Is the Theory About .ap Files Correct?

[mikesimpson]

Hi Peter,

Yes the MD5 files are checksum files - I will try removing them when opening the .ap files and see if that helps.

I will have a new RW_Tools up today as I discovered that one of the unpacking options works for routes but not the assets. The version using the 7zip command line version does work OK.

Mike

[latimers]

Following a reply from Steam Support, I bit the bullet and tried what they suggested.

I've just sent them the following reply:

"Okay, so I tried what you suggested.

"Exit Steam entirely.

Browse to your Steam installation (Usually C:\Program Files(x86)\Steam\)

Rename the "steamapps" folder to "old_steamapps"

Re-launch Steam and re-install the game.

Once the installation is complete, test the issue."

After a three hour download of a new steamapps folder and contents (and a big dent in my monthly data allowance), there were files in the Assets\Kuju\RailSimulatorUS\Railvehicles\Diesel\ES 44AC and
Assets\Kuju\RailSimulatorUS\Railvehicles\Diesel\SD 40-2 folders.

I then ran TS2014 and the files disappeared.

I then ran a Steam verify and the files are back in the Assets\Kuju\RailSimulatorUS\Railvehicles\Diesel\ES 44AC and
Assets\Kuju\RailSimulatorUS\Railvehicles\Diesel\SD 40-2 folders.

There has to be something wrong with the way the Steam verify is working."

Bob Latimer.

[Ericmopar]

The Steam verification system is definitely odd when it comes to TS2014.
I had posted in another thread, that I found out recently, that after I deleted my entire Railworks folder, a verification said that all the files verified. Files that weren't even on the computer anymore... I had clicked on delete while holding the shift key. That is a permanent deletion.

[Bananarama]

I had posted in another thread, that I found out recently, that after I deleted my entire Railworks folder, a verification said that all the files verified. Files that weren't even on the computer anymore... I had clicked on delete while holding the shift key. That is a permanent deletion.

But as mentioned elsewhere in this (or another?) thread, that isn't the preferred method. Steam may still think the game's installed - perhaps through caching. If warranted, it's always best to remove the game through the Steam app.

[latimers]

I've just sent the following to Railworks Support.

"I’ve contacted Steam and they aren’t able to give me any more details on the way it’s supposed to work.

It seems to me that the implementation of the .ap file structure is either:

1. A Steam thing, which RSC knows nothing about (as implied by your message).

2. An RSC thing where the RSC developers have not filled in the support people.

3. An RSC thing where everyone at RSC knows what’s happening but isn’t prepared to share the knowledge with the users.

If it is any one of those three then I would say RSC definitely has a credibility problem with its customers."

Bob Latimer.

[latimers]

And the latest from Steam Support:

"This points to an issue with Train Simulator that is causing this issue. You must continue to troubleshoot the matter with Train Simulator support."

Here we go again- blame the other guy!

[peterhayes]

Bob
We need to add one more to the list:
4. A RSC thing that Steam knows nothing about.
pH

[latimers]

I've just tried the following to see if the theory posted on UKTS by gptech is actually how it works and I have found that it is not.

As my example I chose the fix for the incorrect switch stands in the Donner Pass route.

On my DLC-only machine I had only one file (DonnerPassAssets.ap) in the Assets\RSC\Donner Pass folder and no other folders. (That's because I did a fresh download of the whole TS2014 a little while ago.)

The fix consists of placing two files DP_manualjunction.TgPcDx and DP_manualjunction.TgPcDx.orig in the Assets\RSC\Donner Pass\RailNetwork\Junctions\textures folder, which I had to create. Note that the first one is date-stamped 25/10/2013 11:41 a.m. so it is definitely different from the original.

I first ran the Steam verify and the two files remained in that folder. Then I started TS2014 and exited again.

The first file had been removed and the second one was still there.

The result of this is that the modification was no longer there and the switch stands had reverted to their original incorrect colours.

Bob.

P.S. I just applied the fix to my main TS2014 installation and, even after starting and exiting TS2014, both files are still there.

[buzz456]

Interesting, if you have been tracking the conversation Doyle and I have been having over on Problems and Pecularities, I opened my RailNetwork from the .ap and made the mod. Have started RW several times and the fix is still there on the Donner. NEC was not .aped (is that a word?) so it didn't see the same of course. The RailNetwork is the only thing I extracted on Donner.

[latimers]

Sorry buzz, I hadn't noticed that thread. (Just had a quick look and couldn't find it. What's the title?)

Have you ever done a Steam file verify on your TS2014 installation? From what I can see, it appears to be that it's only after doing a Steam verify that starting TS2014 triggers some kind of tidy-up. That would seem to be confirmed by the fact that the tidy-up happens consistently on my DLC-only installation when I start TS2014 after performing a Steam verify, whereas it doesn't happen on my main installation because I try not to run a Steam verify on that.

Bob.

[buzz456]

Look for NEC Bugs Thread in Problems. And no I rarely do a verify. Actually almost never except after one of their big upgrades.

[OldProf]

{blah, blah, blah} ... .aped (is that a word?) {more blah-blah-blah}.

"Aped" is certainly a word, meaning imitated, as is "monkeyed", for that matter, but with a "." in front of it, "aped" just doesn't make its point.

[artimrj]

How about .APed instead?

[buzz456]

Or ap'ed maybe?

[pschlik]

I did an experiment of my own with this by opening the .ap with Win RAR and editing the F59PHI headlights to cast shadows, replacing the original .bin files. Sure enough, I got ap'ed and the files were reverted back to normal.