Trainz and sketch up.. help?

[NYCboy]

Hey guys im currently trying to build my first ever model from a 3d program. I choose sketch up PRO because of its simplicity and the fact you can export it into a .3ds model. Now i just need some more help, i know the basics of sketch up but i need to get more complex like building curved roofs and adding complex interiors. So far Ive only gotten the body measurmens and the walls of the train done but now im stuck. The model is the NYC R40 slant subway train. Does any one know of good tutorials or any one have experience with sketch up?

 

[whitepass]

Sketchup is bad for making locos, it can and is being done but you also need to use ether Gmax or Blender, better to just do it all in one of them.

 

[johnwhelan]

The one or two I've seen done have poly counts that are a factor of ten or more greater than models created in a traditional 3D program which basically means they are unusable. Sketchup is best for very simple scenery assets.

Cheerio John

 

[BobCass]

Roof..

Here is my version..I'm using the "Follow me" tool..Push the word tools and see if you have it..I have Sketchup 8, so I am not familiar with your version..The follow me tool will follow curves unlike the push-n-pull extruder..

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[NYCboy]

Here is my version..I'm using the "Follow me" tool..Push the word tools and see if you have it..I have Sketchup 8, so I am not familiar with your version..The follow me tool will follow curves unlike the push-n-pull extruder..

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but follow me doesn't really create smoothed curved
@whitepass I like to make the impossible possible

 

[johnwhelan]

but follow me doesn't really create smoothed curved
@whitepass I like to make the impossible possible

Trainz doesn't use curves it uses approximations made from with triangles, the smoother the curve the more polys you get so you want to avoid a smooth curve for performance reasons.

You probably will be able to create your loco and run it but beware there are maximum limits and you may hit them. To run it Tomshardware has done some interesting experiments with liquid nitrogen cooled overclocked gaming desktop PCs and it might work if you set the sliders to min settings, if your expectation is this will run on a low end laptop I suggest you give up now. If you get bored easily and from your tag line there is a suggestion of such, don't worry about it you'll never finish it.

Cheerio John

 

[NYCboy]

Trainz doesn't use curves it uses approximations made from with triangles, the smoother the curve the more polys you get so you want to avoid a smooth curve for performance reasons.

You probably will be able to create your loco and run it but beware there are maximum limits and you may hit them. To run it Tomshardware has done some interesting experiments with liquid nitrogen cooled overclocked gaming desktop PCs and it might work if you set the sliders to min settings, if your expectation is this will run on a low end laptop I suggest you give up now. If you get bored easily and from your tag line there is a suggestion of such, don't worry about it you'll never finish it.

Cheerio John

I know how to lower the poly count in sketch up not only that i can send the model over to Gmax once im done so i think it should be good. Btw @bobcass it worked thanks!

 

[BobCass]

#257 2-8-8-2 Western Pacific..

I'm showing this because all things are possible..I drew this in Sketchup 8..Someday maybe I'll be able too see it Chug,Chug..But I tell you I sure do like to draw them..

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