Trainz Graphics Engine (Jet)

[zanderwhitlock]

I was wondering when the Series is going to jump to a whole new graphical level and use a different/newer graphics Engine?

Trainz has been using the same Jet engine over the years, sure with great improvement, but basically the same graphics since 2004 or earlier. To me this feels like iv been playing the same simulator since Trainz 2004

Trainz 2009 "greatly improved graphics" = Higher rez ground mesh, and ONE high-rez track it seems to me

I really hope that Trainz X uses a totaly newer graphics engine, with a more indepth feel then currently

 

[Euphod]

I really hope that Trainz X uses a totaly newer graphics engine, with a more indepth feel then currently

How do you feel about disappointment? The last time this question was brought up we were told that Jet still has oodles of un-tapped potential, and would be running Trainz for a good long time.

 

[aardvark1]

How do you feel about disappointment? The last time this question was brought up we were told that Jet still has oodles of un-tapped potential, and would be running Trainz for a good long time.

Another un-tapped potential of this version could be: It's paid for in full.


Have fun,

 

[johnwhelan]

I was wondering when the Series is going to jump to a whole new graphical level and use a different/newer graphics Engine?

Trainz has been using the same Jet engine over the years, sure with great improvement, but basically the same graphics since 2004 or earlier. To me this feels like iv been playing the same simulator since Trainz 2004

Trainz 2009 "greatly improved graphics" = Higher rez ground mesh, and ONE high-rez track it seems to me

I really hope that Trainz X uses a totaly newer graphics engine, with a more indepth feel then currently

TC3 isn't that bad. Have a look at this screenshot:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TraCXvUVzSCb4hzdi5LIWA?feat=directlink

Two vans are normal mapped two are not. What else would you have it do? Normal maps work in TRS2009 as well by the way.

New doesn't always mean better, sometimes just figuring out how to get the best out of the existing game engine is hard enough.

Cheerio John

 

[TNM]

Well, i run into some limitation regarding light/shadow effects...or lets say it could be better.

 

[wreeder]

What an absolutely original idea for a thread. I guess the existing Auran/Jet bashing threads didn't cover every square inch of this topic?

John, that is some fantastic looking work. Keep up the magic.

William

 

[RooRocz]

we were told that Jet still has oodles of un-tapped potential

...so then why hasn't this potential been tapped then?

 

[paulhobbs]

...so then why hasn't this potential been tapped then?

probably because most content is built using GMax.

Paul

 

[johnwhelan]

What an absolutely original idea for a thread. I guess the existing Auran/Jet bashing threads didn't cover every square inch of this topic?

John, that is some fantastic looking work. Keep up the magic.

William

We are playing at the moment, we're at the stage of yes this works on a van in TC3 but it probably needs to be a little more subtle. The seven plank wagon looked great until I put normal maps on the animated doors at which point it crashes Trainz.

As we get further into Blender so we start to discover how to do this sort of stuff. There are different methods for creating normals this is just one of them. The interesting thing is using photos for textures seems to make the normal mapping easier once you work out the process.

Oh and having a couple of tame artists around who seem to enjoy pushing the boundaries helps as well.

Cheerio John

 

[falcon500]

Not sure why when anyone asks a reasonable question the old accusation of Auran bashing comes out? At the risk of sounding like an Auran basher IMHO it's the Auran software and Auran Jet that aren't compatible with newer video cards. Having run TRS2004,2006 and TC3 on nvidea Geforce FX5200 and later FX5950, the difference is very apparent. Some buildings now flicker across windows etc. This is supposed to be caused by alpha channel problem, which has only surfaced as problem recently. If you try UTC with this card even the ground textures flicker in both openGL and DirectX. Even though this card is listed as supported Helpdesk would not or could not suggest the best card settings to use to use correct or lessen this problem. If the alpha channel problem is to be eliminated it will probably mean upgrading or replacing Auran Jet as the graphics engine for Trainz.

 

[amigacooke]

This is probably the old, old story. Developing 3D engines or licencing them costs big bucks and no-one of sound mind is going to to finance that for a train simulator.

if Microsoft hasn't got the spare millions, who has?

