Verifying Routes/Activities Are Complete

[cjkawt]

I have down loaded/installed the "MSTS Routes--ATSF Hereford Sub," (what's a "sub" anyway?) but I still see gray blank shapes, ground and structures. When I received a "Error Continue?" msgbox I just tried to wing it. I took note of the missing file and searched my 1MSTS folder and copy/pasted into the "atsfhs" folder. I no longer get any msgbox, but I still am noticing the anomalies stated above. Is there a more elegant tool or something to verify if files are missing and where to find them?

Thanks,
Calvin

[R. Steele]

As to your grey shapes, sounds as if you are missing something...textures maybe.
Try reinstalling the route...make sure you've got all the downloads ( if there is more than one)

For checking validity of activities...there is nothing better than Ged Saunders utility MSTS_ActMan, in fact all of Ged's programs are worth downloading.
Search the library using Saunders you'll find all of them.

The other "swiss army" knife program ( not being developed further ) is called Route Riter and is available from this site

http://www.rstools.info/downloads-1.html

This is a complex program...does too much to mention here.
I'd stick with Ged Saunders excellent suite of utitilies, to begin with.

Oh also, the payware consist creation program ConBuilder also has excellent error checking capabilities, including activities, unfortunately it is no longer available.

[ebnertra000]

A couple of things:

A 'Sub.' (Subdivision) is a method railroads use to divide up track, typically no more than 200-300 miles per sub. Their names and such are not usually public knowledge, but they're not hard to figure out if you know where to look.

Route_Riter is available in the file library here, and could probably check for things like missing textures.

Was there a file called 'installme.bat' in the route's folder by chance? If so, have you run it?

EDIT: It would seem Gerry's just beaten me to the punch

[cjkawt]

@ Gerry
Thanks. I did reinstall it, but the issues remain. I will dig into these suggested tools and report back.


@ ebnertra000 (Sorry, I don't know your name),

A couple of things:

A 'Sub.' (Subdivision) is a method railroads use to divide up track, typically no more than 200-300 miles per sub. Their names and such are not usually public knowledge, but they're not hard to figure out if you know where to look.

Thank you for clarifying. That is what I thought, but my mind only allowed me to read "subdivision" as a housing development. LOL

Route_Riter is available in the file library here, and could probably check for things like missing textures.

Was there a file called 'installme.bat' in the route's folder by chance? If so, have you run it?

...

Yes, Installme.bat was there and I did run it.

[cjkawt]

Okay, I just did a test using MSTS on a haunch. BAM! Two dozen "Failed to open [fill-in-the-blank]..." right off the bat when opening the same route in OR doesn't throw anymore errors. I don't mind the search>>copy>>paste routine for each failure, but I am curious if filenames are unique as in every time I see the file in the search that it is exactly the same texture, graphic, etc. or are the same filenames used for different things?

[crstagg]

Please post one example of the Failed to Open ____________.
Route requires Xtracks and NewRoads. Have they been installed?

[crstagg]

Also open the file "Your Drive":\1MSTS\GLOBAL\tsection.dat with notepad or some other editor and tell us the Build number. It is in the 3rd line. Begins with "Info ( Build 000## ).

[cjkawt]

@All - I have tried the Saunders checking utilities and it reports no errors in my "atsfhs" route folder. Also, I had almost started search/copy/paste the missing files to my "atsfhs" folder (my best guesses). Should I continue to try and do this or wait for more experienced guidance? I'll standby until I hear back.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi Charles. Thanks for the help.

FYI - I am using OR with my MSTS. I only have the "Demo1" in an OR folder.

Please post one example of the Failed to Open ____________.
Route requires Xtracks and NewRoads. Have they been installed?

Xtracks and NewRoads both installed without errors.

Also open the file "Your Drive":\1MSTS\GLOBAL\tsection.dat with notepad or some other editor and tell us the Build number. It is in the 3rd line. Begins with "Info ( Build 000## ).

