Do ordinary content makers have a place in trainz?
- Thread starter Barry
- Start date
cascaderailroad
New member
Trainz creations
I wish I knew how to do the things...that you know how to do ! If you create items in Trainz, I think everyone would like to see them in screenshots. If you create in G Max, and paint shed...etc...I want to see what you create !
I wish I knew how to do the things...that you know how to do ! If you create items in Trainz, I think everyone would like to see them in screenshots. If you create in G Max, and paint shed...etc...I want to see what you create !
johnwhelan
Well-known member
Without the "amateur" content creators we wouldn't have the variety of items we have today. Do you really think Payware creators would bother with CLC (Cheshire Lines Committee) rolling stock? Or the range of canal items you've made?
I strongly dislike the work of 80% of content creators work being declared rubbish. You don't have to use it.
The better layout designers are quite good at avoiding less than optimal items, if one of your favourite creators has made exactly what you want great, if not accept something that isn't quite the same standard. It doesn't take very long to stubble across content creators whose work you like.
By the way I'm one of the ones who've downloaded your work. I note that some have been downloaded 100,000 times. Perhaps you should move into Payware after all.
Cheerio John
I strongly dislike the work of 80% of content creators work being declared rubbish. You don't have to use it.
The better layout designers are quite good at avoiding less than optimal items, if one of your favourite creators has made exactly what you want great, if not accept something that isn't quite the same standard. It doesn't take very long to stubble across content creators whose work you like.
By the way I'm one of the ones who've downloaded your work. I note that some have been downloaded 100,000 times. Perhaps you should move into Payware after all.
Cheerio John
narrowgauge
92 year oldTrainz veteran
Barry
Of course there will be a need for our type of content. Not all the details in a scene need to be hi-tech and anyway, if you or I make something that people want, the build standard will not be important. On the other hand as more people work to the new standards, their skills will rub off on us and we will get better. Gmax has not been pushed to one side, despite the various comments to the contrary, Gmax can make some of the new stuff.
I look forward to TS2009 as a challenge, TRS2004, old faithful, was beginning to become stale for me and this new version has come at just the right time.
Peter
Of course there will be a need for our type of content. Not all the details in a scene need to be hi-tech and anyway, if you or I make something that people want, the build standard will not be important. On the other hand as more people work to the new standards, their skills will rub off on us and we will get better. Gmax has not been pushed to one side, despite the various comments to the contrary, Gmax can make some of the new stuff.
I look forward to TS2009 as a challenge, TRS2004, old faithful, was beginning to become stale for me and this new version has come at just the right time.
Peter
steamdrivre
Narrow gauge or nothing
Sure, everybody has their own skills at this creating thing. That's the beauty of it all. YOU have a choice. I build old, beat up, rusty items that work in '04, '06, and '09. That's my skill. I like it old a rugged BUT, not everybody wants my stuff.
Matter of fact, there are very few who do like my stuff but I don't give a darn whether you like it or not, I'm building all this stuff for ME. That's the other beauty about it. I'm not trying to please you, I'm pleasing ME when I build and release it.
This gives you the choice of whether you want my stuff or somebody's else's.
You can choose new or old or payware or all of it if you choose too.
There's a place for everybody with Trainz. Trainz will be around at all skill levels in all versions for a long long time.
Have fun,
Rick
Matter of fact, there are very few who do like my stuff but I don't give a darn whether you like it or not, I'm building all this stuff for ME. That's the other beauty about it. I'm not trying to please you, I'm pleasing ME when I build and release it.
This gives you the choice of whether you want my stuff or somebody's else's.
You can choose new or old or payware or all of it if you choose too.
There's a place for everybody with Trainz. Trainz will be around at all skill levels in all versions for a long long time.
Have fun,
Rick
Last edited:
Hi Peter will probably carry on making content in Blender but not quite sure what I will do with it these days. Have been making sailing sceneries and content for a sailsim over the years. Vista scuppered that so waiting on the next version which has been several years in the making. Same files I tried in tc3 and all the North Wales castles, but ever changing trainz versions and changing config. demands no longer for me. 2009 part one will make that the last. Thanks Barry
Hi Rick beat up and rusty that sound good. Bit further back in time though for me c1785 and mainly maritime. Ordered 2009 so will at least have a look to see how it reacts and cm2 for my own content. Thanks Barry
You didn't have to make this seperate thread to further the discussion that was taking place in the other thread you commented in then deleted to now act like an outcast content creator. Give me a break !!!!
