Creating Content

[Maddox61]

Thanks Mike,

I will look into that. I was told 2.45 but it seems logical to use the newer versions if at all posible.
And with Blender, a little learning curve, but nothing big. I'm just more used to using the mouse, less key board.

you wouldn't know of a tutorial for dummies that would help me get a simple block loaded into assents, would ya?

Once I get something, no matter what, loaded. I will understand, and be able to load anything from that point on, and the rest is simply writing the config. files.

 

[RRSignal]

Thanks Mike,

I will look into that. I was told 2.45 but it seems logical to use the newer versions if at all posible.
And with Blender, a little learning curve, but nothing big. I'm just more used to using the mouse, less key board.

you wouldn't know of a tutorial for dummies that would help me get a simple block loaded into assents, would ya?

Once I get something, no matter what, loaded. I will understand, and be able to load anything from that point on, and the rest is simply writing the config. files.

The easiest thing to do is open a scenery asset in CCP, save it, then copy that config.txt file. Change the kuid, username/object name, and add a mesh-table if there isn't one, but the important part is pointing it to your exported mesh. You obviously would want to change any description, licensing, author name and contact info, etc. and add a thumbnail line, but you don't have to do that now. Just use CMP's Import Content function to import the folder containing the config.txt, your mesh and textures, and that's it.

 

[Maddox61]

Now it's just ticking me off. CCP. COG. CG. CTX. XYZ.
I attempted to open a senery asset in CCP (Content Creator Plus)
According to the help menu, I am supposed to have a Menu Bar, and right below that a Tool Bar. IN my window, there is no tool bar. There is no discription as to how to open an asset and save it. 90% of everything I did get opened stated that it it would need to be downloaded from the Download Station, while the others stated that they could not be used due to they are a fixed item or such.

Frustrated. I have now read the entire Help section, The entire CCG, and tried to use tutorial from one site that said to create a simple brick wall and I came up with 5 error codes. I have tried tutorials from World of Trainz and had no luck, went from GMAX, to Blender, back to GMAX, Back to blender 2.45, now Blender 2.57.

I have created and opperated 2 ecommerce websites using flash, animation, wav. files, wrote all my own HTML coding and Javascript,
and now I have been 1 week trying to get this program figured out.
I found that this program is not designed for anyone with any less experience than a graphics designer or computor programer.

And you can't get help outside of this forum.
Hell, I'm using CCG literature designed for 2004 on 2009. Trainz simply assumes that everyone knows how to use the software.

Not A Happy Camper. :'(

 

[johnwhelan]

Blender 2.57 is claimed to be stable. And the exporter seems to work OK.
I'm just pointing this out because the 2.5x interface is sooooooo much nicer.
Mick Berg.

Want to do a 2.57 based tutorial in the wiki?

Thanks John

 

[clam1952]

Now it's just ticking me off. CCP. COG. CG. CTX. XYZ.
I attempted to open a senery asset in CCP (Content Creator Plus)
According to the help menu, I am supposed to have a Menu Bar, and right below that a Tool Bar. IN my window, there is no tool bar. There is no discription as to how to open an asset and save it. 90% of everything I did get opened stated that it it would need to be downloaded from the Download Station, while the others stated that they could not be used due to they are a fixed item or such.

Frustrated. I have now read the entire Help section, The entire CCG, and tried to use tutorial from one site that said to create a simple brick wall and I came up with 5 error codes. I have tried tutorials from World of Trainz and had no luck, went from GMAX, to Blender, back to GMAX, Back to blender 2.45, now Blender 2.57.

I have created and opperated 2 ecommerce websites using flash, animation, wav. files, wrote all my own HTML coding and Javascript,
and now I have been 1 week trying to get this program figured out.
I found that this program is not designed for anyone with any less experience than a graphics designer or computor programer.

And you can't get help outside of this forum.
Hell, I'm using CCG literature designed for 2004 on 2009. Trainz simply assumes that everyone knows how to use the software.

