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BFree (4 posts)
Dec-12-01, 04:53 PM (EST) "Announcement of new activity + question" I have an announcement to make and I need an answer to a question. First the announcement: I´ve made a new activity, called "Another Great Train Robbery". You can guess that you are on a train that will be hijacked. Your assignment is to mislead the hijackers and find the police. The activity contains seven storylines which lead to five different endings. Only one ending is successfull. By making the right decisions you can find this one ending.
Anyone interested to test it? It takes about 50 minutes to play, but I´m sure you will have to play it several times to find the solution. It´s a kind of detective-story.I just finalised my activity and I am ready to distribute it. But what is the best way to distribute activities? I followed some discussions, especially about unpacking them, but I don´t understand the problem. I´ve unpacked several packages successfully without installing the so called TSUnpack fix. I just drag the package to TSUnpack.exe in the Utils folder and it gets unpacked. I always answer write over messages with N.I examined some zipped activity packages and I noticed that they don´t contain additional consist, train or locomotive files, just an .APK file plus readme´s. So I assume the package command of the Activity Editor does everything for me, I mean, include all necessary services, paths, etc. And that, if a user unpacks the activity, there will be overwrite messages for existing files, which is the case for activities that use default stock. Are these assumptions correct?Can anybody give my advice about the best distribution method?
For your information, I use default locomotives and wagons only, but I have created some new consists. Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Table of Contents

Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Announcement of new activity + ... Jack95rr Dec-12-01 1 RE: Announcement of new activity + ... BFree Dec-13-01 2 RE: Announcement of new activity + ... Jack95rr Dec-13-01 3 RE: Announcement of new activity + ... BFree Dec-14-01 4 RE: Announcement of new activity + ... Jack95rr Dec-15-01 5 RE: Announcement of new activity + ... GWR01 Dec-16-01 6 RE: Announcement of new activity + ... Jack95rr Dec-17-01 7 RE: Announcement of new activity ... GWR01 Dec-17-01 8 RE: Announcement of new activity ... Jack95rr Dec-18-01 9 RE: Announcement of new activity ... whistle Dec-18-01 10 RE: Announcement of new activity ... GWR01 Dec-18-01 11 Red Signals Jack95rr Dec-18-01 12 RE: Red Signals GWR01 Dec-19-01 13

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Jack95rr (30 posts)
Dec-12-01, 07:02 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Announcement of new activity + question" But what is the
>best way to distribute activities?
>I followed some discussions, especially
>about unpacking them, but I
>don´t understand the problem. I´ve
>unpacked several packages successfully without
>installing the so called TSUnpack
>fix. I just drag the
>package to TSUnpack.exe in the
>Utils folder and it gets
>unpacked. I always answer write
>over messages with N.
I have not tried to UNpackage activities using TSunpack but I have tried to package activites I designed using the program -- with absolutely no success! Have you tried using the program in this manner and have had success?Jack D. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
BFree (4 posts)
Dec-13-01, 02:44 AM (EST) 2. "RE: Announcement of new activity + question" How do you know you packed activities without success? I opened my activity in the Activity Editor, selected the "package activity" command and I got a package. I didn´t unpack it, because the activity is already on my disc. The only way to test this, I think, is, rename the train sim folder to something else, install train sim again and then unpack. But you can imagine I hesitate to do this. Didn´t you manage to pack your activity at all, or did you try to unpack it immediately? Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Jack95rr (30 posts)
Dec-13-01, 07:00 PM (EST) 3. "RE: Announcement of new activity + question" >How do you know you packed
>activities without success? I opened
>my activity in the Activity
>Editor, selected the "package activity"
>command and I got a
>package. I didn´t unpack it,
>because the activity is already
>on my disc. The only
>way to test this, I
>think, is, rename the train
>sim folder to something else,
>install train sim again and
>then unpack. But you can
>imagine I hesitate to do
>this. Didn´t you manage to
>pack your activity at all,
>or did you try to
>unpack it immediately? I created activities and then sent them to other people, such as Rich Garber, who informed me it did not unpack. I tried to do it on my own and was also notified that it failed to open. I have repackaged using the Activity Editor and tried to unpack that one and it failed. Many others have told me that they cannot make TSupack work. I think the thing is just buggy!Jack
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BFree (4 posts)
Dec-14-01, 02:09 AM (EST) 4. "RE: Announcement of new activity + question" Jack,I did some tests with packing and unpacking. First I packed my activity. Then, I removed the involved acitivity, path, service and traffic files and then I tried to unpack my activity. I found that TSUnpack fails when you double-click the package. BUT ... when you open the folder in which TSUnpack resides and then drag the package file to TSUnpack.exe it gets unpacked to a playable activity! I got some overwrite messages for default consists, to which I answered N. I think you can do this too.Pim Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Jack95rr (30 posts)
Dec-15-01, 00:42 AM (EST) 5. "RE: Announcement of new activity + question" BUT ... when you open the folder in which TSUnpack resides and then drag the package file to TSUnpack.exe it gets unpacked to a playable activity! I got some overwrite messages for default consists, to which I answered N. I think you can do this too.I tried that! No help. Still get the message:failed to open.Jack RR Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
GWR01 (21 posts)
Dec-16-01, 08:35 AM (EST) 6. "RE: Announcement of new activity + question" I'm pretty sure the activity packager only packages the activity itself, any consists, paths and services. It certainlt doesn't package engines or wagons, which is why if you install one for non-default cars you don't have you can break MSTS and have to reinstall.The best thing is to package the activity, and include in your readme the files you need to download to get it to work. Or use default engines/wagons only.I have managed to create a simple passenger activity, too boring to upload here but none the less I am pleased with it. I am now working on a freight one for the modern england route V3, and will probably do 2 versions, one with default stock for people without many extras, and one with "proper" br stock for those who have them or can get them.Looking forward to playing yours!-Alan. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Jack95rr (30 posts)
Dec-17-01, 00:34 AM (EST) 7. "RE: Announcement of new activity + question" Alan, maybe you have hit on it! It only works with defaults. That could be the solution. Hmmm! Now what must I do to package everything that includes non default stuff? I don't want to have to send someone running all over the place trying to find the engines and cars I might use. Maybe I just have to copy everything (Routes, Consists, Activities, etc.) into a zip file and then let the user unzip into the proper folders.
