Don't expect a lot of 2009 native content released to the dls for a long time.
Or at least untill Auran allow us to upload TS2009 compatible content to the DLS. I've got a number of items that could, in theory, be uploaded right now... Mostly simple items, but hey...
- No Content Creators Guide detailing how to create content is available. TrainzDev site has limited and very fragmented info available but is, for most, insufficient to help the creation process.
Not true. Much of the info you need to make TS2009 model either comes from TC3, if not from earlier versions. Anything that is new, is documented on the TrainzDev site. If there is stuff you do need help with, with these new features you then ask. To make an actual CCG for 09, well it wouldn't relly be worth it these days. It is better off on the wiki, where people can make changes or addition if they find new things on that topic.
- True 2009 content requires normal maps. 3dsMax apparantly has support to create these and it is reported that Blender does as well but it took for ever just to create and export a textured cube from Blender - A loco would be a nightmare (for me anyway).
Fair enough. But, you can still make the content with GMax. You just have to manually create the normal map. And it won't use the new exporters (you might find a slight decrease in performance using this stuff, but not huge).
- "Supported content" must be created with 3dsMax (many folks are working on creating exporters from other 3d programs but the current statment is that only 3dsMax creations are supported for 2009) - Unless you're rich or make you're living at 3d modeling you will never afford 3dsMax!
Hmmm, so you mean the Trainz Mesh Importer isn't supported by Auran? Wasn't it created by Auran to allow those without GMax to still have the chance to create for TS2009? Hmmm....
- "Native" content released from the community always lags the actual release of a product which will not be released for a while yet!
But it doesn't have to... As I said, I have a number of items that are TS2009 'native'. In fact, I have one wagon that IS designed for TS2009 (using the TS2009 exporters) that I can release now (yeah, I lost 2-3 new features from it by releasing to 04, the only make a very small improvement, so what?).
Also, I for one, hope that a complete and well edited Content Creation Guide will be available with the release media. The CCG usually lags far behind a release however.
Pretty sure Auran have said that there will be no CCG, and that the TrainzDev wiki will be taken over this role. Right now, it's a bit disjointed... But, with the work of the community, we should be able to make it work... So long as people actually to help instead of just wanting
Zec
