S file Application Software

Is there a program to view S files?Im haven't seen one, but I was wondering. I know about the utils that let you see a screen shot, I'm looking for something that actually displays the S file as a 3d model.Cheers!
Ted Thompson
Baltimore, MD

RELEASES:
EMD E/F Series semi-prototypical Cab View
Maryland Midland Railroad GP38 locomotive packCURRENT PROJECT:
B&O's Royal Blue circa 1910

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RE: S file Application Software, kevarc, Dec-22-02, 11:57 PM, (1) RE: S file Application Software, darkfyre, Dec-23-02, 01:13 AM, (2) RE: S file Application Software, jspinella2000, Dec-23-02, 07:05 AM, (3) RE: S file Application Software, dyvach, Dec-23-02, 07:22 AM, (4) RE: S file Application Software, kevarc, Dec-23-02, 04:05 PM, (10) RE: S file Application Software, dyvach, Dec-23-02, 08:16 PM, (12) RE: S file Application Software, jtr1962, Dec-23-02, 08:30 AM, (5) RE: S file Application Software, decapod, Dec-23-02, 08:58 AM, (6) RE: S file Application Software, OhioRailFan, Dec-23-02, 03:02 PM, (7) RE: S file Application Software, BRAY235, Dec-23-02, 03:16 PM, (8) RE: S file Application Software, OhioRailFan, Dec-23-02, 03:38 PM, (9) RE: S file Application Software, mjs2101, Dec-23-02, 04:17 PM, (11)

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That is not a good question to ask here. Some modelers do not want you to be able to reverse engineer any of their files and have threatened to remove all their train stuff id a program like that becomes readily available.Kevin Arceneaux
It is time for Amtrak to become a fallen flag!

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-23-02 AT 01:23 AM (EST)

Actually; stuff like that has been available for a very LONG time...All ya need to mess with a shape file is:-Conv3ds
-FFedit
-WordPad
-3DSMAXThe first two I believe come with MSTS, or one of the patches..
So, from what I understand, people will remove there stuff from circulation; if they find out that lots of other people have lots of money? (enough to buy 3DSMAX?)From my POV, they understand the risks involved when they decide to release a skin or model. The statement(s) made saying they're gonna withdraw their stuff seems to me like a last-ditch halfhearted effort to control who does what; because they're frustrated with the fact that they simply can't.
This is just my opinion; I don't intend this to become a flame war once again; and I hope noone else does either...


...Runnin' on Soda...

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You cant reverse engineer a shape file using 3d studio max.kind regards
Joseph

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-23-02 AT 07:22 AM (EST)

Some modelers do not want you to be able to reverse engineer any of their files and have threatened to remove all their train stuff id a program like that becomes readily available.From the previous threads, it seemed what's objectionable is a program which can translate .s files into any other format which could then be loaded into 3d editor.If i understand correctly, what the original poster is asking about is somewhat different animal -- a program which lets the person to see what the given piece of rolling stock looks like, without the need to install it in msTS, make a consist with it then launch the game etc.

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What he can't view the jpg or ace file that is with the download? Kevin Arceneaux
It is time for Amtrak to become a fallen flag!

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What he can't view the jpg or ace file that is with the download?Last i've checked, neither .jpg nor .ace files were interactive 3d renditions of msTS 3d objects. In other words, the ability of viewing them is totally irrelevant to the subject at hand.

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A converter might have come in very handy when I was editing the track shapes recently. Or at least a viewer where I could have seen the results right away. I had to use the RE as a viewer instead, and this forced me to reboot every few hours when the system started to become unstable.While I understand the concerns about a converter, I just don't see any harm in a viewer that lets you see .s files. Even a converter wouldn't necessary be used just to steal other people's work. People said something similar when TGATool first came out, and it has turned out to be very useful with very few negative consequences. I'm guessing an .s to .3ds converter would be a similarly useful tool. Remember we have copyright laws to protect against the misuse of such tools. We can also just basically ostracize anyone from the community who feels it's OK to sell other people's work as their own. I for one am tired of the majority suffering because of the irresponsible actions of a few. I'm not just referring to the lack of certain tools because of potential for misuse, but also the existence of hundreds of idiotic laws that limit your freedoms because a few people doing the now prohibited actions were inconsiderate and/or irresponsible while most people weren't. When will we wake up and see that these types of laws and restrictions rarely produce the intended results, but instead just infringe on the freedoms of the majority?

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We were considering the usefulness of an S file viewer (not a converter) on the UKtrainsim forums a few weeks back, and it seemed like a good idea.Having a pretty good understanding of what is in S files, I can see it certainly is feasible and relatively simple to write a viewer.
- however that is assuming the S files and ACE files are uncompressed. I have yet to get to grips with the GZip compression algorithm used by Kuju, I don't want to have to uncompress all the files with FFEDIT in order to view them.Of course once you have an S file viewer, it is one step away from a route editor and then onto a new train simulator

Paul
UK GWR Highworth Branch
http://www.highworth.freeuk.com

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Ok, I am NOT looking to reverse engineer ANYTHING. All I'd like to do is be able to see an s file listed in Windows Explorer and be able to click on it and have a window pop up (or application launch) and be able to see what it looks like and maybe rotate it around it's origin to see it at different angles.Then I could say, "Yes I want that in my route" or "Nah, that's not what I am looking for".Granted I *could* download the 12 megs of mstspix and see them that way, *but* that doesn't account for any 3rd party items I have installed in 3rd party routes. I *could* install every last model into my route directory and *.ref file and check them out in RE, *but* many items don't produce an image in the selection box, and it would be more time consuming to place each object and look at it.Add to that the fact that I'd really like to try and keep *unneeded* duplications to a minimum (that is keep my route directory clear of unused models/textures) it would be a great aid.I have seen/used such items for Quake2 and HalfLife and wondered if such an animal exsisted for MSTS.BTW: I believe that being able to read a compressed S and ACE file would still be miles away from a route editor or alternate game engine.Cheers!
Ted Thompson
Baltimore, MD

RELEASES:
EMD E/F Series semi-prototypical Cab View
Maryland Midland Railroad GP38 locomotive packCURRENT PROJECT:
B&O's Royal Blue circa 1910

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I have found the same problem, I have so many whatitz, that I no longer know what I have, so have decided to create a single tile world, load every shape I have into it, and that would also be the intial load area for any new shape(s) obtained. Then when I am looking for something, I could see what I have already in the DemoWorld and move from there.A little more work, but I could classify all the bridges with other bridges, clutter with clutter......Happy HolidaysBill

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Tho time consuming (not to mention HD space, WHY DID THEY NOT MAKE THE RESOURCES GLOBAL!!!!! ) but not a bad idea. I did something similar with Jedi Knight II way back the expansion pack had a BOAT LOAD of unused models which I used this technique to see what they looked like.But of course in that game you can wander freely....Cheers!
Ted Thompson
Baltimore, MD

RELEASES:
EMD E/F Series semi-prototypical Cab View
Maryland Midland Railroad GP38 locomotive packCURRENT PROJECT:
B&O's Royal Blue circa 1910

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Decapod,
I think it would be good to have a shape file viewer. Something that would allow you to view the model in 3D without having to load it into MSTS every time. Would be tremendously useful for doing reskins and also when creating models.
I wish you or anyone else luck with doing one!Mykel

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