Custom Level/Export redundant cycle.

[jimlynnjulian]

Hello,

I have several large libraries. I have created a Custom Level for use with those libraries. Perhaps I'm not familiar enough with the software, but I experience a redundancy when exporting data. First, I have to open the custom level editor, slect type, select level, then go to exports, the select type, select subtype, select library, then run. I have to do this each time I want to export a library's data. Is there a way to skip returning to the level editor each time? If I don't, I get an empty file.

Thanks.

[ukdtom]

When you create a custom level, it's saved for future usage, meaning that you can select that for every new export you do

[jimlynnjulian]

The problem is I have to select it before every export. There's no batch mode. Reread my post, you don't seem to quite understand.

[trumpy81]

After you have created a Custom Level and saved that level by clicking on Save Level, your Custom Level will always be available from the Custom Level drop down menu on the ExportTools page, unless you delete that Custom Level.

There is no need to re-enter Custom Levels and create a new Custom Level each time you wish to export. If you want different fields to be exported by your Custom Levels, then you may create several Custom Levels each containing different fields or you may simply edit an existing saved Custom Level if you have forgotten a field or two or wish to remove a field or two.

Make sure you name your Custom Levels appropriately for future reference.

You may also be aware that you may select any of the Built-In levels to use as well.

Full details of the fields contained in each of the built-in levels can be found on the Wiki or Website along with a full list of all available fields for each type of export.

Please see the Wiki or Website for more details. Wiki: https://github.com/WebTools-NG/WebTools-NG/wiki/ExportTools Web: https://webtools-ng.github.io/manual/exporttools-module.html

[ukdtom]

There's no batch mode

WebTools-NG is a desktop App, and there's no CLI currently except for authentication

[jimlynnjulian]

Yes, that works once. I open the app and go to Export tools. select my (box next to reload button), select Movies (type), select Movies (subtype), select library, select 'IDs' (my custom level), select Run, select default limit. The file is as expected. However, if I then - select a different library, then select Run, select default limit I get a 1kb (empty) file, unless I go back and follow the cycle I mentioned.

[trumpy81]

Your first run suggests that, that library is correctly setup and the Plex databases contain the needed data for exporting, which also indicates that the issue is most likely NOT WebTools-NG as it seems to be exporting the data correctly.

It sounds like your other libraries are NOT correctly setup in Plex.

This is most likely due to your file naming for the other libraries?

If Plex is unable to match your files against the online databases due to their naming, then your Plex database records will be essentially empty for those libraries, possibly giving you a blank export .csv file.

You should always include the 'Title' field in your exports, that should give you something in the export file at least.

I would first recommend that instead of selecting your Custom Level to export with, that you select the Suggest Naming Export Level for the other libraries and then rename all files in those libraries to match the exported name listing exactly.

That way Plex will be able to match your files provided they are listed in the online databases (TMDB etc...).

You could also use FileBot to automatically rename your files for you. It will cost you $6.00 USD for twelve months, which is more than enough to test and evaluate FileBot. If you like FileBot, it's $48.00 USD for a lifetime subscription.

https://www.filebot.net/

There may be other reasons for your issue, such as Plex misbehaving, but none come to mind right now.

I do suggest you look at your Plex setup closely and make sure you are using the latest Beta version of Plex.

The latest Beta fixed an issue I was having with the server sometimes crashing when creating thumbnails :)

[jimlynnjulian]

"It sounds like your other libraries are NOT correctly setup in Plex. " Wrong. As I said, if I follow the cycle, I get legitimate files for all libraries. I've never had any problems with Plex.

If I follow the process in my last post, and open with a different library each time, again, I would get files I can use.

Fix the app or not, that's your choice. I, however, am not going on a wild goose chase. I chose WebTools purely for convenience. I have several other approaches that will be as, or more, effective, even if slower.

At any rate, this is done.

[trumpy81]

Apologies, I misread, misinterpreted your steps, I mistakenly thought you were closing WebTools-NG after the first export, which does not show any issues when you reopen, re-export etc.

However, if you do not close WebTools-NG after the first export and do nothing else except change the Select Media Library, then click on Export Media, set the range and click on Export Media again, then the second file will indeed be blank.

I have messaged Tommy about this, but he is a very busy man these days.