Reinstall RW3 Mods with 2-Clickz (Basic)

[Machinist]

As promised a long time ago... finally is out!
You'll see... Two clicks and yer done!

Peter Hayes! and also Vasco

Important: Download "Reinstall Mods v1.zip" to your usual downloads' folder.

Reinstall Mods v1.zip

Unzip "Reinstall Mods v1.zip" (Windows 7 use “Extract here”, or “Extract files”)
Unzipping or Extracting gives the following files on your computer:
CLEAR cache.bat
Personal UPDATER.bat
Reinstall Mods Instructions v1.pdf

Please: Read - carefully - the "Reinstall Mods Instructions v1.pdf"

Cheers,
Doc.

(from pdf)
SECTION 1
You have to read the instructions in the pdf

SECTION 2
The following are a series of FAQ's that may assist you in knowing what you have to reinstall following a major RW3 update or if you have the "VERIFY INTEGRITY OF GAME CACHE" via STEAM following a major issue.

Q) What sort of assets or contents may I add into \#REINSTALL\railworks?
A) This can include many of your modified ("modded") assets (including your own personal "mods" and tweaks) particularly those that overwrite the default RSC assets:
For example:
• Re-paints (not many re-paints overwrite default files, but be aware anyway),
• Sounds (engines, wagons, industries, crossings, stations etc.)
• Couplers,
• Lights and lighting (lights of locomotives and vehicles in general, signal lights, ambient lights, time of day/night, blueprints, buildings and stations lights, etc),
• Modified display screens (F1, F4, HUD's),
• Physics mods,
• Simulation mods,
• Views cab and head out etc.

Q) How do I add them into \#REINSTALL\railworks
A) That may depend if there is a special instruction for installing them or just a simple copy and paste. I'll endeavour to describe all eventualities.
1) If it is a “RW Tools” package it will usually come with an .exe file with a name like: "RW_AssetSetup.exe" or similar and also a \railworks folder containing the already expanded "ASSETS" and "CONTENT". All you need to do is copy the \railworks folder from the “RW Tools” package and paste it into the C:\#REINSTALL folder. Windows will warn you that the \railworks folder already exists and if you want to continue, click on "Yes". If a new message appears asking you to add the new files overwriting existing ones click "Yes" for all the other instances).
2) If it is a rwp file you can use the RW3 "Package Manager" to uninstall/re-install it, but this can be tedious if you have a lot of .rwp files
or the better way:
a) create a copy of the rwp file eg SD40-2_engine_sounds.rwp.
b) now rename the rwp file eg SD40-2_engine_sounds.rwp to
SD40-2_engine_sounds.zip;
c) unzip the file (Win 7 use option “Extract to the folder: 'DriveLetter':\SD40-2_engine_sounds”);
d) Copy the \railworks folder (from the \SD40-2_engine_sounds folder) and paste it into the C:\#REINSTALL folder. You’ll be warned that the \railworks folder already exists and if you want to continue, click on "Yes". If a new message appears asking you to add the new files overwriting existing ones click "Yes" for all the other instances).

Q) After a silent (unwarned by RSC) and/or automatic update of game, do I have to re-run the Personal UPDATER.bat?
A) Usually not, but a word of caution ie if you have noticed that something changed, then you should re-run it. It will not hurt to run PedrsonalUpdater.bat file.

Q) After a “Verifying Integrity of Cache Game” via STEAM, do I have to re-run the Personal UPDATER.bat?
A) YES!! That is the very reason why I created Personal UPDATER.bat method! You will have all your mod assets (no limit) reinstalled in the blink of an eye. Remember the Doc philosophy "Two clicks and yer done!" (to open and to close the bat), and about a minute for the reinstall of all of your mods (size and quantity dependent). Easier, faster and safer than you have ever seen before!

Q) Is there an order to copy/add the mods into the C:\#REINSTALL\railworks folder?
A) Usually not, unless you are adding, for example, a mod on a mod (say a new horn) of a loco as well as a new modded engine sound. If this new horn sound is replacing the horn already contained in the engine sounds pack, you need to add the new horn sound in the correct order, ie
1. First copy the modded engine sounds and only then
2. Then copy the new horn sounds.
If you replace the engines sound by another (or newer version) you will have to add the (same) new horn again last, otherwise the engine sounds will overwrite your new horn.

