Please be kind to content creators and others

[johnwhelan]

It's been said before and no doubt will be repeated Trainz content creators put a lot of time and effort in to making content you download for free. It really can take more than year to create some of the more complex locos and rolling stock.

I've noticed recently a couple of threads recently where people seem to be expressing a desire for perfect content that works perfectly in all versions of Trainz. Oh and they'd like some additional variations as well please. Except the word please is often missing and often these comments are made by people who have not created content.

There does seems to be an issue at the moment where the original work has been corrected to meet a later version of Trainz error standards but there are a number of reskins that the original content creator has no control over. Having said that the DLS correction project seems to be well in hand although some corrections could be better. Please be patient and things will get sorted out even, hopefully even pre TC3 Steam locos.

One way you can help is by running TS2009 or later Trainz. Making sure that content runs in TRS2004, TRS2006, TC1/2, TC3 and other versions makes creating content more complex and time consuming.

Because Trainz and the forum are something that people can use in their home it is attractive to a number of people who may not have the most stable of personalities this includes some quite creative content creators.

Please be sensitive to others and keep the forums enjoyable. You may have issues and concerns but express them as issues and concerns. You should be able to do this without the need for personal attacks. An issue or concern can get resolved, a personal attack cannot be.

Try not to make a content creator feel as if they are on a treadmill. Most content creators will get round to modifying or correcting older content over time. It may not fit in with what they are concentrating on currently to resolve an issue for a particular version, they may not even have access to the version you are running.

If its not enjoyable they may even take up another hobby and that means less free content in the future.

Cheerio John

 

[Ricke82]

Unfortunately very appropriate. For what it's worth, I concur.

 

[JimDep]

One way you can help is by running TS2009 or later Trainz. Making sure that content runs in TRS2004, TRS2006, TC1/2, TC3 and other versions makes creating content more complex and time consuming.
Cheerio John

Gosh John, my TRS 2006 runs great. I'd be taking a gamble upgrading to software that many have had a variety of different issues with.

I reluctantly will comply however if someone wants to forward me a copy of 2009 or greater.

 

[Snowhill]

Well said John. As I do not create assets I rely on the good will of those who do create. I do at times ask a particular creator if he or she can create something I need for a layout. I don't put out a request in the forum but email the person personally with my request. The word please is always added to my request and then a personal thank you when the asset is created. I send a screenie of the asset along with my thank you reply so the creator can see it in place on the layout I am working on. I sometimes think creators don't get enough praise for thier creations but without their skills we would still be working with just built in assets so here is my thanks to all of you creators out there for helping me build better layouts. And you John for creating the China Clay hoods for my current project on a layout called Mid Cornwall.
Dennis

 

[airtime]

I fully agree with everything you say John,

All content creators are very important to us, without them, Trainz wouldn't be as good as it is today, so I would like to thank all creators and reskinners for there excellent content, and I would also like to thank you John for your valuable help in the past, along with my other forum friends who have also helped me, when I have been stuck.

Many thanks

Joe Airtime

 

[b9k9kiwi]

Gosh John, my TRS 2006 runs great. I'd be taking a gamble upgrading to software that many have had a variety of different issues with.

I reluctantly will comply however if someone wants to forward me a copy of 2009 or greater.

To be fair, many of us remember with regret the advent of TRS2006 which broke so many good and widely used objects - notably railway crossings.

Your welcome to my copy of TS2010 (together with a dvd of all the patches) if you want it.

 

[IsambardKingdomBrunel]

Please be kind to content creators

Always........... i couldn't create a model to save my life.

I am grateful for anything that anyone creates.

That i find falls within my sphere of interest.

IKB.

 

[bendorsey]

I guess with the number of items I have on the DLS I'm qualified to put my 2 cents into this thread.

The only time I got griped at was when I was making all those curved trestles. Apparently a few Trainzers just didn't realize when you have several variable parameters (3 different radii, 4 different heights, and I forget how many different center bridges) the number of combinations multiplies - not adds. Total ran somewhere close to 550 or so. They complained that I was cluttering up the DLS but after Auran thanked me in one of the newsletters I never heard another squeek out of them, lol.

What gripes me is the (thankfully) very few who ask me to make something, tell me exactly how they want it, I make it that way, then start asking for change after change after change. One gent got so bad I finally told him to make up his mind the first time or take a long walk off a short pier. Never heard from him again (yea).

I don't mind being asked to make something with sketchy (litte) info. Often all I get is a fuzzy photo and/or drawing and a hearty "good luck". I understand that documentation for much of what used to exist is long gone. So if its a bit off I will make some changes - just don't ask for a complete overhaul.

There are only two things I won't do:
1. Make something that is already on the DLS. Its not fair to the gent that made the original.
2. Make something that would never have existed in the real world - however when I say that I don't mean generic items - I mean something impossible. The only example I can cite is a gent wanted me to modify one of my rotary (non-wokring) coal dumps that unloaded 3 ft ga cars into std ga cars to all 3 ft gauge. WHY??? It would have been meaningless. A switch would do the same thing, lol.

Finally to all of you who have said kind words above - thank you - its appreciated.

Ben

 

[revans]

I would like to thank all the creators for your ability on what you do for the trainz world because you all can do something that i am not able to do and most of all it is the wisdom that you all have when the problem occurs somebody always steps up to plate and lends their help that appreciate too
Thanks To All
REvans

 

[bendorsey]

Ya know - Gmax, Blender, and Sketchup aren't really as difficult as some folks think. Yes the initial learning curve is a bit steep but if you stick with it, fall in love with the undo button, and resist the urge to put your foot thru the monitor now and then it does come together and is far more then worth the effort involved so take a brave pill, buy a case of your favorite hootch, and have at it, lol.

