FMA instant grass in UMR - how to get-rid?

[Lataxe]

Mostly I like UK routes but decided to try a few foreigners. One such is the fine UMR, which uses the troublesome FMA instant grass splines along the track edges. It's troublesome because patches of it only appear as the train progresses; instantly, as if conjured out of thin air.

* I tried deleting all the FMA instant grass kuids from the UMR route config file but this didn't appear to work as the grass just re-appears when the route/session is run. Must one delete more than the kuids from the config file? Trying to get at them via Content Creator Plus editing of the UMR route kuid crashes the editor dialogue.

* I tried the "replace asset" tool to swap out the FMA grass splines for something called "invisible pipe". which does work although presumably that pipe is in there doing something (invisibly).

* I suppose I could also delete the FMA instant grass kuids from my local TS12 database then load UMR in Surveyor and tell it to delete missing assets, then resave the route? This approach would eventually solve any similar FMA grass problems in other routes.

Do any of you lads have some advice about the best way to stop this FMA instant grass from doing its conjuring trick as the trains trundle along; or the best way to get rid of it? I was wondering if the FMA config files could be fiddled with in some way to make the grass appear in the normal fashion, like all the other assets (i.e. gradually as the viewpoint progresses). These instant grass fellows seem to be constructed as "track", by the way...........?

Lataxe, looking for more realism in the furze.

 

[hminky]

* I suppose I could also delete the FMA instant grass kuids from my local TS12 database then load UMR in Surveyor and tell it to delete missing assets, then resave the route? This approach would eventually solve any similar FMA grass problems in other routes.

That is what I do, getting rid of "spline grass" really benefits FPS.

Harold

 

[clam1952]

Why not just delete the invisible pipe in cm and then delete missing assets in surveyor, then just reinstall invisible pipe, if it's needed. There was a fix for the JVC grass splines that did the same disappearing trick, can't see any way to do it with the old FMA ones though. Vendel has though recently uploaded some new grass splines, build 2.9, haven't tried them but they are supposed to be upgrades of the original and fixed, have to do a replace assets though as they are different kuid's with no obsolete entry. Search FMA Grass should find them under build 2.9

From one of the descriptions

grass spline, length 30m, width 20m - This will upgrade the TRS2004-version of the instant grass spline to build 2.9 with the original look but with some aesthetical and technical correction. This asset was tested in TS2010 and TS2012

 

[oknotsen]

Probably the most easy trick without having to edit or delete anything:
Download the 2013 version of the route (kuid:95512:100096).

From the discription:

This is a 'lite' version of the UMR, with grass and ground foliage removed, to better enable the Multiplayer function.

 

[Dermmy]

two fixes:

(1) search the DLS for the new 'improved' versions of the splines which 'fix' this 'problem'. Actually I like it the old way, but if your opinion differs get the new versions. They are not updates so you will need to 'Replace Asset'

-or-

(2) from the original versions delete the line

unit_mesh "grass_lod"

from the config...

 

[Lataxe]

Thanks to all for those useful suggestions; they provide fodder for an afternoon of playing about with the assets and learning yet more about Trainz innards.

Do you know, as one acquires these snippets of Trainz lore there is a move of the pleasure centre from "running sessions" to "fixing things up". When I'm so old and decrepid I can't get out the chair to walk the dawgs, make a cabinet, twang the bow or cycle the lanes, I may have to attempt the building of a route or even an enjin! Meanwhile I will pump all your brainy boxes from time to time for this esoteric stuff.

What a fine edifice is Trainz and its community!

Lataxe

 

[BuilderBob]

I'm not sure that the responses you got made the issue clear.

The grass that is causing you the problem is not 'spline grass'. It is a texture. You remove it by painting over the affected areas several times or, more reliably, by using the copy / paste tool and pasting something over the top (with only textures enabled). My preference is to paste a blank area, to ensure that everything is removed, and then paint in or paste the correct textures, without the grass.

 

[warrenup]

I have been deleting the grass from UMR since 2010.
Delete five files through Content Manager " FMA2 igrass 04",as well as 11,21,22. and 23
Fire up the route in Edit Route - delete missing assets - save - and presto - they are gone!
You had the right idea - thought posting the specific files to delete in CM might help others.

 

[Lataxe]

Mr Up,

Thank you for those specific FMA grass names; I will consider deleting the lot from my Trainz database & routes as you suggest.

Alternatively, I wonder if there are better grass assets that might be used to globally replace the flickering FMAs, via the "replace" tool in Surveyor? Anyone have any potential "better grass" candidates?

Lataxe

 

[Lataxe]

The grass that is causing you the problem is not 'spline grass'. It is a texture. You remove it by painting over the affected areas several times or, more reliably, by using the copy / paste tool and pasting something over the top (with only textures enabled). My preference is to paste a blank area, to ensure that everything is removed, and then paint in or paste the correct textures, without the grass.

Mr Bob,

I don't understand, I'm afraid. Surely the offending grasses are not textures but splined assets....? Your method seems a very labour-intensive process and would seem to leave the grasses extant in the route but now invisible......?

Can you explain a little more?

Lataxe the puzzled.

 

[dnevans8]

Lataxe, BuilderBob - As well as the splines Lataxe mentions that pop up as you drive along there are also some grass textures that show up as green but as you get closer to them they also sprout long tufts as BuilderBob mentions. I have spent ages getting rid of both offending grasses using delete, replace asset, or placing new items over them. Not tried deleting the asset in CM though and this could be the best way to get rid of them.

 

[JCitron]

Mr Bob,

I don't understand, I'm afraid. Surely the offending grasses are not textures but splined assets....? Your method seems a very labour-intensive process and would seem to leave the grasses extant in the route but now invisible......?

Can you explain a little more?

Lataxe the puzzled.

If you want to try scenery objects instead of splines, try McGuirel's Ultra Grass. Zec also made some that her stuff is based on. This is really nice, doesn't flicker or appear suddenly or do the other weird things that the older grass did like glow oddly.

John