topet2k12001

Okay guys, everything happening so fast! Same link! Click me! Version 1.1.3 Date: August 4, 2020 1. FIX: found a loophole where a user can type any character/number in the selection/user input fields, causing the launcher to close unexpectedly (I just finished uploading version 1.1.2 but immediately realized the loophole, so as of this writing you'll see version 1.1.3 when you click the link.) Version: 1.1.2 Date: August 4, 2020 1. FIX: changed filename convention as previous version is being erroneously flagged as "positive" for virus

Spicetools or Bemanitools? In layman's terms, both tools were created with the same purpose which is to run Bemani games (DDR being one of those Bemani games). Think of them as two different brands offering the same product. What is Spicetools: http://bemani.guide/extras/spiceguide/#what-is-spicetools What Bemanitools: from the included REAMDE file... Feel free to try either of them.

FAQ: Common technical issues Q: Your ddr.exe is not generating the butterfly local server/file. A: Make sure Java 8 is installed (reference post). Q: The game crashes, and I see "F:saveXML: libXml : save file failed" in the log.txt. A: You ran ddr.exe as Administrator (you did a right-click and then Run as Administrator). It should be run only as a User (simply double-click the file). To fix, right-click on "contents" folder and uncheck "Read Only" and apply it to all sub-folders/directories and files (reference screenshot below) (reference post). Q: The game crashes, and I see "EXCEPTION ACCESS VIOLATION" in the log.txt A: There are various causes to this, but the most common cause of this is you have been modifying stuff in the game or downloading and adding stuff (reference post) Q: I see only a black background during the song selection menu A: You failed to register two (2) DLL files that come with the game, both located in the "com" sub-folder: k-clvsd.dll and xactengine2_10.dll. Some would recommend for you to install codec packs but do take note that simply registering the DLLs is a more lightweight solution (and it is the default process as well). Q: Butterfly gives me an error message saying something like "java.net.BindException: Address already in use: bind" A: When running Spicetools or Bemanitools, make sure that you didn't add the "-ea" switch/option to the startup command. Or, you may have run a different "local server" like EA Local Server or something else. These will conflict with butterfly local server because all of them use Port 80 usually/by default (reference post). Q: I'm seeing "Confirming network connection status" at the lower-left part of the screen during the startup/DDR logo A: You either failed to run butterfly, or when you ran butterfly nothing happened. In the event that you are SURE that you did run butterfly, check if a database file named "butterfly.sqlite" was generated in your main game folder. If not, then it means you don't have Java 8 installed (reference photo) (reference post).

For those who are curious, interested, dubious, or paranoid (), ddr.exe is nothing more than automation. Automation in general has the objective of efficiency (ability to perform a task with the least amount of confusion), so this can be used by anyone. There is no "magic." Essentially, all of the steps that ddr.exe will be performing automatically are the same steps that everyone has been doing manually in the past and since the steps are already well-known and established at this point in time, then it only follows that automating it is very possible and can/should be done. It is a constantly-evolving file because it is updated based on actual experiences and feedback by members. For your peace of mind, this is what ddr.exe (version 1.1.1) does: Sequence: Start butterfly minimized Delete existing copies of Bemanitools and Spicetools Unpack new files for use throughout the script into a temporary location Show intro messages (to allow time for butterfly to fully initiate) Register DLLs (and clean up temp files it created) Copy-paste of config files (and clean up temp files it created) Configure butterfly database (and clean up temp files it created) Back up user's current gamemdx.dll file Warn/remind the user about making a manual, extra backup of gamemdx.dll and pause the script to allow the user to make a personal backup Ask user for preferred cabinet type/mode and apply the proper gamemdx.dll file based on the user's choice Ask user for preferred game launcher and startup settings: Blue Cab mode Spicetools HD (high-definition) mode, fullscreen HD (high-definition) mode, windowed SD (standard definition) mode, fullscreen SD (standard definition) mode, windowed Bemanitools HD (high-definition) mode, fullscreen HD (high-definition) mode, windowed SD (standard definition) mode, fullscreen SD (standard definition) mode, windowed Gold Cab mode Same choices as Blue Cab mode EXCEPT the choices for SD (standard definition), so there will only be four (4) choices instead of eight (8) Delete all remaining temp files created/used Clear the "Read Only" attribute of the game folder and all its sub-directories and files Start the game based on user's selection

FAQs: What is ddr.exe? Common technical issues I have a question not listed here, or do you guys have a chat group or channel? Spicetools or Bemanitools?

