....Trainz Options...

[gisa]

Thanks William,


It's amazing how so many companies forget the k.i.s.s. rule. I don't consider myself stupid but yeah, the marketing department should be childed for confusing the hell out of me (and probably quite a few others).

So I'm guessing the drivers are more suited for gaming and the forceware more suited for a multi-tasking environment then?

I am currently using the 93.71 version actually with a modest system and find things lag a bit from time to time, so I'm going to install the drivers shortly and give them a go! I also found (like you) that I'd go back to the 93.71 version because it'd crash my games or didn't seem stable.

The only other game I consistantly play is Battlefield 1942 and occasionally Rise of Nations. I think I tried these drivers before and noticed they mucked up those games but I'll give them a try again and let everyone know if I see a major improvement.

Anyhow, thank you again William for all your help. If I could buy you a beer I would!

BTW, I totally recommend that anyone wishing to tweak and improve their performance for trs04 should visit http://www.trainz.me.uk/config.htm as per Manjoe's awesome recommendation (I visited it a long time ago but just remembered it when I saw the link and learned a few new things by reading it again).

@ Roymac...you use Trainz Objects right? What you could do is open up the map you made and look at the objects you used in it. Then what you could do is say, print that screen or write down the information somewhere and then examine all of the custom objects used in that map and look at each individual objects polygon count in the polygon count column. What I did after installing a few new routes (mostly to get new objects to use quickly) was that I'd go through the list and check out the items that were heavy on the polygons. I'd take a look at the item (via trainz object explorer) and unless it was a key object I'd need in the future, or I really liked it, I'd delete it. That might help.

It also might sound like something stupid but make sure you don't have any viruses on your computer either. I had one a while ago (even though I had norton at the time) which kept trying to send out email and hogged CPU resources. I think you'd notice it if you had one but it's just a thought. And of course, I recommend using CCleaner to keep your registry clean. I also tried to make sure I run regular defrags on the drive with it so that the data can be fetched as fast as possible...but I'm sure you know all that. Just a thought...

Anyhow, I'm off to test the drivers. Wish me luck!

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[johnwhelan]

When testing you need repeatability. Trainz can be run from a .bat file.

*****

cd \Program Files\Auran\TC

bin\Trainz.exe -driver=60349:100002 -intro=disable -1024 -Render=DirectX

*****
the kuid number is the session number by the way, get the fps results from the jetlog file provided your trainzoptions file allows it. Works best with a session that is fully automated.

Cheerio John

 

[wreeder]

Vista?

I don't know if they work with Vista. The first official Nvidia driver to support Vista was 158.18. These are based on 158.22. I would try the NGOHQ.com forum for that answer.

William

 

[johnwhelan]

I don't know if they work with Vista. The first official Nvidia driver to support Vista was 158.18. These are based on 158.22. I would try the NGOHQ.com forum for that answer.

William

August 9th 2007 Microsoft now has a performance hotfix for Vista which addresses a number of video card driver issues.

Cheerio John

 

[roymac]

......@ Roymac...you use Trainz Objects right? What you could do is open up the map you made and look at the objects you used in it. Then what you could do is say, print that screen or write down the information somewhere and then examine all of the custom objects used in that map and look at each individual objects polygon count in the polygon count column. What I did after installing a few new routes (mostly to get new objects to use quickly) was that I'd go through the list and check out the items that were heavy on the polygons. I'd take a look at the item (via trainz object explorer) and unless it was a key object I'd need in the future, or I really liked it, I'd delete it. That might help.

It also might sound like something stupid but make sure you don't have any viruses on your computer either. I had one a while ago (even though I had norton at the time) which kept trying to send out email and hogged CPU resources. I think you'd notice it if you had one but it's just a thought. And of course, I recommend using CCleaner to keep your registry clean. I also tried to make sure I run regular defrags on the drive with it so that the data can be fetched as fast as possible...but I'm sure you know all that. Just a thought...


Gisa........thanks for the suggestions. I have thought of having a closer look at the content within the route (Edge County). Since there is a fair amount of custom content, I am sure some of it could be replaced should the poly-count be suspect. My first item of concern is the track as I know for a fact, the kind that I am using is a frame hitter! Also, there is one item or maybe more, that while on my layout, is creating an error message. This could cause (maybe) the system to slow down trying to find something that it can't identify.

There are no 'stupid suggestions' and it doesn't hurt every once in awhile to go back to basics and check things out. In my case I have considered the issues of a virus, congested drive and other such system hogs. All have been ruled out.

I have come to the conclusion that there is limit to how much I can do vs what the program itself is capable of providing. We have to remember that Trainz is an old program now with almost ancient architecture driving it when compared to current graphics engines. We are also at the point where more and more of the content provided is of high quality which demands a minimum level of performance not only from our systems, but from that of the game itself. Both have to have the capability to handle these matters. Trainz, in my opinion, has reached its maximum potential and cannot be advanced or improved upon given it current design. Even TRS06 and Classics are using the same old graphics engines. From this point on, Auran will have to redesign it from ground up or we will have to understand and accept what it is we cannot change within its current framework. That is where I am now.

roymac

 

[gisa]

Well put Roymac! I suppose it's evolution right?

