Back in Trainz again.

[haddock56]

As the title suggests, I'm back again though I'm starting over from scratch so it may take some time before any new projects are announced. My dad dislikes the fact that I'm always this interested in trains in general (he says to the point of hyperfocusing), so this in combination with the craziness of life (plus family problems) prompted me to leave the Trainz community for a bit. Also the fact that I have been into model railroading as well and that hobby has kinda taken it's own direction. I'm back for good this time, though something may pop up and I'll have to be gone for a while. I can also say that the Trainz community is one of the few places that, despite the occasional problems one encounters with a forum of this nature, I have never actually wanted to leave for good. And now for the part I think everyone wants to hear: The route I had built and uploaded to the DLS will remain a freely modifiable route. Permission is given to modify the layout and re-upload to the DLS as long as I'm mentioned as the layout's creator. I'd also like to say that this is one of the few places where I actually fit in. So ya'll (darn you crazy southern words getting the better of me XD) have a good rest of the day. I'll be back on from time to time, and if any content creators need some ideas or help, shoot me a message. I'll be glad to see what I can do to help however big/small of a contribution it may be.

 

[William0d0]

 

[mjolnir]

... My dad dislikes the fact that I'm always this interested in trains in general (he says to the point of hyperfocusing ...

Dad may deserve a bit of credit here. Remember the graphic painted on the inside of each end of many of the centerbeam flatcars, showing, that if not loaded or unloaded properly, they can tip over (cf. <http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1164660>). So it is with life, if things are not kept in balance, there can be a dangerous relocation of the center of gravity.

ns

 

[haddock56]

I'm not questioning that fact, but I do dislike the fact that he maintains his view that stuff like this is "a waste of time money and energy" as far as he's concerned. He even went as far as saying that a friend of mine could afford to play with model trains because he's 'retired'. The way he was raised you don't have hobbies until you are retired. I don't hold with that. If you just keep working all through life, where's the meaning in it? Someone can't be involved in this kind of stuff simply bc they're not retired? This is my view on things but if I have the wrong viewpoint then please by all means correct it. And I'll let you in on a little secret here too. The economy where I live is complete crap, so even though I just recently turned 21, my parents have graciously allowed me to stay with them. Steady work is hard to find anymore and I haven't found much except odd jobs and yard work every now and then.

 

[mjolnir]

No, I don't mean for a moment to suggest that you have the wrong view of things, though I don't necessarily thing your dad has the wrong view of things, either. Just because the two of you have different viewpoints, does not, in my view, mean that one of you is automatically wrong, and the other automatically right. And I know jobs are hard to find, especially if one does not have exactly the right characteristics, training, and skillset.

But one thing you might try with your dad: spend part of your "trainz" time learning to create content. Not that there's a log of money to be made in content creation, but content creation can give you a background in graphics processing software (GIMP) and 3D modeling software (Blender), and if you become proficient in these packages, you would be able to create a portfolio to show to companies, and perhaps be able to expand the odd jobs you are able to do. This also allows you to tell your dad that you're not playing with trainz, you're trying to build you skills to get a good job in computer graphics and animation, and you're using Trainz because it's an inexpensive way to develop marketable computer skills.

ns

 

[JCitron]

I'm not questioning that fact, but I do dislike the fact that he maintains his view that stuff like this is "a waste of time money and energy" as far as he's concerned. He even went as far as saying that a friend of mine could afford to play with model trains because he's 'retired'. The way he was raised you don't have hobbies until you are retired. I don't hold with that. If you just keep working all through life, where's the meaning in it? Someone can't be involved in this kind of stuff simply bc they're not retired? This is my view on things but if I have the wrong viewpoint then please by all means correct it. And I'll let you in on a little secret here too. The economy where I live is complete crap, so even though I just recently turned 21, my parents have graciously allowed me to stay with them. Steady work is hard to find anymore and I haven't found much except odd jobs and yard work every now and then.

Welcome back!

Your dad sadly feels the way a lot of people do, yet sadly these people don't do much when they retire either. My uncle was like that and even told me that they were a waste of time and were for retirees. When he retired, he never indulged in any hobby he could have had, and instead he sat around all day watching TV. Many hobbies take years to foster and develop and are not always something you can do instantly. Model railroading takes years of collecting and building not only because of techniques, but also because of cost. Music takes years and years of lessons to do this properly, and is not much unlike a sport like baseball or basketball. There are countless hours needed for practicing and working at it. The same with many other things outside of the work world. These things can take as much effort as working, if not more sometimes.

In my house we all have different hobbies, and were allowed to develop them over the years. My brother has his workshop where he makes things. This has actually become part of his business now with this metal spin-casting and fishing fly rods. If it weren't for my trains, severe storm chasing, music, and other interests, I'd be out of my mind. With the pressures at work, and the constant pressure of every day life, it's good to get away and escape to a different place. This helps keep the mind innovative and working clearly.

