CSX YN3 C44-9W & ES44

[MontanaRails]

Well, I managed to do a little more on the ES44...but I'm still not happy with it. The model is not easy to paint at all compared to the new SD40-2 or Dash 9.

A few issues remain:

-> Cant figure out how to alias the cab view to show the correct exterior when in the #1 camera.
-> Cant figure out how to properly code the unit numbers to display only 3 digits, not the default 4, on the cab sides and numberboards. I'm cheating it now by using a blank texture (alpha) placed behind the numbers. Doesnt look great though...
-> Lots of small texture glitches (that appear on even default UP paints - unfortunately they're very obvious in this paint scheme). I dont think I can get rid of them.
-> Still cant find some of the texture sheet locations for the areas I've marked in the above picture.

Now I know why there are so few repaints of the ES44.

[MontanaRails]

Added warning labels and weathering.

[imnew]

just

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I, a simple user, couldn't care less if the door hinges' short sides are a diffirent colour. You, an author, obviously and rightfully, strive for perfection.
Therefore I am sorry to hear RSC is making your job so hard by not providing a clear and labeled mask for prospective repainters.

Please do not feel put off by those small and mostly neglible specks of different paint remaining on your otherwise splendid models.

I look very much forward to run your DCS Dash9 and ES44 along the excellent SD40-2 on the COARW and NSAND.
I will wait for their release with anticipation.

[PapaXpress]

Kali posted a neat little trick to find parts. I can't find the post but essentially its a simple 256 color table which you would use as the texture for the model. You can then match up the color you see in game to the area on the texture map. I have saw MadMike use it once, perhaps he can point us to the post.

[MontanaRails]

I guess you're right. Not gonna worry about the minor door issues. Edit: PapaXpress, that sounds interesting. You mean creating a tiny grid as a temporary texture? Hmm....

There are two things that really bug me though -

1) the prototype for these locomotives use the numbers in the 700-959 range, but the model is set up for a four digit number. Does anyone know how to hack the model file to set it up for 3 digits? I hate using the "x700" blank placeholder technique, because the numbers are obviously not centered.

2) Aside from the radiator mapping issue we're all aware about on the left side of all ES44's, theres another issue:



Its the little vertical stripe of yellow paint on the step side plate. This area is mapped to the side sill with the reflective FRA stripe on the right rear side of the locomotive. So...there's no way to get rid of it apparently.

[Hawk]

Kali posted a neat little trick to find parts. I can't find the post but essentially its a simple 256 color table which you would use as the texture for the model. You can then match up the color you see in game to the area on the texture map. I have saw MadMike use it once, perhaps he can point us to the post.

I remember that post and I tried to find it, but with over 1,300 posts, it ain't that easy.

[MadMike1024]

I can't recall where it is on the forum, but...

ColoredNumberGrid.jpg

[MontanaRails]

Thank you, that helped me find ALL of the trouble spots with the ES44AC! And, all are resolved except for the reflective stripe on the step and the blue nose door hinges- those are poorly mapped by KUJU. If I fix either of them, it messes up other areas. The door latches are mapped to the right side of the cab.

Anyway, the units are considered finished! Here are some early morning shots!















Anyone see anything that could be better before release? Keep in mind, the blue seems really dark in these last pictures because of the lighting. I think a YN2 scheme is next after I clean up the Dash9's...

[artimrj]

No they are great, now give them up

[MontanaRails]

A couple of prototype pictures:





That yellow seems to change color based on the lighting conditions - which these paints seem to do too. Cool.

[XDriver]

A few issues remain:
-> Cant figure out how to alias the cab view to show the correct exterior when in the #1 camera.

You still having trouble with this? It's the 'es44ac_cab_1.TgPcDx' in the cabview textures for the ES44. You are meaning the hood view from in the cab?

It's the parts that I have painted blue in the pic. The green would be the top of hood. the part you would paint mat black or loco color.

[MontanaRails]

A few issues remain:
-> Cant figure out how to alias the cab view to show the correct exterior when in the #1 camera.

You still having trouble with this? It's the 'es44ac_cab_1.TgPcDx' in the cabview textures for the ES44. You are meaning the hood view from in the cab?

It's the parts that I have painted blue in the pic. The green would be the top of hood. the part you would paint mat black or loco color.

Wow...forgot about this part! Yeah...I still have to do this. Thanks! I had realized it had to be in the cabview textures, I just didnt look yet. I dont have time to work anymore on this today, but I will recolor the black to blue. Thank you for reminding me (and pointing me to exactly the right texture sheet).

I'm also going to retexture that throttle while I'm at it...so it reads correctly: 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 IDLE

[MontanaRails]

ES44AC v1.00 has been sent to Hawk (the Dash 9 is still in the shops). If anyone finds anything they dont care for, I'll consider a revision. Keep in mind one thing that will be disputed is the YN3 blue/gold colors. This is one of the hardest paint schemes to pull off, because the colors are so complex and appear different in different lighting. I found they look a little better if they're slightly darker than the actual YN3 formula - something I did with the SD40-2 repaint as well.

Hope you all like it!

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Thanks for releasing the ES44 YN3, it is a most welcome additon to my roster and that of most other users.

Colour rendition and perception are very difficult subjects. Additive vs subtractive, lighting, "the human factor", etc. etc.
No two batches of paint are exactly the same, sun and rain quickly weather prototype units and each user's monitor is different. I'll bet the units will look quite different on an old-fashioned CRT compared to the LCD's of today.

Have you done a unit with sun-bleached weathering like the famous CSX 727 in addition to a slighty rusty/dirty well used one, like with the SD40-2 you participated in?
With those 3 variations all of our rostering needs can be fulfilled.

I will change all my boring black ES44's to yours staight away on the COARW.

Edit: the units are out and running, thank you very much !!! There are supposed to be no numbers on the rear hood's end?
Old CSX 727 can finally be relegated to Ronceverte pusher service. It will be experimented upon to get that much desired exhaust stack fire. Got me a good enginescript.lua with the required logic, now only that fire needs to be found.