Official Developer Docs for Railworks - New in V50.5

[wacampbell]

Some mana for the route builders, and content builders, and scenario authors among us. Steam has just pushed the Version 50.5 upgrade out to us and quietly snuck in an entire set of docs that basically bring the original 2009 developer docs up to date. Look in your railworks\dev\Docs folder.

I haven't gone through everything in detail yet, but I have found a lot of gold just in a quick scan. Some of it has been released before piecemeal, but there is definitely new info here I didn't know about. Just the new keyboard shortcuts for the route editor alone are going to be a big help.

Thanks DTG!!!


PS - for those who weren't aware, the 2009 docs are available here:
http://railworksamerica.com/download-library/accessories?view=document&id=1081:rsc-s-developer-docs&catid=24:accessories

[OldProf]

So, the docs folder now contains the following PDF files:

HOWTOUSE_TS12Tech
HOWTOUSE_TS13Tech
HOWTOUSE_TS14Tech_P1
HOWTOUSE_TS14Tech_P2
HOWTOUSE_TS15Tech
HOWTOUSE_TSEngineScripts
HOWTOUSE_TSScenarioScripts

Isn't it generous of RSC-DTG-ETC to let us know about 2012, 13, and 14 features at the start of 2015? Of course, these documents are, for the most part, rough outlines of procedures. If you want to come closer to actually putting them into practice, head for http://trainsimlive.blogspot.co.uk/ , where you'll find Matt Peddlesden's much more user-friendly tutorials. Some day, I'll actually venture into trying to use these tools, but I'm still a computer user, not a programer.

As for useful documents, I'm still wondering where the second edition (the current one is dated 2010) of the Timetable Editor manual is (the one that deals with information about writing scenarios, 'though one can't tell that from its obscure title). I guess that's asking way too much.

[wacampbell]

Matt's doing a great job. The old docs were always around, just hard to find and incomplete. DTG's pulling them together and adding so much new info is much appreciated. We want more of it so keep the encouraging words coming.

[billy]

Thanks Wayne !!!!!

[buzz456]

Good stuff Wayne. Thank you.

[alanch]

I thought this list of topics covered by the newly released documents might help some aspiring creators.

Train Simulator 2012 Technology

1. Point and Spot lights
2. Decal Material
3. Emissive Glowing Materials
4. Shadow mapping for Cabs
5. Uneven Track
6. Water blueprint setup and placement
7. Block Assets
8. Specular Track
9. Sky Dome
10. Window Particles
11. Telegraph Wires and Railings MSAA Shader
12. Platform Entry & Exit Gates
13. Super Elevation
14. Scenario Track Properties
15. Distant Terrain Setup
16. Static Consists & Consist Operations
17. Scenario Unlocking
18. Depth of Field Camera Setup
19. Fire & Particle Shaders
20. MSAA assets
21. Tunnel Ambient Shader
22. Scenery Editor Favourites
23. Mouse Selection Filtering

Train Simulator 2013 Technology

1. New Texture Compression Features
2. Physical Camera Animation
3. Carriage Interior Animation
4. Moon Phases
5. Junction Render Properties
6. New OHE Tool
7. Irregular Notched Lever Customisation
8. Weather Pattern Extension Blueprints
9. Sound System Changes

Train Simulator 2014 Technology Part 1

1. Geometry Exporting
2. In-Game Script Reloading
3. Scenario Chaining
4. Screen Space Decals
5. Google Maps Overlay
6. Palettisation

Train Simulator 2014 Technology Part 2

1. Distant Terrain Texturing
2. Per-route Camera Blueprints
3. Additional Cab Camera Views
4. Alignment tool
5. Platform Tools
6. In-Game Asset Editing
7. Headlight Flares
8. Workshop Career Scenarios
9. Tutorial Support
10. Ribbon Merge Tool

Train Simulator 2015 Technology

1. Editor Gizmo Enhancements
2. Blueprint Editor Enhancements
3. Road Blueprint Indicator
4. Snap Tool
5. Audio Curve Editor
6. Drag Driver Icon
7. Snap to Track
8. Pinned Flyouts
9. Whistle Sign
10. Object Placement Tool Enhancements
11. Asset Block Enhancements
12. Editable filler blocks
13. Passenger Removal
14. Terrain Texture Preview
15. Headlight Combinations
16. Keystrokes in Editor
17. Copy Blueprint Set Tool
18. Improved Control State
19. Highlight Collision Volumes
20. Removed Pause Menu
21. Restart Scenario
22. Rolling Start
23. Hidden Instructions

Train Simulator Engine Scripting

1. Overview
2. Engine and Wagon scripts
3. Calling Convention
4. Performance
5. Function Reference

Train Simulator Scenario Scripting

1. Overview
2. Events and Conditions
3. Scenario Script
4. Function Reference
5. Example Script
6. Example Notes