Content Creation Guide?

[treblesum81]

Hi All,

Just wondering whether there is a comprehensive guide explaining the tools and outputs needed to create content for TRS2009? I'm pretty hand with Gmax and Blender and there are a few items which I'm either not happy with or that don't exist that I want to take a hack at creating. Most notably are the F59PHI and Amtrak Superliners, as I really want to conduct some modern North American passenger ops. I know the F59PHI is supposedly in the works, but, from what I can tell at least, that project is dead on the rails.. if I'm wrong, please point me to information to the contrary, though, even if it is live and running, I'm thinking it probably won't utilize TRS2009 benefits like a new, TRS2009 only version would.

Anyway, even if there are fewer things to be done that I think there are, I would really like to get the know how to create items and bring them into TRS2009.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Euphod]

I believe you should register over at the TrainzDev site, where like minded intrepid indiviuals such as yourself are toiling day and night to clean up this mess...I mean...improve the Trainz Franchise!

 

[alanti]

You may want to have a look at these tutorials too
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=34165&highlight=loco+tutorial

 

[treblesum81]

I believe you should register over at the TrainzDev site, where like minded intrepid indiviuals such as yourself are toiling day and night to clean up this mess...I mean...improve the Trainz Franchise!

LoL, I think I just might do that, though I may only add to the problem with my grandiose ideas.

You may want to have a look at these tutorials too
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showt...=loco+tutorial

These look interesting, I'll have to read through them... Trains seem to have less complicated geometry than my last home-made models (submarines) so I'm hoping I can figure these out.

 

[wreeder]

Greg,

The wiki over at Trainzdev.com replaces the CCG of earlier versions. So look there for the guidelines. Most tutorials available online are for earlier versions so it might be worthwhile to think in terms of creating a few items at first that work in earlier versions and TS2009 with out errors before tackling a TS2009 only version. The kind of quality improvement possible in a TS2009 loco would bring earlier versions to their knees. Plus more people would love your creations.

William

 

[treblesum81]

Greg,

The wiki over at Trainzdev.com replaces the CCG of earlier versions. So look there for the guidelines. Most tutorials available online are for earlier versions so it might be worthwhile to think in terms of creating a few items at first that work in earlier versions and TS2009 with out errors before tackling a TS2009 only version. The kind of quality improvement possible in a TS2009 loco would bring earlier versions to their knees. Plus more people would love your creations.

William

This is indeed something important to keep in mind... From what I can tell, the vast majority of Trainzers still use 2004, though I think thats changing. That being said, if building something like a locomotive is as labor intensive as it seems (they have been working for over a year on that F59PHI that I mentioned without even a public beta), then I'm not 100% sure I want to be making the same item more than once...

 

[martinvk]

Hi All,

Just wondering whether there is a comprehensive guide explaining the tools and outputs needed to create content for TRS2009? ..., I would really like to get the know how to create items and bring them into TRS2009.

Thanks,
Greg

I don't see any content made by you on the DLS but that might only mean you haven't uploaded any yet. Making locomotives and other rolling stock is not for the faint hearted nor something I would recommend as a first project. I would start with simple static objects, then some animated ones and a few splines. Once you can make any imagined object and have it appear as desired in Trainz, then I would start on rolling stock.

Since rolling stock tends to be seen at very close distances, as well as medium and far, you'll need to use every technique and trick to show the details without overdoing the poly count. Realistic cab views and other interiors with active dials and gauges get you extra points.

Good luck and happy Trainz

 

[treblesum81]

I don't see any content made by you on the DLS but that might only mean you haven't uploaded any yet. Making locomotives and other rolling stock is not for the faint hearted nor something I would recommend as a first project. I would start with simple static objects, then some animated ones and a few splines. Once you can make any imagined object and have it appear as desired in Trainz, then I would start on rolling stock.

Since rolling stock tends to be seen at very close distances, as well as medium and far, you'll need to use every technique and trick to show the details without overdoing the poly count. Realistic cab views and other interiors with active dials and gauges get you extra points.

Good luck and happy Trainz

My last project was an I688 attack sub for silent hunter IV... I never posted it for public consumption, but that was owing more to the fact that someone else beat me to it with a better model. That being said, it was high-detail and accurate according to the best information I could find for it. To be honest, I probably will start by creating TRS2009 only content for a route that I'm getting ready to start building, but ultimately, I'll be able to do it all at some point. I don't have anything up on the DLS because I only just started using Trainz 2009 about 2 weeks ago and I'm talking now about creating new content because I'm just not satisfied with whats available already... not because its not good work, but because I'm a huge stickler for high detail and at least in TRS2009 a lot of that is missing. I many never publish something on the DLS, but that doesn't mean I can't build something...

 

[martinvk]

... I many never publish something on the DLS, but that doesn't mean I can't build something...

No insult to your creative talents was intended or meant. Glad to hear you've managed to get your head around GMax and it's idiosyncrasies. Don't forget that TS2009 wants normal mapping added to the textures. Basic GMax needs a slight modification, (search Gmax bump) here or over at the TrainzDev site for TS2009 in order to export those new textures.

Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

 

[wreeder]

Greg,

Check the download section of the wiki at Trainzdev for the source files of the new loco included with TS2009. Figuring out how it is put together will go a long way to reaching your goal.

William