Msts Shape File Manager 25 Install ⏰
The Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) Shape File Manager v2.5 (SFM25) is a utility developed to modify and manage (shape) and
(shape definition) files. It serves as an update to Paul Gausden’s original version 2.4a and adds features like MIP Map level adjustments object rotation Elvas Tower Installation Guide
The installation is "super simple" as it does not use a traditional installer, but rather a file-based setup. Elvas Tower File Placement : Unzip the
archive and copy all contents into your existing SFM folder, or a new dedicated folder (e.g., C:\Shape File Mgr\ Dependency : Ensure the file ffeditc_unicode.exe same folder . This file is typically found in the default MSTS UTILS/FFEDIT directory. Browser Requirement : SFM25 runs as an HTML Application ( ). It requires Internet Explorer
to be installed on your PC to function correctly, though it does not need to be your default browser. Shortcut Setup : Create a desktop shortcut to
. If you are upgrading from an older version, update the "Target" path in your existing shortcut properties to point to the new Elvas Tower Key Features
Once installed, SFM25 allows for several non-destructive edits to MSTS models: Compression/Uncompression
: Toggles shape files between binary and text formats for editing.
: Changes the size of objects in the X, Y, and Z directions. Transformation
: Reverses objects (180° rotation) or rotates them 90° clockwise/counter-clockwise. Offsetting
: Shifts an object's position relative to its original pivot point. LOD Adjustments
: Manages distance levels and MIP maps for better performance. Transport Tycoon Forums Troubleshooting Common Issues Windows 11 Compatibility
: Some users report errors when attempting to compress or decompress files on Windows 11 using SFM. Alternatives like the FFEDIT_Sub utility TSRE5 toolset are recommended for modern operating systems. "Not a Valid Win32 Application" : If you see this error, ensure the file is set to open with the Microsoft (R) HTML Application host ) rather than a standard web browser. Elvas Tower alternative tools for Windows 11? Elvas Tower: Shape File Manager 25 5 Jul 2015 —
Feature: Shape File Manager 2.5 Installation msts shape file manager 25 install
Description: This feature allows users to easily install and manage shape files for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) using the Shape File Manager 2.5 tool.
Key Benefits:
Key Features:
System Requirements:
Installation Steps:
Troubleshooting:
The most helpful feature of MSTS Shape File Manager v2.5 (SFM25)
is its ability to perform high-level batch edits on Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) 3D model files without requiring dedicated 3D modeling software. Elvas Tower Key Features in Version 2.5
Version 2.5 introduced several specific enhancements over previous iterations to improve the workflow for content developers: MIP Map Adjustment: A new feature that allows users to adjust MIP Map levels
to manage how textures blur or sharpen at various distances in-game. Clockwise/Counter-Clockwise Rotation:
Added the ability to rotate objects specifically by 90 degrees in either direction around the Y-axis. Configurable Unicode Editor:
Allows you to set a preferred external editor (like Wordpad) to modify uncompressed files directly from the interface. Elvas Tower Core Functionality The tool acts as a graphical interface for the FFEDITC_UNICODE.EXE utility, simplifying several complex tasks: Compression/Decompression: Easily toggles
files between binary (compressed) and text (uncompressed) formats for manual editing. Scaling and Shifting: The Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) Shape File Manager v2
You can rescale objects in X, Y, or Z directions or shift their position relative to the pivot point. Distance Levels (LOD):
Adjusts the distance at which a model's detail levels change to optimize performance. Texture Mode Adjustments:
Changes the lighting effects of materials, including fixing "shiny" textures on locomotives. Installation & Usage Tips
Shape File Manager v2.4a (SFM) - Разное - Каталог файлов
Shape File Manager v2.5 (SFM25) is a utility for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) used to edit, compress, and scale shape files. It is a revised version of Paul Gausden’s original SFM v2.4a. Installation Instructions
Installing SFM25 is a manual process that involves extracting files and ensuring a specific dependency is present.
Download & Extraction: Download the SFM25.zip file, which is available in community libraries like the Elvas Tower Download Library.
Directory Setup: Create a dedicated folder for the utility (e.g., C:\TrainUtilities\SFM25) or unzip it into your existing SFM directory.
Required Dependency: SFM25 requires FFEDITC_UNICODE.EXE to compress and uncompress files. Copy this executable from your MSTS /Utils/FFEDIT folder into the same folder as sfm25.hta.
Launching: Double-click sfm25.hta to start the program. You can create a desktop shortcut for easier access. Key Features in v2.5
Version 2.5 introduced several improvements over previous versions:
New Rotational Tools: Rotate objects 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise about the Y-axis.
Enhanced MIP Mapping: New features to adjust MIP Map levels. Key Features:
Configurable Editors: Ability to use a configurable Unicode editor for shape (.S) and shape definition (.SD) files.
Core Functions: Includes scaling (X/Y/Z directions), shifting model origins, reversing objects (180-degree rotation), and adjusting distance LOD levels. Troubleshooting & Compatibility
Windows 10/11 Issues: Some users report that .hta files may try to open with incorrect programs like Internet Explorer. Ensure they are set to open with the Microsoft (R) HTML Application Host.
Registry Settings: SFM25 and previous versions share the same registry settings, so they can generally coexist in separate folders without conflict.
Run as Administrator: On modern Windows versions, it is often necessary to run MSTS-related tools with Administrator privileges to avoid permission errors when modifying files in protected directories. Elvas Tower: Shape File Manager v2.5
Once the msts shape file manager 25 install is complete, you need to calibrate the tool for your specific content.
Go to Tools > Options > Texture Paths. Add your global textures folder (MSTS\GLOBAL\TEXTURES) and your route-specific texture folders. This allows SFM to automatically find and convert .ace files when you modify a shape.
Unlike modern software, SFM v2.5 was written in Visual Basic 6 during the Windows XP era. To ensure the msts shape file manager 25 install works on Windows 10 or Windows 11, you must complete these three steps first:
Cause: The shape file is compressed. SFM cannot read compressed shapes. Fix: Use Shape File Uncompressor (another Paul Gausden tool) or within SFM, go to Action > Uncompress shape before editing.
To open .s files directly:
SFM 25 is stable, but it is not invincible. Follow these maintenance tips:
SFM 25 was built on .NET Framework 2.0/3.5. Windows 10 and 11 do not enable this by default.