3 Track Cajon Project

[Tomcat]

Route 66 on the left, BNSF on the right... with the San Andreas fault cutting across the entire scene - the very reason the pass exists.

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Swarthout Canyon Rd. grade crossing.

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Cozy Dell.

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The passes humble and unprepossessing namesake - Cajon at milepost 62.8

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[BillS]

Really looking good Tomcat!

[ssbobz]

I love it.

[jalsina]

I have said it before. I can´t understand how Tomcat gets those magnificent photo-like colors in the terrain and flora combination.
He is an artist, no doubt

[Tomcat]

Thanks all.

I have said it before. I can´t understand how Tomcat gets those magnificent photo-like colors in the terrain and flora combination.
He is an artist, no doubt

I don't even understand it myself. I will admit that between the technical and artistic I lean heavily towards the artistic but have had no formal training. I think perhaps that I take terrain painting a bit further than most but I have seen many on this forum take it just as far and some do better. I wonder if it comes down to the graphics card. I would assume most have nVidia graphics but my laptop is all AMD. Could also be time of day settings. 95% of all my screenshots are taken in summer/2D cloudy skies (which is really mostly sunny) at either 14:00 or 17:30. If I switch to 3D weather then the result is simply horrible.

[minerman146]

You are most certainly an artist. So much can be done with ground texture to capture a place. The level of attention you are putting in just this one element is what brings your route to life....

[Tomcat]

Thanks Minerman146.

I place a high value on terrain painting. For me it's a way of fooling the eye into thinking that there is much more to a scene then there really is. The downside is that it's one heck of a time sink. I am curious about the next gen sims and how they will handle this aspect of route building but I can wait as long as need be since I might just go crazy if it becomes much more fine tuned. You guys might have to send the fellas in the white coats if you find out I spent a month 'painting' the backyard of one track side house.

[BillS]

Of what I've seen of your creation so far, continue to be as crazy as you want.

[jalsina]

I don't even understand it myself. I will admit that between the technical and artistic I lean heavily towards the artistic but have had no formal training. I think perhaps that I take terrain painting a bit further than most but I have seen many on this forum take it just as far and some do better. I wonder if it comes down to the graphics card. I would assume most have nVidia graphics but my laptop is all AMD. Could also be time of day settings. 95% of all my screenshots are taken in summer/2D cloudy skies (which is really mostly sunny) at either 14:00 or 17:30. If I switch to 3D weather then the result is simply horrible.

A long time ago, much younger, when personal computers were not yet available (or barely), I used to paint landscapes in oil canvas as a hobby. I learned somewhat about colors and painting.
When looking only along your tracks you see those variations in tonalities in the terrain surrounding those and a wise usage and combination of soft colors and shadows. And the far mountains look also so photographic.
Also the flora combination brakes the trend in many routes that look too greenish.

About the screenshots rendering, it would be impossible to get that quality in my computer.
I really am looking forward to this route, not only for what I see in the shots but because I love the regular Cajon and the area and I like much those modern diesels pulling freight.
I would expect also you will do a good job with the tracks laying, track speed and signals, which are as important as the scenery itself.

[Tomcat]

Of what I've seen of your creation so far, continue to be as crazy as you want.

The rub is that I'm not sure I have a choice... so stand by with the number on speed dial for the guys in white.

[Tomcat]

A long time ago, much younger, when personal computers were not yet available (or barely), I used to paint landscapes in oil canvas as a hobby. I learned somewhat about colors and painting.

I did pretty much the same thing. Along with a life long interest in photography I also attended the Bob Ross School of How to Mess Up Your Living Room.

About the screenshots rendering, it would be impossible to get that quality in my computer.

I can't believe that. I have a sub-par laptop with onboard AMD graphics and my resolution is just about the lowest it can go and graphics settings are mostly set to the low end of the scale. I have come across screenshots here in the forums that are crisp and clean and it makes me jealous. I am waiting for specs to come out for the new generation of sims, whenever that might be, and I have a cache of cash saved up for a desktop computer. My budget is around $2000 and that should give me something with the horsepower to crank up the settings and resolution. It will probably be like me getting a new pair of glasses... And that could be good or bad, lol.

I really am looking forward to this route, not only for what I see in the shots but because I love the regular Cajon and the area and I like much those modern diesels pulling freight.
I would expect also you will do a good job with the tracks laying, track speed and signals, which are as important as the scenery itself.

That worries me a bit. I think I'm a competent track layer, signals are a bit of a mystery to me but what I have put down so far seems to indicate the right aspects. At the moment I am going through the route changing and checking speed limits and placing signs. When this is ready for beta then having people double check my signals may be the most important feedback I can get. In any case, thanks for following along on my journey and helping to keep me motivated.

[Tomcat]

The start of a multi-part photo essay between Oro Grande and Hodge.

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[Tomcat]

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Out with the old and in with the new.

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Helendale - Vista Road grade crossing.

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[krellnut]

Your work is simply outstanding!

[NStrains]

Looking awesome!