F.A.Q.s - Frequently Asked Questions                      

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Go to Train Simulator World Home Page Step by Step Guide to Route Building, 2nd Edition Q. I'm not able to get objects into a route using the Object Rotator. Are there any known problems? A. Michael has updated the Object Rotator spreadsheet. Version 1.01 corrects a misplacement of 3rd and later objects for a left curve in the "Curved track and road" sheet; you would have easily noticed this error if you used this function. You can download ObjectRotator101(noDoc).zip by clicking here. (140KB) Step by Step Guide to Route Building, 1st Edition Q. When printing, the blue background surrounding the examples uses a lot of ink. What can I do to minimize the cost of printing? A. We have changed the solid blue background to a blue border. Please download and reinstall the newest version of the book from http://www.abacuspub.com/ee. You will need your personalized registration key to reinstall. LTV-EMC Trainset Q. Occasionally on the return trip from Taconite Harbor to Hoyt Lakes, the gondolas become uncoupled. Is there a fix for this problem? A. Yes. Lonnie Perkins and Mark Branscum have investigated and corrected this problem. Please download and run AbacusLTV_Update.exe (1.2MB). This update assumes that you have already installed the original LTV Trainset. Q. I understand that the LTV-EMC Trainset includes a selection of locomotives and rolling stock that were used by the LTV Steel Company for mining operations. Are you planning to include a route of the mining operation? A. Yes, there is an extensive bonus route. This route depicts both the operations from the mines to the iron ore processing plants in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota and also the 74-mile mainline from these same processing plants to picturesque Taconite Harbor along Lake Superior. The route has extensive detail and requires about 420MB of hard disk space. We've been sending a CD-ROM containing the route to all users who have returned their registration card to us. Others will receive the CD-ROMs within two weeks of receipt of their registration card. If you have already sent the registration card to us and haven't yet received the CD-ROM, please send us email with your complete name and mailing address and we will notify you of the status of your shipment. Orders which we process after December 22nd are shipped with the CD-ROM containing the LTV route. Q. I sent the LTV registration card to you several weeks ago and have not received the CD-ROM with the LTV route. What's the problem? A. We typically send the CD-ROM within two days of receiving the registration card. However, we have many registration cards that we cannot process because we are unable to read the name and/or address written. If you have not received the LTV Route CD-ROM and have waited for more then three weeks, please click here to follow up. Train Sim Modeler Q. I understand that you have released an an upgrade to Train Sim Modeler. How can I get this upgrade? A. Registered users can download and install the upgrade to Train Sim Modeler Version 1.1. Before upgrading, please make a backup of all of your TSM Project files. You will need your personalized registration key to upgrade. Download and run AbacusTSM.exe (12MB). The upgrade includes Train Sim Modeler Version 1.1, updated Help files and the TSM Library. Q. I recently upgraded to Train Sim Modeler Version 1.1 (see above). When I try making a model, this error message appears: "Error converting texture file!" What can I do to fix this problem? A. You'll have to update to the latest version of the makeace utility. This is available as part of the Microsoft Train Simulator update available from the Microsoft site MSTS Update after installing the update, the file date of maceace.exe is 03/09/2001 10:39 AM Eariler versions of the makeace utility are unable to handle the compression. (Thanks to Stewart Clark for this reminder) Q. What is the difference between the download version and the retail boxed version of Train Sim Modeler. A. Basically, there is very little difference between the download and retail boxed version of Train Sim Modeler. The boxed version has a CD-ROM and a quick start guide, In all other respects the download version and boxed version are the same including the Help files and the detailed Users Manual in electronic form (PDF) that can be printed for additional reference. Q. I recently upgraded my operating system from Windows 98/ME to Windows XP or Windows 2000. Afterwards, when I start Train Sim Modeler the program tells me that I am running in Demo Mode even though it accepts my personalized registration key. How can I fix this problem? A. When you converted to Windows XP or Windows 2000, some of the information that Train Sim Modeler uses from the Windows registry changed. To fix this problem, please download and run the following program: AbacusTSM_WinXP.exe (1MB) Q: While using Train Sim Modeler I can't I see my cursor. Why not? A: Some video cards drawing the cursor in the color black. This is usually the same color as the Train Sim Modeler background. One solution is to use the File | Preferences menu to change the background color to one other than black (click the word 'Background'). You can also use the Start | Find | Files or Folder menu (Find = Search in Windows ME) to search for a file in your Train Sim Modeler folder named: Default.cfg Once you find the file, double-click it and open it with NOTEPAD or another text editor if asked. Here you will see a line like this: CustomCursor:1 Change the CustomCursor to 0 like this: CustomCursor:0 Resave the file and the cursor will reappear the next time you run Train Sim Modeler. RoundHouse Collection Q. According to the manual and readme file, I should have three routes. I can find only two: the Rock Island and Cliff Hanger routes. Why doesn't the L1 Route show up in Train Simulator? A. Two files were inadvertently omitted from the initial production run of CD-ROMs. Please download and install this update AbacusRoundHouseUpdate.exe (630KB). NOTE: The CD-ROMs have been corrected. If you currently have the L1 Route listed in Train Simulator, you DO NOT need this update. Go to Train Simulator World Home Page