Re: Glasgow-Carlisle V4

casperdog Wed 09 Jul 2014, 11:41 am

NiallGray wrote:Thanks Clive.

The tunnels entrances are the excellent work of Cobos from his Scottish Central route. All I did was re-size them to fit standard track and overhead wires.

The cutting walls are courtesy of sundaypm. If you want them for your route, I'd be happy to ask Derek for you.

Niall

Thanks for the offer, but I think the ones I made will do. As you said earlier, placing and lining up cutting walls ain't much fun at times and I don't feel like doing it again. Smile

Cheers
Clive

NiallGray Wed 09 Jul 2014, 12:20 pm

neanderthal wrote:We like it Niall,and I'm sure we can wait until your sure its how you want it.

Thanks Roger.

casperdog wrote:
NiallGray wrote:Thanks Clive.

The tunnels entrances are the excellent work of Cobos from his Scottish Central route. All I did was re-size them to fit standard track and overhead wires.

The cutting walls are courtesy of sundaypm. If you want them for your route, I'd be happy to ask Derek for you.

Niall

Thanks for the offer, but I think the ones I made will do. As you said earlier, placing and lining up cutting walls ain't much fun at times and I don't feel like doing it again.

Cheers
Clive

Placing once is bad enough!

NiallGray Fri 11 Jul 2014, 1:38 am

With a break from route-building while I await a last bit of help at Glasgow Central, I've spent the evening looking at old V3 acts (mine and others) to see how they cope on V4.

As I said a long time back, paths were going to be broken in V4 as I tried to make the route more realistic. All of the acts I've installed and run tonight have at least one pathing issue. So, unless you know what you're doing when it comes to fixing paths, please stick to V4 acts when the route's released.

I'm planning to re-work most (if not all) of my V3 acts and I've just started work on some new V4 acts as well. I've also got members of the testing team who have shown interest in writing acts for the new version.

As for acts for V3 by other authors, it's down to them if they want to update for V4. I have a feeling at least two of them are no longer on the scene but another thing I said a while back was that any V3 author would be able to get their hands on the route prior to release if they promise to update their acts. That offer still stands.

If you're one of those authors and want to update your acts, please drop me a PM.

Niall

PS Tonight, I have driven everything from a 303 to 380, from a 27 to 87, from an HST to a Pendolino, in and out of Glasgow Central. I'm living my MSTS dream! Smile

rufuskins Fri 11 Jul 2014, 9:33 am

On the late shift I note! Wink

Making one's dream a reality is a reward in itself, except we fellow simmers get to share the reward as well. Many thanks Niall.

NiallGray Fri 11 Jul 2014, 10:26 am

Yes, was totally engrossed and lost track of time! Embarassed

Good thing is I've already converted a few of my acts where I don't feel the need to change stock (ie no need to upgrade stock or replace withdrawn items). Also got the first new one finished as well.

As before I'm going to cover many eras; from BR Blue right up to now. Route may be set in Carmine-Cream era but that's never stopped me going retro or modern!

Niall

andrew moody Fri 11 Jul 2014, 11:40 am

NiallGray wrote:Yes, was totally engrossed and lost track of time!

Good thing is I've already converted a few of my acts where I don't feel the need to change stock (ie no need to upgrade stock or replace withdrawn items). Also got the first new one finished as well.

As before I'm going to cover many eras; from BR Blue right up to now. Route may be set in Carmine-Cream era but that's never stopped me going retro or modern!

Niall

Absolutly fantastic news Niall.
Nice to see that every "modern" era from BR Blue to present day is being catered for as well.
Really looking forward to V4.
Re other Authors, There was a couple of acts for V3 done on the Trainsim Con site, I beleive the person
cocerned, had had some sort of issue with UKTS.
Glad Im not the only one to work into the late shift, happens quite frequently.
Cheers
Andy

NiallGray Fri 11 Jul 2014, 12:15 pm

Thanks Andy. As any author will tell you, the positive feedback always helps and I'm really pleased with the interest the route is getting.

I hope the original author, David Carmont, still has MSTS as I'd love him to see what I've done with his route. I must drop him a line.

Those acts on trainsim (all V2) were by Pete McCall, who did have issues with UKTS. They won't be updated because he passed away a good few years ago. Pete was a big supporter of the route but never got to see it finished.

NiallGray Fri 11 Jul 2014, 8:26 pm

SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!

