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ChooChoo (51 posts)
Jan-28-02, 01:04 PM (EST) "Would anybody be interested in this?" I love trains and Train Sim, but I just don't know enough about engines and roling stock to try to make them or improve on some of the wonderful stuff available here. However, I want to make a contribution to the community of some kind, and I DO know a lot about 3D modeling. So I thought it might be fun to make some unique scenery if there is any interest. This is my first model using TSM. And it looks pretty good at night too: For those who insist on having a train in the scene, here is a quick one:
I'd like to go on and develop more (such as an animated Ferris Wheel and eventually a complete circus train) but I really don't know if there is any interest in such "eye candy" among the die-hard train spotters (whom I admire BTW). So I'd like some comments on whether you would use such items if I created them and posted them. This model is only 617 pollys (a fraction of what one wagon or engine might be, but large for a typical simple building) so it should not affect frame rate that much.What do you think? I'm a real newbie to MSTS, so please be gentle with your criticisms Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Table of Contents

Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Would anybody be interested in ... buzzbenz Jan-28-02 1 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... FozzyBear Jan-28-02 2 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... BlakeTyner Jan-28-02 3 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... derekmorton Jan-28-02 4 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... sundevil_1997 Jan-28-02 5 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Hawk Jan-28-02 7 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... aeby Jan-28-02 6 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... ChooChooCharlie Jan-28-02 8 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... LawrenceKellie Jan-28-02 9 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... ChooChoo Jan-28-02 10 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Xerxes Jan-29-02 11 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... blvdbill Jan-29-02 13 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Xerxes Jan-30-02 22 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... sundevil_1997 Jan-30-02 23 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... mikkox Jan-30-02 24 RE: Two Words stationmaster Jan-29-02 12 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... fishcarver Jan-30-02 14 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Sleepwalker Jan-30-02 15 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Kuchinator Jan-30-02 16 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... henry3 Jan-30-02 17 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... gxm149 Jan-30-02 18 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... GTJD Jan-30-02 19 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... mikkox Jan-30-02 20 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Euston Jan-30-02 21 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... ChooChoo Jan-31-02 25 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... lnghairedwizard Jan-31-02 26 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Hawk Jan-31-02 27 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Southern_Railway Jan-31-02 28 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Hawk Jan-31-02 30 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Southern_Railway Jan-31-02 29 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... ChooChoo Jan-31-02 31 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... Southern_Railway Feb-01-02 32 RE: Would anybody be interested in ... ChooChoo Feb-01-02 33

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buzzbenz (468 posts)
Jan-28-02, 01:12 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" That's great!! I don't build routes, just trains, so i don't know if my opionion matters much, but i'd love to see that pop up in a route somewhere! Keep up the good work!------ BUZZ ------

