Default route starting point

[divops715]

Where does MSTS store the info on the startup point for a route..e.g.
Marias Pass always shows West Corum...

[Vince]

In the \Routes\USA2\USA2.trk file, look for the following line:

RouteStart( -12490 14773 37.138 -290.5 )
RouteStart( -TileA...TileB...TileX...-TileZ

The TileA &TileB is the World filename, w-012490+014773.w in this example using the USA2 Marias Pass route.
The TileX & TileZ are the coordinates on that tile.

[divops715]

Notwithstanding the geometry of this , is there some way to simply indicate which named starting point you want..e.g. Ethridge as the default?

[chameleon]

http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/route_start.html may help.

[Vince]

Notwithstanding the geometry of this , is there some way to simply indicate which named starting point you want..e.g. Ethridge as the default?
The suggested tutorials will help.
I detect what may be a terminalogy problem here.
You are asking about a ". . . startup point for a route.. . . ."
A 'ROUTE', has a Start Tile which is ONLY used in the Route Editor.. i.e. This is the location you are taken to when first opening the Route Editor.
Now a 'ROUTE' has a collection of 'Activities' each of which starts in 'some location' in a train, on the track with you as the driver.
Each 'Activity' starts in a different location on the 'ROUTE'; Some start in Etheredge, some start in Shelby and other locations. You get the idea.
I think I misunderstood what you were asking because when I thought about it I remember that the Start TILE (for the Editor) is at the east end of the line at Shelby which is a good ways from Ethridge. Read the tutorial and learn that you use the Activity Editor to make an 'Activity'. You can make the activity start anywhere you like. (Even the 'secret spirel climb') hint: it's not connected to the mainline route tracks at all and it's near Summit. :p

Oh, and welcome to the forums.
And hey! Cut your teeth on the default Marias Pass but then plan to do some reading as there are MUCH better replacements for it. MariasPass 3.1 comes to mind. ;)

Have Fun!

[chameleon]

Aah, Vince, you're most likely correct (as usual).

If the OP just wants a starting point, http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/just_a_path.html will help.

TIP: when naming the path, use a name such as "aa_mypath" in filename and display name. The "aa" will ensure that the path selected will sort to the top of the "Starting at...." selection box, making it as "default" as you can get. This selection box sorts by filename, NOT town name.

HTH.

EDIT: created a path - "aa_mydefault" - with Ethridge as start point. As you can see, it sorted to top of "Starting at" selection box. Is that what you wanted, Don?

[divops715]

I think the activities all have a start and end point stipulated in the act or path files but the "Explore Route" option does not seem to have any such reference. The map shows the Marias Pass route running from Whitefish to Shelby so West Coram would not be the route starting point. What I want to do in "Explore Route" is have Ethridge show as the
"Starting At" in the interface. I don't want to change anything about the route itself.

[Vince]

I think the activities all have a start and end point stipulated in the act or path files but the "Explore Route" option does not seem to have any such reference. The map shows the Marias Pass route running from Whitefish to Shelby so West Coram would not be the route starting point. What I want to do in "Explore Route" is have Ethridge show as the
"Starting At" in the interface. I don't want to change anything about the route itself.

If there are no activities starting at Ethridge then there is no path start point at Ethridge.
All the activities starting points are available in explore mode as are the starting points of AI traffic trains IF the PlayerDrivablePath box is checked when editing the AI path in the editor.

To recap: All path start points are available in explore mode. NOT the entire path though! Just the Start Point.

If you want to run explore mode starting in Ethridge then you will have to create an activity with the path stareting there. Not a big deal. Just make a path going in the direstion you want that is longer that the train you plan to use.
Also be advised that in explore mode there is no 'path', just the starting point: IOW no switches will be set for that path in explore mode. All signals will be clear for explore mode trains.

And yes, it IS possible to have AI Traffic Trains running in explore mode by using a feature of the TrainStore Utility with the AI Traffic running with some minor restrictions. Oen example is if you throw a switch in front of an AI Traffic Train, it will stall the Traffic. To find out what all those restrictions are you are going to have to study the TrainStore Manual.

Be VERY careful when using this powerful utility because it has gotton some members here is serious deep doo-doo because they didn't bother to read AND understand the excellent instructions that come with it. There is no cure for stupid and stupidity, NOT TrainStore wrecked their MSTS installation.

Enjoy!

[chameleon]

What I want to do in "Explore Route" is have Ethridge show as the "Starting At" in the interface. I don't want to change anything about the route itself.
What part of the instructions in the message above do you not understand? The screenshot proves it works.