Environment files.. they are doing my BrickWall

head in!

I've spent ages trying to read and understand how to edit env files, but I just can't take it in.

I want longer daylight hours in summer (5am to 10pm) and shorter daylight hours in winter (8am to 5pm). I'm also trying to understand how and when the night textures come on, but I think I know less now than when I started. Also, trying to see about changing textures, ie moon, sun etc. All I have after a few hours reading and tweaking is a headache! Laughing

Therefore (to allow me to get on with other route stuff) is there anyone who would be willing to re-work my env files, please?

They are exactly the same now as they were in V3, so if you have the route, no need to download or send you anything else. Any texture changes, I would need files with permissions.

Can anyone help me, Please?!

Niall

**slipperman12** Fri 11 Jul 2014, 10:15 pm

Hi Niall,
Does this help? http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?234056-Editing-ENV-files

It is more than 10 years old, but contains a couple of posts from Michael Vone, so should be accurate!

Cheers,
Ged

35005CP Fri 11 Jul 2014, 10:17 pm

Hi Niall,
I hope you don't mind me having a stab in the dark at this one..... (No Pun intended of course!!)

Not knowing the Structure of creating Routes, I have just checked for example the Dorset Coast Route and in the Route Folder under the ENVFILES Directory are the following;

Then if you go into one of the files for example AutumnClear.env using Context Editor, you should see the following.... I think these are the times that need changing. Of course I could be wrong and just sending you on a wild goose chase??? But to me this would make sense! Best of luck mate! Shocked

Cheers

Andy

NiallGray Fri 11 Jul 2014, 11:00 pm

Hi guys.

Ged, I've been reading that and it's all going over my head. I'd look at route riter but can't get it to work on this machine.

Andy, I know the files to edit, and I've tried editing but either nothing happens or I end up crashing the sim at nightfall.

This is why I'm after a nice helpful person to edit the files because I'm fed up getting nowhere.
Niall

neanderthal Sat 12 Jul 2014, 9:02 am

Hi Niall,slightly off track I know,but your not alone,Route Riter refuses to go onto my PC also. Embarassed

rufuskins Sat 12 Jul 2014, 9:43 am

Again slightly off topic, but I assume that you realise that you need to have Java installed in order to run Route Riter?

NiallGray Sat 12 Jul 2014, 9:49 am

rufuskins wrote:Again slightly off topic, but I assume that you realise that you need to have Java installed in order to run Route Riter?

Yes, and I have Java, bang up to date. But it still won't work.

I wish I could get my old PC fixed, it worked lovely on that, but money tight right now. Crying or Very sad

**slipperman12** Sat 12 Jul 2014, 1:18 pm

Hi Gentlemen,
As it's out of context for this thread, I've added a couple of notes to the HFL Part 5 (Route Riter) in the hope that it might help Smile

Cheers,
Ged

casperdog Sat 12 Jul 2014, 6:12 pm

Hi Niall,
You are welcome to try mine which have been adjusted for the sunrise/sunset times for the 4 seasons + the 'darkness' has been reduced slightly so you're not driving in pitch black.
Also there's a modified moon.

The files are here:
https://www.sendspace.com/file/xvohqs

Obviously move out your original env folder first so that you can revert if needed. You'll need to open yout trk file and check the environment section is the same as mine and copy my entries across if needed. I think that is the only place where the env files are referenced.

In the textures folder of the env folder you'll probably want to copy across your 3 water.... ace files.

Cheers
Clive

andrew moody Sat 12 Jul 2014, 8:05 pm

Hi Niall.
Do you have Scottish Central Plus?
I have been experimenting with a DMU in explore mode in high summer. Starting at 0300 Pitch Dark, 0400 when the "Dawn lamp" comes on.
At 0500 it is not full daylight but the sun is rising.
Similary, in high summer Dusk is at 2200 still enough light to see where you are and its dark at 2300.
Based on my stay at Abingdon a couple of weeks ago this is about right! I was able to photograph the London Glasgow sleeper
with no problem at 0600.
The Winter season sees dusk at 1600 and dark at 1700. In the morning pitch dark at 0700, Dawn at 0800 full light 0900.
So it looks as if Don Hinton May be able to help you as well as Clive.
Hope this is of use.
Best wishes
Andy

NiallGray Sat 12 Jul 2014, 11:13 pm

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Clive, I'll download them in the morning. I do have your route but it's on my broken PC, so this will help.

