[Tuto] - Making Ini Files


BAFelton

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
1,273
Website
www.open-consoles.com
Hi !

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to modify the .ini files of you Caanoo so that you can launch any application / emul / homebrew.
Then we'll see how to change the icons and title bars.

.ini files allow the Caanoo to identify launchable apps so that they can appear in the menu. It's like the shortcuts in Windows for example.

The paths are all case-sensitive, so the lower-case (example) and the upper-case (EXAMPLE) MUST be respected.
Many .ini don't work only because of this trick ;)




Step 1 : Modifying / Creating .ini files


- first you'll need a text editor that can convert your files in UNIX format, we'll use Notepad++ for this. Link here.


- once N++ installed, launch it and go to : File / New


- in this example, we'll create a new .ini for the Pocketsnes 7.2.0 emulator (link), because there is no .ini in the archive.

Here's the tree of the archive :

7735002495240795.gif
caanoo_release
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
pocketsnes_caanoo_compatible.gpe
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
pocketsnes_caanoo_fast.gpe
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
readme.txt
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
snesadvance.dat
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
warm_2.6.24.ko
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
7735002495240795.gif
options
7769433049721122.gif
5155901283285231.gif
7735002495240795.gif
themes



- type these lines :

Code:
[info]
name="SNES 7.2"

The [info] line defines the .ini, DO NOT forget it.
The name line defines the name of the app in the Caanoo menu. You can type anything you want.


- type these lines :

Code:
path="/caanoo_release/pocketsnes_caanoo_compatible.gpe"

The path line is very important, it's the shortcut to the app.
In general, the path points to a .gpe file (like a DOS .exe) that will launch your app.
In this example the path points to "pocketsnes_caanoo_compatible.gpe", but you can put "pocketsnes_caanoo_fast.gpe" if you want.
You can put only ONE path line in your .ini.


- now your .ini is like this :

Code:
[info]
name="SNES 7.2"   
path="/caanoo_release/pocketsnes_caanoo_compatible.gpe"


- you need to save the file on your Caanoo. Here N++ is very important, because you must convert the file in UNIX mode so that the Caanoo can "read" it.

Go to EDIT / EOL Conversion and click on "Convert to UNIX format"

981195Capture01.jpg



- now save your file in the GAME directory of your SD and name it LIKE the rep of the application. Here : caanoo_release.ini .

The tree of your SD :

7735002495240795.gif
GAME
7769433049721122.gif
1569201541865669.gif
caanoo_release.ini
7769433049721122.gif
7735002495240795.gif
caanoo_release
7769433049721122.gif
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
pocketsnes_caanoo_compatible.gpe
7769433049721122.gif
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
pocketsnes_caanoo_fast.gpe
7769433049721122.gif
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
readme.txt
7769433049721122.gif
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
snesadvance.dat
7769433049721122.gif
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
warm_2.6.24.ko
7769433049721122.gif
7769433049721122.gif
4019332528694922.gif
7735002495240795.gif
options
7769433049721122.gif
7769433049721122.gif
5155901283285231.gif
7735002495240795.gif
themes


- and the result :

135488P1000653.jpg





Easy, isn't it ? :D
But....It's really awful, I WANT AN ICON AND A TITLE BAR !!! Ok, just relax, and go to Step 2 !




Step 2 : Defining icons and title bars.



You'll need an image for your icon and one for your title bar.

Example :

619680snesb.png


Must be a 26*26 .png file.

800984636345DrPocketSnes.png


Must be a 305*57 .png file.

These files will be copied in the application repertory, but you can copy it anywhere you want (your path must be valid though).

Let's rename the icon to : snes_i.png and the title bar : snes_t.png. (again you can rename to anything you want, but the path must be valid)


And add two new lines to the .ini :

Code:
[info]
name="SNES 7.2"     
path="/caanoo_release/pocketsnes_caanoo_compatible.gpe" 
icon="/caanoo_release/snes_i.png"
title="/caanoo_release/snes_t.png"


Save your file and now you have :

346352P1000654.jpg


812008P1000655.jpg



Too easy :D


But DO NOT forget :

- files must be converted to UNIX mode

- the paths must be exactly the same, they are case sensitive.



French tuto here : http://caanoo.forumactif.net/t574-tuto-creer-un-ini-et-modifier-les-icones-de-lancement#7166
 
Very cool indeed :)

Now how about apps that need to launch via Ginge.

I'm trying to create one for Cave Story so I don't have to keep going through Ginge to launch it.
 
Maybe someone can help me.. I'm having trouble getting the larger title pics to show up when selected

( 305x 57 ) ones...

only the smaller icons appear and it doesn't change.. do i need a newer version of the firmware or something?
 
No, the firmware won't change this.


This line is on your .ini ?

title="/caanoo_release/snes_t.png"



Two possible ways :

- your .png isn't at the good size
- the path on your ini isn't good (watch for lower/upper case)


Could you copy/paste it here ? or make an archive of one of your non-working application and post it here ?
 
BAFelton said:
No, the firmware won't change this.


This line is on your .ini ?

title="/caanoo_release/snes_t.png"



Two possible ways :

- your .png isn't at the good size
- the path on your ini isn't good (watch for lower/upper case)


Could you copy/paste it here ? or make an archive of one of your non-working application and post it here ?


[info]
name="CPS2 Emulation"
path="/cps2emu/capex.gpe"
icon="/cps2emu/icon.png"
title="/cps2emu/cpstitle.png"
group="GAME"


Here's what my .ini file says. I even tried renaming it to "cpstitle.png" instead of "title.png" which it was. still no change. The title is the correct dimensions too..it was actually the .png that came with the download for the CPS2 emulator.

Any other ideas why the larger title images aren't showing up? :(


Also, I have all my emulators and games on my SD card.. how can I get the icons to launch the emulators show up in the "Games" folder in the main menu on the Caanoo? is this where the "group="GAME" comes into play?

because the group doesn't seem to be putting it anywhere really
 
Last edited by a moderator:
zsonance said:
BAFelton said:
No, the firmware won't change this.


This line is on your .ini ?

title="/caanoo_release/snes_t.png"



Two possible ways :

- your .png isn't at the good size
- the path on your ini isn't good (watch for lower/upper case)


Could you copy/paste it here ? or make an archive of one of your non-working application and post it here ?


[info]
name="CPS2 Emulation"
path="/cps2emu/capex.gpe"
icon="/cps2emu/icon.png"
title="/cps2emu/cpstitle.png"
group="GAME"


Here's what my .ini file says. I even tried renaming it to "cpstitle.png" instead of "title.png" which it was. still no change. The title is the correct dimensions too..it was actually the .png that came with the download for the CPS2 emulator.

Any other ideas why the larger title images aren't showing up? :(


Also, I have all my emulators and games on my SD card.. how can I get the icons to launch the emulators show up in the "Games" folder in the main menu on the Caanoo? is this where the "group="GAME" comes into play?

because the group doesn't seem to be putting it anywhere really

still haven't gotten a reply :(
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back
Top