[ p l a c i d c h a o s / A M ]

OK, so maybe not, but after an agonizingly long night I did figure out how to sync my iTunes library between Mac/PC operating systems on my Mac Pro running Boot Camp.

Thanks to the untimely demise of my PC, a few months ago, I purchased a Mac Pro and have since been searching (to no avail) for a way to share the same iTunes library on both the Mac and PC side of my machine. This way if I import CDs while booted into Tiger, or change ratings and create playlists while in XP, any changes will be automatically reflected in the iTunes library on the other operating system.

I knew, when originally formatting my Mac Pro's drives, that this was something I was going to want to do so I created a FAT32 partition for my music library to reside on. This would allow both Tiger and XP (still waiting on my Vista disc to arrive, hello Microsoft...) the ability to read/write the same files. I then thought that all I would have to do is change the iTunes Music folder location on both OS's to a folder on the FAT32 drive and that iTunes on both OS's would read/write the same library file on that drive. Ha, to be so naive.

It turns out that the PC version of iTunes cannot, by default, read the library created by the Mac, and vice versa. Rather than use the library created by the other OS, iTunes creates a new (and empty) library file. This was very frustrating and so for a month or so I gave up trying because:
A) I was busy with work and Christmas stuff
B) I'm not much of a hacker/programmer

Lately, though, this has really been grating me as I'm constantly listening to music and I'm obsessive compulsive when it comes to my music being organized; so with all the work I have to do this weekend I decided that the best way to procrastinate would be to figure this out.

After playing around with a bunch of different ideas I discovered that, low and behold, iTunes on the PC could read the Mac created library if I added the .itl extension to the library file, and the Mac could read the PC created library file if I removed the .itl extension. Score!

Now that the biggest obstacle was hurdled all I had to do is figure a way to copy the library file from the Mac side to the PC side and again... vice versa. Since I don't know jack about DOS programming except for basic commands this part took longer that I'd like to admit but after some trial and error I managed to create a solution that works flawlessly. The best part is that since I'm smart (or lazy) I created two batch scripts that run automatically, one at Windows startup and the other at Windows shutdown, so I never have to touch anything to keep them synced.

If you're interested, here are the steps...
Caution: Proceed at your own risk, I take absolutely no responsibility for any loss of files or life, or any other undesirable consequences that you may incur when attempting these instructions. So be smart, use your discretion and have backups of everything on a separate disc/partition.

1) Format a FAT32 partition large enough (including growth room) for the iTunes Music folder containing all your music files. This will allow both the Mac and PC to read/write the music files and also to the iTunes Library file.

2) In iTunes' Preferences, under Advanced > General, set the iTunes Music folder location to the Fat32 partition. Make sure that you have 'Keep iTunes Music folder organized' and 'Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library' both checked. Do this step on both the PC and Mac side.

3) Since the batch scripts are executed in Windows, the Mac library file needs to be on a Windows accessible drive. I have my Mac iTunes library file set to reside in the iTunes folder on the FAT32 drive rather than the default location in the Music folder on the main Mac drive. The PC library resides in its default location.

4) Set your library up on the Mac side of things and get it the way you want it, we're going to start the whole cycle by copying the Mac library file over to the PC.

5) Here is the code for the script that runs on XP startup:

copy /Y "E:\iTunes\iTunes Library" "G:\My Music\iTunes\"
ren *. *.itl
copy /Y "E:\iTunes\iTunes Library.xml" "G:\My Music\iTunes\"
cls
exit

This copies the Mac created iTunes library file and XML file from the FAT32 disc (E:) and pastes it in the iTunes folder on the PC side (G:) and then adds the .itl extension to the pasted library file so that the PC version of iTunes can access it.
Normally the path to the XP iTunes library file would look more along the lines of...
C:\Documents and Settings\user name\My Documents\My Music\iTunes
... but I have my G: drive set to be my 'My Documents' folder.

Once this script runs, iTunes in XP can read the library and any changes that were made to the library on the Mac side will be reflected on the PC. Excellent, but only half the battle. For the Mac iTunes to be constantly updated we need a script that will copy the PC iTunes library back over for the Mac to read.

The code for the script that runs on XP shutdown:

ren *.itl *.
copy /Y "G:\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Library" "E:\iTunes\"
copy /Y "G:\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.xml" "E:\iTunes\"
cls
exit

This cuts the extension off the library file in the PC folder and then copies it and the XML file back over to the FAT32 drive for Mac iTunes to use.

I have both scripts saved as .bat files in the PC iTunes folder with the first one set to run automatically at XP startup and the second at XP shutdown, effectively ensuring that regardless of the OS you boot into the iTunes library file you have is the most current.

It should be noted that I'm actually not a genius and there may be a better or more efficient way to accomplish synced iTunes libraries across different OS's on the same machine, but this is the only way that I've found to work flawlessly and automatically for my 10,000+ song, 50GB library. If you find a better way please leave a comment, otherwise enjoy!

It took awhile but I'm now up and running on a new server. Now to just find the time to re-design both the site and blog, as well as upload a bunch of new content. Sometimes I'm envious of insomniacs.

From AWN

"Frederator Studios has launched ReFrederator (www.refrederator.com), the
world's first daily vintage cartoon video podcast.

ReFrederator will feature classic cartoons from the public domain such as
Bugs Bunny, Mighty Mouse, Daffy Duck, Betty Boop, Little Lulu, Porky Pig,
Donald Duck and Felix the Cat, as well as fairy tales and musicals. Every
7-9 minute podcast will feature a short-form classic cartoon and
promotional packaging and branding from ReFrederator. New episodes will
appear daily Monday through Friday, grouped into weekly themes.

