LordMartin Replay Browser documentation
- Introduction
- Installation
- Documentation
Read also:
- release notes to find out what is new in 1.00+ LMRB versions.
- this dossier to find out how to run older versions of BW and how to configure LMRB to run those version for you.
Introduction
LMRB is a freeware Win32 application that makes browsing Starcraft replays collection easier. LMRB allows you to browse replays by replay or by player. In first case list of replays is shown and each replay is described by:
- rep file name
- players names, races and actions numbers
- game scores (who was a winner)
- map name
- game duration, date and engine
- replay directory and comment
If browsing replays by player each players is described by:
- player name, games number and average game time
- player stats for each race
- player stats for each match up
LMRB features
- Filtering methods for ALL described above attributes.
- Advanced filtering allows to quickly find e.g. Zerg 9 pool stars or
Protoss fast Corsairs.
- Coping replays to Starcraft replay directory to speed up replay selection in Starcraft (same as in BWChart)
- User defined replays groups
- Akas system (using BWChart akas data)
- Browsing replay actions + action filter (by actions types and by players)
Currently LMRB supports only 1 vs 1 replays and works also for Replay With Audio.
Credits
LMRB and LMRR are written by Martin Wronski.
Special thanks to
jca for developing BWChart (and for releasing bwrep.dll) and for all people involved in replay decoding. You are doing really great job.
Installation
Copy LMRR.exe, LMRB.exe and to the same directory (well, really LMRB.exe and bwrep.dll should by in the same directory). Run LMRB go to Options tab page and enter appropriate values. I recommend using 'LMR files' to manage your replays collection.
Documentation
Main menu
Load .lmr file
It loads just one selected ‘.lmr’ file. After loading ‘.lmr’ file all loaded before replays are overwritten.
Load .lmn file
It loads just one selected ‘.lmn’ file. After loading ‘.lmn’ file all loaded before replays are overwritten. For more information about '.lmr' files visit
Replays Zone
Rip replays:
Modal dialog window will pop up. Here you can create ‘.lmr’ using LMRB. However I recommend using LMR files feature. To understand meaning of all parameters read LMRR documentation.
Star dir: directory that contains replays that you want to rip.
e.g. d:\Starcraft\maps\replays\Wgtour
Out file name: this file (in LMRB install directory) will contain rip replays
e.g. WGTour.lmr
NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT !!!
Checkboxes that you check here are use for ALL rips done by LMRB (file/Rip replays, LMR files, drag and drop). Of course start directory and out file name are changed. Notice also that ALL rips LMRB performs by calling LMRR. LMRB waits until LMRR is done and then reads ‘.lmr’ files that LMRR creates.
Load settings:
Load LMRB settings. Settings are stored in file main.cfg (conditions are stored in cond directory) and are loaded every time LMRB starts. You may want to use that option if you mess something up with LMRB settings and u want to recover old settings. Settings are written to configuration file during closing LMRB.
Save Settings:
Save current settings to configuration file. Doing that is not necessary
because LMRB saves configuration before exit.
Show BWChart player akas:
Here you can check if you enter correct path to BWChart player akas. File BWChartPlayerAkas.txt is created in LMRB install directory and its content is showed in notepad.
Show BWChart map akas:
Here you can check if you enter correct path to BWChart map akas. File BWChartMapAkas.txt is created in LMRB install directory and its content is showed in notepad.
Show broken replays:
Every replay ripping done by LMRB (using LMRR) is logged in brokenReps.txt file. It is a text file that contain dates of rips and list on broken replays. Replay is considered as broken if LMRR cant rip any information from it (because bwrep.dll returns some error(s)). You may delete brokenReps.txt file or its content. Probably you can not watch broken replays in Starcraft.
Drag and Drop
You can drag and drop replay file(s) (but not directories) to LMRB. If you do that all loaded before replays are overwritten. LMRB uses the following temporary file during performing drag and drop operations: !LMRR_tmp_rep_file!, !LMRR_tmp_lmr_file!. If from any reason (system crash?) you find those files in LMRB install directory you may safety delete them.
Options tab page
Paths
BWChart players akas file
Enter path to BWChart players akas file. File name is akas.txt. Directory under Win2k is C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\my documents\bwchart\
Set it to blank to disable this feature.
BWChart maps akas file
Enter path to BWChart maps akas file. File name is mapakas.txt. Directory under Win2k is C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\my documents\bwchart\
Set it to blank to disable this feature.
NOTE: if you don't set these paths LMRB akas system won't work. Moreover as you can see managing akas is done in BWChart and LMRB only uses BWChart akas data.
LMRB replay 1.10 path
Selected replay is copied into that localization when you want to watch it in Starcraft 1.10. So the good idea is to enter here path like this
d:\Starcraft\maps\replays\!bwchart\!replay.rep share file with BWChart
or
d:\Starcraft\maps\replays\!lmrb\!replay.rep use separate files
I prefer first solution
LMRB replay 1.09 path
Same as described above only from 1.09 replays.
