VGEdit Switch

vgedit+
General
Author	vgmoose
Type	Other Apps
Version	2.1
License	GPL-3.0
Last Updated	2020/09/10
Links
Download
Website
Source

vgedit (Video Game Text Editor) was originally made for GBAtemp's Homebrew bounty contest at the start of 2019. It tied for 7th in the contest, although it was also released with some notable bugs when handling even slightly large files, lining up the cursor on long wrapping lines, and scrolling without using the touchscreen. With the help of contributors, these issues were partially addressed over the year, but it was still a little flakey/hit-or-miss.

In June 2020, a big rehaul was done to the way vgedit processes and renders text, it now uses the library SDL-FontCache and properly fixes the cursor in the right spot no matter how big the file is, how long the lines are, or where you've scrolled. New features were also added such as Find, Copy/Paste, Undo/Redo, New File/Folder creation, line numbers, word count, and USB keyboard support.

For an example of how much better the file handling is, you can do stuff like use another homebrew app to backup the save for a game with a text-based save file, edit it in vgedit+, and then re-inject it, without ever involving a computer with the save editing. This was tested with Hollow Knight (save editing thread), where the save data is one giant single-lined wrapping JSON file, and everything worked as expected (Find target key value, edit, save, scroll, etc).

vgedit was a contest entry to the GBAtemp Switch Homebrew Bounty 2018 (Switch application).

Features

• Open, edit, and save files on SD.
• Touch screen controls for quickly viewing documents.
• Select multiple characters with L/R.
• Basic copy and paste support.
• Line numbers along left side.
• Can load much larger text files:
  • Uses SDL_FontCache for improved performance.
• New menu bar while editing file:
  • Find and jump to position within file.
  • Undo/redo history state tracking.
• Create new file or folder while browsing.
• USB Keyboard support:
  • Only in Insert mode (when on-screen keyboard is showing).
  • Can press Alt to toggle on-screen keyboard.

Controls

Touch screen also works on all buttons/scrollable areas or to position the cursor in handheld mode.

(An external USB keyboard should work for USA-keymap typing, and arrow keys to move the cursor.)

File Browser:

A - Open File

B - Up a directory

X - New Folder

Y - New File

Minus - Exit

While Editing (Overview mode):

A - Show keyboard, Start typing (enter Insert mode)

B - Delete under cursor

X - Copy

Y - Paste

L - Find, Deselect selection

R - Increase selection

ZL/ZR - Undo/Redo

Plus - Save

Minus - Exit

With Keyboard up (Insert mode):

A - Select letter

B - Backspace

X - Caps toggle

Y - Stow keyboard (back to Overview mode)

Alt Key (via USB) - Hide on-screen keyboard (but stay in Insert mode)

Screenshots

Changelog

v2.0

New Features:

• Line numbers along left side.
• Can load much larger text files.
• Uses SDL_FontCache for improved performance.
• New menu bar while editing file.
• Find and jump to position within file.
• Undo/redo history state tracking.
• Create new file or folder while browsing.
• USB Keyboard support.
• Only in Insert mode (when on-screen keyboard is showing).
• Can press Alt to toggle on-screen keyboard.

Bugfixes:

• Proper line wrapping for long lines.
• Properly affix cursor within text file.
• File/folder list is alphabetized now.
• Better support for tabs within file.
• Scroll to cursor position when typing.
• Unsaved changes need confirmation when exiting.
• Allow copy/paste between two files.

v1.1

Wii U + Switch:

• File path in toolbar doesn't cut into buttons.
• Cursor better aligns with text.
• Enter/newline and backspace work better.

Switch:

• Recompile with newer libnx to address 9.0 input bug.

Known bugs:

• The keyboard text is now slightly misaligned on the non-PC build, I don't know why this happens, but the second row of upper case letters is not misaligned.
• Files with long lines support is not very good, it should still work but the cursor won't reflect the right position.

External links

• GBAtemp - https://gbatemp.net/threads/vgedit-a-text-editor-for-switch.574463/
• GitGub - https://github.com/vgmoose/vgedit