Ladies please

[angelah]

Nails & Heads

If you take the trains out of Trainz, you're left with a rather marvellous program that allows architects and any person interested in landscaping or urban design to come up with wonderful 3d models of their projects. This leads us into the kind of stuff women excel in, so maybe there should be a separate program called Landscapes or something, which has equal appeal to women and men. The software could even be flogged this way, as is, at exhibitions etc., by not pushing the train component. If only there was an easy way to incorporate Sketchup models because that program is easier to use than gMax and it's really taken off since Google got involved.

I think you may have hit the nail on the head here. That's exactly what I like about the program, being able to create (recreate?) landscapes and make them look as real as possible. And on actual routes by using Google Earth and/or a DEM as aids. The railway side of it is there and the reason why Trainz exists in the first place, otherwise I wouldn't be able to lay the land and buildings down, but I don't mind that and try to make the railway run as best I can...
Also remember I did make several exhibition layouts that did the rounds, although once again I didn't much go on actually running them if I could get some chaps to do it for me. So it was a scenery thing even then, I just didn't realise it!

Angela

 

[baz66]

Well there you go. Isn,t it good for the ladies to come out and have a say. Also good to see the men admiring their work.
No I,m not a young whippersnapper, 67 ain't old either. This forum is to keep us all informed and help when we can. It seems the ladies think of it as a friendly place and that in itself is a great big plus. I must retire now as my nanna nap is due. My lovely wife calls.
baz

 

[Johnk]

Angelah, it's not the first time I've raised this topic. Every time I see a 3d graphic representation on TV, such as the fairways during a golf tournament I wondered if it was done with a $40 copy of Trainz or some special software costing tens of thousands!

I suggested through these forums some years back that Auran had an amazing opportunity to capture such a market. At the time I also suggested that they incorporate a a helicopter mode where one could fly over the landscape. This has now been done to a degree, allowing someone to design a complete resort for example, with the ability to fly over it or walk through it.

Unfortunately, gMax or 3DsMax is too slow to design buildings quickly. Sketchup is far quicker with equally stunning results. For those of you who have visited Disney World in Google Earth (3D card required), you'll know what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, may I suggest you visit Google Earth to see for yourself.

 

[durhamlass]

I think you may have hit the nail on the head here. That's exactly what I like about the program, being able to create (recreate?) landscapes and make them look as real as possible. And on actual routes by using Google Earth and/or a DEM as aids.

I think you've hit the nail on the head Angela. Now I think about it, that's pretty much where I'm coming from too. Interesting!

 

[Joe_T]

I bought a copy of Tranz Dem but never could work out how to use it

 

[durhamlass]

I bought a copy of Tranz Dem but never could work out how to use it

I had difficulty at first (I found georeferencing from OS maps a little tricky, and it tooke me some time to figure out how to get the baseboard export to work) but the results are well worth it.

Mind you, I'm modelling part of Co. Durham, and as the hills are a bit of a non-optional feature of the area so I had a real incentive to figure it out...

 

[applegathc]

I think it's great that women would be involved in Trainz and doing well.

Angela does awesome routes, then there's Maddy25 who does excellent models and the YARN roads, yeah ok "yet another road network roads" whatever, I don't care.

She's one cool chick with some nice roads.

cam

 

[Snowhill]

I might also add that not only do ladies play Trainz they also contribute by creating assets and layouts and with some considerable skill. Not to mention long suffering wives (Trainz Widows!) Where would we be without them?
Snowhill (with a long suffering wife)

 

[Forest_Runner]

My partner initially endorsed my hobby, but now she dabbles with Trainz. She is currently building a narrow gauge module (1 or 2 boards) and spends about 6-8 hours a week on it. I think it's pretty cool actually.

Occasionally she'll get behind a RailDriver console and go for a spin, and is pretty keen on TPR's offerings for routes.

As for reasons already posted, she reviles any Forums avoids them completely.

 

[angelah]

Forums

My partner initially endorsed my hobby, but now she dabbles with Trainz. She is currently building a narrow gauge module (1 or 2 boards) and spends about 6-8 hours a week on it. I think it's pretty cool actually.

Occasionally she'll get behind a RailDriver console and go for a spin, and is pretty keen on TPR's offerings for routes.

