Downloading routes - faulty, outdated, obsolete, missing...

[mdvee]

Hi all!

From what I read around the forums this is not uncommon, however as a fairly new (or should I say re-newed) user, seems every darn route I download is faulty or has missing dependencies, outdated, obsolete, not supported, etc. and once downloaded will not do anything, or shows bizarre non tracked areas, strange orange line figures (boxes?) or who-knows-what.

Is there any way I can save the download time and figure this out ahead of time before finding out the hard way? I downloaded one route today and it showed completed, missing dependencies. When I loaded it up I had a blank white screen. Another, "City and County 2.0" downloaded, but when I try to load it the error returns "Unable to load <null>". I am using content manger to attempt to fix these but have mostly ended up deleting them.

Sheesh. Maybe back to the training track with me, I must be doing something wrong somewhere. Or simply stick with the payware stuff?

Side note - loco's, cars, trees, etc., general stuff "mostly" download OK.

Thanks for any tips!

Mike

 

[blueodessey]

I think you've hit the wall most of us do.......As far as I know, whatever Routes are on DSL, there is no way to tell if they are missing assets, other than it might be noted by the Author and/or other Members that downloaded the Route on the Forum Messages. Many of the Route Creators will discuss what issues are present as they release Versions of their Routes and get feed back respective to missing or Faulty Assets Etc.......

Also each Version of Trainz treats Assets with more or different Error Codes as you progress up the Version level with Trainz Installation Builds.

I think T:ANE was particularly tough for me coming up from TS12 migration.

At one time coming into T:ANE with lots of Assets and Routes above the T:ANE installation, I had close to 1500 Faulty or Missing Assets errors, now in TRS19 I have 400, but a good part of that is due to me have Assets below 3.5, Mesh Issues and Text problems etc.

One other thing here, if I get a Route, that has too many Errors or Texture Issues, and I figure it is not worth my Time, then I just hit the Delete Route Button, now the other part, is, do you also delete all the associated Assets with it too? That is a choice only you can make, I personally will keep the Error free Assets if I like them, I run across some pretty good items.........There are many terrific Layouts and Routes on DLS, you just need to sift through them.........

I use PEV's Tools, and Shane Turner helps a lot too, he is a wealth of Knowledge, and there are other very Gifted members here to help you as well.

Like you and others here, I'm still learning, and at the moment, brand new to TRS19 which is very much different from T:ANE....

Best of luck Sir..........

 

[SailorDan]

...seems every darn route I download is faulty or has missing dependencies, outdated, obsolete, not supported, etc. and once downloaded will not do anything, or shows bizarre non tracked areas, strange orange line figures (boxes?) or who-knows-what.

Not all routes on the DLS are compatible with the latest versions. Choose routes with higher build numbers.
Choose routes where the description says "All assets are on the DLS". That's not a guarantee, but it is a good guide.
Obsolete is not a problem. The system only knows it's obsolete if it sees the asset that obsoletes it, so that newer version asset must be available on the DLS.
If you come across a really good route that is worth finding the missing items for then use this: https://www.trainzkuidindex.com/

 

[grazlash]

The DLS is a bit of a minefield when it comes to routes. Version 3.8 routes are for ipad so forget those. Anything which doesn't have a thumbnail or just shows grid, forget those too. Below version 2.0, forget them as well. Tiny file size - I wont even look at a route if it's under 300kb, even the older ones as they are usually flat dull and lifeless.
I tested a huge number of routes for a list that I started https://forums.auran.com/trainz/sho...es-TANE-Friendly-Classics-The-best-of-the-DLS
There are some very good routes on there made for T:ANE which will run in TRS19, although some of the older routes that WORK WITH but not made for T:ANE now have easily fixed faults in TRS19 due to the sharper validation. eg. thumbnail container faults and some have obsolete tags.
Hopefully that should narrow down your search and get you some quality routes. The older ones lend themselves to renovation with the bulk asset update/replace tool updating them to TRS19 standards with PBR textures and speedtrees.
Also, the orange boxes show where a missing asset is located, but not what the asset is. It can be turned off in settings.
cheers
Graeme

 

[mdvee]

Good advice.

I do in fact keep the assets, never know. Was starting to question my sanity! Will take a peek at the build numbers and keep on trying, and I appreciate the link, looks like a big help when needed.

Years back I actually built a model RR in Trainz 2004 based on a real idea and mock-up for my old house, and finally got it to load up in 19 after lots of tinkering. The interesting part was I just had to go in a fix a few "track below grade" issues, and replace one bridge. Now it works very well and I sure learned alot about saving these things in the process...



Thanks for the replies!

Mike

 

[p-dehnert]

Obsolete = newer version already installed locally
Out of date = newer version available at the DLS, but not installed

Peter

 

[NR_121]

Hi all,

I have found this on a few of my routes I had in TANE and transferred to TRS2019. I found clicking on the orange link opens up the dependencies in the route. It will either tell you what is faulty or missing. Faulty dependencies I have found that if you can't save edits is to revert to the previous version to find that it was built in. The missing is either on the DLS or unknown. If it is unknown I usually open TANE and found it amongst the assets listed there as it probably came from an external website such Australian Trainz Division or Jointed Rail. If I can't find there I generally open the route and go in and delete missing assets if I have no luck finding it elsewhere.

Regards,
Warren.

 

[KotangaGirl]

A good rule of thumb is any layout that doesn't have a decent thumbnail image or a coherent description that says what it is isn't worth downloading. If the layout's creator didn't think enough of their route or have the maturity or intelligence to provide those details, then it's a very good chance that the route is rubbish. Anything for ipad or Android can also discounted as being junk and a waste of time.
Back in TS2004 days there were some route builders who built the most amazing and well conceived layouts that still stand the test of time even now so don't give up on older layouts/routes just yet. Assets like trees and track usually need to be changed and updated and usually that's not too arduous a task.
If a route/layout is just plain horrible and badly done then delete it and move on. If the route/layout looks to have good bones and looks to be worth giving it a little upgrading then proceed from there. When I'm faced with an otherwise good layout/route that has missing dependencies that aren't on the DLS and a simple Google search won't find them then I click on the remove missing assets menu option and problem solved. It's usually fairly obvious what kind of assets are missing and as a rule a workable replacement for whatever it was can be found on the DLS.

 

[mdvee]

I really appreciate all of your replies. There is quite a bit to learn to get around Trainz IMHO, but it is really enjoyable once you figure out things like this (with the help of forum members) and get rewarded with an awesome route.

Thanks again everyone I will be trying all of these ideas and hunting down kuid's soon enough!

Mike

 

[MountE]

There was time when you could download a route without downloading all the dependencies. Didn't help with faulty but you could see how many were not on the download station.

Rob

 

[philskene]

Hi Mike --

There are a few of us who take this particular issue seriously - we use only built-in or Download Station content, we use a decent thumbnail and description, and we do a writeup in these Forums. I'm one. Search for layouts with author "philskene".

To see my writeups, do an Advanced Search of the Forums, thus:

Tell me how you go.

Phil