Q) In case I’m no longer interested on keeping a certain mod installed how do I get a mod out of C:\#REINSTALL\railworks folder?
A) That’s a very complex subject with no universal answer. Basically it depends on how the mod was created, for example:
• Does it have an option to uninstall? or
• The uninstall process is manual? Etc.
What I can say is that to delete/remove a mod out of the C:\#REINSTALL\railworks sub-folder just delete all of the associated files/folders in the C:\#REINSTALL\railworks sub-folder.
• Which files/folders are they?
• Ask to the mod’s author (or check the mod’s Manual or Readme)!

Use these files and procedures as appropriate to your current computing skills and at your own risk!

These are very basic instructions.
Medium and advanced level features may (or not) come later or as I should say, 'down the track'!

Credits:
Doc (Machinist) Lisboa (Inspiration, instructions and files)
Peter (peterhayes) Hayes (Manual and English text)
Vasco the dog for the Portuguese to English translation.

[mojo12012]

Hi Machinist, the answer to this RW simmer's prayers, especially as AP is having a big sale at present At those prices, the only thing that put me off was the thought of having to reinstall all those sound files. So, a question to help me clarify what I have to do. I've created the C:\#REINSTALL\railworks folders, and have edited the lines in notepad to point the bat. files to the appropriate location, in my case S:\Steam etc. Having bought a number of new modded assets I'm assuming the method would be to install them to C:\#REINSTALL\, placing them in the railworks folder and letting the personal updater bat. file do it's stuff from there? I've just done a verify integrity of game cache, and have a lot of files to reinstall as well, so, rather than having to transfer them from already set up assets and contents folders, again I assume I should reinstall them to the REINSTALL\railworks folder as well?

[Machinist]

Hi Machinist, the answer to this RW simmer's prayers, especially as AP is having a big sale at present At those prices, the only thing that put me off was the thought of having to reinstall all those sound files.

Hi mojo,
AP's stuff are great indeed, I have 6 mods (sounds, lights, time of day), thanks for the head up, I'll look further!

I've created the C:\#REINSTALL\railworks folders, and have edited the lines in notepad to point the bat. files to the appropriate location, in my case S:\Steam etc.

Good, same as me I have mine on D:\STEAM\steamapps... etc.

Having bought a number of new modded assets I'm assuming the method would be to install them to C:\#REINSTALL\, placing them in the railworks folder and letting the personal updater bat. file do it's stuff from there?

Correct, you are going fine so far.

I've just done a verify integrity of game cache, and have a lot of files to reinstall as well, so, rather than having to transfer them from already set up assets and contents folders, again I assume I should reinstall them to the REINSTALL\railworks folder as well?

I didn't understand well (this part: transfer them from already set up assets and contents folders), not your you fault, is due to my English.
Look, the "reinstall" procedure is designed to reinstall all you mod assets, especially after a verifying of cache game. This is why mod assets usually overwrite default assets, and the function of a verifying of cache is restore default assets to their original state.
If you had installed mods over default assets, the verifying of cache has get your mods away. Therefore you need to reinstall your mods from your mods pack, and that's why I created my procedure, to make this task easier (two clicks and yer done!) after every verifying.
So, if I got you right, now you have to add the content of \railworks folders of your mod assets packs into the C:\REINSTALL\railworks as you said. And then you'll have the mods files within the C:\REINSTALL\railworks, ready to be installed by "Personal UPDATER.bat".
The first time you build the C:\REINSTALL\railworks requires a lot of copy and paste operations (to add all your mods into). I have currently 140 mods assets, but I added them gradually along many months, as I was acquiring new ones, so 1 minute to pack each new mod is nothing, comparing to what you'll save of time further. But after the initial building operation you'll see that was worth, you bet!

