ConBuilder
Important note::
When running the program for the first time you must set the path
for MSTS. This means that if the path is "C:\Program
Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator" you must use the
drive and path window to make the top line show the complete MSTS
path. You must also select the editor you want to use, otherwise
ConBuilder won't be able to show the error lists. Windows Wordpad
would be the right choice, but if you want to use your favourite
word processor, make sure it can save files in Unicode format.
Set the path to it the same way you did for MSTS. It's advisable
to read the Help file for more details.
Revisions:
Version 1.0.5
- Fixed some minor bugs.
- Added the possibility to shift units left and right.
- At the left of the engines and wagons lists there is now some
information about the type of coupling to avoid possible
problems.
-The maximum number of engines and wagons has been increased from
100 to 200 and from 300 to 400 respectively.
Version 1.1.2
- Corrected bug related with spaces within file and folder names.
- Wagons with a name more than 23 characters will now be
displayed.
- Added an extra window with length, weight and number of wagons.
- Cabview and sound definition files check.
- Missing .sd files check added.
- Now it is possible to perform basic alias of engines.
Version 1.2.1
- The details window was made to stay on top of the main window.
- Activities window makes possible to distinguish to which
activity belongs a consist.
- Shape files checking added.
- Number of engines increased to 400 and wagons to 800.
- Some problems with spaces and quotes were fixed.
- A short "help" window has been included.
Version 1.2.9
- The errors are now loaded with the help of an external editor
program.
- A true Help file has been added.
- Some changes were made to the file testing routines.
- Wagon sounds testing is now possible.
- Number of engines increased to 800 and wagons to 2000.
- A second list for the tested files was added.
- Now it is possible to check loose consists belonging to
activities.
- The graphics will now display correctly in systems using large
fonts.
- The details window was made to be a bit narrow than before.
- A new method for aliasing has been created.
- New icons for diesel and electric locomotives created.
- A warning for different coupling shows if they don't match.
- A renumbering button has been added to the toolbar.
- The details window now has two shapes, "normal" and
"flat".
Versions 1.3.0 to 1.4.6
- The details window was made part of the main window.
- Some values for length and weight were corrected.
- Engines and wagons reading was completely rebuilded.
- The errors were classified by level.
- Refreshing buttons added to make possible to read new add-ons
without leaving the program.
- A new window to show the allocated space for wagons, engines
and consists was added.
- Consist building extended to 300 units per consist.
- A filter was created to make possible for the user to select
only one type of unit at a time.
- Copy and pasting of units.
- Multiple deleting of units.
Version 1.4.7
- A new error classification was added: errors by type.
- Editing of basic parameters for engines and wagons.
- New changes to the units reading routines.
- A bug related with engines file size was corrected.
- The main window can now have its height adjusted.
Version 1.4.8
- A bug related with parameter changing was corrected.
- The error lists are deleted only when the user runs the same
test again.
- Engines delete function added. Also a search for consist
dependencies from the deleted engine has been added.
Version 1.4.9
- A bug related with aliasing was corrected.
- Unit's weight reading corrected ( no need for spaces after or
before the value inside the .eng file).
- 2 sliders added to the preview window for image size
adjustment.
- A window for the units with highest values was added. It can be
more than a curiosity, if a unit reports an unusual value it's
because something isn't right (i.e. check some SD40 length with
65m).
- The second word "Wagon" in the engine files can now
be different from the file name. This line is only used in the
AE.
- In the consist builder the empty positions cannot be tagged
anymore with Shift left-click.
Version 1.5.0
- The trains from Chris Longhurst are now correctly readed.
- Loose consists from activities with missing engines are now
reported.
- The error lists for activities are now better organized.
Version 1.5.1
- Overflow error while entering the aliases window fixed.
Version 1.5.2
- Made possible to delete a consist in the "Consists from
activities" window (bottom list) by pressing the Del key.
Version 1.5.3
- Some wagons containing shape files with spaces were reporting
false errors due to an error in the quotes verification routine.
Version 1.5.4
- Fixed the bug related with wagons containing a huge amount of
lights or comments; The program used to exit with an error message.
Version 1.5.5
- Some names containing parenthesis were truncated.
This was fixed in all sections (engines, wagons, cab files, etc.).
Version 1.5.6
- Names containing parenthesis are now showing correctly. These same names are now being enclosed with quotes.
-Added new functionality to the load consist window: press the first letter of its name to highlight it.
-Fixed the picture preview where some units could generate a run-time error
There are some questions related to the graphics this program
uses. This utility was made to be simple and easy to use. Only a
few persons ever asked me how to do this or that function. Also
this program cannot show a preview of the consist we are building
because of some technical obstacles; First, the shape files are
in a compressed format, the way to read them and to get the exact
texture distribution isn't documented anywhere as far as I know.
Second, I cannot read from the .ace (texture) files either. Kuju
used a non-standard picture format and to convert that format to
a known one isn't documented too. If someone knows anything about
this, perhaps in future I can add this feature of showing the
consist's preview.
HOW TO UPDATE: I use to release updates in the form of the executable
file only to keep downloads short. Never install ConBuilder by only
copying conbuilder.exe to a folder. Run the install program first and
in future you can update it by overwriting conbuilder.exe
There still may be some unresolved problems, but I've been
doing what I can. Please be specific when informing me about
bugs. this program has been tested with Windows 95, 98, ME and
2000.
Some intermediate versions weren't released, they only served as
beta-testing.
This program was made in cooperation with Joe Smith. Many
features of this program were also created by him and I must give
him lots of credits for it. Thanks Joe.
Also many thanks to Derek Morton, Peter Gow, Dick Graham, Brian
LaVelle, David Jordan, Dargaard, John Holt, Clay Hubbard, Mark Anderson
and many others for their invaluable help in beta testing this program and
new ideas. I hope it proves useful for all of you who enjoy MSTS.
The mirror site for Conbuilder was gently granted by David
Jordan, without his support, to download ConBuilder could
sometimes be a difficult task.
You are free to upload this program to your website if you wish,
provided you warn me about it and no fee of any kind is charged
to users in order to download it.
The author accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage
caused by using this software.
All responsibility for use and consequences of using this
software rest only with the User.
This software is free. That means it's not allowed including it
in any payware package. By other words, this program is to be
freely shared by all Trainsimmers without having to pay any fee.
You can upload this program to your website, but please inform me
when you do so.
To download the latest version of this program visit www.geocities.com/conbuilder
Or if you experience problems with the download, try http://www.mstrainstop.com
Carlos Gomes
cg1960@clix.pt