Workshop Scenarios - Reskins.

[Scouser888]

I am seeing this a lot recently, mostly they are free, and from DPSimulation, I think, and it is hampering my ability to download these scenarios, as I know very little about computers. Usually a link is provided, but sometimes there appears to be 100's of reskins, and I simply can't find the one I want. If I do, I have no idea what to do with it. If I dowenload it, it is usually a zip or RAR file, and I do not have the software? to open them up. If I were able to do that, just exactly where is the file on my computer, and how do I get it to the right location? I am frustrated because I am "compuer clueless." Anyone?

[Budge4]

Yes there was a discussion about this on old forum, people like things to be as realistic as possible with the right skins etc, where as others just want to download straightforward scenarios that they have the DLC for.

Seeing as DTG dont include a lot of scenarios with there Addons anymore and keep telling us "lots more scenarios on Workshop available" then the Workshop was a good idea to get extra scenarios, but now you increasingly need reskins to make them work, seems to defeat the object a bit for me.

Unless you are computer savvy editing files etc then your stuck. Thought DTG did'nt like you too edit files etc, but thats the way they are letting the Workshop go?

Maybe we should see a couple of sections in Workshop now if thats the way its going, one section for totally default DLC and one for Modified where you need skins etc.

Also DTG dont like us mentioning 3rd party sites on here, but if you increasingly need skins from these sites to run scenarios in their Workshop what are we supposed to do?

Would be interested to see what DTG say about this?

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Generally with the reskins Scouser they are usually for a DLC that you have bought off Steam, and it usually means that after you've found the skins on the web (if you can find them without anyone helping you on here by posting the web address) and installed them then you normally have to copy a few files from the original DLC over too the Reskins folder to make them work (sort of piracy protection). Usually a readme is with the skins telling you how to do it.

But not easy for someone who has never done it before as you say, get winrar, winzip etc, unzip files, go to railworks folder on hard drive and start copying files about.

What do you say DTG?

[LeadCatcher]

I have commented on another thread - but I applaud the inclusion of scenarios with reskins - I can understand the frustration of non computer savvy users but really it is easy. The scenarios tell yo which reskins you need. The link takes you to the site - download it to your computer. It will be in the download directory set in your browser - it will usually be an archive with the file extension of "zip" . Use a program like winzip to un archive the file and read the readme file and follow the instructions.

Learning how to do this will open up a whole new world to you. While I know it might be intimidating the first time - soon you will become an expert. I am really glad that DTG is allowing the ability to have scenarios with 3rd party reskins - should be choice of the users on whether or not to download a scenario with a reskin required or not - not dictated by the company or reducing a service for the lowest common denominator. Read the description and choose. If you feel you are missing out because you not sure on how to do something ask - many are willing to help

[Scouser888]

Well, thanks for your comments Budge4 and LeadCatcher. I agree, there are some yummy skins out there that I would like to have. I am going to give it a try like LeadCatcher suggests. If I fail, I am not going to pursue this, as I ttink I am almost unteachable when it comes to computers. Yikes and darn!

[Budge4]

Good luck Scouser, not as bad as i probably made it sound :) , and yes a lot of the skins really look good.

[Scouser888]

Well, I said I wouldn't do this, but I downloaded a zipped file from UK Trainsim, and managed to unzip it. I now have a rar file, which my computer cannot open. So how do I open it, and where do I put it? The download is a scenario for the GWML unelectrified version, which I have already downloaded from the workshop.

[Scouser888]

Mention was made of a readme file. I don't seem to have that, where might it be?

[Dodgydruid]

OK, you need a program called 7zip which is awesome for our stuff as it can open nested archives like rwp's, rars, zips and it remembers where you put it as well so you can once you have nailed your railworks folder down the first time, unzip it to the railworks/assets folder directly.

The problem is the geopcdx files, which are the key to making engines work, DTG don't allow the files to be transported with reskins as basically you would be giving someone who hadn't bought the dlc a free gift of a loco/unit etc so reskins are made with the geopcdx files missing.

So basically you unzip your rar to reveal either a rwp which you double click on when you are in 7zip, it should reveal then a folder or folders depending on what you downloaded, units like locos will always be an asset folder, scenarios will always be a 'content' folder and sometimes you will see both in route packages.

You can open up your steam folder and find your railworks folder, click into that and you will see a list of folders which include Assets, Data, Dev, Addon etc, this is your root Railworks folder, it would pay to back up this before you begin anything.

So with your Railworks folder open, you then click on the minus sign in the corner to minimise it, now go to the location where you downloaded your addon, read the readme if its there (just double click it and Windows will open it in notepad for you) and follow their instructions which will usually be:

Extract your files to a temp location e.g using 7zip hit the extract icon and on the popup type in "/unpacking" for example which will unload everything into a new folder called unpacking. close 7zip, go into unpacking and you will see folders: Assets, Content etc. Ctrl A so all are highlights, ctrl-C to copy, click on the Railworks folder bar at the bottom so it opens up, put your mouse somewhere where it doesn't touch any of the filenames in Railworks and right click and hit Paste, it should then bring up a pop up saying "Do you wish to merge this folder with this folder?" which you say yes and proceed from there.

Now the magic is in your readme file, it will tell you then what you need to do, it will say "go to folder 'Assets/xxx/xxx/xxx'" and find geopcdx file such and such, copy that file and then go to folder 'Assets/xxx/xxx/YourNewTrain' and paste that geopcdx file in there. If its a single engine file it will usually be one or maybe two geopcdx files to copy, for train sets and carriages there may be several in several folders but your readme file will have all the locations to hand for you and follow through.

Once you have done that most readmes tell you to delete the blueprint.pak file for that unit, you can find that in the unit folder but until you get a bit more adept I would recommend doing it in game by going to settings and clearing cache from there which will erase all the blueprint.paks and restart the game.

[Scouser888]

Dodgydruid (Love your name): Thank you very much for your very detailed comments/help. It seems a little complicated, but that is not your fault. I am going to read your comments many times, and then give it a try. Incidentally, I note you frequently post comments to these threads, and I find them very helpful and VERY interesting!

[Phase3]

Great post by growler - one addition sometimes the re-skin file also comes with an install.bat or installme***.bat file that you also need to run after installation. So do make sure you read the readme files otherwise you will see the dreaded skeleton trains.

[Dodgydruid]

I tries me best, bet half you think "oh gods he's off again" hehehe :P

Have noticed more and more "install" batch files in reskins which is a good thing as it takes the hard work out of finding files and having to extract files from .ap archives which is a tricky thing if not used to it.

[LeadCatcher]

Originally posted by Scouser888:

Well, I said I wouldn't do this, but I downloaded a zipped file from UK Trainsim, and managed to unzip it. I now have a rar file, which my computer cannot open. So how do I open it, and where do I put it? The download is a scenario for the GWML unelectrified version, which I have already downloaded from the workshop.

I see you have gotten some great direction from the community all ready - lets us know if you get it sorted - if not ask away and we will help you through it

[Scouser888]

Mr.dodgydruid, as far as I am concerned, you are it! I thank other people for their fabulous input, but to me , he his it. Sorry Growler, but you are are a very close second? This is not a competition, this is about very talentented people helping people less so fortunate. Thank you people. You know who you are.