"IM to PM and the case of the SD40s"

[SantaFebuff]

Hello all, I have a question. A long time ago, when I first got PEV's Tools, I wondered if the "PM2IM" tool would improve the meshes for the built-in Auran assets. That said, I proceeded to convert the default Burlington Northern and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe EMD SD40-2s's meshes into IM meshes. I deleted the old PM meshes and committed the modified locomotives. I saw no faulty errors, and so preceded to leave the locomotives untested. Now, I went into a Marias Pass Route session from HP Trainz to see that a train I am waiting for was without power! I checked the train, and it told me the locomotive was the Burlington Northern EMD SD40-2. I must have messed it up! So then, I exited Trainz and went to my Recycling Bin. I was horrified to find that in recent computer cleanings, I accidentally dumped the old PM meshes! The Auran configs do not specify a file to use as a mesh, so I guess I wasn't supposed to touch it. Now, I need to to know a few things to help me fix the locomotives.

- What other SD40-2s have the PM mesh and are built in besides the ATSF and BN units?

- Is there a "IM to PM" utility available?

- Is anyone willing to copy their SD40-2 PM mesh file and send it over via e-mail? (Creators contact and approval will be approved beforehand.)

- Can I fix the config.txt file or locomotive to accept the IM mesh?

Noted that this would be fixed if I uninstall and re-install Trainz; that is out of the question. My local folder is well over 200 megabytes. I cannot even pack 1/200th of it without having a twenty-minute wait. I cannot imagine packing it all and unpacking it. I do not want to edit the session.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[bchester]

Hello,

If the locomotive (mesh) is actually showing up with out obvious error but will not "drive" then the problem is likely in the config.txt file. Check to ensure it has and engine file (enginespec) associated with it and that it is an actual locomotive espec not the default traincar one. Also check that it has a line (I believe it is called) engine 1 which will make it a live locomotive - engine 0 I think makes it just a "dumb" car.

Let use know what the config shows

Bricey

 

[n8phu]

When changing from PM to Im, you need to open the content in CCP and tell it that the IM file is now to be used instead of the PM file...

 

[SantaFebuff]

When changing from PM to Im, you need to open the content in CCP and tell it that the IM file is now to be used instead of the PM file...

Will do, now.

bchester,
The locomotive doesn't show up at all. I thought the cars were going as runaways until I found out it was a train! I'll check the config.txt file.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[Orloldman]

TS2010 comes from Auran with these two loco converted to .im meshes as standard.

Would you like copies of those to compare to the ones you've converted?

Duane

 

[SantaFebuff]

Locomotives work now. What great shiny looks the IM mesh brings to the table!

The case of "IM to PM and the case of the SD40s" is now CLOSED.

For the curious, here's the outcome. The Burlington Northern locomotive is the IM mesh locomotive. All of it is IM mesh. (Flexicoil-C trucks and body) The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe EMD SD40-2 is still all PM meshes.

Note the differences:

- Windows turned from dark to near-clear.

- Surface changed from dull to glossy.

- Details are now more obvious. (good for detailed models)

- Maps appeared to now be layers.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[Orloldman]

Just curious -

Did you have the "Zero Speculars" checked in the "PM 2 IM" Options? That may eliminate the shiny finish on the converted meshes.

Duane

 

[SantaFebuff]

No, I didn't. I'll remember that when I convert weathered equipment.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[Electro]

:wave: Hi Joshua

Try this out see how you go

Open PM to IM make sure "Zero Speculars" is checked,
then close PM to IM,
then open CM and find the file you need,
Then open the file you need in Explore NOT CCP.
find the IM mesh and rename it to PM ( EG SD40.IM to SD40.pm, )
once you have done this then reconvert it to a IM file,
then delete the PM file,
now close the Explorer window and recomit in CM.

I know this will work as i have done it a lot of times to fix certain error's.

Hope this helps


Poul

 

[SantaFebuff]

Thanks Poul,
I have it figured out. I love the nice looks of IM meshes. I now learned how to use the "Zero Speculars" to my advantage.

Cheers,
Joshua

 

[Electro]

:wave: Good to hear mate

 

[JCitron]

Try editing the config file of the errant locomotive.

One of these mesh file patches should work. Pick one of them and try it. I'm not familiar with the model so I've given different versions.

Many thanks to Johnk and Ian Woodward. From the May 2010 Newsletter.

If the shadow mesh is in a folder, you need to edit the path for the shadow mesh. If not, just change the x.im to the correct filename.


===============================================================================
2. For non-animated in the main folder
===============================================================================
mesh-table
{
default
{
mesh "x.im"
auto-create 1
}
shadow
{
Mesh "x.im"
}
}

==============================================================================
3. For non-animated when only body folder exists
==============================================================================
mesh-table
{
default
{
mesh "x_body/x_body.im"
auto-create 1
}
shadow
{
mesh "x.im"
}
}

=============================================================================
4. For non-animated when both body and shadow folders exist
=============================================================================
mesh-table
{
default
{
mesh "x_body/x_body.im"
auto-create 1
}
shadow
{
mesh "x_shadow/x_shadow.im"
}
}



I hope this is helpful.

John