Blah routes
- Thread starter davesnow
- Start date
Dinorius_Redundicus
kuid 68213
It's fair comment I think.
As in music, painting or anything creative, there will be a few percent of the gold, floating in a sea of rubbish.
Part of the problem is that highly decorated maps may look better, but they kill performance. Another aspect is that some people are genuinely interested only in the railroad rather than the world in which it sits. And finally, even though Surveyor is reputed to be the easiest route editor in the Train sim world, it still takes a very long time to make a map look both convincing and interesting. Only a few percent of route builders will have the endurance and the artistic talent to do this.
Unfortunately, there is no better way to judge a map than downloading it yourself and looking. Even if we had serious 'layout critics' who wrote reviews, I'm not sure I'd believe them any more than I believe film critics.
~D
As in music, painting or anything creative, there will be a few percent of the gold, floating in a sea of rubbish.
Part of the problem is that highly decorated maps may look better, but they kill performance. Another aspect is that some people are genuinely interested only in the railroad rather than the world in which it sits. And finally, even though Surveyor is reputed to be the easiest route editor in the Train sim world, it still takes a very long time to make a map look both convincing and interesting. Only a few percent of route builders will have the endurance and the artistic talent to do this.
Unfortunately, there is no better way to judge a map than downloading it yourself and looking. Even if we had serious 'layout critics' who wrote reviews, I'm not sure I'd believe them any more than I believe film critics.
~D
These sentiments may be fair, but remember that when creators put their routes up for everyone to see and try out it's like they're putting a little piece of themselves up for judgement. I respect all layout creators who upload their stuff, even if I'm critical of their creations, because I respect their courage in submitting their layouts for approval.
I've not uploaded a layout yet because I'm still not satisfied with the quality of my work in Surveyor. One day I hope it'll be good enough.
Paul
I've not uploaded a layout yet because I'm still not satisfied with the quality of my work in Surveyor. One day I hope it'll be good enough.
Paul
I too have downloaded routes that were disappointing once I tried them out, but to be fair, some creators are more creative and artistic than others. I applaud every creator for having the courage to upload their creations knowing that their creations will be criticized. I hope that they keep creating and uploading and more power to them for doing it.
For my own routes, I think mine have gotten better as I've gained experience, but they're no works of art by any stretch of the imagination. The biggest problem I've found in creating any kind of content is trying to balance realism with performance. Routes can get so loaded down with details that the FPS can becomes unbearable. Also, different people like different kinds of routes and I think there are routes out there to please just about everyone.
Bottom line is to keep creating and uploading. I appreciate the effort.
Mike
For my own routes, I think mine have gotten better as I've gained experience, but they're no works of art by any stretch of the imagination. The biggest problem I've found in creating any kind of content is trying to balance realism with performance. Routes can get so loaded down with details that the FPS can becomes unbearable. Also, different people like different kinds of routes and I think there are routes out there to please just about everyone.
Bottom line is to keep creating and uploading. I appreciate the effort.
Mike
Custom routes require work in surveyor.......
Honestly, I just download routes to get ideas. I never even attempted to use driver on them. I usually just scan it in surveyor and determine that this isn't what I want. Therefore I build my own.:hehe: The good part is if someone handed me a "perfect route" (use your own definition) I would have never learned how to build one myself and would have gave up Trainz a long time ago.
After 3 and half years I am still learning how to build routes.
One idea would be to find a layout you like and customize it to your liking. However, I must caution you that it takes an enormous amount of time to make a highly realistic functional route.
Honestly, I just download routes to get ideas. I never even attempted to use driver on them. I usually just scan it in surveyor and determine that this isn't what I want. Therefore I build my own.:hehe: The good part is if someone handed me a "perfect route" (use your own definition) I would have never learned how to build one myself and would have gave up Trainz a long time ago.
After 3 and half years I am still learning how to build routes.
One idea would be to find a layout you like and customize it to your liking. However, I must caution you that it takes an enormous amount of time to make a highly realistic functional route.
I commend every routebuilder who's ever uploaded to the DLS, regardless of how the route performs (so far, I haven't yet had the gumption to do it ). I have to agree, there are precious few routes that I regularly run, but those that I do seem to come with performance problems (read: low fps). I also agree with sethmcs, if someone had done more southern routes I might not have ever started my DEM (still have to see how my compy performs in all these trees, though... ).
