Do I take this to mean that modders and devs will have access to uncooked routes for building extensions and upgrades? Or is that wishful thinking on my part…
Doesn't mean that at all i'm afraid! The API will allow an external tool the ability to live-connect to a running game and influence control settings, read simugraph data back and other info which could be for example to implement external windows such as a live google earth updating map, or some virtualised versions of computer screens, or custom coded joystick interfaces, custom cab design interfaces etc. This is a thing for programmers really. Matt.
Sorry for irritating you guys, thanks DTG Matt for your statement and explanation. You can have a look at ZUSI to see and understand, how an API works and what you can do with it: https://www.zusi.de/zusi-2/zubehoer/fahrpulthardware.html https://www.zusi.de/zusi-3-professional/training-betriebsdienst/hardware/fuehrerstaende.html https://www.zusidisplay.de/ And this is, why I´m asking for an API
generally, anything independent of the main program needs some kind of virtual machine running inside the main program. EBuLa on Trainz's German derivation runs on a virtual Linux inside the game IIRC so you can interact with it. Also, talking about mirrors actually reflecting their surroundings, this also needs a separate rendering engine (camera=display). Which means another load on CPU and GPU which already struggle with the main display as seen from the player's ''eyes".
Mirrors work perfectly in ETS2 (their resolution being configurable for weaker systems). I recall Geoff Crammond's F1GP (1991) had working mirrors on my 7 MHz / 1 MB RAM Amiga 500. Good old assembler coders doing magic.
We're coming off-topic a bit now, but to add to the mirror discussion. Some of the newer truck models in ETS2 have digital mirros inside of the cabin, which even have a functionality to display whether or not a vehicle is approaching/occupying the lane next to it to prevent a crash, illustrated by a flashing orange frame around the mirror's digital display. My personal view: I don't think the camera view displayed on the mirrors towards behind and the lane occupation technology is causing significantly more CPU or GPU load there. But yeah of course, TSW is a different game and running on a different engine. Just my two cents here.
I know, it’s not even 6 months away that you made this statement, however, is there anything to report in respect to TSW5 release?! I was hoping that this would make it in some kind of official announcement. This would solve two major shortcomings with TSW, in my eyes, EBuLa but also announcements. Would be great to provide this to the community to take up the challenge PS: I am aware that I have said in the OP that EBuLa, for me, is the single most important thing to have and I stand by that! However, an API would also solver other issues, like announcements…
The API hasnt made it to the TSW5 release, just hasn't had the attention it needs for final integration testing and some documentation to support it - I'm going to try and look at getting it in post release now. Lukas has already started looking in to a detailed breakdown of what we need to get Ebula working properly too, seems like some of the datapoints are readily available, some are accessible with work, and some are a challenge - but beyond that I don't know - once I have a spec to review and I can look at the feasibility of it and when it can be scheduled in. Matt.
The reply is much appreciated! Sounds promising and I am happy it has not been forgotten This has always been the plan from DTG. However, we are talking about two different things, EBuLa itself (which would then come for all platforms) and the API, which sounds much closer. I would assume with the API you could build an EBuLa, however, would probably only work in PC… somebody correct me if I am wrong.
I'm not sure the PC API will support a "full" ebula - no idea what that means - but if some of the data points are not already accessible internally they certainly aren't going to be in the API yet. If you just want to do some approximation based on lat/long then sure that'd be possible. Lukas hasn't yet explained to me what these data points are so I have no idea what the implications for them are or whether the system is buildable without them or anything so ... don't read much into this yet. Just wanted to say "not forgotten" really. Matt.
TBH, that’s all I would be expecting from an API, yes. All the data must be external TSW, except the position on the map. This was all I was hoping for. I hope that the success of the expert line will positively influence this business case
OpenMinded and everyone, I do have pleasing news to share. I've been lucky enough to serve as a tester for a standalone TSW EBuLa developed by protonmw that is now available online to everyone. You can use it on a tablet (like I do), a second monitor, etc. https://online-ebula.de/ The website is in German, so if you're struggling, I'm more than happy to help out as I can. 2 runs on Salzburg - Rosenheim are available as a free demo while the full version for 2,99€/month currently has Bremen - Oldenburg Dresden - Chemnitz Frankfurt - Fulda Hamburg - Lübeck Kassel - Würzburg Maintalbahn Niddertalbahn Rapid Transit Köln - Aachen Salzburg - Rosenheim Semmeringbahn in varying degrees of completion. Work on completing these and adding the missing routes is ongoing. Thanks to the EBuLa data and clock (which automatically syncs to the selected run), completely HUD-less driving is pretty much possible. You simply click through the timetable as you drive since there is no way to sync the in-game position for obvious reasons. I've had many enjoyable runs with it and I do think it enhances the immersion in TSW. It couples especially well with the expert 101 to my mind since the EBuLa fits in nicely with the properly simulated screens in TSW. Check out the demo and see what you think. I've attached some pictures to show you what it looks like in use.
is or will there be some kind of manual or explanations for what various abbreviations/marking mean? aka how to read it properly otherwise looks awesome... do you think it could also be used on a regular smartphone?
Hi razmatus#2517 , there is no real explanation how to read things yet. But a list of abbreviations can be found at wikipedia. The app works also on smartphone, tablet, etc... - everything that has a browser, but the design is focused on a tablet usage at the moment.
Wow! What an unexpected but nice surprise. And while I have to admit that I am not such a big fan of subscription models, I will definitely give this a try. With the already announced API there may be a chance to link this App to TSW in the future. However, I was surprised to learn that there are actually quite a lot of units irl that have no GPS. Thanks for this, will give feedback when I had the chance to test it
Oh wow this is great since the vEBuLa app that I used has lost support. I personally dislike subscriptions and rather throw 7 or 10 euro's at it once than 3 a month. very cool that it's being made and I might take a look at it later.
