I would like to download some 3rd party engines, routes and misc. files to enhance the TS-Classic. Most of the stuff is from Armstrong Powerhouse. However I am at a loss as to how to install some files that don't have an automatic installer (like that of Just Trains). I have tried to search the internet for videos, but most of the stuff is dated, and some of the utilites they use, (I beleive) is either no longer avialable or been replaced. Of the ones that I have seen there is no real explanation on the step by step procedure. Can someone point out a video or a step by step procedure to get files from 3rd party's do download to TS-Classic using the 2022 version.
You should be able to explode the zip file then double click the .exe file. I have all of the AP content and it worked fine this way. Be sure to review additional download files mentioned under each pack as there are quite often 1-2 more packs to download for liveries and additional stock.
Most addons that do not have an installer are simple zips or rwp files (which is also nothing but a zip with an additional header containing a few bytes of author and license metadata.) Opening these, you'll encounter the folders Assets, Content or/and Manuals. Just drop these into your RailWorks folder. If you don't know where that folder is, use Steam Library (right click on game, choose Manage... Browse local files. This will open the RailWorks folder for you.)
I have had trouble with TSC having issues finding TSC on my SSD since I changed its location and had to manually direct it to the correct place mainly with AP DLC. I have just run the registry fix software from Just Trains and it has fixed the issue so after running this it knows where TSC is on my computer. You can download it from here 'Railworks Registry Entry Was Not Detected' Or 'Railworks Was Not Found' : The Spirit of Flight Simulation (justflight.com) It seems to work with JTs and APs software and I would imagine any other TSC DLC.
.rwp files have to be installed using the Utilities.exe program found in your Railworks folder. Some 3rd party downloads are simply folders or files you move to the indicated place in your Railworks folder. Can you give an example of the files you want to install?
Utilities becomes completely unuseable once enough things are installed. Therefore it is a much better idea to open them in WinRar or 7Zip and extract them to install them. WinRar can have file types added to the things it can open by default. This is what I can recommend (text box at the bottom); you can directly unpack AP files in the RailWorks installation without needing to open them first, and the same can be done with Train Simulator and Rail Simulator packages.
Eh? Are we using the same software. I don't understand what you mean about Utilities.exe becoming unusable. It's never failed to work for me. I can install .rwp files and I can unstall .rwp files fine, whenever I want to. I really wouldn't recommend using anything other. Direct installation of files and folders is a good way to mess up your installation unless you have a good understanding of Railworks file structure. I assume the OP isn't an expert user, otherwise he/she wouldn't be asking for help. My advice to them would be to use the tool DTG have provided, not to try something clever and risky. I don't think they are talking about unpacking .ap files, which is not how 3rd party add-ons are normally distributed.
TSC is a game for PC nerds . If you want simple stick to TSW. If you like the challenge of seeing what works / doesnt work and not afraid to tinker with your pc and its settings there are endless opportunities. The question is (1) Do I get more of a buzz from completing a challenging scenario or (2) Do I get more of a buzz from working out how to resolve technical issues? I have been using this ap for over a year and enjoy delving deeper into the sheer number of possibilities there are with this ap. There is a certain pride in discovering how to use all of the different tool sets, multiple DLCs and possible combinations.
Considering DTG's history of releasing broken DLC, at least we can fix most of the issues ourselves with a bit of knowledge. With TSW I'm forced to stick with unlit stations at night, ridiculous cab camera positions and the inability to create my own consist. Scenario Planner is pretty useless as you can only use short consists and only use one or two predefined paths. Apart from the looks that UE4 provides, and the good loco models and interactivity, it's a step backward for me.
Which I do, and the OP will need to get sooner or later to install most mods in TS - pretty much every new mod that isn't an EXE will need the user to at least go to the RailWorks and Assets folders. I'm not sure how much you have installed in TS, but the more that is installed the more it has to load. The packager takes at least five minutes to load everything (and is overall so slow that I have to manually add folders and files to ZIP files since TSTools' packager is difficult to use and broken for me), the package manager isn't much better although I haven't checked it in a long time. The packager and package manager are only useful early on - if the OP seriously wants to get into TS mods they'll have to ditch it quite quickly.
I have to agree here. .rwp files are just to be treated like zip files, and just copy the unzipped folders to your Railworks folder. If you can't manage this, then having a PC is a bad idea, as simple folder/file management is a fairly essential skill for any home computer, not just PCs. If this scares you, just get a console and 'play' TSW.
I think there is a relative difference between this and basic file management. Anyone knows what the Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos folders are and how to use them, but beyond that the majority of users won't have a clue. When I first started modding TS I didn't get it much myself but I figured it out in the end. Luckily TS mods are much easier to install than the used to be, which any new player will appreciate. Dragging and dropping into the RailWorks folder and opening a batch file is much quicker and easier than what we dealt with before. I remember a reskin for the original Class 390 that asked you to copy the GNER folder I think, then rename it, then copy the reskin into it and overwrite. A silly method really. Anyway, nowadays I actively put off installing mods that aren't drag and drop; copying GeoPcDx files gets very boring very quickly. The RWP and RPK formats are great, even if the programme that creates them is terrible. Because of that, us and the majority of TS players recommend unpacking them first - from what I've seen most who say not to do that either don't know how they work or are misinformed. I once saw someone saying that unpacking them could corrupt the files inside. In all my years in TS this hasn't happened once. Ultimately new users will need to understand these formats and the other ways of installing mods (executables, Assets folders, etcetera). The file structure of TS does look like gibberish (and I still don't understand a lot of it) but can be learnt quickly. It isn't that advanced, and I doubt new users will be manually editing BIN files any time soon.
The real advantage to using utilities.exe to install .rwp and .rpk files is that you can uninstall them without changing the file structure, etc in your TSC install. It is not so easy if you use 7Zip, WinRAR, etc.
When you have a large amount of assets installed, it becomes slow and unwieldy, where as just using 7zip remains lightning fast and responsive.
Why do you have to change to your file structure if you use 7Zip? I downloaded a Freeware route that was in 7Zip - I extracted it to Assets and Content Folders the copied them to my Railworks Folder. It asks me If I wish to overwrite the info and I make a decision depending on the files.
He was talking about uninstalling. As Utilities is aware of where every package's files are it can remove them on a package by package basis. So if I had a package that added a reskin of the Class 378 for example plus assets for a scenario I made for it, it would delete the the scenario and reskin folders without you needing to find them. It's a good system but let down by the poor performance of the programme with large installations.
Exactly. I am aware of some EXE installers having uninstallers (the ones released by me do, even if the installers themselves are broken), but generally if it isn't RWP or RPK those wanting to uninstall content are in the dark.
