RailPro User Group
RailPro => RailPro Software Updates => Topic started by: William Brillinger on September 26, 2017, 02:26:54 PM
-
The New Features have officially been announced and are now available...
Posted today on Ring Engineering Website: (http://ringengineering.com/WhatsNew.htm)
------------------------------------------
DCC support Added to LM-3(S) and LM-2(S) modules
RailPro locomotive modules are now Dual Mode! They can be controlled by typical DCC DCC systems or by Direct Radio!
New Video - DCC + Radio Control
New Ultimate Series Sounds!
We have new sound technology for RailPro! Our new sound technology is powered by full digital recordings of real locomotives, precision mixing, and when coupled with our new motion technology truly creates the ultimate in sounds experience. One of the many new features in our new sound solution, is a feature that eliminates the annoying looping effect that exists in even high-end DCC offerings.
New Ultimate Series Sound Files Only sound files that end in ULT are Ultimate Series Sounds.
Alco 251 ULT
EMD 645 Turbo ULT
EMD 710 ACE ULT
GE 7FDL-16 ULT
New True Motion Technology!
Our new True Motion Technology uses a mathematical model that simulates static friction, dynamic friction, and more to make your locomotive run with more realism than ever before! And this technology is real easy to use. Just set the amount of user load and crank up the throttle. Hear and see your locomotive pound out the horsepower and smoothly break away from a dead stop. Feel the effects of the inertia as you drop off the throttle!
New Light Effects and Light Effect Editor!
RailPro has now added a light effect editor to its easy to use RailPro Assistant Software. You can create almost any imaginable light effect that you want. The light effect editor allows you to make custom light effect files for your locomotives and Accessory projects.
New light effect capabilities include new natural fade on off light effects!
---------------------------------------------------
I'm sure the Beta testers will have lots to say about these new features in the coming days.
-
Ahhh "soon" is getting very close now after all, it has been sometime in the making. Cheers, TOF in Arid-Zona
-
Just to be clear: SOON is NOW :)
All the new features can be loaded up on your LM-2 or LM-3 modules and HC-2 or HC-2B controllers by updating the product programs to the 2.02 versions.
You will also Need to update any lighting effects to the REV2 versions.
I haven't looked over the manual yet to see if it covers the use of the load and Brake buttons yet, so if there are questions about setting these features up, please ask.
-
Are the True Motion Technology and Ultimate Sounds going to be applied to steam locomotives, too?
-
The new sounds are amazing.
The LOAD function is really, really cool.
I'm looking forward to working with the new light effects.
RailPro now more than ever needs a 'Keep Alive' type of technology native to RP. Too much power demand for intermittent power. This is a must. Power interruptions while using the LOAD function are incredibly annoying.
Tim needs to be here addressing his users directly.
How does the DCC compatiablity help RP users?
-
How does the DCC compatiablity help RP users?
Dual Mode DCC allows 3 things to happen:
1, it allows RailPro users to consist their RP units with DCC units. (like that's ever going to happen!)
2, it lets people feel more comfortable during transition from DCC to RP because they can switch back to DCC if they don't like RP and have not wasted their investment.
3, it lets DCC people take advantage of the Super Easy Programming via the CI-1 and Fantastic Sound that RP now offers thereby expanding the market for the LM.
I think the big driver behind the Dual Mode integration is point 3, market expansion.
Otherwise DCC integration is no big deal for a RailPro user.
-
Are the True Motion Technology and Ultimate Sounds going to be applied to steam locomotives, too?
That's a very good question, and one that I don't have an answer for.
I suspect the "true motion technology" would be basically the same for Steam as it is for diesel, since it is based around the physics of momentum.
For sounds, I suspect Tim Ring will need somebody who has good access to Steam Locomotives to make various improved recordings like Bruce has done for Diesels before any Ultimate steam sounds will be created.
-
Since the steam chuffs are related to revolutions of the drivers, and not on prime mover notching, I doubt the load function has an effect on steam engines. I'll try it later and report back.
