Newer CDPs often use compressed texture formats that aren't easily readable by standard image editors. Using a converter tool to revert these to Targa (.tga) format is a common step for "reskinners" (creators who paint new liveries on existing trains). Tips for Managing Your Content
. Because CDP files are proprietary containers, players often need specific utilities to extract, modify, or convert their contents for cross-version compatibility or asset editing. Key Tools for CDP Handling
Edit the config.txt file to fix errors that cause older assets to break in newer versions like Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019 (TRS19) or Trainz Plus . trainz cdp converter
: A popular utility that allows users to view the contents of a CDP file without installing it into the game
Created by community legend Peter Villaume (PEV), tools like Images2TGA or PM2IM don't convert the CDP file itself, but they are crucial for converting the internal custom file types (like proprietary texture or mesh formats) into universal formats once the CDP is open. Step-by-Step: How to Extract and Edit a CDP File Newer CDPs often use compressed texture formats that
You import the CDP file into Content Manager, right-click the asset, and select Show in Explorer (or Show in Finder on Mac).
To reskin a locomotive, alter engine physics, or update old rolling stock config files to work in newer game versions like Trainz Railroad Simulator 2019 (TRS19) or Trainz 22. Because CDP files are proprietary containers, players often
Open multiple .cdp files at once and export the asset list as a CSV file for inventory management. You can find the latest versions on the CDPExplorer GitHub Releases 2. Converting/Importing into Modern (TRS19, TRS22)
It re-packaging the asset wrapper or extracts the raw files so you can manually fix version mismatches.
Trainz simulators (by N3V Games) utilize proprietary archive formats for distributing third-party assets. The most common formats are:
May struggle with newer, highly compressed CDP formats used in the latest game versions. 3. Images2TGA (Essential Texture Converter)