Topic: Plugin - Need Help :) (Read 9800 times)

nila · « **on:** August 18, 2003, 12:28:45 pm »

Hiya,

I wanna make a plugin but firstly have barely used VB ever before, secondly have no experience making plugins etc.

Was just wondering if someone could get me started.

When I chose new project in VB - - what type of project do I have to chose?

Also, how do I then start 'talking to' MC - any help would be LOVED

An example project with just the basic code to open up in MC functioning would be great - maybe just with with ONE example of reading a tree or something and putting the text into a text box?

I dunno - just a starting block so I can start fumbling on a bit

Thanks!

KingSparta · « **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2003, 02:17:32 pm »

Quote

Hiya,

I wanna make a plugin but firstly have barely used VB ever before, secondly have no experience making plugins etc.

Was just wondering if someone could get me started.

When I chose new project in VB - - what type of project do I have to chose?

Also, how do I then start 'talking to' MC - any help would be LOVED

An example project with just the basic code to open up in MC functioning would be great - maybe just with with ONE example of reading a tree or something and putting the text into a text box?

I dunno - just a starting block so I can start fumbling on a bit

Thanks!

Download The Busy Box Sample

nila · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2003, 12:25:40 am »

lol.

I knew someone would say that

I already did - first thing - I compiled it and it made a .ocx - went to MC - add plugin - it wanted a dll so that obviously didn't work.

Also - the Busy Box is a workin little tool with a lot of code (not that much but enough to be confusing as to what is required to interact with MC and which parts are just to make it work).

RhinoBanga · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2003, 01:39:13 am »

Isn't there a .reg file that you have to merge to get it running?

nila · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2003, 02:09:03 am »

Yeah I ran that

But if I go to MC/Plug-in Manager - add plugin - it's set to add .dll files not .ocx so I dont get it?

The example is a .ocx but MC wants a .dll?

Also - if I want to make a plugin - do I chose 'new dll' when it asks me what type of project I want to make?

If I chose new .dll and add it (and use the .reg file for MC) - will it instantly just work with nothing else needed?

Sorry for sounding dumb - this is just totally new terrortory - I'll pick it up fast

KingSparta · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2003, 02:47:24 am »

ok well i think thats because the reg file needs modified a bit to save to local mach and curent user.

i am not sure if they updated that to work with MC ie new registration key location.

but you should not need to add it.

sample:

Quote

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\JRiver\Media Jukebox\Plugins\Interface\Party Sampler]
"IVersion"=dword:00000001
"Company"="SpartaSoft, Inc."
"Version"="0.0.01"
"URL"="http://www.spartasoft.com"
"Copyright"="Copyright (c) 2003, SpartaSoft, Inc."
"PluginMode"=dword:00000000
"ProdID"="PartySampler.PartySamplerCtrl"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\JRiver\Media Jukebox\Plugins\Interface\Party Sampler]
"IVersion"=dword:00000001
"Company"="SpartaSoft, Inc."
"Version"="0.0.01"
"URL"="http://www.spartasoft.com"
"Copyright"="Copyright (c) 2003, SpartaSoft, Inc."
"PluginMode"=dword:00000000
"ProdID"="PartySampler.PartySamplerCtrl"

i don't use the reg file to register the plug-in, but i have found that the above will fix what your seeing.

nila · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2003, 03:19:23 am »

I'll try that.

And when I chose 'New Project' - (I'm using MS VB 6 Pro) - what type do I chose? Does it make a difference? I dont understand what difference chosing each type makes?

It doesn't seem to show any change in code no matter what type you chose so why does it let us chose a diff type?

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2003, 03:43:18 am »

I am in the same position as you Nila and any help would be appreciated. I tried compiling BusyBox but I have VS.NET 2k3 and it didn't seem to like it. I want to create a plugin similar to Kings Cover Art finder that can read all the files in playing now and can copy the cover art to the directory folder as a folder.jpg...would save me a lot of time trying to do it manually. Of course if King could add this to Cover Art Finder I wouldn't need to

Adam

nila · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2003, 03:52:22 am »

Yeah - the busy box isn't the best example for those with no experience.

I guess it's designed for those that already are fairly competant at VB.

I was playing a bit more with it and under 'project' at the bottom there seems to be some options where u can chose what type of file it is going to compile to under '[project name] properties' - so I think we can chose any project type.

Now I just have to get it working inside MC then I can start playing with the actual interacting with MC part.

This bit's probably gonna be the trickiest

But NoCode - AlbumView2 can do what your asking - it also finds cover art in the same folder as your songs. It has an option though to export the cover art to whever u want with whatever naming options u want.

