This is so frustrating!

[Approach_Medium]

I have been spending hours sifting through all of the content in TS2010 and deleting or disabling what I cannot use because either it is listed in a language I do not understand, or it is totally inappropriate for my region.
Now, I'm not complaining that some assets are named in a foreign (to me) language. I understand that there are a lot of non-English speaking people who love Trainz and develop some good content for it.
And I'm not complaining about assets that don't fit my region.

What I am upset about is the mis-naming and mis-categorizing of so much content, that it makes the good filters that have been built into TS2010 (and earlier versions to some extent) less useful than they could be.
There is a lot of duplicate content because it comes up with different names.
Sometimes it is impossible for me to find what I am looking for because it is not named properly (whether it is in English or not).

While I have learned a little German and am able to know what I am looking at by the preview image in Surveyor, It is very frustrating to scroll through such a long list while trying to enjoy building a route.

So, what I am doing is disabling any content I have no intention of ever using. This is very time consuming, since I really need to be in Surveyor to see what the asset looks like. I then place the assets I want to disable in the picklist, then go back to CM and view in main list and disable, then finally clear the picklist and go back to Surveyor to start where I left off.

What I will get eventually is a much shorter list of assets that I am going to use on my routes.
Of course, if I ever have to re-install TS, then I'm screwed. But I keep very good backups, made every week or more often if needed, so I can restore at any time without having to re-install.

I wish that content developers would use the guidelines to place their assets in the correct category, and use sensible naming criteria.
Auran has provided the means to do this, but it seems that a lot of developers just don't pay attention to it.

Once I have selected what I want to keep in my listing, I am probably going to go through it and rename anything that I can. I have to clone the assets to do this, then disable the original.

It is a shame that Trainz, with so much content available does not yet have a truly organized system of cataloging it.
I think if Auran wanted to, they could force anyone who uploads content to DLS to properly categorize it.
I think this would make a lot of the content creators unhappy, but in the end, it would make a lot of Trainz users a lot happier, and probably sell a lot more copies of TS2010.

As for me, TS2010 is my last version of Trainz, unless these and many other improvements are included with the next version.

I hope that I didn't offend anyone, but if I did, then maybe you should take a look at what I am talking about. I think that my request is valid and reasonable.

Thanks

FW
CPSK.

 

[Red_Rattler]

I think if Auran wanted to, they could force anyone who uploads content to DLS to properly categorize it.

Well yes they can - if they really wanted to, but all Auran are interested in (like any company) is gaining as much money as possible, and finding ways of making more money, by having to buy what was once included.

Trains dot com at least check EVERY upload, and is only fair that it about time that Auran check EVERY upload before it is publicly released. If things are in the wrong caterogry, they should ask the uploader(s) to re do the item, and not allow them to upload anymore items until fixed. If not, then perhaps Auran can change them to the correct catergories.

What I can't stand, it seems as though some creators are deliberately trying to put their items at the head of the alphabet by using the characters that come first such as a space, ! or ", and so forth.

And in regards to the space (ie: nothing) it can interfere when choosing locomotives.

 

[hert]

There are two solutions to this problem:

1) Use the pick list only as objects you want. And if you wanted all non pick list items to be disable then in CM use the AND NOT filter.

2)The better solution that doesn't exists yet but would solve the issue its the best is my idea of using folders in the game itself. Dragging assets into user created and named folders would mean you can find content faster and its all grouped under "English" names if that's your language. So I create a folder called factory-and I drag all assets I want to be in that folder so German "Fabriks" would go in there and so on. Making it easier to sift thought not only objects but also Locos and Rolling Stock.
Just my thoughts.

hert:wave:

 

[paulzmay]

If they ever get round to really re-vamping the DLS, an ability for users to tag items on the DLS in their own language might make stuff easier to find.

If you're having a clear-out, I suggest starting a one board route, and placing on it any item you don't expect to need (yes I know it's laborious). You could create a group of candidates for deletion in CM2, and assign them a keyword, then use that as a filter to review them in surveyor. When you save the route, you know that all it's dependencies are stuff you don't want, and so you can delete them all easily. You could use the same technique for assigning any other keywords to a group of items.

@red - first you have to decide on what the right categories are (and I'm sure a lot won't agree on that). Then there's a HUGE back-catalogue of mis-organised assets.

@hert - you can search for 'fabrik' or 'usine' and then add the keyword 'factory' to all of them since TRS06. Just remember to back up your keywords...

Paul

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

... I am probably going to go through it and rename anything that I can. I have to clone the assets to do this, then disable the original....

I agree and sympathise with all that you've said, I have felt the same about Trainz ever since I got my first copy.

Re-naming will help, but I have one question regarding the clone method; if you clone an asset, then use the clone in a layout, then decide to upload the layout - what asset will be listed as a dependency of the layout, the original kuid or the clone? If it's the clone, then how do other users get it unless you distribute it? And doesn't a clone break the copyright of the original if you try to distribute it?

 

[Approach_Medium]

I agree and sympathise with all that you've said, I have felt the same about Trainz ever since I got my first copy.

Re-naming will help, but I have one question regarding the clone method; if you clone an asset, then use the clone in a layout, then decide to upload the layout - what asset will be listed as a dependency of the layout, the original kuid or the clone? If it's the clone, then how do other users get it unless you distribute it? And doesn't a clone break the copyright of the original if you try to distribute it?

Uh Oh.. that will be a problem. I didn't think of that when I posted. If I clone, the new asset gets my user KUID prefix, so uploading to DLS would show many missing assets, unless I also uploaded the fixed assets. That would not be good, then I would be basically copying another creator's asset.