(On the subject of prototype-like routes, try just about anything by George Fisher (gfisher), Dermmy's Clovis Sub, Neilsmith's Toronto Lakeshore West and UMR (Ultra-Mega-Route) and Chrisracer's Saginaw Sub and Lincoln Secondary.)
). I have to agree, there are precious few routes that I regularly run, but those that I do seem to come with performance problems (read: low fps). I also agree with sethmcs, if someone had done more southern routes I might not have ever started my DEM (still have to see how my compy performs in all these trees, though... ).(On the subject of prototype-like routes, try just about anything by George Fisher (gfisher), Dermmy's Clovis Sub, Neilsmith's Toronto Lakeshore West and UMR (Ultra-Mega-Route) and Chrisracer's Saginaw Sub and Lincoln Secondary.)
BLACKWATCH
Mechanical Engineer
I would suggest that davesnow take a look at some of the beautifully detailed routes made by Angelah (kuid 87158)
I just wish my machine was fast enough to do them justice. (It struggles a bit with frame rates)
I just wish my machine was fast enough to do them justice. (It struggles a bit with frame rates)
...I understand...
8) Hello DaveSnow,
Thanks for your (rather terse) commit about the hundreds of hours our Auran Trainz Forum Community have contributed to a place to run our Trainz.
You never specified your preference for a route, specify era, steam or Diesel-electric, electric, narrow gauge, etc.
Have you created a route lately? Think of the complications, and figure how you'll proceed and do it yourself!
I use TransDEM, a payware item, at €21.9...my first global purchase. TransDEM, Trainz Edition, is provided, to export Geo-Data, Raster Data, and Vector Route Data, to TRS-Surveyor, in about four hours time. You can export Topo-Data, and even use Google Earth satellite view, and lay it just under the baseboards, to create actual routes.
Keep trying...
Just find a desirable route, and git'er done!
8) Hello DaveSnow,
Thanks for your (rather terse) commit about the hundreds of hours our Auran Trainz Forum Community have contributed to a place to run our Trainz.
- Stick with DEM routes. Digital Elevation Models, are elevation correct.
- Can your computer handle it?(Please, don't waste our time with the specs, it works or don't).
- If a new route has no acknowledgement of a correct Geo-Data map, don't ask...they'll figure it out.
- Your best bet, for hard mountain running, tight curves, is the PROTO-CLINCHFIELD ROUTE, offered by TrainzPro Routes
- A Great long distance route, fast running, is the Clovis Subdivision. Please use the "Search" funtion,at the top of this page, to find the specifics.
You never specified your preference for a route, specify era, steam or Diesel-electric, electric, narrow gauge, etc.
Have you created a route lately? Think of the complications, and figure how you'll proceed and do it yourself!
I use TransDEM, a payware item, at €21.9...my first global purchase. TransDEM, Trainz Edition, is provided, to export Geo-Data, Raster Data, and Vector Route Data, to TRS-Surveyor, in about four hours time. You can export Topo-Data, and even use Google Earth satellite view, and lay it just under the baseboards, to create actual routes.
Keep trying...
Just find a desirable route, and git'er done!
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You don't have to download routes, Mr Ignoramus.
Anyway, haven't you thought that perhaps the creators of these routes kept the scenery to a minimum to benefit those with low-end PC's?
Please don't sit in judgement on people who are offering all their hard work freely and altruistically to fellow Trainzers.
Oh, and get a life.
Best wishes,
Padster
Anyway, haven't you thought that perhaps the creators of these routes kept the scenery to a minimum to benefit those with low-end PC's?
Please don't sit in judgement on people who are offering all their hard work freely and altruistically to fellow Trainzers.
Oh, and get a life.
Best wishes,
Padster
...you go, Padster...
8) Pad', your right...our Content Creators, do not deserve harsh public criticism!
There is no excuse, for mal-contentment, in Auran Trainz.
All the utilities, modules, 3rd party content, is provided, for a serious, Saturday afternoon, in the cab...
I think we're really dealing with a flamer...
8) Pad', your right...our Content Creators, do not deserve harsh public criticism!
There is no excuse, for mal-contentment, in Auran Trainz.
All the utilities, modules, 3rd party content, is provided, for a serious, Saturday afternoon, in the cab...
I think we're really dealing with a flamer...
