latex backcover export config

I made a latex export-file that will create a cd back cover with a tracklist. Exporting will create a tex file which you can convert to pdf and print. If you don't have tex installed, you'll nothing with this.

I made three different files. One basic, one with two colums (useful for over 27 tracks) and one for various artist albums.

examples (pdf):
back cover
back cover 2 colums
back cover VA

files:
latex-backcover.mte
latex-backcover-2cols.mte
latex-backcover-va.mte

The dimensions have been written with trial and error. I don't guarantee that it will turn out right size on your system.

The export-file is rather simple and should be easy to customize to your needs, however some general notes:

  • Americans and whoever else can change the a4paper to letterpaper.
  • If you don't have the cmbright font installed and don't want to install it, replace the font with something else or just remove the line to use the default font.
  • All other special characters are taken care of except "~", "^" and "". If you have these characters in your songtitles, you'll have to edit them manually in the tex file before converting to pdf.
  • If you're putting many albums on one cd you'll want to change the [EXPORTSORT] SORT=9 to something more detailed.
  • There's no font autoscaling. If something doesn't fit, you'll have edit the tex file manually.

Thanks osmo, for sharing your work! I'm impressed by these export configurations, cause I've never thought of exporting to LaTex :slight_smile:

I've added these configurations to the Mp3tag Export Configuration Archive.

Thanks!

~ Florian

I just noticed that you can include other than just eps images in latex. Therefore i made new configs, which produce the frontcover as well.

Again it should be fairly easy to customize the config. Currently it displays an image named "folder" with one of the following extensions: .jpg, .jpeg, .gif or .png and resizes it's height to 8cm keeping the aspect ratio.

I forgot to mention in the earlier post, but you'll need to pdflatex, dvi or ps don't work.

example (pdf)

export configs:
latex-covers
latex-covers-2cols
latex-covers-va

all latex export configs in one package

You can find these all here.

Updated again with some autoscaling.

If there are over 26 (for VA 28) files the 2-column mode will be automatically used.
If there are over 20 (for VA 22) files footnotesize font will be used, otherwise small.

The spine texts still don't have any autoscaling, since i haven't yet found any way to do it. Any advice on how the amount of letters in the string "%artist% - %album%" could be counted in the export-config?

examples (pdf):
backcover
backcover-va
covers
covers-va

export-configs:
latex-backcover.mte
latex-backcover-va.mte
latex-covers.mte
latex-covers-va.mte

all export-configs in one zip-package

You can find these all here.

Thanks again, osmo :slight_smile:

I've updated the export configuration archive with your configs.

Best regards,
~ Florian

Updated again. This should be the final version.

Spine font autosizing works now. Some other small adjustments made as well. The font autosizing is now done between scriptsize and large and should work for most cases. If using a different font, the autosizing limits might need adjusting.

examples (pdf):
backcover
backcover-va
covers
covers-va

export-configs:
latex-backcover.mte
latex-backcover-va.mte
latex-covers.mte
latex-covers-va.mte

all export-configs in one zip-package

You can find these all here.

Updated for the new scripting (≥ v2.26c) and exporting (≥ v2.25) formats.

Use the links in the above post.

Thank you very much!

I'll update them at the export configuration archive to the release of Mp3tag V.2.27 (otherwise it would create some confusion because of the new syntax).

Best regards,
~ Florian

Hello,

good work. Thank you very much! I'm using the "latex_osmo_backcover_va", all songs are in the list but not in the original order of the playlist, instead they are orderd alphabetically by artist. Still very usefull. But where can I change this? It must be something in the loop section, but I have no clue. Thanks in advance!

regards
Ben

The original export script "latex_osmo_backcover_va.mte" has this loop statement:
$loop(%_path%) ... $loopend()
This will sort the given files by their entire storage path.

If you see, that the files "are orderd alphabetically by artist", then you have already modified the script to something like this ...
$loop(%ARTIST%) ... $loopend()

If you want to take the given files as ordered in the Mp3tag listview, then you may change the loop statement to something like this ...
$loop(1) ... $loopend()

DD.20141227.1515.CET

Thank you very much!

I didn't chance the loop statement at all, but $loop(%_path%) should show the same result as $loop(%ARTIST%) on my music library.

The statement $loop(1) ... $loopend() works perfectly!
Once you know, it's easy :smiley:
Thanks again