Using the RailDriver with RailWorks

NOTE: With the release of RailWorks 3 some RailDriver users are experiencing control issues. Please click here for more information.

Software

By downloading this software, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.

Download: Installation Package v. 1.0.3.2 (1.8 MB)

    Contains:
  • RailDriver® Calibration v. 1.0.2.7
  • MacroWorks 3 for RailWorks v. 1.0.3.2

Download Legends for Railworks here. (0.4 MB)

Installation

  1. Install RailWorks/RailWorks2.
  2. Plug in your RailDriver.
  3. Download and install the MW3RailWorksInstallerWeb.exe installation file linked above.
  4. Follow the steps until the installer finishes
  5. XP users skip to step 6. Windows Vista/7 users:
    • When the installer shows as complete, click Close. If you receive a prompt to restart your computer, click 'Cancel' as you will need to restart shortly.
    • Right-click on the MacroWorks 3 icon on your desktop and select 'Properties.'
    • Go to the 'Compatibility' tab and place a check mark in the box by 'Run this program as an administrator.'
    • Save this setting, then restart your computer.
    • Double-click on the MacroWorks 3 icon on your desktop to launch the software.
  6. When MacroWorks 3 launches for the first time, you will be prompted to calibrate your RailDriver. Click 'Yes' to launch this application.
  7. Follow the instructions in the calibration utility to get your RailDriver set up.
  8. Launch RailWorks. Go to Options -> Gameplay and make sure 'Simple Controls' does not have a checkmark by it.
  9. Select your train/route from the menu.
  10. Drive!

For Steam/RailWorks installed using non-default settings:

Windows XP:

  1. Double-click on My Computer and open the C:\ Drive.
  2. Click on 'Tools' -> 'Folder Options...', go to the 'View' tab and click the button by 'Show hidden files and folders' then click OK.
  3. Navigate to [C:\Documents and Settings\[your login name]\Local Settings\Application Data\PI Engineering\MacroWorks 3\MyScripts] and you should see a file like Script_210_##.mw3
  4. Double-click on this file to open it. Windows may tell you that it can’t open this file, if so choose 'Select the program from a list', find and choose 'Notepad' then click OK.
  5. Once this file is open, you will need to find the following line and change the letter from C: to the drive where you have Steam with RailWorks installed, or change the full path if you have it in a non-default location – Dim dllpaths As String() = {"C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\railworks\plugins\", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\railworks\plugins\"} 'locations of the RailDriver.dll
  6. After changing this line, go to 'File' -> 'Save' and then close this window.
  7. Start up MacroWorks 3. It should load correctly now.

Windows Vista & 7

  1. Find Notepad on your computer, right-click on the icon and select 'Run as administrator.'
  2. In Notepad, go to 'File' -> 'Open'. If you don't have your computer set to show hidden folders, do this now ('Organize' -> 'Folder and Search Options'. Choose the 'View' tab and click the box by 'Show hidden folders, files'. Save these settings.)
  3. Change the file type from 'Text' to 'All files' then:
    • If you have received an error message about being unable to find the .dll file, navigate to [C:\Users\[your login name] \AppData\Local\PI Engineering\MacroWorks 3\MyScripts] and you should see a file that looks like Script_210_##.mw3. Select this and click 'Open'. You may also want to edit the file in the step below, as this is used if you ever start a 'New' script.
    • If you have not tried to run MacroWorks 3 at all and have never seen an error message about the missing .dll file, navigate to [C:\Program Files (x86)\PI Engineering\MacroWorks 3\Devices\RailDriver], select RailWorks_Script_210_template.mw3 and click 'Open'.
  4. Once this file is open, you will need to find the following line and change the letter from C: to the drive where you have Steam with RailWorks installed, or change the full path if you have it in a non-default location – Dim dllpaths As String() = {"C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\railworks\plugins\", "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\railworks\plugins\"} 'locations of the RailDriver.dll
  5. After changing this line, go to 'File' -> 'Save' and then close this window.
  6. Start up MacroWorks 3. It should load correctly now.

Reprogramming

  1. Right click on MW3 icon in the system tray by your clock, or double-click on the icon on your desktop.
  2. You should now see the MacroWorks 3 interface.
  3. Select the button you wish to program.
  4. Program your keystrokes or add your function.
  5. Click 'Save' when done with that key.
  6. When finished programming your keys close the MW3 interface.

There are some pre-set RailWorks functions to select from if you wish to customize your RailDriver layout. To access these, open up MacroWorks 3 and look on the far right under 'Functions' -> 'RailWorks'. These can be loaded by opening a key for programming, deleting the current contents with 'Clear All', then double-clicking on the function you wish to assign, and pressing 'Save'.

If you decide to save a custom layout for your RailDriver (or multiple layouts so you can have them set up for a specific engine, a steam train set, etc.) we highly recommend changing the save path to an easy to find location and giving the file a custom name. When you load the script up again, it will ask you to choose your device from a list and select OK. After doing this, you still need to go to 'File' -> 'Apply' to have it set as the current script.

For any programming you do to the buttons on the RailDriver, you will need to make sure you have 'Keystrokes' selected in the programming pane and input the key shortcut that you would use in RailWorks to do that function. 'Text' and 'Shortcuts' should not be used for RailWorks programming, and double-clicking on something from the Functions sidebar will automatically set the programming mode to Functions.

Notes

  • The MacroWorks 3 software must be running in order for the RailDriver to connect to RailWorks 2.
  • If you are using the RailDriver with other train software on the same computer, you will need to completely exit out of MW3 before starting the other software.
  • The Headlights and Wipers switches are set up using the functions of the RailDriver.dll that we were give by the RailWorks team. We only have the options for 'off' and 'on' which translate to 'off' and 'setting 2' in RailWorks. You may wish to set up some of the blue buttons with the keystrokes needed to match the settings you would prefer.

Common Problems

When I double-click to start MacroWorks 3, nothing happens!
The first time you do this, MW3 will just start up in the background and place an icon in your system tray (that area near your clock).  When this happens without any error messages, it means everything is running and ready to go.  If you double-click on the desktop icon again, it will bring up the programming window and allow you to edit the programming on the buttons.

I've closed the MacroWorks 3 window, but the RailDriver still isn't working with my other simulator.
MacroWorks 3 is not completely turned off when you close the programming window.  To shut it down completely, you will need to either right-click on the system tray icon and select 'Exit', or open up the programming window and go to 'File' > 'Exit'.  When you do this you will get a box asking you to confirm shutting down the software, and you must choose 'Yes' to completely shut down the software.

I programmed one of the blue keys with a keyboard shortcut, but it’s not working in RailWorks.
This can almost always be fixed by setting up the programming just a little differently, especially if the key is meant to be held down (this is how pre-set keys like the Sander and Horn are set up).

  1. Open MacroWorks 3.
  2. Press the button on your RailDriver that you want to program (or double-click on it in the GUI). If there was already programming on this key, click 'Clear All' to remove it.
  3. Press the keyboard key or combination that you wish to program and hold it down. The 'Details' view at the bottom should show the key, and Key State '‘Down' only.
  4. With your other hand, move the mouse down to 'On Release' and click in the blank white area (you should still be holding the key at this point).
  5. Release the key you had held down. 'Details' view should show the key, and Key State 'Up' only.
  6. Click 'Save' and try it out in RailWorks.

Need Help?

Our tech support department would be glad to answer any questions you may have! Just call us at 1-800-628-3185 ex. 19 (Monday through Friday, 8AM - 5PM eastern time), or e-mail us at tech@piengineering.com

 

 

 

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