So where's that gone then !!!

[dzien50]

Hi Again
My continuing problems with TS12, I've lost everything from a route ?
I downloaded a route and started adding things etc and saved it to a session, but when I went back to edit the route only the only thing there was the baseboards and ground textures !! track, buildings etc had all gone.
I suspext it might be this layer thing but as I don't know I'm a bit lost.
Can anyone work out what I've done and how to get it all back ? or is it lost forever ?
Cheers
PJ

 

[schweitzerdude]

Try this

It is very easy to accidentally place buildings, etc on a session layer since that is the default layer at startup. There is a merge function that you can try and I have used it. But since I have only one session on my route, I always go to the session, select "edit session in surveyor" and try to remember to change the default layer to "route", but sometimes I forget. No matter to me since I only have one session for that route.

So, select the session and then choose "edit in surveyor" and if you see everything, that is what happened. You haven't lost anything.

 

[norfolksouthern37]

if you don't edit or create a session and instead edit the route then the session layer will not be default...

In any case, you should check your layers when placing items to be sure you are on the layer you want to be.

 

[dzien50]

Thanks guys, I thought it might be " layers " I just can't get my head round them and don't know how to use them, I just wish I could turn them off. I've read a couple of explanations but I just must be thick because I am none the wiser ?
Cheers
PJ

 

[dzien50]

I've just merged the routes and laters whilst in the session but nothing has come back when I go to edit route, its all there in the session but not in the route section, I just cannot understand what is going on. Is there a simple " walkthrough " click by click explanation of what I've got to do to get it back to normal ?
Along with this layer thing and the removal of all indexing on items TS12 seems a backward step on these issues, otherwise I find it really good and much improved.
Cheers
PJ

 

[schweitzerdude]

Re comment by norfolksouthern37 and to dzien50

While I'm sure your statement is correct, but that solution implies that someone would not begin a session until their entire route was completed. On a large route particularly someone would want to run at least one train (which will create a session) if nothing more than to test the route. Later on, the route, while not complete (some never are) could be considered a functioning route and users might spend extensive time in driver. Also some route problems only come to light while running a train and zoomed in.

Dzien50: I don't know why the merge function didn't work for you to move objects from the session layer to the route layer. But unless you plan on multiple sessions for that route, I can't see any downside to leaving things alone and always opening the session in surveyor and do both route and session tasks there. You can choose the layer (route or session) as needed (as per norfolksouther37's 2nd sentence), for example, station settings should be on the session layer. As long as both layers are visible and unlocked, Trainz will work just fine. I never open the route directly because I know some things that should be on the route layer are on the session layer, but I no longer see it as a problem. Caveat: If you plan on releasing the route (but not the session)to the DLS, then indeed you will need to get all the session assets merged onto the route layer.

 

[norfolksouthern37]

While I'm sure your statement is correct, but that solution implies that someone would not begin a session until their entire route was completed. On a large route particularly someone would want to run at least one train (which will create a session) if nothing more than to test the route. Later on, the route, while not complete (some never are) could be considered a functioning route and users might spend extensive time in driver. Also some route problems only come to light while running a train and zoomed in.

no it doesnt really. you can create a session at any time, but dont build the route in the session edit and dont build a session in the route edit. since both of these are generally the same, just be sure to keep an eye on what layer you are using. all i meant was it was made to look like surveyor always wants you to put things on the session layer, but that isnt true if you start surveyor in route edit mode. in my opinion, each mode should lock out the other layer set, so the user has to purposely pick that layer and unlock it to put anything on it. so when i hit edit route, it locks the session area unless i toggle it unlocked. im sure people would find a way to mess that up too though.

 

[mrscsi]

I really haven't had a problem getting my head around it, because I guess I do everything at the session level anyway.

I'll build a map with TransDem, and then I'll start doing things to it but all those are in a session and not in the route. As a result when I go back in I always just choose the session and not the route it's just something I do instinctively now.

 

[Dermmy]

Near bombproof approach:

Only ever load the route in Surveyor via 'Edit Session'.

Assuming there is ONLY one session layer and one route layer, work on any layer you like, it doesn't matter because...

Before saving, merge the session layer into the route layer. This will sort the info to wherever it should be.

Save route and session.

That works. Period.

 

[dzien50]

Right so lets run through this stage by stage :
I've clicked on a route then clicked on sessions, I have only one session here, then click edit session and it loads up in surveyor mode for me to work on.
Now what I normally do is add things etc then when I'm done I click on save and exit the session.
It seems that you are saying I should do something re the layers before I save, is that right ? if so do I then click on layers then click on session layers and when the box appears click on merge into > route-layer ?
Then click on save and exit session.
Is this the right way to do it ?
Cheers
PJ

 

[celje]

Dzien
I've clicked on a route(OK) then clicked on sessions,(OK) I have only one session here, then click edit session(OK) and it loads up in surveyor mode for me to work on.
Now what I normally do is add things etc(?1) then when I'm done I click on save (?2)and exit the session.
Three questions: 1.which things you add, 2.when you click save do you see menu ''Do you wish to overwrite the existing session or create a new'',
3.if you open the route in surveyour are tracks, building etc. there?

 

[dzien50]

Answers for celje
1. various things from locos. stock, buildings and trackside stuff sigs etc
2. Yes I see this and click the " tick " ie yes option to save
3.No in the route mode in surveyor there is nothng except the baseboards and ground textures, but no buildings, track stock etc.
Cheers
PJ

 

[celje]

dzien
It's seems that you nothing lost because the route have not track splines.
When you work with layers then route layer is using for track splines and texture and the session layer for objects, trains, schedules, etc.
If you don't care to keep the same kuid of the route, then use additional route layer for splines and all changes you wish to make.
But if you wish that the kuid is same (original) then you must work only in session layer, but in session layer is not possible to use the texture and splines (e.g. track) in general.

regards
celje

 

[Dermmy]

It seems that you are saying I should do something re the layers before I save, is that right ? if so do I then click on layers then click on session layers and when the box appears click on merge into > route-layer ?
Then click on save and exit session.
Is this the right way to do it ?
Cheers
PJ

Yes. If you are pedantically careful i guess it is possible to manually keep everything on the 'correct' layer. I'm not. If you get in the habit of 'merging' the layers before saving then the program automatically moves everything that can be onto the route layer, leaving only the session stuff on the session layer. Goof proof! Even if you forget to merge it doesn't matter - even merging once a week will put everything back where it belongs.

The critical bit is always load the route via 'Edit Session' and always save route and session...

Andy