Whoa... this took me totally by surprise. Looks to be a solid improvement over the current version. I'll upgrade for sure!
Random and Dynamic Weather!!! And according to Armstrong Powerhouse, not long to go now until release!! I am so excited for this, genuinely the most enthusiastic I have ever been waiting for a new Train Simulator Classic Product.
That will make things easier, as it was a pain making scenarios with the old one. I can't wait for this. I wonder what scenarios will be released with it? Dunno.. I was pretty excited about the 87, but that's probably personal nostalgia. Preston was my stomping ground as a young kid trainspotting in the late 70s, early 80s If it's on the product's merits, and usefulness alone, then maybe you're right. [edit] I just read though, that scenarios made with the old weather patterns will no longer work with the new one, which will cause some feathers to be ruffled. Personally, not bothered, as it's the price of progress. I guess we'll see what happens when you run an old scenario with the new pack in short order.
I have a dummy RailWorks folder on my Desktop. It has a number of faux installs for various EPs. When I'm ready, I install them by dragging the contents over and using the included InstallMe file to copy the GEOs. I figure it can work a similar way here. Particularly since the majority of routes changed have an AP file and it can also be easily uninstalled from that route by removing the edited files. What I need to poke around with is what files might be permanently changed to incorporate the AP weather, and create a backup if needed (like GWML or ECML). Just in case something goes amiss. The thing I didn't want to talk about has nothing to do with the weather pack, or anything by AP.
Why not just back up your entire Railworks folder anyway? It's just good practice to do so, so you are covered for any eventuality.
Well, I could... Meanwhile, a manual install of the Sky and Weather pack is indeed possible. {EDIT: It seems, upon further research, that the same core files are used in all cases in the Kuju folder and core files are actually replaced, with the route folders changing different properties in the TimeOfDay, so I have edited this post to reflect that. This makes me wonder what the updated pack is going to do to make scenarios using this pack stop working.} Let's take a peek at, say, the DTG folder inside Assets: You can literally choose only the routes you have and drag them in. It also provides proof of the entire TimeOfDay method for other routes. So...if you own maybe four routes, you don't have a mammoth cache of folders you don't need installed to the game directory. There are a few core folders you need to install, such as the Kuju folder (and maybe the UKLEDsignals01 folder, is that based on payware or part of this payware?), but everything else seems to be an optional inclusion and can be installed as needed. You can keep the rest on your Desktop somewhere in case you ever acquire the related routes and copy the folder into Workshop routes and others, renaming as needed based on the above posts somewhere. In any case, back to WIP DLC. I'm curious how the enhanced weather pack will affect the install.
back to the topic subject AP updates. Someone asked a VERY good question on the FB Page re current scenarios with the new weather. AP replied the following:
I imagine it will be just like running a scenario that uses the weather when the user does not have the Weather pack and it will default to a default sky texture and stay like that regardless of time/weather in sim.
Potential solution: if you own both, make a note of which version a scenario uses and install the correct one before playing. A hassle but probably the best way forward.
I wonder why they chose to not just give the new weather files different names so that they didn't clash at all. I could be misunderstanding how this all works mind you.
I'm a bit miffed I'll have to go back and fix a few scenarios and am actually holding off on releasing another in case it needs fixing itself BUT In my opinion, breaking compatibility with the odl pack to give Everybody access to weather tools without needing basic scripting knowledge, as I said on the facebook thread isn't a bad idea.
We all moan about it, but sooner or later, if you want progress, it's just inevitable. If everything needed backward compatibility, we'd all still be in Win95 and using floppy disks. I'm pretty sanguine about it, even though initially, I'll probably have a bit of a moan like everyone else I suppose. If the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, then so be it.
Tbh I don't think it'll take more than a few minutes to edit each scenario. 1) Remove .lua from scenario folder 2) load up scenario in editor and remove all weather trigger instances 3) add the new trigger block at the start and set the parameters and/or place a few Weather (pass) with parameters set to what you want along the scenarios intended route 4) Save, Exit, Profit. This will soon become second nature I reckon, just as easy as swapping stock out anyway.
I added the bit between Exit and profit. Anybody who doesn't restest their stuff to ensure it workds how it is intended is asking for trouble imho,and although I only have a few things up on somewhere like ATS, given its length, thats a right pain in the backside - But I shall endeavor to do it, as leaving them as is with a huge disclaimer stating they are only compatible with V1 will still result ina raft of abuse/comments stating "The weather doesn't work, fix it!" or words to that effect!
My comment was meant more from the perspective of the end user downloading fixing and playing old scenarios as opposed to a scenario creator updating all his past releases, there's more people know how to use the editor than just creators you know, obviously that end user is going to play therefore "running test" the scenario that's why they downloaded it in the first place.
