Removing an object from a shape file?

[J94Fan]

Hello

I'm trying to remove an object from a station's shape file. The object is a trackside vehicle, which looks out of place. Is there any way to find the object in the shape file, and remove it?

[douglee]

Hi J94Fan,
Any changes you make must be for your own use only. Do not distribute the amended files.

One way.

First BackUp the Shapes,Textures folders and the Ref file for the route to change.

In the folder Routes/(your route)/SHAPES search the file name of the object use short descriptions eg. 'trolley' 'till you find a likely shape.
Check, with ShapeViewer, it's the one you want cut the .s and .sd files and paste into a folder on the Desktop.
While in ShapeViewer look at the Textures required for the shape and note them.
Then go to the Texture file for the same route and find them, this time copy the files to the Desktop folder. They might be used by another shape.
Now open the Ref file for the route find the entry for the shape and cut that into the Desktop folder, be careful to cut only the file you want to remove. Take away a '(' or a ')' from another entry and the route won't work.
If the object is a moving vehicle on the roads. Do the same as for the Ref file in the CarSpawner file but also decrease the number at the top of the Spawner list by the total number you remove. Put that in the Desktop folder.

You now have a usable copy of the object in the Desktop folder. Only use it for your own enjoyment.

Second way.

Open the route editor fly to the object and delete it from the route, then save the route. Then it's gone for good.

A £1 will get you two there is an easier way, and I'm sure it will appear here soon.

[J94Fan]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, but the object is embedded within a station's shape file e.g.

Station.S

Station.s contains the platform, fences, buildings, and the offending object.

How do I remove the object's "polygons" from the S file?

[douglee]

Hi J94Fan?,
Short answer?

No idea.

I don't think reverse engineering of content is allowed.

Remove the station and replace it wih another one that fits?

Don't look as you pass. Now I'm getting silly.

[Bigant]

Not sure but you could try 'shap file manager'

Don

[ianmacmillan]

It is almost impossible to track down which of the thousands of lines in a shape file refers to the part you wish to delete.

One solution to your problem is to place a larger object over it to hide it.

[J94Fan]

Thanks for the replies above!

I've noticed that you can view the "model hierarchy" in Shape Viewer. It breaks down the shape file into the various sections ....... I must find a way of tapping into that info

[mikesimpson]

You might be able to find the object in the Station's .ace files and change its colour to match the background of the platform or whatever it is standing on so that it would almost disappear,

[J94Fan]

Hi

The object is quite large, and so it wouldn't blend in ..... thanks for the idea anyway!

[WSR2005]

Couldn't you make the object invisible using an alpha channel? Either if it has it's own .ace file, or finding it in a larger .ace file.

Just a thought.

Tim

[J94Fan]

Good idea .... do I use white or black in the alpha channel?

[WSR2005]

Good idea .... do I use white or black in the alpha channel?

Black makes the texture transparent

[J94Fan]

Adding a black alpha channel does nothing - the texture still appears as normal?!

[WSR2005]

I presume you have selected Export .ace with alpha?

If so, make sure the .ace file is 'transnorm' - I must admit I'm not quite sure about this part so have a look around the forums, or maybe a more knowledgeable person will help us out

Tim

[J94Fan]

Ok, thanks!