.

Some emulators, by default are not portable. They'll store some of their data in your C:\Users\JoeViking\AppData\emu_name\ folder. (there, or in \Documents\, or somewhere else).  But most can be made "portable" so their data is stored within the emulators folder.  Varies by emulator.

 

Regarding bezels for other consoles that should have them, that will be console specific.  (aka need more info)  But that's all outside of my wheelhouse.  So the "more info" would be for someone else. 😁

[HatefulGravey]

Thank you, JoeViking245. Your advice worked perfectly. It alleviated most of my concerns with managing the the media. If I'm honest it also encouraged me to take a closer look at the menus and I found a few other things I like. I should have found the answer myself, it was pretty clear once I knew it was there. 

If I may, is there a way to delete the file when I delete a game from my LB? I can see where this could be risky, but I'm pruning my games list and it would be helpful to click one button and do it all in one place.

Is there a way to display another image when the box front image is not available? I know I can set things such that a different image is displayed for everything, but what I would like is a default to the box front image and a fall back to another image I would set.

[JoeViking245]

6 minutes ago, HatefulGravey said:

If I'm honest it also encouraged me to take a closer look at the menus and I found a few other things I like.

In my 7 years on the forums, I think you are the 1st person I've ever heard say you actually looked, or better yet, were encouraged to look through the menus.  Thank you! 

Keep it up and you'll soon find you can answer most all you're own questions.    Case-in-point.....

 

11 minutes ago, HatefulGravey said:

is there a way to delete the file when I delete a game from my LB?

Tools < Options < General - Allow deleting ROMs

If your MAME set is Merged or Split, it's strongly suggested you don't allow that. With a non-merged set (strongly suggested to use [for many reasons]), there won't be any issues.  Conversely, if "you know MAME", knock yourself out.

 

14 minutes ago, HatefulGravey said:

Is there a way to display another image when the box front image is not available?

Tools < Options < Media < Box Front Priorities

There you can set what fallbacks you want and in what order to look.

[HatefulGravey]

Thanks again. I couldn't blame LB is both those options were left out. 

I decided to go ahead and purchase a license for my PC now with the understanding that I would need to buy a license for my MAME machine in the end. Imagine my glee when I found out I could use the same license for that PC as well. I'm officially recommending this software. A1 great stuff here!