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More => Old Versions => Media Center 17 => Topic started by: Benson98 on April 09, 2012, 09:43:58 pm

Title: Help with custom expression / view
Post by: Benson98 on April 09, 2012, 09:43:58 pm

Hello,

Can I please get some help with settting up a custom view?

I'm trying to set up a view that has my cds separated into groups by Artist (CDs, Soundtracks, Singles, Various etc).  So far so good.  But the final step that I am stuck on is to have it show the full albums separatley and to show the ones that would only have one or two songs grouped together as one.


An example would be:

(Artist) Bob Seger - (Group) Cds - (Album) Tracks are grouped by their album title.
(Artist) Bob Seger - (Group) Soundtracks - (Album) All tracks are grouped together as one Soundtrack. 

Is it possible using an expression on the Album field so that if it contains various or soundtrack (Genre or custom field) to group the tracks together as one, otherwise have them listed by their album title?


Thanks,

-Benson98

Title: Re: Help with custom expression / view
Post by: MrC on April 09, 2012, 10:42:25 pm

Is this a categories or panes view?

Title: Re: Help with custom expression / view
Post by: rick.ca on April 10, 2012, 01:01:39 am

Quote from: Benson98 on April 09, 2012, 09:43:58 pm

Is it possible using an expression on the Album field so that if it contains various or soundtrack (Genre or custom field) to group the tracks together as one, otherwise have them listed by their album title?

Yes. The following expression illustrates how this might be done...

Code: [Select]

[Artist] •
If(IsEqual([a.Class], Live), Live Albums,
If(IsEqual([a.Class], Soundtrack), Soundtracks,
If(IsEqual([Album Type], Single artist /(complete/)), [Released] • [Album],
If(IsEqual([Album Type], incomplete, 8), Incomplete Albums,
Multiple Artist Albums
)))
Save this (actually, something like this that works with your library) as an expression field. Then, in the tab drop-down menu, select that as the field to Group By. In my library, this first lists an artists regular albums by release date, followed by groups of tracks from incomplete, live, multiple artist and soundtrack albums.

Title: Re: Help with custom expression / view
Post by: 221bBS on April 10, 2012, 09:36:51 am

Take a look at the pics below. I have mine set up a little differently but I think this is what you want.

(http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/SHat221bBS/J%20River%20Media%20Center/Forum/YearAlbumBaseList.png)


(http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z362/SHat221bBS/J%20River%20Media%20Center/Forum/YearAlbumBaseListExpand.png)

If this is what you're looking for, here's what you should do.

First, create a new Field and call it what you want.
Enter the following in the expression area.

Code: [Select]

If(IsEmpty([Group]),/[unknown/],[Group])\If(IsEmpty([Album]),/[unknown/],[Album])&datatype=[list]

Create a new Library View.
Have 3 panes

1. Artist
check grouping
2. Artist
3. the new field you created

If you want the Artist in the tree use this

Code: [Select]

If(IsEmpty([Artist]),/[unknown/],[Artist])\If(IsEmpty([Group]),/[unknown/],[Group])\If(IsEmpty([Album]),/[unknown/],[Album])&datatype=[list]

Title: Re: Help with custom expression / view
Post by: Benson98 on April 10, 2012, 09:18:49 pm

Thanks for the help guys.

The expression from Rick worked great.

This is what I am using in Theater View.

Artist (List of Artists)
Group (Albums, Singles, Soundtracks etc)
Expression:
If(IsEqual([a.Class], Live), Live Albums,
If(IsEqual([a.Class], Soundtrack), Soundtracks,
If(IsEqual([Album Type], Single artist /(complete/)), [Album],
If(IsEqual([Album Type], incomplete, 8), Incomplete Albums,
Multiple Artist Albums
)))


Thanks,

-Benson98