I have been using PEVs AttachmentMaker for some time now to attach scripted tail lights, swap bogeys in order to change gauge, swap couplings and to add visible loads. This piece of software, used in conjunction with his other offerings, has really enhanced my enjoyment of trainz.
There were instances, however, where the adaptations weren't really satisfactory. This was mainly because the rolling stock body was too high off of the track for my favourite 3ft 6in gauge, often resulting in the couplings and or bogeys 'floating' below the body of the item - also one or two items of rolling stock were significantly out of loading gauge, the body being too high overall.
SO, I experimented with AttachmentMaker some more to see if there was a way to lower the rolling stock body (mostly by no more than 200 or 250mm or so) in order to better integrate bogeys and couplings with the rolling stock body and/or to comply (more or less) with loading gauge.
As a result I have succeeded in doing this so as to meet the requirements of 3ft 6in loading gauge and to add to and expand available consist options.
Dunno why the images are so small - I followed to 'sticky' instructions. I'll do better ones soon (somehow).
Below is the old Auran QR PWA flatcar adjusted for height, bogeys and couplings (along with visible loads).
Also, I have kitbashed a full range of generic colour light signals for my own purposes - next trick is to script some of them, 'though I'm not hopeful. In the pic, the loco is about to pass a 2 aspect signal, with nameplate, terminal box and an offset, white light dummy signal indicating that the points are set for a yard or siding off to the left (the red, central dummy indicates that the signal is absolute for the main line indication).
Here is a Keimei's very fine Taki3500 tanker reskinned and with normal maps neutralised. Not lowered but with new bogeys, couplings and a tail lamp.
The enclosed hopper behind the loco is a payware item, reskinned and lowered to meet my gauge - new couplings and tail lamp also.
Now, Jmorty's CR wagon (NG class) which actually is originally offered in 3ft 6in gauge but with a body set too high for my loading gauge - again, re-coupled, new bogey attachment points and a tail lamp
It is followed by a VR wagon (QR class) by ad602000 given the lowering, couplings, bogeys and tail lamp treatment. Lightly reskinned and with visible loads added. Signal as before set to proceed.
Next is Davido's NSW GVR lightly reskinned, lowered and re-bogeyed and re-coupled followed by a reskinned DB HBIS again lowered, with new couplings and bogeys - and a tail lamp. I 'removed' the couplings from the HBIS by using a lower LOD .im file with the full LOD textures.
The signal is a 4 aspect (green,red/green,red) generic colour light signal for a left hand junction (set for proceed ahead with a redlight dummy indicating that it is an absolute signal).
I am not claiming, by the way, that the resulting stuff is in any way prototypical - I work on the old freelance modelling principle that if it looks right, it is right - my own routes and layouts are imaginary, set in a warm-temperate climate somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere, nowhere in particular but looking a lot like where I live.
The original asset creators need to be acknowledged - I couldn't have such fun without them.
There were instances, however, where the adaptations weren't really satisfactory. This was mainly because the rolling stock body was too high off of the track for my favourite 3ft 6in gauge, often resulting in the couplings and or bogeys 'floating' below the body of the item - also one or two items of rolling stock were significantly out of loading gauge, the body being too high overall.
SO, I experimented with AttachmentMaker some more to see if there was a way to lower the rolling stock body (mostly by no more than 200 or 250mm or so) in order to better integrate bogeys and couplings with the rolling stock body and/or to comply (more or less) with loading gauge.
As a result I have succeeded in doing this so as to meet the requirements of 3ft 6in loading gauge and to add to and expand available consist options.
Dunno why the images are so small - I followed to 'sticky' instructions. I'll do better ones soon (somehow).
Below is the old Auran QR PWA flatcar adjusted for height, bogeys and couplings (along with visible loads).
Also, I have kitbashed a full range of generic colour light signals for my own purposes - next trick is to script some of them, 'though I'm not hopeful. In the pic, the loco is about to pass a 2 aspect signal, with nameplate, terminal box and an offset, white light dummy signal indicating that the points are set for a yard or siding off to the left (the red, central dummy indicates that the signal is absolute for the main line indication).
Here is a Keimei's very fine Taki3500 tanker reskinned and with normal maps neutralised. Not lowered but with new bogeys, couplings and a tail lamp.
The enclosed hopper behind the loco is a payware item, reskinned and lowered to meet my gauge - new couplings and tail lamp also.
Now, Jmorty's CR wagon (NG class) which actually is originally offered in 3ft 6in gauge but with a body set too high for my loading gauge - again, re-coupled, new bogey attachment points and a tail lamp
It is followed by a VR wagon (QR class) by ad602000 given the lowering, couplings, bogeys and tail lamp treatment. Lightly reskinned and with visible loads added. Signal as before set to proceed.
Next is Davido's NSW GVR lightly reskinned, lowered and re-bogeyed and re-coupled followed by a reskinned DB HBIS again lowered, with new couplings and bogeys - and a tail lamp. I 'removed' the couplings from the HBIS by using a lower LOD .im file with the full LOD textures.
The signal is a 4 aspect (green,red/green,red) generic colour light signal for a left hand junction (set for proceed ahead with a redlight dummy indicating that it is an absolute signal).
I am not claiming, by the way, that the resulting stuff is in any way prototypical - I work on the old freelance modelling principle that if it looks right, it is right - my own routes and layouts are imaginary, set in a warm-temperate climate somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere, nowhere in particular but looking a lot like where I live.
The original asset creators need to be acknowledged - I couldn't have such fun without them.
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