What is OR not digesting when it comes to DB tracks and or Dynatracks? Cajon Pass and Horsehoe curve display DB tracks without a hitch in OR, yet trying some other modified routes results in anywhere from a small to enormous amount of missing track shapes? Aren't these just like any other .s file format?
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sigpicJust say NO to Fictional Railroad Foaming... -
It depends on which method has been used to give a route DB-Tracks and how accurate it has been done.
Changing selected X-Tracks to DB-Tracks in all the WORLD files of a route and converting their Dynamic tracks to Dynatrax is a complicated task. There is my much easier method of using renamed to X-Tracks DB-Tracks in the GLOBAL\SHAPES folder of a special for them DB-TRACKS-ROUTES copy of MSTS, all routes in it can use without having to modify their WORLD files and just convert their Dynamic tracks to Dynatrax ones.
There are a number of threads on the subject here and in the MSTS General forum, doing an Advanced Search for OTTODAD will find.
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The last time I read Norbert's installation instructions, they said to install the DBTracks shapes into a Global\Shapes\DB folder. I don't quite understand why he advises this, unless it's perhaps to avoid the 25,000+ files I happen to have in my own Global\Shapes folder.
One possibility is if the shapes are installed to the Global\Shapes folder where they belong, but a route is manually converted and the track shapes are pointed to the Global\Shapes\DB folder, you'll have problems. Vice versa applies as well.Comment
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Norbert's problem is that his DB-Tracks are not listed in the Global Tsection.dat but he has versions of them for each variation which list them for use in the GLOBAL folder.
In order to have his DB-Tracks in the GLOBAL\SHAPES folder where all the tracks listed in a Tsection.dat can be found, X-Tracks, UK-Finescale, Scalerail and many others, the GLOBAL\SHAPES Tsection.dat would have to be replaced with his to cover all the DB-Tracks available which are being used by routes WORLD files and then switched back to run conventional X-Tracks routes.
There are some add-on train simulator routes for MSTS which also have to do that, like the TML Studios Berlin Subway and others.
My method of using them is the easiest and once a DB-TRACKS-ROUTES copy of MSTS has been created and the renamed by me to X-Tracks DB-Tracks have been added to it's GLOBAL\SHAPES folder then any route using X-Tracks being added to it will use them and all that remains to be done it to convert it's Dynamic tracks to Dynatrax section and raise it's tracks with TSUtil to achieve total perfection. But despite having done the latter with the SURFLINER spent 3 days finding and fixing major terrain spills into trackbeds, also having to lower some bridges they are on.
However, those who are not familiar with using DYNATRAX can leave the Dynamic tracks as they are, using Dave Richtmyer's excellent DB-Tracks look-alike Acleantrack1.ace, also being used by X-Tracks Norbert has not yet created DB-Tracks versions for, like double-slips, which are the most difficult to re-create direct replacements for from scratch.
Below are the routes I have so far assembled in my DB-TRACKS-ROUTES copy of MSTS, 7 of which are available from my web site, having added my usual Tracks-Changers, their Batch files letting users switch instantly from wood ties tracks to concrete ones and back, with or without switch stands.
None of them have a problem running in ORTS !
There is no other Train Simulator who has real looking tracks and switches like DB-Tracks, nor distant scenery and mountains looking like those in MSTS and frame rates are good considering the use of more detailed tracks, which can not be said of TS-2012 with or without using it's TSX graphics.
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What? Track files belong in the Global\Shapes folder. Just because his shapes aren't yet in the standardized tsection.dat doesn't mean they must be prohibited from going there. That's where MSTS expects them, and that's where they belong. Where do you get this association between DBTracks and X-Tracks, UK-Finescale, ScaleRail, etc.? They're all completely separate since they have unique filenames.Comment
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Joseph,
I'm sorry that you seem to have issues with Otto with anything he posts but it does get somewhat tiresome reading the constant "bickering" back and forth between the two of you. I read both of your suggestions because I can learn from those who really understand the program and all of its ins and outs.
Could I suggest that you and Otto just agree to disagree and leave the pickin' at ya, pickin at ya type post in the bucket. It just sets a difficult tone to the forums for what that is worth.
Later,
SpudComment
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I do not have universal "issues with Otto with anything he posts". I don't even read most of his posts. But when I do, and if he is right and on topic, I don't usually say anything. A few times I've pointed out he's right and contributed another point to the topic at hand. However, if he is factually wrong, or waxing narcissist, or wandering aimlessly, then I will say something. It is not really that personal....if I see something I know to be wrong on here, I am going to point it out no matter who says it.
