Ultimate Conversion Compressor (UCC)

[vollachr]

Hi everyone,

As I said before (Post #12), I'm working on making UCC a Batch/VBScript hybrid.

It will also use some free external executable tools written in .NET for some of the menus.

Still a long way to go but I thought I'd share a few preview screenshots from the early stages of development so you can have a general idea what to expect.

As you can see below, it's still text based but it displays as popup message boxes and drop-down menus, some of the messages where there's only an OK button will be timed and disappear on their own to continue if you don't click OK button, so it shouldn't effect fluency of the script.

Unfortunately, that's the best I can do at the moment without learning a real coding language but it's a step in the right direction until I learn a coding language.

Have a nice day

[vollachr]

Progress Update

A little update regarding the UCC Batch/VBScript Hybrid update I talked about and previewed in my last post.

So far big chunks of the UCC script have been updated to use Batch/VBScript Hybrid codes eliminating the need for console output for them and using GUI msgbox type interface or at some places dropdown selection boxes and/or text Input boxes.

Now, while it appears I don't have much more of the script to convert from pure batch to batch/vbscript hybrid, the completion of the script upgrade will still take some time as it will need to be thoroughly tested and tweaked before it is ready to be released.

When the time comes to begin the complete script testing I will attempt to recruit help, hopefully this time around there will be more people answering.

That's it, no new preview shots I'm afraid.

Have a great day

[vollachr]

Progress Update 2

Updating/Upgrading UCC to Batch/VBScript Hybrid format is technically complete, I am about to begin the testing stages.

Below is the complete list of changes so far:

• Bug Fix: Fixed bug that prevented Records.ini for CIUv2.0.3.9 to be created when the conversion is only 1 disc
• Major Update: UCC is now a Batch/VBScript Hybrid, large parts of the scripts have benn updated to use VBScript codes through Batch commands
• New Feature: Completely NEW VBScript based User Interface, no more CMD Console Outputs
• New Feature: All previously used command line menus & prompts have been replaced with GUI alternatives using free .NET based external tools created by Rob van der Woude (http://www.robvanderwoude.com)
• New Feature: UCC Will now verify that ALL REQUIRED option in Settings.ini file are defined and if any of them isn't defined will display an error message and stop.
• New Feature: ISO Creation now have an error check at the end of the operation, if no errors occur conversion will continue and finish normaly but if an error occur an Error message will pop-up notifiying the user that ISO creation failed and they need to create ISO files manually.
• Feature Changes: ISO Creation is now completely quiet and being performed using PowerISO Command Line Tool instead of ImgBurn.
• Main Compressors Update: FreeArc, 7-Zip & WinRAR all uses their respective GUI version during compression now instead of the Command Line version

At this point I would like to extend an open invitation to anyone who is interested to join me & help test the new Batch/VBScript Hybrid version of Ultimate Conversion Compressor (UCC).

If you are interested in giving me a helping hand testing the new version and experience the new MsgBox based GUI please PM me and I'll send you the details and files.

Thanks for your help and have a great day

EDIT: Already found and fixed a few errors during my initial testing

[vollachr]

Progress Update 3

Testing of the new UCC version is slow, so far no application for BETA TESTERS were received.

If you know anyone that may be able to help with BETA TESTING please point them this way, thank you.

Below is the complete up-to-date list of changes so far:

• Bug Fix: Fixed bug that prevented Records.ini for CIUv2.0.3.9 to be created when the conversion is only 1 disc
• Major Update: UCC is now a Batch/VBScript Hybrid, large parts of the scripts have benn updated to use VBScript codes through Batch commands
• New Feature: Completely NEW VBScript based User Interface, no more CMD Console Outputs
• New Feature: All previously used command line menus & prompts have been replaced with GUI alternatives using free .NET based external tools created by Rob van der Woude (http://www.robvanderwoude.com)
• New Feature: UCC Will now verify that ALL REQUIRED option in Settings.ini file are defined and if any of them isn't defined will display an error message and stop.
• New Feature: ISO Creation now have an error check at the end of the operation, if no errors occur conversion will continue and finish normally but if an error occur an Error message will pop-up notifying the user that ISO creation failed and they need to create ISO files manually.
• INI Changes: Re-built Settings.ini & Data#.ini files from the ground up using a more "Standard" format
• INI Changes: The following options have been renamed: "DefaultTitle" is now "TitleType", "conversionBy" is now "Converter", "compressBy: is now "Compressor", "graphicsBy" is now "Designer", "isCollection" is now "Collection", "isSteam" is now "Steam", "GameTitle" is now "Title"
• INI Changes: The Color1 & Color2 Options have been combined into one option named "Color" which currently remains unused and disabled.
• INI Changes: Section titles now conform to standard INI format: [Section], Comments are now done using backslash "/"
• INI Changes: All ON/OFF options that previously used YES(y)/NO(n) values now uses numerical Boolean values (1=ON/YES, 0=OFF/NO)
• Script Changes: Script for importing INI files have been replaced and upgraded, it now support importing by [Section], Slashes & Backslashes & allows for multiple options with the same name in different Section of INI file
• Feature Changes: ISO Creation is now completely quiet and being performed using PowerISO Command Line Tool instead of ImgBurn.
• Main Compressors Update: FreeArc, 7-Zip & WinRAR all uses their respective GUI version during compression now instead of the Command Line version

I'm also gonna look into creating some kind of a small GUI app to edit the UCC .INI files easily.

Reminder:

To Anyone who is interested to join me & help test the new Batch/VBScript Hybrid version of Ultimate Conversion Compressor (UCC).

If you are interested in giving me a helping hand testing the new version and experience the new MsgBox based GUI please PM me and I'll send you the details and files.

Thanks for your help and have a great day

[vollachr]

Hi,

Today I would like to introduce you to a new tool that will be released alongside UCC v4.1.4 when it is ready, the UCC INI Configurator.

It is a small tool designed to make it easy to edit and understand the UCC .INI files.

Just position the UCCIniEditor.exe in the same folder as the UCC Converter.exe, run UCCIniEditor.exe and follow the on screen prompts.

The tool make use of pre-existing programs by Rob van der Woude & Software-Algorithms.

I just created a script to interface the programs and the UCC .INI files together.

Below are a few screenshots of the tool in action.

[KaktoR]

If it's not too late, i can test it on weekend. Unfortunatelly i don't have much time this mid-week.

[vollachr]

Originally Posted by KaktoR

If it's not too late, i can test it on weekend. Unfortunatelly i don't have much time this mid-week.

I've made a few changes & fixes today so I need to compile the latest exe file and run a few basic tests but I'll contact you later this week, toward the weekend with info & link to files so you can help with the tests.

Thanks.

[vollachr]

Originally Posted by KaktoR

If it's not too late, i can test it on weekend. Unfortunatelly i don't have much time this mid-week.

PM Sent, Thanks again.

Anyway, I'm gonna take this opportunity to once again extend an invitation/request to anyone and everyone out there to join us and help test UCC v4.1.4.

It is shaping up to be the fastest, simplest & easiest to use version in UCC history.

Please PM me or reply here to apply for Beta Testers, At least 2-3 more Beta Testers are needed.

Thank you.

[Newbie]

Hi, I would help you but I'm not so familiar with UCC, nor with the compression methods, and not so good pc.

Also, maybe a bug on my side or sth but I am not able to use UCC 4.1.32.13 version where 4.1.32.11 works just fine.

It says Game executable found, Conversion proceeding and then window just close after few seconds.

Do you have any idea why does it crash or what I could do to create some crash log, conversion.log doesn't contain any details about the crash.

Thank you.

[vollachr]

Originally Posted by Newbie

Hi, I would help you but I'm not so familiar with UCC, nor with the compression methods, and not so good pc.

Also, maybe a bug on my side or sth but I am not able to use UCC 4.1.32.13 version where 4.1.32.11 works just fine.

It says Game executable found, Conversion proceeding and then window just close after few seconds.

Do you have any idea why does it crash or what I could do to create some crash log, conversion.log doesn't contain any details about the crash.

Thank you.

I actually think I know what causes your problem, it appears to be a bug in the script that I recently received a report about, during tests of the next version.

As soon as I know it is solved I'll release a hotfix for it.

Basically it is related to the feature that calculate and report the game folder size, for now, a way around it is to enable the option isCollection in settings.ini file and input the exe in both EXE1 and EXE2. It will bypass the game folder size check.

