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| The new SimSig Loader 04/07/2013 at 17:05 #46449 | |
GeoffM
6377 posts |
There have been some questions about the new SimSig Loader. A brief overview of what and why is here; the Wiki is being updated as I speak to include more information on the Loader. Firstly, a brief description of the process previously. Developers would produce data, a custom code file, and then it would be compiled into a single executable. If something in the core code changed, each simulation would need to be recompiled to take advantage of that change. But in some cases it's not as simple as recompiling the simulation - newer code requires more data which has to be added in to the old simulation. As new data has to be added, the simulation has to be tested again. Also, the binary saved simulation data format meant that any changes to the source data - no matter how minor - would render the saved simulation useless. Core code changes sometimes affected simulation custom code, unbeknown to the core code developers. Finally, trying to maintain a Wiki that relates to umpteen different versions of simulations is nigh on impossible. The Loader attempts to overcome these issues in various ways. Firstly, the simulation data is now packaged in a .sim file. This is why it takes a little longer to start simulations: it's compiling the data in that .sim. Interestingly the load times vary significantly depending on the operating system even with similar hardware. If a new version of the Loader is released, older simulations will still work perfectly happily. Moreover, if a new feature is introduced (such as simplifiers), that applies to all Loader simulations - those simulations do not need to be re-released. Although no custom code is possible, most customisations are now possible in data. The Loader also saves saved games in a format that is more resistant to both Loader and simulation data changes. It can never be perfect - if the developer adds a track circuit in the middle of a locked route then strange things may happen - particularly if a train happened to be there too! Unscheduled division of the train over the new track. Please note that the Loader does not display the older .exe simulations. The older style of .exe simulation will be phased out as simulations get updated. Hopefully that gives you a little insight into where the improvements that your kind donations and purchases have gone. SimSig Boss Last edited: 04/07/2013 at 17:21 by GeoffM Reason: A few tweaks Log in to reply The following users said thank you: NCC1701, postal, Steamer, kpl455, guyh, Temple Meads, GoochyB, indian_railways_fan, Forest Pines, Javelin395 |
| The new SimSig Loader 04/07/2013 at 18:32 #46458 | |
AndyG
1842 posts |
" said:There have been some questions about the new SimSig Loader. A brief overview of what and why is here; the Wiki is being updated as I speak to include more information on the Loader. I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Last edited: 04/07/2013 at 18:33 by AndyG Reason: typo Log in to reply The following users said thank you: indian_railways_fan, guyh |
| The new SimSig Loader 04/07/2013 at 23:18 #46478 | |
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TylerE
149 posts |
Would be really awesome if the loader could be tied into the download sections? This would be awesome both for users and for you guys, since you wouldn't need to package exe installers for anything besides the loader itself. I can also report that in prelinary testing it's running quite happily under Wine on my Ubuntu system. Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 04/07/2013 at 23:27 #46479 | |
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GeoffM
6377 posts |
" said:Would be really awesome if the loader could be tied into the download sections? This would be awesome both for users and for you guys, since you wouldn't need to package exe installers for anything besides the loader itself.I'm not too sure what you mean here. Ideally the loader would be able to self-update - and in fact it did do as long as it's not installed in Program Files, which of course is where it should be. I need to work out how to overcome permissions/security issues that work for all systems. If you mean downloading the sims itself (and/or timetables), that is a future enhancement I would like to make. " said: I can also report that in prelinary testing it's running quite happily under Wine on my Ubuntu system.Thanks - that's useful to know. SimSig Boss Last edited: 04/07/2013 at 23:28 by GeoffM Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 04/07/2013 at 23:37 #46480 | |
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vontrapp
210 posts |
I have installed Marylebone in the sim folder.The Simloader seems to update as it goes through the motions of doing so. What is the problem with the security/permissions? Adrian Last edited: 05/07/2013 at 00:15 by vontrapp Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 00:12 #46482 | |
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TylerE
149 posts |
" said:[quote="TylerE" post=46478]Yea, that's exactly it. Possibly for stuff like sounds also. Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 04:50 #46486 | |
Mattyq
259 posts |
I have a partitioned hard drive and all my Simsig files are on D Drive. The new loader will only read from C Drive. Can that be fixed or do I have to move all my files over to a somewhat space limited C Drive?
Not fat ..... fluffy!! (G Iglesias) Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 05:08 #46487 | |
BarryM
2158 posts |
Hello Mat, I believe Geoff was trying to sort out the problem. It depends on what version of Windows you have. I have XP and no problems. Barry Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 05:17 #46488 | |
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Mattyq
259 posts |
I have Windows 7. No luck after TWO reboots so I reloaded the sim using the default location on C Drive and it works ok. This will become a problem as old sims are updated to work with the loader as my C Drive is fairly full, hence all sims on D Drive.