Not A Happy Camper. :'(

There is a 2006 CCG here http://www.auran.com/TRS2006/global/files/CCG2006.zip

plus stuff is gradually appearing in the Wiki.

More Gmax tutorials below:
http://www.ianztrainz.com.au/tutorial.htm
http://www.tafweb-trainz.co.uk/tutorials.html
http://publish.uwo.ca/~gerard/trainz/tutorials/

Blender and Gmax here:
http://www.44090digitalmodels.co.uk/tutorials/index.html

To open an asset in CCP or better explorer it needs to be installed in content manager, that may be where you are going wrong?

Can't get on with Blender myself, it's totally incomprehensible to me compared to 3ds. I use Gmax or 3ds depending on what PC I am using, not a lot of difference in them really, if you use the 3ds 4 I think it was plugins in gmax instead of the originals.

 

[Mick_Berg]

Want to do a 2.57 based tutorial in the wiki?

Thanks John

I'll look into it. It's about time I contributed something other than inane questions!
Would it have to be in the Wiki? Wouldn't I have to spend hours learning Wiki-ese? I have a website, I could put it up there.
(at least I think I do, better go check if it's still there.................:hehe: )
Mick Berg.

 

[Maddox61]

Here is an example Mick,

Chapter 3 Line 1. in the 2006 CCG

It reads "When existing config.txt file is loaded, the program will "parse" the text file and gather 2 different sorts of information".

If you take note, the word "parse" has quotations around it so that the reader will see the big $2.00 collage word that the editor used.

The word simply means: to examine.

We, the newbies, don't want to know how intelligent you are, we need to know how to opperate the program!

And it even seems, in the forum, that some of the Trainz elders are even having trouble trying to understand the new 2012 version.

I wonder why?

 

[johnwhelan]

Here is an example Mick,

Chapter 3 Line 1. in the 2006 CCG

It reads "When existing config.txt file is loaded, the program will "parse" the text file and gather 2 different sorts of information".

If you take note, the word "parse" has quotations around it so that the reader will see the big $2.00 collage word that the editor used.

The word simply means: to examine.

We, the newbies, don't want to know how intelligent you are, we need to know how to opperate the program!

And it even seems, in the forum, that some of the Trainz elders are even having trouble trying to understand the new 2012 version.

I wonder why?

Not quite parse in this sense is a programming jargon which means look for certain strings within the line in an automated manner using a computer program.

Generally speaking the traditional way to make content is find something that works that is similar, now drop in your .im and texture files then edit the config.txt file to the new names. In programing you very rarely start from scratch its too easy to make mistakes and the config.txt file is basically control statements to a program or very close to programming.

Cheerio John

 

[Maddox61]

Another thing,

I have been assisted by many, real nice folks, here on this forum. And I greatly appreciate it. And I am not naive to what is going on in the wolrd of PCs.

I simply feel that things could be just a bit more user friendly.
I also don't like having people waste time helping me, and still have trouble with the program.

I said it before, and I will say it again "If not for the people in this forum helping others out, Trainz would only be a memory".

And I'm sure you simply jumped right in when you started.

 

[Maddox61]

Quote

Hey John,

Just been getting frustered.

All you guys have tried to help me out, and I do appriciate it. but, I tried using a tutorial (forgot whos), and created a brick wall. It used that same method of taking an existing config.txt file and re-writing it and adding your own id in the kuid. when I tried to load it, it came back showing an error on each file I loaded. So, I tried to redo tutorial and got the same error.

I don't know if I am dealing with bugs in the game, or if the tutorial only works on 2006, or if I am not doing something right.

I was told to load up an existing asset, copy the file, open that config.txt and use it. I tried this and I can't even get an existing asset to open.

I am not going to give up.

I just get frustrated at times. Mainly when a game is advertized as being user friendly, and requires a PHD to opperated it.