[mojo12012]

Hi Machinist, no it's my English. What I meant was that instead of me having mods already in the assets etc folder, the recent verify would have wiped them out. So, what I need to do, if I've got it right, is load all the mods, recently purchased and otherwise, into the REINSTALL\railworks folder and let it do it's stuff. I got a bit confused because in your instructions you were looking at people copying over mods they had already installed, whereas mine have already been wiped by the recent verify. Hope that makes sense. Again, many thanks for something for me as useful as RW Tools. Cheers

[Machinist]

.... the recent verify would have wiped them out. So, what I need to do, if I've got it right, is load all the mods, recently purchased and otherwise, into the REINSTALL\railworks folder and let it do it's stuff.

Yep, let it do its's stuff! 2 Clikz and yer done!

The .bat file will be even more usefull later, when I start to add new modules (medium level), so far I'm providing the "basic". Actually you have a procedure to "just" reinstall mods, however further there will some other tricks, and - better - all in one single .bat file.

I'm glad is being useful for you, as has been for me as well.

Cya,
Doc.

[mojo12012]

Once again, M, many thanks

[mojo12012]

Hi Machinist, just a bit more clarification if you wouldn'tmind? Installing exe. and rwp. files seems straightforward from your clear instructions, ie into the REINSTALL\railworks folder. Does bat. then find the various sub folders like dev and shaders? It's just that I have some mods (eg tga for a HUD mod, fxa) which need substituting one by one. Does bat. do this for me?
Thanks once again.
Pat

[Machinist]

Hi Machinist, just a bit more clarification if you wouldn't mind? Installing exe. and rwp. files seems straightforward from your clear instructions, ie into the REINSTALL\railworks folder.

I never mind, don't mind.
Just be sure that at the end of copy & paste you'll have a \REINSTALL\railworks and within it all the "normal" \railworks subfolders ie: \Assets, \Assets\Kuju, \Assets\Kuju\RailSimulatorUS or \Assets\RSC, Assets\RSC\K4Pack01 etc... If you eventually have something like this: \REINSTAL\railworks\railworks you did a mistake and then the .bat won't work. I hope you understand what I'm meaning.
As per the instructions, about the rwp files you have to: make a backup, rename it to zip extension, unzip and only then copy the \railowrks folder into \REINSTALL\railworks.

Does bat. then find the various sub folders like dev and shaders? It's just that I have some mods (eg tga for a HUD mod, fxa) which need substituting one by one. Does bat. do this for me?

Yep, that's why .bat was created for. It will copy ALL (everyone) the subfolders and files of \REINSTALL\railworks into the \Steam\stemapps\commom\railworks folder.

Cheers,
Doc.

[mojo12012]

Hi Machinist, hopefully my last question. I have reinstalled the exe. and rwp. mod files in the main Steam folder, and again in REINSTALL\railworks. The sub folders have been created in REINSTALL\railworks, ready to go when needed. I did a test run at the beginning of the installations, and the files went where they were supposed to. Thank you for that. The only two uninstalled scripts I have are an fxa file and a tga file. These don't reside in the assets folders, they're in railworks\dev\shaders and railworks\data\textures\front end respectively. They didn't have installation files, rather they are just copy and paste into those folders. Do I have to create the folder structure manually in the REINSTALL\railworks folder and place them in the end folders ie shaders and front end? If I paste them into the REINSTALL\railworks folder then they just sit alongside the assets and manuals folders. I presume they would be installed in exactly the same position in the main Steam folder if I did this, and wouldn't work? Once again, many thanks.

[Machinist]

Hi Machinist, hopefully my last question. I have reinstalled the exe. and rwp. mod files in the main Steam folder, and again in REINSTALL\railworks. The sub folders have been created in REINSTALL\railworks, ready to go when needed.

You gotcha the point, and you are putting in good use the potential of procedure. That's exactly the idea: let everything ready to be used in the future "when needed". And then, you know: 2 clikz and yer done!

The only two uninstalled scripts I have are an fxa file and a tga file. These don't reside in the assets folders, they're in railworks\dev\shaders and railworks\data\textures\front end respectively. They didn't have installation files, rather they are just copy and paste into those folders. Do I have to create the folder structure manually in the REINSTALL\railworks folder and place them in the end folders ie shaders and front end?

