Cataloging/Indexing files with differing file-naming formats utilizing CompuHost V3's new advanced "Compound Templates" feature!
CompuHost V3 v.3.40.00 or later required!
CompuHost V3 now offers the ability to combine varying "file naming templates" into a single "Compound Template".
But before we get into "how to create a compound template", we'll need to fully understand its inherent limitations.
What it CAN do...
It may be able to automatically decipher between file-naming formats that incorporate varying "components" (DiscID, Track, Title, Artist) and "delimiters" (dashes etc.), matching the filename with the closest matching template provided within the "compound template".
What it CAN'T do...
It CANNOT decipher between the individual components, such as the actual Song Title and Artist Name!
Please understand that although we humans may be able to determine that "My Way" is a popular Song Title, and "Frank Sinatra" is a popular Artist, to a computer, these are simply "words". Therefore, do NOT combine templates that incorporate the same delimiters, only with differing components, and expect it to work, IT WON'T!
As an example, let's look at two very similar filenames...
"SC8181-01 - Frank Sinatra - My Way.cdg"
&
"SC8181-01 - My Way - Frank Sinatra.cdg"
As you see, the two filenames above utilize the exact same delimiters and general formatting, however the Title and Artist are reversed. Our first instinct may be to place two corresponding templates, reversing the component designators, within our "compound template" such as...
D-N - A - T;D-N - T - A
BUT DON'T, IT WILL NOT WORK!
Again, you'll be expecting CompuHost V3 to identify which component of the filename is actually the Song Title or Artist... simply not possible!
With that out of the way, let's get on with compiling our "Compound Template"!
To do so, we'll simply utilize the applicable "Component Designators" (below) and the applicable "Delimiters" to compile individual templates that correspond to the actual formatting of our existing Karaoke Song Files, separating each with a SEMI-COLON and incorporating them all into one single "Compound Template".
Component Designators
D = DiscID
N = TrackNo
T = Song Title
A = Artist Name
As an example...
Let's say we have these three filenames, all mixed within the same folder to be indexed...
| File Name |
Corresponding Template |
| SC8181-01 - Sinatra, Frank - My Way.cdg |
D-N - A - T |
| Clapton, Eric - Wonderful Tonight.cdg |
A - T |
| Presley, Elvis - Little Sister - SC3637-01.cdg |
A - T - D-N |
We may create a "Compound Template" by combining the individual corresponding templates into a single template like so...
D-N - A - T;A - T;A - T - D-N
Note the semi-colons separating the three individual templates!
Once we've compiled our "Compound Template" we'll simply select "Custom" from the drop-down Template selections within CompuHost V3 and enter our "Compound Template".
That's It!