BVE 4 PA Announcements

[danw2007]

Hi,
I was wondering if anybody could help me to set up announcements for the Bakerloo line. I have all the files for all stations between Elephant and Castle and Harrow and Wealdstone, but I don't actually understand how to configure the announcements. I would be very greatful.

Thanks,
Dan

P.S If anybody else would like the files, (which are my own recordings) please just PM me.

 

[dan_atki]

Hi,
First of all assuming all the waves are in the default Bakerloo folder with a filename without space characters in (e.g. LambethNorthNext.wav), then:

For next station announcements:

Find the .sta command for a station such as Lambeth North and look at the number at the start of that row (or if no number, the start of the previous line).

Next use the distance before the station you want the announcements to play - usually 300 or 400m is sufficient and subtract this from the number at the start of the row. E.g. Lambeth North has a number (distance) of 850 so you need to put in a command at about 550.

If the number doesn't exist - in this case there is no 550 so you can insert a row where 550 should be and type 550 in the first cell. In the next cell along you want to use the command:

.announce Bakerloo\[NameOfFile].wav

e.g. .announce Bakerloo\LambethNorthNext.wav

For this station announcements:

Locate the previously found .sta command for the station and there is a place in the command where an announcement can be played on doors opening:

locate the 7th semi colon in the string and type (between the 7th and 8th semi colon):

Bakerloo\[NameOfFile].wav

e.g Bakerloo\LambethNorthThis.wav


Note: BVE can be very picky with its syntax so be careful of extra spaces, punctuation marks etc, otherwise it's likely the sounds won't play

Hope this helps!

 

[danw2007]

.Sta Lambeth North 1202;12.0200;12.0215;;1;0;;;15;40;;

Hi,
I have reached this point, but I am not sure what to do next? Please would someone help?
Thanks,
Dan

 

[dan_atki]

.Sta Lambeth North 1202;12.0200;12.0215;;1;0;;;15;40;;

becomes (placing the command between the 7th and 8th semi colons (for the this station announcement)):

.Sta Lambeth North 1202;12.0200;12.0215;;1;0;;Bakerloo\LambethNorthThis.wav;15;40;;

 

[danw2007]

When I have done this, BVE now says that it has encountered a problem, and needs to close, can anyone help any further?
Thanks,
Dan

 

[dan_atki]

I've noticed that it sometimes does that as well but this can normally be rectified by switching the \ to a / (dunno why it works though) - if it fails to work could you paste the lines that you edited into a post please and I'll be able to look for an error

 

[danw2007]

.Sta Lambeth North 1202;12.0200;12.0215;;1;0;;Bakerloo/lambn_this.wav;15;40;;
Ok. This is the line that I have edited. I have changed the punctuation mark, and BVE is still encountering a problem. Can you help any further?
Thanks
Dan

 

[Dennis]

use of a back-slash is correct and I cannot see any other problems with the line of code there ( this might be of some use). I would suggest that the problem could lie elsewhere in the route; try removing that .sta (and associated .stop) command and see if BVE still has problems.

If the route loads OK without that .sta command, test the sound file by inserting it into the route using the .announce command; I'm not sure what errors a faulty sound file (incorrect format, corrupt etc) will produce but by testing it in this way will at least eliminate that possibility.

 

[dan_atki]

I'd go along with what Dennis said, and remove that part of the code and see if the error still occurs.

If it doesn't still occur then we cane hone in on that part.

I have just done a test, a \ is the one to use.

Also, BVE does have problems with incorrect wav formats and is very specific about which format it needs for announcement files. I can't remember precisely what happened (i.e. if BVE had to close or not) when I used wrong formats but I did get an error!

 

[danw2007]

So if I was to use the .announce command, where would I place it?

 

[dan_atki]

You can use the .announce command for the next station announcement as long as they are placed sufficiently before the station (which is what the .sta command represents).

So for Lambeth North I'd say about 550 is the distance you want to put the command - although you'd have to put in a new line for 550 before the command.
If you want I could tell you all 24 distances for the route but it's about 300m before the associated station's .sta command on the Bakerloo (for maximum realism)

You could even (if BVE is failing to accept the string in the .sta command) use .announce for the this station announcements (although it won't be as realistic).

The problem here is where you'd place them because everyone stops the train in a different place, and the file will only play when the train reaches that location (which may be when it's pulling out of the station or long before it stops). But on average, should you decide to use this as well, these should be placed near the .stop command for the stations.

 

[danw2007]

Ok. I am still having trouble with this. Is somebody else willing to try and help me solve this if I send them the sound file, and they attempt to try and help?
Many Thanks,
Dan

 

[D306]

I did do this once, and it was sucessful. I can send you the stuff if you want. I just have to make a few monor tweaks first, as it doesn't accept MP3 files.

PM me and I'll send it to you

 

[Jordy]

Send me the files and i'll have a go (also see my PM from yesterday)