Not fat ..... fluffy!! (G Iglesias) Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 07:05 #46497 | |
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Entimix
16 posts |
As discussed in the other thread, this is a known issue with the Loader on Windows 7. (Has anyone tried it on Vista or 8?) I believe, as Barry said, that it's being worked on and will hopefully be fixed soon. In the meantime, it's possible to add folders not on the C: drive to the loader's list by adding them directly in the Registry: 1. Start regedit (you'll need admin privileges) 2. Go to HKCU\Software\SimSig\Options\Folders 3. Add two new values to the key - one DWORD named "Folder#Enabled" and a String named "Folder#Name", where # is the next number in sequence from the existing entries. (in my case this was 4, so "Folder4Enabled" and "Folder4Name") 4. Set the data for Folder#Name to your SimSig path and Folder#Enabled to 1. Once you've done this, the folder should appear on the loader's list, and the loader should find your sims. Edited to add: If you're not comfortable modifying your registry directly, I've attached a registry file which will do it for you: 1. Download and unpack the attached zip file 2. Right-click the .reg file and select "Edit", which will open the file in Notepad. 3. I've put a default location of "D:\\SimSig" - change this to where you installed your sims. NOTE that you need to use double backslashes when doing this (thus D:\\Somewhere\\SimSig rather than D:\Somewhere\Simsig). 4. Save the file and close it, then double-click it. You'll receive a UAC prompt if you have UAC turned on; you'll then be asked to confirm. Note that this method will likely only work properly on a fresh install of the loader. If you've added or removed any folders from the list already, you may get unwanted behaviour. Hope that helps people as a workaround until the dialog issue gets fixed. Post has attachments. Log in to view them. Last edited: 05/07/2013 at 07:25 by Entimix Reason: re-attached as zip file Log in to reply The following user said thank you: David Russon |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 07:12 #46498 | |
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mfloyd
189 posts 
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I have Vista and all seems to be fine
Ripley, Derbyshire Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 08:35 #46508 | |
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john havenhand
58 posts |
hunky dory on windows 8 for me just binned my old laptop as motherboard needed replacing something that would cost hundreds of pounds to rectify got my old laptop out complete with cracked screen and took it to shop £80 screewn fixed went to download windows 8 off Toshiba website needed 16gb fee space on windows C so deleted half my programmes ran disc fragmentation deleted temp files etc then installed it moral of the story sim sig loader should work on windows 8 on C drive as their is enough space
Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 09:16 #46511 | |
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Jan
906 posts |
" said:I'm not too sure what you mean here. Ideally the loader would be able to self-update - and in fact it did do as long as it's not installed in Program Files, which of course is where it should be. I need to work out how to overcome permissions/security issues that work for all systems.My knowledge of this is a bit sketchy, but I think one way of doing this is having a second executable which would be responsible for actually installing the new files and would have the appropriate manifest embedded, so you'd get the UAC prompt. Two million people attempt to use Birmingham's magnificent rail network every year, with just over a million of them managing to get further than Smethwick. Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 09:50 #46512 | |
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Javelin395
272 posts |
Geoff, As one of those 'technically challenged' individuals that has moaned about the recent changes I would like to thank you for this explanation. Whilst I don't claim to fully understand what you have said I think it boils down to compatibility between updates to the core code and previously released sims ? Thus I can at least accept why the change has been made. May I just suggest that your explanation would have been better if it had been posted at the same time as the changes were released. I appreciate that you must have had lots of other things to do what with the release of the new and refreshed sims but, personally, I'd much rather you delayed the releases by a few more days. As things happened, I witnessed several posts complaining of difficulties getting things to work and I therefore decided against purchasing the new sim or installing the loader. I recognise that despite extensive testing things don't always go to plan and that you have always been pretty quick to offer solutions but sometimes they are too technical for us plebs to follow. Furthermore, some members of this forum have also become increasingly hostile to those of us that don't understand / know where to find the answers to our questions. As a result I am increasingly thinking of turning my back on SimSig. As the creator of SimSig I will always respect your right to do with it as you wish. All that I ask is that you bear in mind we are not all computer boffins and to therefore think about "slow Joe in the back row" !! Once again, thanks for your post explaining the recent changes and for the many hours of fun I have had using your product. Last edited: 05/07/2013 at 09:55 by Javelin395 Log in to reply The following users said thank you: Uncle Pete, David Russon |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 10:39 #46515 | |
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David Russon
50 posts |
Entimix , Thank you - I have used your file with my Win 7 and Simsig on Drive D and the Simulations are now recognized by the loader - well done! DavidR Last edited: 05/07/2013 at 10:43 by David Russon Reason: wrong drive letter Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 05/07/2013 at 11:00 #46516 | |
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clive
2789 posts |
" said:For those wondering, there is an active development plan to make the remainder possible in data as well. Log in to reply |
| The new SimSig Loader 12/07/2013 at 03:52 #47024 | |
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BarryM
2158 posts |
Noticed an update? When "Make snapshot every xx minutes" (F3 Control) is activated, the sim screen is "refreshed". Should this be so? Barry Barry, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Log in to reply |