Beta 4.0 is now available for download >>>HERE<<<
If you had a previous version, you will have to uninstall first, but no other changes should be necessary.
Improvements - Beta 4 finally eliminates the dreaded GridView, allowing free access to the database. That means it is now possible to generate any search you want. The first stage of this process is the Advanced Search.
> The Advanced Search is functional
> Three tiered sort tools are now available
> Hardcoded filepaths are gone, and the program should be able to run from any directory, on any hard drive.
> Numerous subtle improvements to the GUI, mostly just tweaking the alignment of controls
> The database has been updated, fixing several hundred cards with cut-off text
> Most promo cards are included
> Alara Reborn is included
> Saving now works like any text document, meaning it warns you about closing without saving, and lets you choose a save location.
Problems & Bugs - While numerous improvements have been made, some technical difficulties have cropped up.
> Sorting processes for Card Type are buggy. I'm aware of the problem, but not sure how to fix it in a reasonable manner. The only fix I know of right now is to parse (read) the type line of each card, which is *slightly* time consuming and wasteful. By slightly, of course, I mean "omg panic" slightly.
> A similar situation with the "Distinguish Number Of Colors" filter option. This one is easier to fix, but I'd prefer to fix it through the database query (automatically) rather than add yet another column for such a narrow purpose.
> The search query is now generated live, and might have some bugs in it. It shouldn't cause any actual problems, but let me know what settings you used to cause the problem so I can fix it.
> The small card tooltip is still really wonky, but I disabled it by default so it isn't too annoying now.
What's Next - Here's what I have planned for the next couple of months:
> Fixes to the above
> Fixing the "uninstall the old version" problem, so installing updates is simple.
> User profile saving (saving of display settings, search settings, and default files to open)
> A card detail window, similar to Gather. This would show all the information about a single card, including alternate printings, and will give you a text field for jotting down notes.
For example: "note: Bob wants this card"
> Deck editing? I'm still thinking about how to do this. In theory it should be straightforward, because all the groundwork is already laid, but I want to meet with a professional developer and show him (her) my work first.
I plan on rebuilding everything using .NET 2008, making the most of everything I learned the first time, and the more work I do in 2005, the more I have to rebuild later. :P
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
File Saving upgraded
Work has been continuing, when I have the time, mostly on minor things that bug me.
One thing I completely revamped is the save file process. The save process now works much like word documents and such. I even included some "this file hasn't been saved" type error messages, so the entire process is much more intuitive.
Now that that feature is up to snuff, I plan on adding some other features, such as a wish list and trade list. By parsing a wish list and a collection file, have/want lists can be generated.
This upgrade won't be included until the Alara Reborn update, which will be released in late April (when the Alara Reborn set is released)
PS: Shameless plug for search engines (I hope):
Magic the Gathering
MtG
MTG
Magic Collection Manager
One thing I completely revamped is the save file process. The save process now works much like word documents and such. I even included some "this file hasn't been saved" type error messages, so the entire process is much more intuitive.
Now that that feature is up to snuff, I plan on adding some other features, such as a wish list and trade list. By parsing a wish list and a collection file, have/want lists can be generated.
This upgrade won't be included until the Alara Reborn update, which will be released in late April (when the Alara Reborn set is released)
PS: Shameless plug for search engines (I hope):
Magic the Gathering
MtG
MTG
Magic Collection Manager
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Beta 3.1 Release
Beta 3.1 is now finished.
I fixed several minor database glitches and improved the GUI subtly.
The biggest change is the text on the preview cards.
Upgrades and Fixes:
* The WUBBG error on conflux cards is fixed (It should WUBRG)
* Improvements have been made to the Preview Card text formatting.
* Some minor database issues were fixed
* The database and save file for cards were moved to a "Data" folder for consistency
* Planar Chaos frames are now included with the primary download
* Unhinged and Unglued frames are now available for download
The new version can be downloaded >HERE<, but I will update the link in the download instructions as well.
Those upgrading from a previous version will need to uninstall the old version first. I hope to overcome this irritant soon.
I fixed several minor database glitches and improved the GUI subtly.
