What's special about BVE?

OK - I've heard a lot about this program but haven't had a chance to try it out yet. I want to know what the greatest attraction is. Trainz 2004 seems to have exponentially better graphics, MSTS has very powerful route editor (though nearly impossible for the average joe to use).So it's cheap - free. Is that reason enough to buy it? The graphics seem blocky and not realistic. Haven't been too impressed with screenshots. But the variety of created routes out there seem to be limitless.If you prefer BVE over Trainz 2004 or MSTS, tell me why. If you prefer the others over BVE but would never delete BVE off your machine, also please tell me why.Thanks!Jim

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RE: What's special about BVE?, AngliaTrains, Aug-03-04, 03:08 PM, (1) RE: What's special about BVE?, Mr Gizmo, Aug-03-04, 05:27 PM, (2) RE: What's special about BVE?, Joao_CG, Aug-03-04, 06:13 PM, (3) RE: What's special about BVE?, smace, Aug-03-04, 06:22 PM, (4) RE: What's special about BVE?, Stooopid_person, Aug-04-04, 08:57 AM, (5) RE: What's special about BVE?, Dawa, Aug-04-04, 09:54 AM, (6) RE: What's special about BVE?, VentureForth, Aug-04-04, 10:26 AM, (7) RE: What's special about BVE?, Dawa, Aug-04-04, 07:23 PM, (8) RE: What's special about BVE?, smace, Aug-04-04, 08:02 PM, (9) RE: What's special about BVE?, pacmancreator, Aug-05-04, 02:49 PM, (10) RE: What's special about BVE?, Robertj, Aug-05-04, 03:19 PM, (11)

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LAST EDITED ON Aug-03-04 AT 03:23 PM (EST)

Well, heres a list of things BVE has that any other simulating program does or doesnt simulate very well;AWS
TPWS
EB
Dead Mans pedal (Currently trying to make work on BVE4)
Very detailed Trains.
lighting in cabs, while under bridge etc.
3 different horns, also gards buzzer
You can hear the doors open/close
Cabs are very realistic, compered to MSTS were there just drawn incorrectly.
timetable workings
ATS
ATC
It doesnt normally mess up ur PC unlike some other programs you can buy.
photo real route/cab elementsProbably more i forgot to put...Over all I think its the best simulator going, just look at what Virgin Trains use to train drivers, its extremely simlair to BVE in a way, nothing like MSTS or Trainz.Kind RegardsZane Saxton

Zane Saxton - http://www.railnetwork.chicsystems.com

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You have some good points JimDont get me wrong i enjoy a good bash on MSTS and i am quietly impressed with Trainz potential However none of them have BVE's physics and sound capability, neither are any of them able to accurately simulate TPWS, AWS and APT, something which now can be done fully and accurately in bve 4.I see your point about the graphics i do like the look of MSTS trains, and the Trainz scenery, but i guess theres something out of knowing that someone has created this object or panel or train or even route, completely by hand that makes it all worthwhile, you have to remember that bve doesent currently have any tools to aid development apart from route builder, and even then you have to create your objects from scratch!

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The first and most important of uncountable BVE features: it's FREE!!.
Regarding about train and passing train sounds, BVE is unbeatable.
Yes, objects still have to be created from scratch, but making
a comparison with another train sim editors, it's quite easy.
Yes, BVE doesn't have an external view as other train sim do,
but if you really want to drive a train with real physics and
motion, BVE is certainly the right choice.
Regards,
(Now with videos)

John Goncalves, Brazil
http://joaocg.topcities.com

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You can create routes and object with standard Windows tools, Notepad and paint. Graphics are getting better as developers make better objects and BVE 4's light effect adds a new twist.

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In MSTS, the builders concentrate on building the model, so usually the sounds and cabs aren't that good and sometimes are aliased to deault trains. WHile in BVE, since you can't concentrate on making the model, and that there isn't and external views, you would have to stay in the cab for the whole journey, so the developers will concetrate on getting the cab and sounds right!

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You could always try downloading it yourself Its amazing.
I suggest downloading one of the sandymill routes, www.scotrailsim.co.uk . you really wont regret it.However, remember and follow instructions on websites carefully, so you don't get stuck and wonder why you can't get it to work
ALSO somewhere on this forum ( this page probably ) weve given a guy help who didn't know how to work it, most of the controls are on there.

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Well I downloaded, installed and ran the non-beta 2.6.3 without any hitch at all. In fact, my biggest frustration was trying to figure out how to find the right place to stop at the platform when it was absent of a stop flag (ie: Sogo station).It seems like on MSTS, the Odakyu(?) line is just odd. The trains don't seem to fit in the stations, and there are no markers where to stop.I am very impressed with the sounds and the physics.I've downloaded but not completely installed the Beta BVE 4. What is the Net Framework all about and why do I need to install it? I've downloaded it, but haven't got it going yet.I look forward to trying out some of those routes out there, and I want desperately to design my own routes. I've practically given up trying to build a route on MSTS. I've downloaded Routebuilder so we'll have to see how easy that is to use.My biggest regret is that there seems to be routes scattered everywhere. BVE-Routes.com seems to be the best collection of links, but some are outdated and it doesn't seem to be very comprehensive.I'm also suprised that there are very few routes and trains on the BVE file section of train-sim.com. Maybe it's just too new??I am impressed, and I'm gonna play with this one for a while before I delve more into MSTS and certainly before I buy Trainz 2004.Jim

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The .Net framework is a whole new programming thing by Microsoft, something to do with being able to program in any language, but it all becoming the same thing, just as efficient etc in the end. I think, not too sure, wasnt explained to me very well
www.bve-routes.comandwww.bvetrains.co.uk Are definatley the best resources, however, I tend to find out the latest routes from this forum.

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>
>I'm also suprised that there are very few routes and trains
>on the BVE file section of train-sim.com. Maybe it's just
>too new??
>Since a lot of the stuff uploaded here is mine, perhaps I can give a little insight. BVE, at least in the west, has developed as a loose collection of people. They used to gather at another site until that site closed. There was lots of stuff on that site, but most every one has/had their own site and that is where most information still is today. This site is mostly an MSTS site, and we are sort of guest here. I uploaded my stuff here, because I did not have a site of my own when I started. I do now, and still upload here, but not as often nor as much. As you can see in the library, there is a group that downloads from here, loyal, but not large. Perhaps in the future we will get a large site that is BVE only and information will be warehoused there. There are reference sites that list many of the routes and pages where they can be found.

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One thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned is the accurate bouncing and swaying of your train as it goes around curves, passengers are loading and unloading, ect. I think that that is worth the download alone, the real feeling of your train being on springs instead of directly bolted to the track.--The FBL Commuter Edition!!!!!!---You can never have too much inner beauty. Or socks.
-Matt, 3:25am-Why are we here, and what is our purpose? That, my friends, is the everlasting eternal question. That, and, where's the Honeycomb Hideout?-Creating Pac-Man comics for the humorless people out there

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>One thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned is the
>accurate bouncing and swaying of your train as it goes
>around curves, passengers are loading and unloading, ect. I
>think that that is worth the download alone, the real
>feeling of your train being on springs instead of directly
>bolted to the track. Not every train has them, but sounds for those springs are supported. Wich brings us to another point of BVE, Sound, if done correctly it will blow the other sims away.

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