 

[Euphod]

Not sure why when anyone asks a reasonable question the old accusation of Auran bashing comes out?

It's easier to lump everyone with a reasonable question together in a group and label them as Auran Bashers, and saves the poster from having to address each question on it's merits. This is an example of stereotyping, and has been handly used for this purpose probably for the entire history of mankind. We all fall prey to it's charms on occassion.

 

[Boobless_ed]

You know, you might be surprised to find that Half Life 2 probably still has a good few lines of code from Quake 1, which it's grown from over the years. Same could be said of the latest ID software technologies.

Only difference is that they have more budget to revamp the old engines, and then slap a new name on them.

If you're patient, you might find Trainz and Jet will eventually blur out to seem something completely different. It's a matter of time and budget.

 

[paul502]

Only problem with having a new engine is all content will have to be rebuilt from scratch. Its unlikey the old content can be made to work with a new graphics engine (look at some of the problems with 2009, & its the same engine upgraded). Are you happy to wait years to get the thousands of content we have now,?

 

[hminky]

I am new to virtual railroading and use Trainz because it is easy to use. There are several other train sims I tried and both didn't measure up to Trainz.

MSTS is very dated has some great routes but has an interface to build routes that only it's mother could love. THe community is still waiting for the second coming. Probably canned because of legacy assets problems like Trainz. It is Microsoft program so it eats up your memory and doesn't return it. I download the D&RGW narrow gauge system, it was huge and looked adquate but can't be populated with cars because of the creaking age of the MSTS engine.

Raildriver looks great but I have yet to get an asset into the game. In my computer world if you start a game and you haven't killed something or been killed by something in the first two minutes it isn' worth playing. It also has limited assets and the route building interface movement with the mouse is very annoying.

Trainz is really easy has an adequate look which will improve over time. I like it and feel if you don't like Trainz visit the other sims and find that the shortcomings in Trainz are miniscule.

Harold

 

[Euphod]

Trainz is really easy has an adequate look which will improve over time. I like it and feel if you don't like Trainz visit the other sims and find that the shortcomings in Trainz are miniscule.

Harold

Yes, all fine, but nothing was ever improved by everyone saying "it's adequate"! No one has to shut up because others don't want to hear it...squeaky wheel and all that!

 

[hminky]

Yes, all fine, but nothing was ever improved by everyone saying "it's adequate"! No one has to shut up because others don't want to hear it...squeaky wheel and all that!

I didn't tell anyone to shut up, I was just pointing out the differences I found in the train sims. Visit other sims and see their limitations. Yes it needs improvements but most other people want instant gratification from Auran. The Trainz universe is quite vast made up of mostly legacy assets. Hopefully I will be able to improve my Trainz world and lift it beyond "adequate".

Rail Simulator looks great because it consists of mostly new proprietary assets.

Harold

 

[Wessex_Electric_Nutter]

How do you feel about disappointment? The last time this question was brought up we were told that Jet still has oodles of un-tapped potential, and would be running Trainz for a good long time.

Lets see about this guy, 30 posts according to the forum system, 5 of them visible, I wonder what happened to the other 25 posts?

 

[Euphod]

I was just pointing out the differences I found in the train sims.

I'm sorry Harold, I wasn't trying to infer that YOU told anyone to "shut up", but I understand the assumption, due to the fact that I quoted your post.

I intended to quote your post, because of the "adequate" remark. I guess to better state what I meant would be to say that no one has to settle for adequate, that criticism of a part or all of the program is welcome and acceptable, and that it should not be interpreted as Auran bashing.

I respect the passion that others feel towards Auran and Trainz, but neither are infallible.

Again, my apologies Harold, I take no umbrage with your post!

 

[John514]

This is probably the old, old story. Developing 3D engines or licencing them costs big bucks and no-one of sound mind is going to to finance that for a train simulator.

if Microsoft hasn't got the spare millions, who has?

Mayby some folks from Slovakia that do it for fun! They`re making a planetary engine (Yep! Imagine laying tracks around the world!) that you can try out for free! And boy isn`t THAT gorgeous! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L3ZUQUGvxQ