Where to Start?

I thought it was about time I started a blog. I was actually going to start one for the route I am working on but have decided to the RWDecal blog first (mainly because I have not got much to go up about the route - despite several months work).

I am working on a couple of new features for RWDecal that should be quite interesting:

Hide Decals from Routes Temporalily
This will allow you to see a route without decals but without having to remove and then add them back in. Idea came from one of the beta testers (Alex Edwin)
Status: Completed

Rename Decals You have Already Created
Sometimes it is handy to rename an existing decal, for example - if the name is too long for the object fly out window. Again idea provided by Alex Edwin - In progress - Quite complex as if the decal has been placed in a route it requires searching of all routes for references to the renamed decal files
Status: In progress

Use of Partial Transparency in Decals
Code completed but hit a snag. RailWorks only supports transparent or not transparent (1 bit transparency I believe). Rail Simulator support 8 bit or partial transparency but this feature was removed in Rail Works. I have asked RS.com to add the feature back in but as yet no response. If I can get this to work then painting terrain under decals will become much easier. At the moment you can not see the terrain below the decal so you have to just hope that you painting is the way you want it. With partial transparency you would be able to see a little of the terrain behind the decal, making things a lot easier.
Status: Awaiting resolution of RailWorks limitations