Posted September 20, 2020 by Lapioware
Version 1.71 is mainly a quality of life update intended to improve the simming experience, but also has a couple of new features.
Your run is saved automatically when you exit the simulation from the HUD menu (Esc). The run can be continued later from the main menu (first item in the list). Saved runs might not be compatible across different versions, so a run saved with an earlier version may fail to load if the program is updated.
Restarting the simulation after continuing a saved run restarts from the saving point. The save file is deleted upon successfully completing the run.
It's now possible to import and use custom 3D-models for scenery in the route editor. The supported formats are the same as in the train editor.
In order to use custom 3D-models for scenery right-click on empty space in infra editing mode and edit custom 3D-model templates. Model nodes are set up the same way as in the train editor, except that each node is just a template (or a "prefab"). Custom models are placed in the scenery the same way as other single buildings or tree models.
Custom 3D-models need not be imported models. You can also use models (like vehicle parts) from the built-in library, in addition to the predefined infra/building/tree models in the earlier versions. It's also possible to animate models. For instance, try prev + 0.01 as a rotation function (frame rate dependent).
Custom models can be used creatively, for example to create a river
The new version has been compiled with a newer version of Unity and should run slightly faster with less stuttering. Memory consumption might be smaller and the game more stable. Imported models and textures are now loaded asynchronously without blocking the program.
The small starting popup with resolution and quality options has been removed (by Unity). Graphics quality can be changed from graphics settings and screen resolution from general settings.
The whole post-processing system has been updated. The overall look of the sim might be slightly different because it wasn't possible to directly migrate all the effects with identical settings. On the other hand, the new effects seem to run at a higher frame rate.
Shadows have also been updated to a new system. For some objects, like trees, shadows are drawn all the way to the horizon.
DirectX12 is no longer supported. The feature was experimental and turned out to be unstable, caused graphics glitches, and in some cases was even slower than DX11.
It's now possible to limit the number of semaphore arms for each signal, to prevent too large and unrealistic gantries at some locations. By default, the number of semaphore arms is limited to 2 on each side of the main arm. Right-click on a signal and choose signal properties to change the values. The x-position (distance from track centre line) of each signal can also be changed from the properties.
In addition to semaphore signals, there's a new ground disc signal type that can be changed from signal properties. The disc is just an alternative visual representation for the signal and will otherwise function the same way as a semaphore signal. The disc is automatically raised to canopy level if placed next to a platform (even if there's no canopy on the platform at that place).
AWS magnets now have an optional direction setting which can be changed by right-clicking on the magnet and editing its properties.
Runs saved with version 1.71 are incompatible with 1.72, so you may get an "error loading saved run" message when trying to continue your last run.