I SO wish the random weather could be made to work with quickdrives. DTG Jamie Can you ask the devolpers if there is any way we could have the weather limitations of QD removed/bypassed/workarounded…. There’s got to be a way. We have these fantastic third party weather patterns that greatly enhances the game, and then this wierd limitation where we in QD we can’t even load external weather patterns. It could be as simple as adding an “load third party weather” button, and then let us browse for it.
The manual has been released so I’d guess it’ll be out later today. I’m not overly blown away that it would appear it comes with a single scenario, and it is the same one that game with v1 of the pack. No doubt the scenarios on Powerhouse will all be updated at £1 a go. Sigh.
As much as I am impressed by the new weather effects, I think I'll stick with V1 for now until there are plenty of new scenarios available using the new pack. I'm thinking that he'll probably be updating his own scenarios in various packs to use V2 along with the Wherry Lines scenarios.
I suppose if you have EP1, and don’t like any side effects of EP2 on scenarios, you can always reinstall EP1 (assuming you kept your original installation file)?
Well, to an extent. It’s also about value for money from the pack initially. It’s noticeable that the number and quality of bundled scenarios with AP packs has decreased a fair but recently. Would it have killed for a MML scenario with fog & rain etc alongside the fork lightening one that comes with it? I’m happy enough using the pack to set up my own weather patterns etc but I suspect this pack will be £19.99 with maybe 10% off for existing owners. It would have been nice to see a scenario included that we’ve not already all done for that price. inversnecky Irrespective of whether or not a pack has been removed from sale, assuming you owned it before it was removed you will always have access to it in your AP account.
Me - my weekend plans just went up in smoke as I go back and edit older scenarios to use the new pack
Perhaps now that scenarios are being sold separately at 99p a pop, there’s less incentive to bundle with other DLC now.
Absolutely, which is *little* bit sketchy for me. I’m a huge fan and supporter of AP, but I do find this £1 per scenario thing a bit of a stretch. In terms of value versus previous AP scenario packs it’s pretty poor indeed. If it were 50p a go I’d have bought many many more than the 2 or 3 I’ve gone for. KTL_Rob Powell I’ll be interested to see them!
Old scenario packs as a general rule were 6 scenarios for £4.99. 83p each. Allowing for inflation since then, 99p is about right. You got more with the Wherry Lines ones but I imagine they are low cost to produce due to lack of AI.
I'll be buying it immediately when it's released, which seeing as the old one has been removed from the site, is pretty much any time now.
Definitely day one purchaser... Quite probably day five tester... Damn you Richard for (assumedly) releasing this around the time I go back to work (4 on 4 off) Though it's my last night off tonight so if it drops today I will get a bit of a play with it, if it drops tomorrow... arghhhhhhh! lol.
I am presuming (hoping?) that reference to scenarios using EP1 ‘not displaying correctly’ means something not too worrying like default weather displaying, and not apocalyptic orange skies, etc!
I am certain a scenario using the AP weather pack does revert to default weather if it isn't installed or gets removed.
Yeah theoretically it should revert to default. I'll give it a test on a V1 scenario once I have V2 down and in my hands.
Will then fallback to Kuju\RailSimulatorCore\Weather\default.xml if the AP weather blueprints are not found (and required - some for example use "2. Cloudy" (RailSimulatorCore\Weather\RW_Cloudy.xml), it will just use that one which is present but different if AP not installed (AP overwrites these, so many scenarios don't need to be changed to have AP weather)
You read my mind. I checked and found a few purchases (my recent ones with exception to the already downloaded 800-803 pack) not yet downloaded. I quickly threw those into my library. If I decide to get the new weather immediately, I'll have to update the downloads for the new copies and change out any stock I don't have using information from the older copies (and pray it works). Waiting to see what the discount will be. I remember Wherry upgrade was 5 pounds. If one assumes retail is now 14.99, that's still a lot to upgrade, but not too much given some got it at a discount to start with (and could be an overall better deal thus). My concern is they could go for RWE-level pricing here, and I never bought on to that because 25 pounds is just silly for what you get there. (I think owners of RWE1 had to buy RWE2 with no discount, as well? I may be wrong.) Get to work! You and many others. I actually prefer scenario packs. Unfortunately, it seems many of their customers complained about having to have all the locos for a pack. I don't understand why a scenario pack can't just be made on a route using a few particular featured locos and a theme applied to create a storyline around them as a pack (other trains can be featured in sidings or as a random passing service, but noted as an optional inclusion). I would buy something like that. I have no reason to buy scenarios from Powerhouse because, if I wanted to play a scenario with 15 DLC in it, I can go to ATS or (shocker) create my own from the WTT and see how it operates. I need to start doing that, actually...
Whatever the price is guranteed someone will complain about it. for me it’s a no brainier even if it was 24,99 it is worth it as takes the sim to a whole new level