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FozzyBear (728 posts)
Jan-28-02, 02:59 PM (EST) 2. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?"
Superb Texture work!! Choo Choo!!Hey if you know 3D modelling this well then there really is nothing stopping you building locomotives. Start with a three view drawing of one that has a reasonably simple shape and go from there!It's only like any other model at the end of the day!!Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
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BlakeTyner (118 posts)
Jan-28-02, 04:01 PM (EST) 3. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" That's really great! I'd love to see a circus of fair or amusement park...would add a lot of character.Blake Harris
Vice Dean, Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
derekmorton (354 posts)
Jan-28-02, 04:10 PM (EST) 4. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" No critisism from here, the model is fantastic.
I will stick to writing programs.Derek EngMod@leder.com.au Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
sundevil_1997 (106 posts)
Jan-28-02, 04:23 PM (EST) 5. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Geez, I love that....especially the night shots. That is VERY well done.I am certain there is a good place for that in any city scape...or even better, just outside of the city along some major road. It'd have to be close enough to the tracks to see, but not so close that you'd think "they don't put circus's that close". But heck, if I get far enough with my route, I'd love it. I'm very into the unique items.Speaking of which....no one here really has an obligation to GIVE anything to this community...I think we all just WANT to. I know I do, and that's why I've been LABORING on a route. However, if you have 3d modelling skills and wish to contribute...perhaps you could offer your services. For instance, there are several objects I've thought would be handy..however, I have no 3d skills, and more importantly, no 3d software (yes, even $40 for TSM is too much right now). I'm certain that there are people making routes right now who would love a particular object, but don't want to stop making their route to go get it, or make it if they can. For instance, I'm annoyed at the lack of good suspension bridges out there....bridges without supports directly under them. I'm working without, or I"ll deal with it when it's time. But that's just a suggestion. I think the circus is great, and would love to see more items like that. They've very imaginative...and that's what's making this game so great. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Hawk (367 posts)
Jan-28-02, 05:57 PM (EST) 7. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" LAST EDITED ON Jan-28-02 AT 06:01 PM (EST)Hey ChooChoo-
Man, I think you just opened up a can of worms. It won't be long, they'll be crawling all over you, and I might be one of them.
I'm, frustratingly, working on a route, and some of the objects I need, I haven't found, yet (buildings, a certain caboose (which I need for a local towns visitor center), some county dump objects, a chemical plant, etc.
You do some fabulous work.
I bought TSM, but haven't had a chance to get into it. Probably wouldn't matter, anyway, I'm not very artistic. But, you are!
As Sundevil mentioned, there's no obligation to contribute to this community (Lord knows, I haven't), but you have a talent that could work well here, and if you love trains, what better place to share it?
Fantastic work, man. I'm scratching my head, trying to figure out someplace to put a small circus. He! He!
Later,
HawkA thought! Are you familiar with Rollercoaster Tycoon? That circus might fit there, as well.
"And it comes to be, that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way."
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aeby (21 posts)
Jan-28-02, 05:52 PM (EST) 6. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" That is just totally Awesome unlike alot of you i am still trying to figure out the route geomoetry extractor UGGG
i can do 3d modeling on paper but i am not good at it with a computer so i am trying to design the old Frisco line through Missouri .. i think those shots look great and i am sure alot of people would love to have a circus in the towns we pass as we engineer down the tracks
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ChooChooCharlie (117 posts)
Jan-28-02, 06:04 PM (EST) 8. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Wow that circus is great!! I think it would look great in Graber's East Metro RR. That night screanshot is fantastic! .
Cheers


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LawrenceKellie (1456 posts)
Jan-28-02, 06:24 PM (EST) 9. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Absolutely. Keep creating! Wow! Lawrence Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ChooChoo (51 posts)
Jan-28-02, 07:36 PM (EST) 10. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Thanks to everybody for the encouragement. I enjoy building structures of all kinds (but I'll leave the rolling stock for others), so if any of you have special requests, I'll start a "to do" list. Especially if you have photos of interesting or unique trackside structures, I'd really enjoy modeling it. I like to fuss with the details, and enjoy the challenge of keeping the polly count and texture sizes small without compromizing the look of the final product.FYI the textures for the circus tent (day and night combined) are less than 1 MB, but they hold the detail even on extreme close-ups. I can't believe how sloppy some of the textures are that came with MSTS and take up 3 to 4 MB. Anyway, I won't be releasing anything shoddy, so things might take a while.I thought the Circus idea was appropriate for MSTS because the circus has historically traveled by train using custom built wagons that are in themselves interesting. In small towns (and some not-so-small) across America, people look forward to the day when the Circus Train comes to town. I also imagine that some interesting activities can be built around getting the circus and all the animals and rigging to the fairgrounds on time! After all we can't just haul coal or lumber for the rest of our lives, can we?
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Xerxes (124 posts)
Jan-29-02, 06:37 PM (EST) 11. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Outstanding. You know, what we need are junk stuff. Old barrels, lines of rusty wheels, you know, STUFF. All these rr's are just too clean and real roads have lots of junk around, 'specially in the yards (maintenance). We need some of the same stuff for logging rr's, mining areas. It boggles the mind what COULD be done. I'm currently working on an old sawdust burner for a sawmill. Haven't gotten as far as the mill yet. I'm really looking for a real old, rusty texture file.I DO hope to see more of this circus stuff. Too bad we can't pop it up for a little bit and then have it go away later.res07bqx@verizon.net Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
blvdbill (87 posts)
Jan-29-02, 07:09 PM (EST) 13. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" LAST EDITED ON Jan-29-02 AT 07:21 PM (EST)Awesome work !! Choo Choo,
You have a real gift there ... keep up the outstanding work!!!

