is a specialized utility for Microsoft Train Simulator (MSTS) and Open Rails (OR) used to modify 3D shape files ( .s ) and their corresponding definition files ( .sd ) without needing complex 3D modeling software. It is a revised version of Paul Gausden's original SFM v2.4a. Key Features of Version 2.5
This version introduced several critical updates to the core toolset: msts shape file manager 2.5
: The application often runs as an .hta file, which some Windows versions may mistakenly try to open with Internet Explorer rather than the Windows HTML Application host . Shape File Manager (SFM) v2
: It introduced the ability to adjust MIP Map levels and Texture Modes , which helped fix "shiny" locos or texture flickering. Works with MSTS v1
Originally hosted on and Trainsim.com (file ID: sfm25.zip ). It is now also archived on various MSTS fan sites and GitHub repositories for preservation.
With the rise of (a modern, open-source simulator that runs MSTS content), you might wonder if SFM is obsolete. Absolutely not. While Open Rails is more forgiving of shape errors than MSTS was, it still reads the exact same .S binary format. Furthermore, many new content creators for Open Rails still use legacy 3D modeling tools (GMax, TSM) that output raw MSTS shapes. SFM 2.5 remains the final polishing tool before packaging.