Have you considered using Joseph Pavlov's low poly track? I ran into the same problem you did (with areas that have a higher amount of tracks). I used to use the VMD rails us mainline (which although I liked, was 4 x as high on the polygons as the LP-wood track). It may not be perfect, but it's grown on me and I deem it quite suitable for most routes (also many others will agree). If your interested, I can point you towards that thread and the KUIDS of the track: they're worth a try. Besides, I figure most people driving wont be staring at the tracks and insisting on heavy deatils in that sense (when they will probably be in fact staring at the scenery in the distance ).

I always wonder what my grandchildren will be playing and how cool it'll look (if we live that long ). I wonder what trainz will be like then and if it'll evolve and survive...I guess only time will tell.

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[roymac]

Well put Roymac! I suppose it's evolution right?

Have you considered using Joseph Pavlov's low poly track? I ran into the same problem you did (with areas that have a higher amount of tracks). I used to use the VMD rails us mainline (which although I liked, was 4 x as high on the polygons as the LP-wood track). It may not be perfect, but it's grown on me and I deem it quite suitable for most routes (also many others will agree). If your interested, I can point you towards that thread and the KUIDS of the track: they're worth a try. Besides, I figure most people driving wont be staring at the tracks and insisting on heavy deatils in that sense (when they will probably be in fact staring at the scenery in the distance ).

I always wonder what my grandchildren will be playing and how cool it'll look (if we live that long ). I wonder what trainz will be like then and if it'll evolve and survive...I guess only time will tell.

:wave:

Gisa ^^

....I haven't decided at this point which of the tracks I will use to replace my existing ones. So, by all means point me in the direction of the thread and KUIDS for the track you are suggesting. I may even have them already but the KUIDS will tell me.

I would like to see Auran keep up the franchise by bringing it into the 21 Century but obviously that will be a corporate decision. It is my understanding though that nothing will be carried on passed the release of Trainz Classics. Mind you my Crystal Ball doesn't really tell me much about the future so ............ who knows!!

roymac

 

[ess1]

....I haven't decided at this point which of the tracks I will use to replace my existing ones. So, by all means point me in the direction of the thread and KUIDS for the track you are suggesting. I may even have them already but the KUIDS will tell me.

I would like to see Auran keep up the franchise by bringing it into the 21 Century but obviously that will be a corporate decision. It is my understanding though that nothing will be carried on passed the release of Trainz Classics. Mind you my Crystal Ball doesn't really tell me much about the future so ............ who knows!!

roymac

Your point re Auran is well taken. Publishing TC appears to be going down the MSTS route where money for routes has to be spent.

 

[leader2302]

Roymac,

The low poly tracks you are looking for are called:

MP track wood kuid 46162:38014
MP track rusty kuid 46162:38015

Hope this helps.

 

[gisa]

Not to hijack or misalign the thread, but yeah, I do think that trainz will head along that route. I wouldn't mind spending twice as much for a really well refined, solid, stable, efficient and good looking platform instead of the rushed product but I don't own Auran nor do I run a business so...:hehe:

I usually use those exact tracks and I find they do a very suitable job for the look I want. I'm sure you'll download them but here's two sample pics for your perusal:



Here is the lp wood, lp rusty and another trackbed I like (for eye candy), the mb overgrown track bed



Like I said, the VMD rails track was 20 polys, while this is 5 and has no "clipping" errors (when you join splines unlike the VMD rails I previously used). I can't thank Joseph Pavlov (and those who recommended his tracks to me) enough! I notice no stuttering in this yard (about 20 tracks) at this point (mind you I have no textures or containers or cars at this point).

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[roymac]

Roymac,

The low poly tracks you are looking for are called:

MP track wood kuid 46162:38014
MP track rusty kuid 46162:38015

Hope this helps.

.....thanks again! I will download them and replace them in my Edge County Route. Shown below is the worst area of the layout for frame rates. Note the track. This is one of the items we have been discussing. Personally I think it is one of the nicest looking tracks available but correct me if I am wrong, they are high in poly's, right? The second screenshot shows a night view - sorry I didn't capture a daytime image, of the same yard. You will note that it is not big or even densly detailed but I sure do take a frame-rate beating going thru here. I recall not that long ago trying to do a movie via Fraps but that frame rate was down to "1"!! Needless to say, I abandoned the project. Since then, I have been working on trying to improve those rates, hench this thread.

roymac

 

[leader2302]

Roymac,

The track you have in your yard is great looking but also very high poly. If you have Trainz Objectz, you can check the poly count of track and other objects. You can also use Trainz Objectz to easily replace all your track in your layout instantly with another track.

The mp track track I listed above gives an extremely low poly count. I have a large yard in my route and the FPS is good because of the mp track.