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I'm thinking about using Freight Animation Tags on future projects to attach trailers and containers to railcars. First, is that a good idea, and second, how many freight animation tags can their be in one .wag file?Ted Curphey funnelfan@icehouse.net
It's not a bad idea. I used the tag to put a 40' container on an 89' flatcar. I tried experimenting with the tag. As far as I could figure out, only one tag can be used in one .wag file. If you check some of the diesels that have been modified by using the tag, there are often multiple pieces (window awnings, bells, horns, fuel tanks, etc.) that are all part of one additional .s file. I believe you would need to make two trailers (or two containers)as one shape file, and then add that one shape using the FreightAnim tag. Maybe another poster can offer more light on the subject?Mark
How do you use freight animation tags? Some of my upcoming locomotive projects are climbing up there in the 14,000 - 16,000 poly range. I've heard using this function helps cut down on the size of the model somewhat... Guess I'll keep checking back and see what is posted.
Keith NS Fan "The way to be safe is never be secure"
The Freight animation tag allows you to combine another shape file to your base shape file. The locomotive modelers will make there base model up to it's poly limit, and then put detail shapes in a seperate shape that the combine to the base shape using a freight animation tag.Ted Curphey funnelfan@icehouse.net
Keith,I'm not exactly sure how it works, (which is odd, since I've managed to mimick it) but if you've downloaded any of Dick Cowen's later locomotives like his SD60 you can see if working in action. Take a look at his .eng files for clues.I have a TSM project that MSTS started to hate once it reached 10,000 polys. Splitting some of the polys off into a different .s file allowed me to import the loco into the sim.Someone should wander along with a more technical explanation at some point....Henry
I wouldn't miss out on the opportunities that the freightan tag gives. It is possible to add a second shape to the first one (limit of around 3000 polys) and this is how I add piping and the like to my locos. Only one can be added, and I've tried but haven't been able to get an animated FA shape to work. You have to make sure that the freightan shape is centred to the origin in relation to the 'host' model, so bits are in the same place. I usually add buffers, pipes, compressor, whistle, and other small simple bits as a freightan shape, and it speeds things up. Here is a shot of one of my locos, without and with the freightan details added. Here is a really useful tute... http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me/trainsim/tutorials/freight_anim.htmlCheers, Matt Austin
I am a great fan of freight animation wagon loads.It is a good way to add loads to wagons which do not have them. You can also alias the load so you only need one.I use a folder called Common.Loads to store the load .s files. They in turn alias to another folder containing the .ace files. Thus similar sized wagons will each share the same .s file and all coal wagons each contain the same grade of coal as it all comes from the same ace.Another advantage is that a load can be improved by replacing the shape file. All wagons using the load will be automatically upgraded without any need to change them.You can download my Common.Loads folder at www.uktrainsim.com.Fell free to add the containers to your wagons. Instructions are included.
Here is a really useful tute...