Route Building Challenge

[Acorncomputer]

We have had a bit of sad news that Connor has had to leave the Challenge after a problem with RailWorks. I think most of people taking part in the Challenge are quite experienced users of RailWorks/Rail Simulator and already take steps to protect their work but for less experienced users a few points may help -

a) I suggest that you copy the whole RailWorks folder regularly. If a problem arises you simply delete the faulty RailWorks folder, replace it with a copy of your last back up and you should have a fully working program with your route at the stage it was when you made the back up. You may have to reconnect to Steam to verify the program again but this is usually just a formality.

b) I also suggest that you always build the route in Windowed mode. This allows you to look at other files, UKTS, etc, whilst route building and a few other benefits but the main reason is that if you make a mistake and want to exit RailWorks without saving your mistake all you have to do is close the window and all that will have been saved is the last time you exited the World Editor or when you pressed F2. I have had a couple of mini crashes where 'the memory could not be written' and I was able to exit the program without damage to my route.

c) Sometimes you can work too fast for the program. If the hard drive light is active then it might help to wait a few moments before asking the program to do anything else.

d) If you have Mike Simpson's Tools, you could clone a copy of your route every now and then as a working back up.

e) You could create a package of your route every now and then and keep that safe. If you have trouble and have to re-install or verify the program again, you can install a working copy of your route from the package. If you have created your own route template then do not forget to include your asset folder in the package.

I hope that helps a bit, but although I usually go overboard on backing up, so far I have not lost a route or any substantial amounts of work since starting with Rail Simulator over two year ago.

[Trainguy76]

I get home at what would be 23:00 UK time on Friday, but technically the challenge is over then, so can I finish at 7pm my time? Or do I package up and send as soon as I get home?

[moranb]

A related question. On Friday, are the 'challenges' to be up-loaded to UKTS in the normal way or will there be special arrangements made? Also, is there a deadline Friday by which routes must be up-loaded?

BFM

[Acorncomputer]

Hi Trainguy

If you started at 7.00 pm local time last Friday then you will end at the same local time on this Friday.

Hi Brendan & all Challengers

I am just sorting out something with Matt regarding uploading and will put full details up shortly.

[Acorncomputer]

Hi All Challengers

I have sent you all a pm about what to do with your routes at the end of the Challenge.

As a follow on from the route building Challenge, we are looking at an unofficial Scenario Creation Challenge using these routes and default rolling stock again. Anyone can have a go, no prizes and no time restriction as scenario creation is a Challenge all of its own. These short routes will be ideal for getting used to the principles of scenario creation and by using just default stock, it means that they can be used by anyone with RailWorks installed.

Note to Challengers - try to ensure that you have plenty of platform, sidings and other markers in your routes to make scenario writing easier.

[keithmross]

Hi Geoff,
Thanks for the PM.
Cab we use 'tinker time' to create scenarios?
Scenarios can be time consuming; creation, tweaking, running, tweaking, running again, tweaking some more... you know the script!!
It is often the only way to test a route; this will also allow creators to include a small selection of scenarios so that the routes are ready to run when the community get their hands on them!

Cheers,
Keith

[Acorncomputer]

Even after all of the hours I have spent route building, I still find new features.

If you are creating a long lofted object, say a trackside fence, sometimes you find the yellow arrows arrange themselves in such a way that the loft direction changes where two arrows meet and you can only get the loft to go in one direction. I have found that if you swing one of the arrows over from facing inwards to facing outwards (whilst still in the laying mode) you can then lay the section that refused to do so before.

Not a major advantage but does save some time by not having to select the missing section in a separate action and also ensures that the loft is a continuous ribbon. I have only just found this but no doubt everyone else knows about it

[Acorncomputer]

Hi Geoff,
Thanks for the PM.
Cab we use 'tinker time' to create scenarios?
Scenarios can be time consuming; creation, tweaking, running, tweaking, running again, tweaking some more... you know the script!!
It is often the only way to test a route; this will also allow creators to include a small selection of scenarios so that the routes are ready to run when the community get their hands on them!

Cheers,
Keith

Hi Keith

The Challenge was to include a scenario in the allotted time so no scenarios can be created in the 'tinker time' for inclusion in the judging, but route testing is OK which might include a scenario that you can upload separately later. Can I suggest that you create a clone (RW Tools) of your finished Challenge route and then work on the clone for improvements and new scenarios. That clone can then be the start of a version 2.

I am not sure that I will be able to create a scenario in time myself so although I am not entering for judging, I will have to mark myself down on that one.

[Trainguy76]

How do I get my route ready for upload?

[Acorncomputer]

How do I get my route ready for upload?

Details are in the pm I sent to you. If you have any specific queries then get back here or pm me.

[keithmross]

Hi Keith

The Challenge was to include a scenario in the allotted time so no scenarios can be created in the 'tinker time' for inclusion in the judging, but route testing is OK which might include a scenario that you can upload separately later. Can I suggest that you create a clone (RW Tools) of your finished Challenge route and then work on the clone for improvements and new scenarios. That clone can then be the start of a version 2.

I am not sure that I will be able to create a scenario in time myself so although I am not entering for judging, I will have to mark myself down on that one.

Thanks Geoff,
I'm a bit unclear on what we can do between 7pm tonight and 8pm tomorrow
Should we upload something before 7pm tonight then do some testing and send a 'fixed' version tomorrow?
My current progress would allow me to upload a finished V1.0 now for judging and possibly have the completed route ready for release as a V2.0 by tomorrow night...
Basically I need to know when the cut off is so that I can clone my route for V2.0 and not have to revisit V1.0 - I hate doing things twice!!

Cheers,
Keith

[hertsbob]

"There will therefore be a period of 'tinker time' where you can check out signals, track and other technical aspects of the route to try and ensure that all is OK. This period of time is not intended to allow you to continue building the route."

I'm planning to package my route this evening and include a list of issues that I'm aware of and intend to fix on Saturday, and then upload another 'fixed' version then. If that makes sense.

Cheers

Bob

[Acorncomputer]

Hi Keith

The idea of the additional time is to allow for testing and any final adjustments to ensure that the route is in working order and ready to be uploaded to the library after the judging has been completed. No actual building is permitted in the extra time. There is only one version that you need to upload and that is the very final and tested version for judging by 8.00 pm on Saturday UK Time.

[Acorncomputer]

"There will therefore be a period of 'tinker time' where you can check out signals, track and other technical aspects of the route to try and ensure that all is OK. This period of time is not intended to allow you to continue building the route."

I'm planning to package my route this evening and include a list of issues that I'm aware of and intend to fix on Saturday, and then upload another 'fixed' version then. If that makes sense.

Cheers

Bob

Hi Bob

See my answer to Keith

[hertsbob]

Excellent, thanks for that.

Bob