[KaktoR]

Most probably the same I encountered. And I have net again on Thursday unfortunately due to holiday on Monday

[vollachr]

OK, well, it appears that there's some sort of a problem with the latest version of UCC, seems to be related to the game folder size check, funny thing is that it doesn't happen for everyone and I can't recreate it, which means for the time being I can't solve it.

That said, I will release a hotfix that will bypass said feature and as a result the problem. Probably tomorrow.

As for the new version 4.1.4, testing are officially on hold, more information on that will come later, in a few days maybe.

[vollachr]

Announcement: UCC v4.1.3.2 - Update 3.0 Hotfix 1 is now released!!!

Highlights:

• Various Bug Fixes (See OP)
• Removed/Bypassed game folder size check feature.

Please Note: The RAR file for the hotfix 1 have ONLY the Converter.exe file, changlog and Readme files, it requires the Update 3.0 Download to work.

For full details & downloads see the OP

Enjoy your day

[vollachr]

Re-Uploaded the attachment for UCC v4.1.3.2 Update 3 Hotfix 1.

Forgot to include the updated 7-zip dll file in previous upload.

[vollachr]

OK, it's been 3 days since I announced that the tests for UCC v4.1.4 have been put on HOLD. I promised more information, after 3 days of working on it I feel more comfortable to share so here goes.

Some Background:

As you are well aware, There was a problem found lately with UCC V4.1.3.2 Updated 3.0 and an Hotfix was released that disable/bypass the feature responsible for the said problem.

Due to the fact that I couldn't re-create said problem and as result couldn't solve it I've decided to abandon the archaic method of Batch scripting altogether and try to re-create UCC in a different Scripting language.

Why Now?

Well, solving problems and even getting things to work correctly with a Batch script become more of an headache than I ever wanted or expected, having to result into combining Batch/PowerShell/VBScript together made for decent visual result but a huge headache when it comes to problem solving and troubleshooting.

How will it work?

You may remember that I previously said I don't have the knowledge to re-create UCC in a better programming language, that is still true, "REAL" programming languages such as PHYTON, C++ and others are, for now beyond my skills and reach.

So what am I gonna do? Well, instead of a full blown programming language as described above I decided to go with another Scripting language, one which is both closer to programming and more compatible than Batch ever was and also relatively easy to learn on the go and more protected from Script stealing than Batch files.

What Language is that?

Well, I chose to go with AutoIT for the purpose of re-creating UCC, it appear to have all the options & features I need/want and is, as I previously stated above, relatively easy to learn on the go, which is a big PLUS for me.

What's the plan?

The original plan was to stay with the format I planned for UCC v4.1.4 when I tried to do it with Batch/Vbscript hybrid format, using message boxes, I since found out how simple it is to create simple GUI with AutoIT so much of the new version screens will be just that, simple GUI screens with timed display, other places, where user input is required will either be Message Boxes or Simple GUI screens with buttons that require the User to press OK to continue.

Overall, for the time being it will stay true to the way it was in the past, a fluent, text based script that will be shown in GUI format instead of Command Line Console.

Is that it?

No, that's only the first stage, once the script is completely re-written in above said format & released I plan to attempt and upgrade it to a full User Interface program, much in line with what you may know from UltraArc but still very different.

But that is a long way away.

How much time will it take?

The first stage, upgrading the 4.1.4 script from Batch/VBScript to AutoIT is already in Progress but relatively in the beginning stages, still, I'm attaching some first preview photos below that shows some proof of concept.

As for time, it's hard to say, my guess it could take anything between weeks to months, depends on how quickly I can progress and how hard it will be to program some of the more complex parts of the script.

As for the 2nd stage, the Full GUI program upgrade, I won't even hazard a guess before I finish the 1st stage.

Final Words:

That's it, the reasons for UCC v4.1.4 being put on hold & the future plans for it are laid out before you, I hope you'll be patient with me.

It does not mean in any way that I'll stop supporting the current & previous versions of UCC while I develop the next generation of UCC with AutoIT, if you have any problems I'll still be around to help and fix bugs wherever possible.

Screenshots:

Below are some screenshots from early development of UCC v4.1.4 with AutoIT, as well as a Concept of the GUI for the 2nd stage I mentioned.

AV Warning


Startup Screen


Source & Output


Stage 2 Concept