One more question, on routes like FTF, is it possible to toggle between GNT and non GNT speed profile?
I am wondering how to give feedback on this new tool, protonmw ?! Are you opening a new thread at some point?! Just to make a start, Ill give my initial feeback right here, hope that is Ok. Its a bit off topic, however, as it is my thread, I am absolutely fine with it You may know that I was involved in a very similar project at some point. You can still find it all here: PC - Beta - "ebula" Tool For Dresden - Chemnitz | Dovetail Games Forums I see two main issues with your tool, as it stands at the moment (at least with the demo version, which may work different to the full version). 1) You dont have a time profile behind your timetables. We came accross the same issue when we developed our excel based tool. However, to overcome this we have actually generated a speed and time profile, which enabled us to say exactly how much delay the service has at any given point in the timetable. It also allowed us to indicate to the driver at what time he needs to be at each point in the timetable, even if there is no stop. This is one of the main issues I have, for example, with routes like KWG: You cane down the HSL with max speed, just to find out right at the end that you are 5min early. This is not how the rl railway works, where effeciency gets more and more important. 2) No auto scroll through the timetable. This is a consequence from point 1), really... It is clear that today we have no possiblility to link tools like yours to the game. However, the way real EBuLa`s that dont have GPS work is (at least the majority), that they scroll through the lines automatically according to your on-time times you are at certain points. As this is not available, for each line, I fully understand that this is currently not possible in this tool. However, as you can see in the comments to our tool, people found it very difficult to scroll back and forth and adjust everything according to what the game was doing in parallel. I would argue that it would have been even easier with our tool, as you, at least, did not have to scroll through every line by yourself. I hope this is alright with you to name the issues I see with the current setup. But as I would need to pay for this, I would be expecting you to want some open feedback. In general I like the idea and hope that you may be able to develop this further. Especially with the to be expected API at some point this could be THE tool in the future! Looking forward to see what this is evolving into!
Thank you for your feedback. To make things easier, I´ve created a simple discord server. There we can chat also in german ;-) https://discord.gg/PpeDxNkrRp
If the machine-readable version of data from my book timetables would be helpful to you to expand it to other routes, let me know.
well my demo account got upgraded to a trial one suddenly as I opened my email (I hope this means no sudden costs later) So I decided to test it on a route I am not constantly on. wanted to do a service on dresden riesa but that route is not in the system yet. so I ran one on FTF. Being used to the vEBuLa app that works like an actual EBuLa I did have some slight confusions selecting a service instead of putting in my train number and the time settings are very simplified too. The main issue I have is because it's web based it doesn't fit on any standard IPad screen and rapidly tapping the up arrow to move the marker as the automatic move by time that the app has doesn't work/isn't implemented makes me zoom in because that's how double tap or rapid taps work. I noticed here the speed limit of 110 from 71.5 until 76.5 though Schlüchtern is missing as well. Opening the old ebula app that isn't being supported anymore to show the time control I also noticed the GNT and LW button. this means ICE and IRE services with GNT are not visible on their max track speed. Tunnels and switches also do not show. and LZB for me is a blank box instead of a box with text. I know a few of these problems have already been mentioned. and honestly I really like having ebula to drive hudless. but persnally I will rather wait for DTG to implement it as a core feature like they said they want instead of throwing money at this monthly hoping it improves. I'll take another look at it in a couple months to see if I will rethink my choices. to me it's now just not worth it. but I do admire the project. sadly it's not possible to force it in the ingame train screens yet.
The LAST thing I need for "realism" is EBULA. No more documentation. No buzzers. No more distractions from driving the train. I don't expect it to be a perfect simulation. I don't drive passenger routes much. I tend to like older stuff before the "safety fetish." Only early 1990s and before. So... no I don't need it at all, and it only really applies to German content anyway, so you're already a very specific group of the customer base. I can see it being implemented for a single route to try it out and see who likes it. It can be the "signature" feature of that route. Sounds like a perfect job for a Third Party developer to do, not DTG. Can even use the new "expert" Class 101 on it to get the best experience. I won't buy it, but anyone wanting the "full experience" should be more than happy to pay for that experience in German passenger service.
The nice thing about EBuLa is that it doesnt want anything from you... It wont beep at you, wont shout at you, wont do anything but present data to you. You can use it or just leave it and carry on using the HUD Unfortunately it was already explained that this would be a core feature which needs to be developed by DTG first, before third parties could use such a system. I, for one, cant wait to use a properly working EBuLa...
Yep… and I can confirm that this is exactly what I am doing But Zusi obviously has other limitations…
Sorry, Matt, dont want to harrass you guys with this, however, the API has obviously not made it into the "post release" of TSW5 either. At this point I am actually more focused and excited about the API, as I believe it adds so much more possibilities (desite the EBuLa, of course). Is this still on DTGs radar and something we can expect in the "near" future? And when would you be able to talk about more details... I mean, an internal "GPS" signal to the oustide world is already a great addition, but I could imagine that it would also be able to solve the problem of connecting and setting up external peripheral devices more easily, to name just one though I am having...
Good news, thanks for the heads up. Keeping my fingers crossed that it runs through the process smoothly and that we get our hands on it rather sooner than later
Another couple of months have past and it is time for my regular question regarding any progress?! In addition it was noted that the newly appearing UE4SS mods have stopped working with the latest update. This would seem to indicate some kind of movement into the direction of an official DTG API?! All speculation, of course, and I hope Matt shed some light on it?
As it has been another couple of months, without a word on this, I would like to ask for a quick update on how far things have progressed?! I am wondering if there will actually be any difference between the in house API and UE4SS, though?! The latter seems to stop working after certain updates and then comes back with others…
