Why I build usually (Just) scenery items.

[jpetersjr]

I often read of people complaining about the lack of scenery items. Especially when it comes to big downtown buildings and buildings and houses from decades gone by. People should be able to build a large freeware route and be able to base it in cities like Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Boston, and not have to use any payware assets to be able to do so.
I enjoy a good route, but even more if I don't have to use cash money just to get it. Because most can say that not everyone of us can always afford a new route. So I believe in helping the freeware modelers.
I'm not a very good route builder, but I make up for that in scenery creation.

As one said a while back, so much to build and so little modelers building it. I would say that this sim could use a few more modelers, because as one said before, one can make a difference.

When I came to the sim I saw how few assets there were in the game, many modelers were using the same buildings and structures over and over, which might bore the new player. With our contributions there can be less of that and more of a variety in the game.

Some might say, why don't I try to build rolling stock or locomotives and try to get them into the game. To tell you the truth, I've tried. A while back I build a boxcar and completed it all the way, painted every bit and then when I tried to get it into the game I failed horribly. Never could even figure out the blueprints, much less get it to show in the editor. It could be forever until I actually figure out how to get rolling stock, or a locomotive into the game. As well, not to mention my tight work days which leaves me with often two or less days to build anything. That's not very much time to try to learn how to do these things and also build content and get it into the game. So, until I can actually cross this bridge I would say that it's just best for me to stay with what I know best and leave the loco and rolling stock creation to the pros.

I am now also learning how to upgrade my models with night windows and soon winter textures. Also I would like to learn how to put flashing lights on some of the buildings, and if possible. Make the buildings so rain bounces off of it in the game, instead of go through it. Don't know if this is possible yet though.

Some might say why don't everyone build scenery, routes, locomotives or even rolling stock. The truth is everyone of it has it's own difficulties and not everyone is able to get past step 1, much less everything else to asset creation. When I first came to RW I couldn't even model a brick, much less anything else. For the longest time I had the hardest time just learning how to build anything, it took a long while to get past that bridge. Several of my oldest buildings you can still see all the errors that were present in them. And not to mention, I made all parts in full 3d which would have become a even bigger poly problem.

[dick8299]

I offered this advice to you a long time ago, and apparently, you have still not take it. I am going to try one more time. You have come a long way in honing your modeling skills, and there is no reason, that you shouldn't be able to create a wagon, or engine and get them into the sim.

Please try these tutorials and hopefully, you will learn how to make a basic wagon and engine

9.02 Create a Wagon.pdf

9.01 Create an Engine.pdf

[jpetersjr]

I've actually been slowly working on a locomotive. But at the same time would also like to finish my big city buildings set.

Here's a picture of what I've been working on, a Alco MRS-1.

I also plan to try a box car again. I've got these pdf's saved to a safe place. I hope to use them soon and get a train into the game, thanks.

I plan to get these into the game soon, after I release my building set. I've also been working on the 3d cab for this locomotive as well and the body is almost complete.

Alco MRS1 Progress 12.jpg

Just checked the create a engine tutorial and it points to 3d's Max, how do I do this in 3D Crafter is my question, since I don't have 3d's Max and can't afford it.


I'm going to try to make a bay window caboose in 3D Crafter alone.

[PapaXpress]

JP, I think you are suffering from having too many irons in the fire. All of your projects have merit so don't stop. It sounds like you need to prioritize and focus on completing your work one project at a time. Get some feeling of accomplishment to "fill up your confidence tank" so you can move to the next one and enjoy it.

[dick8299]

As you mentioned earlier, your problems are not in making the model, but with creating the blueprints. You make a basic model in 3DC just like you have, and then use the tutorial to create the blueprint for the wagon or engine.

[Chacal]

If I can do it, anyone can!
I used 9.01 Create an Engine.pdf as a guide, along with instructions coming with the Bigex exporter, to make a simple engine in Blender. A simple black brick with drum wheels. I then customized the blueprints with values from the SD40-2, and I now have a working simple engine in the sim. Now I can start modeling, knowing that my efforts will not be wasted.

[jpetersjr]

In the coming weeks I'll be modeling several old city buildings from New York City and Chicago. Perhaps when I get all this finished I'll do some more on my Alco. Of course, about it, my biggest concern is the poly level. Also, for a test steam locomotive, I'll be building a American 4,4,0, from 1850.

[dick8299]

Also, for a test steam locomotive, I'll be building a American 4,4,0, from 1850.

You need to go through the basic tutorials before you try a steam locomotive. Start with the basics and them move up after you have learned how to make a wagon and engine blueprint and get them into the simulator.

[SMMDigital]

"Why so serious?"

JP, you talked about making a rail car and then dropping it because you couldn't figure out how to get it in te game, and it would have taken forever. You got something better to do? Somewhere to go? Is someone pressurimg you to get that particular model done? If not, then don't worry about how long it takes, and don't give yourself deadlines. Once you get the first model in the game, you won't take near as long the second time around. And remember, the forums at UKTS, and increasingly this forum, are a gold mine of information on everything you need to know to build assets for Railworks, if you are willing to do a little digging.

This is a GAME, not brain surgery. If producing content is giving you ulcers, it may be time to just run trains for a while.

[kin3]

I think one of the problems with models is the color. Colors should for the most part be washed out. I have been playing the World of Tanks and the building there are really nice.

I have created a route but not built any models.