Creating Content for other than Personal Use

[RailfanJames]

Hello,

Im James, just got into TRS 2006 back last year and have been playing around with the game for sometime now. I have created re-skinned content, and have been looking at starting to learn how to create my own content as a profitable means. I see that there is some gaps in certain shortline railroads such as the SNCT (Seattle and North Coast, re-skinned 3 F7's in my Paintshed), TSBY (Tuscola and Saginaw Bay), GLC (Great Lakes Central), and Marquette Rail just to name a few off the top of my head.

Could someone help point me in the right direction? And how to steer clear to avoid problems. Thanks.

 

[JCitron]

James,

I commend you on your enthusiasm to become a content creator, however the route is pretty long, and the learning curve can be very steep, depending upon the application.

Since PainShed is no longer supported, you'll need some kind of photo editing software. These range in price from free to several hundred dollars.

The other software needed is for 3d model building. There are two or three programs right now that people are using for modeling. 3DS Max a the commercial product, and can run a few thousand dollars to get going. Then there is GMax, which is great for simple models, but doesn't handle complex scripts, and other things that are needed. The other program of choice is Blender, which I only dabbled around with once.

This is where the steep learning curve comes. JohnK has hosted tutorial links on Trainz Resource Directory on how to use GMax, and how to reskin. There are books available from Autodesk Press on using 3DS Max.

The other thing needed is time. Don't expect instant results over night. It's nice to come up with a modeling idea, but as life gets in the way of the virtual world, some things come to a halt. With the very steep learning curve, comes frustration, but the more practice you have making models, the better you will become at it, and this will drive down your production time.

I hope this gives you something to think about. Like I said I don't want to discourage you, but instead to layout some ideas for you to think about, and perhaps others to comment on as well.

John

 

[johnwhelan]

Hello,

Im James, just got into TRS 2006 back last year and have been playing around with the game for sometime now. I have created re-skinned content, and have been looking at starting to learn how to create my own content as a profitable means. I see that there is some gaps in certain shortline railroads such as the SNCT (Seattle and North Coast, re-skinned 3 F7's in my Paintshed), TSBY (Tuscola and Saginaw Bay), GLC (Great Lakes Central), and Marquette Rail just to name a few off the top of my head.

Could someone help point me in the right direction? And how to steer clear to avoid problems. Thanks.

Start here:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Trainz/Tutorial_for_Blender#Newcomers_start_here

Do the suggested video tutorials and Paul Hobbs Blender tutorial. Traditionally people start off with freeware then move into Payware but there are exceptions. There are two Payware routes one is to create many items quickly and sell to people who want something specific the second is to spend time and money to produce high quality.

The difficulty is working out what will sell and what will not sell. Some of my creations I like have very few downloads. Some of the others which took only a short time to create have much higher download counts. Then which version do you make for?

It used to be that my download counts for TRS2004 were much higher than the TC3/TS2009 ones. These days I have counts of 1,000 for the newer versions. I think my average download count is about 500. A normal mapped TS2010 takes more time but not that much more.

Payware I'd animate where possible. Textures are normally a problem some art training helps here. One or two good beta testers are worth their weight in gold by the way, especially at spotting the little things that make a difference. Use TS2010 for creation even if you are making lower level content it's very good at spotting errors.

Cheerio John

 

[RailfanJames]

Thanks Guys. I will look into the programs and see what I can learn. I was hoping it would be a little easier but I am up for a challenge.

Really the reason I want to create some content is that there is a lack of some railroads and equipment on the freeware as well as the payware, and the payware can run into some money. Not trying to look for an easy buck, but I am a railfan on the Class 1's and also have fanned several MI Shortlines this past summer.

 

[whitepass]

Big mistake most new content creators make is straiting with something very hard to make as there first thing. Making the mesh is not hard adding the texture can be hard the first time but getting something into Trainz error free and working can be very hard. Do not start with a steam engine or a loco.

 

[Johnk]

Although the items you suggest may not be available, that doesn't mean there will be a huge market for it if you made it. It's quite possible you could sell severla, but you may also only sell a few.

Most Content commercial Creators also offer freeware on their sites. I'd imagine this would be stuff they built when they started out, but it's a great way of establishing a rapport with your prospective customers.

Ans as the old saying goes, "If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it!"

Start off with the tutorials suggested above.

If you visit the Trainz Resources Directory as John (JCitron) suggests, you can get some idea of what's available. Have a look in the 3D software section and all the 3D tutorial listings. Start with simple shapes, then simple items and build your way up. Please don't get overwehelmed by it all. Even a single railway sleeper sitting on a pallet can be a very worthwhile asset.

 

[RailfanJames]

Ok guys. Now I have another question. Can I sell reskinned content? Such as Many Penn Central locomotives I have created, including a GG1, GP38, SW7, SD40 and ABA set of F7's. (Trying to work on a Alco FA however I cannot get the reskin to save.. )

If not, how could I submit the files to the Download Station for everyone to use and download?

Thanks guys for all the patience

 

[johnwhelan]

Ok guys. Now I have another question. Can I sell reskinned content? Such as Many Penn Central locomotives I have created, including a GG1, GP38, SW7, SD40 and ABA set of F7's. (Trying to work on a Alco FA however I cannot get the reskin to save.. )

If not, how could I submit the files to the Download Station for everyone to use and download?

Thanks guys for all the patience

You may sell reskinned content if you specifically have permission of the content creator to do so, or the license says you may. Were you thinking of cutting them in on a percentage?

How to upload depends on which version of Trainz you are using. Be aware that currently uploading is a bit erratic, something odd is happening on Auran's end.

Cheerio John

 

[RailfanJames]

My Version is: Trains 2006 Version 2.6 (Build 3337)

 

[johnwhelan]

My Version is: Trains 2006 Version 2.6 (Build 3337)

Can some one assist I use TS2010 these days.

Thanks John