I've lately been playing with ConBuilder and changing a few consists for several different routes. I generally like NALW models (and others) more than the default units and will often try to use units with more varied numbers or better cabs etc. The problem I've been having is that when I go to run an activity using some of these edited consists the selection screen shows the loco as unknown for many of these units. Where does MSTS get the info that it uses in that box? I've looked in the .eng files for several different engines and I can't find a line that describes the engine that's in any particular way different between engines that display and those that don't. Is the pertinent info in another file? Also briefly a rookie question. What is the effective difference between an AI loco and a user loco? Other than the size of the file. Does a loco have to be AI for non-player consists?
>Also briefly a rookie question. What is the effective >difference between an AI loco and a user loco? Other than >the size of the file. Does a loco have to be AI for >non-player consists?
AI locos don't idle all the time when used as a helper loco.
-----You are reading my signature now, don't waste your time reading it!----- Or probably, maybe you should waste your time reading it. Eh, where did my signature go? Oh, here it is, the one you are reading right now? Can't you see it? I know I know, it's probably too bright to see it. Hey, look at my avatar, nice right? I drew it with my own hands holding the mouse in Paint, with the pencil tool(and the Filling tool!)! It's a picture of me in Planet Stooopid, where everything is the same as what you call "Earth" except that we are called "aliens" in your planet. Anyway, I warned you not waste time reading my signature! You have just wasted probably about 30 seconds reading it, where you could have spent the time doing better things, like maybe reading the next post below if there is one...
baldwinCharter Member · 796 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
It used to be a sort of bug with Conbuilder, at least in the earlier versions, all to do with the case used in the consist file when compared with the eng file, and/or the foldername. Although the name and folder of the locomotive were there, MSTS could not read it. The way round this is to redo the consist in the AE or edit the con file.
mervyn.
frank_burnsMember since Aug-20-03 · 29 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
A quick FYI...non- player consists don't have to be AI locomotives..I have many of that type of consists in my various activities on several different routes.
>I've lately been playing with ConBuilder and changing a few >consists for several different routes. I generally like >NALW models (and others) more than the default units and >will often try to use units with more varied numbers or >better cabs etc. The problem I've been having is that when >I go to run an activity using some of these edited consists >the selection screen shows the loco as unknown for many of >these units. Where does MSTS get the info that it uses in >that box? I've looked in the .eng files for several >different engines and I can't find a line that describes the >engine that's in any particular way different between >engines that display and those that don't. Is the pertinent >info in another file?
Have you tested the NALW engines with ConBuilder? (In case you are unfamiliar with CBs test function: From CB's menu choose PROGRAM-TEST a dialog will open, press ENGINS button, select engine(s) to be tested, click RUN TESTS button. Read report fix problems.)
See this thread. http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/DCForumID3/19668.html Craig describes your problem. Also see my post at http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/DCForumID3/19671.html#12 Inconsistant capitialization in the ENG FILENAME, the .S file FILENAME and .SD file FILENAME and the ENGINE, WAGON and WAGONSHAPE fields in the ENG file and the SHAPE field in the .SD file. I found this problem in a lot of NALW locos. Open the ENG file with WordPad (NOT NotePad) and make sure that the capitialization of the FILENAME and the ENGINE, WAGON and WAGONSHAPE fields are exactly the same. Then open the .SD file. Make sure that the SHAPE line agrees with the FILENAME of the .S file.
Charles
jtsdadinazCharter Member · 437 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
Next version of conbuilder will check for this problem.
chuckscCharter Member · 4145 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
>Next version of conbuilder will check for this problem.
What so called "Problem" is this??????
All our locomotives are tested using the MSTS Activity Editor.... We have never knowingly released a locomotive with a "bug" in it.... Early versions of Conbuilder tried to enforce rules that MSTS itself did not..... I for one am sick and tired of hearing about all the "errors" in NALW engines that Conbuilder "finds"..... As I see it the problem is Conbuilder not us! Especially the early versions.
The rest of you will have to pardon my pique but until the 1.5x versions of Conbuilder this was a constant refrain in our support requests.... Once Conbuilder was "fixed" the errors disappeared with out us changing a G.D. Thing....
Annoyance off.... Chuck Schneider (Virtual) CEO North American (Virtual) Locomotive Works
wmalderMember since May-2-03 · 24 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
I for one wasn't crying "bug" here. From my experience that has more to say about MS and KUJU than NALW. Someone above suggested that I open the activities in the Activity editor and it seems that does the trick for now. Just for the record I LIKE NALW stuff. The workmanship is great and the installation method tends to force activity writers to leave the folder names intact and that seems to me to make it easier to troubleshoot installations.
Also on the point of ConBuilder, None of these programs are perfect and I think that's again a fault of the platform. I find ConBuilder indispensible to hunt down problems but I have to look at those problems with a critical eye. Mostly it tells me that I have a missing file that I either have to download or hunt down the 'real' location (see comment about changing folders above)
A sincere thank you to you guy at NALW (I believe there's more than one of you, right?). You get an attaboy from me.
wmalder
jtsdadinazCharter Member · 437 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
To make sure the names are the same.
chuckscCharter Member · 4145 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
>To make sure the names are the same.
They are when we release them....
Chuck Schneider (Virtual) CEO North American (Virtual) Locomotive Works
frank_burnsMember since Aug-20-03 · 29 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
LAST EDITED ON Oct-31-03 AT 09:32 AM (EST)
Chuck, Conbuilder has yet to find any errors in my extensive library of NALW stuff....I generally find most NALW items to be bug free. As with any "free" addons, some bugs are likely attributed to operator error on installation..on the other side of the coin, there are people who will complain about bugs regardless of the file. That is mostly why I don't share my reskins with anyone..
And like I said we haven't had any problems reported with conbuilder for the last couple of his releases.... We assumed he "fixed" them as we did nothing to conform to Conbuilder....
But some of the early versions drove me to distraction with false errors....
Chuck Schneider (Virtual) CEO North American (Virtual) Locomotive Works
yellowdogCharter Member · 1135 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
Regarding AI locos--an AI loco is created by removing the cabview in an .eng file of any locomotive. Since the AI loco actually affects pulling power and is not just a "dead" wagon in the consist, the AI locos can then be used in a non-player position, such as in an AI/non-player train consist or in pusher/helper/mu'd service in a player train. You can also put non-AI locomotives in this position, but there has been some evidence that AI locomotives in these positions increases FPS and sound quality. Therefore, many contributers upload AI and non-AI locomotives to take care of both aspects of train-simming needs. *NOTE* If you put an AI locomotive in a player position, such as the head locomotive of a consist you want to drive, you will get error messages! While some argue about whether or not the AI locos actually add any improvement to the quality of the game, they certainly don't hurt anything and I used to use them frequently. They are relatively simple to create and use once you know how.
MSTS happily uninstalled since June, 2003
---------Clayton---------
wmalderMember since May-2-03 · 24 posts
RE: Unknown Locomotive Name
Thanx for the info. It's about what I thought. I've been playing with eng and wag files for a while now and I'm beginning to know what I can change and what I can't. Maybe I'll start working with AI now.
wmalder
Restored from the Train-Sim.Com archive, captured January 6, 2004. About this archive.