Check it out - U get a demo of it and it's VERY well made

nila · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2003, 04:14:29 am »

Also - I'm not sure if vs.net works - I think I remember King telling me to use vb6 - but I could be wrong - just giving a heads up - he'll confirm or deny the validity of that.

KingSparta · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2003, 06:27:07 am »

Quote

Also - I'm not sure if vs.net works

Matt (I think) Said It Works With VB Net

But Me And 5 Others Can't get It To Work With VB Net

They Also Have No Sample For VB .Net So When They Create One Then You Will Know When It Starts Working With VB.Net

====================================

Once You Get The Busy Box To Work Just Play With It A Bit.

J River I Am Sure Will Not Take The Time To Teach You How To Program But If You Run Into A Question There Are A Few Around That Might BeAble To Answer Your Questions

nila · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2003, 10:36:04 am »

wahoo - got busy box working with a bit of help from Rhino - the: regsvr32 BusyBox.ocx
bit is what really threw me.

I couldn't work out how MC knew what to load up.

How do I find out what functions I can call MC with?

Like: MediaJukebox.MJCurPlaylistAutomation

There's a .tbl file but I cant work out what type of file it is - not sure if that contains the list of commands I can use.

?

nila · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2003, 10:59:08 am »

Ok - I've realised I need to add the .tbl file to my project - cant work out what to do though to find the list of available commands

nila · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2003, 11:08:01 am »

wahoo - worked that out too - I was expecting it to be part of the interface part of the page - didn't realise it was a seperate link on the page - sorry for seeming dumb!!

lol - tryin to learn 3 diff things at once here:

1. VB
2. Building a program that is a plugin (ie not stand alone with functions I've built)
3. Working out how to interact with MC

I'm getting it though!!

KingSparta · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2003, 11:18:35 am »

well at least you got it working.

>> didn't realise it was a seperate link on the page

that page is a bit out dated but maybe soon it will be updated.

nila · « **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2003, 11:22:41 am »

Spoke too soon.

How are we meant to get picture Width and Height information from MC?

There's no reference to it on that page.

I did a search for 'width' too just in case I'd missed it and hadn't spotted it with no luck?

Also - I did this:

For z = 0 To MJCurPlaylist.GetNumberFiles - 1

' get the file
MJCurPlaylist.RemoveFile (z)

Next z

and it just seems to be removing a few items randomly each time - it should delete every single file in there shouldn't it? (I know there is a function to do that - I was just testing it and playing a bit)

(In case you didn't guess I'm hacking BusyBox and going to just delete everything I dont need and use that to make my plugin - I get an error saying: No public UserControl detected when I try to make my own

I hate learning new languages!

I'd just gotten fairly good at php too!

KingSparta · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2003, 11:27:19 am »

well maybe in the future.

all what is in there now is basicly MJ8 stuff

I have been sitting at the edge of my seat since march.

the seat is a bit warn on the right side, i am thinking about buying another, something with a High back and i can recline in it.

a pad for my foot rest (My woofer) might help

KingSparta · « **Reply #17 on:** August 19, 2003, 11:30:34 am »

if i am not mistaken you might want to use "Step"

see the vb 6 help file for a sample

nila · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2003, 11:36:29 am »

Great, so basically there is no way of dealing with the images inside of MC

Just what I didn't want to hear!

KingSparta · « **Reply #19 on:** August 19, 2003, 12:01:37 pm »

well work on the rest, maybe you can learn and when the MC9 sdk is out maybe what you want will be in it.

maybe

Matt · « **Reply #20 on:** August 19, 2003, 01:28:08 pm »

Quote

Also - I did this:

For z = 0 To MJCurPlaylist.GetNumberFiles - 1

' get the file
MJCurPlaylist.RemoveFile (z)

Next z

and it just seems to be removing a few items randomly each time - it should delete every single file in there shouldn't it? (I know there is a function to do that - I was just testing it and playing a bit)

That code only removes every other file. (item 1 becomes item 0 when you remove at 0)

When removing from an array, always FOR loop backwards so you don't have this problem. (z-1 to 0)

To get the width, do a File.Get("Width").

nila · « **Reply #21 on:** August 19, 2003, 11:22:11 pm »

Wahey - Matt the great shows up.

Cheers Matt!!

I see what your saying - the index changes as we delete each file but my loop counter isn't.
I figured the index for each file would stay constant in the variable I'd set for it until I re-set it

nila · « **Reply #22 on:** August 20, 2003, 01:07:08 am »

Hmmm,

Still having some problems - haven't quite got to grips with how this works yet.

