iTunes Exporter

[Tom]

Yesterday I wrote a small tool, which I need to copy MP3 files from my iTunes library to a new folder using a specific folder structure.

Even though iTunes offers the possibility to organize the files into subfolders somewhat similar to how I would like it, it still uses non-Ascii characters in the file names. And the MP3 player in my car cannot handle non-Ascii characters in the file name.

I am offering this tool now on my website, because maybe it also useful to others.

iTunes Exporter (available on my website under the category "Misc Tools")

Purpose:
Copies MP3 files of a iTunes library or playlist to another target folder, organized in subfolders.

Instructions:
- Export iTunes library or playlist as XML
- Select exported XML file in iTunes Exporter
- Choose export folder
- Press start

Output:
Songs in the export folder are organized the following way:
- "Artist Name" folder
   - "Album Name" subfolder
      - "## - Song title.mp3" file name
     
If Album Artist is available, it is used instead of Artist Name.
If song is part of a compilation, the "Album Name" folder is the top-most folder.

[Tom]

Version 1.0.2:

- added option "Copy only MP3 files" (earlier version always only copied MP3 files. Now it is optional)
- added option "Include unchecked songs" (i.e. songs which do not have a check mark in iTunes)
- new application icon

[DJ Doena]

I hate the way iTunes organizes it's files. Especially when it is a compilation CD.

I always copy the files back into one folder and then let MP3tag run over the structure and convert all MP3 tags back to filenames.

If it's an album then simply "<TrackNumber> <Title>", if it's a compilation "<TrackNumber> <Artist> - <Title>"

I also create M3U playlists based on my folder structure, if you want to take a look or even integrate it into your exporter, feel free to do so (It's completely Visual Studio free so I can compile it on any computer).

[Tom]

Version 1.0.3:

- Support of iTunes text export file
- option to export into a single folder

I used the combination of these two to export a playlist into one folder preserving the song order of the playlist.

[Tom]

Version 1.0.4:

With some fixes and enhancements I did over the years.
Which includes export of playlists as m3u