Discussions about AI for and against content creations.

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

It's up to N3V to state what the rules are for acceptable content and enforce them at the time of uploading. Reject anything that does not conform. They do have some existing rules, as outlined in post #4 but they could probably do more to close the loop-holes that certain people exploit.

 

[pcas1986]

It's up to N3V to state what the rules are for acceptable content and enforce them at the time of uploading. Reject anything that does not conform. They do have some existing rules, as outlined in post #4 but they could probably do more to close the loop-holes that certain people exploit.

Yeah, like making new assets with a TB of 3.x to avoid LOD requirements. Often those assets are broken in the build they were made for (3.x).

 

[Blutorse4792]

How do we feel about using AI audio separation to create engine and hornsounds? I've been playing around with isolating the sound of a motor from the track noise in some some vintage audio recordings, and while my success has been limited thus far, I do sense some potential here.

 

[martinvk]

Back when AI was still in the science-fiction department, there were complaints about how some people were uploading crappy stuff to the DLS and how the Trianzers had to wade through it all to find the good stuff. Looks like the names and methods have changed but the same issues are still with us.
As for AI created objects, I wish the AI would get better quicker so objects would automatically have a minimum number of polys, proper LOD and decent textures.
Until that happy day arrives, it would be nice if the DLS listings would include poly counts and LOD levels bside the current file size.

 

[Pendolino]

Until that happy day arrives, it would be nice if the DLS listings would include poly counts and LOD levels bside the current file size.

How many times has this been requested, with no reply at all from N3V (and Auran before them)?

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

Until that happy day arrives, it would be nice if the DLS listings would include poly counts and LOD levels beside the current file size.

I would also request some measure of texture count too (e.g. draw call count for each LOD). It can have more effect than polygon count in some cases.

 

[norfolksouthern37]

That would be useful, but it means something, some internal program would have to open every asset on the DLS and determine this information. I think that is the reason we do not have it.

 

[Driver_Col]

Ok. So, I'll start by saying thank you so much to all content creators both past and present. And to all creators both here in the U.S. and overseas. lot of good content from around the world. Trainz is my most preferred train sim over the other sims because of its freedom of play, which is why I support all content creation. AI, sketch up, whatever. Those that have mastered 3ds Max creation will always be the go-to choice for content, but. I don't think there's enough of those types of creators to fill the insatiable void that us gimme pigs have for the content we want, and nor should we expect them to deviate from what they normally create to satisfy that void. I think that other methods of creation should be encouraged or at least tested out and used as a learning tool for those who just want to contribute something. To be so triggered over a free digital download, that it stirs up half the community... Come on now... Is it really that serious? Maybe AI will get better over time, maybe it won't. You have the right to hate it all you want, I don't care, as long as "We the Piggies" and the void are ok with it for the time being. So, keep calm, back away from the computer, go outside and breathe in some of that fresh real world, cause at the end of the day, Trainz is just like any other video game. Mindless entertainment.

Actually, "mindless entertainment" is a rather narrow view of Trainz. There are many who get nostalgic pleasure from following trains around. There are many who get great satisfaction out of replacing their model railway (along with the inherent space limitations) with layouts that are virtually infinite in size. There are those who get creative satisfaction out of route building. There are those with a technical leaning who get personal satisfaction out of creating representative items of specific railway companies and eras. Yes, I have no doubt there are many that do see Trainz as "just like any other video game. Mindless entertainment" ........... but there is so much more to Trainz than that if one cares to look ............. and think, especially about all those 3rd party assets which make up a significant portion of the Trainz offerings!

 

[davesnow]

If it is in fact, "mindless entertainment," then it would fit right into my world, because I'm slowly losing mine (my mind).

 

[Frank_Dean]

Regarding the number of textures, since Service Pack 5, the maximum number of different textures in a mesh is 8.
If the object has a build lower than 5.6 and more than 8 textures, only one warning will appear.
However, with a build of 5.6 and 9 textures, the warnings become errors and cannot be displayed.

 

[Pendolino]

However, with a build of 5.6 and 9 textures, the warnings become errors and cannot be displayed.

Yes, and this would be the only way to have a riotous bunch like us Trainzers to follow some rule.

Do you remember TRS2004?

It added shadows for rolling stock. Since the very start, Auran stated that the shadow mesh should be a simplified version of the main mesh. Many users didn't care about this advice, so in TS12 they enforced the "max 1300 poly" rule for shadows.

It also introduced the change from PM to IM meshes, as well as LOD (which was previously managed - with some weird effects - by the Progressive Meshes). Since the very start, Auran advised that models should have LOD, to avoid wasting resources when an asset is displayed far away from the point of view. Again, many users didn't (and still don't) care, so from T:ANE not having LOD has become an error. Unfortunately, N3V still allows uploading assets with build 3.7, so we have 100k trumpets on the DLS.

I am not sure I will be alive when build 5.6 will become compulsory...

 

[pcas1986]

That would be useful, but it means something, some internal program would have to open every asset on the DLS and determine this information. I think that is the reason we do not have it.

I've no idea what information (metadata?) Trainz collects about an uploaded asset but since its parsing the asset for errors and warnings perhaps it wouldn't be too hard to collect statistics such as that.

The problem is those assets already on the DLS.

A few years back N3V must have looked through the DLS inventory to identify scripted assets and then look for obsolete functions in use. Some 15,000 were then dumped on the CRG's repair list.

Running such a process would be time consuming and therefore costly so I can understand their reluctance to do so. Maybe its a question of priorities and available resources.

 

[kimo505]

Actually, "mindless entertainment" is a rather narrow view of Trainz.

Ok... Well, I can respect what you say is true. We sure can get passionate about our hobbies.