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Arisotura
Posted on 12-23-21 05:23 PM Link | #4871
I'm in the process of refactoring ROM loading and all that, as it has become a mess. and there are other issues: for example, the GBA cart support is completely unintuitive.

so...



the current menu:





envisioned changes:



* separate 'Import savefile', maybe move it above the savestate options



* 'Open ROM'/'Open ROM inside archive'/'Open recent' would stay as-is: load a NDS ROM and start emulating it (resetting emulation if something else was running).

maybe these could be reworded to reflect that (as opposed to the suggested new options, that would simply load a cart without doing anything else)

maybe 'Open ROM'/'Open ROM inside archive' can be merged together. the file picker would show zips/etc alongside regular ROMs, and then it's easy to figure out if the user selected an archive file.



* add options to load a ROM and do nothing else, simulating a cartridge being inserted in an already running DS (cart hotswapping is supported on DSi, and I want to support that)

as well as ejecting the current cart.

(should these add to the recent ROMs list?)



* add similar options for GBA ROMs (as well as another for selecting a possible add-on cart).



basic list of the features I want to support:

* loading cart without resetting
* loading cart and resetting (the current way)
* loading GBA cart
* (maybe) auto-loading the right GBA slot addon for specific games
* ejecting carts

I want the thing to be full-featured without being unintuitive or galaxy-brain, and that's always a challenge with UI shit.


so, your opinions are welcome.

____________________
Kuribo64

poudink
Posted on 01-07-22 09:16 PM Link | #4903
Half a month late to seeing this, but here's what I think:
Posted by Arisotura
maybe 'Open ROM'/'Open ROM inside archive' can be merged together. the file picker would show zips/etc alongside regular ROMs, and then it's easy to figure out if the user selected an archive file.

Yeah, I definitely think Open ROM should be merged with Open ROM inside archive. Just feels bloated, otherwise.
Posted by Arisotura
* add options to load a ROM and do nothing else, simulating a cartridge being inserted in an already running DS (cart hotswapping is supported on DSi, and I want to support that)

as well as ejecting the current cart.

(should these add to the recent ROMs list?)

An option to simply load a ROM could be implemented with a "Load ROM" or "Insert Cartridge" option. If a ROM is loaded, the option would be replaced (if that's possible) with an "Eject Cartridge" option. You can't insert a cartridge if there's already one inserted and you can't eject a cartridge if there's none inserted, so that makes the most sense. You could then just run the ROM through a "Run" option in the System menu, like in old melonDS versions. I definitely think they should be added to the recent ROMs list. You could maybe only add it if the ROM actually gets launched (so loading the ROM without using the "Run" option or selecting it in the DS/DSi menu wouldn't add it), but I think that would just add more confusion/complexity.
Posted by Arisotura
* add similar options for GBA ROMs (as well as another for selecting a possible add-on cart).

GBA ROMs as currently supported in melonDS (as in, can't actually run them) aren't used commonly enough to be present alongside the DS ROM options, IMO. I believe it'd be best to add a "Slot-2" drop down menu in the "Emu settings" DS-mode tab (since it obviously doesn't apply to DSi-mode). The drop down menu would offer an option for every supported slot-2 accessory, as well as a "Game cartridge" option. If picked, the option would enable a "Browse..." option right next to the drop down menu with which the user could select a GBA ROM.

____________________
Nothing to say, so jadnjkfmnjamnfjkldnajfnjkanfjdksan jsdnvj m.

Arisotura
Posted on 01-07-22 09:17 PM Link | #4904
well, the overhaul has been done, you can grab an Actions build and see for yourself

____________________
Kuribo64


Main - Development - ROM loading overhaul Hide post layouts | New reply

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