Make a Layout Template aka reuse your Layouts

[Admin]

How to make layouts and re-use (re-launch) them, a "Layout Template"
ALWAYS BACK UP PRIOR TO DOING THIS!
1: make a BUNCH of layouts, do NOT launch them
2: go to your players file, open it
3: right click on your MY file, select "send to" then at the top of the options will be an option to send the file to a compressed folder. This is "zipping" your file.
4: save the zipped file somewhere, I keep mine on my desk top.
5: WARNING Be careful with the next steps. If you want to save your favorite player list with any unplayed layouts and NOT over write it, then you must go back to your player file, open it.
6: click on your MY file and drag it to your desk top
7: click on your Zipped MY file, it will ask it you want to Extract the records/file, say yes, it will then want to know where to extract the file to
8: extract the file to your majongtowerseternity\player file
9: when you reopen the game, you will see your unlaunched layouts, (your favorite players list will be gone, it is on your desk top) as you launch the layouts, after the first launch, you will need to rename the layouts. I do this as I launch the layouts, or you can rename the layouts via the Edit layout button at the bottom of the favorites column first
10: After you launch the layouts you can either bump and play them now OR go back to your player file
(you have OF COURSE already BACKED UP your game prior to doing this tho, right?)
11: Click on your MY file you placed on your desk top and drag it back into your Player file and you'll have your favorite players back.
12: You will then need to DL (download) the layouts you launched (if you did not play them when you launched them)into this favorites list
13. Play and have fun!! The Zipped MY file should still be on your desk top (or where ever you have saved it) for you to re-use again and again.

Just remember, if you do not pull out your favorite player MY file that has your favorite players and any unplayed layouts in it, you will lose that file as the MY files will over write the other one. You'd then just have to re-create your list of favorite players and re DL any layouts you had not played yet.
I hope this helps, feel free to contact me with any questions, I'll answer as quick as I can. If someone knows of an easier methed, PLEASE feel free to share it. This is the method I use.
Good luck and remember to HAVE FUN!

[Judy]

Marilyn if you get this before you leave I am going to try to do this but I need to clear up one detail(or two or three). The instructions say to extract the zipped file to my mahjongtowers eternity \player file. You know I use to be blonde, My game is listed under Tiggers game do I put that in instead of mahjong towers?
Example:c:\program files\Tiggers game\player files

[Marilyn]

Hi Judy
You know that player file that you back up EVERY TIME you play?
It is that file that you put the MY file into. The same file that you zipped the MY file in.
Does that help at all?

I think I'll tweak those instructions when I get back, I just reread them... Another, perhaps easier way to think/do this is.... (This is the way I do it) You save the zipped MY file on your desktop. When you want to use the MY file, you just double click the Zipped file, the MY file is inside, and drag the MY file into your player file. I have created a shortcut to my player file on my desktop as well. So it is a simple double click and drag for me.

Good Luck Judy, I wish I wasn't leaving ya, I'll be here for a little longer tonite... I'm not sure if I'll be able to check in before leaving in the AM.
Crossing my fingers for ya!

[Judy]

Thank You for the Help Marilyn, I"m going to get brave and try it. If I mess up I always have my back-up file to restore my game. Have a wonderful time on vacation and we will all see you when you get back.

[Marilyn]

Judy
I know you can do it. And if you like, when I get back from vaca, I can call you and help to talk you through it.
But you'll probably be an ole pro at it by the time I return!
Karma hug for all your efforts!

[tinwoman]

I have a question in re-using layouts, especially in the speedy play. Let's say you have 40 layouts you re-use. When you name them to put in the re-use file - how do you do that? When you unzip them and get them in your favorites list each time, you have to edit each one to renumber it, right? Is there an easy way to do this, has anybody found?

[Marilyn]

After you put your LO template back into your game:
You can either renumber when you launch the LO or "pre" renumber before you do your launch.
I usually "pre" renumber cause I get confused too easily and that way I don't have to remember what number I am on.
Does that help?

[teal]

Hi, two things; my game does not have an "edit layout" feature at the bottom of my favorites list so how would I put in my new lo numbers before I launch? Also, after I launch can I play my lo's before I remove the my file? If I play them will I be able to launch them again?
Thanks,
*Teal & **Teal

[Marilyn]

Hi Teal! First:

We are very happy to have you here!
So happy you could join us!
What version of the game are you usinng?
All versions that I know of have the edit LO button at the bottom on your LO list for you UNLAUNCHED LOs. It is not there for already launched LOs.
It you have a templete saved, then after you launch your LOs, you then take the MY file from your template and put in back into your player file and then renumber the LOs prior to launching.
So as long as you've kept a LO template, then you can re-use your LOs.
Again, glad to see you here. Let me know if this does not answer your questions and we'll go from there.
Here is a welcome Karma Hug for you!

[tinwoman]

8-)Teal, hi! If you have a layout you have not yet shared, highlight it in your favorites list, and you will see the "Edit layoot" button in the spot where the "Report to Moderator" button normally is. It does not show up until you highlight the unshared layout.

[mikey]

Thanks for the information!!! This will reduce the length of my launches by more than half!!! Yes...I was making new layouts every single time. LOL ;D

My template has about 100 layouts now, and I plan on expanding it to about 200 or so. Or, I might just make another one with 100 layouts and name it temp2. Or, maybe I'll do four with just 50 in each, one file for each season, (spring, summer, winter, and fall).

Too many choices. Hope your getting this.

Mikey

[Marilyn]

Hi Mikey!!!
At one time, I had a template with over 700 layouts in it. I was curious to see how many I could squish in there.
I have found, over the years, it is better to keep the template under 100. My average template has about 65 layouts in it. 50 that are numbered for whatever series I'm using, and then 15 extra ones since I'm one of those chatty players that likes to talk to everyone. So I have the spare 15 to I can talk and not mess up my numbers.
If you are grabbing (to play later) while launching is even more of a reason to keep that template under the 100 mark. The more layouts you have in your list, the higher the risk of your game crahsing goes. I usually launch with one player and "grab" (to play later) with another player in a different game. So have 2 games open at the same time. I'm psycho. ;D But it cuts down on risk of the player that is launching crashing.
I have tons of different Layout groups that I just keep renumbering.
I had no idea you didn't know about templates, I guess it's kinda something I assume someone that launches a bunch knows. I'm sorry. I'm glad you know now.
Karma Hug to ya!!

[connie01]

A penny for your thoughts and here's my 2 cents worth (inflation)



I'm sure most if not all already know this but ya know me Marilyn

Have a folder with say 50 unlaunched lo's in it and want more lo's to launch but get tired of *making them*

Right click on the *my* file of your *unlaunched lo's* in your folder
Choose *copy*
Then *Paste* to new folder.
Voila ... you just doubled your number of launchable lo's ... granted you still have to edit/rename them ... but you bypass *remaking more*.