-
Since the steam chuffs are related to revolutions of the drivers, and not on prime mover notching, I doubt the load function has an effect on steam engines. I'll try it later and report back.
Good Point, if you have a sensor for revolutions already, you have momentum based sound :)
DISCLAIMER: I don't know anything about modelling steam engines.
-
You will also Need to update any lighting effects to the REV2 versions.
I think I might scream under my breath, it appears Ditch REV2 has a bug. There is also something to be wary of with Dim Rev2. Those who use it may notice slight flickering of LED's when using the Dim REV2 function (bulbs may not have noticeable flickering). I'll explain how to fix it after the sun has come up.
I haven't looked over the manual yet to see if it covers the use of the load and Brake buttons yet, so if there are questions about setting these features up, please ask.
The new manual covers the load and brake functions.
I didn't pay close attention when I downloaded the 645 Turbo ULT file but it appears a bunch on new ULT prime movers were uploaded inbetween my downloading and when I just checked again a few minutes ago.
- Tim
-
Guys, the new features are a huge change to Railpro. I've been testing them for the past month or so and absolutely love it. Here's a quick break down of some of the things you'll find:
1. Sounds
- Nww ULT (ultimate) files include 645T (645E3), 710 (710-G3B), 710 ACe (710-G3-T2), 7FDL-16, and Alco 251.
- The new sounds are fantastic. Excellent recordings and excellent editing. Tim has made it so you can't detect loops and when you have two locomotives linked up playing the same sound file they still sound unique.
- Notching up and down through multiple notches is now smooth
- Sound of Power....when ramping up with a load, the sound volume increases slightly, mimicing the much louder exhaust that can be heard on prototypes under load. When you back the throttle off, the sound volume decreases similar to the prototype.
- New ULT prime mover files are much larger. They will fit on a LM-2S but depending on which one is being used, you may not have much room for lots of other sounds. The LM-3S is well-suited for the new sounds and program.
- Dynamic brake....Now when you push the dynamic brake button it spools the prime mover all the way down to idle. It does not yet do that for all locomotives across a consist. It does not slow the train down. Early in the beta testing it did slow the train down, but we all agreed that we prefer that it just affect the sound, and the operator would control the rate of deceleration with the knob. This way an operator could have the dynamic brakes on while the train went downhill, yet retain a constant speed.
2. Load and Brake settings
- Set locomotive to Auto notching and set up a "load" function button. Tapping the button brings up a slider that you adjust with the wheel, from 0% load to 100% load.
- As an experiment, set load to 100% and crank the throttle all the way up to 100% power. Listen as the prime mover spools up and watch as the locomotive slowly begins to move and build up momentum. Don't forget that because the locomotive(s) have a heavy "load" behind them that it will also take a long time to come to a stop.
- New brake function button. Set to momentary. When power to prime movers is turned down, press and hold brake button to slow train, release when at desired speed. This makes switching ops very interesting and challenging.
- Random brake sounds play when train comes to a stop using the brake.
- Load and brake functions work beautifully across consists.
3. HC
- HC now shows model number on the main startup screen
- Large file transfer button now has a much better graphic
- Button added to clear active locomotive list
- **Option to change to locomotive list when selecting locomotives rather than scrolling through page after page of pictures. If you have a large fleet of locomotives, using the new list feature is very fast and very convenient!
- Speed tables! There is a speed table in the locomotive set up screen that you can adjust all the values on, if you like.
4. Steam
- Angle cock sound does not play until after a few minutes
- 4 chuffs per revolution can be set by setting up the speed table, then setting 4 chuffs/revolution at a specific speed. It should then work across all speeds.
5. DCC compatibility
- This has been in testing for over a year and is fully functional. It is designed more for those who have lots of DCC equipment and don't want to have their Railpro stuff kept totally separate.