This isn't working:

For z = 0 To MJCurPlaylist.GetNumberFiles - 1

' get the file
Dim MJFile As MediaJukebox.MJFileAutomation
Set MJFile = MJCurPlaylist.GetFile(z)

' add the file width to the list
lbStatus.AddItem MJFile.Get("Width")

Next z

It's saying: Argument not optional when I try to compile it.

nila · « **Reply #23 on:** August 20, 2003, 01:38:46 am »

Ok - now all of a sudden that seems to be working?

I must be going nuts!

Thanks!!

KingSparta · « **Reply #24 on:** August 20, 2003, 02:41:10 am »

Quote

Wahey - Matt the great shows up.

Cheers Matt!!

I see what your saying - the index changes as we delete each file but my loop counter isn't.
I figured the index for each file would stay constant in the variable I'd set for it until I re-set it

you could also just delete file "0" when the loop ends you should have an empty listbox

nila · « **Reply #25 on:** August 20, 2003, 03:28:52 am »

Yeah - I was more doing it just to play and get the hang of interacting with MC more - I'd have done RemoveAll to delete them all.

I'm getting the hang of it slowly.

Is there any way to get a list with ALL the field names and also the data type of each field name?

So I can work out which fields are list types etc?

This is comin along fairly easily. Hopefully I'll be able to make this plugin pretty fast.

KingSparta · « **Reply #26 on:** August 20, 2003, 04:40:48 am »

Wwhen i get home i can give you something where you can use on all MC9 fields or user created fields (i don't have it in my head) but it is in the MC9 sdk.

you may need to look in mc9 edit fields for the names since some of them have been added.

nila · « **Reply #27 on:** August 20, 2003, 05:10:40 am »

Wahey - this is coming along nicely.

That'd be a BIG help king as I want to let people select what fields they want to use in the website.

This is coming along pretty fast.

I'm slowly slowly getting it

KingSparta · « **Reply #28 on:** August 20, 2003, 07:44:46 am »

Note: Get Bios field

MyBios.Text = MJFile.Get("bios", False)

Note: Save Bios Field

Response = MJFile.Set("bios", MyBios.Text)

Note: Save Tags Now

Response = MJFile.SaveToTag()

Note: Clear Var

ArtistName = ""

But This Is faster

ArtistName = vbNullString

some of that In a ListBox

Private Sub List1_Click(Index As Integer)
ProgramStatus = "Waiting..."
DoEvents
' ********************************** '
' ********************************** '
' *** Get Info For Selected File *** '
' ********************************** '
' ********************************** '
On Error GoTo MyError
ArtistName = vbNullString
MyBios.Text = vbNullString
Dim MJCurPlaylist As MediaJukebox.MJCurPlaylistAutomation
Set MJCurPlaylist = g_MJ.GetCurPlaylist
Dim MJFile As MediaJukebox.MJFileAutomation
MyPosition = List1(0).ListIndex
Set MJFile = MJCurPlaylist.GetFile(MyPosition)
ArtistName = MJFile.Artist

MyBios.Text = MJFile.Get("bios", False)

DoEvents
If LenB(MyBios.Text) <> 0 Then
If Check1(9) Then
Call GetArtistBios_Click
End If
Else
Call GetArtistBios_Click
End If
MyError:
ProgramStatus = "Waiting..."
DoEvents
End Sub

nila · « **Reply #29 on:** August 20, 2003, 08:19:10 am »

Thanks

Do you know how I can get a list of ALL the fields though that are in the library?

I need to show the user a list of all the fields in it so he can select certain ones.

KingSparta · « **Reply #30 on:** August 20, 2003, 08:46:42 am »

I don't think you can get a list.

nila · « **Reply #31 on:** August 20, 2003, 10:16:55 am »

darn darn darn!!

That's not gonna be good!
I'd have to make the users enter each field by hand that they wanted to use for the webpage

RhinoBanga · « **Reply #32 on:** August 20, 2003, 12:48:41 pm »

Quote

To get the width, do a File.Get("Width").

Matt,

Are you going to provide high speed access to common fields?

Calling File.Get("Width") is very inefficient since MC has to lookup by a string. Compounded with the fact that this may be called thousands of times, along with the corresponding Height, you can see the performance overhead is quite bad.

Why not introduce File.Get( <enum> ) so all MC has to do is a switch?

nila · « **Reply #33 on:** August 21, 2003, 11:41:56 am »

King - any idea how to create a colour picker in VB?

I want to let users select which colours to use from a palette - is there an object built into vb or do I have to create like a basic bunch of colour boxes for them to choose from?

KingSparta · « **Reply #34 on:** August 21, 2003, 12:11:28 pm »

Quote

is there an object built into vb or do I have to create like a basic bunch of colour boxes for them to choose from?

never looked, but in the vb help file it states there is a vb palette sample.

so if you installed VB with samples and help the samples should be there.

you can also do like i did and spend about $3,000 on VB6 books.

