While Learning to Walk, Asks About Triathlon

[PWeiser]

Bless all here.

I just bought Trainz UTC, (DVD version) installed it, and am enjoying it immensely. I have so far skinned a bunch of New Haven boxcars, and an NS 1200 to represent an EP5 (area of special interest is the New Haven and other US heavy electrification - N-gauge 1972-1984); also set up a simple four-baseboard layout catering to passengers by day/freight by night.

Having read some of the commentary here and elsewhere, it seems UTC is at or very near its expiration date. Hence the low introductory price, which is fine by me. This does seem to mean that the UTC system for building custom motive power (GMAX 1.1) is no longer operative. That’s fine, too: I’m a free-published 3D blacksmith and once (long ago) even sold a complete set of homemade Milwaukee Road electrics (shapes) to a gentleman whose name I don’t recollect.

I’m confident I could create most of the New Haven electrics in whatever version of TRAINZ is currently open to content creation using Blender and other tools now available.

My plan is to learn the basics while having fun with UTC, and buy TRS2009 to start up the learning curve to content creation. I have no problem with redoing layouts and reskins already accomplished in UTC: it’s all fun.

Comments, criticism and advice welcome!

 

[martinvk]

Welcome on board. UTC was and is alright to start down the Trainz track. A great learning tool. GMax 1.2 still works. I make my TS2010 objects with it without any problems. Since I'm comfortable with it, I have no incentive to learn a new creation tool.

As you may have noticed, most people are in here for the long haul so don't worry if you don't do and learn everything in one sitting. As you said, it's fun. That's the way it should be.

 

[PWeiser]

Land of the Giants, Not

Thanks for the welcome. It appears GMAX 1.2 can no longer be registered (maybe I'm just not holding my mouth right), but that's OK - Blender works, and imports VRML (my usual interchange format for shapes) so I can make things in a familiar environment (Imagine). Trainz provides incentive to learn a new creation tool, but why give up the old if that's not necessary? Will Blender export to UTC/SP3? Just wondering - I was going to get TRS2009 anyway.

Others have undoubtedly mentioned this over the years, but my first Trainz layout followed (physical) model railroad practice - small-radius curves, with mainlines 150 feet from the baseboard edges. It now becomes apparent how different virtual railroading is: instead of hugging the edge of the world, track should dive into the interior and keep the edge out of view from the track. Because there's now no need for those 700-foot giants who can reach only 250 feet or so from the edge to re-rail derailed flatcars and adjust balky points!

 

[tomurban]

Welcome to the forum. It is a great place to find answers to your questions and make acquaintances from all over he globe. We are looking forward to some of your creations.

tomurban

 

[martinvk]

Thanks for the welcome. It appears GMAX 1.2 can no longer be registered (maybe I'm just not holding my mouth right), ...

Where are you trying to register your GMax? I have no problems doing it at TurboSquid.com

 

[PWeiser]

Success!

Thanks for the further motivation. GMax registered on the third attempt (I was using a punctuation mark in the submitted password and missing the error message). Box marked with face names created per the tutorial and successfully run around the layout.

It also turns out GMax 1.2 will import .3ds files. This will be convenient since my digital anvil turns out .iob files, which can be converted to .3ds with AcuTrans. Now for something almost as simple but prototypical - a PRR B1, or a boxcab superstructure to turn GG1 running gear into a New Haven EP-3?