BW 1.10 executable path
Path to Starcraft 1.10 executable. This file will be run if you select watching
replay in Starcraft 1.10.
BW 1.09 executable path
Same as described above only from 1.09 replays.
NOTE: if you select watch replay then proper executable file will by run OR if Starcraft is already open Starcraft window will be recovered. Moreover ANY sequence (like SEORO*O) of keys will NOT be sent do Starcraft. So you have to select replay yourself. Which is in my opinion faster and if you have Starcraft open is like: press R, press enter, press down_key, press enter.
LMRR executable path
It is the path to LMRR.exe. U may leave it blank if LMRR is in the same doectory as LMRB.
NOTE: You MUST enter valid path if you want to LMRB perform any replay ripping.
NOTE: IMPORTANT !
LMRB does NOT read information about replays from ‘.rep’ files. LMRB calls LMRR to scan directories and rip information about replays to file. When LMRR finishes job then LMRB reads generated file.
Other
Refresh list timer
It is a time (in ms) that has to elapse before LMRB refreshes list content.
Startup LMR
This .lmr (or .lmn) file will be loaded at LMRB start up.
Winners mark
This mark will be displayed near winner's race. Set it to blank to disable this
feature.
List nav keys
Some list allows you to change order of list items. Use this keys to move up or down selected list items.
Can be used in: LMR files, Conditions list.
LMR files
Here you can define replays groups. The idea is quite simple. You associate name with directory. In directory are placed replays files and in LMRB install directory is created file ‘name.lmr’ that contains ripped replays from directory.
e.g.
WGTour | d:\Starcraft\maps\replays\Wgtour | 1.10
Now you can easily watch all WGTour replays that you have. If u download some new WGTour replays and you place them in your WGTour directory just click Rip & Load button (or Rip button and then Load button) and you will see updated list of replays and players in LMRB.
NOTE: you may multi select items and load more than just one ‘.lmr’ file. You load single ‘.lmr’ file by double clicking on it. After loading ‘.lmr’ file(s) all loaded before replays are overwritten. So the only method to load more that one ‘.lmr’ at the same time is to use LMR files feature and multi select them.
Land/Island/SemiIsland maps
You can assign each map name to one of these categories so that you can filter maps using these categories.
NOTE: use map akas !! do NOT add there all e.g. LT versions, just make an akas for them and add ‘Lost Temple’ to ‘land map’ only. However if u add here all LT then LMRB will still works fine, but its really noob solution ^^
Replays tab page
NOTE: You may sort replays by clicking on column header.
Rep
- replay
enter some string and only replays that contain that string in file name will be shown.
- Missing reps
If checked only replays that do NOT have corresponding replay file will be shown. E.g. you ripped some replays and then delete some of them using e.g. Total Commander.
Player
- name
enter some string and only replays that contain player that name contains that string will be shown.
- Races (3 check boxes Z/T/P)
You need to enter some name or game result to activate it.
Only replays that contain player playing selected race(s) will be shown.
- game result (list box W/L/U/All)
only replays that satisfy name and race condition and selected player/race is the W/L/U/All will be shown.
About game result.
LMRB tries to determine game winner from replay actions (leave game action) or from replay file name (see Read winner from file name). If LMRB finds the winner then that player is consider as winner and the other as loser. Else game result is unknown.
e.g.
find all boxer's (winner and Terran) replay
name = boxer, check = T, Winner.
If you check e.g. T and Z all boxer's replays will be shown where he chose T
or Z and he was a winner.
MatchUp
Here is an idea:
[X]Z [ ]T [ ]P find all Z vs Z
[X]Z [ ]T [ ]P
[X]Z [X]T [ ]P find all Z vs Z or Z vs T, and so on
[X]Z [ ]T [ ]P
NOTE: checking single check box leads to empty result.
Map
- name
enter some string and only replays that contain map that name contains that
string will be shown.
- map type
only replays played on selected map type will be shown
Date
enter some data range and only replays that have been played in that date range will be shown.
Duration
enter some duration range and only replays that contain duration in that range will be shown.
Directory
enter some string and only replays that displayed directory contains that name will be shown.
Comment
enter some string and only replays that have comment that contains that string will be shown.
About comments.
As you perhaps noticed comment system in BWChart is really poor because sometimes you need to clear replay database (losing comments) to make BWChart running correctly. Moreover you must use BWChart to copy/remove replay files to keep comments associated with replays.
I used a Total Commanded comment system (for more info just read TC help). Idea is quite simple. If you add some comment to file (e.g. to replay) then hidden file descript.ion is created in the same directory and that file contains all comments for files in that directory. If you want to keep that comment associated to the file you MUST uses TC to copy/rename/remove operations. I guess that most of you use TC so this is not a big deal.
Of course you can edit replays' comments in LMRB and file descript.ion will be suitably modified.
