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JMSteven_W98 (329 posts)
Aug-20-01, 01:07 PM (EST) "COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Over the weekend I found a problem with running the script I supplied under certain releases of MS Windows ME.Windows 95 is available in 17 releases, Windows 98 is available in eleven releases (some still show 4.10.2222. You must use the registry ID to get the true number). Windows ME has at least eleven builds/updates since release.Each one has a different way of handling batch scripting too.The URL below is the most recent ZIP file and I supplied a lengthy READ ME file in the ZIP with complete instructions.
http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/3b8142dd225ea43a.zip Jim Steven, MCSE
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Table of Contents

Subject Author Message Date ID RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... Signalmaster Aug-20-01 1 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... JMSteven_W98 Aug-20-01 3 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... Signalmaster Aug-20-01 11 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... LawrenceKellie Aug-20-01 2 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... JMSteven_W98 Aug-20-01 6 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... LawrenceKellie Aug-20-01 9 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... ragmop Aug-20-01 4 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... DKlemm Aug-20-01 5 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... JMSteven_W98 Aug-20-01 7 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... DKlemm Aug-20-01 10 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... JMSteven_W98 Aug-20-01 13 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... DKlemm Aug-20-01 14 Thanks for the new files DKlemm Aug-20-01 15 I must be an idiot, or just can't f... Omellette Aug-20-01 8 RE: I must be an idiot, or just can... JMSteven_W98 Aug-20-01 12 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... railfan126 Sep-01-01 16 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... rob20 Sep-29-01 17 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... edwardk Sep-29-01 19 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... Simerjoe Sep-29-01 18 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... RickCan Sep-29-01 20 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... RvA1 Sep-29-01 21 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... blvdbill Sep-29-01 22 RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE ... amradio Sep-30-01 23

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Signalmaster (89 posts)
Aug-20-01, 01:55 PM (EST) 1. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Jim,
I'm not a proficient programmer, but I can read instructions and I can't get this to work on whatever version of Win98 I'm running.It runs and ends with a string of "file creation error" messages closing by starting WordPad to view a non-existant file. This should be proof that I did get the script to run, but it doesn't do what it was advertized to do.I appreciate what you're trying to do and your time, but should getting this to work be as frustrating as learning the route editor?
Hank Sundermeyer Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
JMSteven_W98 (329 posts)
Aug-20-01, 02:13 PM (EST) 3. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Locating shapes, creating missing shape descriptions and finding the associated texture files for each object has taken me at least three months - at about two hours per day.I pointed out issues with Scripting in many messages before I tried this approach.We have a 100kB limitation on DC Forum uploads, so that prevents using an EXE file.Installation paths aren't the same for most people. I use E:\Old\Win32\Games\TrainSim for my install. Some people use "C:\Program Files\Games\Train Simulator" and others have D:\TrainSim, so the batch file must look for the files.What is the game install path you use?The batch file I uploaded today must be run on the same drive letter as the game since DOS scripts can't switch drive letters like NT (the cd /d command is not supported).Jim Steven, MCSE
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Signalmaster (89 posts)
Aug-20-01, 04:04 PM (EST) 11. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Jim,
This is what I've done:
1)All directories are whatever install designated in that process on the C: drive.
2) I created ..../utils/CombObjs and expanded the zip there.
3) Went to Start/Run %ComSpec% to get the DOS shell and the great thing of this is that I was in the directory where combine.bat was so the path was showing on the screen.
4)Invoked combine "C:\Program Files\Micorsoft Games\Train Simulator" The screen says:
The string of "File creation error" messages. The screen scrolled several times, so it there were any other error messages, I missed them....Read Me.Txt created....
Starting WordPad to display the completed log file.script endsNo Merge directoryNo log fileWordPad starts with the warning box saying no such file.What have I missed here?Hank Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
LawrenceKellie (398 posts)
Aug-20-01, 02:08 PM (EST) 2. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " So, 39 different variations of Windows. And that is WITHOUT getting into the NT flavors.Lawrence Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
JMSteven_W98 (329 posts)
Aug-20-01, 02:30 PM (EST) 6. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Yep. In the old days we had a simple API function called "GetWindowsVersion()" that returned major and minor versions. You'd see something like 3.11 as the result.We knew we were in trouble with Chicago. Win 95 released in July 1995. It has a release number like 4.0.950. Win 95a went out in Dec 1995 and used both 4.00.951 and 4.00.950a id's. In early 1996 we saw 4.00.950b and 4.00.1000 and 4.00.1111.The differences included things like supporting drives greater than 2 GB, memory sizes greater than 512 MB and shell changes.Now we must use GetVersionE) to retrieve a data structure.In that structure we look at the dwPlatformId to see if it's Win32s, Win32 or Win32 NT. If it's Win32, you have permutations for Win98 or Win95 or WinME, and within these you have permutations for MS Plus! or Internet Explorer installations.And an item that many developers forget to check is the item called osvi.dwBuildNumber. If you don't check it, the runtime DLL's you may have compiled for may not support the specific function you are trying to use. In simpler terms, you may not have the "file open" dialog box that I wrote code to use.Sometimes I think pencil and paper were easier.
