11. Generate LODs (Level of Detail) Does your custom locomotive murder your frame rates? SFM can automatically generate lower-detail versions of the model so it gets "simpler" the further away the camera gets.
12. Remove LODs Conversely, if you are making a static scene and don't need LODs (which can cause flickering), SFM can strip them out.
13. Squash Warnings (Error Checking) Run a shape through SFM’s checker to find "Degenerate polygons" or "Missing normals" that clog up the log file.
14. Convert MSTS Shapes to Open Rails Optimized While Open Rails reads MSTS shapes natively, cleaning the hierarchy in SFM helps OR's rendering engine run smoother. msts shape file manager 25 best
15. Reduce File Size By stripping unnecessary animation keys or LOD data, you can reduce a shape file’s hard drive footprint.
Snippet (lamp.txt example — simplified)
[OBJECT]
NAME=LAMP01
TYPE=SCENERY
SHAPENAME=lamp.s
TEXTURE=lamp.bmp
6. Reducing Polygon Count (Unwanted Parts) High-poly models kill frame rates (FPS). Use SFM to "delete" sub-objects. For example, delete interior cab polygons on locomotives you will never drive from the outside view. This instantly boosts performance for trailing units. it lets you hack
7. Adjusting LOD (Level of Detail) Distances
By default, some models switch to low-detail (LOD) too close to the camera. SFM lets you edit the lod_distance values. The best practice is to extend the highest detail level to 200 meters before dropping to LOD 1.
8. Removing "Snow" Polygons
Many winter .s files duplicate geometry. If you never run winter activities, use SFM to delete the ( snow ) texture declarations entirely, reducing the file size by 50%.
9. Consolidating Shape Data
Over time, .s files become fragmented. Using the Load and Save cycle in SFM rewrites the file structure, removing byte-padding that Open Rails sometimes chokes on. msts shape file manager 25 best
If you’re working with Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) and shape files, this guide collects the 25 best shape-file managers, editors, converters, utilities and workflow tips to help you view, edit, convert and organize shapes for rolling stock, buildings and scenery. Whether you’re a beginner modder or an experienced content creator, use this as a reference to speed up your MSTS shape workflow.
Developed by Paul Gausden (a legend in the UK Train Sim community), SFM is a specialized utility that reads and writes the proprietary .s (shape) files used by MSTS and Open Rails.
Unlike a 3D modeling program (like GMax or Blender), SFM doesn't let you create shapes from scratch. Instead, it lets you hack, patch, optimize, and fix existing shapes without needing the original source files.
The “25” in the name? That refers to version 2.5 – the most stable and widely adopted release.