Hi everyone, IMPORTANT: for those who downloaded about 2 hours ago, please download ddr.exe again. I made a few changes to it (same link): Click me! Version: 1.1.1 (hotfix) Date: August 4, 2020 FIX: Blue Cab mode still needs the "crash during card screen" fix; re-applied this on the Blue Cab mode file FIX: Did away with 7zip so that there are no more dependencies with 7zip (this decision also helped reduce the filesize of ddr.exe a little bit) Thanks to @HellsingKo for reporting the issues!

Hi everyone, Sorry for the delay; likewise I'm publishing the latest DDR A20 Update Pack! Click me! Version: 1.1.0 Date: August 4, 2020 FIX: Twinkle Wonderland not appearing in Song Selection FIX: added pristine copies of "Dance Combo," "Fast/Slow," and "Judgment" images (assets) to the main Update Pack, so the "combo fix" is now bulit-in with the Update Pack (credits to @tw3nz0r) FIX: set folder (and all sub-folders/files) to clear "Read-Only" attribute whenever ddr.exe is run FIX: added copy-paste of configuration XML files NEW: version bump due to expansion of compatibility (now offers Blue and Gold cab types) NEW: User-selectable features Cabinet Type (Blue Cab or Gold Cab) Spicetools or Bemanitools HD (High-Definition) or SD (Standard Definition - Blue Cab Mode only) Fullscreen or Windowed

Hi Guys, I stand corrected. I was able to watch a YouTube video of what seems like a "stream" or direct line-out from the machine (Blue Cab), so I got a clearer view of the visuals. The current assets in the current Combo Fix zip file is the same as in the Blue Cab arcade machines/cabinets. That being said, I have retracted my previous post. Below is a screenshot of the clearer view of the actual Blue Cab. It came from this YouTube video. Nonetheless, I will keep the link to my personal version available for anyone who wishes to use them as a matter of personal preference. Link https://imgur.com/uggZrru tagging @bman @tw3nz0r (FYI)

Oh i'm updating the DDR A20 Update Pack as well, function-wise. It will be featuring the ability for users to make their selections based on their preferences. Stay tuned!

Hello, Yes, am aware as I have noticed it too. I viewed videos from YouTube (as seen in my prepared screenshots) and even on the Blue Cab, v2 looked more correct from my point of view, as well as actual experience playing at the arcades. We don't have Gold Cab in our area. Nonetheless it is a matter of opinion and preference. Ultimately, having options is always a good thing.

Redacted. Updated post:

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@bxdiz Codec packs also work, but sometimes it is "overkill" for the requirement (that's why the default process is to simply register those DLLs). When I was new I also used codec packs. But later on, not anymore. I just used those DLLs and uninstalled codec packs. "Using the Admin Account" (logged in as am Admin user on the PC) does not mean the same thing as "launching CMD as Administrator." The instruction I gave was to "run CMD as Administrator" when registering DLLs. Ideally we should be able to see the specific error because it will help us help you. You will know that you did it correctly when you see the top portion (the title) of CMD, saying "Administrator." If it does not have the word "Administrator" then you are not running CMD as Administrator (even if your Windows account is an Admin User). See the difference of CMD being run as an Administrator below. One just says "Command Prompt" while the other says "Administrator: Command Prompt."

What kind of errors? Please share to us. Also, when registering DLLs in general, you have to make sure that you run CMD "as Administrator" or else the registration of DLLs will fail. Side tip: at the same time, don't just go running everything else "as Administrator." You run things "as Administrator" ONLY when it is required to do so. There are also negative effects for running stuff "as Administrator" when it is not supposed to be. But for this case, yes, you SHOULD run CMD "As Administrator."

I listed this in the "to-do" sir.