 

[johnwhelan]

Hey John,

Just been getting frustered.

All you guys have tried to help me out, and I do appriciate it. but, I tried using a tutorial (forgot whos), and created a brick wall. It used that same method of taking an existing config.txt file and re-writing it and adding your own id in the kuid. when I tried to load it, it came back showing an error on each file I loaded. So, I tried to redo tutorial and got the same error.

I don't know if I am dealing with bugs in the game, or if the tutorial only works on 2006, or if I am not doing something right.

I was told to load up an existing asset, copy the file, open that config.txt and use it. I tried this and I can't even get an existing asset to open.

I am not going to give up.

I just get frustrated at times. Mainly when a game is advertized as being user friendly, and requires a PHD to opperated it.

Content is made differently these days. I assume you are using Blender then I suggest you download and clone (right click in cmp) KUID2: 86627:1481:1 then use edit, edit in explorer, copy in your .im file and the textures and edit the config.txt file.

Cheerio John

 

[Maddox61]

Happy Camper

Hey John,

Finaly, an easy way to find and copy config.txt files.

All I had to do was right click on the asset in the Content Manager, click on edit, right click again, and click edit in explorer, copy and save files I need (config.txt) in explorer, right click again and revert asset.
Use that config.txt to creat what I need for my assets, and Wah Lah.

Does that sound about right?

It is 1:30 am, our time and been on here all day.

I may get frustrated, But I don't give up. Thanks for all the help!!

Now it is all about practice, practice, practice.

 

[johnwhelan]

Hey John,

Finaly, an easy way to find and copy config.txt files.

All I had to do was right click on the asset in the Content Manager, click on edit, right click again, and click edit in explorer, copy and save files I need (config.txt) in explorer, right click again and revert asset.
Use that config.txt to creat what I need for my assets, and Wah Lah.

Does that sound about right?

It is 1:30 am, our time and been on here all day.

I may get frustrated, But I don't give up. Thanks for all the help!!

Now it is all about practice, practice, practice.

Glad to be of assistance.

Cheerio John

 

[Mick_Berg]

Texture Confusion

Want to do a 2.57 based tutorial in the wiki?

Thanks John

Well, I took up the challenge and am writing a short tutorial to explain how to export a simple Blender 2.57 model into TS2010. It seems that the problem is that information is spread out all over the place, and I have tried to consolidate it all into one place. I am writing it for my web site, as the Wiki looks like it needs a learning period that I don't want to undertake right now.
I hope to have it finished soon.
Thanks,
Mick Berg.

 

[Maddox61]

No Rush Mick

 

[Mick_Berg]

Tutorial Completed

No Rush Mick

I have finished the tutorial on exporting to Trainz from Blender 2.57, and it can be viewed on my web site at www.mickberg.com. No frills or pretty pictures, but I hope it gets the job done. Please check it out and let me know if there are any mistakes or legal violations, or if any thing is unclear or missing.
Thanks,
Mick Berg.

 

[handlaidtrack]

Instead of creating a new thread, I'm going to use this one, even though it's been dormant for a few days.
More than likely, others would have referred me here anyway, and this does at least show that I've already read it.

I installed Blender last night, and have been working at it ever since. The biggest problem I'm having is that the actual software doesn't look much like the tutorial screenshots, or even the manual that came with it.
I've gone through all the tutorials referenced in this thread, although the interface is so different as to make them almost worthless.
I read about 70 pages of the manual, just to get started, and then attempted to look up specific topics but with very limited success. In most cases, I find links that result in error messages.
I've spent hours pressing different buttons to see what they do (but in most cases the result is not immediately obvious).

So far, I've figured out how to add and edit polys, and to change the camera angle. I've built a simple house with a carport, porch, foundation and steps, and I've managed to get a preview of a texture file to appear in the bottom right corner of the window (but I have yet to figure out how to paint the model with it).

