how to simulate derailing

[vr_driver]

Hi guys,

I bought Trainz today, and it seems rather feature packed and well done. Apart from the clunkyness of having never used it before I find it great.

I have a couple of questions though.

Is it possible to simulate train crashes and crash two trains together, or trains into 3d car/truck models etc?

Or, am I better off just creating a layout and then manually placing a bunch of objects in place myself?

Also, when using the scenario creator, can you overlay a jpg map on the 'ground', to then be able to map roads and rail tracks to it, to get a more realistic look and feel of actual places?

I am hoping to be able to be able to present a rail crash scenario to be able to use it to train rescuers on what to look for etc. What would be the best way to go using this program? Can I render video/screen shots from this program properly?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[itareus]

Steve

Welcome to the Trainz Community.

What version of Trainz are you using? (Need to know to give clear answers to your question).

Cheers

Chris

 

[vr_driver]

Hi Chris,
Thanks for your welcome and prompt reply. I am using "Trainz Simulator 2009 World Builder Edition".

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Scitimar]

Hi guys,
Can I render video/screen shots from this program properly?
Steve

You can use this software http://www.fraps.com/ for video and single images

Is it possible to simulate train crashes and crash two trains together, or trains into 3d car/truck models etc?
Or, am I better off just creating a layout and then manually placing a bunch of objects in place myself?
I am hoping to be able to be able to present a rail crash scenario to be able to use it to train rescuers on what
to look for etc.

I'm not sure you'll find this software entirely suitable for the purpose you've outlined . There's no mesh deformation for vehicles in derailments and the physics would , I feel, not be what you're looking for . You could however place prebuilt damaged simulated railcars into whatever position you require and simulate a static scene ...

.

 

[jadebullet]

If you are just creating a static scene, it is possible in two ways, one more simple, and less detailed, one alot more complicated, but more realistic.


The first method is the simple method. While you can place cars off of the tracks, they cannot be flipped over or anything like that. What you do is take a track spline called "invisible track" and make different track pieces at random angles to similate the wreck, and place the cars on it.

The second method is ALOT more complicated. You essencially have to clone each railcar, go into their config and change them from a railcar to a piece of static scenery. Then do the same thing with the trucks(bogies) which have become disatatched when it became a scenery item. Adding the roll script to the config will allow you to roll the cars on their side. Since I haven't done this yet, maybe someone will be able to explain to you how to do it.


As for the Jpeg picture, it is what is called a basemap. Essencially what you have to do is get a program like blender or Gmax, and create a flat square the size that you want to model. Then you texture it with the jpeg, and then import it into trainz. Then you will have a scenery item that you can place on the ground and build the tracks over top of. Then delete once you are done with it. Yes it is complicated, but it is the only way that I know of that you can do it.

 

[itareus]

Steve,

Scitimar and jadebullet have given you some excellent advice.

If you want static images then pressing the "PrtScr" key will create a JPG file in the "Screenshots" folder of your installation directory. You can remove the "screen clutter" with various function keys prior to taking the shot. For video most people use FRAPS as suggested.

If you want ultimate realism then you could make your own "Crashed" vehicles using Blender (it's free) and import them into Trainz to create the scene. Not simple but the option to do this is there.

Trainz is very "open ended" you can do a lot with it but there is a learning curve and the more complex your requirements the steeper this is. You will generally get help here on the forums although I suggest you try a forum search (or a Google search with "Trainz" and "Your Search Item") before posting.

Enjoy....

Chris

 

[johnwhelan]

Is it possible to simulate train crashes and crash two trains together, or trains into 3d car/truck models etc?

Or, am I better off just creating a layout and then manually placing a bunch of objects in place myself?

Also, when using the scenario creator, can you overlay a jpg map on the 'ground', to then be able to map roads and rail tracks to it, to get a more realistic look and feel of actual places?

I am hoping to be able to be able to present a rail crash scenario to be able to use it to train rescuers on what to look for etc. What would be the best way to go using this program? Can I render video/screen shots from this program properly?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
Steve

There was a design decision made in the very beginning not to support collisions because of the extra processing involved.

Now having said that technically what you can do is use scripts and animation. Bulk loads for example are a mesh that is normally 100 meters below the wagon, when animated loading takes place you simply bring up the mesh into view.

So use a track mark or some such to trigger the animation then take one mesh which is the coach or wagon down below sight level and throw the other one up. A mesh does not need to be along the track.

Once some one has worked out the animation and scripts etc then you can just add in the different wagons coaches etc into the config.txt file.

Cheerio John

 

[Darkrider]

The only way I've managed to create derailments is by flinging the train off a bridge, but sometimes it doesn't all come off.

 

[nawlins]

In TS2009 there is a built in command that you can use when editing your AI trains in Surveyor. The command is "Derail Train" by maggs, kuid2:116387:8:2.

Check it out.

Cheers

 

[FlyingScottmond]

I was thinking that if a Trainz crashes, if you want them to bump into each other, some one could program a rule so they are derailed yet the behave as though they are still on the track.

​

 

[mjolnir]

The problem with this bit of jadebullet's advice

...<snippage>... Adding the roll script to the config will allow you to roll the cars on their side. ...<snippage>...

is that most of the content I've seen built for TRS does not include detailed underbody detail.

Can I render video/screen shots from this program properly?

There is a built in means of getting a screen shot: [shift]-[prtscr] saves a ~.tga image to a folder in the TRS installation folder called "screenshots" in the Auran folder (until you've once generated a screen shot, don't look for the folder, as it's created when the first screenshot is saved). It is also possible to use other methods. I "create" a screen shot using GIMP.

I am hoping to be able to be able to present a rail crash scenario to be able to use it to train rescuers on what to look for etc. What would be the best way to go using this program?

If you're wanting to do this with Computer Graphics, you might be able to use TRS for part of the background image, but any simulation of a collision in TRS is going to be quite crude. In all but the most trivial derailments, equipment shows visible damage. A car which rolls on its side is going to be dented, and possibly have other visible damage as a result, including missing hand rails, ladders or other safety equipment, and the separated trucks / bogeys mentioned earlier. Representing that type of damage would involve creating custom objects, which some sophisticated 3d CGI packages, like Blender, or 3D max could do.

ns





ns

 

[JCitron]

There is no need to create a basemap object. They already exist and can be downloaded from the DLS. (Download Station).

Once the basemaps have been downloaded, they can be edited and your JPG image, resized to fit on a 1024 x 1024 pixel area, can then be placed on the basemap. This is done be renaming your image to be the same as the one that already exists. You'll need either backup (recommend) or overwrite the original default basemap image. Once the object is edited, using CM2, you have to commit it to readd it to the database. The basemap object is then available in Surveryor for placement.

These are only basic details on how to use a basemap. If you want more details on the how-to part, we're more than willing to help out.

Welcome to Trainz!

John

 

[vr_driver]

Hi All,

Thanks for the excellent feedback. I look forward to trying to give it all a go and creating a few scenes. You have all given me a great stepping stone to hopefully where I can go with all this.

Cheers!
Steve

 

[cascaderailroad]

Invisatrack works great:
http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc339/cascaderailroad/Screen_032.jpg

 

[N33]

Thanks for the excellent feedback. I look forward to trying to give it all a go and creating a few scenes. You have all given me a great stepping stone to hopefully where I can go with all this.


Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Maybe you should have pre-ordered Ts2010 as I am eagerly awaiting it.