Adding ARN to an older loco

[rweber95]

These are the steps I used to convert a trainz-build 1.3 loco, that had manual running number capabilty, to trainz-build 2.9 with Automatic Running Numbers (ARN).

1. Cloned built-in loco GP38-2 - Canadian National,<kuid:-1:100167> then right click it to select Edit - Edit in Explorer to put it in the edit folder.

2. Copy the arn_sfx_loco.gs script file to the edit folder. If you don't have this script file you can download it from http://www.trainzproroutes.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3883 as ARN+SFX_Loco_Update_Pack_2K4+6.zip which unzips to the script file.
Double click the locos config.txt file for edit in Notepad to make the following changes:

3. Deleted this tag:
origin "CAN"
because it is obsolete.

4. Replace the tag bogey 100141 with this bogey container:
bogeys
{
0
{
reversed 0
bogey <kuid:-1:100141>
}

1
{
reversed 0
bogey <kuid:-1:100141>
}
}

5. Changed interior 101475 to interior <kuid:-1:101475>

6. Changed the tag:
name "GP38-2 - Canadian National"
to:
username "GP38-2 Bobs"
so this asset has a unique name for me.

7. Added this tag just below the existing tag fonts 2:
fonts-path "gp38_2_cnstripes"
This points to the folder that has the alphanumbers.

8. Added these three tags:
trainz-build 2.9
script "arn_sfx_loco"
class "ARN_SFX_Loco"

9. Replaced
running-numbers
{
rn-0 "# 4711 "
rn-1 "# 1233 "
rn-3 "# 1234 "
rn-2 "# 1235 "
}
with this container:
extensions
{
arn_data-47907
{
number_low "5500"
number_high "5559"
}
}
Note that the arn_data- number is the User-ID number of the cloned kuid. I looked up the road numbers for a CN GP38-2 in wikipedia and used those values for the low and high range.

10. Used PEV's PM2IM to change .pm mesh to .im and used Quickshadow to create a shadow.im mesh. Then added this mesh table:
mesh-table
{
default
{
mesh "gp38_2_cnstripes_body/gp38_2_cnstripes_body.im"
auto-create 1
}

shadow
{
mesh "gp38_2_cnstripes_body/shadow.im"
}
}

11. Added kuid numbers for the arn library, sfx library and the arn icon to the existing kuid table so it looks like this:
kuid-table
{
arn_lib <kuid2:104722:2501038:4>
arn_icon <kuid2:104722:1959365:2>
sfx_lib <kuid2:104722:2502000:1>
0 <kuid:-1:42004231>
1 <kuid:-1:42003000>
2 <kuid:523:54610>
3 <kuid:-1:100141>
4 <kuid:-1:101475>
}

Saved and commit.

Bob Weber

 

[dricketts]

Thanks for posting Bob. So in theory this should work on most older locos?

 

[rweber95]

Yes, if their mesh file supports running numbers.

Bob Weber

 

[H222]

Yes, if their mesh file supports running numbers.

Bob Weber

Sorry for bumping, but what if said asset's doesn't support running numbers?

Jamie

 

[norfolksouthern37]

Its is possible to add alpha number plates to an existing item if you can position them correctly. The alphnumbers can be a config mesh table entry. It has to be the default mesh though, so the other default entry has to be changed to something else.

 

[CPman117]

This is my nightmare but it is somewhat helpful also i cant find that file im trying to do arn on the MRL GP9s

 

[n8phu]

Its is possible to add alpha number plates to an existing item if you can position them correctly. The alphnumbers can be a config mesh table entry. It has to be the default mesh though, so the other default entry has to be changed to something else.

I have had success with mounting a attachment mesh as the default and mounting the body .im as an additional mesh. Should work with the ARN plates, then mounting the body as another mesh.

Look at the reskinnable Alco RS3 that I put up on the DLS.

 

[reskinartistatwork]

Its is possible to add alpha number plates to an existing item if you can position them correctly. The alphnumbers can be a config mesh table entry. It has to be the default mesh though, so the other default entry has to be changed to something else.

no you can not do that you have to apply correct points on e mesh and then as you said configure them, and the arn has to be allighned with the mesh (which your gonna have to ask the original author for).....

 

[norfolksouthern37]

no you can do it, i have done it before. you dont have to add any points to anything. you just make a mesh that will load in the same space as the original. it must be in the mesh table as 'default' or it wont work as an alphanumber using the internal code to change the textures.

the VMD B40-8 models did not have ARN and before release. when i was with VMD i added ARN numbers to them without getting any source files. as with anything, it can be done if you set your mind to it. when i did the conversion for the same models earlier this year to TS12, it reminded me of this and made me decide to do all of my models with 'external' ARN - i.e. loaded from another mesh and not permanently attached to the locomotive or traincar models. in this fasion, the ARN can be removed from the mesh table and thus removed from the asset or exchanged with different location models fairly easily.

 

[reskinartistatwork]

Really cool learn something new every day.

 

[DON49PLM]

How about Wulf_9's Auto Running Gear Grid(attachment) mesh. How do ya get that to work. I'v placed it and it work as a named object in the mest table. I can change the numbers there. Can and how do you link it to running numbers?

 

[Hemler]

I have A question how do you know if the mesh supports Automatic Running Numbers (ARN).
When I downloaded GP38-2 - Canadian National,<kuid:-1:100167> I see it had a folder in that was label alpa Numbers I am guessing that is the dead giveway on if it supports ARN or not

 

[rweber95]

Yes, any loco or rolling stock that has an alpha-numbers folder can be made into an ARN asset.

Bob Weber