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Topic-icon [Tool] WCS DVD Launcher

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11 years 10 months ago - 10 years 8 months ago #7731 by Luke
[Tool] WCS DVD Launcher was created by Luke
url=http://forum.wcsaga.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=35:278ogpge]from wcsaga.org (german)[/url

First, my primary languages are Visual Basic, Perl, AutoIt3 and German, but not English. So please have patience. ;)

Introduction

Like the name says, WCS DVD Launcher is a DVD menu. It can start the WCS setup, can show trailers on DVD, can open websites, can open PDF's and much more. It also can play the WCS introsound if the DVD is inserted in the DVD drive and can show WCS screenshots during the long installation.

It has a INI so it's flexible to configure. Only the first button have a fixed action: Install/Play. All other buttons can be configured completely free.

Functionality

Buttons
The first button has a fixed action: On computers without installed WCS he shows "Install" and with installed WCS he shows "Play". The button text and the tooltip can be changed.

All other buttons (2-7) can configured completely free. This means the button text, the action and the tooltip.

Preloading
This feature can be activated separately for every button. Have a button a file as action, the file will copied first to local TEMP folder before it will open. Especially designed for the WCS Manual.

During the installation
During the installation the launcher will be minimized to taskbar. If the installation is finished, he checks if the installation is complete and then he switch the first button from "Install" to "Play".

Additional functionality

Introsound
The launcher can play a WAVE on start. See "DVD content".

Slideshow
During the installation the launcher can show WCS screenshots. See "DVD content".

INI rules for the buttons
  1. If the action is not defined, the button will be invisible.
  2. If the action is a file but this file not exists, the button is visible but locked.
  3. If the action is a folder but this folder not exists or is empty, the button is visible but locked.
  4. If the action is a URL, the button will always be visible and enabled.

Integrate the launcher on DVD

In the Zip archive is a small readme with instructions, this is very simple. It contains the DVD root folder with all needed files, inclusive autostart.inf and a DVD icon. The path with the launcher is accepted as DVD root path. So it's possible to test all features and files before burning the DVD.

DVD content

Before burning the DVD the root path must contain the following files as minimium:

[spoiler:278ogpge]autorun.inf
darkest-dawn.ico
darkest-dawn-setup.dat
darkest-dawn-setup.exe
darkest-dawn-setup32.dll
Disk0001.tiz
Disk0002.tiz
Disk0003.tiz
Disk0004.tiz
Disk0005.tiz
WCSDVDLauncher.exe
WCSDVDLauncher.ini[/spoiler:278ogpge]

Additional functions and files
If you want all the features the launcher and the standard INI is designed for, then the following folders and files are also required:

[spoiler:278ogpge]manual\
manual\manual.pdf
music\
music\intro.wav

patches\
patches\darkest-dawn-1.1.0.7822-setup.exe (or other/newer patches)
trailer\
trailer\wcs_feature_trailer.mp4
trailer\wcs_launch_trailer.mp4
wallpaper\
wallpaper\*.jpg or *.bmp


Folders and files displayed in red must be exist with exactly this names!

Don't copy too much pictures to the wallpaper folder, because all pictures must be copied to the local harddrive when the launcher starts. 15-20 Pictures is a good value. JPG are recommended.

The WCS Manual (manual.pdf) you can find in the game folder after you installed WCS.

The intro sound (intro.wav) is a WAVE converted from a MP3 (01 - Introduction.mp3) from the Official Soundtrack you can download here:

www.wcsaga.com/downloads/files/d ... t-zip.html

Or simply download "music.zip" in "Download" section below.

Patches you can download here:

www.wcsaga.com/downloads/files/patches.html

Trailers you can download here:

www.wcsaga.com/downloads/files/movies.html

Screenshots (wallpaper) you can download here:

www.wcsaga.com/media/screenshots.html [/spoiler:278ogpge]

As DVD title i have selected "Wing Commander Saga - TDD". More than 31 signs can be a problem, but this depends to the Windows version and to the burning tool. If you are unsure, call the DVD simply "Wing Commander Saga" or "WCS - Darkest Dawn".

Pictures from launcher

WCS not installed (standard INI)
[attachment=2:278ogpge]<!-- ia2 -->dvdlauncher_install.png<!-- ia2 -->[/attachment:278ogpge]

WCS allready installed
[attachment=1:278ogpge]<!-- ia1 -->dvdlauncher_play.png<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment:278ogpge]

If the vertical desktop workspace is too low, the launcher will switch to Mini Mode.
[attachment=0:278ogpge]<!-- ia0 -->dvdlauncher_minimode.png<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:278ogpge]

Misc

INI example (standard INI)
[spoiler:278ogpge];with trailers and websites

[Main]
var_install_install=Install
var_install_play=Play
var_installmedia_dvd=from DVD
var_installmedia_pc=on this Computer
txt_loading=loading...