The biggest change is the text on the preview cards.
Upgrades and Fixes:
* The WUBBG error on conflux cards is fixed (It should WUBRG)
* Improvements have been made to the Preview Card text formatting.
* Some minor database issues were fixed
* The database and save file for cards were moved to a "Data" folder for consistency
* Planar Chaos frames are now included with the primary download
* Unhinged and Unglued frames are now available for download
The new version can be downloaded >HERE<, but I will update the link in the download instructions as well.
Those upgrading from a previous version will need to uninstall the old version first. I hope to overcome this irritant soon.
Beta 3.1 Screenshots
Beta 3.1 brings improvements to the preview card text formatting. The small card text formatting has also been upgraded.
============================================================
NOTE: several of the following screenshots are from before the Beta 3.1 changes were made.
This is to give an example of the sorts of changes that were made, and because I already had those screenshots and replicating them would be a bit excessive. :P
The biggest changes were to the text box, where icons and formatting changes are now applied.
============================================================
Advanced Sorting Options (Sort By Color)
.bmp)
.bmp)
Advanced Sorting Options (Sort By Type)
.bmp)
Overriding Card Frames - Some people prefer the look of the old style card frames, while others prefer the new frames. You can override the default.
Tokens are included too
============================================================
NOTE: several of the following screenshots are from before the Beta 3.1 changes were made.
This is to give an example of the sorts of changes that were made, and because I already had those screenshots and replicating them would be a bit excessive. :P
The biggest changes were to the text box, where icons and formatting changes are now applied.
============================================================
Advanced Sorting Options (Sort By Color)
.bmp)
.bmp)
Advanced Sorting Options (Sort By Type)
.bmp)
Overriding Card Frames - Some people prefer the look of the old style card frames, while others prefer the new frames. You can override the default.
Tokens are included too
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Beta 3.0
I've completed Beta 3.0 now, but there are some minor glitches to fix.
It saves data now, and can import MOL2 save data with about a 98% success rate. The 2% drop rate is caused by things with "Æther" and other non-english characters that don't compare properly. Don't worry though, these error cards are compiled into a text file, which is opened at the end of the import feature. You simply have to enter these cards by hand.
The errors are mostly in some accidental database typos, and the disabling of background utilities. I turned these off to test some other things and forgot to turn them back on.
I'll be releasing a Beta 3.1 in another week or so with these features enabled, but it shouldn't cause any problems in the meantime.
Beta 3.0 download link:
It saves data now, and can import MOL2 save data with about a 98% success rate. The 2% drop rate is caused by things with "Æther" and other non-english characters that don't compare properly. Don't worry though, these error cards are compiled into a text file, which is opened at the end of the import feature. You simply have to enter these cards by hand.
The errors are mostly in some accidental database typos, and the disabling of background utilities. I turned these off to test some other things and forgot to turn them back on.
I'll be releasing a Beta 3.1 in another week or so with these features enabled, but it shouldn't cause any problems in the meantime.
Beta 3.0 download link:
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Apparently Rapidshare changed their download management options, meaning my files are no longer on their server.
So I switched to MediaFire.com
The new download link is >HERE< but I'll also be editing it in the download instructions.
So I switched to MediaFire.com
The new download link is >HERE< but I'll also be editing it in the download instructions.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Update: Beta 2!
After much toil and frustration, Beta 2 is complete!
I *think* everything works, but I couldn't test it a second time after some minor changes.
The program now requires the .NET framework and SQL to run properly, but it didn't tell me that until I tried to install it. I'll try to eliminate that requirement if it bothers anyone. Both are available for free, and the installer *should* handle all that automatically. Now that all the computers I have access to have those components, I can't test to see if the installer will do that itself.
>>>> Download Link <<<<
I *think* everything works, but I couldn't test it a second time after some minor changes.
The program now requires the .NET framework and SQL to run properly, but it didn't tell me that until I tried to install it. I'll try to eliminate that requirement if it bothers anyone. Both are available for free, and the installer *should* handle all that automatically. Now that all the computers I have access to have those components, I can't test to see if the installer will do that itself.
>>>> Download Link <<<<
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