RTMM's "Refresh 2019" campaignThis is a thread where we can discuss the Refresh 2019 campaign at RTMM. One continuing comment we always had from our recently departed friend, Spud, was that we were creating fine new things, but were not paying enough attention to the older scenery locations with very outdated readme text instructions, etc. Spud asked if we could please go back and do proper housekeeping on many of the older locations. So what we are doing, is basically a response to Spud's request and an addition to his legacy at RTMM.
Some new, but focus on the older locations this yearOf course we will still be having a "new" location for you as we build them, that effort will never stop at RTMM. But what you will see is a great deal of activity on updating or "refreshing" the older scenery locations. Many will be brought up-to-date technically with some of the things we have learned since they were first built ... Season Switcher, ground polygon manipulations, new library objects, etc. We will also be doing a complete review on each of the installation "readme" texts for these to make sure they are not discussing "old" libraries, or "old" ways of installing the locations. The "readme" texts will all be brought up to date.
What you will SeeWhat you will notice first are the changes happening on the scenery page. This is where we are keeping track of our own progress, but also sharing it with you. When we have "refreshed" a scenery you will see the 2019 Refresh logo in the upper right hand corner. With it will be either a red exclamation mark or a green check mark. The Red mark tells you that to have the latest scenery files for the location, you must redownload and reinstall the scenery. The green mark tells you we have cleaned up the "readme" but we HAVE NOT altered the scenery files. This means the locations does not need a re-download (unless you want the updated readme). Clicking on the Refresh 2019 ICON will bring up a pop-up PDF that explains the process.
- PLEASE REMEMBER ... when you are replacing any RTMM scenery location with an update ... DO NOT OVERWRITE ... first DELETE the old location folder then add the new one. We are being careful with the Scenery folder name so that, most of the time, if you just replace the folder, your scenery library will see no change. Where we have to change the name of the location, it will be so indicated with the little red exclamation point below the zip button.
No technical problems if you DO NOT update (refresh)You will not have any technical problems with any of the locations if you decided NOT to update or refresh your scenery folder. The old scenery will work just fine. However, you will not be seeing the latest/best for what a refreshed location can offer. Many of these are now being updated with Season Switcher files that makes the location change its look based on the season. (See Season Switcher under "S" on the FAQ page).
If a location name changes...If a location name changes, and you take out the old one and put in a new one, when you start up your sim it will say the location cannot be found and gives you the chance to unload it. Do that. When the sim starts, go in and delete that scenery area, then add the one with the new name and you'll be all set. I'm purposely repeating here ...We do not change a location name often, and when we do, you are notified of it with the little red exclamation mark under the zip button.
Your Help is appreciatedWe are basically coming down the list alphabetically. We are not updating EVERY scenery location. If you see a location that you feel needs attention because of old/outdated installation instructions, or actual problems with the scenery ... let us know in this thread. We will move that location to the top of our list and work on it "out of order". This way, as you fly the locations and install new ones, you can keep an eagle eye out for us to help us with this Refresh 2019 effort.
The thread is now YOURs for discussion . . . . .