Various posts on this thread and elsewhere are contradictory as far as which version to use. As I don't want to have to learn two versions, I went with the latest (2.57).

Right now, I could ask 100 specific questions and still not scratch the surface, so instead I'll just ask if anyone knows of a beginners tutorial for the latest version.

 

[Mick_Berg]

I would suggest the tutorials at gryllus.net/Blender/3D.html Not geared towards Trainz, but good for Blender, and is written for 2.56, which is the same interface as 2.57. Included in that is John Blain's tutorial, also very good.

To export from 2.57 to TS2010, I have written a tutorial, it's at www.mickberg.com

As yet, I don't think there is a tutorial for Blender 2.5x which directly relates to Trainz. Paul Hobbs' Y7 tutorial at www.44090digitalmodels.co.uk/tutorials/index.html is good but is written for 2.49, but I guess you've already seen that.

Good luck,
Mick Berg.

 

[Maddox61]

Instead of creating a new thread, I'm going to use this one, even though it's been dormant for a few days.
More than likely, others would have referred me here anyway, and this does at least show that I've already read it.

I installed Blender last night, and have been working at it ever since. The biggest problem I'm having is that the actual software doesn't look much like the tutorial screenshots, or even the manual that came with it.
I've gone through all the tutorials referenced in this thread, although the interface is so different as to make them almost worthless.
I read about 70 pages of the manual, just to get started, and then attempted to look up specific topics but with very limited success. In most cases, I find links that result in error messages.
I've spent hours pressing different buttons to see what they do (but in most cases the result is not immediately obvious).

So far, I've figured out how to add and edit polys, and to change the camera angle. I've built a simple house with a carport, porch, foundation and steps, and I've managed to get a preview of a texture file to appear in the bottom right corner of the window (but I have yet to figure out how to paint the model with it).

Various posts on this thread and elsewhere are contradictory as far as which version to use. As I don't want to have to learn two versions, I went with the latest (2.57).

Right now, I could ask 100 specific questions and still not scratch the surface, so instead I'll just ask if anyone knows of a beginners tutorial for the latest version.

Hey friend,

I am new as well to blender, though I have completed all the tutorials.
The best ones I have found are one that Mick mentioned:
http://gryllus.net/Blender/3D.html
In this tutorial, you will want to download the Hot Keys file for refference.
You also need to try and complete all the unit video tutorials. They are very helpful, as well as easy to use.

Another page in the same site is:
http://www.blender.org/education-help/tutorials/
This gives a list of different courses that you can take. Makes for good practice.

As for the conflicked of interest on what version to use:
I found that most people on here that use Blender, use 2.49. It has been out for a while and people are familiar with it. 2.57 is very new, not to mention that one of the Trainz members had to create an exporter for 2.57 that would work in trainz and that has not been too long ago either.
One thing I found in 2.57 that is not good, you can not bevel a single edge, rather you must bevel the entire object. Or atleast I haven't found a way yet. 2.49 allows this to be done. I do know that there are people here that are working on trying create a tool that can be added to do this. Not sure if they have one yet or not.

The trick I found when searching for tutorials is, make sure to add 2.5 to your search, as 2.5 changed the entire format and trying to use 2.49 or older tutorials will only confuse you.

Also Youtube has a ton of tutorials, by simply searching Blender 2.5 under videos.


Well this should get you going. Have fun, and good luck.

 

[Mick_Berg]

Hey friend.......................

One thing I found in 2.57 that is not good, you can not bevel a single edge, rather you must bevel the entire object. Or atleast I haven't found a way yet. 2.49 allows this to be done. I do know that there are people here that are working on trying create a tool that can be added to do this. Not sure if they have one yet or not................

If you add this script you can bevel single edges in 2.57.

http://www.blendpolis.de/download/file.php?id=66150
Thanks go to Paul Hobbs. I've tried it and it works fine.

Mick Berg.