Couplers Mod for new TS2014 Donner Pass Route DLC

[OlPaint]

Buzz

It appears that RSC has Zipped up all the contents of the DonnerPass Route \RSC\DonnerPass folder into a single .AP formatted file (DonnerPassAssets.ap). I can look at the contents using WinZip utility. This must be RSC's "wave of the future" way for handling assets files for each DLC route since I can find no evidence of a .AP asset file in any other of my DLC routes in the new TS2014 release.

I had previously modded the couplings for Donner Pass rolling stock to use GreatNortherner's working glad hands and brake hoses in TS2013.

OK... To make room for the new Michael Stephans working couplers, do I add back the missing \Assets\RSC\DonnerPass\RailVehicles\Couplings\Buckeye\Type-E folder to hold them or do I have to edit them into the DonnerPassAssets.RP zipped file?

OlPaint

PapaXpress Said,
"I highly suspect they hash the .ap file, so altering it may invalidate the route... but... I think some experimenting is in order to prove that theory."

I doubt that the .AP formatted file is hashed. I simply renamed the file to have a .ZIP instead of .AP extenstion and opened the new DonnerPassAssets.ZIP in WinZip and the "old" Directory Tree was viewable containing all the proper/needed assets files for the route including the RailVehicles assets files for all the bundled locos and freight cars.

OlPaint

Latimers Said,
"In general (i.e. whether it's couplers or something else) I think the idea is to add back the custom assets in the folder structure as you've outlined. What is in the folders will take precedence over what's in the .ap file and won't get "set to default" when you verify the files.

This is all based on guesswork as, as usual, RSC is being less than helpful."

I have tested this out... Since I am using Machinist's 2-Clickz utility to reinstall all my mods, I have found the Couplings folder restored already. The GreatNortherner Working Couplings appear to be installed in the Donner Pass scenario I ran.

OlPaint

[krellnut]

I also opened up a AP file by renaming it,but it wouldn't let me name back to a AP file. When I tried to run the game, it crashed. You try it and let me know how it worked for you. At this point I've been opening the AP file, and deleting anything I don't want, and dragging what I do want back in for compression. Works well.

[OlPaint]

Krellnut

I think Latimers is correct - Any contents in the uncompressed Asset directory folder appears to take presidence over the contents of the compressed .AP folders file. I did not delete anything out of the DonnerPassAssets.AP file and I had the couplings mod files as they would appear in the directory tree structure in the "clear". The GreatNortherner Working Couplers Mod is showing and operating correctly in my TS2014 install for the Donner Pass route DLC.

OlPaint

[buzz456]

You guys are making my head hurt.
Tomorrow..........

[PapaXpress]

From a programing point of view this makes a lot of sense. Don't alter the original model, just extend it.

I wonder, say you want to remove something. Would you have to build out all the folders and files to the point you can leave one out?

[Chacal]

It doesn't make sense to remove something.
If it is needed then you shouldn't remove it.
If it is not needed anymore, then it won't be used.
You add and replace, never delete.

If you're the creator of the package, you can always publish a new version (in this case a new .ap file) that replaces the old one.

As I wrote in another thread, this package mechanism has been in wide use for years. Python works like that by default, its packages are .pak files.
The key principle is that you NEVER modify the original package created by someone else.

[PapaXpress]

I agree. I just want to know how much trouble we can get ourselves into if it could happen.

Put your QA hat on, and step outside the box

[krellnut]

It doesn't make sense to remove something.

For me it does. I delete most of the sounds in RailSimulatorUS and a bunch of other stuff. And I put the repaints I want in there also. So far it works perfect.