ConvData and WTR files

From Clive's SimSig timetable data converter page:

To include rules in conversions, the R flag must be used. The name of the rules file is derived from the name of the timetable file by
changing the final t to an r. So either of the commands:

ConvData -CR my_tt.wtt my_tt.txt
ConvData -cR my_tt.txt my_tt.wtt

will use the rules file my_tt.wtr...
Does this mean that
(1) if my_tt.txt contains rules, ConvData automatically generates a my_tt.wtr file at the same time it creates my_tt.wtt? and
(2) if there is a my_tt.wtr file in the same folder as my_tt.wtt, ConvData automatically includes its data in my_tt.txt?

I'd just like to clarify this before starting to mess around. Of course in the new loader versions, .wtr files aren't used any more as their contents are incorporated into .wtt files. Thanks.

...as the Loader is not currently compatible with Convdata.r

I've never seen a need to convert back

Thanks Peter for the Import/Export tip.

Sacro wrote:
Quote:

I've never seen a need to convert back

I find converting .wtt to .txt handy for dissassembling expertly written TTs to see what makes them tick.

Personally, I don't mind using the old-fashioned MS-DOS box (Command) interface. In Windows 7, click Start, then in the box at the bottom with the default field "Search programs and files", type "com". This should display an icon at the top named "Command prompt". Click it and an Administrator Command Prompt window opens (black background). You will probably need a user account with Administrator privileges. But there are other modifications you can make to Windows to open a Command window directly.

Now navigate to the folder where you have stored ConvData.exe. (Even better, create a folder named "CONVDATA" high up in the directory tree (e.g., C:\CONVDATA) and store it there along with any timetable .wtt or .txt files.) Type "c:\convdata" to navigate to this folder. Maybe also include "c:\convdata;" in your Path statement (look this up).

I suggest compose your ConvData command in a text editor first, e.g.,
convdata -cR rt1.txt rt1.wtt
where rt1 is the name of your test timetable.

Then, copy it to your Windows clipboard, R-click the little black icon at the top LH corner of the Command Prompt window, select Edit, then Paste so it appears next to the C:\CONVDATA prompt. The whole line should read like this:
C:\CONVDATA>convdata -cR rt1.txt rt1.wtt
Press Enter to run the command.

Most likely you will get a syntax error and will need to run the command again. After editing and saving your rt1.txt file, PRESS THE UP ARROW. This will copy the last command to save you having to re-paste or re-type it (good tip). Press Enter again to run it. If pressing the Up arrow doesn't work for you on earlier operating systems, pressing F3 may have the same effect.

Does this mean that
(1) if my_tt.txt contains rules, ConvData automatically generates a my_tt.wtr file at the same time it creates my_tt.wtt? and

(2) if there is a my_tt.wtr file in the same folder as my_tt.wtt, ConvData automatically includes its data in my_tt.txt?

Personally, I don't mind using the old-fashioned MS-DOS box (Command) interface. In Windows 7, click Start, then in the box at the bottom with the default field "Search programs and files", type "com". This should display an icon at the top named "Command prompt". Click it and an Administrator Command Prompt window opens (black background).

You will probably need a user account with Administrator privileges. But there are other modifications you can make to Windows to open a Command window directly.

Put from a user perspective, a timetable that has been edited via F4 in a loader sim (single WTT) does not convert to a text file unless it is very simple indeed (no activities for one).

If you wanted output-to-PDF without the data format hassle, you could consider generating LaTeX code.