MSFT Aids for Beginners

I just signed up for the file archive and the thought occurred to me that I and other newbies could use a little advice as to what specific aids to downloading and/ or tweeking MSFT are available on this site. Pick your favoriate (s). I'm not interested in VRRs or routes or activities at this time, but actual ways to make the process itself easier.Mal

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RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, obo, Jan-26-03, 09:01 PM, (1) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, sooner, Jan-26-03, 10:27 PM, (2) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, Dokkensound, Jan-27-03, 01:23 AM, (3) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, downside, Jan-27-03, 04:53 AM, (4) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, plainsman, Jan-27-03, 07:03 AM, (5) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, downside, Jan-27-03, 07:26 AM, (6) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, mepstein1, Jan-28-03, 03:28 PM, (7) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, kevarc, Jan-28-03, 03:39 PM, (8) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, Darrel55, Jan-28-03, 04:15 PM, (9) RE: MSFT Aids for Beginners, mepstein1, Jan-28-03, 10:21 PM, (10)

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Good question. For a start, I think you'll find a bushel of good advice at this site:http://www.webdottrainsim.com/msts1.htmAs for tweaks, a couple of the best can be found here:http://www.howintheworld.com/downloads.shtmlSky Conductor 2: Allows you to switch the skies in the routes. Might not sound like much but once you see it you won't want to go back. Requires Java.Menu Quick Fix: My personal favourite. Increases the size of the menus in the game and makes the horrible interface far easier to deal with, especially once you've added a number of new trains.You can also get Route Control there, which is another great utility, but you won't need it right away.My own advice would be to keep things as organized as your temperment will allow you to. It's easy to get lost in a sea of downloads and completely lose track of what you have and where it is. Learning to edit the name field in the eng file helps immensely in this regard.Good luck, and have fun. There's a ton of great stuff here.Rob.

Obo's MSTS Locomotive Catalog: http://msts.banal.net

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I'm glad you asked that, Mal! This is a great opportunity for everybody to jump in with some favorite FNG tips. And I'm always amazed at the "new guy" dope that comes as news to people who've already been around forever.A couple of simple but useful things to know about downloading: first, when you get an "all nodes are currently busy" message on logging into the File Library, you can re-try by alternating the F5/Enter keys, rather than repeatedly typing in your log-on name; second, if you're having trouble loggin on, you can select the Newest Files option under File Library on the Site Map, and check out any new uploads without actually logging into the Library (I can hear derisive laughter from the initiated, but I had been downloading from the Library for months before I came across either of these!).As to add-on content, I think the unsung heroes of this hobby are Larry Goss and Roger von Ahrens and the many repainters who've skinned their boxcars. These models truly add realism, variety and color to a train. As for tweaking, Sky!Conductor is, in my opinion, the single greatest thing your can get your hands on off-site! If I could have only the basic game and one add-on, it's what I'd choose. Note that for Sky!Conductor to work, you have to select the same weather in the MSTS menu that you've set up in Sky!Conductor; and that you have to set up the utility specially in non-default routes. These characteristics probably account for the majority of problems new guys encounter with it.Finally, Ctrl/Shift/9 locks and unlocks the camera in external view 4.Good luck.

bud

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I'd go through the utilities here and the other sites mentioned. As for advice, Backup often, MSTS is fickle and a good backup is your piece of mind. Burn downloads to CD and label it. When adding any add-ons or downloads, do one at a time, read the instructions, read the instructions again, check to be sure the new download has not caused a problem once installed. There are Tech Docs on the MSTS CD, Read them!!!!! They may answer lots of questions later. The FAQ here is excellent as well. Which improvements you add will be a matter of personal preference but Sky Conductor 2 as mentioned is Super, many folks love the consist editors and there are a couple to chose from, there are several useful Hacks here like changing HUD colors or backgrounds on the driver aids. If you have trouble try e-mailing the creator of the files, if they can't help you then ask here, odds are someones tackled that problem. If you would like to improve the physics of the locomotives and cars there are lots of files and guides here on doing that as well. Again, do one thing at a time and test for problems. It's much easier to find one bad line of unicode when you at least know which file it is in, not after adding several hundred files.

