RHW (RealHighway) - Development and Support

[jdenm8]

something similar that JD had in development.

Has in development, I'm still working on it, though it'll have no diags because I can't model them.

There's a long stretch of it on the right hand side of this pic:
http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/957262753621691604/BD95C4BC933EDA55AA0FA295D494A670E7825A2E/

[jondor]

@Jon: For the 6C barriers, T21s or a part of the models?

T21s like the ortho ones are.  I'll figure something out, either purpose built sections or a set of single barriers at various angles.

[Shadow Assassin]

There is not going to be a separate dedicated RHW-4C.

*cough* I've got some 4C textures kicking around, though it'll be puzzle-piece only and intended for short segments only.

[jondor]

There is not going to be a separate dedicated RHW-4C.

*cough* I've got some 4C textures kicking around, though it'll be puzzle-piece only and intended for short segments only.

Allow me to clarify: There is not going to be a dedicated, fully overridden draggable 4C intended for use as a complete network.

[GDO29Anagram]

[There is not going to be a dedicated, fully overridden draggable 4C intended for use as a complete network.

Ahem,...

I've got some 4C textures kicking around, though it'll be puzzle-piece only and intended for short segments only.

[Jayster]

What program do you guys use to model the elevated RHW components? I'm interested in teaching myself some modeling to help out but I need to know which program to use to prevent complications.

Also, if I could get my hands on some already existing models, that would be great! Thanks for your time!

Jayster

[jdenm8]

We either make them in gmax or 3dsmax (Basically the same way as a BAT, though there are tight restrictions about the Polygon Count) or do them the hard way in Reader.

As for existing models, open up the RHW-4 DAT in Reader and the models are right there. You just need to export them as 3DS files, which isn't hard.

[Jayster]

We either make them in gmax or 3dsmax (Basically the same way as a BAT, though there are tight restrictions about the Polygon Count) or do them the hard way in Reader.

Perfect, I already have 3dsmax from work.

As for existing models, open up the RHW-4 DAT in Reader and the models are right there. You just need to export them as 3DS files, which isn't hard.

Doesn't sound too difficult. Thanks for the insight!

Jayster

[Shadow Assassin]

Indeed, it's not difficult at all!

Open the .dat, select the S3D, click on 3DS Functions in the right pane, click "Export As 3DS".

Open 3dsmax, go to Import, select the 3DS file you just exported, and it should then ask you if you want to convert the units (make sure it's unchecked) and whether to merge it into the scene. Select "new scene", it'll make sure there's less trouble that way. Note that it will appear rotated 90 degrees on the Y axis, this is how it should be imported back into the game if you do change it.

Note that UV maps on new objects created within the scene need to be created as well, otherwise it'll appear like blagh in SC4.

Once you've done the modifications to the model, export it as 3ds once again (making sure that UV coordinates of textures are preserved, this is important!).

Go back to Reader, click on 3DS Functions again, and Import this time. You'll have to reassign materials this time, but that's not difficult, all you have to do is make sure you're in the Anim tab, and change the "mat block" IDs to the ones they correspond to. Apply the changes, and boom, you have a 3d model in-game.


That's pretty much it, haha.

[gn_leugim]

you make it sound easy  XD

[jondor]

I personally use Blender when I'm making a 3D model for export (same concept, different software), but I've actually been doing these revamps on the Diagonals and Ortho-Diag transitions by hand using the Reader, Excel and lots of trigonometry.

I haven't been able to find a clean, easy to use way in Blender to split a full model into the 16m² chunks SC4 requires, but it was instrumental in creating the animation frames for my RR crossing props.

[art128]

Nice work Riiga, I have dled your tool both already, and using  

EDIT:

Inspired by Ponte Vasco Da gama?

Bom trabalho, meu amigo!

[Tarkus]

And for those curious as to how development is progressing, I've just passed Alpha Build 03 onto the Team and Associates.  Still a long way to go, but the gears are turning again.