Railpro locomotives can be controlled by DCC controllers and consisted with DCC locomotives when the Railpro DCC mode has been activated. They can still be controlled by the Railpro controller,
but the Railpro controller cannot control the DCC locomotives. - This will be of limited use to those of us who are fully invested in Railpro. And once someone coming from DCC has had the chance to MU in Railpro, my guess is that they will loose their appetite for trying to consist with DCC.
6. Lighting
- RPA now has lighting effect editor. You can create all your own lighting effects now.
- New Rev2 lighting effects make lighting much more realistic. Old lighting effects still work if you want to keep them.
- On/Off now has prototypical fade on and fade off time. No longer instant on. Also you can adjust the overall brightness of the lights with this function now.
- Dim Rev2 now has prototypical fade on and off. This is a bit counterintuitive, but when it says 100% brightness for the dim function, it is referring to "100% of the available light for dim". Meaning, if you have dim set at 100% it will dim normally. If you have it set lower, it will dim every more dramatically. I found that keeping dim at 100% is more than enough dimming.
- New On/Off dual ouput. If you have ditchlights wired with two separate outputs, now you have have one button turn both of them on at the same time, rather than turning each one on separately and using up a function slot.
-Kevin
-
Kevin, may I copy and paste your above detailed message to the Free-mo yahoo! group?
-
Absolutely Jacob. There's more than what I wrote, but this gives a basic overview of the main features. What I wrote is geared more towards people already familiar with Railpro, but it's still handy info for others to read.
-Kevin
-
Thanks Kevin. People like soundbite news and I thought your summary would be beneficial.
We need to get you involved in Free-mo as well.
-
Is there a way to download the files without using RPA? We seem to be stuck downloading on an as used basis. I had the vision of pulling the files ahead of time, since a prime mover file seems to take about an hour to download and another half hour to upload to an LM-3S. My copy of RPA is now at 4% free space while the laptop has over 4TB. I guess I'll be deleting files to be able to update the HCs and LM-3Ss then re-downloading sounds. At least we can do this. Most of the DCC folks never heard of downloading a different sound.
PatP
Some, not all, but some of the download time is my not remembering to disable the virus for a long enough time. Have I said how much I hate Windows? I really feel for you PC guys.
-
I really recommend using the CI-1 with the HC-Sim for loading files to LM's.
This lets you work completely on the computer and not tie up the HC for what can be hours.
It's much faster to use the HC-Sim and you don't have to worry about the battery on your HC.
Once you have the files loaded on an LM then you can use the HC to configure the LM while you're loading programs to your next LM from the HC-Sim software.
The CI-1 is really invaluable - especially as the programs & sounds get larger.
Don't forget to update the RPA software, then the HC-Sim and HC software, then load the new files to your LM's.
-
Yup. That's what I've been doing. You can fill up the storage space on RPA and HCSim, which is my point. I can kind of understand it on one of the HCs, but on the PC stuff? The Ring folder only has 16 meg in it including both programs. Some of us are not wired to an internet connection or using a cable tv connection. Some of us are connected by satellite, the only means available for the area, which limits the amount of data that can be moved. The download and re-download of the same files has a cost.
PatP
-
I agree, the limits on the RPA and HC-Sim storage file seems unnecessary.
Once you've downloaded sounds, you don't have to download them again, you can choose them from the "Load Files from this computer" section. The product programs have to be downloaded every time you want to send them to an HC.
-
How is the new Load function different than momentum setting for a non-sound equipped locomotive?
Congrats to KPack for having models in the movie.
-
Alan, in my testing it seems the Load function is more pronounced than the normal momentum settings. And you can stack the two settings on top of each other. Meaning, if you want a ton of momentum, turn your accel/decel settings up a bit, and crank the load up. The train will take a long time to get up to speed and a long time to slow. It can certainly make things very interesting if you are trying to stop at a certain point....it really makes you think and plan in advance. Real trains take a while to stop if they are heavy!
