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Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!"

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"ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!"

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OkrasaGhia (186 posts)
Dec-27-01, 04:05 PM (EST) "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" If you downloaded XTracks please stop using it and get this update!!http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/3c2b8cbe42799264.zip I got an e-mail from Dereck van Dijk telling about some problems he had with the new tracks and started investigating.
Every route has a local tsection.dat. This file holds the paths for every dynamic track used in the route. These paths are numbered in sequence with ordinary track starting from the first unused SectionIdx according to the global tsection.dat. For new routes this is not a problem but for old routes the XTracks will conflict with paths for dynamic track. I've made a new global tsection.dat that should work with old routes (as it does not reserve any new SectionIdx) but had to leave out the narrow gauge for the time being (and those experimental pieces). Problem is there is not enough room reserved in the original file to add anything other than the slips and 250 meter curves. Won't even have room for Craig Scotts Maglev-guideway. I do know how to solve it (change SectionIdx for all dynamic track in all routes, that is updating the local tsection.dat and all the world-files) but it is much work to do and realy needs a program to be practical. I was thinking of such a program to resolve any problem that might occur because some people were using 250 meter curves with other SectionIdx than in XTracks but that problems now seems small I have to say. Any programmer with too much time want to help? I could do it but the pile of things I want to do is only getting bigger.Anyway, I'm sorry if you've suffered because of this. Restore your last backup and use this new tsection.dat and you may continue. If you've put much new track in there is a way to save it. Find the w-files in the world folder that are updated after you added XTracks, copy those to your backup (making a backup of the backup would be a good idea). Open those w-files and remove any dynamic track (search for dyn). After that you can open the route in the RE rebuilding your track database. I did this with the G.D.Line, learning the hard way. If you have problems and need detailed help mail me.

//Okrasa
Chief Engineer
okrasaghia @ yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia

Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" – image 1

Steam: 0-4-0T #9, 0-6-0 #12, 2-6-0 #25, 2-6-6-2 #37, 2-8-2 #40
Diesels: SW8 #16, F3 #53, F7 #54, FP7 #57, Budd RDC #61, TrainMaster #88 Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
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Subject Author Message Date ID RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... scefhwil Dec-28-01 1 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... landnrailroader Dec-28-01 2 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... mdeming Dec-29-01 3 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... OkrasaGhia Dec-29-01 4 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... enocell Dec-29-01 5 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... Nalle13 Dec-29-01 6 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... TOPDOG5184 Dec-29-01 7 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... OkrasaGhia Jan-06-02 9 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... enocell Jan-03-02 8 RE: ALERT, XTracks update due probl... OkrasaGhia Jan-06-02 10

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scefhwil (52 posts)
Dec-28-01, 03:14 PM (EST) 1. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" Hi Okrasa,Bad news this as your work really is worthwhile for the future of the sim. Just some thoughts...Is there an upper limit on ID's the sim will accept? If so then there must be a limit on route sizes because there is a limit on how many dynamic tracks can be placed. If not, then can't the local tsection.dat files be used to provide a typical upper limit on how many dynamic track sections existing routes have created? You're new sections could be started from an ID just above this and so not conflict with old routes.Stuart Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
landnrailroader (110 posts)
Dec-28-01, 10:02 PM (EST) 2. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" Do you know what the upper limit on dynamic pieces is. I have completed track laying on a route that must have a couple hundred or more and it seems to work fine. I am now putting in the structures etc.J. H. Sullivan, P.E. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
mdeming (15 posts)
Dec-29-01, 09:33 AM (EST) 3. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" I am using it with a new route. The only problem I have come across is with the a15ptrtmnl.s(the 5 point manual turnout) The indicator arrows are backwards. Also the switch is set so the normal path is branching not the mainline. the left hand turnouts are ok. Any ideas on how to fix this?
Mike Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
OkrasaGhia (186 posts)
Dec-29-01, 12:44 PM (EST) 4. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" Okay, problem is updating an old route.
Upper limit for ids seem to be 4294967294, thus you could have a unique id for each piece and still plenty to spare. But it is hard to tell what the upper limit for dynamic would be and go from there as dynamic pieces consume lots of ids. Also it is not possible to leave a window of ids for the dynamic, the route editor looks at the highest number reserved and does not care if you have left part of it open. Anyway I'm posting an update in a new thread now.

