Native tools

These tools are part of the Windows desktop app and act only on the work you are currently timing. They are not available on the website.

In-game menu#

• Desktop appAvailable in 0.2.8
• WebsiteNot applicable

Press Ctrl+Alt+G in a game (you can change or turn off the shortcut) to open a menu next to the game window with screenshots, window opacity and always-on-top, Magpie scaling and a one-click restore. It only acts on verified windows of the work being timed.

Screenshots#

Choose what a screenshot captures: the whole window, a region remembered per work, or a region you select each time. GalShelf captures the window directly first and uses a screen copy only when the game is in front and not covered. A minimised or covered window fails with a clear reason. The screenshot shortcut has no default; set one in settings. See Share cards and editors for the editor.

Window opacity and always on top#

Save a window opacity (20–100%) and always-on-top per work and apply them automatically when timing starts. The original window settings are restored when the session ends or GalShelf closes. Games that run as administrator can only be changed when GalShelf also runs as administrator.

Magpie scaling#

• Desktop appAvailable in 0.2.8
• WebsiteNot applicable

GalShelf includes its own portable copy of Magpie 0.12.1 in components. It doesn't work while a separately installed Magpie is running; quit that one from the tray first. Per-game profiles need the game's real path and window class. Scaling has been verified for configuration and control, not for every capture mode and graphics card.

Controller to keyboard#

• Desktop appAvailable in 0.2.8
• WebsiteNot applicable

Map controller buttons to keyboard keys, globally or per work, with stick and trigger thresholds. It is off by default. In "game only" mode keys go only to the timed game; no keys are ever sent while GalShelf itself is in front. All held keys are released when you switch windows, the game ends or the controller disconnects. XInput controllers only. Games running as administrator receive input only when GalShelf also runs as administrator.

Locale Emulator#

• Desktop appAvailable in 0.2.8
• WebsiteNot applicable

For the "original" launch option of a work, GalShelf can start the game through the bundled Locale Emulator 2.5.0.1 so Japanese games display correctly. It works for 32-bit executables and does not change your system locale.

Big-screen mode#

• Desktop appAvailable in 0.2.8
• WebsiteNot applicable

A full-screen interface designed for TVs and controllers, separate from the desktop interface. Home shows Continue playing and horizontal shelves (recently played, currently playing, want to play, recently added and your collections), the library is browsed by category, a work opens as a full-screen page, and Settings can be adjusted entirely with a controller.

Enter it from Big-screen mode in the sidebar, the command palette, the Big-screen mode switch in Settings > Language & Accessibility or the tray menu; pressing Start (Menu) on a controller in the desktop interface also enters it. To return to the desktop interface, open the big-screen menu and choose Back to desktop mode. If GalShelf is closed while big-screen mode is on, it starts in big-screen mode next time. In the desktop app the window switches to full screen on entry and is restored when you leave.

Back always goes back one level: it closes an open detail page or list first, then leaves the sub-page, and on Home it opens the big-screen menu; it never leaves big-screen mode by itself. When a detail page closes, focus returns to the work that opened it. On a detail page the play status is saved as soon as you press A; the rating changes with Left and Right in steps of 0.5, A saves it, B cancels and X clears it. Mouse and keyboard work as well, and the button hints at the bottom follow the input device you used last.

GalShelf only responds to a controller while its window is in the foreground, so using a controller in a game never operates the shelf. If your TV crops the edges of the picture, increase Big-screen safe area in Settings > Language & Accessibility. The few settings that need a mouse or keyboard say so and open in desktop Settings with one press.