Script to create image collage for compilation albums?

[hotspur]

I'm probably pretty close to the deep end here, but I'll ask anyway. I'd like a script that would create an image collage for compilation albums. For example, it would take the first 4 songs on a compilation and make (create or display) a four-square image to represent that album, similar to below.



Is something like this even possible in Silverjuke, or is it outside the scope of the program? I haven't done a lot of scripting, but this would be a good project for me to cut my teeth on if I had a chance of success. If it is possible, a little push in the right direction would also be appreciated

[SilverEagle]

Outside Silverjuke. I had a similar (but simpler) problem: I needed all images from all tracks in separate files (JPG) and even that was not possible.

You could use Media Money to batch-extract all JPG's (I think that is what I did ), then some external image tool to create an index-JPG of the images, and Media Monkey again to assign the JPG's again to the MP3's.

But I must say I like the idea of Silverjuke handling all this internally and offering this as a feature for anything it recognizes as a compilation. Team: something for the wishlist maybe?

SilverEagle

[hotspur]

SilverEagle wrote:
> Outside Silverjuke. I had a similar (but simpler)
> problem: I needed all images from all tracks in
> separate files (JPG) and even that was not
> possible.
>

Was this in an earlier version of SJ, Silvereagle? I can create a file named folder.jpg and put it in the album directory. When I recreate the music library, folder.jpg is automatically selected as the album art.

Thanks for info. I thought this would be a nice addition to the program, but I wasn't sure if anyone else would find it useful. SJ is a very visual program for me, especially using SilverTouch, and album art should suggest the contents of the album as closely as possible.

[SilverEagle]

hotspur wrote:
> SilverEagle wrote:
> > Outside Silverjuke. I had a similar (but simpler)
> > problem: I needed all images from all tracks in
> > separate files (JPG) and even that was not
> > possible.
> >
>
> Was this in an earlier version of SJ, Silvereagle?
> I can create a file named folder.jpg and put it in
> the album directory. When I recreate the music
> library, folder.jpg is automatically selected as
> the album art.

My problem was how to create the folder.jpg's. I did have the art inside the MP3's, but for a specific reason I needed the album art exported to a folder.jpg.

But I do think your idea of "multiple images inside a compilation image" is neat

SilverEagle

[SilverEagle]

SilverEagle wrote:
> But I do think your idea of "multiple images
> inside a compilation image" is neat

Which is why I created a little batchfile doing what you proposed. It is not Silverjuke specific, but it does more or less what you suggested: run this (in a command window) in a directory with assorted tracks, it will generate a folder.jpg with a 1x1, 2x2 or 3x3 grid of the individual covers.

Usage:
1) First install the tools (free). Easiest to install the windows dll version, which you can find . Best let the installer include the directory in your path. From this package I use the 'montage' tool.
2) Unpack the MP3thumbindex.zip somewhere in your path, might as well be the C:\Program Files\ImageMagick-xxx directory. This has a small utility to extract albumart and the major batchfile combining it all.
3) Go to a directory containing a collection of assorted MP3's, type MP3thumbindex.

A folder.jpg should now have been created.

Enjoy,
SilverEagle
PS: The included mp3pict.exe tool is something I just wrote because I could not find a no-nonsense command line tool to extract coverart from an MP3. It uses the free .

[hotspur]

SilverEagle wrote:

> Which is why I created a little batchfile doing
> what you proposed.

You are some mad scientist, SE. Can't wait to give this a try!

[hotspur]

It works great, SE!

I modified the batch file to create a 2x2 only version, which I use with single artist collections that don't have very many albums.

Installing the 'Open Command Window Here' powertool located makes opening the right directory from Explorer quick and easy.

Once again, I am in your debt

[SilverEagle]

hotspur wrote:
> I modified the batch file to create a 2x2 only
> version, which I use with single artist
> collections that don't have very many albums.

That should not have been necessary, I wrote the batchfile to create 1x1 for 1 track, 2x2 for 2-4 tracks and 3x3 for 5 tracks or more (showing at most nine tracks). Did that not work for you somehow?

Good idea of using the 'Open Command Window Here' powertool for this purpose!

SilverEagle

[hotspur]

SilverEagle wrote:
>
> That should not have been necessary, I wrote the
> batchfile to create 1x1 for 1 track, 2x2 for 2-4
> tracks and 3x3 for 5 tracks or more (showing at
> most nine tracks). Did that not work for you
> somehow?

It was completely unnecessary; the batch file you wrote works fine. However, I've created a lot of 'Best Of' collections from artist that only have 3-5 albums, and a 2x2 tile image is a better fit for these albums.

I'm creating the Best Of's in part to reduce the number of albums in the jukebox collection. It's an effort to avoid 'browsing fatigue' for my guests while still offering a wide range of choices. The new you're working on seems to address the same issue, and might end up making my efforts unnecessary. But it's a fun project, since it mostly involves thumbing (virtually) through my music collection and choosing my favorite songs.