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FamilyLines (18 posts)
Dec-16-01, 08:01 PM (EST) "Making locomotives" Hey i want to start making locomotives. But i dont know what i need to make them. Can anybody help me out? Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
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Subject Author Message Date ID RE: Making locomotives wpfan Dec-16-01 1 RE: Making locomotives train911 Dec-17-01 2 RE: Making locomotives beadyboy Dec-23-01 3 RE: Making locomotives Motley24Crue2 Dec-23-01 4 RE: Making locomotives train911 Dec-23-01 5 RE: Making locomotives TOPDOG5184 Dec-23-01 6 RE: Making locomotives Stew Dec-23-01 7

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wpfan (101 posts)
Dec-16-01, 09:48 PM (EST) 1. "RE: Making locomotives" The first thing that you will need is a 3d modelling program, I've got TSM and I am real happy with it so far, another program that is at about the same cost as TSM is 3d canvas pro, I couldn't get through the tutorials, that is not to say it isn't good, some people have done good work with 3dcp. Also you will need to get a program for doing the textures, I can't help you much there, as I don't have anything in that department yet, although I plan on buying Paint Shop Pro after Christmas (or maybe I'll get lucky and won't have to buy it.) Also you will need some references to the prototype, I have been using drawings from model train magazines, Kalmbach's Locomotive Cyclopedia vol's 1&2, and scannings of model railroad equipment. My USRA hopper(not yet posted) was done using scans of an Intermountain kit, and the textures were taken from the same scans. I am new to this as well so I am still finding my way, but the most important thing to have is a lot of patience, and the foresight to save often under different filenames. I hope that this helps.
The voice of insanity in a seemingly normal world. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
train911 (148 posts)
Dec-17-01, 11:56 AM (EST) 2. "RE: Making locomotives" only one thing : DON´T BUY TSM !!! is not worth anything because : 1. No import / export!
2. texturing is impossible (you got a kind of a "texturing tool" but....you can only assign squares...so you use canvas (my favorite) or 3DS max <- the RULER !
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beadyboy (71 posts)
Dec-23-01, 02:16 AM (EST) 3. "RE: Making locomotives" Train Sim Modeler is fantastic if you know how to use it. Just download the updated help file (once you have the program) and follow the simple tutorials. My first project with this was the Maglev and it's guideway, now available in the file library.I have now almost completed a new locomotive with it. I recommend this program for first time 3d artists wanting to create their own stuff for Train Simulator.A thanks has to go towards Abacus for this incredibly easy to use application. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Motley24Crue2 (236 posts)
Dec-23-01, 04:47 AM (EST) 4. "RE: Making locomotives" i have to Agree with beadyboy on that about TSM, i just got it my self and although im Still learning the Program but it seems to be an Easy Program to use. and as for the Textures, you could use just about anything as long as it is in *.bmp Format and as for it being impossible it isn't by far i find it to be Very easy once you Figure it outBob, found in Route Design Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
train911 (148 posts)
Dec-23-01, 05:11 AM (EST) 5. "RE: Making locomotives"
i guess you don´t understand what i am talking of....TSD - of course it can use different kinds of texture files, like bmp or Targa - but you can only assign the Texture Coordinates as a box, you can´t edit each single Coordinate. Making the modell is indeed very easy - but the way you shall texture it is only for newbs - you can´t do really good work with TSD .. unfortunately - because you have no import/exportTrain911 Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
TOPDOG5184 (307 posts)
Dec-23-01, 05:14 PM (EST) 6. "RE: Making locomotives" You don't need PSP. I have MS Paint and I texture everything with it. its very easy to use too. I painted the Union Pacific 1880 coaches with it and the new HESS SD40's. I made the UP coaches my first day. now 4 days later I made the SD's in 4 hours for both. 2 hours each. Only problem with MS Paint is you can't blend and smear with it to make an object look weathered. but its a good substatute till you get PSP or any other program. and I plan on making a 40's mallet, a 40's challenger and a 40's big boy with TSM. I should have them done in 3 weeks for all 3. hopefully. Craig Shortino Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
Stew (58 posts)
Dec-23-01, 10:10 PM (EST) 7. "RE: Making locomotives" What skills you already have in 3D modeling will probably drive your choice. 3D Canvas Pro is a good overall 3D modelling package for working in various formats, currently costs $69.95. Will import/export various 3D file formats. I have it and found it difficult to master. On top of the learning curve is the work of when you complete a model and export it for MSTS you have to use the ffeditc utility to compress it and make you're own shape definition file as well as convert the texture file yourself. If the shape is a scenery object you have manually edit the Route refernce file to add the object.TrainSim Modeler is specifically for MSTS, costs $39.00. The learning curve on it isn't as complex as 3DC Pro. When you export to MSTS the shape file is compressed for you (if you choose to have it done) and placed in your desired folder along with a shape defintion file written from the model parameters. All texture files are converted in the export process and placed in the appropriate folder. If you make a sencery shape the Route reference file is even updated for you. TSM is based on the proven and highly regarded Flight Sim Design Studio used by the MS Flight Simulator community. Many excellent and highly detailed models have been produced with FSDS.I won't bother describing 3D Studio MAX since it's the price of a late model small used car. Suffice to say that it's a professional 3D design package and was probably used to make the default models for MSTS. As many of us have seen and know a lot of those models leave a lot to be desired.The sophistication of different 3D applications isn't as important to MSTS as the skill and experience of those who use them.Stew Clark Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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