-Kevin
-
Hmmm, I don't know that I would ever want more momentum than the current momentum setting allows. I suppose if one were to run really long trains on a big club layout.
-
My observation is that the load setting applies a curved momentum scheme, that is to say, as it gets faster, it gets faster faster, whereas the regular momentum is more of a straight line acceleration.
I do however think that these features will not have much appeal for those that are not using sound.
-
Just FYI, Bruce Petrarca published an article going over the basics of Railpro in his DCC column of MRH. He mentioned some of the new updates in it, but only briefly:
http://mrhpub.com/2017-10-oct/online/?page=37 (http://mrhpub.com/2017-10-oct/online/?page=37)
-
Just FYI, Bruce Petrarca published an article going over the basics of Railpro in his DCC column of MRH. He mentioned some of the new updates in it, but only briefly:
http://mrhpub.com/2017-10-oct/online/?page=37 (http://mrhpub.com/2017-10-oct/online/?page=37)
Kevin, you beat my post by about 4 minutes 8). I must have started typing just as you finished typing. My post contains a little more on how can we use this to our advantage though.
https://rpug.pdc.ca/index.php/topic,443.msg3532.html#msg3532 (https://rpug.pdc.ca/index.php/topic,443.msg3532.html#msg3532)
- Tim
-
Hello all
I have tried the new features yesterday as I was very curious. I only own HC-2 and LM-2s, so, here is my experience about it.
The diesel 645 ULT sound is really on target. While the file is big, there is still some available space on the LM-2S. I loaded only a Horn sound, A bell sound and the ULT sound and I had about 30% storage space left for more smaller sounds (like the fast spitter which I enjoy)
True motion (added load), coupled with the new prime mover sound is really nice. It really feels like the engine is running hard to pull the load. Thumbs up to ring on those features. I,ll have to agree with alan here, with no sound, it's another momentum feature.
Downloading everything from Ring's website was long but worth it.
Brake: I do not understand that feature. There is a small red % number showing up and it goes up the longer I press the brake button. I would need more explanation on the brake button. I heard a squeal sound when it reached 100% tho and the train was stopped, but I had to turn the knob down too, but, all of this is a bit confusing.
Only downside for me is that my HC-2 screen seems to be less precise and sometimes not responding when I press it. Sometimes too it feels like I have to press the screen to the right of the button I want to press for it to detect my thumb on the button, like if the touch area was all moved a whole centimeter to the right when compared to the position of the buttons. (yes that means the button on the far rigth of the screen aren't responding) It does that when battery is less than 1/3 (which supposedly is still enough to run trains for quite a while. So, I may try to drain the battery life completely and recharge completely. if it doesn't work, would the reset button help?
Thank you everyone!
Antoine
-
I haven't had a chance to try the brake yet.
The battery strength should not affect button calibration. Has the controller been dropped or banged recently? You can try the reset button, but Tim doesn't recommend that, except as a last resort. Having said that, I have reset mine many times without any noticeable damage. If you do reset it, the battery calibration will be off until you do a full recharge.
If you email Tim, I'm sure he will have some suggestions.
-
I have found that using the tip of my fingernail is always more accurate than using the pad of my fingers. I'm not sure what part of your fingers you are using, but try using a part that puts more pressure on the screen. Bill uses the ends of uncoupling sticks and it works great.
The brake is something I am still playing with. The red number is the brake percentage, from 0-100%. If you hold the button down it will build up to 100% or maximum braking. Depending on how you have your locomotive set up with start/max speed and accel/decel settings the locomotive may come to a stop before the brake sound plays. It typically will play right before the locomotive has come completely to a stop. If your decel settings are turned up (mine are) the locomotive may take a while to come to a stop even at 100% brake. If there is no load the locomotive will stop very quickly, almost immediately.
-Kevin
-
Thanks for that info Kevin. That will be helpful when I finally get to try the brake. ::)
-
Releasing the brake will bring the loco speed back to its knob setting right? So when breaking, once it reaches 100%, one should turn knob down completely?