I've never edited a trk file before. Would I open it in notepad and edit that way or is there a programme? (Don't say Route Riter lol).

Andy M, I don't have Scottish Central Plus, but those times sound excellent. If I have no joy with Clive's method, I'll see if I can get in touch with Don.

Many thanks,

Niall

casperdog Sun 13 Jul 2014, 6:48 am

Hi Niall,
Use notepad.
Screengrab attached with the entries that may need adding/altering.
Cheers
Clive

NiallGray Sun 13 Jul 2014, 9:46 am

Thanks again, Clive, I really appreciate your help.

Am in the midst of sending latest update to testers, once that's done I'll safely back up and get tinkering!

Niall

NiallGray Mon 14 Jul 2014, 8:40 am

Hi Clive,

I won't get a chance to start tweaking the files until I return home at the end of the week, but I took a quick look at the trk file last night and think I found the problem.

My environment folders always had a load of files, but when I looked at the highlighted section in the trk file, only the three default environments were listed, so the other env files were in effect doing nothing!

Now I know why my edits were not working! Embarassed

Thanks again for your help,

Niall

NiallGray Sun 20 Jul 2014, 1:18 pm

[Pasted from UKTS]

Back in the country (well for the next two weeks!), so a little update.

A small area around Glasgow Central is still to be finished, so no pics yet.

Testing feedback on the rest of the route is trickling in and it highlighted a problem I now have. There is a tile which has 7 (yes, SEVEN) stations on it, due to three lines intersecting. It has 1999 objects in total. In V3, it was not an issue, but with V4, I've added tiles next to it and also revamped nearby Glasgow Central. This now causes memory issues with some objects disappearing (ie the odd road, vegetation etc).

The only solution is to cut down the number of items, which isn't easy. I'm currently down to 1800 on the tile and it's loading better, but still need to lose a few more. It's a shame to lose some scenery, but I want as many people to run the route as possible. I also found it's good to lose a few items off neighbouring tiles as well for better performance even though those tiles have way less items on them.

Finally, thanks to helpful pointers from Clive (casperdog), the environment files are now being improved. You will still have some daylight at 10pm in summer and it'll be dark by 5pm in winter. I still need to tweak the Spring and Autumn settings.

Niall

NiallGray Thu 24 Jul 2014, 9:28 pm

Looks like the problem tiles have now been brought down to an acceptable level.

With the heatwave at the moment, getting time on the computer is difficult due to the fact the old laptop I'm using churns out enough heat to keep Moscow warm in winter!

That said, I'm working on a pack of six introductory acts that I'll package into one zipped file. You'd still need to download stock, but these six acts all use the same stock items wherever possible to keep down the number of downloads. The reason for six is one introductory act for each new extension, so you can travel over all the new track. Three of them are done, two are being worked on and the last is yet to be started.

35005CP Thu 24 Jul 2014, 9:34 pm

Sounds like really good news Niall! So does this mean you are close to releasing the Route? Very Happy

Cheers

Andy

P.S - As for the heat that the Laptop churns out is this when it is plugged in? If so, they do tend to do this more so. You can get USB cooler Mats for them to sit on to take away some of the heat!

NiallGray Thu 24 Jul 2014, 10:08 pm

35005CP wrote:Sounds like really good news Niall! So does this mean you are close to releasing the Route?

Close-ish.

Still got one small area of Central to do, waiting on help before I can get in there and complete.

Then you have final testing and only when that's complete, can I go ahead and build an installer, which of course itself will need testing.

Working against me is I am away a fair bit this summer so that slows things down.

So close-ish, but not close enough to predict when.

Niall

NiallGray Fri 05 Sep 2014, 10:58 am

Apologies for the radio silence over the month and a bit. You know it's not like me to go quiet!

Due to a serious illness in the family and a new job I've just started, I have not had time to get into RE.

The good news is that the Glasgow Central area is the last bit that needs tweaking, there's one small area I've asked for help on, but it's all that needs doing.

During my enforced absence a small band of testers have been putting the rest of the route through its paces and as a result we're almost there. Once I can tweak Central, there just needs to one final bit of testing of the tiles in that area and then we are good to go. When that is, I don't know because of the aforementioned restrictions on my time.