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #35 on:** August 21, 2003, 03:36:17 pm »

Nila,

VB does have a common control color picker. It is part of the windows common controls so should be accessible from the toolbox. If not make sure you have all the common controls selected.

Adam

KingSparta · « **Reply #36 on:** August 21, 2003, 03:58:22 pm »

yep

i went looking

here is a sample

Private Sub Command1_Click()
' Set Cancel to True
CommonDialog1.CancelError = True
On Error GoTo ErrHandler
'Set the Flags property
CommonDialog1.Flags = cdlCCRGBInit
' Display the Color Dialog box
CommonDialog1.ShowColor
' Set the form's background color to selected color
Form1.BackColor = CommonDialog1.Color
Exit Sub

ErrHandler:
' User pressed the Cancel button
End Sub

'Bang A Gong' Charted At 10 In 1972

Listening to: 'Bang A Gong' from 'The Best Of T. Rex' by 'T. Rex' on Media Center 9.1

nila · « **Reply #37 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:02:34 am »

Thanks for that - had the basic plugin working doing everything but am now going to tweak it to make it a lot more user configurable so they get LOTS of control over everything.

Still need to work out how to get a list of all the fields though so that the users can just select what fields they want to use.

Only other option is to make them have to manually type in each item - doesn't seem like too appealing a choice.

KingSparta · « **Reply #38 on:** August 22, 2003, 08:50:05 am »

Quote

Still need to work out how to get a list of all the fields though so that the users can just select what fields they want to use.

you can include all the basic fields then add an option to include some of the user created ones.

nila · « **Reply #39 on:** August 22, 2003, 03:02:31 pm »

Hey King - How do I check if a value is an INT?

I need to make sure a lot of user enterable fields are int's only and not anything else - tried looking it up and found (int) blah
but that doesn't seem to be working

Do you know how?

Thanks!

KingSparta · « **Reply #40 on:** August 22, 2003, 03:09:01 pm »

i do not understand your question

what is "INT"?

you may need to use a larger paragraph

nila · « **Reply #41 on:** August 23, 2003, 02:42:49 am »

Sorry dude

lol.

INT = Integer

I need to check a lot of the data to see if it's data type integer.

KingSparta · « **Reply #42 on:** August 23, 2003, 05:37:42 am »

not sure what your trying to do and why so

there is allot of info in the VB help file about this.

KingSparta · « **Reply #43 on:** August 23, 2003, 06:36:27 am »

by the way i found VB friend from

http://www.aivosto.com/products.html

to be a nice program to use to indent your code since for some reason VB6 does not do this it's self (not sure why, seems kind of dumb it not have an option for this).

but it has alot of other nice options

Project Analyzer from the same site works well (could work better) to speed your program up. it takes some use to get it to work but it has an auto fix mode, and some of the speed enhancements need manual fixing but it will recomend some things you can do.

nila · « **Reply #44 on:** August 27, 2003, 02:09:12 am »

King - what did you use in Chart Grabber to give you the table?
I want to use a table but dont know what control it is

NoCodeUK · « **Reply #45 on:** August 27, 2003, 06:29:23 am »

I think the control you need is the MS Flexi grid. Works a bit like an excel spreadsheet allowing columns and rows to be resized...as for how to use it I have no idea

Adam

KingSparta · « **Reply #46 on:** August 27, 2003, 02:06:21 pm »

Quote

I think the control you need is the MS Flexi grid.

no but close

Private Sub UserControl_Initialize()
INIDIR = App.Path
Call Read_Registry
'! Variable written only: LHeader
Dim LHeader As Variant
' when the Form is loaded, the following code sets the '
' headers and width of the columns of the ListView control '
Set ListView1.Icons = ImageList1
Set LHeader = ListView1.ColumnHeaders.Add(1, , "Seq", 500)
Set LHeader = ListView1.ColumnHeaders.Add(2, , "Peek", 550)
Set LHeader = ListView1.ColumnHeaders.Add(3, , "Year", 550)
Set LHeader = ListView1.ColumnHeaders.Add(4, , "Song Name", 2725)
Set LHeader = ListView1.ColumnHeaders.Add(5, , "Artist Name", 2700)
Set LHeader = ListView1.ColumnHeaders.Add(6, , "From Chart", 1000)
ListView1.View = lvwReport

' SSTab1.Caption = "Chart Grabber, Ver: " & App.Major & "." & App.Minor & "." & App.Revision

End Sub

INTERACT FORUM

Author Topic: Plugin - Need Help :) (Read 9800 times)

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