I think what I could do is create the new assets for myself only, use them in my route, then when I'm ready to upload, re-enable the original assets, and replace all of mine with the originals.
That sounds like too many extra steps though. So, what I may do once I get done with weeding out the assets I don't want to use, just put the ones I do use in the picklist, as was suggested.

FW

 

[Approach_Medium]

If Auran hadn't used a cryptic system for the asset database / local folder, and everything was still readable by any browser, I would try to write a new CM either as HTML, or as a separate VC.net or VB.net app. I might just try to write an app that would help CM, rather than replace it, but that's out of the question considering how Auran has decided on a proprietary system.

FW

 

[cascaderailroad]

Make a "New Route"...Use it as a painters pallet, testing out assets that you do like, and leave them there on the "New Route". Erase all the assets on your painters pallet that you don't like. You will soon have a painters pallet of thousands of items.

 

[epicmek]

Some Previous Posts

I agree it can be very frustrating. My particular frustration is that once downloaded an asset's thumbnail fail to appear in CM in most cases.

Have a look at these posts for further ideas:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=49794
​

Stick with it I've found that Trainz is a great trainer for patience. :'(

Martin

 

[clam1952]

How about instead of cloning, change the username in the config, the kuid remains the same then and anyone then downloading the route would get any dependencies with the original name, as the kuid is the same but for ones own use you get your preferred name.

I have gone for the keyword method plus using on line translators to find out the various non English names.

 

[JCitron]

I find this frustrating myself, and remembering to add tags to the items is another step we shouldn't necessarily have to take.

So I just change the username and description of the downloaded asset to something more meaningful to me. I don't bother cloning or backing the item up first. Why bother because the item can be downloaded again.

This works well because just in case (a really rarity) I may decided to send someone a copy of my route, the recipient will still be able to download the existing assets off of the DLS.

John

 

[Approach_Medium]

The reason I need to clone an asset before making changes is that I am doing this with built-in content. Even then, some won't allow cloning at all. They come up broken.

FW

 

[JCitron]

The reason I need to clone an asset before making changes is that I am doing this with built-in content. Even then, some won't allow cloning at all. They come up broken.

FW

I see...

But the repairs are fairly easy on those as well such as texture issues, config file problems, etc. The same as the rest of the content.

John

 

[Dap]

I've also been struggling with some of these issues. What ticks me off the most is if it is "built in" it should not have any errors. If it is a built-in asset with errors, one should be able to clone it and correct it and then have the right to distribute the corrected asset without copyright conflicts. What use is having protected assets that are frought with errors?

David

 

[Approach_Medium]

I've also been struggling with some of these issues. What ticks me off the most is if it is "built in" it should not have any errors. If it is a built-in asset with errors, one should be able to clone it and correct it and then have the right to distribute the corrected asset without copyright conflicts. What use is having protected assets that are frought with errors?

David

Problem with re-uploading content that you have fixed is that it will have a different KUID, and that will screw everything up.

I'm afraid what I have to do is just do my own thing; whatever works for me, and not worry about uploading my route. It's way to large for DLS anyway.

FW

 

[crohakon]

This is also a major distraction for me when working on my route. I get to a point that I was a certain asset but have to spend an hour or so going through the list to find something that will work. The filter system is nice but with non-english names and abbreviations it is hard to find what you are looking for....

 

[wreeder]

Problem with re-uploading content that you have fixed is that it will have a different KUID, and that will screw everything up.

I'm afraid what I have to do is just do my own thing; whatever works for me, and not worry about uploading my route. It's way to large for DLS anyway.

FW

You don't have to open an item for editing to change the name. Just highlight the item in the main list view of CM and then go the to Asset Details box. Click in the name box to get a cursor and change the name to whatever you want. Then left click again on the item in the main list and the name will change and the asset won't be broken. No need to upload because the KUID remains the same. Just the name you see changes.

To speed up your disabling things you don't want. Create a new route and add all the stuff you don't want. Save the route and session then in CM pick the route and right click to choose Show Dependencies. Then choose Show in Main List. Select everything in the list (Ctrl-a) and then disable it all. Do the same with the session.

William

 

[Approach_Medium]

You don't have to open an item for editing to change the name. Just highlight the item in the main list view of CM and then go the to Asset Details box. Click in the name box to get a cursor and change the name to whatever you want. Then left click again on the item in the main list and the name will change and the asset won't be broken. No need to upload because the KUID remains the same. Just the name you see changes.

To speed up your disabling things you don't want. Create a new route and add all the stuff you don't want. Save the route and session then in CM pick the route and right click to choose Show Dependencies. Then choose Show in Main List. Select everything in the list (Ctrl-a) and then disable it all. Do the same with the session.

William

Thanks for the info/help.
Yes, you're idea of creating a new route and placing anything I don't want there is faster than dragging to the picklist.

I don't know why I was opening for edit to change the name, when I have used the method you describe before.
Guess it's been a while, and sometimes I'm up late working with TS when I should be sleeping

FW

 

[cascaderailroad]

That's why this forum is so handy...you find friends, and ask around, and they sometimes can think of an asset...one that you would never find like: Tunnel 3-1 voie ( I can talk you through the error fixing ), Tank Connoco Small ( which when re-colored, and partially sunk 9/10 in the ground, makes a great flagpole base ).

Also getting on Yahoo IM...your answer may be only moments away, talking with friends.

 

[Baureihe41]

You don't have to open an item for editing to change the name. Just highlight the item in the main list view of CM and then go the to Asset Details box. Click in the name box to get a cursor and change the name to whatever you want. Then left click again on the item in the main list and the name will change and the asset won't be broken.

William

Thank you!!!