CSX SD40-2 (V2.0) *DL AVAIL* *UPDATED 10/10/11*

[Csxgp38-2]

Please check your yellow, it appears too yellow, CSX YN3 lettering is more orange, believe me, I watch the CSX local every week. Other than that, nice work, nice to see some people working on CSX skins. Only thing is I wish we had an updated GP38-2..

[PapaXpress]

MadMike is playing around with adding new RW3 jewelry to the GP38-2. Just give him a bit since he is still recovering from his surgery.

[bpetit]

Cool now I can make "Crazy Eights" aka CSX Runway 8888.

[MontanaRails]

Please check your yellow, it appears too yellow, CSX YN3 lettering is more orange, believe me, I watch the CSX local every week. Other than that, nice work, nice to see some people working on CSX skins. Only thing is I wish we had an updated GP38-2..

COLOR TEST 1

Yep, you're right. I noticed this too, but felt it was a 'subjective' area...nothing ever really looks quite 'right' in the simulator. Plus, even though its supposed to be standardized, the colors vary significantly in real life, based on how the paint is mixed, and more commonly, weathering and fading. However, I agreed that maybe if it was a little more vibrant, it would look better. I used three different images to sample the paint on sun lit and shadow areas. I then used the 'official' YN3 RGB color (Gold: 184, 134, 9 and Blue: 0, 52, 92) and averaged this with the spot samples. Overall, the yellow and blue I came up with are a little more vibrant than the official colors, but this does seem to match photographs pretty well. Note: I have bloom enabled, so this makes the lighter colors look brighter than normal! Any input?

[Chessie8638]

The 'official' RGB color (I assume from the 3dtrains color chart) is for units in YN2 and below (YN1, YN, etc). At least looking at the color and photo's of fresh units out of the paint shop. The YN3 yellow is indeed a mix of Orange and Yellow (almost a Golden color), making it a hard color to get right. Reminds me of this saying from model railroading: "Every paint manufacture has it's own idea of Conrail Blue." The last screenshots look pretty close from my own observations.

Got this off a paint site that list's all the RR paint makers (Surprise they all have a different idea of the color).

"New Image Gold"
RGB # 180, 138, 17

[MontanaRails]

COLOR TEST 2

Here's what the units look like wearing the 'official' RGB colors. New Image Blue (0, 52, 92) and New Image Gold (184, 134, 9) according to these pages: http://www.art-paints.com/Paints/Acrylic/Floquil/Railroad/SCSX-New-Image-Gold-YN3/SCSX-New-Image-Gold-YN3.html , http://www.art-paints.com/Paints/Acrylic/Floquil/Railroad/SCSX-New-Image-Blue-YN3/SCSX-New-Image-Blue-YN3.html

Clearly, TSX renders it a little different than we see in real life. It looks just like the color swatches (dull, and subdued) when in the editor, but in the sim, it looks way too vibrant! I think its safe to say the 'official' colors just dont look right!

[MontanaRails]

How about we just send out both? Can you send me em? I really want to try em!

Thats a good idea, i'm posting megaupload links in the posts of each color test for you to download. Hope you dont feel I took over your project...I've just really found an interest in it, believe me this is more than I intended on doing when I first started poking around in the files! Wouldnt have been able to do anything without your awesome base textures, thank you!

Now we need to weather them... thats not my department!

[Csxgp38-2]

I like the first update you posted, to be honest, the color looks like school bus yellow to me, have you tried that? Both look very good though, nice work guys!

[MontanaRails]

Okay guys and gals,

I've always thought that the YN3 scheme is one of the most beautiful. To me, its the perfect shade of blue, and perfect shade of yellow/orange, put together. So its been bugging me I cant get it right. Needless to say, I did more sampling of real life photos, and I think I've got an even more realistic color now. Its kinda a mix of gold, yellow, school bus yellow (good tip!), and orange.

Also, I've added lots of little details (not all though), like the warning labels for high voltage and step notices, radio, reflective tape, etc. I wonder if adjusting the alpha channel can make the reflective tape actually 'glow'?

I think this is looking pretty darn good!

















Link to download the 4 modified files. Drop into CSX SD40-2 texture folder and overwrite: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PNGYKQDV

[PapaXpress]

I wonder if adjusting the alpha channel can make the reflective tape actually 'glow'?

Yes, it can.

[MontanaRails]

Wow, just stunning! Can you send me that one as well?

Sure thing, I'll put a link after the pics like before.

Hows work coming on the CSX style numbering?

[MontanaRails]

Well actually papaxpress said he will work on it as soon as he can. Now that he has the font it shouldn't be too far. Than again Im entirely sure on his work

Awesome! The font is beyond my knowledge at this point in time, so thats great news. I wonder if he can also try the alpha channel trick...I havent been able to get any results yet. Maybe I'm just not making it light enough...?

[MontanaRails]

Agree 100%, at this point, the base paint is done. I have never done weathering, but I think I can pull it off after I do some studying of pictures.

I may not have a whole lot of time to do anything for a few days though. Will post updates here (maybe we should have most of this thread moved to the repainting forum?)

[Csxgp38-2]

Okay guys and gals,

I've always thought that the YN3 scheme is one of the most beautiful. To me, its the perfect shade of blue, and perfect shade of yellow/orange, put together. So its been bugging me I cant get it right. Needless to say, I did more sampling of real life photos, and I think I've got an even more realistic color now. Its kinda a mix of gold, yellow, school bus yellow (good tip!), and orange.

Also, I've added lots of little details (not all though), like the warning labels for high voltage and step notices, radio, reflective tape, etc. I wonder if adjusting the alpha channel can make the reflective tape actually 'glow'?

I think this is looking pretty darn good!

Looks perfect now, don't see too many 6 axle units coming through Apex, but once and a while I see a SD-40, and man does that look great!

[zdierkes]

Im looking for a C30-7 locomotive in a CSX or Conrail livery, anyone know where I can find one?