Unpacked AP files deleting

[dean1986]

I have unpacked all my AP files and after doing this deleting the AP file, I have started to notice after a while the unpacked files seem to delete themselves. I still have the folder but once I open for example the engine folder inside there is nothing there. Has anyone else noticed this?

Dean

[shinymac]

Hi

I noticed a related problem but slightly different than yours some time ago, when I also unpacked each and every "ap" file, and as I did each one, I deleted the "master ap" file.

BUT...I found that after a few days, the "master ap" file had reappeared and the unpacked files had now RE-PACKED themselves !!!

Would love an explanation for this, as I am sure you would, for your issues ! I wondered if running a "file verification" has caused this to happen ?

Cheers

Derek

[chrisonline]

Yes, whenever there is a file verification, or Steam update affecting the assets(s) in question, the .ap file will always regenerate itself. So there is little point in deleting .ap files after you have unpacked them, as they will come back (it may be easier to use RW_Tools to selectively unpack only the parts you want to work on)

Files sitting in the unpacked file structure will always be used by TS2015 ahead of files within the .ap file. So if you edit a file, it will always be used. However unpacked files will sometimes be wiped out again when the .ap file is reinstated, on other occasions they seem to remain. Reported behavior is inconsistent and inconclusive, it seems (and there is no official DTG edict on the subject). I have seen firm "I know this to be correct" statements on here subsequently contradicted by others saying "no, that's not how it happens on my system".

So bottom line - unedited unpacked files are likely to be wiped out when the .ap file is reinstated automatically by Steam. If you have edited any of these files, they may remain . . . but keep backups and be prepared to copy them back (within their complete file structure) if they are deleted again

Chris

[johnrossetti]

What about replacing the real .ap file with an empty one with the same name ?
Cheers

[gptech]

What about replacing the real .ap file with an empty one with the same name ?
Cheers

Because Steam checks the checksum for the archive, a new empty one wouldn't match so Steam would remove it and push a kosher version down.

[dean1986]

What I find strange is that it deletes all the files but leaves the folders but it doesnt redownload a fresh AP file.

Dean

[chrisonline]

What I find strange is that it deletes all the files but leaves the folders but it doesnt redownload a fresh AP file.

I'm not aware of that happening, If it was typical, then an asset would be rendered useless. Maybe you have had a faulty "file refresh" - suggest you file refresh again.

Typically, the .ap will always refresh itself or reinstall itself. What happens to unpacked files (maybe edited, maybe original) in the folder structure is more inconsistent. However in my experience, any folders created always remain, even if emptied.

[DaveDewhurst]

Depending on the sequence of events, what you are describing can happen
eg

1. You do a verify which downloads/checks all the .ap files
2. You don't run the game but instead extract all the .ap files and delete them
3. you now run the game which is programmed to delete all files outside of an .ap archive, during the first run after a verify (there is a good reason for this)
4. You are now left with no .aps (you deleted them) and no extracted files (the game correctly deleted them)

Dave

[johndalton]

There is a downside to unpacking .ap files, even if you don't delete them once unpacked. I've read in the forums that some people unpack all of their .ap files.

If you unpack an .ap file, the game uses the files in the unpacked folders in preference to the ones in the .ap file. If DTG/Steam then updates the .ap file, the game will still use the old files in the unpacked folders and not the updated ones in the .ap file.

John.

[Traveller54]

Can someone explain the benefit of unpacking the .ap files and then deleting the originals?

My understanding is that using .ap files significantly speeds up the loading of the program and also the subsequent use within a route??

Just curious