Short:    Renames MP3-files from ID3-tag, flexible!
Author:   d96max@blg.du.se (Mattias Axelsson)
Uploader: d96max@blg.du.se (Mattias Axelsson)
Type:     mus/misc

Purpose
~~~~~~~
Scan an MP3-file for the info contained in the so called ID3-tag. The ID3-tag
holds information about artist, songname, albumname, year, genre and so on.
Tag2Name can utilitize that information to rename the MP3-file (as we all know
screwed up MP3-names are quite usual) or simply type it out.

"So what? I've seen other programs do the same thing!", you say.

Well, the strength of Tag2Name is that you have total control of the output-
format, whether you rename the file or just type it out. Formatcodes combined
with ordinary characters provide you with an easy way to give the MP3-file the
name you desire, providing that the file actually contains the ID3-tag (which
unfortunately all files doesn't).



Usage
~~~~~
Tag2Name has no GUI, so you have to run it from Shell or from your favourite
filemanager (strongly recommended), for instance DirWork or Directory Opus.
The syntax is:

Tag2Name [VIEW=V] [OUTPUT=O <formatstring>] <filename>

Filename must be supplied, of course, the other ones are optional. VIEW (or V)
tells Tag2Name to output the information rather than renaming the file. OUTPUT
(or O) should be followed by a formatstring which can contain any combination
of characters and format codes. This string is used to give the file it's new
name (if both VIEW and OUTPUT is specified, the output text will be formatted
according to the outputstring). The formatcodes available are:

%a = artist
%s = songname
%l = album

So if you have an MP3-file containing an ID3-tag (if the file is missing the
tag nothing will happen, so it's no danger in applying it to a large amount
of files at the same time) and want to rename it to <artist> - <songname>.mp3
you do like this:

Say the file's name is MP3:song.mp3. Type:

Tag2Name OUTPUT "%a - %s.mp3" MP3:song.mp3

The new filename could for example be like:

Asskickers - Amiga rocks like hell.mp3

This depends on the info in the ID3-tag, of course. If the processing of the
formatstring results in an empty filename, the file won't be renamed.
Some simple rules:

* If the formatstring contains spaces, don't forget to enclose it in quotes
  (""), else it will interfere with the filename supplied.

* You don't need to enclose the filename in quotes if it contains spaces.

* Instead of VIEW and OUTPUT, you can type V and O.

* The filename *MUST* be the last argument on the line, V and O may be placed
  in any order.

* Wildcards can't be used (yet), so my advice is that you use a filemanger if
  you want to process a lot of files.

* If you ommit OUTPUT, the file will as default be renamed to
  "Artist - Songname.MP3"



To do
~~~~~
* Wildcards support

* A simple GUI if anyone can find a use for one (in that case, mail me!)

* Your suggestions



Contact
~~~~~~~
If you have questions, suggestions or other matters, please drop me a mail or
call my board (if you live in sweden).

e-mail:    d96max@blg.du.se
BBS:       0243-87082
voice:     0243-86735
homepage:  doom.amiga.tm
ICQ:       d00M
IRC:       d00M on #amigaswe



History
~~~~~~~
V0.90 (1999-02-04)    * Initial version (Public release on Aminet 1999-03-03)


============================= Archive contents =============================

Original  Packed Ratio    Date     Time    Name
-------- ------- ----- --------- --------  -------------
    3888    2088 46.2% 05-Feb-99 01:18:42  Tag2Name
    3203    1587 50.4% 03-Mar-99 13:19:16  Tag2Name.doc
    3280    1628 50.3% 03-Mar-99 13:45:18  Tag2Name.readme
-------- ------- ----- --------- --------
   10371    5303 48.8% 05-Mar-99 02:15:40   3 files
