Ruby TMIX From Sketchup !!!!!!!!

[johnwhelan]

I have been learning Sketchup and have used it with Ruby TMIX to create a few buildings for my own use in Trainz. Nothing put on the DLS, and after reading this I'm sure I won't. I want to thank JCitron particularly for his explanation of the issues, of particular value to me since I have no 3D modeling experience except in Sketchup. And now I can use NURBS in a sentence and thanks to wikipedia have some sense of what it means. But I have several questions/comments:

1. Could Sketchup be modified to eliminate these issues? Is the intersection of Trainz users and Sketchup users so small there would be no incentive to do so?

2. JCitron seems to hint that the solution might be in the modification of Ruby TMIX. Let's hope this idea (or some new software) could be the solution. I think the size of the Sketchup community means that a lot of good content could potentially be used in Trainz.

3. I have thought about using Sketchup to create very simple simple (no curves, just basic non-detailed structures) and then using screen captures from Google Street View to attach textures to the faces, for use in background buildings (what some call 2D buildings of which there are many on the DLS). Is this somewhat limited use of Sketchup/Ruby TMIX viable for Trainz?

Any textures uploaded to the DLS must be available for Payware which normally means you must own the copyright or they must be licensed to be used for profit, double check the license on street view but I think you'll find they aren't so licensed..

Cheerio John

 

[itareus]

...3. I have thought about using Sketchup to create very simple simple (no curves, just basic non-detailed structures) and then using screen captures from Google Street View to attach textures to the faces, for use in background buildings (what some call 2D buildings of which there are many on the DLS). Is this somewhat limited use of Sketchup/Ruby TMIX viable for Trainz?...

...Any textures uploaded to the DLS must be available for Payware which normally means you must own the copyright or they must be licensed to be used for profit, double check the license on street view but I think you'll find they aren't so licensed...

I see John's point but remember this applies to textures used in any 3D modelling program - so in that respect Sketchup is no different. It also applies to the use of many, if not most of, images uploaded to the web, not just Street View images

From what I remember, from the history of Street View, Google's main concern must be that street view images, which may unintentionally show views that might be considered to infringe privacy, are used in any way to exploit this. I'm no lawyer but Google must have to cover themselves against any legal action resulting from the use of their imagery.

You could always check out this simple interactive questionnaire which may, or may not (!), help in regard to the use of Street View images.

http://support.google.com/maps/bin/static.py?hl=en&ts=1342531&page=ts.cs

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Regarding the original question about the limited use of Sketchup for simple buildings (irrespective of texture source) then I would say Sketchup is viable. But before uploading such assets to the DLS you should check the poly (triangle) count and overall size of the asset. If the poly count for a simple box like structure is coming out at, say, 1000 plus and the total file size (mostly due to textures) comes out in multiple MB then think again ! Avoid the use of multiple textures whenever possible.