Niall

rufuskins Fri 05 Sep 2014, 11:26 am

Sorry to hear about the personal problems, and I very much hope that things get better quickly. In these circumstances MSTS should always come second!

steamnut44 Wed 24 Sep 2014, 3:31 pm

Hi Niall, Sorry to hear about your family illness and hope all is now well and that you have settled in your new job. Did you manage to get in touch with Don, about the env files? If not, I can pm you his home tel number if you want to speak to him. Not sure if he will be able to help you with these or not, as the env files for the SCP were the ones from the original Scottish Central route, which as you know was bult by Ker Mackintosh (Cobos)
Neither Don or myself touched on these files, so I doubt whether Don could give you any info. I certainly can't as I have never dealt with these either.
Looking forward to the route, even though I am a steam nut, I still like to run diesels as well. Very Happy

NiallGray Wed 24 Sep 2014, 10:55 pm

Yes, it was all sorted, thanks. Clive (casperdog) was a great help so I now have longer summer days and shorter in winter! Smile

Spring and Autumn pretty much stayed the same.

Still got that final tile at Glasgow Central to finish off. It's proved tricky and lack of time has not helped either. I'll get there in the end!

Niall

rufuskins Wed 24 Sep 2014, 11:40 pm

As Harry Lauder used to sing - except for my minor changes!

Keep right on to the end of the route
Keep right on to the end
Tho' the way be long, let your heart be strong
Keep right on to the end
Tho’ you're tired and weary still journey on,
Till you come to your happy abode
Where all you love, you've been dreaming of
Will be there, at the end of the route

You know I never can resist such posts!

NiallGray Fri 26 Sep 2014, 8:40 pm

The Hoosiers wrote:
The truth be told, the truth be told
I'm worried about the future holds, the future holds
I'm starting to worry about Ruf

NiallGray Thu 09 Oct 2014, 1:07 pm

Appreciate the posts and PMs I've got about the route in last couple of months. Life sometimes gets in the way of simming, but the route work will continue as and when I can.

So for those of you wanting to see it, a little treat, a teaser picture of the new Glasgow Central station, provided by the top man that is sundaypm.

Glasgow-Carlisle V4 - Page 4 NewGlasCen1

Glasgow-Carlisle V4 - Page 4 NewGlasCen1

Hope you guys like it!

Niall

rufuskins Thu 09 Oct 2014, 3:55 pm

NiallGray wrote:

Hope you guys like it!

Niall

That get's a TEN from Alec!

**Markh5682** Thu 09 Oct 2014, 4:01 pm

And a 10 from me.

casperdog Thu 09 Oct 2014, 5:32 pm

Hi Niall,
Good that you're still progressing with the route. That station model does look good.

Cheers
Clive

NiallGray Thu 09 Oct 2014, 10:51 pm

Thanks all.

I'll try and post another pic soon.

Niall

andrew moody Fri 10 Oct 2014, 12:35 am

Hi Niall.
Looks just like the Glasgow Central I visited on September 23rd, Very good indeed.
I also sampled the "underground" going to Exibition, Its a long walk to see those Steam Locos isn't it!
Went from Patrick to Hyndland and did a bit of photography, Class 314s and 334s.
It was nice to still see a few of the older units still in Crimson and cream livery.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Andy

NiallGray Fri 10 Oct 2014, 8:20 am

andrew moody wrote:Hi Niall.
Looks just like the Glasgow Central I visited on September 23rd, Very good indeed.
I also sampled the "underground" going to Exibition, Its a long walk to see those Steam Locos isn't it!
Went from Patrick to Hyndland and did a bit of photography, Class 314s and 334s.
It was nice to still see a few of the older units still in Crimson and cream livery.
Keep up the good work.
Cheers
Andy

That's known as the Low Level line or more commonly, the Argyle Line. If you want to try the real Glasgow underground, get the subway next time you visit, it's tiny! When I go to the transport museum it's quicker to get off at Partick and walk back, than get off at Exhibition Centre.

As for the route, while both Exhibition Centre and Partick are in it, the transport museum isn't as it's too recent for the route.

35005CP Fri 10 Oct 2014, 9:12 am

Great looking station detail Niall! Definitely gets a 10 from me!

steamnut44 Fri 10 Oct 2014, 10:53 am

10 again, here Niall!

NiallGray Fri 10 Oct 2014, 6:45 pm

Another little teaser.