[Buttons]
Button0Caption=Cancel
Button0Tooltip=Exit DVD Launcher

Button1Caption=$VAR_INSTALL$ Wing Commander Saga
Button1Tooltip=$VAR_INSTALL$ Wing Commander Saga $VAR_INSTALLMEDIA$

Button2Caption=Show Patches on DVD
Button2Action=patches
Button2Tooltip=Install Wing Commander Saga Updates from DVD
Button2Preload=0

Button3Caption=Show Launch Trailer
Button3Action=trailer\wcs_launch_trailer.mp4
Button3Tooltip=Plays the official Launch Trailer from DVD
Button3Preload=0

Button4Caption=Show Feature Trailer
Button4Action=trailer\wcs_feature_trailer.mp4
Button4Tooltip=Plays the official Feature Trailer from DVD
Button4Preload=0

Button5Caption=Wing Commander Saga Website
Button5Action=http://www.wcsaga.com
Button5Tooltip=Opens the Wing Commander Saga Website
Button5Preload=0

Button6Caption=Check for Updates
Button6Action=http://www.wcsaga.com/downloads/files/patches.html
Button6Tooltip=Opens the Wing Commander Saga Update Website
Button6Preload=0

Button7Caption=Manual
Button7Action=manual\manual.pdf
Button7Tooltip=Opens the manual
Button7Preload=1[/spoiler:278ogpge]

Additional INI parameters (Tweaks) in [Main] Section
[spoiler:278ogpge]The Tweak System was built in to have the possibility to change some internal attributes.

nopreload={0/1, default: 0}

If enabled (1), all wallpapers, the introsound and files with Button{number}Preload=1 will copied into local TEMP folder only, if the Install button is clicked. If disabled (0), all wallpapers, the introsound and files with activated Preload-switch will copied immediately on launcher start.

nobuttonscroll={0/1, default: 0}

If enabled, the button scroll function is disabled.

oldbuttonpos={0/1, default: 0}

If enabled, the old button design (non-linear) is used.

minimodetreshold={0 - 500 pixel, default: 50}

The minimum difference between launcher height and vertical desktop workspace. If the difference is lower than this limit, then the launcher will switch to Minimode.

wallpaperinterval={10 - 300 seconds, default: 30}

Interval for Screenshot Viewer.

nowpresize={0/1, default: 0}

If enabled, the wallpapers will not be shrink to screen resolution.

showwpinfo={-1 - 2, default: 0}

If enabled, the Screenshot Viewer shows the name, resolution and number of the picture in the bottom left corner. It shows also the text "ImgOpti" if the picture was shrinked by the image optimizer.

-1=No wallpaper infos and no "WCSDVDLauncher Screenshot Viewer" text in the lower right corner.
0=No wallpaper infos in the lower left corner.
1=Shows only the original filename without path and "wcsdvdlauncher_" but with resolution and picture number.
2=Shows the full path and filename, resolution and picture number.[/spoiler:278ogpge]

Special functions
[spoiler:278ogpge]This functions are not needed for normal operation! They are only useful for testing and troubleshooting.
  • Ctrl+D = DEBUG-INFOS: Generates a text file with important info and with the current INI. This is useful for me for troubleshooting.
  • Alt+F8 = DEBUGMODE_CHANGE: Activates/deactivates the Debug Mode. With this and with the Debug Switches it&#39;s possible to test the Install/Play functionality as example.

The Debug Mode has the following switches:
  • Alt+1 = DEBUG_FORCEINS: this simulates "WCS is not installed"
  • Alt+2 = DEBUG_MINIMODE: activates (ON) or deactivates (OFF) the Mini Mode. Normally the GUI Mode will selected automatically (AUTO).
  • Alt+3 = DEBUG_MINBUTTON: simply manually show/hide the Minimize Button.
  • Alt+4 = DEBUG_STANDARDINI: switch to the internal Standard INI.
  • Alt+5 = DEBUG_WPINTERVAL: the Wallpaper Intervall. By default the intervall is set to 30 seconds. With this you can cycle through Default/INI, 5 seconds and OFF.
  • Alt+6 = DEBUG_PLAYINTRO: starts/stops the intro sound if intro.wav exists. On launcher start this is in ON state until the intro sound has played completely.
  • Alt+7 = DEBUG_INSTALLRUNS: it will set to ON state if Install starts and then it can be deactivated. Normally the launcher is waiting for the setup exe and with this you can interrupt this at anytime.
  • Alt+8 = DEBUG_WPIMGOPTI: the Wallpaper ImageOptimizer. By default this is in ON state.
[/spoiler:278ogpge]

