[zachmorris]

Long time lurker, first time poster!

@zachmorris
First of all. Love the Add On!
After some tinkering with Retroarch it works like a champ.

A quick question regarding the default skin.
I'm trying to adapt IARL to my skin of choice Artic Zephyr. (Haven't seen any other skin mods yet.)
What I'm trying to do is to change the launch window to 1080i and use the roms fanart as a background in that window.
Can't for the love of me figure out how to do that.
Possible without too much hacking?
If so... Can someone give me any pointers how this can be accomplished?

Thanks!

You have a couple of options, both involve editing xml files:
1) You can edit this windowxml file to suit your needs
2) You can create one from the Arctic Zephyr skin (using the info dialog windowxml as a template). The xml file above has the 'slideshow' type listitems you can use if you want. Alternatively, you can use some non-standard listitem properties each game has. A good list starts here and includes fanart/boxart/snapshots/logo/etc.

Skinning definitely isn't my forte. I hope once retroplayer is part of Kodi, skins will come around and include some better views for games.

[MrInternetJunkie]

Thanks buddy,

Yes, I've already started by copying the mentioned default.xml into a new directory called 1080i.
Positioning is rather easy but I couldn't really figure out how to use the fanart background.
Browsing through a lot of different skins I now have a great respect for the skin developers out there.
Much more work involved than I think people realize. Kudos to them.
Anyways.
So I guess by replacing this.

Code:

<texture>$INFO[Window(HOME).Property(iarl.bg_color)]</texture>

With something else I could achieve what I'm after.
I'm thinking of getting the fanart as a background and then overlay that with an opaque shade would give me a nice integration with Arctic Zephyr.

[MrInternetJunkie]

Spent a couple of hours on this yesterday without any luck.
Python definitely isn't my strong suit. Find it a bit confusing.
Using
$INFO[Container(112).ListItem.Thumb]
Gives me the all the fanarts in a slideshow fashion.
That kinda works but shifting those "large" images quickly in the background doesn't give the me the calm, solid effect I'm after.
Using the first fanart in that slideshow would be ideal.
This is also the same fanart that is used in the list view.
I would assume that there is some standard function/variable or similar that updates this fanart as it seems to be skin independent.
I've tried to read up on the Kodi skinning information.
Specifically http://kodi.wiki/view/InfoLabels
I've tried a bunch of different options here.
Something like $INFO[Fanart.Image] (probably wrong syntax) is this available to use?

Will just set a solid background for the time being until I can figure this one out.
I will try to avoid altering the addon.py code since I would prefer to keep this just in the skon XML-file.

[zachmorris]

Spent a couple of hours on this yesterday without any luck.
Python definitely isn't my strong suit. Find it a bit confusing.
Using
$INFO[Container(112).ListItem.Thumb]
Gives me the all the fanarts in a slideshow fashion.
That kinda works but shifting those "large" images quickly in the background doesn't give the me the calm, solid effect I'm after.
Using the first fanart in that slideshow would be ideal.
This is also the same fanart that is used in the list view.
I would assume that there is some standard function/variable or similar that updates this fanart as it seems to be skin independent.
I've tried to read up on the Kodi skinning information.
Specifically http://kodi.wiki/view/InfoLabels
I've tried a bunch of different options here.
Something like $INFO[Fanart.Image] (probably wrong syntax) is this available to use?

Will just set a solid background for the time being until I can figure this one out.
I will try to avoid altering the addon.py code since I would prefer to keep this just in the skon XML-file.

For static images, it would be the listitem properties. You should be able to use some of the standard ones like:
ListItem.Art(fanart) or ListItem.Property(Fanart_Image)
ListItem.Art(poster)

and then the non-standard ones in the code I linked:

ListItem.Property(fanart1), ListItem.Property(fanart2) etc
ListItem.Property(boxart1), ListItem.Property(boxart2) etc
ListItem.Property(banner1) etc
ListItem.Property(snapshot1) etc
ListItem.Property(logo1) etc


Here's a better list of all the properties an item could have.

[MrInternetJunkie]

Spent a couple of hours on this yesterday without any luck.
Python definitely isn't my strong suit. Find it a bit confusing.
Using
$INFO[Container(112).ListItem.Thumb]
Gives me the all the fanarts in a slideshow fashion.
That kinda works but shifting those "large" images quickly in the background doesn't give the me the calm, solid effect I'm after.
Using the first fanart in that slideshow would be ideal.
This is also the same fanart that is used in the list view.
I would assume that there is some standard function/variable or similar that updates this fanart as it seems to be skin independent.
I've tried to read up on the Kodi skinning information.
Specifically http://kodi.wiki/view/InfoLabels
I've tried a bunch of different options here.
Something like $INFO[Fanart.Image] (probably wrong syntax) is this available to use?

Will just set a solid background for the time being until I can figure this one out.
I will try to avoid altering the addon.py code since I would prefer to keep this just in the skon XML-file.

