TSRE Activity Editor Question #2

[Winterhawk76]

So. Here is the latest status report:
)New copy of TSRE5 installed, tested on multiple routes & functioning properly. Version v0.69752
)Consist Editor set up & functioning properly. All equipment & consists accounted for.
)Settings file recovered, reinstalled on desktop, & writeEnable line & writeTDB line changed to false setting.
)OR program tested and functioning properly on multiple routes.

Copies of current settings file. Pls advise if there are inconsistencies.

Will attempt to send current OR Log separately as size said to exceed forum's 19.5kb size.


Next Steps: If all good on attached logs, use of TSRE5 AE function & add a loose consist.

One question prior to use of AE as the manual describing use of AE is a little lacking in specific detail. If I create an activity in AE, is the activity functional by just creating a new activity, populating the required fields in the Activity Settings Window, & selecting a path, or do all components such as "New Traffic" have to be completed as well?

Once again...Thanks for all the help!settings.txt

[Winterhawk76]

Current OR Log attached.

[mmax45581]

To create a valid activity, you don't need new traffic, but I can't look at the window now, so I don't know if there is something you have to add...

In the OR log, there are many missing texture errors. Did you maybe forget to run an installme.bat file to copy some files from the default routes?
Otherwise, everything seems to be in order.

[Winterhawk76]

OK...Thx for the info on the activity. I did not think you would have to populate all of the fields but never hurts to ask. I have to leave town tonite for a couple of days, so I will not try to get into the AE at this time. Probably the first of next week b/f I can get back to it.
As for the missing texture files, I have created a Common Textures folder that contains texture files from all of my routes, & link each route back to that folder. Same for Shapes & TerrTex folders. Initially, I did it to save disc space, but then discovered that when I work in RE, I can have access to all the shapes, terrain textures, & textures in any route bu storing them in a common file. If I want to add textures from route A to route B, all I then have to do is copy the Ref file from route A into route B, & change the name to match up w/the file I am replacing. The missing files you noted were b/c I failed to link up the texture folder to the common folder when I replaced the route earlier today. Its done now & all textures are where they need to be.

Thx once again for your help. Hawk...

[GokuMK]

Use "Save Activities" button after editing activities and quit TSRE without saving route changes.
This way TSRE won't edit route files.

[R. Steele]

Use "Save Activities" button after editing activities and quit TSRE without saving route changes.
This way TSRE won't edit route files.

Goku, your statement above acknowledges that the possibility of unwanted modifications to a route exist while using the AE....

To me, that's backwards logic.... there should be some safety interlock in place that when the AE is chosen ( or active ), no functions of the RE (except those deemed necessary to create activities ) should be active. That way no one has to worry about NOT saving changes, since there will be no changes made to the route in the first place.

Alternatively, make the AE a separate function using a bat file like the CE...there may be some functions of the RE that overlap.
I admit to not knowing how feasible either of these options are, not being familiar with programming...but for safety sake it seems like something that should be considered.

--- and as an accommodation to route builders --- put in a switch in the settings file that allows them to bypass the above.

As always, thank you for your time and effort...it is appreciated. Regards, Gerry

[geepster775]

In professional software development circles, it all comes down to cost/benefit analysis.

The benefit here is a 5 brief seconds of newfound joy as a user's player-driven train passes through a derailment scene or a trackwork diorama.

The cost here is the risk to hosing TDBs on PCs everywhere on account of inaccurate settings or missed keystrokes as novice users stumble and trip through the process of learning a new editor application that lacks any type of official documentation. It is one thing to errantly hose a finished product route that can be effortlessly restored from backup, but something else to hose a route currently undergoing development where restoring a backup amounts to lost days or weeks of work.

Does the benefit really outweigh the cost?

[Winterhawk76]

Good Morning Guys: I am almost afraid to continue this thread b/c the problem of crashing the route not only continues to exist when using TSRE5 AE, but also using the RE function. What I have done thus far is the following:
Downloaded & installed a new, clean copy of the route (Cajon Pass 4);
Downloaded a new copy of TSRE5;
Tested the new route in OR in both the Explore Route mode as well as w/an activity created in MSTS AE. Route loads & functions normally in both the ER mode & using the activity;
Opened TSRE5 RE & removed a single object (tree) some distance from any track work;
Launched OR once again in the ER mode & immediately received the error message that a track node could not be found in the tdb;

Once this crash occurs, the route is completely unusable in any mode. My only option is to delete the entire route from the mini route folder where it resides, make another copy from the default, reinstall the route in the mini route folder, & start the cycle all over.

I have saved copies of this route I modified in RE last week that contain changes made in the RE. I can copy the world file from the previously saved versions of this route into the new route & all of the previous changes appear when OR is launched, so my work is not completely wasted. However, if I get back into RE & try to add or delete a single object, doesn't matter what, anywhere on the route, the route crashes & I receive the same missing track node error, the route is then completely unusable, & I begin the cycle once again.

This is not a route that I particularly care for & rarely use, but it is the one I happened to be making upgrades to when this issue began. I do not believe this issue lies w/the route itself, but I am reluctant to try to make any changes to any other route until such time as I/we can figure out what is going on here. So. Once again. Any suggestions are appreciated. I am also attaching a copy of the most recent OR log as well as a copy of my setting text.
Thanks again...Hawk

[mmax45581]

Did the route readme specify a specific version of the global tsection.dat? If yes, try it with this version. If no, try it with another version.

Maybe this route requires a custom tsection.dat that shipped with the route containing special track pieces. If those track pieces aren't available, there will be errors.

[GokuMK]

Good Morning Guys: I am almost afraid to continue this thread b/c the problem of crashing the route not only continues to exist when using TSRE5 AE, but also using the RE function.

If you want to save a route using TSRE, your route tsection must be synced with current global tsection.dat file.
TSRE has no tools for it now. Use custom tools like horace.

[baldwin]

Cajon Pass 4 is already compliant with the standard Tsection.dat, dynamic track is numbered in the 40000 range. No need to use Horace.

[geepster775]

Is there any reason for still being on release 1.2? ( almost 3 years old now )

Where did the ATSF-WB-PR-Casa del Desierto - LAUPT.pat come from?

[Winterhawk76]

Sorry...I guess I don't understand your question concerning the release 1.2.

As for the ATSf-WB-PR-Casa del Desierto-LAUPT.pat, that is the naming convention I have used for years to designate paths.
ATSF = Primary railroad utilizing the designated path.
WB = Westbound
PR = Passenger Route as apposed to FR for Freight Route
Casa del Desierto - LAUPT = Starting location (Casa del Desierto in Barstow, California & LAUPT is Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal)

Hawk

[ebnertra000]

Sorry...I guess I don't understand your question concerning the release 1.2.

...

The version of Open Rails you're using. Why on Earth are you still using version 1.2 (which is three years old) when 1.3's been out for months, never mind the pretty-good weekly testing versions

[Winterhawk76]

The reason is that I did not realize thee had been an update, but will install the newer version today. Is that a possible reason for the issues I have described here? If so, I don't understand why it just began when I attempted using TSRE5 AE a week or so ago.