New route from scratch, does TSRE create the .ref file?

[Bickford Line]

Hi. I am trying to create a route that reflects my local area of industry.
I can start TSRE and plug in the lat & long and the lay 1 track and save it. How do I get a .ref file created so that shapes show up?
In other words, I do not see any building shapes available in TSRE. I know I have to copy the 'route' shapes, terrtex and textures to the new route.

[rdayt]

It does but there are only a limited number of shapes.
All the trees and buildings and stuff you see in routes are added by the route builder.

Randy

[oper190]

My I suggest what I've done, to start with for a .ref file I copy one from another route with shapes I'll most likely use, ( I used a default MSTS Route ) then rename it to the route file name you use, ( same as the .trk file ). You'll need to copy the shape and textures over as well.

Then the fun starts planting everything.

[Bickford Line]

Thank you very much. I have been dabbling with similar attempts, but was not getting desired results. I will see if that helps.

[rdayt]

Don't mess with the default stuff. You'll be sorry later.
Pick a route that you like that has some of the stuff you'll use and use those shapes, textures and ref file to get started. Might as well grab the signal scripts too.
If you haven't already done it I would recommend downloading the MONON. It's a great route. Has working switchstands.

Randy

[eric]

Depending on which version of TSRE you use... the REF isn't mandatory in 8.005 but instead will list every shape you have in your route's SHAPES folder.

I don't know if Scott or Goku's versions followed that or not. The REF can be useful and it can be a pain to manage. I decided in my fork it's not mandatory.

[GokuMK]

My TSRE has REF templates - may be defined per object group, so no need to add each shape, but also you don't loose REF features.
Also, TSRE always supported multiple REFs and ideally addons should ship their own ref to paste just like you do with shape and texture files.
Managing large REF file was,always obsolete.

[frliss]

I only make additions to existing routes and with 8.005 all I do is drop the object into the SHAPE and TEXTURE file without any entry in the REF file. Works fine.

Fred

[pwillard]

Keeping TRACK of valid or unused Shapes and Textures is up to you, though.

[eric]

My TSRE has REF templates - may be defined per object group, so no need to add each shape, but also you don't loose REF features.

Well, to be clear, 8.005 hasn't dispensed with it. Those who want to use REF files can still do so, and supporting multiple REF's is still present. It's just not REQUIRED in order to access the shapes in your route's SHAPES folder.

We all work in different ways... when you build your own shapes, and have well defined naming conventions, the REF is really not needed. Someone who uses shapes created by others would benefit from them.