No it's more than that. I may have made a similar thread and post, it's more to do with the changing nature of trainz and difficulties in content creation. Your post perhaps was the catalyst, but thats all. Far from outcast as few years since I made content for DS. Outcast trainz mariner maybe. B
Well I hope you didn't take anything you read in the other thread personaly. Nothing I said was meant as an attack on anyone and my intension wasn't to call anyone a crappy content creater.
If your thread here is valid then respected. All I can say to your concerns is...obviously this game changes and strives to become more technologically advanced in every edition that is released. I'm not a content creater but I can only imagine, as with any technology, as the technology grows and get's more advanced, so needs to be it's users to fully utilize it's capabilites.
I'm sure you can still create content for TRS09, can be one of the best content creaters for this game. The question is, do you have the tools and resources available to you to be able to learn new things, etc?? People won't fail at making cool content for this game because they can't, everyone CAN, the failure will be because they don't have a way to or the knowledge to, of no fault of their own if it's not provided to them to be able too.
You have these forum boards, that's a major asset in itself and I'm sure plenty of people out here will be more than willing to help you. This game offers new possibilities. If you've been a long time content creater for this game, now is a time to look forward too as now you can create content that will look awesome in this game and bring it to life like never before. Like I'm looking forward too and the main reason I bought this game.
I don't know the first thing about creating content for this game, so people like me are counting on people like you. And since the only way it seems to get cool looking content for this game is from people like you, we need more of you now than ever before.
So don't despair, where there is a will there is a way!
Last edited:
As one of the ordinary creators, I feel there will always be a place for every skill level in Trainz.
As I've said many times in many posts, I first create objects because I need them and like them. Then I offer to share them. If other people also happen to like them, fine. if not, I will continue to make what I need.
And remember, not everything needs to be supper detailed and high resolution. Sure, if it is a trackside object or something you will be really close to but for things further away and in the background, older and simpler objects will do just fine. They will probably also eventually be replaced by objects built to newer standards that put less of a strain on the graphics engine but even Rome wasn't built on a day.
So don't despair, continue making what you like.
johnwhelan
Well-known member
I don't know the first thing about creating content for this game, so people like me are counting on people like you. And since the only way it seems to get cool looking content for this game is from people like you, we need more of you now than ever before.
At least you recognise that Trainz needs content creators. Please don't annoy them there aren't enough as it is.
If you read up on Trainzdev currently the content creation software of choice is either 3DS or Blender. GMAX with additional software for bump mapping is also viable.
Have a look in the wikibook for Trainz.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Trainz/Tutorial_for_Blender
Do the tutorial under texture. If you find some thing could be better explained its a wiki so change it.
That will get you a scenery object into Trainz. Barry was an early adopter of Blender, Torsten wrote the Blender XML exporter, Auran wrote the XML importer. I'm one of the people testing the Blender side at the moment.
Your first attempts will probably not be perfect.
Not all models have all features but they can be "upgraded". Have a look at the config.txt file this is where the engine specs and other items are defined. Want to correct one for your own use go ahead. Want to sort out one of mine and make it more realistic great, mind you I'll run it by my beta testers first before uploading it to the DLS.
Think of the models as a starting point. Locos with fixed numbers, three methods to change these, the first is a straight reskin, clone the item, open up the texture file with a texture editor and change the number. Second make a second mesh with a plane that is a tenth of an inch over the loco number, then set up the mesh to accept running numbers. The third my favourite at the moment involves using a script to change the numbers. Have a look at my TC3 UK vans they use a script that changes the texture file by means of a texture group. Only six different numbers but it could be more but each different numbered skin is slightly different in lightness etc.
Using running number by the way adds six texture files or roughly the same impact as 200 extra polys per texture file say 1,200 polys.
Blender, paint.net GIMP are all free, its not expensive to get started with a few reskins or tweaking a config.txt file.
Cheerio John
I've never made a thing in trainz (other than routes for my own pleasure). Over the last 2 years I've learned how to model and texture. I would be an ordinary content maker I guess if I made content, except I do use normal maps, high res textures and higher poly models.
My problem is I wont purchase a $3,000 piece of software that has less or more function than Blender, Silo, Modo, C6, Hex or other lower priced modelers. Lord knows I wouldn't use any substantial percentage of Max's capability making anything for trainz. I also will not learn a new UI just to model something for trainz (gmax was simply not my cup of tea - ever). Sadly it does create a two class developer community. Perhaps some sort of store will be open for payware for those with the correct tools - I've seen this model used elsewhere.
To all those that have provided the thousands of content items for free for Trainz, I salute you. It will be a sad day I think if you no longer make the effort. And a loss to those who've enjoyed your content.
dh
PS I've also been an inactive trainz user for 3+ years. TS2009 brought me back with the hope of some badly needed updating to the code.