For static images, it would be the listitem properties. You should be able to use some of the standard ones like:
ListItem.Art(fanart) or ListItem.Property(Fanart_Image)
ListItem.Art(poster)

and then the non-standard ones in the code I linked:

ListItem.Property(fanart1), ListItem.Property(fanart2) etc
ListItem.Property(boxart1), ListItem.Property(boxart2) etc
ListItem.Property(banner1) etc
ListItem.Property(snapshot1) etc
ListItem.Property(logo1) etc


Here's a better list of all the properties an item could have.

Hi Zach,

Thanks. But I've already tried all of that without any luck.
I assume it has to be referenced like an Infolabel in the default.xml like this.

Code:

<control type="image">
            <description>Background Image</description>
            <posx>0</posx>
            <posy>0</posy>
            <width>1280</width>
            <height>720</height>
            <texture>$INFO[ListItem.Art(fanart)]</texture>
            <ondown>3001</ondown>
            <onup>3001</onup>
            <onleft>3001</onleft>
            <onright>3001</onright>
        </control>

Still no luck though.
Or am I misunderstanding how to use ListItem.Art?

[zachmorris]

Spent a couple of hours on this yesterday without any luck.
Python definitely isn't my strong suit. Find it a bit confusing.
Using
$INFO[Container(112).ListItem.Thumb]
Gives me the all the fanarts in a slideshow fashion.
That kinda works but shifting those "large" images quickly in the background doesn't give the me the calm, solid effect I'm after.
Using the first fanart in that slideshow would be ideal.
This is also the same fanart that is used in the list view.
I would assume that there is some standard function/variable or similar that updates this fanart as it seems to be skin independent.
I've tried to read up on the Kodi skinning information.
Specifically http://kodi.wiki/view/InfoLabels
I've tried a bunch of different options here.
Something like $INFO[Fanart.Image] (probably wrong syntax) is this available to use?

Will just set a solid background for the time being until I can figure this one out.
I will try to avoid altering the addon.py code since I would prefer to keep this just in the skon XML-file.

For static images, it would be the listitem properties. You should be able to use some of the standard ones like:
ListItem.Art(fanart) or ListItem.Property(Fanart_Image)
ListItem.Art(poster)

and then the non-standard ones in the code I linked:

ListItem.Property(fanart1), ListItem.Property(fanart2) etc
ListItem.Property(boxart1), ListItem.Property(boxart2) etc
ListItem.Property(banner1) etc
ListItem.Property(snapshot1) etc
ListItem.Property(logo1) etc


Here's a better list of all the properties an item could have.

Hi Zach,

Thanks. But I've already tried all of that without any luck.
I assume it has to be referenced like an Infolabel in the default.xml like this.

Code:

<control type="image">
            <description>Background Image</description>
            <posx>0</posx>
            <posy>0</posy>
            <width>1280</width>
            <height>720</height>
            <texture>$INFO[ListItem.Art(fanart)]</texture>
            <ondown>3001</ondown>
            <onup>3001</onup>
            <onleft>3001</onleft>
            <onright>3001</onright>
        </control>

Still no luck though.
Or am I misunderstanding how to use ListItem.Art?

No, thats what I would expect it to be. I'll have to play around with it.

[MrInternetJunkie]

OK, thanks Zach.

I'm running Krypton RC2 if that makes any difference.
(Don't think it should in this case but worth mentioning anyway.)

[Robdogbird]

Hey Zack, first I want to say your addon is fantastic and your dedication to responding to users is impressive and appreciated! I apologize in advance if there is something I missed in the series of posts 633-648 between you and ScottMU where a workaround for the 7z issue was discussed. I have 2 Amazon Boxes, 1 Amazon stick, a rooted 7 in fire tablet running cyanogenmod 12 and a fire hd 8 not rooted, all have kodi 16 and I have been setting up IARL on all of them.

My question is in reference to the 7z error workaround that ScottMU described. You reference checking "Kodi System>Settings>Addons>Search and search for 'system tools', can you verify you see 'Script - System Tools' " but when I search I cannot find any reference of the Script - System Tools installed on my Kodi setup or available to install. I saw many posters asking about the 7z error who clearly didn't read enough to see it is not yet supported on Android and I wondered if there is anything I could to help test an Android fix?

I was able to download the 7z archive file for PS1 Crash Bandicoot with IARL, extract the 7z using 7zipper app from play store and play the game so it seems that all the pieces are here. I was hoping with some direction from you a may be able to write a more detailed workaround procedure which may help stop all the posters here asking about the error!

So I guess my starting point is ScottMU was running LibraELEC and I was wondering if Script - System Tools and his work around was specific to that build?

[zachmorris]

Hey Zack, first I want to say your addon is fantastic and your dedication to responding to users is impressive and appreciated! I apologize in advance if there is something I missed in the series of posts 633-648 between you and ScottMU where a workaround for the 7z issue was discussed. I have 2 Amazon Boxes, 1 Amazon stick, a rooted 7 in fire tablet running cyanogenmod 12 and a fire hd 8 not rooted, all have kodi 16 and I have been setting up IARL on all of them.

