Hello, all;
Because the Download Station has such paucity of North American assets, I, long ago, decided to make my own stuff. So, I learned to use gmax, in conjuction with the Trainz Asset Creation Studio, Paint Shop Pro, Object Explorer and TRS 2006. Although I've made many things, the process was too laborious. The problem was that one can't render an image in gmax. TOE is okay but to get the full dynamic of a model, one has to import into the Trainz simulator.
Everyone knows how expensive 3Ds Max is!
Then, along come TRS 2009 and there two environments. One is the Compatible mode, which is essentially, an older version, redone. The other, is, Native mode, which requires a whole new way of doing things. And, gmax is no longer the primary content tool. So, what to do? Unless you have an older version of 3Ds Max, version 2010 has no exporter for Trainz
Now, there is Blender. I suffered through the ordeal that trained me to use this program, which happens to do everything gmax does, and has an onboard renderer, to boot.
I just ordered TRS 2009 and now I face the question: Should I go through the pain of learning to model with the Native mode, or stick with the old way?
While high detail scnerey is certainly a plus, what is the purpose of a rail simulator? I think that the model quality isn't that important. I think that the activity involved, is what matters. Creating trains, loading and unloading cargo, delivering to a customer, is what railroading is all about.
Am I wrong? Or are we suppose to cruise around a route and comment on how pretty it looks?
Just a thought . . .
srude

Because the Download Station has such paucity of North American assets, I, long ago, decided to make my own stuff. So, I learned to use gmax, in conjuction with the Trainz Asset Creation Studio, Paint Shop Pro, Object Explorer and TRS 2006. Although I've made many things, the process was too laborious. The problem was that one can't render an image in gmax. TOE is okay but to get the full dynamic of a model, one has to import into the Trainz simulator.
Everyone knows how expensive 3Ds Max is!
Then, along come TRS 2009 and there two environments. One is the Compatible mode, which is essentially, an older version, redone. The other, is, Native mode, which requires a whole new way of doing things. And, gmax is no longer the primary content tool. So, what to do? Unless you have an older version of 3Ds Max, version 2010 has no exporter for Trainz
Now, there is Blender. I suffered through the ordeal that trained me to use this program, which happens to do everything gmax does, and has an onboard renderer, to boot.
I just ordered TRS 2009 and now I face the question: Should I go through the pain of learning to model with the Native mode, or stick with the old way?
While high detail scnerey is certainly a plus, what is the purpose of a rail simulator? I think that the model quality isn't that important. I think that the activity involved, is what matters. Creating trains, loading and unloading cargo, delivering to a customer, is what railroading is all about.
Am I wrong? Or are we suppose to cruise around a route and comment on how pretty it looks?
Just a thought . . .
srude