I agree with Xerxes, need more RR junk ... also we need more 3d people (ie: RR workers, Foxy blond at the station ..lol)
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Xerxes (124 posts)
Jan-30-02, 02:08 PM (EST) 22. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" >LAST EDITED ON Jan-29-02
>AT 07:21 PM (EST)
>
>Awesome work !! Choo Choo,
>You have a real gift there
>... keep up the outstanding
>work!!!
>
>I agree with Xerxes, need more
>RR junk ... also we
>need more 3d people (ie:
>RR workers, Foxy blond at
>the station ..lol)
>
>
>
>
>Blvdbill 'Specially the foxy blonde; although I'd accept a nice REDhead also. res07bqx@verizon.net Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
sundevil_1997 (106 posts)
Jan-30-02, 02:09 PM (EST) 23. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" A circus train would be great...there must be pictures, or even toy trains out there for the scanning. I can even see a box car with a 3-d giraffe head sticking out....or a see-through cage car with lions. *shiver* I'll send you a list of requests, do them at your leisure or not at all. And keep up the great work. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
mikkox (183 posts)
Jan-30-02, 05:49 PM (EST) 24. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" >the scanning. I can
>even see a box car
>with a 3-d giraffe head
>sticking out....or a see-through cage
>car with lions. *shiver* Just like on Indiana Jones 3... If someone has that old game, there is a demo in the beginning with a circus train going. Also in the movie was a circus train, but I don't remember how much it was filmed from the outside.
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stationmaster (374 posts)
Jan-29-02, 06:50 PM (EST) 12. "RE: Two Words" CIRCUS TRAIN!
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fishcarver (60 posts)
Jan-30-02, 01:30 AM (EST) 14. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" A very nice piece of work indeed!! Where do I sign up for lessons?
How about some "Pulchritudinous Passengers" (= Babes in Parlour Cars)?
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Sleepwalker (71 posts)
Jan-30-02, 08:24 AM (EST) 15. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Dude this is sweet.I know I don't build routes (or at least haven't yet, working ;)) but these things are what are needed there are loads of F7's gp38's etc but hardly any one posts scenery as this is also something I am thinking of looking into. Once the circus has come to town hows about logging camps, the REAL Hoboken power house or check out any of the model rail road mags for inspiration Keep up the good work Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Kuchinator (675 posts)
Jan-30-02, 09:03 AM (EST) 16. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" thats the most highly detailed object ive ever seen so far for MSTS. very nice! kinda funny, the circus is here in charlotte this week with all their elephants crapping all over the coliseum. hope the hornets dont slip on it! would serve them right for wanting to move to new orleans.
-Christopher-

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henry3 (657 posts)
Jan-30-02, 09:35 AM (EST) 17. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" I think it's stuff like this that will really make routes "come alive".Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing more of it.Henry Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
gxm149 (136 posts)
Jan-30-02, 09:51 AM (EST) 18. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" I want it. That is beautiful. It would be great to have the circus in town. I might not be able to work it into my Northeast Corridor extension but I would definitely use it on my fictional route that I use for practicing new ideas and techniques for the Northeast Corridor. I think everyone would love to have it. I can't wait to see it uploaded so I can download it. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
GTJD (109 posts)
Jan-30-02, 11:22 AM (EST) 19. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Great job Choo Choo! Now all we need is the circus train from "Dumbo"!plan for train....4-4-0 W/ a face on it & lettered for the circus,
3 wood boxcars lettered for circus,
3 stockcars,
& ESE observation car lettered as Dumbo's personal coachUncle Charlie Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
mikkox (183 posts)
Jan-30-02, 12:31 PM (EST) 20. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Wouldn't it be cool to have a player-driveable rollercoaster...
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Euston (889 posts)
Jan-30-02, 01:25 PM (EST) 21. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" MAJOR SUGGESTION It was suggested earlier in this thread that is would be good if the circus could move off, well surely it could....Prehaps for Winter and Spring, you could create transparant textures so the tent would be invisible, and so it would only appear in the summer or autumn.