Thanks for the info
Antoine
-
For those that have not seen it (it may be very recent as I don't recall seeing it there last night) RE has a manual on the DCC mode on their website. Good reading on the capabilities. Very cool that the new features work in DCC as well. In fact it seems that the only thing that is not supported in DCC mode is radio consisting and load sharing; which may be one and the same thing.
http://ringengineering.com/DccHome.htm (http://ringengineering.com/DccHome.htm)
- Tim
-
FYI guys, there is a mistake in the DCC manual that can be confusing to a new user. In the Load instructions it says to set a 20 car train to 100%. It should be set to 20% for more realistic operation.
-
Al,
I imagine for most model RR pikes that a 20 car train is a 'full length' train. I know in Free-mo we're blessed with 15-20' passing sidings but I think those aren't normal for most layouts.
-
You're right Jacob, but in my club, we have a few guys who like to run 50-70+ cars at times. Of course, you do need lots of room and can't hog the entire layout. :D
-
Al,
I imagine for most model RR pikes that a 20 car train is a 'full length' train. I know in Free-mo we're blessed with 15-20' passing sidings but I think those aren't normal for most layouts.
Consider me in this group. My layout space is ~28 x 32 which I think most would call a good sized room. Even still, my sidings are just long enough for my 'standard train' (16 cars, 2 power units, caboose). There is a minimum 1-1/2 standard train lengths between sidings. Had I gone any longer in siding length then there would be less tangent track between sidings than the sidings are long! It would look mighty odd to enter a siding while the rear of the train is still in the previous siding.
I can't remember who, but one of the great MRR authors I read early on said "you need a lot of sidings to run a lot of trains on a single main." So, that's what I did. As such, the original RP momentum adjustment is quite satisfactory. If I did momentum and load I would never get to track speed before the next meet! :P
-
On my 8x16 double main line home layout (that's all the room my wife would grant me :-\ ), I have run up to 20 freight cars in a train. It's interesting, but really doesn't look right. I usually stick to 9 or 10. I would love to double the layout size on one level, but then I would have to move out. ;D
-
You're right Jacob, but in my club, we have a few guys who like to run 50-70+ cars at times. Of course, you do need lots of room and can't hog the entire layout. :D
That't impressive!!
-
Guys, the new features are a huge change to Railpro. I've been testing them for the past month or so and absolutely love it. Here's a quick break down of some of the things you'll find:
1. Sounds
- Nww ULT (ultimate) files include 645T (645E3), 710 (710-G3B), 710 ACe (710-G3-T2), 7FDL-16, and Alco 251.
Anyone else try the new 710 ULT prime mover sound yet? I guess I'm batting 0 with RP equipment right now but, when the file should be notching up it sounds like an engine shutting down and when I shut the engine down it turns off like I pulled the power.
PatP[/list]
-
Pat, the 710 ULT works, I've confirmed it. What you have going on sounds like you didn't update the LM program to the newest one. Make sure you are using the LM-2S program for the LM-2S and the LM-3S program for the LM-3S. They are different. My LM-2S modules did this when I tried loading the new sounds, before Tim had created a LM-2S program to handle them.
-Kevin
-
Make sure you are using the LM-2S program for the LM-2S and the LM-3S program for the LM-3S. They are different. My LM-2S modules did this when I tried loading the new sounds, before Tim had created a LM-2S program to handle them.
-Kevin
I suspected as much. Looks like I'll be using the old sounds.
Thanks,
PatP
-
Is it even possible to copy the wrong file update into a LM? I thought it would load the correct file automatically.
-
I suspected as much. Looks like I'll be using the old sounds.
Why?
The new sounds run perfectly well on the LM-2S and LM-3S after the programs for both the HC's and the LM's are updated.
