Downloading from DLS

[KSwag]

I purchased TRS22 Platinum and hoped I could download content from DLS ( with FCT). How disapointing, NOTHING!!. I tried it all FTP-browser/ client,
Other browsers. Nothinbg works. I am no computer programmer, and re-programming my PC should not be necessery. I can download anything, everywhere, except DLS of Trainz. I just want to build and drive a route. Although it is my opinion, that TRAINZ should solve this problem, I ask:
Is there anyone of you, who can explain to me, how I can make the downloading work??

 

[Forester1]

Welcome to Trainz! Downloading using the white pages requires using secure FTP with software like secure SCP. Not necessary if you can download by going to your launcher and clicking "Manage Content". That will bring up the Content Manager (CM) in a table format. Then, in the top left where it says "Installed", use the pulldown to select "Download Station". Anything listed can be right-clicked to select "Download". You can use the table headers to sort by name, Asset ID (KUID), Author Username, Type, Upload date, Build Version, etc. If any of these don't show at the top, right-click the header bar, select "insert column" and choose those options to add. You can also use the search at the upper right to use search terms.

 

[pware]

Is there anyone of you, who can explain to me, how I can make the downloading work??

Just read your post and then successfully downloaded an asset from the DLS. So unless there was a problem that was fixed in the last 32 minutes (when you posted) then the DLS is working just fine.

How are you attempting to access the DLS? I only ever use Content Manager which is built into Trainz. I do not use my web browser or any FTP transfer software - far too insecure.

 

[zatovisualworks]

Hi there KS,

i.e., Do you want some ice cream from the DLS? Just open yor Content manager and use these criteria. There are 80-odd results.

You are welcomed!!!!

The ice cream street truck side of Alberte

 

[OddRails]

Sounds good on a warm day!

 

[pware]

Just to add to all of the above, the major web browsers WILL NOT use FTP to download anything, for the security reasons I mentioned. Basically, the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) does not encrypt your log in data (username, password) when you are uploading/downloading data to/from a web server. Anyone using a "packet sniffer" can read your login details as plain text.

Use the search filters and download options provided in Content Manager that is built into TRS22.

See the Wiki reference at Understand_Content_Manager_Status_Labels for all the details.

 

[orangeengine69]

Well... Didn't you consider. Download the .CDP files with FTP to you "downloads" folder and in Content Manager "import cdp" or just drag and drop it (grab the CDP file, hold down your left click as you drag it to content manager on the taskbar, wait until content manager window pop up, and then you can release your click.

 

[pware]

Download the .CDP files with FTP to you "downloads" folder and in Content Manager "import cdp" or just drag and drop it (grab the CDP file, hold down your left click as you drag it to content manager on the taskbar, wait until content manager window pop up, and then you can release your click.

Why do those extra steps when Content Manager can perform the download (from the DLS) without the extra hassle of switching software then selecting and dragging and dropping?

 

[pware]

PLUS many assets have dependencies - e.g. a locomotive will have bogies, engine sounds, engine specs, interior view, smoke, etc, etc - as separate assets that will need to be downloaded and installed. If you use an FTP package then you will have to manually find, select, download and then drag & drop them all into content manager yourself. If you use Content Manager to download and install the assets then it does all that extra work - finding, downloading and installing all the dependencies - not you.

 

[wreeder]

Why do those extra steps when Content Manager can perform the download (from the DLS) without the extra hassle of switching software then selecting and dragging and dropping?

The only reason I can think of is that you can script the actions of an FTP client and you can't do that with CM. I reckon that there are several people mirroring the FTP server for the purpose of offering files to users that simply don't want to pay for a first class ticket. Write a script that automatically downloads all the new stuff every day and then offer it on your pirate website. But after working for a ISP for 18 years, I'm a bit suspicious of people that seem to want to do things the hard way.

 

[Forester1]

The one reason I can think of is there are some assets findable on the white pages that seem to be unable to list on CM. I see occasional threads about an asset like this, where in order to see it on CM you actually have to filter for the exact KUID or it won't show up. It would be nice if these assets would just show up, and then we would have the choice of whether to download them or not (I am not sure what causes this condition).

 

[JCitron]

The one reason I can think of is there are some assets findable on the white pages that seem to be unable to list on CM. I see occasional threads about an asset like this, where in order to see it on CM you actually have to filter for the exact KUID or it won't show up. It would be nice if these assets would just show up, and then we would have the choice of whether to download them or not (I am not sure what causes this condition).

The reason is these assets are left linkable for dependencies but are actually hidden from the Content Manager downloads because they are actually placed on a to-be-repaired-someday when the CRG gets to them.