Exactly! that's where you have to place them. You may create the directories' structure manually since you take care to avoid typpos on folders names. This is why (when is needed to create several folders in a chain) I rather pack the asset with RW_Tools, then I delete all folders and files that I won't use and therefore I have a safe and clean \railworks folder (of the asset I just packed) only with needed files. And then you already know: just add into the \REINSTALL\railworks etc.

If I paste them into the REINSTALL\railworks folder then they just sit alongside the assets and manuals folders.

You can add any subfolder you want into \REINSTALL\railworks, not only \Assets, \Content etc. the most commomly used. They will live together in peace, each one in its own place.

I presume they would be installed in exactly the same position in the main Steam folder if I did this

Yep, when you run the .bat they will be placed where supposed to be. All subfolders and files of \REINSTALL\railworks will be copied (exactly with the same structure) into the \Steam\.....\railworks folder, ie in exactly the same position. Just be sure - it is always prudent to emphasize - to avoid typpos and/or missing subfolders when creating manually your folders' structure on \REINSTALL\railworks.
Let your questions coming whenever you have one. Further I'll start to add new features and for sure you'll have new questions, don't mind.
Cheers,
Doc.

[mojo12012]

Thanks again. Look forward to developments.

[DanteInvidia]

Hey Machinist,

Great start with this tool. It seems like the community was definitely missing something like this. Really cool to see you went the extra mile with the readme documentation, too. I'm not actually a Rail Works player myself, but my father is an avid player and the jumping through hoops that seems needed to restore mods without a tool like this seems crazy.

So, if I don't play the game, why am I posting? Two reasons; first, to thank you for your efforts. It's always awesome to see members of the community step up and try to fill a void the original devs missed. Secondly, though, whilst I may not play the game, I am actually a programmer, and seeing your tool kind of inspired me to get involved a bit and try to help the community too. So, I'm currently working on an open source GUI adaptation of the tool, with a few extra bells and whistles that I'm hoping will simplify the process even more. Since your tool was the impetus for this, and I notice you said you had bigger, more advanced ideas in mind for the tool, I was wondering if this is something you'd be even slightly interested in collaborating on? I figure you've got a vision for the tool already, and as a player of the game, a better understanding of the folder hierarchies and requirements than I do, so I'd definitely love your feedback on where I go with the tool.

Well, thanks again on behalf of the community for the tool, and here's hoping between our projects we can come up with something really awesome (and something the original team probably should've programmed instead of us!).

[Machinist]

Hi Dante, I even don't know what to say such I'm... very mych for your nice words, especially coming from a "non" player (that's really surprising ). You noticed the potential of procedure, and that's let me glad. With this very basic level I had in mind introduce some users in the ancient (but still powerful and useful, some would say Jurrassic) MD-DOS World.

So far the procedure (the .bat) is doing one sort of operation: restore fast and safetly all your mods after game cache was verified. But there are many other useful small/mini operations. As I said anywhre, when I noticed I had 5 or 6 different bacthes, and then I realised on build a formula that could grow and hold other features together, all in one single bat.

Of course, in the fascinating WIn 7 Age, a modern GUI would be outstanding, but it's totally beyond my knowledgement. However if you know how to build a GUI, let's go ahead! I'll be more than happy on helping you and even retiring my single batches for the reason you pointed: all efforts are in favour of community, so if you can go far and better with a really modern tool I'd say I'm not only slightly but in fact fully interested instead on help you...

Cheers,
Doc.

[peterhayes]

Doc
Like Mojo I have a couple of solitary ".bin" files and again I have put them in the appropriate sub-folders within the \#reinstall\railworks subfolder -so I guess that .bin files will also work OK when reinstalled with your holy bat installer?
The Manual/instructions were brilliant BTW. That Vasco he knows how to translate!
pH

[Machinist]

Doc
Like Mojo I have a couple of solitary ".bin" files and again I have put them in the appropriate sub-folders within the \#reinstall\railworks subfolder -so I guess that .bin files will also work OK when reinstalled with your holy bat installer?

Don't guess, mate, be sure it will work!

The Manual/instructions were brilliant BTW. That Vasco he knows how to translate!
pH

If wasn't Vasco... thank him again...