[Vince]

To clairify what I posted:

Create a path using the Activity Editor, starting at Ethridge.

This does not change anything in the ROUTE.
Activities and their files are seperate from the route.

I know it's a bit confusing but you'll eventually be totally hooked on this thing!

Just wait until you start playing in the Route Editor. :eek: But that's another can of worm to consume on another day. :p
Get your activity stuff working first and don't be afraid to ask questions.
I know you'll have many! ;)

[divops715]

I don't want an activity created..I wanted to know if there was a way to change the
"start point" in Explore Route and I gather the answer is NO...though it took a long time
to reach that conclusion.

[Vince]

In advance; Sorry for the SCREAMING but you've earned it and I was a Sargent in the Army!
Watch the opening scene of Full Metal Jacket with R. Lee Ermy and you'll get the idea!

Starting over . . . . .AGAIN !!!

You MUST create a START POINT!
YOU MUST DO IT !! Yes YOU!!
WITH THE ACTIVITY EDITOR !!
And the way you do that is create a path.

You create a PATH with a START POINT in an ACTIVITY! WITH THE EDITOR!
IN THE EDITOR YOU SAVE THAT PATH then exit the AE.
If you do this correctly the path will be available in Explore Mode.
YOU WANT TO MAKE A START POINT WITHOUT MAKING AN ACTIVITY? SURE YOU CAN . . . If you'e a flippin genius you could.
Hre is a clip of the code of a path that is 100 meters in length, on a perfectly straight track section:

SIMISA@@@@@@@@@@JINX0P0t______

Serial ( 2 )
TrackPDPs (
TrackPDP ( -10969 14357 -892.965 15.8767 885.198 1 1 )
TrackPDP ( -10969 14357 -1006.57 15.8767 910.502 1 9 )
)
TrackPath (
TrPathName ( TEST )
TrPathFlags ( 00000008 )
Name ( "TEST " )
TrPathStart ( TEST )
TrPathEnd ( TEST )
TrPathNodes ( 2
TrPathNode ( 00000000 1 4294967295 0 )
TrPathNode ( 00000000 4294967295 4294967295 1 )
)
)
Think you could magically come up with all those path nodes? :rolleyes:
And this is a path with no curves and no switches.

Use the Activity Editor.
If you are willing to listen to the perfectly honest advice given here we will work with you
to get it done but you have to take our advice.
If you want to freelance, and that entirely your right to do so, but then why bother asking for help?

Read the HELP section. The editors REQUIRE advanced computer skills, and watching u-tube videos and web surfing are not one of them. Ahem . .
Read the print down at the bottom of the editor opening screen. They are not kidding I assure you.
Try This:
Start the Activity Editor, PRESS F1 for the help section.
Now read the section on Activities and stop whining about the way you want and do what the program requires.
If you are not able to follow instructions then I'm sorry for you.

YOu have been told numerous times that is what you must do
and you keep whining about what YOU want or don't want to do!
That dog wont hunt!

Fire up the Activity Editor and create a path starting at Etheridge.
Save your newly created path.
Now exit the Activity Editor without saving.
The PATH WAS saved when you exit the Path Editor! You remember from 10 seconds ago right?
When you answered 'YES" the the Save Path Changes? The question box the you answered "yes" to?
Like I instructed in the second sentence of this paragraph?
If you did, good!! THAT'S IT!!!!
YOU'RE DONE! THE PATH YOU CREATED AND SAVED WILL APPEAR IN EXPLORE MODE!!!

Now go to Explore Mode and select the path your created and run.
But PLEASE stop whining about "I don't want an activity created.."
You're NOT creating an activity for crying out loud, you're creating a PATH using the ACTIVITY EDITOR.

[chameleon]

I wanted to know if there was a way to change the
"start point" in Explore Route and I gather the answer is NO...though it took a long time
to reach that conclusion.
You gather wrong - the answer is "YES".
1. If you do absolutely nothing, you already have a start point at "Ethridge" - simply scroll down the list of "Starting at" locations - you'll find it under "Milepost 1213.45".

2. If you do absolutely nothing, you already have about 24 other start points in Marias Pass.

3. If you *MUST* have the top start point at Ethridge, read and follow the instructions to create a starting point (ie path) at http://msts.steam4me.net/tutorials/just_a_path.html. Name the path "aa_path" or somesuch and it will appear at the top of the "Starting At" selection box. This created path is then available in Explore mode.

4. I do get the impression you haven't read/understood the messages above clearly nor followed the instructions in the linked tutorial (you're not a bureaucrat or politician in your day job by any chance, are you? - they're the only people I deal with on a daily basis that are blind to the clear options placed in front of them).