Jim Steven, MCSE
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LawrenceKellie (398 posts)
Aug-20-01, 03:32 PM (EST) 9. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " You know what is most frightening about the post to which I am responding? I understood what you wrote!Even though I am at work and not at my MSTS computer, I downloaded the zipped file with the specific goal of looking at the instructions. You have spent some considerable time working on the language of the instructions.In the Read_This_First.txt file, you write, "Memory is not cleaned up by exiting to the desktop. It remains allocated." I have known that for some time, which is why when people contact me at work about problems with their computer, almost the first thing I ask is if they have rebooted and does it continue. However, my question goes a different route. There are out in "program-land" utilities that recapture RAM, in other words, before you run the program, you have X RAM available, after you have Y RAM available. Is running one of these basically as good as rebooting?ThanksLawrence Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ragmop (239 posts)
Aug-20-01, 02:23 PM (EST) 4. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Wow! I didn't think something like that would be so complicated! Please keep trying as this is a 'must have.' I think what you are doing will make our MSTS much more stable and solve alot of folks' problems in so many areas once the object situation is taken care of. I do hope they put you and a couple of the DEM fellas and anybody else basically doing what should've been released with the project on Kuju's payroll. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
DKlemm (452 posts)
Aug-20-01, 02:23 PM (EST) 5. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " I want your advice on what to do. I commented in the other thread were you released the first version. I ran it but when I used the combined_obj.ref file of yours still got missing .s file errors. I've copied them in as well as the .ace and .sd few that came up missing. Should I use your new bat file or has what I've done got me to the same end?Thanks, and one day I will get to share my route. I'm such a perfectionist though I'll never think it is good enough or done!David Klemm
Illinois Central
13 miles done, 47 to go!
Dunkin to Clinton IL
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JMSteven_W98 (329 posts)
Aug-20-01, 02:35 PM (EST) 7. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Version 3 takes care of the missing shape and sd files because I tested this by deleting the contents of the Shapes folder for my memory hog route: (1,500 objects on the average blue tile)Retrieve the archive and look at the read me files. You may want the SD files anyway for things like the Log Cabin building or my favorites - those burned out houses.I also redid the REF in that archive for better organization in the objects.In the read me file I explain a quick way to test the process without harming your existing setup.Jim Steven, MCSE
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DKlemm (452 posts)
Aug-20-01, 04:01 PM (EST) 10. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Thanks. You mention the 100 meg file size limition to not doing an exe file. That limition doesn't exist in the uploads area. Have you considered putting your stuff there?David Klemm
Illinois Central
14 miles done, 46 to go!
Dunkin to Clinton IL
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JMSteven_W98 (329 posts)
Aug-20-01, 04:13 PM (EST) 13. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " No. I hadn't thought of that. (I hope my wife doesn't see that answer. Once I removed the cover to a system tower and she pointed out the disconnected AC power line)If that's the case, I can at least create a SHAPES and SHAPE DESCRIPTION archive. Those are the tricky ones.Jim Steven, MCSE
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DKlemm (452 posts)
Aug-20-01, 04:19 PM (EST) 14. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " I won't tell your wife on you. Heck mine sent me out to buy a new computer! I still can't figure them out after 15 years of marriage!I saw the new objects when I downloaded your past update and have alread been using them. I think once I get to the yard in Decatur IL(15 more miles) I may release my route as a v.1. At that time it will only be a point to point route. I need feedback though on my scenary.David Klemm
Illinois Central
14 miles done, 46 to go!
Dunkin to Clinton IL
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DKlemm (452 posts)
Aug-20-01, 09:05 PM (EST) 15. "Thanks for the new files" I used the new merge and wanted to let you know thanks. I like the breakout of the vehicles like you did for the buildings. I had no s or sd missing file errors. Still had a few ace files not in the textures directory. They were the same as with the first merge. Wasn't hard to fix though, just a copy to the textures folder. If you think it would be helpful to have the list let me know, it's only 30 items.One last thing. In the readme where you talk about the combined_obj.ref file and copying into the route folder. You don't mention the need to rename it to the correct route name. Having done this type of thing since the early days, I knew. Newbies though would not.David Klemm
Illinois Central
13 miles done, 47 to go!
Dunkin to Clinton IL
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Omellette (36 posts)
Aug-20-01, 03:28 PM (EST) 8. "I must be an idiot, or just can't follow the advances..." ...fast enough, thanks to my workload...Anyways, please forgive my stupidity by answering the following questions:Simply put -- will downloading this zip file give me everything I need to have a template directory with all the possible objects?You mention that there is an "included" zip of the missing .SD files -- this is part of this file, or is it referenced someplace else (if so, where, please)?What about using the different ballast textures? Is is still impossible to pick and choose from all of them in the same route, or have you solved that problem?Again, please forgive these stupid questions -- my workload is so full, that it's very hard to follow this board daily, and losing a few days here is like falling behind in school...:-D Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
JMSteven_W98 (329 posts)
Aug-20-01, 04:09 PM (EST) 12. "RE: I must be an idiot, or just can't follow the advances..." Something I learned years ago in Technical Support: There is NO such thing as a stupid question. People who don't ask questions scare me. If you retrieve archive #3 that I posted today, you should end up with ALL possible shapes, textures and terrain textures and sounds and sound regions.You also get the four track road bed types.I tried making this as inclusive as possible, but haven't included the TSECTION.DAT items yet. (They're coming though - I really needed a Manual 45d Right Yard switch!)Go ahead and retrieve the archive and look at the Read Me file in it. I nested ZIP files in this one so only two files display the first time you extract the archive. One is "Read This First" so you can see what's involved.Jim Steven, MCSE
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railfan126 (7 posts)
Sep-01-01, 01:56 PM (EST) 16. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " all went good till wordpad said ERROR; c:\program files\microsoft games\train simulator\merg\Comb0bjs.log,,cannot find this file , please verrify that the correct file and path name are given,,,,,,,,i used the file name you suggested,,but i see the o in comb"o"bjs.log looks like a zero instead of a "o"which is used in the actual file name Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
rob20 (56 posts)
Sep-29-01, 03:38 AM (EST) 17. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Just looking at some of the work and not understanding the point of this? Please explain. Must I do this do get Illinois Central route to work? Thanks for your help guys. The read me file does not explain what and why to do this. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
edwardk (10 posts)
Sep-29-01, 01:04 PM (EST) 19. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " After working with the combine bat file I have found that if you create the "merge" directory ahead of time, you can prevent the unable to find the file message but after this forget it. The batch file creates the log file, the readme file and errors out on something different that I can't figure out. Just make sure to create the merge directory where the batch file would normally create it. I have read every post related to this topic but still can't get the script to run. If anyone else managed to get it to run under win98(upgrade release) post what you did, who knows maybe there is somthing else that should be done that I missed.Edward K. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Simerjoe (55 posts)
Sep-29-01, 10:11 AM (EST) 18. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Mr Stevens. I have downloaded this file and opened it as was instructed. I am trying to add all objects to a route calles 'test'.
I ran the combine.bat program and this is the message I got.
I ran the file using this syntax.
combine "C:\program files\microsoft games\train simulator\routes\test"Is there something wrong with this?Thanks in advance.Joe alias simerjoe Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
RickCan (72 posts)
Sep-29-01, 01:09 PM (EST) 20. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " LAST EDITED ON Sep-29-01 AT 01:19 PM (EST)I directed the DOS prompt to the TS directory UTILS\CombObjs where the combine.bat file resides.
I ran it using the syntax combine "D:\program files\microsoft games\train simulator" using the MS DOS Prompt shortcut and got the same pop-up box. Combine.bat is not making the MERGE folder.Train Simulator is in my D partition.Richard
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RvA1 (312 posts)
Sep-29-01, 01:26 PM (EST) 21. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Hello all,I've been trying to get this bat file to run myself. This is as far as I've gotten. I'm running Win2K Pro SR2, and I've tried this as a "Power User" & as the Admin. No Joy!
Best,Roger Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
blvdbill (32 posts)
Sep-29-01, 06:46 PM (EST) 22. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Here's another way to do it, checkout the post by Camaro540. http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/DCForumID6/1433.html
This is how I finally got it to work.
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amradio (2 posts)
Sep-30-01, 05:02 AM (EST) 23. "RE: COMBINED OBJECTS SCRIPT UPDATE - Attempt #3 " Hi,
Thank you very much for these information and archives files.
I installed it exactly with the same directory name but when I run the batch file, it begins to work and then send an error message. No Merge directory created and the log, list and txt files are in the TMP directory of my windows.
Windows is Me 4.90.3000 version built 3000.
I tried to creat directories and sub- (merge, sounds, textures ...) first and run batch file then : I receive the same error message, the log and list files are in the Merge directory but no other files in sub- "sound, terrtex, texture ....."
Thanks again for your help.
Mark
>Over the weekend I found a
>problem with running the script
>I supplied under certain releases
>of MS Windows ME.
>
>Windows 95 is available in 17
>releases, Windows 98 is available
>in eleven releases (some still
>show 4.10.2222. You must use
>the registry ID to get
>the true number). Windows ME
>has at least eleven builds/updates
>since release.
>
>Each one has a different way
>of handling batch scripting too.
>
>
>The URL below is the most
>recent ZIP file and I
>supplied a lengthy READ ME
>file in the ZIP with
>complete instructions.
>
>
>http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/3b8142dd225ea43a.zip
>
>Jim Steven, MCSE
>Sr Microsoft Windows Application Developer
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