Gmax or 3d canvas

I already got Gmax instaled and I don't get it. Is 3d canvas as hard to understand. Which 3d canvas is the right one for train sim, I want to try it but there is more than one to download.Eddie

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RE: gmax or 3d canvas, Kip, Mar-06-05, 03:53 PM, (1) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, decapod, Mar-06-05, 04:56 PM, (2) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, steam4me, Mar-06-05, 06:12 PM, (3) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, KeltikSylk, Mar-07-05, 09:34 AM, (4) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, decapod, Mar-07-05, 09:45 AM, (5) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, gfbeat, Mar-07-05, 10:23 AM, (6) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, stcoeur, Mar-12-05, 01:13 AM, (7) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, UD, Mar-12-05, 09:58 AM, (8) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, Signalmaster, Mar-12-05, 01:34 PM, (9) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, stcoeur, Mar-13-05, 12:04 PM, (10) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, Signalmaster, Mar-13-05, 01:23 PM, (11) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, stcoeur, Mar-13-05, 03:38 PM, (12) RE: gmax or 3d canvas, Signalmaster, Mar-13-05, 06:10 PM, (13)

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In my opinion there are 3 levels of 3D modeling programs:TSM...For the beginner and a great program to learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling. Learning curve is slight and there some tutorials you can download.3D Canvas...medium learning curve. Very different from TSM but has more "power". The developer has a great user support, forum and many, many plug-ins designed just for Train-Sim (MSTS) alone...not to mention some other handy plug-ins. The Pro version is about $70, but worth every penny on my opinion. There are several tutorials for 3DC and after some practice you can pretty much master it.GMAX...Huge learning curve, but very powerful program. This is 3D Studio Max's little brother and it's pretty damn good for a "freebie". I, myself, couldn't get past a few things. The program is heavily layered in all functions. If one's intellect can grapple the concept and it's design it is a great tool to have. There are some tutorials that can help you get started. It does have functions for MSTS, but GMAX lets the modeler expound many aspects including skin mapping and such.So...in my opinion, 3DC is perhaps the "best" way to go if you want a mediocre learning curve and some modeling power to go with it. I use 3DC now after using TSM. For me, TSM is just an "after-thought" and after using 3D Canvas for awhile. This usually goes for those that went from 3DC to GMAX...good luck!!Kip
PRRR & Hoodoo Pass creator

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You must have the Pro version to make full use of the plugins and scripts available.

Paul
UK GWR Highworth Branch - http://www.highworth.freeuk.com
Other Projects - http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod

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Also have a look at
http://steam4me.railpage.org.au/trainsim/tutorials/which3d.htmlRegardsYuri.
(steam4me)
-------------------------------------
Webmaster
Australian MSTS Add-ons Page
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I know what you mean. The GMAX interface baffles me completely. Like a lot of 3D modeling programs it's too "computerish" with stacks and all that. I'm currently learning 3DC. It takes a bit to get used to the controls. It was a while before I learned the "dohickey" on the lower left controls the view, the "dohickey" on the lower right controls the object. There are a few other things I'm still getting the hang of.The big advantage to 3DC is the 3rd party scripting. Several folks have written plug-ins that cut development time to zero on some of the trickier modeling parts like valve gear, etc...As Paul mentioned, you need the Pro package to take advantage of this, which will set you back about 70 bucks in US dollars. The plug-ins are free and can be found at the Amabilis site or at...http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod/Frank MusickMoving America into the 19th Century!

www.kelticsylk.com

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... and I make use of these plugins too ....http://deanville.home.comcast.net/The Trainz exporter for 3D Canvas is now complete and supports more functions than the basic gMax Trainz exporter (but the same as the 3D Studio max exporter)

Paul
UK GWR Highworth Branch - http://www.highworth.freeuk.com
Other Projects - http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod

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Gmax is great, but I have to agree that it's hard to learn. After one and a half years i finally think that I am in control of the program and it is not the program controlling me.... ------------------------------
Jan

German ALCO/MLW-Fan

Jan's MSTS Addons

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I tried Gmax again and I finally got it.I just finish my telephone pole. I would like to know how to make a working switch stand. Is it the same way or there another steps to do to make it work. I can't find nothing on how to make theme on the internet. Please help.Eddie

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I'd like to know how to make working switchstands too. The only thing I could find suggested treating them like signals, but then I noticed in a signal thread that working switchstands screwed up signal scripts for th e signals.

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>>I'd like to know how to make working switchstands too. The only thing I could find suggested treating them like signals, but then I noticed in a signal thread that working switchstands screwed up signal scripts for th e signals. <<
Nonsense. Not knowing how to write signal scripts screws up signals.Switchstands are scripted as distance signals, and as such, are 'invisible' to NORMAL signals and AI control.The only other way to have working switchstands is to learn how to create switch section shape files. Then, like the default track switch levers and the flag indicators found on ScaleRail replacement track, you can incorporate the switchstand into the switch shape file. There, it is not a signal and doesn't need script to work.Any that I've seen done that way don't seem to have working lights as part of the structure.Regards,
Hank

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-13-05 AT 12:06 PM (EST)

I tried to make the switch stand that I made work and it only moved once and it did not want to stop spinning around so I went back in Gmax to change the animation and now nothing works. What am I doing wrong.What do I need to change. I'm building CN switch stands. Please help.Eddie

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I wish I could help you GMAX, but I got so frustrated with that package, I threw it away.Just basic tips, though.Once you get the general object the way you want it, you need to animate with 2 key frames. One key in the normal position and the second in the reverse position. Export the object in the MSTS format.Script the switchstand as a "DISTANCE" function rather than "NORMAL" as all other signals are.It also has to be scripted as a semaphore, since that's the only signal that introduces motion as well as aspect change.The light references are not needed, you can create the light at night by using bright specular texturing.I would look at the script in sslntrn1.zip to see how I scripted the switch lantern. You will need to have a route linked to the stand so the lamp knows which way to rotate. You may have to fiddle with what position number to use; 0 and 1, or 1 and 2.Good Luck
Hank

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What do you mean by animate with 2 key frames. I'm trying to follow the tutorial that they have to make a locomotive animate and it's not working I'll try to find what you mean by 2 key frames.There is no lights on it at all this is what I'm tyring to do.

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The animated switchstands I made are essentially semaphore signals. Instead of track condition moving a blade, it moves or rotates a shaft representing the indicator flags. Most other animations involve some kind of constant motion like wheels. The switchstand(semaphore) makes one change per switch condition. There is no way I know of to create a static object that will respond to a switch position.I'll suggest again to download the file I mentioned, install the switch indicators, see how they work and study the script that works them.Regards,
Hank

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