If you really need that dependency, then yes you need to download it via FTP.

You can use FileZilla, or use Edge. Yes, Edge has a Internet Explorer shim that allows you to specify which website to load in Internet Explorer and gets reset after 30-days. To set this up, go to settings and default browser and choose the IE-mode and set it up.

 

[pware]

If you really need that dependency, then yes you need to download it via FTP.

From personal experience I have found, and N3V have stated, that you can use CM to download those "hidden" dependencies that are actually on the DLS but unavailable while awaiting repair or for other reasons. I encountered one a few months ago. The asset was shown in the list of dependencies as "<unknown location>" but by right clicking on the "unknown" dependency and selecting the Download option it downloaded and installed. It was then labelled with the status of "Third Party". I now do this routinely whenever I encounter an unknown dependency - sometimes I get lucky.

This is not to claim that all "<unknown location>" assets can be downloaded and installed as many are genuinely "unknown" - e.g. a non-DLS dependency that is still included in the config.txt file of an asset even though is no longer actually needed.

 

[orangeengine69]

Why do those extra steps when Content Manager can perform the download (from the DLS) without the extra hassle of switching software then selecting and dragging and dropping?

It might be for you. But remember that not all people have the same trainz version.
I use Trainz Simulator 2009 SP4 (3.3).
Usually when I'm unable to install certain assets via content manager (mostly the 2009 version of assets, since download helper would skip and instead try to install the newest version often TS12 which of course fails)
As for how I access FTP? Internet explorer. Launching by VBScript *CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application").Visible=true* because for some reason internet explorer mode on Microsoft edge no longer works.
And in the download I would just press "open" so when the FTP finished downloading it will install straight into content manager no CDP left behind afterwards.
I've only had to press the "save" a couple times. Saving the CDP to my downloads folder when the "open" doesn't install the CDP into Content Manager after. Because either that CDP was corrupted or FTP got confused and couldn't link the destination to my Content Manager.
*Sorry for weird wording, it's kinda hard to explain without having images

 

[orangeengine69]

The only reason I can think of is that you can script the actions of an FTP client and you can't do that with CM. I reckon that there are several people mirroring the FTP server for the purpose of offering files to users that simply don't want to pay for a first class ticket. Write a script that automatically downloads all the new stuff every day and then offer it on your pirate website. But after working for a ISP for 18 years, I'm a bit suspicious of people that seem to want to do things the hard way.

I can assure you that my use of FTP is 100% my own doing. I do NOT! My FTP with anyone else (not only is that a security risk but unlike modern download links it wouldn't work elsewhere outside of my device and IP)
Say I just installed a boxcar reskin from a 3rd party. And one of the dependencies it needs it <KUID2:58422:1022:2>. I try to install right there in content manager, it wouldn't install... Because content manager instead try to install the newest version of this asset <KUID2:58422:1022:4> but that version is TS12 (3.5) and I am on 2009 SP4 (3.3) do you see the issue?

 

[pware]

one of the dependencies it needs it <KUID2:58422:1022:2>. I try to install right there in content manager, it wouldn't install... Because content manager instead try to install the newest version of this asset <KUID2:58422:1022:4> but that version is TS12 (3.5) and I am on 2009 SP4 (3.3) do you see the issue?

Content Manger has a simple built-in way around that issue. If you simply select Download from the right mouse drop down menu, CM will always look for and install the latest version <KUID2:58422:1022:4>. But instead if you select Download this Version from the menu then it will install that selected version - <KUID:58422:1022> in this case.

 

[orangeengine69]

But instead if you select Download this Version from the menu then it will install that selected version

There is one tiny little issue... That feature doesn't exist in Content Manager 3.3! Download this Version was first implemented with the release of T:ANE. That is the difference of three generations behind

 

[JCitron]

From personal experience I have found, and N3V have stated, that you can use CM to download those "hidden" dependencies that are actually on the DLS but unavailable while awaiting repair or for other reasons. I encountered one a few months ago. The asset was shown in the list of dependencies as "<unknown location>" but by right clicking on the "unknown" dependency and selecting the Download option it downloaded and installed. It was then labelled with the status of "Third Party". I now do this routinely whenever I encounter an unknown dependency - sometimes I get lucky.

This is not to claim that all "<unknown location>" assets can be downloaded and installed as many are genuinely "unknown" - e.g. a non-DLS dependency that is still included in the config.txt file of an asset even though is no longer actually needed.

This works sometimes but more often than not, it doesn't.

 

[Forester1]

Your most recent post created a separate thread but should have been here. To be clear, are you saying CM (Content Manager) doesn't work, or the white pages don't work for you? How are you trying to download from DLS?