For my activity on the EMRR I had to "design" some empty chem cars and included some 1920's heavyweights from Central of NJ. So these are sure not defaults. I'll have to mull this over for awhile.
My activity is a long freight operation that entails some very tricky and HARD switching and problem solving. I don't think anyone will consider it a "piece of cake" but they WILL find it interesting and I think will stick with it until they get it solved. Hope you get a chance to try it.Jack Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
GWR01 (21 posts)
Dec-17-01, 11:55 AM (EST) 8. "RE: Announcement of new activity question" Jack,Just my 2p worth...> .... Maybe I
>just have to copy everything
>(Routes, Consists, Activities, etc.) into
>a zip file and then
>let the user unzip into
>the proper folders. Eek! Routes are several megabytes, maybe 10's of megabytes. I'm not sure someone who already has it would like a large download. I certainly wouldn't include that, just a link to where it can be obtained from. <later> just checked and emrrv11.zip is 12MB>For my activity on the EMRR
>I had to "design" some
>empty chem cars and included
>some 1920's heavyweights from Central
>of NJ. So these are
>sure not defaults. I'll have
>to mull this over for
>awhile. If you've made your own stuff, then certainly no-one else will have it so it should be OK to include it.>My activity is a long freight
>operation that entails some very
>tricky and HARD switching and
>problem solving. I don't think
>anyone will consider it a
>"piece of cake" but they
>WILL find it interesting and
>I think will stick with
>it until they get it
>solved. Hope you get a
>chance to try it. Sure, let me know when it's available. If you want a guinea pig before you release it generally drop me an email.I am downloading emrrv11.zip as I type. (I take it this is the route you mention)Cheers,
-Alan. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Jack95rr (30 posts)
Dec-18-01, 00:18 AM (EST) 9. "RE: Announcement of new activity question" Alan,
You are most likely correct about the Routes folder. If they know it's for the EMRR there is no reason to have to include that in the Activity. So, that is one less problem.
My Activity is so complex that, in designing it, I have not been able to play it all the way through yet. I keep fixing the bugs as I run into them and, if you're fimiliar with the Activity Editor, you know if you make a change all the saved testing goes out the window and you have to begin the run again. It is tedious and time consuming. So far I have 14 Location Events and 14 Action Events. I plan to put a Time Event into it also.
But, I think it has the feel of a real railroading day and will be fun and challenging to play. Hope I can get it finished soon.
BTW -- give me your full E-mail address please.Jack Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
whistle (17 posts)
Dec-18-01, 12:35 PM (EST) 10. "RE: Announcement of new activity question" Jack,What kind of action events do you use? It seems that action events for pickup items don´t work. Did you get it working? Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
GWR01 (21 posts)
Dec-18-01, 04:43 PM (EST) 11. "RE: Announcement of new activity question" > ... if you're fimiliar
>with the Activity Editor, you
>know if you make a
>change all the saved testing
>goes out the window and
>you have to begin the
>run again. Oh yes, I know about that. I haven't got as far as events, I've knocked up a couple of passenger activities; I did start a freight activity but had a path that was too complicated and I got stuck at red lights that I couldn't get permission to pass!! I will try again sometime - the more I use the activity editor the more used I get to its quirks - I actually managed to fix a broken route yesterday - I was well pleased!!!>.... BTW -- give me your full
>E-mail address please. You can get it by clicking the little button above but for the record it's asalmon@ukmax.com
(If you need to send anything big email me for an alternative!)-Alan Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Jack95rr (30 posts)
Dec-18-01, 06:23 PM (EST) 12. "Red Signals" Alan,
Usually I find that if I get stuck at a signal I need to add a reversing point somewhere in the vicinity of the signal (above it or below it, or maybe both). This also works when you have switches you can't change.
Let me know how it works.Jack Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
GWR01 (21 posts)
Dec-19-01, 12:25 PM (EST) 13. "RE: Red Signals" Thanks for the tip - at first I put loads of reversing points in, even where you had to back into a siding; then I thought they weren't necessary so took them all out!!I'll just finish my current passenger activity which I intend to upload here, then I will turn my attention to freight again.Regards
-Alan. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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