Railworks America

Look at this: http://railsimulator.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-make-f7step1.html

Derek says: "For a number of random reasons we need a new F7 A and B unit for TS2012. The lovely task has been passed onto me, (that will teach me walk into the boss's office empty handed!)"

I wonder what's wrong with the current F7? (I'd find a new ES44AC better.)

There's the default F7, plus we have Marc's excellent Warbonnet. We need another? Or just keeping Derek busy.

It could certainly use a new sound pak.

"random reasons"...

How different to a GP9 does an F9 sounds? and then how different to a F9 does a F7 sounds... you can see where I'm going with this.

I rather like the way the current F7 has ENORMOUS textures. I bet the new one is lower-res...

Chances are is that it is going to be an roadname specific variation. (ex: some of the F9B's that CN had used a 2 axle and a 3 axle truck on the same unit oo---ooo and i know for a fact that every railroad that ever bought a NEW unit had their own custom variations added on)

Probably more like "whoops, we lost the source files" :P

So aliasing the sound to the GP9, good idea or way off?

Kali wrote:Probably more like "whoops, we lost the source files" :P

So aliasing the sound to the GP9, good idea or way off?

I like this idea, too... the geep9 has great audio. How? What needs modified?

I've noticed lower FPS when driving the F7... guess it's the textures.

Kali wrote:Probably more like "whoops, we lost the source files" :P

So aliasing the sound to the GP9, good idea or way off?

Or they don't own the source out right. There was a mention of a new Deltic also. Another engine made by someone else. With all the changes in the core of rw3 they probably need 100% creative control of the source.

styckx wrote:Or they don't own the source out right. There was a mention of a new Deltic also. Another engine made by someone else. With all the changes in the core of rw3 they probably need 100% creative control of the source.

Probably. I recall that the F7s were done by 3DTrains. But I can't imagine why they wouldn't be allowed to change the source files then.

Toripony wrote:I like this idea, too... the geep9 has great audio. How? What needs modified?

I've noticed lower FPS when driving the F7... guess it's the textures.

If we're lucky it's just a case of using the geep sound child. If we're not then we need to add a few controls to the F7 blueprint first. Sounds an interesting diversion though, I'll have a look.

The Deltic and the 37 share some textures exactly, I noticed, so I don't think it was done entirely out of house.

Okay, snagtime. What's the correct RPM range for a F7 and a GP9? the stock F7 has 250-800, which random googling agreed with. Meanwhile the RW GP9 has 330-900, which is apparently wrong... however the GP9 sound config is set up for that. The F7 works, but at idle doesn't have any engine sound because it's off the bottom of the range.

Two obvious solutions, rejig the F7 RPM range ( which I don't *think* would cause any problems ) or copy & fiddle with the GP9 sound config. Not terribly sure how well that will work yet, it will need a few graphs redone.

Warbonnet is payware, the Green Hood UP F7 is default. Not sure how that stacks up with Marc, meaning you have to have the payware first, unless RSC strikes a deal. Or just remakes the default F7. Maybe it's about headlights?

Having rode many an F7 from LA Union Station to Phoenix and back as a kid, I think the engine sounds are fine. Then again, my ears are getting old.

A reasonable guess would be since the default F7 is not created "in house" they want one where they have full control over it.

We need a new ES44 then a F7. The ES44 is wrong in so many ways.

yeah, the only ES44 that is "diecent" is the CN addon from steam, and it isn't much better than the default.