The thing is, and I do agree with your dad on this, you need to balance between a hobby and real life. I understand work is tough right now. Have you considered going back to school for another degree program? Perhaps computers or even work for Norfolk Southern, or CSX? This is just a few options I can think of offhand. (If you do work for the RR, don't tell them you like trains otherwise they'll kick out before you start!)

John

 

[haddock56]

I currently hold a HVAC Technician Assistant certification, though HVAC is not my chosen career path in life. I just got into model railroading about a year and a half ago and it's taken that long just to build up the collection I have now, which isn't much but it sure is a unique one. One SP B40-8, a KCS 2-10-2, SP #4449 in the AFT scheme, a Proto 2000 E8A in Erie Lackawanna colors, a New Haven Alco RS11 (now equipped with sound & DCC) and the old veteran, an Atlas RS36 of the L&N, roadnumber #911. It was my first engine. Have about ten to twenty pieces of rolling stock in all (counting cabooses lol) so it's a definitely colorful collection. I'm a dieheard steam fan myself so there's only a few diesels that appeal to me. I really want to work on model trains as my main career and that's one reason why him saying that kinda gets to me. CSX and NS aren't hiring much from what I've heard, if any at all. I was lucky to find a local model railroad club and I run my engines and cars there, since I have no space for a layout and certainly not the one I dream about!:hehe: I'll upload a video of my Alco diesel in a little bit to my Youtube account and I'll most likely post it here so you all can see it. Even took a real gem of a video that looks like you're standing trackside while my new SP B40-8 runs downgrade with a local.

 

[haddock56]

No, I don't mean for a moment to suggest that you have the wrong view of things, though I don't necessarily thing your dad has the wrong view of things, either. Just because the two of you have different viewpoints, does not, in my view, mean that one of you is automatically wrong, and the other automatically right. And I know jobs are hard to find, especially if one does not have exactly the right characteristics, training, and skillset.

But one thing you might try with your dad: spend part of your "trainz" time learning to create content. Not that there's a log of money to be made in content creation, but content creation can give you a background in graphics processing software (GIMP) and 3D modeling software (Blender), and if you become proficient in these packages, you would be able to create a portfolio to show to companies, and perhaps be able to expand the odd jobs you are able to do. This also allows you to tell your dad that you're not playing with trainz, you're trying to build you skills to get a good job in computer graphics and animation, and you're using Trainz because it's an inexpensive way to develop marketable computer skills.

ns

I actually have thought of that, and since I'm proficient with Windows I don't see how that could fail. I always like doing different things in Trainz and one day I'd like to bring a creation of my own into fruition. I'm have tried a couple times to create a loco (real simple switcher, shortline design, homebuilt type from spare parts) in Gmax but aside from the general shape I was completely lost. Been doing a few reskins here and there, need to get the Photoshop App for my PC before I forget again. My best reskin was done on that, one of Mckhawkman's SW1500s in a fictional modified 'Bloody Nose' scheme. It's on the DLS. But I'll consider that, it would be the perfect melding of trains and something that could get me somewhere in life.

 

[haddock56]

I can counter with a few of my old-time songs.:hehe: Just look up "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins.

 

[mjolnir]

I actually have thought of that, and since I'm proficient with Windows I don't see how that could fail. I always like doing different things in Trainz and one day I'd like to bring a creation of my own into fruition. I'm have tried a couple times to create a loco (real simple switcher, shortline design, homebuilt type from spare parts) in Gmax ...

I'm gratified you see some value in my advice. And while GMAX would be more than adequate for Trains simulator content, it is not going to be of much use in the real world. On the other hand, Blender is being used in real world applications, including making movies and games, and if you're considering trying this for future commercial use, you'd be (in my opinion; others' opinions may vary) far ahead using a software package which is being actively supported, and being ported to new operating platforms, which GMAX is not. There are at least two "formal" courses on line that can help you learn blender, too, as I referenced several times in other threads (one post is #1097528, which you can easily find by doing a search using the parameter "gryllus"), one geared towards high school students, the other towards college students.

... need to get the Photoshop App for my PC ...

Well, reskins are good, but there is a product, the GNU Image Manipulation Package--the acronym is GIMP--which has substantially all of Photoshop's capabilities, but very little of Photoshop's cost. Like GMAX and Blender, GIMP is a free download, and like Blender, it is open source. Unlike Blender, I don't know of any on-line courses covering GIMP, but I've not looked. I know, because I have looked, that there are a multitude of Youtube videos offering tutorials in Blender and GIMP. There may be similar tutorials on GMAX, but I've not bothered to look.

ns

 

[haddock56]

I have tried Gimp a couple times and couldn't figure out how to use it. Blender didn't even work when I first tried it, the program just froze. The main reason why I was looking at Photoshop is that Adobe has an app plan for a monthly fee ($20 a month for only one app) and I had planned to use that to be able to reskin the content that have their .tga files in .psd format. However since I have a new PC I'll give both of those programs a shot again.