Trainz version question;

[srude]

Hi,

I am cooling to the idea of getting TRS2009 and would like know what current version is best so far as content and performance is concerned.

I know how to use gmax and 3D Canvas and want to stick with those graphics packages.

Thanks in advance for whatever suggestions are offered.

Cheers,

srude

 

[PatrickTaylor89]

I'd suggest TRS 2006. It has the largest amount of built-in content of any version, and in my experience, performs and looks slightly better than TRS 2004, which would be my second choice. There are those who hate CMP, but personally, I actually prefer it.

I've not had a chance to purchase either version of Classics yet. They certainly have introduced new features and might well perform even better, but if it's built-in content you're looking for, I'd stear clear of them since they don't contain any of the legacy content from previous versions.

Also, you mentioned GMAX and 3d Canvas. I use 3DC and it works just fine with 2006 so you should be good to go there.

Hope that helps,

Patrick

 

[scorpio48]

Hi
I use Gmax with 2006, and as long as you download the Content Creator Pack, there shouldn't be a problem.
When I was using 2004 I never bothered with Gmax, so I can't comment on that, and like Patrick, I never used the Classics.
I know however that with 2009, you will not be able to use Gmax to create contents for that version, (apparently, because of the advanced features of 2009,) you can however load existing Gmax creations into it.
So, in short, my recommendation is 2006 and Gmax
Cheers
Pete.

 

[andi06]

I know however that with 2009, you will not be able to use Gmax to create contents for that version, (apparently, because of the advanced features of 2009,) you can however load existing Gmax creations into it.

You will still be able to use GMax to do exactly what you do now, you just won't be able to use it for some of the new capabilities.

 

[johnwhelan]

Hi,

I am cooling to the idea of getting TRS2009 and would like know what current version is best so far as content and performance is concerned.

I know how to use gmax and 3D Canvas and want to stick with those graphics packages.

Thanks in advance for whatever suggestions are offered.

Cheers,

srude

You need both TRS2006 for the built in content and TC3 for performance / reliability.

Quote from Blooknok one of the Auran progarmmers at trainzdev

"As far as multiple cores goes - Trainz is multithreaded - but there is a lot that runs in the main thread that is not threaded, and can't be easily made threaded. Over time, more threads are added. TRS2004 had threads, but didn't do all that much in them. TRS2006 improved the threading significantly. As of TC3, Trainz will use a dual core processor fairly well, but you're unlikely to get much additional benefit from a quad core. If the choice is between a fast dual core processor, and a quad core which while faster overall has individually slower cores, I'd take the dual. 2009 may well have a bit of additional threading - but it's going to be an evolutionary step, not a revolutionary step. I'd still take the dual for 2009 as well."

For content creation these days I prefer Blender. Same price as GMAX but things come together a lot faster.

Cheerio John

 

[psycho_aussie]

I would also recommend TRS2006 for the built-in content, and TC3 for the performance and reliability. Personally, I use 3dsmax, but I started in Gmax. I am considering learning how to use Blender, more for personal reasons, than any functionality/lack thereof reason.

Gmax will export content to TS2009, but will not use the new features and capabilities. In that respect, I would suggest learning to use Blender. I believe that a TS2009 plugin for Blender is being developed at the moment.

Chris

 

[scorpio48]

For content creation these days I prefer Blender. Same price as GMAX but things come together a lot faster.

Cheerio John

Hi John,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those programs freeware?

You will still be able to use GMax to do exactly what you do now, you just won't be able to use it for some of the new capabilities.

Andi
Thanks for clearing that up, so basically building contents, houses, shops etc. shouldn't make any difference.
Cheers
Pete.

 

[ex-railwayman]

Hi,

I am cooling to the idea of getting TRS2009 and would like know what current version is best so far as content and performance is concerned.

I know how to use gmax and 3D Canvas and want to stick with those graphics packages.

Thanks in advance for whatever suggestions are offered.

Cheers,

srude

As below, content wise, TRS2006 - for an American, such as your goodself, this has more potential than say TC3. You only need to look at the built-in demo routes like Modula City, etc, to see what can be achieved. However, performance wise, CMP has been very erratic on TRS2006 since last Xmas and many creators have suggested TRS2004 has much better performance and stability. Unfortunately, it may well come down to the toss of a coin, but if you have the budget and PC capacity, there's no reason why you can't have both TRS2004 and 06 installed to see which one offers you the most.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.

 

[PatrickTaylor89]

Thanks for clearing that up, so basically building contents, houses, shops etc. shouldn't make any difference.
Cheers
Pete.

You can still keep doing things the same way you always have. It's not that GMAX won't work anymore. There seems to be a lot of confusion in that area when it comes to 2009.

The issue has nothing to do with whether or not GMAX will work. The issue is that in order for content to be up to 2009 standards, it will need to include normal maps, among other things. As I understand it, GMAX is incapable of creating normal maps.

Anything created without those features should still work, however it will be looked upon by CMP as being "old" content rather than 2009 content. That's not exactly the worst thing in the world, as anything created using the older standards and uploaded to the DLS would then be available to a wider audience rather than just 2009 owners.

Patrick

 

[johnwhelan]

Hi John,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't those programs freeware?



Andi
Thanks for clearing that up, so basically building contents, houses, shops etc. shouldn't make any difference.
Cheers
Pete.

Blender is open source, it was developed in house by a European company that went bankrupt for other reasons after spending a couple of million on the development of Blender.

Blender was then purchased by the Blender foundation from the receivers for I think it was $100,000 and then has lived in the open source world ever since.

So yes you can download it and use it for free. Blender.org is the place to go and browse. They accept donations as well.

Cheerio John