DOWNLOAD STATION

The Trainz Dowload Station has undertaken a complete overhaul following the release of Trainz/SP3. All content uploaded to the Download Station must first be packaged using 'Trainz Content Dispatcher' available on the Trainz Content Creation Page.

Upload Checks

Below is the list of checks made during the approval of Custom Content uploaded to the Upload Station via a user's Planet Auran Profile.

Step 1. Upload Process (User)

To access the upload page, a user is required to be registered with Planet Auran and be logged in. When logged in, a user can access the upload page via the ' Your Content' option found on the left hand side menu. On this page, the user will find an 'Upload New Content' button and a list of any other approved custom content the user has uploaded. Clicking on the Upload button will take the user to an upload screen, where they will select the file for upload, check the disclaimer and submit the form.

Checks

• Username -- The user is required to be logged in to upload any Custom Content. Once uploaded, the user's User ID is then associated with that upload.
• File extension -- The uploaded file is checked for the '*.CDP' extension.
• File size -- The maximum file size that can be uploaded is 5mb. This may be revised in the future.

Step 2. Extraction Process (Automated)

This process is run nightly. It extracts all new uploads, that have been submitted for processing.

Checks

• Valid Archive file

Step 3. Process Content (Automated)

This process is run nightly after Step 2.

This process, individually examines each content item that has been extracted in Step 2. If an error is found in an item, an error report is created, sent to the user and the file is removed. The whole pack is examined for errors prior to the error report being sent, therefore, the report will detail all errors in the pack.

Checks (If a user's content fails any of these checks, the content will be removed and the user notified.)

• Checks file(s) were extracted successfully.
• Compares the number of files extracted in Step 2 to the number processed in this step.
• Ensures that the User ID of the content belongs to the user uploading the content.
• If content was uploaded via a Group member, it checks that the User ID belongs to that Group.
• Checks that the KUID is a valid.
• Checks that the KUID of custom content doesn't already exist in the Download Station.
• Checks name for: Minimum length of (4) and swear words.
• Checks Description for: swear words.
• If updating content, it checks that the content being updated is the latest version and not a previous version.

Other Checks

• Checks the Region / Country codes are valid.
• Checks the Eras are valid.
• Checks Description for: Maximum length of (255), if over 255 description is concatenated.
• Checks name for: Maximum length of (64), if over 64 name is concatenated.

If the file a user uploads contains multi-files, each file will be added to the Download Station separately, and a Pick List will be created for the pack of content.

Step 4. Approval Process (Auran Staff)

This is a visual confirmation of the content. The user will receive email to indicate if the content has been approved or declined. If it is approved, the content will be available approximate 1 hour after the email is sent.

Checks (failing these checks will not always fail the upload)

• Name and Description: If it is appropriate, it will be approved
• Image visually acceptable
• Category Selected

CONTENT FOUNDRY

This program is available from the Trainz website. This program generally has two functions:

1. Content Foundry can be used to set up the config.TXT file and the default directory structure for any type of scenery object. Template meshes and default textures are put in place - ready for substitution with custom meshes and textures.
2. It can also be used to set up aliasing to Trainz Paintshed v1.3 meshes. It sets up the config.TXT file, extracts the required textures from the Paintshed archive. You can then edit the textures at will using a 2d graphics program (such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro).

Note: You need to purchase Trainz Paintshed (or upgrade to Trainz Paintshed v1.3 if you have version 1) to be able to use this feature.

Visit the Trainz Online Shop for further information on Trainz Paintshed.