Question about mlt soldier summit

[trainlover2923]

Good day....I have been searching for an answer to a question that had been bugging me. The crossing lamps in the sim don't animate back and forth but in Goku's route editor they do. I was just wondering if anybody has figured out this problem. If not no biggie just curious. I am currently using open rails 1.4

[ebnertra000]

Could be animation rate in the .s file. If it's a decimal number. OR won't animate them. I don't have an .s file handy, but it should be near the bottom in one of the first lines of the animations() section

[niknak]

That's weird - On my copy of MLT's Soldier Summit the crossing lights DO flash. I haven't amended the s files in any way.

[niknak]

Correction - It appears that some do and some don't.....

[R. Steele]

Could be animation rate in the .s file. If it's a decimal number. OR won't animate them. I don't have an .s file handy, but it should be near the bottom in one of the first lines of the animations() section

That decimal animation number also should appear as a warning in the log, and I don't show any....also have some that do and some that don't...although --- informal poll --- I think the dont's outnumber the do.

[niknak]

When I look closely at a crossing that doesn't flash, it appears that only one light actually physically exists on each pole....

[R. Steele]

When I look closely at a crossing that doesn't flash, it appears that only one light actually physically exists on each pole....

Yes, noticed that also. It's all in the shape file ( as mentioned earlier in this thread )... have not taken ( or had the time ) to go searching for the proper file to take a look at it. Wouldn't do me much good, an absolute beginner when it comes to shape files. Can change the images and some other minor tasks, but that's about it.

[niknak]

Same here Gerry.. Maybe some Good Samaritan could upload an amended .s file if that's what it takes.

[yellowdog]

This is a payware route, so no one should upload an amended .s file. However, I did dig around to see if I could figure out the problem. Looking through the SHAPES folder in the route, there is a shape called crossing_lamps.s That seemed like an obvious file name. When I opened that in Shape File Viewer, it didn't appear that the lights flashed when I clicked the animation button. I opened the file in Shape File Manager, and didn't see any decimal points in the animation. I re-compressed the file and went back to SFV and messed around with the speed, but still nothing. I loaded another shape, gcrossbucks.s and the animation worked fine, except the animation was going really really fast--because of where I had left the slider when working with crossing_lamps.s. I loaded crossing_lamps.s again and put the speed at the max and only then did I notice that the lights actually would flash. I don't see any other obvious file names for crossing lights, so not sure if this is the problematic file. But if it is, perhaps the issue is related to animation speed? And if so, perhaps someone else can provide direction from here.

[R. Steele]

Yellowdog, that's very helpful. Thanks.

I'm going to do some follow-up when I get a moment. ...and... while I cannot speak for what NikNak meant...having had conversations with him--- I'm sure he meant uploading an example of the correct code for the specific shape file in question...not the actual shape file...which would be against forum policy.

[R. Steele]

I copied the crossing_lamps.s file from MLT's Kicking Horse pass...I believe the signals work there..at least I do remember reading about any problems,,,have not run the route in quite a while.... and the problem still exists...

Will keep poking around...unless a shape file guru knows about this problem and has the time to pass on some info, I'll do the work...if I can.

[spoony1999]

I copied the crossing_lamps.s file from MLT's Kicking Horse pass...I believe the signals work there..at least I do remember reading about any problems,,,have not run the route in quite a while.... and the problem still exists...

Will keep poking around...unless a shape file guru knows about this problem and has the time to pass on some info, I'll do the work...if I can.

I just ran Kicking Horse Pass last week and I ran into some crossings that didn't flash

[R. Steele]

I just ran Kicking Horse Pass last week and I ran into some crossings that didn't flash

Thanks, good to know, indicates same problem with that shape file may exist on Kicking Horse Pass...wonder if MLT ever issued a corrected file?
I'm going to try other MLT routes and see if I can turn up a good version of the file...anyone care to help...please feel free.

[trainlover2923]

Hey Gerry.....I have noticed that MLT used the same shape file for most of their older routes and I have noticed the same problem with those as well....some work some don't....So I don't know where the hick-up is. I have pretty much dissected the shape file to see if I can find the problem but to no solution. And like you said if anybody cares to hop in and help please do

[R. Steele]

Hey Gerry.....I have noticed that MLT used the same shape file for most of their older routes and I have noticed the same problem with those as well....some work some don't....So I don't know where the hick-up is. I have pretty much dissected the shape file to see if I can find the problem but to no solution. And like you said if anybody cares to hop in and help please do

Well. Well. More helpful information....I'm not a route builder...know nothing about it...but I've read about interactives...I wonder if these lights at the crossing qualify as an interactive ( they only activate when the crossing gates activate ) and somehow that interaction is messed up ( a technical term ... ).

In my experience animated objects have an animation speed in the shape file and I could not find that entry in this shape file.?? Everything about this is puzzling to me and wayyyy outside of my experience...although I'm finding it challenging trying to solve the problem.