Open Rails - Freeware shmreewar

[NW 2156]

Models I have had trouble with not working include those from 3DTS Cajon Pass and the Milw BLW yellow set. I have also ran into issues with Dick Cowen models but am aware of Dick's odd eng file writing habits on some models. NALW gas turbines give me fits because the smoke over whelms ORTS as the settings for MSTS are no good for ORTS. The two sims handle smoke effects differently. The biggest pet pive is the single pipe issues with ORTS and the multiple part Milw boxcab motors. I run the Milw often and would really like to get these units working correctly.

Robert

[muskokaandtahoe]

Dave, As FTLDave has already stated there are still problems with running MSTS content in ORTS. I am just now moving to ORTs and keep finding models that will not work correctly or even at all in ORTS.

I really hate to burst the ORTS bubble but all is not well in ORTS land.

ORTS also decided from release V1 which was too early and did not have everything from the original blueprint in it as you guys were hoping to do so for MSTS compatibility. ORTS release V1 was premature and some of issues continue to this day.

Hi Robert. First, what version are you running? I'm at V4083... about 50 updates behind the latest. If you are not at or above the version I have you should update. I use the unstable version and recommend everyone do the same.

Some of the many things that bug me,

1. Camera views are horrible in ORTS.

Different. So are the keys. That's pretty trivial. There are some changes planned that should be eye openers.

2. Brakes take too friggin long to get pumped up and I have to hold down the dang keys and wait. We need MSTS quick release braking for those who are not so serious about real world operations.

Very early on the team decided to go for more realism. IIRC there is a key command that does what you want.

3. Both steam and diesel exhaust need a complete rework. Period. The effect is horrible.

That's all a subjective comment. I'd need tor read something specific in order to respond.

4. Some routes still have dark CTC signals for unknown reasons.

5. Some activities still don't function correctly or in rare circumstances not at all.

Report it to the OR team. They need the route name and whether the problem is across the whole route or only portions. If the later, where in the route is the problem.

6. You still don't have some of the basic features of MSTS like the "GlossMap" shader or environment maps, and a couple other features.

IIRC Glossmap was not a released feature of MSTS. It can be addressed but they need more manpower and said manpower needs to have an interest in solving that problem.

The list goes on.

ORTS does not have drop in plug and play for MSTS content. Some locomotives will not even move unless updated with ORTS physics.

Specifics please.

I have heard from a couple former ORTS programmers that ORTS is at a point that it needs a complete rewrite in some places. If true? Than at the moment there is more or less an effort to just slap a band aide on some issues. Reading through the bug reports and fixes seems to hint at something similar at times.

Oh, I don't doubt that. There were VERY FEW professionals who volunteered to help. Some of the guys had never coded before. That's a fact of life for most Open Source projects. It'll probably get in the way down the road too, if not already.

But do understand, unlike most everything else, it's freeware and it has by far and away the largest amount of content too, mostly freeware.

Compare the likes of Railworks or TS20XX to ORTS and ORTS looks just as bad as MSTS.

Will you open your checkbook at donate $5-6 million to the cause?

Wanna talk about the economics of the for-profit game industry? Just look at Flight Sim.

I am led to believe that ORTS is a program with no future. Just too far behind the 8 ball.

Robert

Well, of course you can form your own opinion and score different simulators by your own standards of what matters... I have no basis for disputing your own objectives, nor you mine. But I think many of the conclusions you have made are not entirely well founded, corner cases, or about trivial matters. Stuff not running? Dark signals? Those are specific and if you have the facts straight you really should report them tot he OR team -- somebody else might benefit from the fix too.

[NW 2156]

Dave, That last part I wish I could remove. I hate not being able to come back and edit posts here.

I will report the dark signals as the route is undergoing turntable testing with the developer from ORTS who worked on that specific area.

I use the latest ORTS version and update every Friday. Things have gotten better in ORTS but some still need improving.

I am still all about the FPS type camera views that allow walking and climbing on stuff like the RTrainsim videos. I hope some of that is in those plans?

Specifics about the exhaust have been discussed before here and at ET.

I don't know about opening my wallet for those kinds of dollar amounts. I would be happy to donate a little towards ORTS development if things move in that direction.

I have said before ORTS might want to try and attract some professionalism by have pay-per-code written. There are enough Indians with the talent might we be looking for their help?

I do hope someday to win the big jackpot and liberate MSTS and first MSTS 2 code and source materials from M$. I would like to open source MSTS and unreleased 2003 MSTS V2 so we can fix and update her. Yes even DX9 is ancient but I would like to bring MSTS to DX9 graphics and complete all incomplete or non working features and fix the many other flaws and broken features of the ole girl. Actually would be worth it considering the impact of MSTS on the virtual railroad hobby.

Robert

[muskokaandtahoe]

Robert, you will have a PM shortly.

[NW 2156]

?

Robert

[eric]

I think this thread has strayed far enough from its original topic..... Feel free to open up yet another thread to complain about what you don't like about ORTS.