The first week of the new series features a Mother Goose theme, beginning
with a 1935 Humpty Dumpty cartoon from Ub Iwerks, Walt Disney's personal
friend and first employee, followed by Mighty Mouse in WOLF! WOLF! from
1945 and the Oscar-nominated PIGS IN A POLKA from director Friz Freleng.
The week will wrap up with POOR CINDERELLA, the only color Betty Boop
cartoon, and FONEY FABLES, a series of short vignette parodies of classic
Disney stories.

Programming for ReFrederator is headed by producer Eric Homan and
illustrator, cartoonist and scholar Dave Kirwan (www.davekirwan.com).
Consultants include animation historian Jerry Beck
(www.cartoonresearch.com) and writer Melissa Wolfe. The launch programming
was edited by Barry Hirschberg.

In addition, on Tuesday, April 18, the studio celebrates the showing of its
100th cartoon on its flagship Channel Frederator video podcast.

For a free subscription to Channel Frederator or ReFrederator, search
Channel Frederator or ReFrederator in the iTunes Podcast Directory, or
visit www.channelfrederator.com or www.refrederator.com and click
"subscribe."

Frederator founder Fred Seibert is one of the world's leading independent
cartoon producers and the exec producer of six hit series on the
Nickelodeon Networks, including its number one show THE FAIRLY ODDPARENTS.
Prior to forming Frederator Studios, Seibert served as president of
Hanna-Barbera Cartoons where he led the return of cartoons to the
television mainstream."

What a swell idea!

From AWN

"SIGGRAPH 2006 ANNOUNCES COMPUTER ANIMATION FESTIVAL SCHEDULE.
The Computer Animation Festival jury for SIGGRAPH 2006 selected 97 films
and two award winners from 726 entries for exemplary use of
computer-generated imagery and animation and compelling storytelling.

The SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival is an internationally recognized
event that engages and inspires artists and technologists alike. Each year,
it serves as a mirror of what is possible today and a window into what can
be achieved in the future.

"Word is out that the Computer Animation Festival is one of the premier
venues for showcasing artistic talent in the film world. In fact, we
witnessed a remarkable 25% increase in submissions from 2005 to 2006, and
with that increase the competition amongst films is fierce," stated
Terrence Masson, the SIGGRAPH 2006 Computer Animation Festival chair from
Digital Fauxtography Inc. "The bar of excellence has risen even higher and
this year's crop of accepted pieces is diverse, thought-provoking, and
technically superb."

SIGGRAPH 2006 will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, July 30-Aug. 3.

The Electronic Theater, held in the Grand Ballroom of the Boston Convention
& Exhibition Center, will hold screenings July 31 (7:00-9:00 pm), Aug. 1
(1:30-3:30 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm) and Aug. 2 (1:30-3:30 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm).

To see the entire list of the Electronic Theater program go to:
http://news.awn.com/index.php3?newsitem_no=16712

For more information on the SIGGRAPH 2006 Computer Animation Festival,
visit www.siggraph.org/s2006/main.php?f=conference&p=caf.

SIGGRAPH 2006 will bring an estimated 25,000 computer graphics and
interactive technology professionals from six continents to Boston for the
industry's most respected technical and creative programs focusing on
research, science, art, animation, gaming, interactivity, education and the
Web. More than 250 international exhibiting companies are expected.
Registration for the conference and exhibition is open to the public.

ACM SIGGRAPH, the leading professional society for computer graphics and
interactive techniques, sponsors SIGGRAPH 2006."

I highly recommend attending this years conference if you haven't been to one before, or even if you have. A lot of knowledge to soak up, ideas to inspire, and people to meet. Well worth the price of admission in my opinion...

My stating that it's been a while since I've posted anything on here could be viewed as a bit of an understatement, as many folks would say that a six month hiatus counts as more than "a while." Regardless of the technical definition of "a while" I think I'm back for good, or at least for another post or two.

To the those of you that have actually been here before, (yes, all three of you) I apologize for my long absence. I simply became too busy to justify spending time posting my work and random blabberings, though with everything I was busy doing you'd think I'd have more to show for it...

That being said, it's not like I haven't accomplished anything in the last six months. For one thing I quit my lousy excuse for a job and have since purchased legal/legit copies of all my software and have been making my way solely as a freelance designer. And though I can't say I'm getting rich off of it just yet, my wife and I have been able to avoid the ramen diet and I've been able to afford all the chocolate milk I could ever want. In January I became an adjunct faculty at CCAD (Columbus College of Art & Design), teaching Computer Animation 1; an intro to all aspects of Maya related CG-ery. I've also managed to stay afloat, though barely, at AnimationMentor. I'm now in the midst of the fourth semester and have been staying busy trying desperately to catch up to everyone else who seems to be mastering this art of animation so much quicker and effortlessly than I.

Even though I'm as busy as ever I hope to slowly upload my work from the past six months so that anyone interested can follow my progress. Expect to see a newly designed main site in the near (hopefully) future. And who knows, maybe some of that fresh design will find it's way over to this side of the fence, though I wouldn't hold your breath. It should be noted that this blog is pretty low on the list of priorities, especially with a certain recruiter coming to cow-town soon; I really need to spend my time getting my stuff together and polishing it to a nice sheen.

Lastly, all of the new work I'll be posting will be encoded with Apple's new H.264 codec. I like it, it's small and purty. So if you want to view the new stuff go here and update your QT player.

So in short, I'm back. For now.