PackageManager help

[ChuckF]

Hi! Seeing as people here have been very helpful, I would like more advice. In packaging a route with RW's Package Manager, where is the best pace to look to see what the manager really does in preparing a route for distribution. What I'm concerned about is the elimination of all the unused tiles. I thought that it might eliminate all tiles with '0' Assets, but upon looking at some extraneous tiles, they all seem to have at least 6 Assets. Where can I get an answer to this? Thanks, and Cheers; Chuck F.

[ChuckF]

Hi! Just in case there might be some confusion, I should have been referring to RW Manager, not the Package Manager. Cheers; Chuck F.

[qrfan3]

Chuck
In reply to your queries, I tried to find an answer or link in relation to what I think you are trying to say with little result.
In short….I did a trial and this may help. I created a Route with series markers with good terrain and height with tiles generated in ReDem with a range of 2….meaning I had 2 tiles either side of my markers for the length of the Route. In total 1,353 tiles.
Nothing else was created or made on this Route……no assets, track, roads, scenery……nothing, except the DEM terrain I created. I packaged this Route and then deleted my asset folder and route folder .
After verifying there was no existence of this Route in RailWorks I installed the .rwp file I created and checked all files. All was there again, the same files including the 1,353 tiles in my terrain folder.
In short….you should not lose any terrain tiles that only have series markers and only had terrain generated on them.
This is my understanding… ......not 100% completely sure!

As for packaging a Route…or how it is done from what I gather you have requested.......I have knocked up a few shots to give you an idea.

Okay, you got everything ready to create a ******.rwp file of your Route.
Open up RailWorks and select Packager. Here you are going to select all the Assets you used in your Route and the Route itself ( 1 ). When you are satisfied you have selected all the correct boxes you will move ( copy ) all your package files over to the right pane by selecting the triple arrow tab ( 2 ).

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Let’s look at your Route first. Tick Routes ( 1 ), this will check every Route you have, so untick all the Routes except your own ( 2 ). Expand the + beside your Route name ( 2 ) and make sure all the other folders ( 3 ) are ticked. Check all folders and make sure all is checked ( ticked ) and okay..…you may find a .jpg, tgt, bmp or txt file that you overlooked and don’t want to package so you can leave these / this box unticked and they / it will not transfer across.

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Now your Assets…this is where you have to either know, or have a documented list of what Assets you have used in your Route so you can package it and folks will have no drama with installing. RailWorks will not let you package Protected Assets (License or Payware ) that are colored blue. Some Assets may be freeware ( ? ) but, require you ask for the builders permission with noting of such in your readme. Most freeware Assets come as… use as you please. Of course don’t forget your own Assets Folder ( 1 ) and any / all Assets you may have used in your Route ( 2 ). Once you are satisfied you have all things right and correct click on the triple arrow tab as shown by ( 2 ) in the first picture.

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Now…all your files have been copied over to the right pane. You will notice nothing is ticked…tick the Content box and Asset box and then expand all and check all files again, making sure all boxes are ticked because this is your final check. ( 1 )
Type a name, your Asset name or whatever you want in ( 2 ). Select Unprotected ( 3 ) as this is a freeware Route with no restrictions. The other choices are License or Protected ( Payware, etc ). Next, select Create Package ( 4 ).

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A screen will pop up similar to this that will prompt you to verify by selecting okay. You can use the slider to check but select Okay.

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Navigate to where you wish to store this packaged file ( 1 ). Insert your Routes name or suitable name in the file name box ( 2 ). If you have RailWorks you will only have one option as file type and that will be *.rwp.
Click save ( 3 ) and you will see your Route being packaged by a green bar type slider on your screen.

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Now…you have to check if your Route packaged okay and more important if it will install on your own computer again without faults and on other folks computers as well. Firstly check to see if your ******.rwp file is in the location you specified.
I have my own way of checking stuff and it’s up to you how you want to do this…..the most important thing to do first…is to BACK UP your original Route and your own Assets if any somewhere safe.
Create a read me with notes, instructions and what is required and any special request you may require. Give your Route to a mate, good buddy to test for you, re-install on your own computer AFTER backing up your original first and somewhere safe and test it again.
Once satisfied offer it to the public to test / run and enjoy......

HTH some:

[ChuckF]

Hi grfan3! Thanks for the great info. It appears that the first mistake I made was using Named Markers and d/ling chunks of ReDam data so I have lot of unused tiles. I was hoping I could find a way to delete them once the route was complete. Also, this method resulted in elevation changes to areas where I had already laid track, and this was very annoying and created a lot more work. I just didn't comprehend the full significance of using Series Markers in mountainous terrain.. As far as Packaging the route, I'm following your suggestions and will work on this for a couple of days. I've already been in touch with Hawk about uploading. Again, thanks and Cheers; Chuck F.