Layout copy program with python

EVE Technology and Research Center Third Party Developers
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download link below :down_arrow:

Recently, I’ve had a lot of power outages in my city, and many times my characters had their “char” and “user” files deleted, resetting the layout back to zero. That meant I had to go through all the work of copying, renaming, and moving files again — which is simple, but repetitive. Since this started happening so often, I decided to create an automated copier that takes one “char” file and one “user” file that I keep as backups in a separate folder, and with those two files, I can instantly configure all my alts at once with just one click and zero hassle.

Even though it’s something really simple, I think I’ve completely changed the way I’ll play from now on, because adjusting all my windows has become quick and easy. I can now set up different window layouts much more conveniently without having to copy and paste files between folders. The program itself is very lightweight and includes a few safety features, such as automatically saving backups before making any changes and a test mode (which I mostly used during development) that helps identify issues.

You can see in the code that, for security reasons, the only files the program searches for are EVE-related and specifically limited to the Tranquility folder. The program has no access to anything else beyond that. You can manually search for folders you desire.

It’s super lightweight and doesn’t require installation. If the EVE folder isn’t found automatically, you’ll need to navigate to:
C:\Users\(YOUR USER NAME)\AppData\Local\CCP\EVE\c_eve_sharedcache_tq_tranquility\settings_Default

I strongly recommend saving a backup of your best layout in a separate folder or profile in case any file gets corrupted — it makes recovery much easier!

I accept ISK donations to the character Plunder Skol, and I’d love for the devs to share what they think. My GitHub link is below, where you can find the full program. Anyone is free to modify it and upload their own version there! I’ll keep it updated based on feedback.

I used ChatGPT to do about 90% of the work — even the icon was generated that way. I spent an entire month now xD on this, and I hope you like it and find it useful.

download here << --Look for the last version available in branchs.

UPDATES NOTES:

After v3.9 (which adds the “Delete layout” option) some antivirus programs and Windows Defender may flag the download. Download only from my official GitHub. If your security software blocks the file, verify the release and add it to your antivirus/Windows Defender exclusions or allowlist - do not disable your protections. Running unknown or malicious software can seriously damage your PC

:puzzle_piece: Update Summary — v3.9

Major improvements:

  • Added Delete Selected Layouts in Destination pane (no need to remove entire folders).
  • Implemented profile name auto-formatting → “alts mining” → settings_alts_mining (EVE Launcher compatible).
  • Added automatic tooltips and translations for all interactive buttons and profiles.
  • Improved tooltip localization (multi-language support now covers English, Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish, and German).

UI and usability updates:

  • Balanced layout: narrower Origin pane, expanded Destination view.
  • “Current folder” and “Profile:” labels now translated dynamically.
  • Added tooltips showing full character data:
Plunder Skol
core_char_xxx.dat
core_user_xxx.dat
  • Added warning tooltip explaining missing layout files and EVE launcher setup.

Performance and reliability:

  • Added throttled (delayed) write operations to prevent file corruption during multi-alt cloning.
  • All dialog windows (folder pickers, popups) now use the custom app icon.
  • Enhanced stability for large layout copies and profile switching.

tutorial for 3.8 but its the same thing: https://youtu.be/AMZPskW9Ok0?si=ThOpSGlbZgmrf9oH

sorry for my poor english skills :slight_smile:
Thank you all for feedback, I will keep improving it !!! 7o

don’t forget to share this !

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Gave it a try, looks like a good start!

I already gave some feedback in Slack, but as our unpaid mode tends to eat stuff after a while, I’ll also post it here:

  • The dry-run test mode doesn’t give the user any feedback when used. What’s the intended use of it? A ‘Execution would modify 3 files’ message could already be nice to see, as well as maybe a warning that test mode is on and nothing gets changed. (I was confused first time I pressed the execute button and didn’t see any file changes, until I remembered I had ticked the test box :stuck_out_tongue: )

  • My biggest pain with manually copy-pasting the files over is figuring out which character is which. Your current tool doesn’t fix that issue yet, but it could. For example core_char_2116662655.dat is clearly the file of character Plunder Skol, as the character ID is public knowledge and used in for example urls of Eve Who - Plunder Skol and Plunder Skol | Character | zKillboard . It would be wonderful if you can somehow show character names or portraits next to the filenames in the UI. (But I can imagine it complicates things as it then requires an internet connection and API calls, rather than just some simple local file changes. Also it won’t help for core user names as these aren’t public.)

  • Alternatively an easier option to make finding the right file easier: show the ‘last modified’ timestamp of the files and allow us to order by it, so players can recognize their characters and users that way. Currently the files are ordered alphabetically, which can I guess also be useful but I don’t really recall which core user and characters I made first as that’s years ago. I do recall which ones I logged out of last!

  • There currently is nothing in the UI that tells me which settings I’m changing. I realize it’s the Settings_Default because of the description and code, but when I’m copying over settings from my Settings_Default profile to some other launcher profiles like my Settings_Multibox profile it can be nice to have the chosen folder names visible in the UI.

  • Finding the origin folder is hard for people who do not know it’s within their C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\CCP\EVE\c_ccp_eve_online_tq_tranquility\settings_Default location. Maybe if you click the ‘Choose origin folder’ let it start there if the path exists, or have some UI explanation where the users can search for it.

  • A funny quirk, it seems that when I’m selecting an origin character I can override my choice by choosing a different origin character below it, but not above it. If I wish to select one above it I need to deselect the current selection. Same with origin users.

It’s a nice little tool and has the potential to make copying over files easier than manual copy-pasting. Next time I need to copy over some settings I might look for it again!

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I am working on the timestamp, the first version had it but I forgot to put it again, I really want to make named options but API stuff will make this so much complex, next version will have a step-by-step and more explanations about the functions, the test button was made just for debugging its useless for normal users thats why I made it default unchecked and some friends said the backup folder isnt being created correctly too, so many things to repair xD thank you for advice I will work on it !! 7o

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updated to version 3.6, major problems solved and new interfaced added with portraits

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I recently had one of my characters lose their layout suddenly and had no idea why - I am interested to try this.

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Just added a few changes in the post, new youtube link for tutorial and explanation about why the antivirus blocks the app, if so check the app permission on it.

I also noticed you cannot delete layouts in folders you dont want to be there, you can delete the profile folder, I will add a delete button for selected layouts in 3.9, just need more feedback and ideas so I can do all in one, not gonna update it for just a single change like this.

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I have noticied if you dont name your profile with like settings_name_you_want it doesnt show in eve client correctly, I will correct this

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after 3.9 antivirus, windows defender and even opera are blocking the download in github, the reason is the program now have a “layout delete option” and this is accused as trojan, theorically the difference from a trojan its just the files being deleted so its fair that it happens, dont download my program from any other source than my github cause if you want to use it you will need to open your pc antivirus/defender for it so I dont want your pc being nuked so be very careful, my link will be safe thats the only thing I can say 7o

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Just commenting to keep it active, if someone find any problem with v3.9 please tell me.

About a problem with overview setting the tabs in a single tab, its normal behavior has the tabs are controlled by game engine, but the program can save the windows locations so if you open the tabs in new windows dont need to place it perfectly, just be sure the same overview setting is loaded in all clients and tabs are moved into new windows, it will work for all new windows if you do so just like the tutorial video I have made, thats something I cant automatize cause its a more deep setting into the game engine and it might be too much invasive to deal with.