Ben

 

[hauntedclipp]

I completely agree, John.

Ya know - Gmax, Blender, and Sketchup aren't really as difficult as some folks think.

Very true.
I scratch-built a 3D model loco from the ground up in SketchUp, the first loco I've ever created. It was just a test to see if I could make something decent-looking. It's simple, and I never finished it. Loosely based off Hunslet's Alice class.
Here's a link, there are 4 pics of it on the page:
http://s790.photobucket.com/albums/yy185/hauntedclipp/SketchUp Creations/

 

[bendorsey]

I think they got (well Gmax got) a bad reputation way back when and its been perpetuated every since by folks who don't want to invest the time and effort to stick with it to learn it. Sad really. The more content creators we have the better Trainz is.

Ben

 

[Euphod]

A nice sentiment indeed. I have observed that the freeware creation trend has waned over the years. Not pitting freeware against payware by any means, but those who get frustrated with demands creating freeware may very well begin to charge for their labor, which is reasonable, or they may just discontinue releasing content at all.

 

[AJ_Fox]

To me it's like a "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" kind of thing. I am sure creators would love to hear constructive suggestions privately through the PM system here, and many would appreciate the comments. Dissing them publicly without understanding the effort and time they put in is really not helpful.

Cheers

AJ

 

[JimDep]

Your welcome to my copy of TS2010 (together with a dvd of all the patches) if you want it.

Thanks b9k9kiwi ! I sent you a PM.

 

[Mick_Berg]

Thanks b9k9kiwi ! I sent you a PM.

How can he use it? I thought you couldn't re-register Trainz.
I'm asking because I would have loved to give it to my great-nephew.
Mick Berg.

 

[shaneturner12]

Mick_Berg, you are correct, once a serial number is registered, it cannot be transferred or re-registered (see the Serial Number page on Planet Auran)

Only Helpdesk have the ability of doing things like that, but it would have to be a good reason for doing so.

Shane

 

[JCitron]

I guess with the number of items I have on the DLS I'm qualified to put my 2 cents into this thread.

The only time I got griped at was when I was making all those curved trestles. Apparently a few Trainzers just didn't realize when you have several variable parameters (3 different radii, 4 different heights, and I forget how many different center bridges) the number of combinations multiplies - not adds. Total ran somewhere close to 550 or so. They complained that I was cluttering up the DLS but after Auran thanked me in one of the newsletters I never heard another squeek out of them, lol.

What gripes me is the (thankfully) very few who ask me to make something, tell me exactly how they want it, I make it that way, then start asking for change after change after change. One gent got so bad I finally told him to make up his mind the first time or take a long walk off a short pier. Never heard from him again (yea).

I don't mind being asked to make something with sketchy (litte) info. Often all I get is a fuzzy photo and/or drawing and a hearty "good luck". I understand that documentation for much of what used to exist is long gone. So if its a bit off I will make some changes - just don't ask for a complete overhaul.

There are only two things I won't do:
1. Make something that is already on the DLS. Its not fair to the gent that made the original.
2. Make something that would never have existed in the real world - however when I say that I don't mean generic items - I mean something impossible. The only example I can cite is a gent wanted me to modify one of my rotary (non-wokring) coal dumps that unloaded 3 ft ga cars into std ga cars to all 3 ft gauge. WHY??? It would have been meaningless. A switch would do the same thing, lol.

Finally to all of you who have said kind words above - thank you - its appreciated.

Ben

Ben,

Your content is super. I use your drawbridges all the time along with that nice replica of the Longfellow bridge you made me as well as your awesome station buildings and industries. I only wish, and I keep forgetting to ask, is if you could make the Longfellow Bridge a bit shorter in length. Perhaps half size. This is no rush request and can go on your someday when you have time list.

My brother, who works in the graphics industry, calls this when a job goes into this mode MBMS. AKA Make it Bigger. Make it Smaller. This drives him nuts when the customer does this because what could be a simple job becomes a total nightmare!

He has told customers to get lost when they start this garbage, because he knows he's now operating at a loss on their job. The problem is they'll never, in a million years, pay for all the time spent on their changes.

John

 

[angelah]

gmax

As far as I can see there is nothing wrong with gmax. As Ben said, it got a bad name way back but I love it to bits (most of the time... ha ha) and if I can learn it anybody can.
Mainly it's time, the initial stages do take a lot of it as well as patience. But once you get the Material Editor off and VWUnwrap or whatever it's call, you have got the hang of the basics.
There's an awful lot more, as I am finding out with Ben's help (thanks Ben) and the aid of others who will remain anon. But it's really up to the individual to put the effort into it. Ask for pointers to start with, plenty of people will pitch in, and when you get going they'll also help with the more complex options.
So go get it, gmax is free, but you will also need TACS, or Trainz Asset Creation Studio, as this is the magic bit of kit that will get your work into Trainz.
However, many prefer Blender and power to their elbow. It's different to gmax and yes, I did try it but could not get on with it. Never tried Sketchup, no point now I am using gmax.

Angela

 

[bendorsey]

Hi JCitron:

Let me look into shortening up that bridge. Might not be too difficult as I usually make bridges as a series of modules since also usually make several variatons of them (tho apparently not in this case).

Ben