Hello, Best to collect error logs so that the solution that will be provided will be accurate in relation to the problem/issue. Topic of Ctrl+C: Ctrl+C is actually a "clean" way to exit a running process (reference reading material). In fact, the original version of Butterfly (it's made from Java) will show a prompt to ask the user "Close Batch Job (y/N)?" upon pressing Ctrl+C. The only reason why you don't see that prompt anymore is because I converted the Batch file that starts up Butterfly (Java), into a Windows Executable (butterfly.exe). I purposely converted this because when I created "ddr.exe," he main intention is to prevent or minimize human interaction/manual interaction (which is usually a "failure point" or cause of problems) by creating a "start-to-finish" automated/one-click button to start the game. If you notice in earlier pages of the thread when this was all new, the process of starting the game was very manual and involved a lot of human interaction. More human interaction = more chances of mistakes (and this is a disaster for the uninitiated/unfamiliar). Because I converted the startup script of Butterfly to an executable, users will no longer be prompted with a "Y/N" selection when pressing Ctrl+C (less human intervention). Plus when it comes to automation, it opens the possibility of exiting Butterfly automatically (although I didn't end up doing it in the current version of ddr.exe because I eventually settled with a different solution, but I want to keep that option available for me to use). Now as we progress, we still see some "slips in the cracks" which is fine; that's why you notice us to be very involved in troubleshooting, because in a way it tests our creations and allows us to see opportunities for improving them. Going back to the main concern: Backreading all the way to the first few pages (early stages of this thread), you'll see others who have encountered that same error. The "longer" version of that error message you cited says something like: ERROR spark.Spark - ignite failed java.net.BindException: Address already in use: ...followed by a port number, usually 80 or 8080. It means that some other program is using/sharing/locked port 80 or 8080 (Butterfly, being an "emulated" server that emulates e-Amusement, "connects" to port 80 or 8080). So, if this port is already in use by another program, then of course the "Spark" service (it's used for server-related stuff, part of the programming code of Butterfly) will not start. Either a previous Butterfly session that was not closed...or another program. Or...you could have mixed up some commands when starting up the game...you probably used some script mentioned a few pages back, or the "gamestart.bat" which contains "-ea" as part of its startup process, or mistakenly configured Spicetools to run with the "-ea" switch/option. Or, you may have leftover Spicetools options that got "stuck" (you need to check C:\Users\yourusername\Appdata\Roaming\spicetools.xml but this is a last resort). The "-ea" switch/option is a "built-in Local Server" feature of Spicetools, designed to behave in the same way as Butterfly. Note that Butterly is a totally different "product" compared to Spicetools, that's why Spicetools has its own. But the thing with "-ea" is that it merely tricks the game into thinking that "e-Amusement" exists or is present - a requirement for the game to actually start. But, "-ea" does not have "database" features where you get to save your scores and progress. This is the reason why Butterfly was created. It emulates "e-Amusement" not only to mimic the existence of an "e-Amusement" server but also has the ability to keep records. Basically: if you are using Butterfly, don't use "-ea" because they will conflict with each other (both are using port 80). Disclaimer: the above is not an accurate/technical explanation as I wrote this in a way that most people will understand. Reference of previous instance (same error) experienced by another member: click me! Hope this helps.

Troubleshooting Tip: Let's say you start up the game and it just crashes early on, check your log.txt. Usually, the cause is written somewhere towards the end of the log, marked with either a "W" (Warning) or "E" (Error) or "F" (Failed). But most of the time it's "F" that you want to look out for. Now speicfically for this error: F:saveXML: libXml : save file failed. Root cause: running ddr.exe or spice.exe in Administrator Mode. It causes your game folder ("contents") to alter the "Permissions" that's why the game is "complaining" (through the error log) that it can't save the data. Solution: right-click your "contents" folder and uncheck "Read Only." Make sure to apply it to all sub-folders/directories. Prevention: do not run ddr.exe or spice.exe in Administrator Mode.

The command that @tw3nz0r gave is not intended to start the game, but just to fix the potential cause of your issue. That's why he said to run it only once. You can actually perform the commands in the bat that he provided using Windows File Explorer...looks like you can interpret batch files, and you'll see that it's basically a copy-paste activity.

I see now. Please use what @tw3nz0r wrote exactly. No more, no less. I see yours has additional commands that are unnecessary. In particular, that line that says "spice -ea." It conflicts with "Butterfly." The "-ea" switch/option basically commands the game to use Spicetools' built-in emulated server. But we should be using the "Butterfly" emulated server.

I can't see the screenshot in detail; please use an external image hosting service instead. Also please open a new command line and type: java -version ...and share the screenshot.

What tool is it?

The file "ddr.exe" has no "yes/no" option. It's a straightforward script that runs start-to-finish without any user input. The 6 files are merely DLLs from Bemanitools and don't do anything (unless a user does something with those DLLs at a later point in time). Those DLLs are just copied over to your main game folder (simply because those 6 DLLs are there when you download the entire game torrent but of course they're already outdated by this time, so ddr.exe only replaces those DLLs with newer ones). Do you have Java 8 installed? It's required, by the way. The error in your log looks similar to that other guy a few pages back (specifically, read entire Page 34).

Will do!

Okay everyone, please stop with these kinds of messages, please. We are working in the background to bring you improved and better stuff related to the game, so please just wait. There are things that are a bit technical to execute and it may do more harm than good, so please respect our judgment. Remember that people sharing stuff here are doing so out of pure passion and love for the game; nobody is paid to do all of this. So please avoid asking in a demanding manner. We will update the thread accordingly. I repeat; we will update. Rest assured we are working in the background. Thank you for your understanding, and happy weekend to everyone.

Understood sir, and no worries - there's no pressure on anyone to release something they're not comfortable releasing (respect). Do so only if/when you are comfortable with it. And I understand also that hacking stuff entails a good level of responsibility and self-sufficiency.