PRR rule!http://clix.to/trainsim Creator of the Lanserat East RR - 31% complete Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ChooChoo (51 posts)
Jan-31-02, 04:45 AM (EST) 25. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Good Idea, but I wonder if it would still count the pollys even if they were invisible? Does anybody know if there is any way to place an object in an Activity? I mean could you have the Circus only show up in a specific activity? It seems to me that that would be a very powerful tool in making an activity - to be able to insert special objects into the landscape just for that session.Anyway here is "work in progress" on my next item, but ran into a snag with TSM destroying my meshes, so gotta wait to hear from their tech folks to continue I love the idea of litter and other trackside debris, and will get some out soon, I also heard that somebody needed a chemical plant, so I'm researching that too.More to come...
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lnghairedwizard (746 posts)
Jan-31-02, 05:34 AM (EST) 26. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Oh yes a Chemical Plant would be great!!! A lot of the structures common to chemical plants could also double as Oil refinery items. these would include Sphereical storage tanks, Various stills and cooling towers, piping groups, heat exchangers, Flares. Would love see someone do a model of the Old B.A.S.F. Wyandotte plant in Wyandotte, Michigan. (The north plant still exists but they tore down the south plant (which much more resembled a refinery) many years ago!!!)Longhairedwizard Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Hawk (367 posts)
Jan-31-02, 05:59 PM (EST) 27. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Hey ChooChoo-
The next time I'm in Marietta (maybe this weekend), I'll see if I can get some shots of the chemical plant I'm thinking of. It has rail service and it's on the route I'm "attempting". It's not as big as most plants. Might be a good challenge.
Hawk
"And it comes to be, that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way."
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Southern_Railway (299 posts)
Jan-31-02, 06:51 PM (EST) 28. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Hi Hawk,Chemical plant in Marietta?Bill,
Marietta, GA Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Hawk (367 posts)
Jan-31-02, 07:22 PM (EST) 30. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Hey Bill-
Actually, it's in Elizabeth. I don't recall the name, but it's off of 41 and Bells Ferry, just south of Kennesaw Mtn., on old 41.
Hawk
"And it comes to be, that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way."
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Southern_Railway (299 posts)
Jan-31-02, 06:58 PM (EST) 29. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Wow! Looks great ChooChoo. I especially like the night view. I assume you are uploading your circus tent. Sure would like to put it in my route. If your are taking orders, I sure could use a lighthouse.Bill Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ChooChoo (51 posts)
Jan-31-02, 07:27 PM (EST) 31. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" The Circus Tent is still undergoing final checking and packaging, but should be sent up this weekend. Ferris Wheel is on hold till I hear from TSM (Abacus) tech support. Meanwhile I'm researching photos on the net for Chemical Plant, Oil Refinery, general trackside clutter, and some steel arch and suspension bridges. I'll add a lighthouse to the list and start researching that too.BTW I got the Ferris Wheel FULLY ANIMATED and working great! with 14 out of the 16 seats on it. The problem is when I add the last 2 seats the TSM file gets corrupted and the mesh colapses. Anyway, its great with 2 missing seats - still a lot of work to do on the support structure, but here is another sneak peek.
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Southern_Railway (299 posts)
Feb-01-02, 11:22 AM (EST) 32. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" ChooChoo,What size *.ace files are you ending up with. Did you see Sniper's recent post on how to keep them small so route distribution will be easier? One thing is missing from your models, people. They would look better with people standing around. We need more people to place in routes.Bill Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ChooChoo (51 posts)
Feb-01-02, 01:37 PM (EST) 33. "RE: Would anybody be interested in this?" Bill, didn't you notice that there are no retaining safety bars on the carriages? You want me to put little kiddies on THAT? Geeze, they'd be falling off and splatting on the landscape! As far as ace files are concerned, currently the complete texture set is on one 512x512 truecolor (24bit) image which yields a compressed ace file of 137KB including the alpha channel. As far as Sniper's post on file sizes, I know he meant well, but he is technically incorrect in his advice for anyone who is using the compressed ace format. For some reason, lowering the bit depth sometimes actually INCREASES the file size of the resulting ace file (I am guessing that this is caused by dithering added to the image when the bit depth is reduced - it may not apply if dithering is turned off when the bit depth is reduced, but then the image would look like crap) so thanks for the heads-up (I agree that most distributed files are WAY bigger than they need to be) but I will stick to 24bit images to keep the quality and find other ways to reduce the file size. So far the distribution package for the Ferris Wheel is about 320KB total (and I haven't compromised quality to achieve that) Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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