[edit] John just read your post. I'll check the Blender converter. 3DS MAX: over priced and over used.
My problem is I wont purchase a $3,000 piece of software that has less or more function than Blender, Silo, Modo, C6, Hex or other lower priced modelers. Lord knows I wouldn't use any substantial percentage of Max's capability making anything for trainz. I also will not learn a new UI just to model something for trainz (gmax was simply not my cup of tea - ever). Sadly it does create a two class developer community. Perhaps some sort of store will be open for payware for those with the correct tools - I've seen this model used elsewhere.
To all those that have provided the thousands of content items for free for Trainz, I salute you. It will be a sad day I think if you no longer make the effort. And a loss to those who've enjoyed your content.
dh
PS I've also been an inactive trainz user for 3+ years. TS2009 brought me back with the hope of some badly needed updating to the code.
[edit] John just read your post. I'll check the Blender converter. 3DS MAX: over priced and over used.
Last edited:
ex-railwayman
New member
I think this is the best answer anyone could have given you Barry. Please don't consider your efforts as rubbish, as they will always be used on layouts, by many people....Without the likes of you, we wouldn't have half the things we do on the DLS, and it's the little things that make routes more detailed that are important to us, we don't want bland layouts in the future, please keep creating for us.......
Cheerz. ex.
I thank you for all the info and your very knowledgable in all this, but to be honest with you, all I want to do is play the game and have content available to me that looks good and works.
I know creating content is a world all in it's own and very rewarding for all of you who create things...but I just wanna play.
Running loco's around with rolling stock collecting and delivering goods enjoying the scenery. The most fun for me is loco's that operate like real life loco's do and having industries to interact with. I spend some time creating my own maps yes, but I don't really want to get that involved where I have to know all that stuff you said and doing scripts and such.I very much enjoy the creativity part of this game as I like to be creative, but not THAT involved. I appriciate people like you who do like that part of it though and appriciate the content you create.
I just wish that if I downloaded someones loco that didn't have something like incremental breaking, I could edit a file and just copy and paste the required script/programming code into the file so the loco does have that functionality. Or if a loco I downloaded doesn't have the ability to change it's running numbers like the in game loco's do or how other content creaters loco's do, I can edit the file so it will be able too.
I'm not looking to steal or redistribute anyones creations, I just want to make them work as they should.
I've downloaded peoples Amtrak rolling stock where they made passenger cars, diner cars, etc but they don't actually work to where you can pick up passengers when you pull up to a station, so they are just for looks and really not usable. I finally did find Amtrak rolling stock that someone made where they did take the extra effort and make the cars work as they should.
I play this game as if I'm a real engineer driving a real train traveling from industry to industry picking up and delivering goods. That's a main part of what this game is about and why it's called a 'simulator'. When content creaters make content, that should be a main focus in what they create. For people who just wanna play, and play with content that gives that simulation experience.
" When content creaters make content, that should be a main focus in what they create."
The main focus for the content creators is to enjoy themselves, why should the ones that just want to play (nothing wrong with that) be the only ones to have fun.
Instead of complaining about the creators, try something you might find hard, ENCOURAGE them to do better.
Which would you prefer if they were talking about something you made,
"Rubbish body, lousy physics"
or
"Hey, not to bad an attempt, although I think a bit more work on 'blah' would give it an extra boost, also have a look at (insert the name of a creator who's physics is more to your liking) configs, I really like the way he/she did it."
If someone stood behind you and criticized every move you made while playing, how long would it be before you just quit, think about it.
Cheers David
Boobless_ed
Will this do?
I am lazy (tired and drunk also) and only read the first post, but it's simply up to the creators. They can do what they want.
No problems with me if they want to ignore what 09 can offer as a medium. It's up to the individual.
There are benefits to learning about all of the new features and encouragements for better techniques with '09 content. In my eyes, the biggest benefit is actually learning these techniques. We're all artists really, in a certain manner. So, instead of painting with that one giant brush we got in first grade, we can now use a whole set and make our works much more detailed and vibrant.
We should use what we can, as long as there are benefits. But nobody is forcing you to. We're all artists here, we do what we want.
Is this even remotely on topic? I hope so. Time to sleep.
No problems with me if they want to ignore what 09 can offer as a medium. It's up to the individual.
There are benefits to learning about all of the new features and encouragements for better techniques with '09 content. In my eyes, the biggest benefit is actually learning these techniques. We're all artists really, in a certain manner. So, instead of painting with that one giant brush we got in first grade, we can now use a whole set and make our works much more detailed and vibrant.
We should use what we can, as long as there are benefits. But nobody is forcing you to. We're all artists here, we do what we want.
Is this even remotely on topic? I hope so. Time to sleep.