Use of Trainz for model ideas

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Use of Trainz for HO scale model ideas

Do any of you use Trainz for ideas for your HO layouts? I'm getting logging mill ideas from it.

(Edit : clarified layouts as HO scale model layouts in lieu of cyber based)
 
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With me, it's just the opposite. I was reading a recent Railway Modelling magazine and came upon a little known East Anglian Branchline, from Kings Lynn to Hunstanton (pronounced Hunston). So I am in the process now of doing some research on the whole line, and have already started building it in Surveyor, for Trainz 2004.

Obviously, in OO Gauge the size of the layout would have to be severely limited, but the beauty of Trainz is that it's possible and practacle enough to re-create the Whole Line which is what I am now starting.

I'll keep you posted as to developments.:)
 
There a lot of us model railroaders out here, but not all of us will feel obligated to respond to every thread on this forum.

I originally wanted to use Trainz as a proof of concept for a modular (domino style) model railroad before building the actual modules, but the huge size of the baseboards made this impossible.

I could model the whole railroad with space left over on a single baseboard, but that does not allow for re-arranging of modules.

I have been lobbying for years for smaller baseboards, but can't seem to get an amen from anyone on this forum, just like you can't seem to either.
 
seward said:
With me, it's just the opposite. I was reading a recent Railway Modelling magazine and came upon a little known East Anglian Branchline, from Kings Lynn to Hunstanton (pronounced Hunston). So I am in the process now of doing some research on the whole line, and have already started building it in Surveyor, for Trainz 2004.

Obviously, in OO Gauge the size of the layout would have to be severely limited, but the beauty of Trainz is that it's possible and practacle enough to re-create the Whole Line which is what I am now starting.

I'll keep you posted as to developments.:)
Click to expand...


Actually its pronounced HUNSTANTON
 
HO Scale

I believe there is an option in surveyor (Edit Route, or something like that) to make your route in different model scales such as HO (which happens to be my favorite, asside from N Scale). Unfortunately my basement is not large enough to make a route from Altoona to Johnstown (Horseshoe Curve), nor large enough for the Field to Lake Louise British Columbia Spiral Loops Tunnels on Kicking Horse Pass route(s)...even in Z scale. Trainz is making this possible as BOTH routes are in the works, and if I ever get them done they will be freeware. Pitcairn PA and Enola PA Freight yards are also in the works.:cool:Basemaps are cool tool for making a prototypical HO layout to scale ! Just ask how !
 
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There is a way to make the baseboard size appear smaller - a quarter of the current size. Unfortunately it will entail a lot of content building. Scale 2X is the answer, make all the content twice normal scale. It has been done before by a New Zealand modeler and it works well. I have tried it with some of my stuff, and the size of the scaled up models is impressive.

Think of the advantages, 5 metre grid squares in surveyor, (2.5 metre in 2009) and 360 metre square baseboards.

For someone prepared to make the necessary content, it is ideal. If the mesh is available, scaling up in Gmax or 3Dmax makes it quick and easy so makers of current content may be persuaded to issue 2X versions of their work.

Cheers

Narrowgauge
 
meshes

narrowgauge said:
There is a way to make the baseboard size appear smaller - a quarter of the current size. Unfortunately it will entail a lot of content building. Scale 2X is the answer, make all the content twice normal scale. It has been done before by a New Zealand modeler and it works well. I have tried it with some of my stuff, and the size of the scaled up models is impressive.

Think of the advantages, 5 metre grid squares in surveyor, (2.5 metre in 2009) and 360 metre square baseboards.

For someone prepared to make the necessary content, it is ideal. If the mesh is available, scaling up in Gmax or 3Dmax makes it quick and easy so makers of current content may be persuaded to issue 2X versions of their work.

Cheers

Narrowgauge
Click to expand...

Wouldn't changing meshes contravene rights? OK if you don't upload to the DS I suppose.

I tried to create a model idea but found the Trainz boards far too large for any practical purposes in actual modelling representation.
My Tabletop series is on 'OO' but it still makes for a huge layout. Something we have to live with.
But I suspect Trainz was not initially created with this aspect in mind. What it does is free the mind to creater things - and even greater things! The limits are probably the PC specs you work on.

Angela
 
Angelah

It is only possible to rescale an object if you have the original mesh, that is why I said it would be a lot of work with 3D max or Gmax. There is no question of changing materials made by a third party unless the creator can be persuaded to release the mesh.

Peter
 
I recall reading a post on the ancient forum about making a baseboard appear smaller by cutting a big section out and painting the hole black. When this is done, the only are left to landscape and lay track on is the area that isn't cut down.

In the post, I think the author used HO scale rulers to layout the size of the table top, and the area not needed was the area that was lowered and darkened to make a shelf.

I hope I explained this clearly enough.

John
 
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