Why should I purchase further versions of Trainz? Since TRS2006 released in 2005 I've been correcting errors in content and with each new version many assets have to be redone. Many of the "innovations" N3V has introduced seem to be just innovation for the sake of it serving no real purpose. One particular innovation "see through water" seems to me to be very divorced from reality. The idea that you can see bridge piers on the bottom of a river bank or the bottom of a ship's hull through the water is rather preposterous. The clanging thumping junction sound introduced in the TC series is very unrealistic. The rumbling sound in TRS was more close to the real thing. More innovations, 3D trees may be nice to have but nor really needed or "satellite view". Latest versions of Trainz now make some older assets virtually unusable, assets like tennis courts and 1942 school, with the surrounding mesh fences appearing almost solid. It seems that Trainz and the "Trainz Community" has now become more and more a means of pushing payware. Visit the Download Station and you're slapped in the face with N3V's payware at the top, as it is in this forum. Meanwhile I get N3V newsletters offering me discounts on items I already have. These are no longer newsletters just advertising. Sure N3V is welcome to do whatever to make a quid. However as I've already spent a considerable amount over 10 years on various versions of Trainz, downloadable content etc I don't need to be bombarded with all this. What once was an enjoyable hobby isn't with TS10 and 12. Therefore N3V won't be having me as a customer in the future. There are are better more enjoyable alternatives.
Why Buy More Trainz?
- Thread starter QR1408
- Start date
I don't even know where to begin, though I'll second the above statements...
...though I enjoy fixing content, and have become a better CC because of it. I even developed an entire nightmoding method (yeah, it isn't as grand as it sounds.) But asset repair has helped me as much as it has helped anyone else.
...though I enjoy fixing content, and have become a better CC because of it. I even developed an entire nightmoding method (yeah, it isn't as grand as it sounds.) But asset repair has helped me as much as it has helped anyone else.
Dinorius_Redundicus
kuid 68213
@ QR1408
Well at the risk of being burned at the stake along with you, I have to say I agree with everything you said.
The water in Trainz has really fallen behind the times. I didn't realise it until I saw how beautifully it's done in a modern game like 'Skyrim'.
Likewise, Speedtrees were introduced which was OK in principle, but the examples they chose looked cheap, crude and unrealistic. Again, a look at any modern game shows you how well they can be done. Forcibly obsoleting some of the old and much-used built-in billboard trees with those 3D 'aliens' trashed many existing layouts. That was totally inconsiderate of N3V, I feel they had no right to do that.
Solid wire mesh fences, yeah, that's down to the unilateral decision not to support alpha-blended transparency in the old way - just a pity that thousands of old models relied on alpha blending.
I spent the first 8 mind-numbing months with TS2010 just eliminating 'errors' in old content, only to find that half the (now 'error free') spline objects still fail to show in native mode TS2010. Sure, you learn some things about content and the mistakes creators have made, but it's hardly what I would call enjoyable.
So, like you, I am dreading the day when I have to purchase a new version of Trainz because I know it will expose even more 'errors' that need fixing.
Well at the risk of being burned at the stake along with you, I have to say I agree with everything you said.
The water in Trainz has really fallen behind the times. I didn't realise it until I saw how beautifully it's done in a modern game like 'Skyrim'.
Likewise, Speedtrees were introduced which was OK in principle, but the examples they chose looked cheap, crude and unrealistic. Again, a look at any modern game shows you how well they can be done. Forcibly obsoleting some of the old and much-used built-in billboard trees with those 3D 'aliens' trashed many existing layouts. That was totally inconsiderate of N3V, I feel they had no right to do that.
Solid wire mesh fences, yeah, that's down to the unilateral decision not to support alpha-blended transparency in the old way - just a pity that thousands of old models relied on alpha blending.
I spent the first 8 mind-numbing months with TS2010 just eliminating 'errors' in old content, only to find that half the (now 'error free') spline objects still fail to show in native mode TS2010. Sure, you learn some things about content and the mistakes creators have made, but it's hardly what I would call enjoyable.
So, like you, I am dreading the day when I have to purchase a new version of Trainz because I know it will expose even more 'errors' that need fixing.
I don't want to get off topic...LOL Is there any chance you'll share this nightmode method with us one day RR.
