Audacity AUP file format (looking for documentation)

[dxyz]

(If this is not the correct forum to post this please let me know).

Could someone point me to documentation that explains
a) the structure and available attributes for the AUP proejct file?
b) how to execute Audacity from the command line in order to automatically open a project, export it and close audacity?

I'd like to be able to generate the AUP file (XML) with another program and then execute a command line to have Audacity "render it".

Here is an example scenario:
Every morning at 3am a PHP script checks the weather
Depending on the rain forecast it creates an AUP (XML) file that mixes two tracks:
a background track "rain.mp3" (the PHP selects the MP3 file depending on the forecast)
a track of "temperature_text_2_speech_output.mp3" (some other process generates this, not audacity)
a track with "have_a_nice_day.mp3" (the PHP selects the MP3 file from a database)
After the AUP (XML) file is created
audacity is executed via command line, it opens the project, exports the file "weather_today.mp3" and closes.

Any pointers to online docs for the file format and command line arguments (or examples on how to do this with audacity) are appreciated.

[kozikowski]

I would not be using Audacity 1.2. 1.2 was designed at the close of the Harding Administration and is very simple and unsophisticated.

Audacity 1.3.8 is much better at accepting commands and controls, but I still wouldn't bet the farm on doing what you want. Audacity 1.3 just recently got batch tools! and we all had to lie down with a cool towel on our heads.

You can install both 1.2 and 1.3 as long as you use one at a time. Audacity 1.3 projects will not open in 1.2

Koz

[dxyz]

Thank you Koz,

Will try 1.3 instead

Can you point me to documentation on the batch files and/or AUP XML format/attributes for 1.3? (so I can generate the file with PHP?)

Much appreciated.

[kozikowski]

No. I'm sure someone else will drop in and explain everything.

I did make a graphic of the simplest possible AUP project file. I opened up piano2.wav and Saved the Project. This is what happened. I know the upper blob (channel="0") is left and the lower blob (channel="1") is right.

http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/aup1.jpg

Past that I can guess as well as you can.

Koz

[dxyz]

Koz,

Thanks again. This helps me get started and I will also wait, as you suggest, for someone else to explain everything.

Will post results here.

Thanks

[kozikowski]

No doubt you way this already...

http://manual.audacityteam.org/index.ph ... ect_Format

Koz

[dxyz]

Well. I've been trying to fiddle witht he XML for my needs but Audacity splits thefiles into so many chunks that it's hard to keep track. Especially for a process that requires that different external files be mixed in each time.

Any ideas on how to programatically import an mp3 file, use it to substitute a track in an existing project and export the new project is more than welcome.

Thanks