Route Markers and 2014

[emdsd90mac]

Having some problems getting my route markers to show up in 2014; I have done all of the same things that I have done with past versions and nothing seems to work. I have the latest version of RW Tools installed as well. Markers show up in other routes I created prior to the upgrade to 2014, but not for one that I have created with 2014. Any advice would help and thank you in advance.

[NorthernWarrior]

This may sound obvious, but you have exported through the Blueprint Editor then in the route ticked your provider and product box.

What I have found is that after doing this you need to save and exit out of the route and go back in for them to appear.

Fortunately the new GE overlay means we don't need so many markers, but they can't be dispensed with entirely (and as an aside I have found looking at GE in the editor makes my eyes tired much quicker than editing without).

Actually come to think of it, I may have had the issue described when using the new version of RW Tools to go straight from kml to dcsv. I reverted to an older version of RW Tools and workflow convert markers >>> named marker blueprint >>> blueprint editor.

Another thought is with the Kuju folders now running in ap format, if you leave the RW Tools default path to the flags these may not show up. You need to find a route with uncompressed assets and in blueprint editor point towards the relevant folder with the flag.bin (flag.xml) file in it. Marias Pass is okay for that.

[emdsd90mac]

I tried using the previous version of RW Tools and while converting either .csv to .dcsv or .kml to .dcsv SERZ freaded out and had to shut down. I thought perhaps it was in the naming and after verifying that, I would clear the cache and try again to only have the same thing happen. I tried a cache verification and that too did not help. After downloading and installing the new version of RW Tools, this issue went away and I was able to convert, but they just would not show up. I even repeated the entire process from with the new version and still called no joy. I did try the export fuction in the blueprint editor, but I did not check the box next to my developer name; I actually didn't know about this process so I will have a go at it this evening. Thanks for the reply and the advice.

[bnsfsubdivision]

I tried using the previous version of RW Tools and while converting either .csv to .dcsv or .kml to .dcsv SERZ freaded out and had to shut down. I thought perhaps it was in the naming and after verifying that, I would clear the cache and try again to only have the same thing happen. I tried a cache verification and that too did not help. After downloading and installing the new version of RW Tools, this issue went away and I was able to convert, but they just would not show up. I even repeated the entire process from with the new version and still called no joy. I did try the export fuction in the blueprint editor, but I did not check the box next to my developer name; I actually didn't know about this process so I will have a go at it this evening. Thanks for the reply and the advice.

Did you run RW Tools as an administrator?

[emdsd90mac]

Yes I did.

[mikesimpson]

I have not changed any of the Route Markers code in RW_Tools v5, so if it is not working there could well have been a change in TS2014 which has rendered it unworkable.

I will check when I get time.

Mike

[Chacal]

What exactly are we calling route markers?
a) GPS markers (Labels for specific map coordinates), or
b) route-level destination markers?

[emdsd90mac]

The route markers I am speaking of are the converted .kml files downloaded from Google Earth and then imported into the sim; they are used to aid in laying track and were around before RW Decal and the now GE overlay.

Mike: Thank you and please keep us posted when you get the time.

[mikesimpson]

I have inspected the route markers in the Pacific Surfliner route as produced by RSC and they have completely changed the format of the .dcsv files, at least for named markers - I will need to make some changes to RW_Tools to produce this new format.

The original format as used up to TS2013 was like:-
<cCSVItem d:id="319100024">
<X d:type="sFloat32" d:alt_encoding="0000000000000000" d:precision="string">150.6951438044468</X>
<Y d:type="sFloat32" d:alt_encoding="0000000000000000" d:precision="string">-33.74983833179301</Y>
<Name d:type="cDeltaString">Penrith_Platform_West</Name>
</cCSVItem>

Now in TS2014 it appears as:-
<cCSVItem d:id="4">
<X d:type="sFloat32">-118.060043</X>
<Y d:type="sFloat32">33.91614</Y>
<Name d:type="cDeltaString">03. NORWALK/SANTA FE SPRINGS</Name>
</cCSVItem>

It would have been nice if RSC had advised users of a change in the file format though

Mike

[emdsd90mac]

Mike, thank you for taking the time to look into this and I do hope that when you get the time, you will be able to update RW Tools so we can get them back. Again thank you.

[NorthernWarrior]

Just to emphasise my previous post, I have just successfully set up some markers for a new route startup using the method I described so providing you don't export direct to DCSV but allow the Blueprint Editor to handle the xml output by RW Tools (changing the flag path to Marias Pass), it still works. Could I suggest then Mike, the best thing for now would be to put back the ability to do markers step by step which was in previous versions but not the latest which AFAIK only had the direct to DCSV option. Bypassing the Blueprint Editor is probably not a good move.

[mikesimpson]

Just to emphasise my previous post, I have just successfully set up some markers for a new route startup using the method I described so providing you don't export direct to DCSV but allow the Blueprint Editor to handle the xml output by RW Tools (changing the flag path to Marias Pass), it still works. Could I suggest then Mike, the best thing for now would be to put back the ability to do markers step by step which was in previous versions but not the latest which AFAIK only had the direct to DCSV option. Bypassing the Blueprint Editor is probably not a good move.

Hi Vern,

I will look at that, but I removed the method using the Blueprint editor as it did nothing the direct to DCSV offered and was confusing for those without much experience of the Blueprint Editor.

Changing the flag path to Marias Pass, or any other route will still not work for anyone other than those who already have the routes in question. The flag is still in the original Kuju\RailSimulator file, which is still outside of an .ap file so really should be the one which most people still have installed. So really there is no certain way to know that a route you have uploaded will have visible marker flags unless you point the the route markers .bin file to your own RouteMarkers folder and include your own flag. (I don't really think RSC would complain if you distributed a copy of their flag with your route, but you never know?).

Code in the RouteMarkers .bin file would then be, as in Pacific Surfliner indicating the flag model was in the same folder as the .bin file:-

<FlagBlueprint>
<iBlueprintLibrary-cAbsoluteBlueprintID>
<BlueprintSetID>
<iBlueprintLibrary-cBlueprintSetID>
<Provider d:type="cDeltaString"></Provider>
<Product d:type="cDeltaString"></Product>
</iBlueprintLibrary-cBlueprintSetID>
</BlueprintSetID>
<BlueprintID d:type="cDeltaString">RouteMarkers\flag.xml</BlueprintID>
</iBlueprintLibrary-cAbsoluteBlueprintID>
</FlagBlueprint>

Mike

[mikesimpson]

New version v5.0.29 of RW_Tools on my site covers new .dcsv formats and has the original Convert Markers option reinstated as requested.

Mike

[NorthernWarrior]

Mike - you are a gentleman and a scholar, many thanks.

[emdsd90mac]

Awesome news Mike, headed that way now. Thank you very much for looking into this and making changes.