Old 03-11-2019, 12:34 PM   #1
sl23
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Default Tip: avoid having to unzip theme files

I just thought I'd share this little tip with everyone here. I find it so much quicker and easier when editing themes

Apps I use:
1. WinRAR - archive program.
2. Honeyview - image viewer.
3. Paint.NET - graphics editor

First, I've already set WinRAR and Honeyview file associations so they are my default apps. You'll need to associate Reaper theme files with WinRAR also.

Next, open a theme file, which should now open WinRAR. Then choose the file to view which should also now open in Honeyview.

Assuming you're with me so far, you need to go into Honeyview settings and choose the default app for editing files. I chose Paint.NET, so when you click the Edit button at the top right of Honeyview window, the option to open in external editor will then open
Paint.NET.

Hopefully, I'm explaining properly?

So the process is:
1. Open WinRAR and select file to edit.
2. Honeyview appears. Click edit and select open in external editor.
3. This opens Paint.NET where you can then edit your file.

When you save the file in Paint.NET, a window appears confirming the save, click OK.

Now for the good bit!

Now focus the WinRAR window and you'll see a message box with it asking to update the files contained within the archive!

That's it! All you have to do if Reaper is open is to refresh the theme and you'll see the edits straight away.

No need to unzip, edit, then zip it again!
I find this way so much easier to check how things are looking ap you go rather than keep zipping and unzipping with every edit you make.

Hope you find this as useful as I do
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Old 03-11-2019, 02:51 PM   #2
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When working on a theme, I just keep it unzipped the whole time, while editing / making changes / refreshing... I’ve had no problems.
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Old 03-11-2019, 03:21 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sl23 View Post
I just thought I'd share this little tip with everyone here. I find it so much quicker and easier when editing themes

Apps I use:
1. WinRAR - archive program.
2. Honeyview - image viewer.
3. Paint.NET - graphics editor

First, I've already set WinRAR and Honeyview file associations so they are my default apps. You'll need to associate Reaper theme files with WinRAR also.

Next, open a theme file, which should now open WinRAR. Then choose the file to view which should also now open in Honeyview.

Assuming you're with me so far, you need to go into Honeyview settings and choose the default app for editing files. I chose Paint.NET, so when you click the Edit button at the top right of Honeyview window, the option to open in external editor will then open
Paint.NET.

Hopefully, I'm explaining properly?

So the process is:
1. Open WinRAR and select file to edit.
2. Honeyview appears. Click edit and select open in external editor.
3. This opens Paint.NET where you can then edit your file.

When you save the file in Paint.NET, a window appears confirming the save, click OK.

Now for the good bit!

Now focus the WinRAR window and you'll see a message box with it asking to update the files contained within the archive!

That's it! All you have to do if Reaper is open is to refresh the theme and you'll see the edits straight away.

No need to unzip, edit, then zip it again!
I find this way so much easier to check how things are looking ap you go rather than keep zipping and unzipping with every edit you make.

Hope you find this as useful as I do
Interesting. This sounds like it applies to graphic files, what about the rt file.
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Old 03-11-2019, 04:48 PM   #4
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@ NRG: Are you saying you can load Reaper themes as a folder?

@ Sickamorz:
I've edited various text and graphic files like this and had no problems.
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Old 03-11-2019, 04:57 PM   #5
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You don't need to re-zip a theme for Reaper to use it.

If Reaper finds a packed theme and an unpacked theme with the same name, you'll only see one theme in the theme selector. Choose it and what you'll see will be the unpacked theme, which Reaper will prioritise.
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:11 PM   #6
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Haha, all that for nothing then!

ok, I tried to use the unpacked one but it didn't appear within Reapers theme list, so I assumed it had to be zipped!
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:21 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sl23 View Post
@ NRG: Are you saying you can load Reaper themes as a folder

I unzip the the theme. For example my 'Stealth' theme


I now have 2 parts. A REAPER Theme file (color / font data...) and folder with images & rtconfig


I change the name of these 2 parts for example to 'Stealth Test'


Open the Theme development/tweaker and press the load theme button and select your newly named theme (ie 'Stealth Test')


At the bottom of the Theme development/tweaker is the Image resource path:


Browse to select the correct image folder (ie 'Stealth Test') or just type in 'Stealth Test' at the end of the path


Press Reload images (bottom left of the Theme development/tweaker)


Then press Save Theme (top right of Theme development/tweaker) and save as 'Stealth Test'.


The REAPER Theme file and image file are now linked and you can go to work and press Reload images on the Theme development/tweaker to update changes as you go...


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Old 03-11-2019, 05:22 PM   #8
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Or what White Tie said! B)
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:41 PM   #9
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Doesn't work!

I unzipped the contents into the ColorThemes folder. ie the file and folder are now located here. The theme loads but doesn't load correctly. I'm getting half default theme and half my theme.

All buttons, meters, TCP, MCP, Transport, etc are defaults. but I think all the components from the The,me Dev/Tweaker are correct.

Removing the issue cures the above issue, but then Reaper is not reading the folder but instead the zip file.
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:42 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sl23 View Post
Doesn't work!

I unzipped the contents into the ColorThemes folder. ie the file and folder are now located here. The theme loads but doesn't load correctly. I'm getting half default theme and half my theme.

All buttons, meters, TCP, MCP, Transport, etc are defaults. but I think all the components from the The,me Dev/Tweaker are correct.

Did you try my steps?
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:52 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by +NRG View Post
Browse to select the correct image folder (ie 'Stealth Test') or just type in 'Stealth Test' at the end of the path
The problem was Here!
Thanks for your help
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:54 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sl23 View Post
The problem was Here!
Thanks for your help
Are you in business now?

The reason I change the name is so I still have the original (or previous update) to fall back on if needed...
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:56 PM   #13
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I am indeed, but now I think about it, I got used to the way I was working so might go back to it! But good to know how to work this. Thank you very much
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:58 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sl23 View Post
I am indeed, but now I think about it, I got used to the way I was working so might go back to it! But good to know how to work this. Thank you very much
No problem!
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Old 03-11-2019, 05:59 PM   #15
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Actually no additional operations are needed. It's enough to unpack all files including folder and ReaperTheme file

For instance, if you unpack JanneV2Tinted.ReaperThemeZip you will get:
a JanneV2Tinted folder
a JanneVTinted.ReaperTheme file

The file contain a line:

ui_img=JanneV2Tinted
which points to the unpacked directory. Reaper should prioritize JanneV2Tinted.ReaperTheme over ReaperThemeZip as WhiteTie said.
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Old 03-11-2019, 06:01 PM   #16
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Aha, thank you too. That info was indeed invaluable. Also, a little easier to post than +NRG's!
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Old 03-23-2019, 11:57 AM   #17
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Recently I found another very useful tip for how to quickly access/modify files in ReaperThemeZip files. This tip is for all TotalCommander users. And maybe encourage others to use this file manager.

Solution: Use CTRL+PageDown to enter reaper theme file.

Since then you can browse is as subdirectries, edit files (archive is being updated after closing file being edited) etc

A few notes more:
Usually TCMD allows to browse archives like subdirectories (Enter, double click etc). But if file is associated with some application, it runs this file against this application. In case of reaper and ReaperThemeZip file, it applies selected theme.
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