Routes in Reverse.

Hi all and how is everyone?, i would like to have a go at making some of the Network West Midland routes in reverse.

Sorry if this has been asked before.

Is there a tutorial or if not where best to ask on this site.?

If some kind soul would like to start me off I would be obliged.

Regards

Richard

I had actually started work on a PHP script for that, but development is halted, since the legacy route format will be obsolete once Chris finishes his work. The problem is, since the routes are designed for one way only, there'd be heavy work necessary on objects, signalisation etc - the stuff that can be automated (recalculating positions) is the smallest problem in that.

The best tutorial to learn from was by Dennis Lance. It was available prevously from this site: http://www.freewebs.com/dennislance/

Unfortunately, the site seems to be no longer available. The OpenBVE documentation http://openbve-project.net/documentation/  contains all the information concerning route coding parameters / syntax etc but isn't easy to follow unless you have the basic knowledge.

Building a route "backwards" is a very difficult business, there may be many scenic objects that will need rebuilding and to be frank, I think it's more work than making a new route from base up. Which is probably why it hasn't been done before, even by the original authors (apart from the NMM branch between Whitminster and Blackbrook which you can drive both ways)

There's a japanese route you can drive in both ways as well. Very beautiful branch line, about... four minutes of driving time? =D Probably for that reason exactly.

Many thanks for your replies.

It would seem that I would be putting myself to a lot of trouble if I were to attempt to build routes in reverse, so I think I will leave well enough alone and be content with what I have.

The openbve build I am using at the moment by Leezer3 is a very solid one and is running very well on my MacBook pro.

Thanks again chaps
Richard.

Perhaps take a look and see if you might have a go at making a route. It's easier to do one in stages from the ground up than it is to alter an existing route, especially one you never put together in the first place. Routebuilding is very enjoyable once you're past the basics.
The only downside I know is that it does involve a big time investment.

Chris's (Leezer3) program build is indeed excellent, and I'm very happy using and recommending it and add my thanks to him for the work he's put in.

Good morning gray mac and thanks for that.

I had got to within a whisker of finishing a route for MSTS but withdrew because of a certain 
individuals attitude, however that is all in the past as I now no longer have anything to do with anything Microsoft.

I would indeed be willing to have a go at building a route and there are few which spring to mind.

I guess though that I need to depict one that is operated by diesel because although I am an avid steam fan I draw the line at building locos.

The Heart of Wales line may fit the bill. I think you may know it living not that far away.....

I will have a look at Chris's programme, but you do realise I will probably be bombarding you all with questions at least ( starting with the location of the programme ) until I am confident with what I am doing.


Regards

Richard

Just bombard the board, we'll happily help!

Hi Richard2407

If it's of help - I've got Dennis's tutorials and source files. I also wrote an editor tool (still in beta!) to help with writing routes and objects. It can be found on Dexter's web site.

PM me your e-mail address if you want a copy of the tutorial.

Phil

One of my (many) unfinished projects:
http://www.bvecornwall.co.uk/wordpress/route-building-tutorial/

This is Dennis' tutorials, but cleaned up, with syntax highlighting on the code blocks and some bits and bobs tweaked, but is currently unfinished at my end....

I've added it to my site's main menu (Rather hidden, although I've linked it from here occasionally), and will try and get it finished off properly and linked from the main site at some stage soon.

I have completed the first tutorial, not sure how I got there but I have a basic route.

Phil, sorry,but I really am not sure at all as to how to go about using the editor. 

Anyway I am going to continue through the tutorials and see where I get too.

Don't hold your breaths I may end not having sufficient knowledge to complete a route of any meaning.

Thanks for all the material you sent.

Regards

Richard