This is the main dialog to receive the needed ROM information. Here you can manage your DatFiles, executables and settings.
There are basically two ways of stored ROM-information. The first one is a simple DatFile. The second one are binaries (like mame.exe, raine.exe, etc.) which support options to create a ROMlist. So e.g. when a new MAME is out you don't have to create a DatFile or wait till someone does that for you, you can simply use the executable to get the needed data. ClrMamePro handles both types. Normal DatFiles and so called exe-based-DatFile. An exe-based DatFile is simply a different word for 'I'm using a binary to get my ROM information'. ClrMamePro creates pseudo DatFiles for such binaries in ClrMamePro's DatFile folder. So...from now on we have DatFiles and exe-based-DatFiles.
(exe based) DatFile are the files with the ROM-information. Each DatFile has a corresponding SettingsFile which is stored in ClrMamePro's Settings folder. DatFiles and SettingsFiles have the same filename but different extensions. DatFile extensions are normally *.dat and SettingsFiles have a *.cmp extension. ClrMamePro stores all its settings (ROMPaths, Scanner options, etc.) in that SettingsFile. If you use a new DatFile you can create a default SettingsFile for it or update an earlier used SettingsFile. Read more about that below (Loading / Updating). SettingsFile can be viewed/edited with a common texteditor. ClrMamePro automatically saves the SettingsFile when leaving ClrMamePro and when leaving or entering the Profiler.
There are 3 ways to use a datfile:
DatFiles have to be put in <ClrMamePro-Folder>/DatFiles. This is the only valid folder for DatFiles. Run ClrMamePro, go to the Profiler. Your DatFile should be now listed in the DatFile-list. It is not listed if it isn't a valid DatFile. If you want to use it, click on Load/Update or simply double-click it. Before you do that you should read the part about Loading / Updating below. You can use subfolders in your datfiles folder. The profiler will show the subfolder structure as well. The subfolder structures of the datfile path and the settingsfile have to be the same. New and unused DatFiles are always listed in the 'Not Used / New DatFiles' folder ! Even if they are physically stored in a datfiles subfolder !
Simply add an exe-based DatFile. In the lower part of the Profilerwindow you see options to add such an exe-based DatFile. Follow the following 3 steps
ClrMamePro will ask you where to put the DatFile. Chose a folder (e.g. DatFiles Root). The DatFile list will do a refresh and you'll see your added exe-based DatFile. Now simply follow the steps for DatFiles...
ClrMamePro scans its 'DatFiles' folder and lists all valid DatFiles (and exe-based DatFiles) in this list. If the DatFile has a description tag, ClrMamePro will list the DatFile with that name. Otherwise it uses the filename. New Datfiles or not used datfiles (dats without a corresponding settingsfile) are listed in the 'not used / new datfiles' folder. Exe-based DatFiles have a different symbol (the small computer) than normal DatFiles.
By right-clicking a folder or profile, you can move profiles and you can create subfolders. There is also a hide menu to hide/show grey/red/green profiles optionally. When moving profiles, you'll see a new destination directory tree. Fastscan/Logfiles/Scanfiles are also moved as long as they use relative paths.
You can also drag&drop folders and files (including zipfiles) to add DatFiles.
ClrMamePro displays various information about the currently selected DatFile in this box. Most of these information are stored within the DatFile. Like Name, Version, Author, Description and a date/time stamp. You have to modify the DatFiles to change these values.
CMPro's profiler shows the last used date/timestamp of the currently selected profile and how many sets are missing. You have to do a not-aborted scan to see the correct value. There are also 3 kind of little lights (grey, red and green) which indicate the status of the collection:
To use a binary as a ROM-information-resource you have to add an exe-based DatFile.
So...ClrMamePro needs ROM information, you've a list with DatFiles or exe-based DatFiles...now...what do you have to do to get the information which is stored in the DatFile or the exe-based-DatFile ?
Normally you only click on a listed DatFile and then click on 'Load / Update'. You can also double click the listed file to load it. That's it ? Really ? Well...in most cases. The only other possibility is that the selected DatFile doesn't have a valid SettingsFile. Remember: The datfile is listed in 'not used / new datfiles' in that case. After double-clicking (or using the "Load/Update" button), ClrMamePro checks if the new datfile is an update to an old, if so, it directly asks you if you want to update your old one. If no update is available or you don't want to use that 'auto update' feature, you'll see this dialog:
So...no SettingsFile exists for the currently selected DatFile. Now you can
Take a look at the example below...
ClrMamePro automatically creates default settings when you add an exe-based DatFile. Exe-based DatFile will be updated by replacing the old binary (e.g. mame.exe) with the new version of that exefile. ClrMamePro detects updated exe files and will receive the needed ROMinformation from that new exefile.
If you want to use the exe-based DatFile with a different named exe (e.g. you stored the new MAME version at a different place) you can modify the name and the type of that binary, too. Simply edit the filename and type.
For example: If you have a NeoGeo 20020501 DatFile with a valid SettingsFile which you use daily.....and now a new DatFile (NeoGeo20020718) is released. Simply put that new DatFile in the DatFiles folder and enter the profiler. The new NeoGeo DatFile will be listed as not-used. New and unused DatFiles are always listed in the 'Not Used / New DatFiles' folder ! Even if they are physically stored in a datfiles subfolder ! As soon as they are activated (default options or update), they will be shown in the correct subfolder !
Load it and ClrMamePro gives you directly the chance to auto update your old file. If you don't want to use the auto-update option or no update was found, the update/default/cancel dialog appears. Click on 'Update' and ClrMamePro shows you a list with all available SettingsFiles. Be careful when you update a SettingsFile. You have to be sure which one should be used with the new DatFile.
Click on the SettingsFile you want to update. If no SettingsFiles are listed you can only leave that dialog with Cancel and nothing will happen at all. ClrMamePro automatically activates the first 'best fit' SettingsFile for the new DatFile. This doesn't work in all cases (e.g. due to missing DatFile information). So always check ClrMamePro's choice ! Click on Update and ClrMamePro tries to update the old SettingsFile, loads the DatFile and exits the profiler.
ClrMamePro removes the old DatFile (in this case NeoGeo 20020501) if you enable the option ' Remove old DatFile after Update'. Otherwise this old DatFile will be listed as not-used as soon as you reenter the profiler.