Reskinning a IM mesh vs a PM mesh ?

[BigJohn101]

I hope I am in the right place here. I am just getting started with TRS2006, and I would like to try my hand at reskinning the 40ft and 50ft boxcars. I have read some of the great tutorials, and I think I understand the general process.

My confusion regards the "progressive mesh". Using the Auran 40ft PPR boxcar as a starting point, editing in CCP shows a error (or warning) message that progressive meshes are not supported. Editing the 50ft boxcar in CCP shows the same message. Are there alternative boxcar meshes that can used for repainting ?

 

[johnwhelan]

I hope I am in the right place here. I am just getting started with TRS2006, and I would like to try my hand at reskinning the 40ft and 50ft boxcars. I have read some of the great tutorials, and I think I understand the general process.

My confusion regards the "progressive mesh". Using the Auran 40ft PPR boxcar as a starting point, editing in CCP shows a error (or warning) message that progressive meshes are not supported. Editing the 50ft boxcar in CCP shows the same message. Are there alternative boxcar meshes that can used for repainting ?

.pm meshes work fine. There is no other way to do a pantograph and TRS2009 still supports them.

.im files are a bit more efficient but the old stuff still works. Have a look at 86627:1630 if you think it's the right basic shape get back to me jwhelan0112 gmail.com and I'll clean it up for you to reskin.

Cheerio John

 

[bchester]

Hello BigJohn101,

The message (warning) about the .pm file format is simply a warning that it will eventually be phased out. Some of the Auran supplied files are actually paintshop items built-in to Trainz. Some are template items and will appear white or silver when viewed in Trainz or in a tool such as TOE (Trainz Object Explorer).

When you reskin an item, you are not "touching" the actual mesh but rather modifying the texture file(s) of the item. Prior to modifying the item, create a clone and modify the cloned texture files. This will preserve the original incase you want to start over from scratch.

In answer to the final part of your question, there are lots of boxcars and indeed other items on the DLS and other websites which can be re-skinned with may or may not be .im files.

A word of advice, though, should you want to share the new skin you create, first contact the original creator and ask permission to re-skin then include in the license portion of the config text that the item was modified with permission of the original creator.

Have Fun,

Bricey

 

[BigJohn101]

Thank you very much guys. Your explanations help a lot.

 

[WindWalkr]

.pm meshes work fine. There is no other way to do a pantograph...

I keep seeing this repeated, and it's very distinctly not true. Any version of Trainz which supports mesh-tables should have no trouble using an IM-based pantograph.

chris

 

[johnwhelan]

I keep seeing this repeated, and it's very distinctly not true. Any version of Trainz which supports mesh-tables should have no trouble using an IM-based pantograph.

chris

Thank you for the correction.

Cheerio John