NOTE: Double click on replay will show replay's actions in Actions tab page.
Replays popup menu
Watch in BW 1.10/1.09
Copies selected replay file to directory (set in options tab page) and run/recover Starcraft.
Watch in BWChart
Opens selected file in BWChart. BWChart must be associated with .rep files.
Map
Allows to add/remove map to/from map types. Of course each map can be assign only to one map type.
Replay
Allows to edit replays comment.
Rename/delete replay file (permanently from disk!).
Delete all filtered (all that are in list view) replays files (permanently from disk!).
NOTE: After renaming/deleting or changing comment of replay file proper descript.ion and .lmr file is modified.
Options
Allows to disable/enable player/map akas.
Use short directories
It make any difference only for replays loaded using LMR files feature.
e.g.
define the following LMR file
WSL | D:\Starcraft\maps\replays\Wsl | 1.10
If short directories are disabled then replays directory in replays list view is:
D:\Starcraft\maps\replays\Wsl
D:\Starcraft\maps\replays\Wsl\season3
If short directories are enabled then replays directory in replays list view is:
Wsl\
Wsl\season3\
Read winner from file name
If there is no action (leave_game, replay is recorded from losers view) in replay file then LMRB tries to determine the winner by parsing replay file name. Of course it is you who have to watch the replay, determine the winner and code that information in replay file.
If the match was P vs Z and Z was the winner to code that fact replay file MUST contains one of the following signs (PZ=, (Z=P, (PZ+, (Z+P. and similar to other races. E.g.
Zeus Yellow (P=Z LT).rep
Zeus Yellow (P+Z LT).rep
But what about Z vs Z, T vs T, P vs P?
LMRB currently does not support that. I am working on it. Any ideas? Email me.
Players tab page
NOTE: You may sort players by clicking on column header. Double click on player to show his replays in Replay tab page
Player
- name
enter some string and only players that name contains that string will be
shown.
Listbox:
All: all games
Win: games that player won
Lose: games that player lost
Unknown: games of player where LMRB was unable to determine the winner.
Win - Lose: wins - loses.
Games, Race, MatchUp
Enter range. Only players that have games, Race games or Matchup games in entered range will be shown.
NOTE: you can change games number to % of games. Just click right mouse I use popup menu. Entered range will be applied to games number or %.
Conditions group tab page
This is what really made me to develop LMRB and the rest I have just created because I felt that it could be useful ;)
Every condition group is saved in separate file (named: 'Group file name.cgc') in LMRB install directory\cond directory. During LMRB startup all '*.cgc' files from that directory are considered to be condition group files and are loaded to Conditions group name list view. That solution makes very easy distributing Conditions group (just copy them to that directory).
I use an example to describe an idea. Let's suppose that we want to make condition group that filter our replays collection and show us only replays where Zerg is playing vs Terran. Moreover Zerg goes 9 pool, then Mutas and don't go Lurkers at all. I guess that could be very useful and here is how to achieve this using LMRB.
First problem! How to detect 9 pool?
Counting actions (hatch, drone) is NOT good enough because of null actions. So the only solution I found is to search in replays action (build, Sprawning_Pool) between 1:00 and 1:10 because that is the time when Zerg builds 9 pool. I know that this is not a perfect solutions but it's very accurate. BTW if you figure out something better don't hesitate to email me.
So enter proper values in Condition list and add to Conditions list something like this:
Player , playing Zerg, executed (1 to 1) actions (Build, SprawningPool) in (1:00-1:10)
NOTE: in condition ‘player action’ field ‘number’ is currently not used. Just set it to NONE.
Now add in Conditions list condition that guarantee that Zerg created a Spire: Player , playing Zerg, executed (1 to 1) actions (Build, Spire) in (0:00-90:00)
NOTE: I used 90 minutes long range. Game should have been finished by that time.
Now add in Conditions list conditions that guarantee that Zerg didn't use a Lurkers:
NOT: Player , playing Zerg, executed (1 to 1) actions (Research, LurkerAspect) in (0:00-90:00)
NOTE: Use negative check box.
Now add Conditions List to Conditions Group:
e.g.
name = Zerg: 9pool to spire, no lurkers
file = Z9polToSpire_NoLurkers
Check boxes in Column enabled determine if replays in Replays tab page are examined against this Conditions Group.
NOTE: IMPORTANT !
If you rip replays and do not include e.g. upgrade/research actions then any replay won't satisfy conditions like (research/upgrade, whatever) because there is no such actions.
NOTE: IMPORTANT !
You must use Starcraft terminology when you create an action. Here are CORRECT actions' names for each race:
| hatch | build/morph |
| train | build |
| train | build |
NOTE: for Zerg
Build creep colony BUT morph sunken
Build hatchery BUT morph lair, and so on
On Conditions groups tab page LMRB few times crashed during some operations so if you find repeatable sequence of actions that make LMRB to crash email me about it.