As for reasons already posted, she reviles any Forums avoids them completely.

To all Lady drivers,
This forum is one of the best around. When I had serious personal problems a couple of years ago folk gave me a lot of support and that helped me enormously. So don't ever be afraid to come on here, it's well worth the visit.

Thanks guys (and girls), I love you all (in my own way of course! ha ha)

Bless you all,

Angela

 

[leeferr]

Angela
for those of us that were around then, we remember those rough times that you were going through and for awhile, I was afraid that you might leave the forums, but you stuck around and the Trainz community is the better for it.
Our best to you. You are certainly right. Our ladies should not be afraid to visit here. It's a healthy and helpful community.
Mike

 

[chamisa]

Well, looks like I've been missing a very interesting discussion.

I'm a woman, too. Like John said, I was going incognito--just neglecting to mention my gender--on a model railroad forum because I felt I wouldn't be treated right if they knew I was female. I dropped my guard after a year or so and let them know--and wouldn't you know it, suddenly I was magically a person they couldn't talk to. Oddly, my username had been a woman's all along (Chaya).

I'm really glad to hear people saying that this is a warm and friendly place for women to be.

I like Trainz--have become a little obsessive about building layouts--and I am also an N-scale model railroader. I absolutely love trains and especially love to operate them, moving product and passengers. Trainz is great because there are no size limitations--I'm thinking of a future layout with a seaport and huge locomotives.

I read all this talk about chocolate and candy and ice cream and pink and lace and diamonds and rubies and scenery and easier graphics programs, though, and it's giving me distressing flashbacks to my childhood as my parents tore me away from my brother's guns and dinosaurs and planes and trains and gave me dolls and...well, dolls. In truth, I hate dolls. As I do pink and lace and diamonds and...

Chocolate is okay. But not terribly exciting. I'd prefer a double latte any day.

Trains are "dirty"? Well, yes they are. And I love dirty. I was actually a diesel mechanic for awhile and loved the dirt and smells.

I have not created anything yet, but have been using like crazy: my layout is filled with the creations of so many incredible people who have labored long hours. I had no idea until I opened up Gmax how much work went into everything. Now when I proudly drift through my landscape in a beautiful Santa Fe freight F-unit, I will be positively marveling at what others have wrought--and made available for little old me to use!

Thank you to everyone for your marvelous creations. I hope some day I will have learned enough that I can make a contribution of my own.

 

[leeferr]

We're all glad your here and I'm sure that you'll find lots of friendly and courteous help here. There are some magnificent creators here and I'm sure they'll be glad to give you a helping hand anytime that you need it.
Mike

 

[angelah]

Closets etc

Hello Chamisa,
I made model railways in S4, OO and N gauges as well, and showed them at exhibitions. The story is a long one and I won't bore all and sundry with it, suffice it to say that I have always been made welcome on here and have tried to be part of the community. I have also tried to offer advice where I can, usually on creating scenes because I know nothing of gmax or the more technical aspects of Trainz or indeed actual railways, so I stick with what I know.
It does suprise me that the folks on here didn't want to talk to you once you came out of the names closet, that has never happened to me, quite the opposite.
What is good news is that you ahve stuck with us and now I am sure you will be much more a part of this Trainz forum - I look forward to that.

Bless you,

Angela

 

[Winterpaw]

Lets not forget Winterpaw

shh, they almost did.

 

[chamisa]

Thank you Mike and Angela for your kind welcomes. How nice!

Angela, it wasn't here that people wouldn't talk to me; it was another forum altogether. It wasn't that they refused to talk to me--they just sort of stopped. I guess I was kind of like a princess that walked into a stag party. Or something.

I've actually been to your website and seen some of your model railway work, Angela. It's truly beautiful. It's hard to believe you "know nothing" of actual trains--but then, you're modeling UK railroads, so what do I know?

 

[Euphod]

Welcome Chamisa, I have not seen you post before. In all the years I have been involved with this forum, I have never once noticed any bias here, against either sex, or anyone else! I hope you will join us more often.

 

[chamisa]

Thanks Euphod!

I've been using and greatly appreciating your industry interactive boxcars! Very nice.