-Alex

[GDO29Anagram]

One of these days, I gotta figure out the exact process on how this modelling business goes down; All I can manipulate are the four corners of a square S3D...

I have two blenders, for the record; The one for drinks and the one for modelling, both of which I don't know how to operate...

Feel like I'm better off Inkscaping and Paint.NETing my way out of a jam...

Still have some PPs in the works (not to mention my HD S3D-based texture set)...

[gn_leugim]

Nice to ear Tarkus

And yes Art, it is based on Vasco da Gama bridge. unfortunately it can't be fully replicated in SC4 as it's height is not constant and it is curved, which are 2 features we can't do in SC4. anyway I used it's architectural features Obrigado


and Anagram, about the Blender for modelling I don't know the program, only used it once, but the other blender, bring it on, let's make some shakes :p XD

[Shadow Assassin]

And yes Art, it is based on Vasco da Gama bridge. unfortunately it can't be fully replicated in SC4 as it's height is not constant and it is curved, which are 2 features we can't do in SC4.

Actually, you can do height changes on bridges in SC4, it just means added complexity in the Bridge RULs.

[Jayster]

Indeed, it's not difficult at all!

Open the .dat, select the S3D, click on 3DS Functions in the right pane, click "Export As 3DS".

Open 3dsmax, go to Import, select the 3DS file you just exported, and it should then ask you if you want to convert the units (make sure it's unchecked) and whether to merge it into the scene. Select "new scene", it'll make sure there's less trouble that way. Note that it will appear rotated 90 degrees on the Y axis, this is how it should be imported back into the game if you do change it.

Note that UV maps on new objects created within the scene need to be created as well, otherwise it'll appear like blagh in SC4.

Once you've done the modifications to the model, export it as 3ds once again (making sure that UV coordinates of textures are preserved, this is important!).

Go back to Reader, click on 3DS Functions again, and Import this time. You'll have to reassign materials this time, but that's not difficult, all you have to do is make sure you're in the Anim tab, and change the "mat block" IDs to the ones they correspond to. Apply the changes, and boom, you have a 3d model in-game.


That's pretty much it, haha.

Hah! Yes, you make it sound easy but I'm sure I'm going to have a multitude of problems but I'm still interested in trying!

Jayster

[noahclem]

The bridge looks great gn_leugim 

[Twyla]

Ran across a massively annoying glitch with one of the RHW ramps....

When using the RHW-6S Type E1 Entrance in the northbound orientation, the translucent preview appears one tile north of it's actual location.  Placement rules, etc all appear to be functioning normally - and it only seems to happen when using the piece as a northbound onramp.

To be more specific - placement rules affect the piece based upon where it will ACTUALLY be placed rather than where the preview indicates it will be placed.



On a separate note:  I also discovered that dragging roads to an RHW-6C produces a TLA-7!  Undocumented feature?

[GDO29Anagram]

Ran across a massively annoying glitch with one of the RHW ramps....

When using the RHW-6S Type E1 Entrance in the northbound orientation, the translucent preview appears one tile north of it's actual location.  Placement rules, etc all appear to be functioning normally - and it only seems to happen when using the piece as a northbound onramp.

To be more specific - placement rules affect the piece based upon where it will ACTUALLY be placed rather than where the preview indicates it will be placed.



On a separate note:  I also discovered that dragging roads to an RHW-6C produces a TLA-7!  Undocumented feature?

Typically, when a puzzle piece's preview models are off-kilter like that, it would normally affect every rotation, not just one, simply because of how we RUL-0. First we make the most important part, the part with all the properties, checktypes, conslayout, and everything, then we use a "copyfrom" and "rotate" command to copy it over to the other rotations.

The only way the 6S E1 would act funny that way is if it were RULd inefficiently or if there was something else in your way.

Secondly, that's just some extra RUL-2 code that allows for a flawless starterless transition between RHW and NWM; Part of the Draggable Transitions feature found in the NWM.