Emu Loader - Powerful M.A.M.E. Frontend
Documentation
Developed by Ciro Alfredo Consentino

- What's New -

 

Emu Loader v4.3

Fixes:

1. "Refresh Selected Game" was corrupting the data when saving games's new settings to .dat files

2. Access violation when trying to sort columns or select games, while games list is empty

3. Game searching routine was not accurate. It now searches by game name + parent game name instead of game description (which could bring problems if you use custom game descriptions)

4. "Recursive Folders" was not searching for .chd or bios files, neither adding their folders in the command line, preventing games from running

5. Lots of problems with preview pictures (due to bugs in Graphics32 component). Many thanks to "Karasu" from being so kind with beta testing. Without his help I would never discover what was really wrong! :D 
- Resizing: was giving access violation
- Blending: after viewing a "no picture" image, the mode was left in "blend". Some images, specially the ones without channels, could not be displayed, generating access violation
- Picture Filters: access violation because of the new mode: full edge. With this mode disabled, the filters were somewhat fixed
- Full Edge effect: access violation with some filters filters. This full edge mode gives you a much better picture quality. And now, it is fully fixed... you can leave this option enabled for all filters (the filters are 100% fixed too) :D

Changes:

1. Picture filter default to "Off" (nearest / no filter)

2. Bios folders are automatically added in the command line, if a game use a bios (when using recursive folders)

3. Control Panel and Control Panel Layout background colors changed to Black

4. Updated language file

Removed:

1. "Smooth Picture" trackbar from "Preferences" screen

Optimized:

1. Removed a few duplicated and reduntant codes

2. A bunch of functions were grouped, using high-advanced Delphi codes :)

3. Favorite games list loading

4. "Play Game" function
Recursive folders and detection of missing files are more accurate

5. Preview pictures routines (resize, stretch, aspect ratio)

New Additions:

1. "Picture Filter" menu item in main screen, with 5 new image filters (note that "Off" is the same as the older "Nearest", which means no filter)

2. "Use Full Edge" option in "Preferences" screen, "Pictures" tab for each picture filter
For best image quality set all enabled, but if you get access violation errors, just turn the option OFF (all disabled by default)

3. New field in .dat files: "Media Type"
This new info will be used to sort games with only ROMs, games with CHD files and games with CD-ROM / Laser Disc files. Sorry but you will have to recreate your games list (there is no other way to update the .dat files). For internal use only...
Possible values are:
  0 - ROMs only
  1 - ROMs with CHD files (.chd files)
  2 - ROMs with CD/LD files (.??? files -> MAME don't support CD-ROM and Laser Disc files yet)

4. "Automatic Game Information" now can be shown in its own window :)
To do that, enable the new "Open in a Window" option, in "Preferences" screen, "Miscellaneous" tab
The window can be resized an moved. Settings are stored in "EmuLoader.ini"
* Note: if you toggle the "Open in a Window" the "Automatic Game Information" feature will be automatically turned OFF (if enabled). This is the only way I found to avoid access violation errors and memory leaks *

5. Detection of the current logged user in Windows (tested with WinXP only)
See the about screen ;)

6. New option: "Use Logged User on User Profile"
I think you've already guessed what this is for... no ?
Automatic activation of the user profile, based in the current username that is logged in Windows :)
Please, beware of special characters... they do not work very well with the frontend

7. New button in the "User Profile Editor" screen: "Logged User"
Click on this button to get the name of the current user logged in Windows

8. "Select Folder" button for all picture types in "Preferences" screen "Folder / Zip" tab

9. New image file: "resources\images\toolbars\folder.bmp"