_INFO ( Build 00041 )

Calvin

[crstagg]

The Hereford sub requires that the 6 MSTS Default Routes (those are USA1, USA2, Europe1, Europe 2, Japan 1 and Japan2) be installed in the same installation. Please confirm that those 6 Route folders are in the same …\1MSTS\Routes folder as ATSFHS (Hereford).

[geepster775]

When it comes to downloading freeware routes from here, you have to pay attention to which routes have batch files and thus require the temporary presence of the 6 default routes, and which ones do not. There are some freeware routes, and just about all of the payware route landscape, that are indeed freestanding and do not require this.

For any intriguing must-have routes that have required a batch file, I long ago ran those batch files, and then zipped up the fully complemented route and stored them off-line in protected disk storage. That allowed me to finally remove those 6 default routes. If I ever need to reinstall these routes, I just go back to my zip files which are fully complete.

I no longer download any newer routes that still require batch files. They were a staple of early days, so those early routes got a pass, but by now, batch files should be a thing of the past because the content that is borrowed via their use is simply too dated.

[cjkawt]

@ Charles

The Hereford sub requires that the 6 MSTS Default Routes (those are USA1, USA2, Europe1, Europe 2, Japan 1 and Japan2) be installed in the same installation. Please confirm that those 6 Route folders are in the same …\1MSTS\Routes folder as ATSFHS (Hereford).

Confirmed. All 6 are there.

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@geepster775
Thanks for chiming in with your methodology, but I'm not sure I understand it all at present.

...
I no longer download any newer routes that still require batch files. They were a staple of early days, so those early routes got a pass, but by now, batch files should be a thing of the past because the content that is borrowed via their use is simply too dated.

Since I am just starting with MSTS/OR I must admit I am at a loss as to how to get content without downloading/installing the freeware work offered? I can't afford to fill my routes folder with payware. Something tells me I am missing something you are saying, but I don't know where I'm missing it? Maybe just my gimpy noodle is not playing nice today.

Calvin

[cjkawt]

@Charles, Sorry I missed this earlier.

Please post one example of the Failed to Open ____________.
....

* No extended shape data for USWarehouse2.s
* Failed to open texture file routes\atsfhs\textures\buffer.ace
* Failed to load A1tBuffer.s
* No extended shape for treeblocksingle.s


There's more if you need them.

Calvin

[crstagg]

When it comes to downloading freeware routes from here, you have to pay attention to which routes have batch files and thus require the temporary presence of the 6 default routes, and which ones do not. There are some freeware routes, and just about all of the payware route landscape, that are indeed freestanding and do not require this.

For any intriguing must-have routes that have required a batch file, I long ago ran those batch files, and then zipped up the fully complemented route and stored them off-line in protected disk storage. That allowed me to finally remove those 6 default routes. If I ever need to reinstall these routes, I just go back to my zip files which are fully complete.

I no longer download any newer routes that still require batch files. They were a staple of early days, so those early routes got a pass, but by now, batch files should be a thing of the past because the content that is borrowed via their use is simply too dated.

They may be too dated to you, but they are all new to the newcomers.

[crstagg]

@Charles, Sorry I missed this earlier.


* No extended shape data for USWarehouse2.s
* Failed to open texture file routes\atsfhs\textures\buffer.ace
* Failed to load A1tBuffer.s
* No extended shape for treeblocksingle.s


There's more if you need them.

Calvin

* Failed to open texture file routes\atsfhs\textures\buffer.ace
* Failed to load A1tBuffer.s
Appears that your Installme.bat did not run successfully. Buffer.ace was supposed to be copied from Europe1\textures to atsfhs\textures.

No extended shape data for USWarehouse2.s

Again Appears that your Installme.bat did not run successfully. the Extended shape data

USWarehouse2.sd file should have been copied from Europe1.

* No extended shape for treeblocksingle.s
Same again from Japan1

Run the Installme again and look at the results. It will tell you when it cannot find files.

[geepster775]

If I were a newcomer today, I would expect all routes to be freestanding on their own.

And I would bring my checkbook, as is presently a requirement for initial entry in to every other sim platform out there. At least the app here is still free. Hassle free content is another matter entirely.