Windows compatibility
[spoiler:278ogpge]Windows XP 32 Bit: OK
Tester: Luke
Comment: -

Windows Vista 32 Bit: OK
Tester: Luke
Comment: Tested with and without UAC

Windows 7 32 Bit: OK
Tester: Luke
Comment: Tested with and without UAC

Windows 7 64 Bit: OK
Tester: laraan
Comment: -

Windows 8 32 Bit: OK
Tester: Luke
Comment: Tested with Consumer Preview with default settings[/spoiler:278ogpge]


Download

Here in english forum i can only upload 3 attachments with max 256KB. So you must download the files from the german thread, or use the direct links below. In german forum i don't have these restrictions, so you will find more pictures in the german thread than here.

Download from wcsaga.org forum thread


... and the complete "product" you can see here: WCS DVD Box . :D

Tools: Setup ZIP Check & UnZip ...and more
HowTo's: Joystick: configure throttle and rudder ...and more
Projects: WCS+ ...and more
Attachments:
Last edit: 10 years 8 months ago by Luke.

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11 years 10 months ago - 11 years 10 months ago #7732 by Luke
Replied by Luke on topic [Tool] WCS DVD Launcher
More Pictures:

Launcher with activated Debug Mode
[attachment=2:2rzh3k5w]<!-- ia2 -->dvdlauncher_debugmode.png<!-- ia2 -->[/attachment:2rzh3k5w]

Launcher with activated Tweak OLDBUTTONPOS
[attachment=1:2rzh3k5w]<!-- ia1 -->dvdlauncher_oldbuttonpos.png<!-- ia1 -->[/attachment:2rzh3k5w]

The finished DVD looks like this in Windows Explorer
[attachment=0:2rzh3k5w]<!-- ia0 -->wcsdvd_arbeitsplatz.png<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:2rzh3k5w]

If you want test the slideshow during the install process, you can test it without uninstall WCS. ;) Simply activate the Debug Mode with Alt+F8 and then press Alt+1 to activate DEBUG_FORCEINS. Now you can click "Install".

Tools: Setup ZIP Check & UnZip ...and more
HowTo's: Joystick: configure throttle and rudder ...and more
Projects: WCS+ ...and more
Attachments:
Last edit: 11 years 10 months ago by Luke.

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11 years 10 months ago #7757 by Luke
Replied by Luke on topic [Tool] WCS DVD Launcher
Little update online with a few small fixes.

Tools: Setup ZIP Check & UnZip ...and more
HowTo's: Joystick: configure throttle and rudder ...and more
Projects: WCS+ ...and more

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11 years 10 months ago #7782 by Luke
Replied by Luke on topic [Tool] WCS DVD Launcher
Added more pictures in second post.

Tools: Setup ZIP Check & UnZip ...and more
HowTo's: Joystick: configure throttle and rudder ...and more
Projects: WCS+ ...and more

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11 years 7 months ago #8213 by Luke
Replied by Luke on topic [Tool] WCS DVD Launcher
Only a small update for the About Window, README and internal standard INI. If you already created a DVD with DVDLauncher V1.1.1, there is no need for create a new one with V1.1.2.

Link in main post updated.

Tools: Setup ZIP Check & UnZip ...and more
HowTo's: Joystick: configure throttle and rudder ...and more
Projects: WCS+ ...and more

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11 years 6 months ago #8259 by Luke
Replied by Luke on topic [Tool] WCS DVD Launcher
Added descriptions for all tweaks to Misc section, this is also included in the readme.

Tools: Setup ZIP Check & UnZip ...and more
HowTo's: Joystick: configure throttle and rudder ...and more
Projects: WCS+ ...and more

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9 years 3 months ago #9587 by Luke
Replied by Luke on topic [Tool] WCS DVD Launcher
URLs changed to wcsaga.org

Tools: Setup ZIP Check & UnZip ...and more
HowTo's: Joystick: configure throttle and rudder ...and more
Projects: WCS+ ...and more

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