(For the record there won't be many gantries inside the station, am desperately trying to keep tile count down!)

Glasgow-Carlisle V4 - Page 4 NewGlasCen2

Glasgow-Carlisle V4 - Page 4 NewGlasCen2

mikehendle Sat 11 Oct 2014, 7:16 pm

Hi Niall
Looks really good well worth waiting for will be different and give a 10+
Mike

andrew moody Sat 11 Oct 2014, 9:59 pm

NiallGray wrote:[
That's known as the Low Level line or more commonly, the Argyle Line. If you want to try the real Glasgow underground, get the subway next time you visit, it's tiny! When I go to the transport museum it's quicker to get off at Partick and walk back, than get off at Exhibition Centre.

As for the route, while both Exhibition Centre and Partick are in it, the transport museum isn't as it's too recent for the route.

Hi Niall.
I quite understand that, actually The Main Exhibition site is a few minutes walk from the train station of the same name, as is the Transport museum which is five to ten minutes walk
from Patrick station,the Steam locos are inside anyway, so would be pointless and poly consuming anyway.
Seeing the Pendolino in the latest screenshot, on returning from Hyndland, we made our way to the end of the longest platform to photograph 390103 which is in Poppy rememberance
livery. Having spent some time photographing the tea time comings and goings plus the Pendo departure, as we were packing up to return to Preston on the next trans Penine servicea "Wee Lassie" from Network Rail approached us and advised us that we should not actually be there and" could we please go behind the "Do not Pass this point" sign further up the platform"
Yes, there was a sign on the wall but ONE it was not very large, and Two there were other rail Enthusiasts stood in front of it.
Yes a very good day and a good understanding as to what you are achieving Niall.
So its a 11 out of ten from me.
Cheers
Andy

NiallGray Sun 12 Oct 2014, 8:27 pm

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?f=239&t=122529&start=66

A few good pics of Glasgow Central have been posted over in the UKTS screenshots forum. Go and take a look, you know you want to! Very Happy

andrew moody Sun 12 Oct 2014, 10:52 pm

NiallGray wrote:http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?f=239&t=122529&start=66

A few good pics of Glasgow Central have been posted over in the UKTS screenshots forum. Go and take a look, you know you want to!

I already have Niall, Sunday PM has got it absolutly spot on.I especially like the bottom picture, that is the very platform that we photographed from until we were ask to move!!!.
Well done to you both.
Cheers
Andy

NiallGray Fri 14 Nov 2014, 10:43 am

Slowly getting back into routine of working on the route.

Last week or so been it's been a case of grabbing an hour here or there to dive into RE. Mostly small stuff, but important nonetheless.

For instance, the Glasgow Central model was missing buffers for platform 1, but sundaypm has been able to amend the model (all the buffers are on one model) to put them in and I've then added 5m of track to fill in the gap.

Other jobs include doing some scenery down the Ayr line extension, getting that finished off and testing out the amendments to the environment files I did a while back. The re-worked environment files make such a difference to the route.

Also put the route through route-riter to see what files are no longer needed. That came up with a possible 30mb of files I can remove, although I might leave a few in.

A couple of the stations that were in V3 have also had texture improvements. These are where I re-skinned one of sundaypm's models to make a new station. He's been able to re-work my textures for those, making them smaller and more compact. (Plus they look better too!)

The area just south of Glasgow Central still needs to be finished. I had a go with some placing some arches but the results were not good and I've asked sundaypm if he can help.

Finally, been tweaking acts and getting them ready too.

Niall

rufuskins Fri 14 Nov 2014, 2:00 pm

That seems a lot of work for an hour here and there. I only wish I could put the same effort into those odd hours. Anyway pleased to hear that you're getting back into the swing of things.

NiallGray Fri 14 Nov 2014, 9:45 pm

Sounds more than it is, Alec.

Requested over on UKTS, thought I'd post over here too. Pic of Glasgow Central's roof!

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/154804/GLCRoof.jpg

35005CP Fri 14 Nov 2014, 10:09 pm

Lovely Job Niall! Looks fantastic!! Very Happy

Cheers
Andy

NiallGray Fri 14 Nov 2014, 10:12 pm

Can't take any credit, Andy, all sundaypm's brilliant work.

And when you see that detail on the roof (and station as a whole), it's obvious why I keep going on about keeping tile count down! Laughing

Sponsored content