-
No, you shouldn't have to use the old sounds. Make sure the LM is fully updated and it should work fine. The newest programs are on RPA. What program revision does the LM show? It should be 2.02. You can find it on the locomotive control screen, under the "info" button. When you buy modules they are typically not at the latest software revision. Software revisions are constantly released and the modules that have been sitting in stock for some time will be at a much older revision. The very first thing I do when installing a new module is update the software to the latest revision.
I'm not sure it's possible to to load the wrong file into an LM. It should prevent itself from doing it.
-Kevin
-
I'm a little confused! Do I have to download to my my #HC-2 hand held controller first to HC-2 Rev-2-02? Then download the LM-3S Rev 2-02?
-
The order you download them should not matter, but they both must be installed for the new functions to work properly.
-
I really recommend using the CI-1 with the HC-Sim for loading files to LM's.
This lets you work completely on the computer and not tie up the HC for what can be hours.
It's much faster to use the HC-Sim and you don't have to worry about the battery on your HC.
Once you have the files loaded on an LM then you can use the HC to configure the LM while you're loading programs to your next LM from the HC-Sim software.
The CI-1 is really invaluable - especially as the programs & sounds get larger.
Don't forget to update the RPA software, then the HC-Sim and HC software, then load the new files to your LM's.
I can get the files to download through the HC-2b but I cannot get the CI-1 to work it just keeps saying that it cannot connect to the internet. I did turn off my virus checker already. Also I downloaded what I thought was the latest version of software for the HC-2 but it did not affect the way the screen looks. I thought it would show the DCC options.
-
Be sure you installed the CL-1 software under "Admin" and start the program also under the "Admin" account. Mine won't do anything unless I run it as admin. To start the program under Admin control just right click on the program start icon and select "Run as Admin".
I really recommend using the CI-1 with the HC-Sim for loading files to LM's.
This lets you work completely on the computer and not tie up the HC for what can be hours.
It's much faster to use the HC-Sim and you don't have to worry about the battery on your HC.
Once you have the files loaded on an LM then you can use the HC to configure the LM while you're loading programs to your next LM from the HC-Sim software.
The CI-1 is really invaluable - especially as the programs & sounds get larger.
Don't forget to update the RPA software, then the HC-Sim and HC software, then load the new files to your LM's.
I can get the files to download through the HC-2b but I cannot get the CI-1 to work it just keeps saying that it cannot connect to the internet. I did turn off my virus checker already. Also I downloaded what I thought was the latest version of software for the HC-2 but it did not affect the way the screen looks. I thought it would show the DCC options.
-
Has anyone tried running a ULT Sound File & Load equipped loco with a non ULT Sound File & Load equipped loco?
How do the two versions respond together? Does the non-ULT notch up as per before? Does the Load feature work without a ULT file?
My fleet of SD40-2s and Big Alcos will be getting the ULT file(s) (hopefully starting this weekend), but I have a GP38-2 that won't have a ULT file until it gets released.
-
Ian,
Yes, you can run ULT sound file locos with non-ULT locos. The non-ULT locos will notch up on queue with the ULT locos when the ULT is leading. This will occur even if you have the follower locos in manual notching....they will automatically change behavior to match the lead.
You can also use a non-ULT sound file with all the new features, including load and brake. The prime mover will ramp up as expected under load. It will not be as smooth as the ULT files by nature, but it is certainly usable. I have tested this will several of the old sound files and it works fine.
-Kevin
-
Is anyone having any issues with manual notching across a consist with the new ULT files? I just converted my 4 SD40-2s to the new 645 ULT sound file and when I consist them (with and without a non-ULT sound engine), only the lead engine notches while the rest sit in idle.
Can't wait to try the 251 file!
-
Manual notching is not working correctly with the ULT files. For now you'll need to use automatic.
Please Email Tim Ring and ask him to implement Manual Notching with LOAD effect across consists.
I'd still rather use manual notching too. The new Load effect with automatic notching is neat, but it still does not do quite what I want to be able to do.