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Anybody else ever have the traffic get the hiccups while you're testing with the VCR, and insert multiple entries for the services like that? I've had it happen 3 times now, insert a service with a 12:00 start time, next time I look back at it there's 20 of the damn things. After that it either "tried to load on top of another service" or it loads 3 at once without error messages which proceed down the track for a while and then crash into each other and explode.http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/DCForumID3/13416.htmlNext question, I heard one of the new payware routes included some dedicated AI engines for the activities, on the theory that when you use regular engines for AI traffic the sim has to load and process the cabviews anyway. The idea is the default undriveable SD40, for example, is easier on framerates than AI traffic with a Dash9 since it has opaque windows and no cabview or sound folders to load with the engine. I know the whole idea that the cabview for AI trains would load into RAM sounds kinda stupid, but bearing in mind all the half finished coding elsewhere in this program I'm thinking it's possible they may have done it that way. So I'm doing some experimenting to replace all loose consist helper engines with the undriveable SD40s and all AI traffic with undriveable SD40 engines, but before I go too far reinventing the wheel, has anyone else looked into this?
That is true Sniper. It is a lot easier on the frame rates also. KHP, Sandpatch, and Cajon all have AI units. They are not hard to do, a little editing of the eng file and renaming and off you go.Kevin Arceneaux It is time for Amtrak to become a fallen flag!
Thanks Kev. Did you ever explain what gdapia is, or is it unprintable?! I've been trying to set up an activity with nothing but those SD40s running as AI traffic, but that bug in the editor has stopped me twice now, so I think I'm gonna have to make a custom consist with the SD40 and a bunch of default cars. I currently have a test set up on PO&N5 with a regular activity cloned, and all the helper engines replaced with SD40s. I was checking to see if the undriveable SD would lend it's muscle as a helper, but derailed while trying to recouple to the train, gotta change that derailbufferforce from 200kN to 500 and try it again. I haven't made any changes to the AI traffic yet (got disgusted with that @%&*#$+*#!!!!!! bug in the activity editor), but that's the next thing to go. Worst trouble is trying to determine for certain that it DOES actually have a significant effect on framerates, it's difficult to be totally objective unless the effect is overwhelmingly obvious. And these things tend to be cumulative, with scenery in the route editor you can't really point to one set of objects or one clump of trees and say "THAT'S what's causing the stuttering!", it's always a combination of a bunch of different things. So you end up having to make a whole bunch of drastic changes for very little effect, and it ends up getting tedious.
Sniper, regarding the first post and the repeating entries. I had this happen about two weeks ago for the first time, deleted all of them and thought everything was fine. Then all of a sudden I started getting s/ds in some really odd places, seemingly having nothing to do with AE or the activity itself. To make a long story short, a couple of days ago I completely deleted that entire activity with all it's periphery and have not had a crash since. This may be an isolated case, but it's something to think about.
Sniper, check your private messages.I haven't had the multiple AI's added, yet. It is very hard to pin down exactly what causes the framerate drops, granted areas with lots of train, building, and other scenery objects does have a effect. The worst that I have seen is a combination of AI trains in a city scene. Even with the AI trains standing still. It makes it fustrating adding eye candy for an activity. Add to much and the frame rates take a butt kicking. Add none and the area looks bare. It is almost impossible to get a good balance. The only thing I can recommend it adding the eye candy and let the end user delete what he wants of it till he can be happy with his frame rates.Kevin Arceneaux It is time for Amtrak to become a fallen flag!
