Returning after a lengthy break, with questions.

[macca45]

I am returning to Trainz after a very long absence.
I have noticed a large number of changes in that time.
First, I am still using TS2009, as it suits my needs, and the capacity of my PC(s), to use 2012, I would need to upgrade both PCs and I just don't have the wherewithall.
While browsing download station, I see that I am limited to veiwing 1000 assets, I understand the thinking behind it, but as I like browsing the assets, 1000 is very limiting, particularly when there are a large number of identical assets (100+ with only a colour change involved to differantial the asset).
Even searching for a particular item can prove futile, in one case, searching for a pedestrian underpass (in as many variations on the name as I could think of) gave me 900+ items from the same user, and still did not find what I was looking for.
Using the CM to browse seems to work to a certain extent, but even them, my browsing only goes back a few months, while a search will take me back a year or two, but a large number of the older assets all have question marks before the name, and the download helper tells me that they are not available, with a message in red telling my that the URL could not be found. (BTW, on the CM, I have come across a number of assets where the name seems to be made up mostly of question marks, not sure if it my system or not.)
Luckily I backed up my system to DVD, and all the assets that I had download, although some are now showing errors, I can live without that, as they still seem to work.
Just an observation, not a gripe by any means.

I have Trainz 1 on the Ipad, and thinking of getting Trainz 2, would there be any advantage for a dedicated Trainz Ipad forum page?

Cheers, Macca

 

[cascaderailroad]

I used to think that the 1000 asset cap on the DLS search was quite limiting ... But if you searched: "Boxcar", you might find 14,768 assets ... and that would take many, many, days to search through all of them.

Best would be to post a photo of the asset that you are looking for, as you could search 14,768 assets, and still never find the exact one, as it might be named something obscure like: "Washenlaunge", or have 764 screenshot preview photos that are all the same.

I usually end up searching here: http://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS.php, as the in game CM only displays a small portion of all the assets on the DLS

I am led to believe that TS12 runs smoother than 09, and 10 ... and that all present versions run on a 32 bit PC

 

[Falcus]

I have no personal experience with it, but I've heard the Tablet versions of Trainz are very limited compared to the Full Computer versions.

After that, Cascade already beat me to the Auran DLS to browse. Though honestly, if you're browsing thousands of items looking for something specific, I would posit you're being too specific in what you're looking for. Also, Out of Date, Obsolete, No Longer Readable assets are to be expected, and honestly most of these are really no great loss, as the alot of older content tends to be very flat, 2D, and/or lacking in definition and detail (Though there are notable exceptions).

Finally, if you think upgrading for TS12 is going to be a pain, wait until T:ANE is released.... Further, with the release of T:ANE, at some point in the not too distant future, the DLS is going to stop support for all previous Asset Build Numbers prior to TS12. To me, these are all considerations in what I do next, and I'm hoping to impart a rough idea of the current situation with the DLS and the playability of older versions. There will be places like TPR where you'll be able to get old content, or new content for old versions, but these places are even more time/labor intensive to search for content then the DLS....

Good Luck whatever you decide,
Falcus

 

[pware]

Further, with the release of T:ANE, at some point in the not too distant future, the DLS is going to stop support for all previous Asset Build Numbers prior to TS12.

Too late ... that change occurred 1st Sept (although I did see that it may have been put back a few days because of server access problems during the prior week) although, to be strictly correct, the support "ban" was only for new uploads. If you have an FCT and are registered for a version of Trainz prior to TS12 you can still download those assets from the DLS. The change only affects NEW assets with build numbers up to (or below - not sure which) 3.5.

 

[macca45]

I have no personal experience with it, but I've heard the Tablet versions of Trainz are very limited compared to the Full Computer versions.

Yes, I noticed that, although it does look like the one that I first bought, 3.1 or something like that, can't remember, it was so long ago.
I does pass the time when I am out somewhere and just sitting around with nothing to do.