If Otto is saying here what I think he's saying, then he's completely wrong and out to lunch. But I am not completely sure even what his point is, hence my questions. You can call it "bickering" if you wish, but I call it getting to the bottom of things. There are times the mis-information on here makes me incredulous or outraged. Nobody in charge seems to have much problem with my no-BS attitude. If you don't want to read what I write then Ignore/Block me.Last edited by jovet; 02-15-2012, 08:36.Comment
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You have a PM, Spud !
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Jovet,
unless it's perhaps to avoid the 25,000+ files
Exactly. This is the reason, you can read it in the Installation Instructions on dbtracks.com, too. DBTracks will be more than 25k when all variants are created sometime in future.
Currently DBTracks are designed and declared as replacement option for existing routes. If a route editor will do this, he/she will take care of proper file allocations. So your assumption about possibile problems is simply related to the carefulness of the editor.
Yes, Global\Shapes is the expected root address for any 'FileObj' description in a world file, while 'Static' objects have their root address in the route's Shapes folder (unless you define a 'StaticFlags' entry like '00200180', than it is Global\Shapes, too). This doesn't mean that it is not possible to define a subfolder related to this root address.
Up to now there are no tsection entries set for DBTracks. This is planned for the future.
Just to correct your assumption about the DB subfolder:
I will use this subfolder in the tsection.dat, too. This can be easily achieved by writing a relative path into the tsection's file address ( db/... )
Maybe I will shorten the filenames like this: 'db1/1t10mStrt' (this is not decided yet).
If you have more questions about DBTracks, you may ask me directly. My answers may be different and sometimes surprising, but they are almost free of uncertainty, especially from a technical point of view.
Best regards,
NorbertLast edited by nordicbear; 02-15-2012, 10:52.Comment
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Well, I can understand your choice in doing that, but I don't personally agree with it. It would probably make more sense to me if it were done from the start with all the different track systems. Global files do not require much maintenance for most people because they install them and then forget about them. Installation to a single and sure place is more straightforward for the computer illiterate. My MSTS drive has almost 1,800,000 files on it. 40,000+ in the Global\Shapes folder is not a big deal, except for the increased time required for the rare enumeration.
I was planning on asking you about it eventually since I was curious about the DB folder reasoning. I do very much appreciate all your hard work on this project.
Which compression tools have problems with \\ in MSTS configuration files?Comment
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Why in the world would I want to Ignore/Block you? You are a knowledgeable and informed source of MSTS information from which I might learn about this old program. I was trying to point out that it is not necessary to be combative and at times insulting when you may disagree with another poster. I too, at time, pull my hair and silently swear under my breath at some of the things that are posted here. I have even been known to be curt and/or insulting a few times but try to refrain as much as possible.
I know that the typed word is not the same as a face to face dialogue and can be misinterpreted, forgive me if I am guilty of this, but even your reply to my post is, in my opinion, defensive and somewhat combative in context but still I will read your posts and, when applicable to me, follow what you recommend.
EOFLater,
SpudComment
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So, getting back to my question. What is going on that Open Rails isn't displaying certain Db tracks conversions? Is this an issues with how DB tracks were setup within the route, or is it an issues with how OR is displaying the shape and textures?sigpicJust say NO to Fictional Railroad Foaming...Comment
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Precisely what conversions are you talking about? Every route I've converted, including the two in the f/l here, display perfectly. Do you mean that some converted routes fail to load any track shapes? Or load only certain track shapes and not others? Please be more specific: name of route(s) converted, whether the route is converted as a mini-route or as an install in the regular Train Simulator Routes folder, and what kind of DB tracks are utilized (i.e. DB2, DB3, etc.).
Cheers,
DaveComment
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Ok here goes. This is a private conversion from another forum of Cascades Crossing. It is not a mini route and resides in my main MSTS/OR folder structure. I have three other converted routes with none of these issues. Those being Donner Pass, Cajon Pass and HorseShoe Curve. Only certain short track sections do not display typically 3-5 meter sections in the Cascades Crossing upgrade. I have another conversion of Cajon Pass 4 that displays even less trackage.sigpicJust say NO to Fictional Railroad Foaming...Comment
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This is not really a ORTS related matter and you might get a better response in the MSTS forum.
"I have three other converted routes with none of these issues." What kind of "Issues", some tracks do not show or something else ?
The Norbert Rieger method of renaming all X-Tracks TrackObj track shapes in World files, I am not using, will rename all of them whether or not there is in fact a DB-Tracks shape file for it in the GLOBAL\SHAPES\DB folder.
Does this Cascades route use track sections for which there are no DB-Tracks equivalents ?
How did Dave Richtmyer deal with such tracks when creating his DB-Tracks updates for the Donner Pass and Horseshoe Curve routes, I don't think have many of them ? Run these routes and after MSTS complains about DB-Tracks shapes missing then replace them in their World files with X-Tracks ?
And what is the procedure for adding new additions of DB-Tracks into already having been converted to them WORLD files ?
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