BASIC SKINNING TIPS AND TRICKS

[AZ Rail Rat]

IMPORTANT TIP NUMBER ONE :shock: :shock: :shock:

This may just be a WIN98 problem, but if you load a skin and the game freezes either on scenario load or when trying to add a train, it's usually because the game detected an error in one or more of the newly made files and has thrown up an error box IN WINDOWS. This error will lock the computer, but does NOT come up over the game, and there is no way to close it (or I have not found how yet).

It does not take much for the game to not like something in a skin - Your fault, Their fault, NOBODY'S fault . . . it dies.

MAKE SURE you are in Windows Mode (F9) so the problem appears. In WIN98 at least, if an error comes up, you can't get to it and have to push the panic button (reboot).

I screwed with skinning almost all day today and MANY times even if things were right, the converter screwed up. Sometimes it would say it put the files in the game, but IT LIED. No file got created in UserExtractContent. Also, MANY times it said it could not find the Profile file, and I had not touched it.

So, take measures as you need to. :x

[PJay]

You can also just hit ALT+TAB to move to the error box.

It will list the details about which file it doesn't find. Also the text is written in the file "Data\Log\rt3_debug.txt"

I've had these a lot while trying to add new buildings to the game :)

[AZ Rail Rat]

Thanks PJay. I knew there had to be some escape mechanisim. :) :) :)

[Wolverine@MSU]

PJay has provided a program on his website called "PK4unpack.exe" that will expand PK4 files into their component TGA files. You can then see what's there and modify what you want. I hear he's working on a packing program to regenerate a PK4 file.

PJay-Would it be possible to unpack the building files, repaint them, and pack them up into the UserExtraContent folder? Could one use the "PK4pack.exe" that's included with the Skinning Tools?

[AZ Rail Rat]

Oh PJay, I thought you were the WIZARD. Alt+Tab did not work!!!

Back to my original tip.

Also, here's one for you. I skinned a train and converted. The hangup message said it was missing my Santa Fe Logo!!! Real problem was in the converter not packing the loco file right. :x :x :x

[Wolverine@MSU]

After a little tinkering I figured out how to pack files into a PK4 file by using the "PACK4.EXE" program that comes with the skinning tools. You need to make a text file with the names of the files you want to pack, then at the MSDOS prompt, type "pack4 <filename>" where <filename> is the name of the text file you just made with the file names to pack. you have to have the pack4.exe program in the same directory with the files and the list file. It packs them up into a file with the same name as the list file, but with a .PK4 extension. I havent tried it with TGA files yet, only some DDS files from the Demo. Can't wait to get home and try modding some buildings.

[PJay]

You need to make a text file with the names of the files you want to pack, then at the MSDOS prompt, type "pack4 <filename>" where <filename> is the name of the text file you just made with the file names to pack.

:idea:
Thanks for the info !

I tried a few things, but didn't try the text-file :-)


Oh PJay, I thought you were the WIZARD. Alt+Tab did not work!!!

Hmm, tried it again, it works, but not like expected. You can not alt-tab to the program error, but you can see the message when you click on the button in the start-bar.

So, you have to make the start-bar visible. You can use ALT-TAB to go to another application if you have one open (maybe one of the skinning tools, explorer, a graphics program, ...) If not, you can use the WINDOWS button on your keyboard if you have one. This will also open the start-menu, and so the start-bar will be visible. I think CTRL-ALT-DEL will also show the start bar (don't use it to kill RT3, but click on the "program error" button and close the error message).

[AZ Rail Rat]

It's acting REAL WIERD PJay. I just brought up the Main Menu without starting a game. Alt+Tab did not work until about the third or fourth try. It seems holding it longer worked each time. Start key would not bring up Start Bar at all.

Ctrl-Alt-Del had NO EFFECT. Would not bring up Task Manager. Would not even reboot. :?

I SOOOOO love WIN 98. :x :x :x

I'm getting closer and closer to not paying a few bills and springing for a new system. :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: