What build assests will be unusable and when?

[girlsloverailroads2]

I've used so many assests with 1.5, 2.0 etc. build numbers, as I build my route, many of which were built in to my version and in Auran's add on packs, the rest came from DS. (I am TS2010 build 49933 and Content Manager 3.3). First question- If I DON'T upload to DS, do those older assests pose any problems on my route building, for me now? Second question- If I DO want to upload at some point, will all those old assests show up as missing dependencies for anyone trying to run the session? Third question- what if I get TS2012 (waiting for a better service pack version first), what will be the minimum build numbers for assests that I will be able to download from DS and use? Thanks, Rebecca

 

[shaneturner12]

Hi Rebecca,

Older assets are not normally an issue in most cases, unless they are flagged as faulty in Content Manager.

If you do upload to the Download Station, only assets that are not built-in (to the version that you create/update the route in) or on the Download Station will show as missing dependencies. Be aware though that if you have used content from a payware addon pack, you will need to add in the description which addon pack(s) the content is from, as it will appear as missing dependencies.

Shane
As for TS12, content that is trainz-build 2.7 or higher is normally fine. Content with a build number lower than 2.7 (that is not built-in) will show warnings but can still be used.

 

[tomurban]

I see that you just joined in February, so welcome to Trainz Rebecca. Go for TS12 asap. The updates are quick and easy if you follow Shane's instructions. The graphics and operating smoothness are well worth it.

 

[girlsloverailroads2]

Thanks men. I have been thinking of getting 2012 tomurban. Which begs a question about 2012.... What would I have to do to keep TS2010 and a new 2012 separate? Purchase then download 2012 into a different installation folder? If so, can both be in the same Auran folder on C Drive? I'd like to try 2012 but yet use my 2010 for awhile. I may be new at this, but I think TRAINZ is just great, (and so are you helpful souls). Thanks, Rebecca

 

[captainkman]

TS12 installs into Program Files/N3V Games by default, so no problems keeping them seperate.

I had UTC, 2004, 2006, TC3 and TS2010 all in the auran folder and nothing went wrong with that.

I, and others, recommend changing the install path outside Program Files.

 

[tomurban]

Yes definitely install outside of Program Files. Doing so eliminates Windows permissions issues and in my estimation allows Trainz (any version) to perform at maximum efficiency.

 

[rweber95]

...Second question- If I DO want to upload at some point, will all those old assests show up as missing dependencies for anyone trying to run the session?..."

When you upload your route, the only kuids that get uploaded to the DLS server are those that you've created, ie they have your UserID on them. When someone downloads your route, third party kuids may or may show problems, depending on their installations. Nothing you can do about that.

Bob Weber

 

[girlsloverailroads2]

Yes definitely install outside of Program Files. Doing so eliminates Windows permissions issues and in my estimation allows Trainz (any version) to perform at maximum efficiency.

It seems like a good idea. When I buy 2012 I will install elsewhere as recommended. But my 2010.....can I MOVE the entire Auran/2010 folder out of programs, for the reasons noted, or will everything still take the original installation path to programs and make a mess? Thanks to everyone again, Rebecca

 

[tomurban]

Yes you can move it. Copy and Paste your TS10 main folder is one way. Then delete your current desktop shortcut and create a new one to Launcher.exe at the new location. Just note that the transfer may take some time depending the amount of local content you have. When I transferred my TS12 installation it took about 20 minutes to complete.

 

[wreeder]

Hi Rebecca,

Welcome to the world of Trainz. Here is some information that can help you understand the way Trainz works with regard to your original question. TS10 has two modes of operation, compatibility mode and native mode. Sounds like you are running in compatibility mode since you have no problems using older assets. Therefore if you upload your route, anyone else running TS10 in compatibility mode would be able to run your route with no serious problems. The native mode gives many performance improvements but does not allow the use of assets that are faulty(they show a red exclamation mark in CM). TS12 only offers native mode so using older assets can be a big problem for someone trying to run your route in TS12. Also the rules that CM uses for testing assets to determine if they are faulty are stricter in TS12 than TS10 so some assets that are not faulty in TS10 are judged to be faulty in TS12 and therefore unusable.

This situation with older assets came about because even though there have always been rules for building assets the proper way, some early creators ignored the rules and just made assets that "worked" in Trainz. They worked because older versions of Trainz were very forgiving about assets that didn't follow the rules. However, there was a price to be paid in game performance and some of these assets could crash the game, so code was added to prevent the crashes. This extra code slowed the performance of the game. Beginning with TS2009, the programmers began to add code in CM to test for assets that did not completely follow the rules and flag them with the red exclamation mark but still allow their use in compatibility mode. These rules have been made stricter with each new version of Trainz to work towards a time where all problem assets would be either fixed or removed from the game. They also started a project to fix all the older assets on the DLS so that they would be usable in later versions of Trainz running in native mode.

I hope this helps,

William

 

[shaneturner12]

Yes you can move it. Copy and Paste your TS10 main folder is one way. Then delete your current desktop shortcut and create a new one to Launcher.exe at the new location. Just note that the transfer may take some time depending the amount of local content you have. When I transferred my TS12 installation it took about 20 minutes to complete.

Only problem I can foresee with this is that file associations may not be updated to the new location.

Shane

 

[tomurban]

Only problem I can foresee with this is that file associations may not be updated to the new location.

Shane

Hi Shane: Actually, I used the snag and drag method, but either should work. No problem with file associations in WIN7 (HP).

 

[mjolnir]

What I've done is to install versions of Trainz, each to its own external drive, instead of the internal hard drives of the machine. I've had no problem with it running, and I gain a degree of portability.

ns

 

[girlsloverailroads2]

Thanks to all who replied. All ideas to be implemented soon. Also as I download new assest from DS, I've been collecting from asset numbers 2.7 and higher (to 3.3 as that is my 2010 max), to prepare for 2012 in the future. William (wreeder)...... that information was very informative and interesting. It really helps newcomers like me, to understand the path (the long strange trip). you folks have taken to arrive at this point. I would ask- how is it that I am running my TRS 2010 in compatibility instead of native mode? Is that a choice I made during the install? or was it a choice the install made for me? (Either way I'm fine with it for now). Again, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, Rebecca

 

[mtldrm38]

you can change or check compatability modes in surveyor options., its wiser to use native this way you can avoid using faulty content that way...
also if you dont use speedtrees you will see regular older trees come up like silhouted ghosts........

 

[girlsloverailroads2]

you can change or check compatability modes in surveyor options., its wiser to use native this way you can avoid using faulty content that way...
also if you dont use speedtrees you will see regular older trees come up like silhouted ghosts........

I checked surveyor options, and I am already running in 'native mode'. I've done a lot of work already- updating, and deleting faulty assets, (hey I finally spelled assets right!), and most times my route seems to be running well. If I run the installed routes, instead of just working on my own, I do seem to run into faulty content to deal with, along with missing assets, neon colors (despite Shane's excellent tutorial advice), etc.. So until I can download some better/cleaner/newer routes, I think I'll just stick with my own efforts. I do use all the installed routes however, to see what looks good to me, how yards are set up, what signals are used, what track looks good, textures that work (to my eyes), topography, bridges, industries etc., so they are still wonderful sources of 'mind candy' and I sure appreciate the hard work that went into them. Thanks again, Rebecca

 

[tomurban]

Most faulty assets can be repaired using a few tools and tricks. In fact, repairing a broken asset, (usually intended for an earlier version of Trainz) can be a hobby onto itself.