Setting Up Mini Routes A How To
#11
Posted 16 June 2010 - 11:30 PM
I've created my very first mini route up and runnin' like a champ. :good:
Suggestion: Why don't you append/amend your first post to include these instructions as well?
weeeeeee
:bd_4:
#12
Posted 17 June 2010 - 05:59 AM
atsf37l, on 16 June 2010 - 10:04 PM, said:
This is of course just my own opinion and should not be taken to seriously but ...
NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!
run launcher.exe in a mini route. It is the spawn of :bd_4: and it's only function is to read the registry to find the original installation directory of MSTS and then do the wrong thing!
You can access all of the editors in a mini route from train.exe using ...
"<Path-To-Miniroute>\train.exe" -dev:hal -toolset
-dev:hal has something to do with setting the graphics mode and may be omitted. These are the command line parameters launcher.exe uses to invoke the editors.
The reason you should not use launcher.exe is that it will invoke train.exe from the original installation folder. This can cause problems if you have a mixture of original MSTS and/or MSTSBin mini routes.
#13
Posted 17 June 2010 - 08:18 AM
Huecuvoe, on 17 June 2010 - 05:59 AM, said:
NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! run launcher.exe in a mini route. It is the spawn of the devil and it's only function is to read the registry to find the original installation directory of MSTS and then do the wrong thing!
You can access all of the editors in a mini route from train.exe using ...
"<Path-To-Miniroute>\train.exe" -dev:hal -toolset
I surely sign up to most of that but with one quibble. You can do RE, AE, and CE tasks in the mini, but you can never address the RGE there since it will only use registry entries. So generate a new route with the main install RGE (this is forced even if you're attempting to open the RGE in the mini), and then transfer it to the mini install...
regards,
charlie
#14
Posted 17 June 2010 - 08:38 AM
I changed 'em all over and that works, too. :bd_4:
#15
Posted 18 June 2010 - 01:32 AM
#16
Posted 18 June 2010 - 09:46 AM
I'll be updating the original instructions. :bigboss:
#17
Posted 18 June 2010 - 10:02 AM
atsf37l, on 18 June 2010 - 01:32 AM, said:
Well ... hardly ever!
No, make that never! I even delete launcher.exe from all of my mini routes. However, Charlie is correct in that some functions expect MSTS files to be located in the registry directory path. This includes the RGE, Route_Riter and Conbuilder. The way I handle this slight annoyance is that, depending on how you look at it, either none or all of my mini routes (including the original installation) are located at the MSTS registry location. I'm almost ashamed to admit it ... I am a junction junkie. I've sought medical treatment and even tried 12 step programs, but I just can't kick the junction habit.
For those who don't know, a junction is a directory symbolic link, a pointer to another directory location; something like a UNIX soft link.
http://en.wikipedia...._junction_point
My original MSTS installation was located at:
C:\Local\Games\Train Simulator
All of my mini routes are located in:
C:\Local\Games\MSTS Routes
After installation, I moved the original MSTS installation to C:\Local\Games\MSTS Routes\OEM Train Simulator and wrote a GUI front end to display a menu of mini routes and handle the junction thingy.
TrainSimulatorWizard.jpg (33.81K)
Number of downloads: 7
"The current default Route Group" is my term for which mini route thinks it is located on the MSTS default registry path. Mini routes can be "played" from anywhere, but selecting Options will "spin the turntable" to line up the target mini route as the default Route Group.
Before anyone asks, I'm not going to share Train Simulator Wizard (at least not now). Unfortunately, it requires some knowledgeable configuration and expects support files to be in specific locations. Junctions are wonderful thingies but they can also be dangerous. You may think you're just deleting the junction and end up deleting all of the original files (for real). It's not really complicated, but I'd rather not get hate mail from someone who has accidentally deleted all of his carefully installed payware routes (and forgot to make a backup).
#18
Posted 02 August 2010 - 06:24 AM
Huecuvoe, on 18 June 2010 - 10:02 AM, said:
No, make that never! I even delete launcher.exe from all of my mini routes. However, Charlie is correct in that some functions expect MSTS files to be located in the registry directory path. This includes the RGE, Route_Riter and Conbuilder. .......................
FYI for those that have bought ConBuilder but have not upgraded to ver 5, ConBuilder now comes with MSTSmanager which allows you to select the Mini or Main Install that you want to use and automatically changes the registery and runs ConBuilder, or drives Train in the SIM or runs the Editor in the new path.
#19
Posted 02 August 2010 - 07:10 AM
Huecuvoe, on 18 June 2010 - 10:02 AM, said:
S'more FYI. RouteRiter will serve the main install and any mini install you have. Just use the left-hand pane to navigate to the install of interest, select a route and confirm it...
regards,
charlie
#20
Posted 30 July 2014 - 04:19 PM
atsf37l, on 16 June 2010 - 10:04 PM, said:
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\MinirouteFolderName\launcher.exe" -runeditor
Double-clicking on this icon will now open your Editor.
;)
I might give this a try