AP Track Enhancement Pack Out Now.

[brysonman46]

The track enhancement pack is designed for use on DTG/RSC routes that are stored in .ap archives, placing the enhanced files/folders outside these, and serviced by some Assets in the AP asset folder. All well and good for "official" routes, but could pose a problem for freeware routes based on the DLC. One of the main "features" is the track is lowered compared to the original Concrete and Wooden varieties. That is why AP had to issue sets of Terrain, Scenery and Loft Tiles to lower the ground round the track, lower trackside objects, and lower lofts such as bridges and embankments. These are of no use to the freeware builder, as they may well have amended the Scenery, Terrain and Loft tiles in question, and they would then lose all their work! This has become obvious on Andy and my BRB Routes (SLANC and NWC) which are based on these track types. One of our testers has the EP installed, and reported that the track had been lowered (as it is referenced in our routes). We were faced with a quandary - our "customers" may, or may not, have the pack installed.
So those who have it, may see something like this - track laid on a bed 10m high,

The sleepers are covered, as the top of rail is 10.16m
The solution - RWTools. Go into Route Building Tools, and select the route in question - this is my Test bed

I selected "raise by 0.2", and also requested that attached lineside objects (point levers/motors) were also raised

The top of rail is now 0.36m, as required

So when we publish our routes, then those who have the pack can do as above (takes about 30s in RWTools) and they will see the same as those who do not have the pack, and see the benefits it gives.

Nick

[drfish]

I've now given up on the pack. In the process of reinstalling from scratch having been suffering oddly coloured points all over the place, but I won't reinstall the pack, other than maybe on a route by route backup, with full backups of the files.

[brysonman46]

I've obviously missed something, but how does the pack "kill" Conwy?---my understanding is that the pack merely changes the track asset and doesn't alter any track tiles or tracks.bin
That should leave the Conwy extension intact, with at most different looking track.

One of the features of the Conwy extension is the track joint sounds that Xavier put in. Andy and I have done the same with the BRBlue version of NWC (as that was the type of track in 1980). However, to do that we amended the track bin files to point to a different set of Audio files (the same as the standard, but with a 40m track length). The enhancement pack amends the bin files to point to XSec files in the AP folders, whilst still pointing to the original Audio folder. So those using the AP TE pack will no longer have the "clackety-clack" on the Conwy extension. When we use the enhancement pack on our route, we too lose the track joint sound. When we come to publish, then those without the enhancement pack will hear the joints, and those without will not. I am unsure about whether it is legal to issue a "fix" with the route to allow those who use the pack can get the benefit of the joint sounds.
I am also considering putting the joint sounds on parts of the SLANC that still had it in 1980.

[sbowness]

I've obviously missed something, but how does the pack "kill" Conwy?---my understanding is that the pack merely changes the track asset and doesn't alter any track tiles or tracks.bin
That should leave the Conwy extension intact, with at most different looking track.

One of the features of the Conwy extension is the track joint sounds that Xavier put in. Andy and I have done the same with the BRBlue version of NWC (as that was the type of track in 1980). However, to do that we amended the track bin files to point to a different set of Audio files (the same as the standard, but with a 40m track length). The enhancement pack amends the bin files to point to XSec files in the AP folders, whilst still pointing to the original Audio folder. So those using the AP TE pack will no longer have the "clackety-clack" on the Conwy extension. When we use the enhancement pack on our route, we too lose the track joint sound. When we come to publish, then those without the enhancement pack will hear the joints, and those without will not. I am unsure about whether it is legal to issue a "fix" with the route to allow those who use the pack can get the benefit of the joint sounds.
I am also considering putting the joint sounds on parts of the SLANC that still had it in 1980.

It would be worth asking @phat2003uk.

[brysonman46]

I have it sorted. Can just create suitable bin files that will point at the AP tracks, and to a revised Audio track rumble folder. Users of the route will be able to swap between non-TE and with TE.
One of the problems I have with the AP TE pack, is that the tracks at a junction are different to those in the ordinary way. See this

The sleepers in ordinary track are depressed in the centre, whilst those that are part of a junction/crossing are flat and the concrete is slightly lighter. I thought that there had been a fix for this, but I have ensured that I had the latest version (27/08)
Anyone see different?

Nick

[gptech]

Like all other "3D" tracks, these revert to 2D modelling/texturing for junctions.

[brysonman46]

Like all other "3D" tracks, these revert to 2D modelling/texturing for junctions.

Which kinda makes a bit of a mockery of "enhanced" Isn't there a cure for this?

[gptech]

Hell, the "advanced" part of the branding was rebuked right at the start of this thread.

[Darren79]

has anyone got this to work as the bin files are missing and when you load any of the routes there is no change

[gptech]

I think all the screen shots of it in use more than imply that folk have it working

Try installing the pack to your desktop, and then copy and paste the files over to your game.

[Darren79]

I think all the screen shots of it in use more than imply that folk have it working

Try installing the pack to your desktop, and then copy and paste the files over to your game.

will try that thanks

[J0hnG]

One of the advantages of infrequent visitation to this forum is that the bun fights and divinations start to get crystalized into something approaching fact


So, AP rail upgrade?


Pros?


Cons?


Thank you, whoever you are, for posting a reply.