My question is in reference to the 7z error workaround that ScottMU described. You reference checking "Kodi System>Settings>Addons>Search and search for 'system tools', can you verify you see 'Script - System Tools' " but when I search I cannot find any reference of the Script - System Tools installed on my Kodi setup or available to install. I saw many posters asking about the 7z error who clearly didn't read enough to see it is not yet supported on Android and I wondered if there is anything I could to help test an Android fix?

I was able to download the 7z archive file for PS1 Crash Bandicoot with IARL, extract the 7z using 7zipper app from play store and play the game so it seems that all the pieces are here. I was hoping with some direction from you a may be able to write a more detailed workaround procedure which may help stop all the posters here asking about the error!

So I guess my starting point is ScottMU was running LibraELEC and I was wondering if Script - System Tools and his work around was specific to that build?

Yeah, 7zip for android is such a pain in the @ss. I *thought* I had a solution, but it turns out non-rooted android boxes will not allow command line type commands to be sent from python (at least not in a way i could find that works).
System Tools is an addon specific to LibreElec that includes 7zip. I've updated the addon to install that tool as an option, and if it's present on your system, my addon should use it. Windows / OSX / Linux I've tested and that works with the open source binaries included in my addon. That leaves Android, and up till now I haven't been able to find a good solution. I'm holding out that VFS addons are included in Kodi v18, which would hopefully just get rid of this problem all together (see here).

In the meantime, if you or other users are game, there may be another option:
Some retroarch cores support 7z natively, some don't. I haven't had time to test android yet, but you could change the game xml so it attempts to launch the 7zip file directly. Not sure if that'll work or not.
To do that, you would open up the xml in
..kodi userdata path../userdata/addon_data/plugin.program.iarl/dat_files
and change

Code:

<emu_postdlaction>convert_7z_m3u</emu_postdlaction>

to

Code:

<emu_postdlaction>none</emu_postdlaction>

The addon will attempt to launch the downloaded 7z file without conversion.

[longelf]

The Python for Android documentation (PDF) mentions wrapping the calls in Java for app interaction (section 1.8.1 - Accessing Android APIs), would that allow you to send commands to a 7zip-capable app?

[ExReey]

Awesome mod, thx for all the work!!

A question though: is it possible to edit the default game lists (I want to remove some games I'll never play...)?
I also tried downloading some of those default xml files from github and placed them in \resources\data\dat
_files, but then IARL won't load anymore.

Thanks!

[zachmorris]

Awesome mod, thx for all the work!!

A question though: is it possible to edit the default game lists (I want to remove some games I'll never play...)?
I also tried downloading some of those default xml files from github and placed them in \resources\data\dat
_files, but then IARL won't load anymore.

Thanks!

Yes, you can manually edit the games lists. Some info on that here.

IARL should load without issue after you've edited / created you're own list. If you get some sort of error, most likely the xml file format is incorrect. Easiest way to make your own list manually is to make a copy of one of the xml files in the folder
..path_to_userdata/addon_data/plugin.program.iarl/dat_files
rename the file to something different, and then open it up and edit it.

[ExReey]

Thanks!!

[ExReey]

Hmm...I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but it doesn't seem to work as intented.

For example, I edit
C:\Users\xxx\appdata\Roaming\Kodi\userdata\addon_data\plugin.program.iarl\dat_files\Wonderswan_Color_ZachMorris.xml
and remove a random game from the xml.
But when I restart IARL the game is still in the list! Should I refresh some cache or something?

Edit: it seems I can even completely delete this xml file and the list still shows up in IARL..

Thanks!


Edit2: I'm not sure I'm supposed to do this, but I fixed it by deleting the files from C:\Users\xxx\appdata\Roaming\Kodi\userdata\addon_data\plugin.program.iarl\list_cache

:-)

[zachmorris]

Hmm...I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but it doesn't seem to work as intented.

For example, I edit
C:\Users\xxx\appdata\Roaming\Kodi\userdata\addon_data\plugin.program.iarl\dat_files\Wonderswan_Color_ZachMorris.xml
and remove a random game from the xml.
But when I restart IARL the game is still in the list! Should I refresh some cache or something?

Edit: it seems I can even completely delete this xml file and the list still shows up in IARL..

Thanks!


Edit2: I'm not sure I'm supposed to do this, but I fixed it by deleting the files from C:\Users\xxx\appdata\Roaming\Kodi\userdata\addon_data\plugin.program.iarl\list_cache

:-)

Yes, I should have mentioned that. I added it to the wiki. If you've edited an existing list, and you have "Cache ROM Lists and Save History" selected ON, you'll have to refresh the list. You can do that by selecting the list in IARL, then bring up the context menu and choose "Refresh Archive Listing". That will do the same thing you did manually and delete the cached list.