Shape File Manager

# MSTS Shape File Manager Version 2.4a
(freeware from Decapod comments welcome - Visit the MSTS GWR Highworth Branch)
Click here if FFEDITC_UNICODE.EXE is not in the default location

Drives :

Current Directory |
Sub Directories |

*A backup will be made before the scaling is applied*
Scaling :

Scale same in all directions
Scale Factor X
Scale Factor Y
Scale Factor Z
Adjust bounding box in .sd file
Adjust dimensions found in WAG/ENG files

*A backup will be made before the shifting is applied*
Shifting :
Shift X (Width)
Shift Y (Height)
Shift Z (Length)
Adjust bounding box in .sd file

*A backup will be made before the texture adjustment is applied*
File :

*A backup will be made before the distance adjustment is applied*
File :

Uncompress
WordPad Edit .SD

Compress
Scale
Texture Modes
Distance Levels
Shift
Reverse
WordPad Edit .S
WordPad Edit .SD

MSTS Shape File Manager Version 2.4a - Help

** This utility is designed to help MSTS model builders manage shape files. Use of this tool by someone unfamiliar with the file management requirements of MSTS may result in routes being unable to load. **

Version 2.4a, July 2005 - some comrpessed files appeared as unknown.

Version 2.4, Jun 2003 - Attempt to fix Win 98/ME problems and shifting matrix bug

Version 2.3x, Nov 2002 - Correction of object reverse and scaling with negative scale factors by Okrasa Ghia

Version 2.3a, Oct 2002 - Sorted file and directory lists, object reverse (rotate 180 degrees), a few display bug fixes and tried to detect ffeditc_unicode.exe

Version 2.2, May 2002 - Added Distance Level adjuster for altering the distance at which shapes change to lower levels or the maximum visible distance.
2.2a/b - fixed translucency priority bug, 2.2c fixed missing bracket in wag/eng scale update, 2.2d fix problem if read only file is uncompressed.

Version 2.1, May 2002 - Shift option added for adjusting objects positions relative to their pivot point.

Version 2, March 2002 - corrected scaling for animations, scaling applied to WAG/ENG files (some parameters) and Texture mode for specular highlights.

The main form behaves much like the Windows Explorer - the left side shows the current folder with a button to navigate up one level to the parent. Below the current folders is a list of sub-folders. Selecting one of these makes it the current folder.
The Buttons across the top allow swapping to another drive.

On the right side is a list of shape files contained in the folder. Size and compression information is shown.
Moving the mouse over the Options area shows a menu that is available for the current file.

Compressed files may be Uncompressed or their associated SD files can be edited, in this version.

Uncompressed files have the following options:

Compress - this runs FFEDITC_UNICODE.EXE to compress the file - may not work on locomotives with animations unless you have the patched newshape.bsf file on your system
Scale - resizes an object by altering the points, matrices and vol_sphere sections of the file - will also update .sd bounding box information if it can. In both cases, a backup of the previous state of the file is kept with a ".PreScale" file extension
Reverse - reverses (rotate 180 degrees) an object by altering the points, matrices and vol_sphere sections of the file - will also update .sd bounding box information if it can. In both cases, a backup of the previous state of the file is kept with a ".PreScale" file extension
Shift - adjusts an objects position relative to its origin (pivot point). The 3 prompts are for the distance moved in metres i.e. 0.05 = 5cm - positive Y values are up. Useful for adjusting models that sink into the rails slightly.
Distance Levels - allows changes to the shapes distance levels of detail. Reducing values here help to improve frame rates by not loading the shape at distances over the values entered (where there is only one level). Basically the maximum viewable distance should be proportional to the object size
Texture Mode - Allows the user to change the texture mode of the groups of objects in a shape. This option also applies the specular highlight fix for shiny textures. Unless the groups have been well named, this process can be a bit hit and miss. A backup of the previous state of the file is kept with a ".PreTexture" file extension
Wordpad Edit - runs Wordpad.exe with the .S file
Wordpad Edit .SD - if the .sd file does not exist it is created then opened in Wordpad.

The WAG and ENG file parameters scaled are :
POSITION (lights),
RADIUS (lights),
HEADOUT,
PASSENGERCABINHEADPOS,
INTAKEPOINT,
SIZE,
CENTREOFGRAVITY,
INERTIATENSOR,
WHEELRADIUS and all parameters ending with FX (Steam and Diesel)
A certain amount of manual editing of these files will also be needed to scale the power and weight correctly.

A small word of warning on WAG/ENG files - These are manually changed by authors and sometimes the scaling does not work properly e.g. on entries such as "24in/2" and can cause effects like wheels disappearing. Always a good idea to manually check the WAG/ENG file afterwards.