Dokkensound
Train Artisan
Lighting & Sound

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And let's hear is for Conbuilder - the niftiest utility of its kind. This can make you a consist and saves faffing around in the editor. It can check the reliability of what you have in the way of rolling stock.Get Conbuilder and start using it NOW to make sure you always have a clean sheet. It will check file names sounds and cabviews for missing files. Has full instructions as to use. (There is an error in in the default 380 for which there is a fix in the library 380sdfix.zip)Rob has mentioned Route Control - you will need this the moment you start adding activities or routes. You can get the Lite version for free from www.howintheworld.com - the Lite version will check your activities for missing locos etc and produce a nicely presented list of what is missing to assist you in downloading what is missing. It will also isolate faulty consists that stop MSTS from loading.And last but not least there is us. Unfortunately you cannot download us when you have a problem that is driving you mad but you can always ask for help. There is bound to be someone here that can help. Only don't be impatient waiting for an answer. We are spread all over this planet. If you haven't had a reply in 24 hours just 'bump' the topic back to the top of the list. To bump just go into your own post, click reply, type bump and post and hey presto - you are number one again.Bill

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LAST EDITED ON Jan-27-03 AT 07:05 AM (EST)

I am touting my own stuff here, and I apologize, but one of the best things you can do is change the physics of the locomotives and cars. The default equipment will not perform up to expectations if you want to remotely simulate operations. If you only want a model train set (just watch the trains go buy for looks only) then ignore this comment. If you like to do activities and actually operate the equipment, the physics files will add much to the ability to perform them, and to the more realistic action of the equipment. I think you will find Version 4.5 physics has most of the locomotives found in the sim reworked to a common standard, and several bugs repaired which will frustrate you if not corrected. If you read the instructions, you will also find a line to modify the brakes for use on Marias Pass, which will give you a chance to complete some of the activities for that route without breaking a coupler (a work around of a known bug, which does not fix it, but works to mitigate it).
Bob Boudoin

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Never apologise for touting excellence. Your work has made a vast difference to the way my MSTS operates. Many thanks for the time and effort this must have taken.Bill

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Bob:I'm dumb as a stump: what is Version 4.5 physics and where do I find it? (I presume in the Train-Sim archives????? Sorry for the hassle and many thanks for answering.Mal

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I can't think of the zip file name, but search under Bob's name and it should pop up. I use his latest physic for eng's. I usually include revised eng files in activities that I upload. They are done using his latest upgrades.But the one thing that one of the other posters stated was to read the readme's. I have a couple tutorials I put together. Email me and I will sent them to you.Kevin Arceneaux
It is time for Amtrak to become a fallen flag!

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I think it's so important to have a real good understanding on how to use downloaded files for new consist, engines, objects etc. You have a huge advantage if you are good with the computer. Thats something Im not but still really enjoy simming. Without knowing how to use them, it is so easy to "mess" things up beyond belief. And like someone else said, dont go over board with downloading everything you think is cool. It's all cool so pick and choose. Otherwise you will get frustrated. I have the most trouble with new cab views which I think are so important. Nothing irks me more than to use a new F7 Ive downloaded and end up using a gp38 cab view. I think tweeking trains and adding routes with cool activites and placing new objects is important. The nice thing about new routes and activites is its all done for you. Nothing against Sky Conductor. Its very nice, but I found I wasnt looking at the sky and wasnt using it and it does take some extra space and "rpms" that can be used for other things. Its ok if you have a good machine!!The activity and route editing manuals are very helpful from Abacus! Read everything you can get your hands on!!

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To allAgain, thanks for taking the time to replyMal

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