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Hi,
Its hard to make a route that every1 likes(even not possible). About the scenery the OP maby is right but the great things about Trainz is that you can change the route for your own use. And there is another point that sometimes the scenery is not very detailed. First a route need to run and not to be a diashow. Also when the routebuilder has some thoughts about how to using this route also has something to do with scenery. As example when you only want to use the route for driving in a cab then why make alot detailes around the route you will never see. When i make a route i never use alot of roads and traffic lights, roadsigns etc, because they use alot recources. So i only lay some roads for the feeling. Also there is another problem that is very difficult to handle. There is alot of outstanding content outside DLS. But when you use this then alot of peeps are not happy because you don,t want to look outside DLS.
I mean there are tons of resons why a route builder make his route in a way that he wants. Aslo keep in mind the more detailed the more time it takes to finish a route. I think when you want a 100% realistic route(still this is a sim and not RL)it took years to complete a route. I think then there was not 1 route on DLS now. Also keep in mind that there also children build some routes and are proud of there work(plz keep it that way because they are our future). I respect every asset and lay-out that is on DLS or outside.
Greetz
Its hard to make a route that every1 likes(even not possible). About the scenery the OP maby is right but the great things about Trainz is that you can change the route for your own use. And there is another point that sometimes the scenery is not very detailed. First a route need to run and not to be a diashow. Also when the routebuilder has some thoughts about how to using this route also has something to do with scenery. As example when you only want to use the route for driving in a cab then why make alot detailes around the route you will never see. When i make a route i never use alot of roads and traffic lights, roadsigns etc, because they use alot recources. So i only lay some roads for the feeling. Also there is another problem that is very difficult to handle. There is alot of outstanding content outside DLS. But when you use this then alot of peeps are not happy because you don,t want to look outside DLS.
I mean there are tons of resons why a route builder make his route in a way that he wants. Aslo keep in mind the more detailed the more time it takes to finish a route. I think when you want a 100% realistic route(still this is a sim and not RL)it took years to complete a route. I think then there was not 1 route on DLS now. Also keep in mind that there also children build some routes and are proud of there work(plz keep it that way because they are our future). I respect every asset and lay-out that is on DLS or outside.
Greetz
Depends on what you mean by bland. As far as prototypical routes are concerned, what would you expect to see anywhere between Columbia, MO and Denver, CO in the U.S.? Or across vast tracts of Texas? Or, I have been led to believe, much of the outback of Australia - I have a New South Wales route that purports to be pretty typical of that area - I expect it would be called bland by some, but if it is realistic, so be it.
For me, a bland route would be one that offers little in the way of railroading challenge, not lack of scenery. In fact, in Murchison or PortOgden&Northern, in both of which I use Cab mode and contend with frequent AI traffic, do a lot of yard work, etc., I have very little time in which to enjoy the very fine scenery in either one - especially when steaming. That's for me. I suspect that every one of us has a personally unique take on what makes for interesting railroading.
I, too, very much appreciate the many hours of labor that creators of TRS assets of any kind spend, only to share them with us at no cost, or even at a pittance of cost compared to the quality offered.
Dick
For me, a bland route would be one that offers little in the way of railroading challenge, not lack of scenery. In fact, in Murchison or PortOgden&Northern, in both of which I use Cab mode and contend with frequent AI traffic, do a lot of yard work, etc., I have very little time in which to enjoy the very fine scenery in either one - especially when steaming. That's for me. I suspect that every one of us has a personally unique take on what makes for interesting railroading.
I, too, very much appreciate the many hours of labor that creators of TRS assets of any kind spend, only to share them with us at no cost, or even at a pittance of cost compared to the quality offered.
Dick
I don't appreciate being called an "Ignoramus" or a "Flamer" mr. smartie. I was only saying that there are a lot of crappy routes out there with crappy scenery that shouldn't have been uploaded in the first place. And I HAVE a life thank you.
ijzersmidt
New member
There are also a lot of crappy members out there with crappy attitudes who shouldn't have been allowed in as a member in the first place.
Sorry, I decided to delete my post, but it can't actually be removed....
Mick Berg.
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johnwhelan
Well-known member
Problem is there are a lot of routes. You need a filter of some type, if it comes from TPR it's probably OK provided you aren't looking for UK tram lines. The number of downloads from the DLS gives some indication, but again if you are looking for GWR Broad Gauge there isn't a lot of choice.
Many routes do not have the correct region showing which probably doesn't help. Perhaps have a dig through the on line magazines they sometimes have reviews of routes other than that stick to creators that have similar tastes to yourself.
Perhaps rather than say crappy routes say you're having difficulty finding routes that you like, and saying what your preferences are.
I must confess I find a small UK branch line much more interesting than a US route but I probably won't call the US routes crappy, dull to my eyes maybe.
Cheerio John