TrainPlayer-TrackLayer 6.6 Readme

Version 6.6.0, Oct 2017  

Welcome to Version 6.6!

Version 6.6 improves performance, adds capability, and fixes bugs, especially for AnyRail users and YardMaster fans.  It comes with the latest generation of YardMaster -- the automated freight handling system, now including sequenced trains -- along with a generous new batch of original layouts, fully scenicked, scripted, supplied with cars and industries, ready to operate.

Contents of this readme:


Enhancements in 6.6

Here is a list of new features since 6.5.  For more, see the Version 6.6 Page.  For the complete history, see Version History.


Added in 6.5.1:

YardMaster 2 -- improved subroutines and layouts for better YM operation
AnyRail fixes -- now correctly handles curved switches from all manufacturers
XP support -- fixes to allow running on Windows XP (no longer supported by Microsoft libraries)
Track line display -- now single-track display is turned on automatically after AR import
User-defined toolbars -- remove this feature, which never worked
Toolbars customize -- fix crash
Layout chooser -- fix to allow multiple selection of layouts
Layout thumbnails: use 1-pixel black line for track

Added in 6.5.2:

More AnyRail fixes -- crossovers, single and double slipswitches
Restore focus correctly after displaying note window


New Licensing Scheme -- Unlimited Demo

As of Version 6.5, we replaced the old third-party system with a new software protection scheme designed for TrainPlayer.  The idea is still the same: the program you download and install is a free demo version until you enter a license key provided by us. There is no expiration date on the demo.  It includes all the features of TrainPlayer and TrackLayer, but it is limited in several ways: it does not allow printing, exporting to graphics file, saving changes in track or scenery, nor access to layouts or car collections on the web. 

When you start the demo version, it displays a dialog, offering you a chance to enter a license key.  The key is an 11-character code  accompanied by a user name.  Where you get it depends on your status:

New user:

If you are a new buyer, thank you!  You will receive username and license code by e-mail.  If it doesn't arrive, check your spam folder, then send us a message.  When you get the info, enter it into the license dialog.  You should get confirmation that it is valid, then you won't see the dialog again.

Existing 6.5 user:

Thanks for upgrading!  You don't have to worry about any of the following.

Existing user of pre-6 version: 

If you have a license from a pre-6 version, it will not work with 6.6.  You can purchase an upgrade for $19.  For more information, see How To Obtain 6.6 on the Features page.  Once you've bought an upgrade license, enter it into the dialog. 

If you have been running a pre-6 version, the 6.6 installer will update your car collections and do some file renaming in the Defaults and Loads sets.  If you have any trouble locating or working with the changes, send e-mail and we'll help.

Existing user of 6.0 - 6.4:

The first time you run 6.6, it checks to see if you have a valid  6.x license.  If so, it will generate for you a new license at the same level.  It brings up a dialog saying "Your license is valid and can be upgraded."  Edit the user name to your preferred name, click Generate, and you will get your new code.  Click Register to finish the job and save the code. 

Unlike what the dialog says, you do not need to jot down the generated code.  To see or update your license code at any time, use Help > Upgrade License on the main menu.


How to install

For links and instructions, click here  => 6.6 Download


How to install from DVD

Insert the disk in the drive, setup starts automatically*.  Shortly you will see the TrainPlayer DVD Installer, a little dialog with three big buttons:

1.  Install Program Files

Click this button to bring up TrainPlayer Setup, which takes you through the program installation procedure.

If you have already installed Version 6.6 (including the demo), then you do not need to do this step.

2.  Install Data Files

Click this button to bring up the TrainPlayer Data Installer.  This copies data files -- layouts, car collections, sounds, scenery -- from the DVD to your hard drive. There are two choices:

Note: it is not necessary to install layouts to your hard drive in order to access them.  If you insert the DVD before any TrainPlayer session, you will see the entire folder of layouts in your Layout Chooser.

Click Go to begin copying files.

3.  Start Program

Click this button to launch the program.   This automatically closes the DVD Installer.

Other ways to start the program are (a) double-click the TrainPlayer 6.6 icon on your desktop, or (b) choose TrainPlayer 6.6 from the Start > TrainPlayer menu.

* If the dialog does not come up automatically after inserting the DVD, open Windows Explorer, go to the DVD drive, and double-click setup.exe.


License

Our company License Agreement is reproduced here:


 -- TrainPlayer License Agreement --

Thank you for downloading TrainPlayer software. This agreement says: enjoy the program on whatever computers you have, and don’t give away your license key.

With either the purchased or the demo version, you may:

If you have not purchased a license, you may use the trial version free. The trial version does not have the full set of features of the licensed version, and comes with only a small set of layouts. To obtain full capabilities, you must purchase a license.

You may not:

-- Disclaimer of Warranty --

This software and the accompanying files are sold "as is" and without warranties as to performance or merchantability or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. Because of the various hardware and software environments into which this software may be put, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered.

The program is not without bugs. If you find one, we encourage you to report it, and we will do our best to fix it in an upcoming version.


Contact

For help:

web www.trainplayer.com
e-mail info@trainplayer.com
forum groups.yahoo.com/group/TrainPlayer
mail 4200 Arcadian Dr., Castro Valley, CA  94546
phone 707 320-4246