//Okrasa
Chief Engineer
okrasaghia @ yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia

Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" – image 2

Steam: 0-4-0T #9, 0-6-0 #12, 2-6-0 #25, 2-6-6-2 #37, 2-8-2 #40
Diesels: SW8 #16, F3 #53, F7 #54, FP7 #57, Budd RDC #61, TrainMaster #88 Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
enocell (312 posts)
Dec-29-01, 03:04 PM (EST) 5. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" I installed the Xtracks, but I got this error message:
"Usa_hbs/Textures/a1t27mTurntable.ace not found".
I don't have that texture in any folders.Could you help with the doubleslips?
I can't get the blue poles to disappear.
Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" – image 3Which part must be installed first(main or the end part)? The red lines are the rails installed before the doubleslip. I can do this junction without doubleslips, but I wanted to try them.Enocell Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Nalle13 (104 posts)
Dec-29-01, 06:37 PM (EST) 6. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" If you read the readme-file it says you should copy and rename the US2Turntable.ace and rename it a1t27mTurntable.ace.
I havent tried the doubleslips so I can't help there...Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" – image 4 Nalle Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
TOPDOG5184 (455 posts) Click to send message via ICQ
Dec-29-01, 07:14 PM (EST) 7. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" Okrasa I have an idea. Why not just change the old routes .dat files? just copy the main .dat from the global over the old one. this way you won't loose the extra tracks and get to use it with all the routes as well. just a thought but it's worth a try no? better than having to add all those tracks again. just my nickels worth but I hope it lights a fire under someones caboose. Craig Shortino Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
OkrasaGhia (186 posts)
Jan-06-02, 06:06 AM (EST) 9. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" Craig, I admire your spirit but I've been real deep into this and those dat-files are much more complicated than you think. Routes depend on both the global and the local file and they hold different information but are dependent on each other.
Next version of XTracks will address the problem though and do it in a way that most people will be able to use it without much trouble (I hope).

//Okrasa
Chief Engineer
okrasaghia @ yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia

Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" – image 5

Steam: 0-4-0T #9, 0-6-0 #12, 2-6-0 #25, 2-6-6-2 #37, 2-8-2 #40
Diesels: SW8 #16, F3 #53, F7 #54, FP7 #57, Budd RDC #61, TrainMaster #88 Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
enocell (312 posts)
Jan-03-02, 01:44 PM (EST) 8. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" I fixed these problems, but I don't know how I made that doubleslip working... It just popped there and the blue poles disappeared. It's in front of the sanding towers.
I may also edit the turntable texture, it's too clean.This version 2 of the Croxton Yard(first one is now a part of the great railroads of the sky, as the editor crashed). Is there a roundhouse model available? I think I saw one on tthe boards.Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" – image 6Enocell Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
OkrasaGhia (186 posts)
Jan-06-02, 06:10 AM (EST) 10. "RE: ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" Roundhouse is coming (as you already know by now).
The doublöe slip can be tricky to get right, start with the slip and turn it around using the T-key until you have it oriented the way you want (look close to be sure it's right). Next put the end-section in following the picture I've included with XTracks, keep trying until ALL blue lines go out or you will not be able to run an engine over it.

//Okrasa
Chief Engineer
okrasaghia @ yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/okrasaghia

Message Areas - "ALERT, XTracks update due problems!!!" – image 7

Steam: 0-4-0T #9, 0-6-0 #12, 2-6-0 #25, 2-6-6-2 #37, 2-8-2 #40
Diesels: SW8 #16, F3 #53, F7 #54, FP7 #57, Budd RDC #61, TrainMaster #88 Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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