Add an option to compare NTLite presets, highlight differences on what changed, and merge any changes

KaptanJackSparrow

Active Member
Every time ntlite runs it creates an Auto-saved session preset, this is a good idea however they can pile up if you're experimenting with different configurations. while they are in an XML format which can be viewed in notepad comparing differences in that way can be a tiring and tedious task.

it would be nice if you could right click on a preset have NTlite highlight the differences so you can quickly find out what changed between presets and selectively merge any changes if you want to.

NTlite understands it's own presets fair better than any other program could and thus it would be nice to have this feature built in.
 
I’m always using Beyond Compare for files comparing. Really great software for many different types of comparing. Just try it and you will see.
 
To add to what George stated.
This is why there is a right-click on a preset "Open file location" option.
Install something like WinMerge (free) or Beyond Compare, and compare presets in the presets folder.
Also get in the habit of naming your presets, you can always save one before processing and not rely solely on the backup autosaved sessions.
 
If I may speak for KaptanJackSparrow , I think what he would like is to be able to call up an XML, have it compare to another XML, and then have the changes display in an NTLite-like GUI, showing the NTLite descriptions (with the notes at the bottom) of what components changed.
 
If I may speak for KaptanJackSparrow , I think what he would like is to be able to call up an XML, have it compare to another XML, and then have the changes display in an NTLite-like GUI, showing the NTLite descriptions (with the notes at the bottom) of what components changed.

Exactly. I think it would be beneficial to have better preset management and comparison options built into ntlite itself. that will visually highlight differences and make it quick and easy to do this without relying on a 3rd party program. It's a bit of polish that shouldn't terribly difficult to implement and would make NTlite a lot more user friendly.


I’m always using Beyond Compare for files comparing. Really great software for many different types of comparing. Just try it and you will see.

I'm usually using a pre-terrible windows 10 interface version of UltraCompare for files and so on, I'd Imagine Beyond Compare or WinMerge is fairly similar I think I've even used WinMerge in the past.


To add to what George stated.
This is why there is a right-click on a preset "Open file location" option.
Install something like WinMerge (free) or Beyond Compare, and compare presets in the presets folder.
Also get in the habit of naming your presets, you can always save one before processing and not rely solely on the backup autosaved sessions.

Yes of course, However there is enviably a lot of trial an error involved in getting that windows image configured just right, and a single seemingly minor change can have a huge impact, like OK Version 005 worked and version 008 had a BSOD, what did I change ? or what is the difference between the Auto save (random GUID) vs the Preset file I created. Yes absolutely I could go and hunt them down, load them into a comparison program and do it the hard way but it would be much easier and faster to do in NTlite directly as Ntlite knows exactly where each of it's preset files are saved, understands it's preset files better than anyone and knows what those values actually mean.
 
April 2023 no solution yet. For an obvious feature necessary, Beautiful. I use Total Commander compare content feature for this. You need to copy to presets to different folder, go to each folder on each side, name them the same. File-Compare by content . Check "Only show differences, with extra lines" and click compare. I paid for nlite and I have to resort to this. At least I found a way
 
April 2023 no solution yet. For an obvious feature necessary, Beautiful. I use Total Commander compare content feature for this. You need to copy to presets to different folder, go to each folder on each side, name them the same. File-Compare by content . Check "Only show differences, with extra lines" and click compare. I paid for nlite and I have to resort to this. At least I found a way
Are you saying NTLite should have all the apps in it, including file-diff?
The goal is easy and automated image editing, not text/file editing, especially as it's simple to right-click two of them and use a dedicated tool.
Feel free to comment, especially if I missed the point.
 
The problem and reasoning for this feature request is explained in this thread already. Please don't divert it from the point

Let's say I made an image and I tried it on a VM an it worked
I made another image with 20 more trims and something didn't work
So I want to see the changes I made and alter it accordingly
I may not remember all the things I added

I believe there should be even more elegant tool from just compare two xml files

For instance I hate the new sketch and snip tool in Win 11. I use the Snipping tool from win 10 instead.
It works with one very conservative trim I made. I made more trims that I like. I kept all things capture in too
I tested in VM and it is not working. I cant remember all the things I removed extra from the first one.
 
The problem and reasoning for this feature request is explained in this thread already. Please don't divert it from the point

Let's say I made an image and I tried it on a VM an it worked
I made another image with 20 more trims and something didn't work
So I want to see the changes I made and alter it accordingly
I may not remember all the things I added

I believe there should be even more elegant tool from just compare two xml files

For instance I hate the new sketch and snip tool in Win 11. I use the Snipping tool from win 10 instead.
It works with one very conservative trim I made. I made more trims that I like. I kept all things capture in too
I tested in VM and it is not working. I cant remember all the things I removed extra from the first one.

most normal people keep a list of the presets and extractions they made so they can revert back to a working version.

there is an 'elegant' way you can use to check 2 xml files.

a little program called notepad, open the xml files side by side and compare the two. it isnt as hard as it sounds and can be done by anyone..

NOT everybody wants different ways and have better methods to check the presets. to each their own, but what you recommend seems as its a ' just for you ' change, and not a general consensus.
 
The header of this thread is "Add an option to compare NTLite presets, highlight differences on what changed, and merge any changes"
We just pointed what did we use to overcome that problem. Not that you add compare text in your software. If I continue I am afraid that you are going to point to a "pen and paper" solution to our problem

I am the last one on this thread obviously it is not a "me" problem

Super elegant solution would be a preset history. and we choose two and it would bring those options like "previous changes" on a separate section so we could uncheck
 
The header of this thread is "Add an option to compare NTLite presets, highlight differences on what changed, and merge any changes"
We just pointed what did we use to overcome that problem. Not that you add compare text in your software. If I continue I am afraid that you are going to point to a "pen and paper" solution to our problem

I am the last one on this thread obviously it is not a "me" problem

Super elegant solution would be a preset history. and we choose two and it would bring those options like "previous changes" on a separate section so we could uncheck

and your first post, and i will state..... 'April 2023 no solution yet' on a two year old thread. Yes it is a topic that some are interested in, but as you can see, 2 years of inactivity on the topic shows it isnt that big a concern . As you have been a member since YESTERDAY, your input to this has been until now, you saying you use a different program to do it and making a statement. and using the line "I paid for nlite and I have to resort to this. At least I found a way" it at minimal rude.

AS i have said, people usually keep their presets with every change so they can REVERT back to a working one. MAYBE you are not understanding what i am saying. People keep presets so they can revert back to an image that works. they label it, they make a note. That is how a lot of people do it. It may not be as 'tidy' and 'elegant' as you may like it, but it helps people remember what they have done, and gives them a reference point they can revert back to and change things with. I'm sorry you are not capable of remembering the things you do while making presets, and i don't think any amount of 'elegance' will help you remember what you have or haven't done. As i have said, some people prefer to use something like notepad to check the xml's side by side. they find it easier. I'm sorry if you mistook that , a commonly used way as some form of attack.

and yes, some people still prefer to use a pen and paper method, there is nothing wrong with that either. Everyone has their own way of revising and viewing. It just seems like an unnecessary addition to a program that , imho, does what it says on the tin.
 
I paid for nlite and I have to resort to this. At least I found a way
dont look at what you havnt got look at what you have got. if a request becomes popular then it will be considered but there is a list of priorities any dev has to consider first. if the tool doesnt have something i would like to have i find a workaround and roll with it.
 
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