A CycloDS Evolution Configuration Editor
By Shane R. Monroe
Homepage: http://www.monroeworld.com/cycloedit
NOTE: THIS IS STILL BETA SOFTWARE! BACKUP YOUR CYCLODS FOLDER BEFORE MESSING WITH IT WITH THIS TOOL!
What is it?
This tool is used to edit the configuration file on the CycloDS Evolution for those that prefer GUI tools instead of messing with editing XML files. The tool also performs the following services:
- Performs a global backup of your .SAV files from ALL folders and puts them neatly into a date/time stamped folder on your hard drive.
- A skin manager lets you select, preview (to some degree), delete, backup and add (soon) skins to your card.
- An overview of your microSD card; available space, breakdown of filetypes vs. space used, etc.
- An "Update Center" that allows you to update the tool, CycloDS Evolution Firmware (stable and beta) and the cheat file.
More features will come!
What is required?
You will need .NET runtimes installed. Yeah, I know - I used to feel the same way. Progress can be embraced or we can do without. I chose to embrace.
If you are running Windows Vista, you're all set. If you are running Windows XP with recent service packs, you should be all set. if you're back on the original release of XP because MS is evil and you don't want WGA on your computer, you will need to install the .NET framework.
Of course, you need a CycloDS Evolution card (more specifically, the microSD card you use with it) and you should be running V1.41 of the firmware or higher on your CycloDS Evo card.
This product has been tested under Linux WINE and has been found to work fine. A Mac version is forthcoming from a third party under the name iCyclo. Check the Team Cyclops forums for more information.
How to use it
Plug your microSD card into the PC and run this program. You will need to choose your microSD drive from the drop down. Once you do, it will load the config file and populate the form. Make your changes, and hit save. It's pretty simple. Most options should be pretty self-explanatory. use the SHOW MORE button to see the skin manager and the microSD details.
Version Information
V0.997b - Nothing ...
- This version was only incremented to allow wide-spread testing of the CycloEdit updater.
- Nothing has been fixed or added to this build from the last.
V0.996b - CycloEdit Self Updater
- Yes, we have a self-updating app! Just use the Update Center inside the program. Do not run the exe AppUpdate.exe on it's own.
- Some minor fixes
- Bugs stiill remaining - Validate skins needs to be removed, XP Skins still mess up the layout.
V0.995b - The ... like, WHOA release ...
- Wow, so much new here, not even sure where to start ...
- No more error if you don't already have a cheat file (and you attempt to DL a new one).
- All the updates have been moved to a centralized "update center" (surely there are several bugs in here). You can choose WHICH upgrades to check for and install - including firmware, CycloEdit itself (not yet working) and the cheat file.
- Cheat file has been moved to GBATemp's version.
- Some UI layout changes.
- So much for going 1.0 soon heh - regression testing should keep me busy a long time :)
- Tons of changes under the hood; fixes, optimizations, error checking, blah blah .
- This file has moved to HTML to avoid being overwritten by README files that come along with various updaters (easier to read too)
V0.991b - Bug Fixes
- PERFORM ADVANCED ANALYSIS resets each button press.
- Locked the main form (thought I did that already).
- Capitalized my last name somewhere
- The absence of a SKINS folder no longer blows the app up. One will be created for you by default now.
V0.98b - Advanced Analysis
- Advanced analysis is completed. I haven't hand counted the files to be 100% positive it's right, but I belive it is. This will be IT for v1.0. Once I'm sure there is nothing glaring, we'll go 1.0 RC1 and finally 1.0. THEN we'll start adding features. :)
V0.97b - microSD Card Stats
- The application has been expanded even further; giving you a more detailed look at your microSD Card. Set up code and locations for detailed breakdowns.
- Added more links and credits (as I said I would ;)
V0.96b - Skin Manager Redux
- There has been some aesthetic changes to the application; the skin manager is no longer it's own window, but rather a pop out pane from the main app. Preview window continues to be it's own window.
- Misc fixes and code optimizations.
V0.95b - Add Skins
- - Preliminary support for adding skins. Download skins in ZIP format (i.e. NDSThemes.com - remember, CycloDS format only). Run CycloEdit, hit the skin manager, push the Add Skin button. Select the Zip. Done.
V0.94b - Core changes, fixes
- Went through a bunch of restructuring (this is what happens when you don't use design documents, eh?), which will probably bring some regression bugs, but let's hope not.
- I'm doing partial skin.xml parsing to get the top and bottom screens now - should be no more of this "Can't load screen" nonsense
- I've also handled the SKIN/SKINS folder name issue. That required a bit of rework all around, but seems to be working.
- The mysterious path bug should be gone - savbackup and skinbackup should be right with the exe now.
- The cheats file is unhidden now so it shouldn't flag any more errors when you download the cheat file.
V0.93b - Skin Manager Begins!
- Added a button to launch the skin manager.
- Double click a skin for a preview (just screen backgrounds for now).
- You can set a default skin now.
- You can Delete skins (with optional backup).
- Couple minor things...
V0.92b - Backup SAV files and more
- Backup SAV files now works! If there is a naming collision on your save files (like f:\games\Shane\AnimalCrossing.sav and f:\games\Bryan\AnimalCrossing.sav) the first one found will be saved as the name, the others will get a random number placed on the front (i.e. 456AnimalCrossing.sav). I will work out a more elegant solution later.
- Add some error checking for downloading the cheat file.
- Added a kludgy but somewhat functional progress indicator for downloading cheat and backing up savs. more elegant later.
- Fixed the bug where ROM name listing item wasn't saved properly.
- Fixed the bug where a HIDDEN config.xml file wouldn't save (application will change it to -h and not re-hide it; however if the CycloDS folder is hidden, it will stay as such).
V0.91b - Download cheats!
- I was intrigued by a request to download and install the latest cheat files from srBLOG! Again, no error handling yet, but it appears to work
- Apparently, if the CycloDS folder is HIDDEN, we get an error; I'll fix that next release.
V0.9b - First public beta release
- Everything should work, but not a lot of error checking has been done
Whew!
Thanks and Credits
Thanks to Mejilan, Womp and the crew over at the Team Cyclops forum for all their testing and work.
Third Party Technology Used
This product uses the incredible SharpZipLib DLL.
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