A better Andi06 Junction

[Approach_Medium]

Mods to JK Junction Kit textures

Hi all;
I really love the JK Junctions by Andi06, but I have never got the track to match what I like to use on my mainlines.
So this evening, I decided to play with the .tga files in Photoshop, and I have produced some nice results.

I don't think I can upload these, since I don't own the content, but I would be more than happy to give the new texture (I only created one track style) to Andi06 for review and possibly creating a new track selection.

I replaced the perchpole grey because it was the one I was using before the mods.
Because I changed only the .tga and .jpg files, I didn't have to modify anything else.
In the process of creating the new track, I upgraded the resolution for the track and sleepers, so that it would match that of the track I was using on my mainline.

The mainline track I have been using is "Track2 dark ballast", KUID2:173286:10018:1 by slave-driver.
I had modified the ballast for this track previously to more closely match the TS09_05 ballast I have been using.

here are the screen shots:

Note that I also changed the guide rails. I used the texture of "US Old/Light (2m)", KUID:35848:70513" by sg1.

In Photoshop, I used the clone tool.

I would love to have the tie plates for the inner rails, but I can't see a way to do this, since the same ties (sleepers) are used twice for the wider sections of the switch.
There would have to be a second sleeper file to add the second set of tie plates.

This was a lot of fun, and now I am going to replace all of the mainline switches on my route with the JK Junctions.

FW

 

[teddytoot]

Andi06 has provided instructions on how to add textures to the texture library so that it is not necessary to change the actual points. These instructions are on his website.

 

[Approach_Medium]

Thanks John;
I guess I should have done that. But I rarely read instructions before diving into anything:hehe:

BTW; I also changed the texture for the JK Track A01-00-02 Default (2m) because I wanted a track to match the switches better than the one I was using.

It seems that the rails on the JK junctions and JK track are slightly wider and further apart than those on the Track2 dark ballast I was using.

FW

 

[cascaderailroad]

Now You're cookin' with gas...those look great ! I think I could do this re-texturing & cut & paste...but some other newcommers as well as I could use more detailed information on exactly how to do this. I will have to go find the Andi06 manual that describes this in detail.

Thank you for the great photo's

 

[Approach_Medium]

There are instructions in the JK Junction Kit tutorial on how to add your own textures, but the procedure described will not work with TS2006 and later, since the asset database has been changed. You no longer have identifiable asset files, which were named by KUID; now we have the hash folders.
So, the way I did it is the only way I see possible in TS2006 and later.

The tutorial did help me in identifying the various parts of the .tga image and what to put there.

FW

 

[andi06]

There are instructions in the JK Junction Kit tutorial on how to add your own textures, but the procedure described will not work with TS2006 and later

Of course it still works, that's what CMP is for!

 

[Approach_Medium]

Of course it still works, that's what CMP is for!

So what do I do in CMP? Open for Edit, add the new files, then re-committ?
I didn't think it would be that simple

I guess I am making way too many assumptions here.
I'm going to make a NYR to start reading more and assuming less

BTW: Andi06; While I've got your attention; Is there any way to place the nail plates (not sure if that's the correct term, but I think you understand what I'm talking about) on the rails that don't now have them?
I thought it might work to attach them to the track image, but that didn't work.
Maybe I'm just being way too picky here. Your junctions look 100x better than standard TS!

FW

 

[cascaderailroad]

This seems to be the answer:
http://www.ajsmith.nildram.co.uk/trs/pdf/jk textures.pdf
http://www.ajsmith.nildram.co.uk/trs/junction03.shtml
http://www.ajsmith.nildram.co.uk/trs/junction04.shtml

But still it seems all Greek to me. And if I created a route, and changed all the complex textures and images...anyone who downloaded my route, would be dissapointed only to see the lackluster default track show up, instead.

My main question is: All over the world, whether it be China, Spain, Chili or British Columbia...a rusty old rail, is a rail...why not make a rusty old rail, one that is prototypical, in the first place. The same with Wood Ties...a weathered old wood tie, is a wood tie. Why make the end user do all the complex customization ? Sounds very discouraging and difficult for first time users, that they must make many, many complex customizations ?

There are 2 types of ties...wood and concrete...surely 2 different detailed genericly acceptable variations of track could be ready made for first time users...ones without the Nut & Bolt tie downs, or Spike details...RR tracks are not all that radicly different...whats the big deal with all the complexity, forcing users to customize all the image files and config files ?

My opinion is that with Aurans new 09/10 simulator, with all its multitude faulty problems, galore...they should have just concentrated on animated turnouts. (like MSTS2 promised)

And for actually enjoying having to modify assets, just to make them work...I'd jest at enjoying shoveling 10" of snow for a living...For I'd rather be enjoying: sorting fly poo, from pepper. Overly Tedious !

 

[Approach_Medium]

Actually, I enjoy making mods to content to make it more suitable for my needs. I also don't mind having to fix some faulty content, which is only faulty in TS2009 and TS2010 due to some changes in how the database works. For example, if a script file is missing from the asset, and maybe the creator left the script container empty, TS2010 will report an error, not just a warning.
So, I just open CC and remove the script container, as well as any others that are empty.

I have also had to run the PevSoft utility Pm2Im to create .im files from the old .pm so that these assets will work with TS2010.

I love the Andi06 JK Junctions, but since they didn't match my selected mainline track, I stopped using them.
But after reading a post on the junctions a couple of days ago, I decided to have a try at creating a custom track and sleeper file.
For me, it was just easier to modify an existing one, since I will not be using the original texture anyway.
The only problem with modifying content that way, is that if there is an updated version available, I will end up overwriting my modified textures, and have to go back and re-create them.

For the JK junctions, the result was well worth the effort. I now have the junctions I was looking for, and it really wasn't a lot of work.

I do understand that most Trainzers just want to play the game. Some don't even bother building their own routes, let alone making mods to content.
But for those of us who do have the time, and the patients, Trainz is a great game; because it will let us do so much with it.

I am trying to learn TrainzScript (at the same time, also learning C++, since it is the base for GameScript), and I would like to work with content creation someday.
I'm thinking maybe I could create some great looking carz, or other simple objects.

Or, maybe I'll get a full time job instead:hehe:

Have a Happy.

FW

P.S. Andi06; My original post was not meant to say that your JK junctions were lacking in any way; just that I had found a way to create a custom texture, which you and other informed me that there was already a way to do.

 

[gelliott]

Problem with JK points

I, too, like Andi's JK points - very realistic. But in 2010EE, I set the points in Surveyor (so that the arrows are consistent with the blade setting) but in Drive, they revert to default ( the arrows stay as set but the blades revert). What am I missing?

 

[honeymonster1971]

You need to place a "JK Junction Control" box on your route that fixes that problem

 

[bchester]

You need to place a "JK Junction Control" box on your route that fixes that problem

One word of warning when using the control box, be willing to wait a very long time for the session to start. I use the JK junctions extensively and they work great but a session in 2009 can take up to 5 minutes to start on my machine.

Be patient when using it!

Bricey

 

[gelliott]

Thanks, honeymonster1971. It works a treat.

 

[Davie_UCF]

I'd really like new textures to match the newer MP track thats with TS10.

Is someone willing to do it or is it straight forward enough for me to try?