Cheers Mick.
It isn't anything near as mysterious as it sounds. I actually use the exact same method as regular nightmoding, but using the same mesh and textures; what makes it valuable is that it works if you don't have the original mesh. Otherwise, it's essentially just retexturing/reskinning.
Most of my assets, as well as Euphod's and DaveSnow's recent stuff, use this method. Download one or two and you'll see a regular folder and files with the daytime stuff, and a night folder with the exact same stuff but with nighttime textures. That's really it, no rocket science here.
FYI, Jayholland figured out a clever way to kind-of nightmode splines...
While I do agree with many of the views presented here, I don't think that's quite reason enough to throw in the towel. Rather, I implore you to take a few months and try to fix the program yourself. When you come back, you can admit that N3V has done a much better job than you were able to do. Unless you actually do better than N3V, in which case congratulations, mate.
cascaderailroad
New member
Probably the only problem with TS12 would be Surveyor losing work, but that is usually the end users fault by making mistakes with layers. And losing compatability mode, and having older versions assets not work in TS12.
TS10 ... I am waiting on it to arrive.
I am going to continue creating my route in TRS2006 ... and transfer it into TS10 for testing.
If I had bypassed TS10, and upgraded directly to TS12, I would do the same thing ... create routes in TRS2006 and transfer it into TS12.
TS10 ... I am waiting on it to arrive.
I am going to continue creating my route in TRS2006 ... and transfer it into TS10 for testing.
If I had bypassed TS10, and upgraded directly to TS12, I would do the same thing ... create routes in TRS2006 and transfer it into TS12.
Naturally the usual suspects with the usual half smart replies, "don't let the door hit you on the way out, if you can do better that N3V blah, blah." The point is N3V created these programmes and could have done a lot better over 10 years, but they haven't. The weather and night mode aren't very good and appear to be the same as the first Trainz. Trainz updated screenshots so now they save as jpg's. Maybe having the abilty to take in game videos might have been more useful, this feature is available in IL-2 Sturmovik a combat flight sim that's been around as long as Trainz. The type of trees used in Rise of Flight would have been a better alternative to Speedtrees, but N3V states that they are committed to them. I could put screenshots of N3V's trees along pix of real birches Aus gums and othesr to show just how wide of the mark they are. Water that reflect the sky and river banks would have been a useful update not the dubious ones N3V thinks we need, like removing particle effects control. Two screenshots from Rise of Flight WWI combat flight sim. First showing water reflecting sky and river banks, second RoF trees.
amrail2000
GONE AND FORGOTTEN
Nah, I can't bring my self to say it. What I will say , is I enjoyed trainz since my first copy. I've wanted to pull my hair since my first purchase.Shoot I've wanted to pull out other peoples hair (just kidding). I have disagreed with some people and N3V being one of those groups. Now having said that let me say this.
I have had alot of fun, and still do. I have also had the pleasure of meeting some very nice people that I now call friend. I have also learned alot. Oh and for N3V, I made it point to work directly with them. and even at that I have met some very nice people. So looking at the positives, YES IT"S WORTH IT. And given the choice I'd do it again. But that's just me. Oh and can I get some cheese?
I have had alot of fun, and still do. I have also had the pleasure of meeting some very nice people that I now call friend. I have also learned alot. Oh and for N3V, I made it point to work directly with them. and even at that I have met some very nice people. So looking at the positives, YES IT"S WORTH IT. And given the choice I'd do it again. But that's just me. Oh and can I get some cheese?
Er, okay. Are you mad that Trainz isn't a WWI sim?
Trainz is pretty dang hot for a ground sim. Nobody said is was a flight sim.
captainkman
You are reading this.
Yeah, Queenslanders really strange. Just look at my location!
QR1408:
If you do not like Trainz, bye bye. But if you decide to like it again, that would be great.
I'm not going to argue against you. It's your decision, but be prepared to regret it if you leave!
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TheWaluigiKing
Trainz Ninja
Not to mention that it's as hot as the sun up there!
I know absolutely nothing about those flight sim programs as Trainz is the only simulator I have but were the landscapes and scenery items (trees, aircraft, etc) shown in those screen shots created by users of the sim or by professional graphic designers?