VDK Tranports Inc.

[mgb204]

There's also diesel-mechanical, which we call toy trains

Incidentally, did anyone ever see the miniature functioning steam engine Hornby produced? Proper working steam and everything, although some of my Grandfathers trains could do that trick by burning some oil on the go.

[vester]

Vester, I hope you make a prop as well.

There is a way to take the models as they are now and turn them into props.
Will that do ?
Arthur, you had done that, right ? What do you think it works ?

[Girafe]

Vester, I hope you make a prop as well.

There is a way to take the models as they are now and turn them into props.
Will that do ?
Arthur, you had done that, right ? What do you think it works ?

=> extract the 3D model from reader (.3ds)
=> extract the texture as .fsh and convert it to jpg, bmp or whatever
=> import the 3ds in 3dsmax and apply the .jpg or .bmp as texture (3ds will automatically keep the coordinates)
=> normal process to do a props with 3dsmax

if someone needed to do it, I would be happy to help 

[Swordmaster]

From the one experiment I did, automata can indeed be used as props without changing anything about the models. A prop exemplar referencing a true 3D model works as well.


Cheers
Willy

[vester]

There no strange shadows ?


.... next up some big blue sky or .... ?

[mgb204]

I've not encountered huge issues using Automata as props. Suitable props for this can be found in my RDP Dependency on the LEX. However, since that doesn't cover Freight Engines, I've attached some additional props here if anyone wants them.

Sometimes you can get some graphical effects, but it's easier for most people than making props out of them which are less flexible in terms of what you can do with them. For example, here the green engine is fine, but the red one is showing some distortion/z-fighting around the wheels.

[rivit]

I have found that if the S3D model (train or car or truck) has a shadow texture (0x10660002) (like most MAXIS automata have) then this misbehaves when the model is used as/turned into a prop giving variable oddities at ground level - like the z-Fighting effect.  Cloning the model without that shadow solves the problem.

Another advantage is that if you rotate the model you can make the prop face however you like and if necessary scale it slightly to match other rendered props which are often different in scale. It also will work as a timed prop.

Anim effects - like smoke or rotating wheels don't work as a prop - which would have been nice. I've also found the game's rendering leads to a minor color difference with the automata version - but not as much as if it were rendered as a prop. 

[noahclem]

Love the new work 

A few favorites:

Wisconsin & Southern
Great Northern
CSX
Norfolk Southern
BNSF
Union Pacific
Canadian Pacific

Seem to have lost the list you sent, though if there's a green version of BN or BNSF that would be a fave from my old city

[vester]

I have found that if the S3D model (train or car or truck) has a shadow texture (0x10660002) (like most MAXIS automata have) then this misbehaves when the model is used as/turned into a prop giving variable oddities at ground level - like the z-Fighting effect.  Cloning the model without that shadow solves the problem.

Another advantage is that if you rotate the model you can make the prop face however you like and if necessary scale it slightly to match other rendered props which are often different in scale. It also will work as a timed prop.

Anim effects - like smoke or rotating wheels don't work as a prop - which would have been nice. I've also found the game's rendering leads to a minor color difference with the automata version - but not as much as if it were rendered as a prop. 

So if I send you dat-file with a s3d file and its FSH files you could send back a dat file, that is to modify, so you can have multiply railroads installed as props ?
(and as a starting point for modding)
Think I get what you are saying. R. when I get that far, can I send you then to fix the problem to

[rivit]

No probs Arne, whenever you're ready.

[vester]

Love the new work 

A few favorites:

Wisconsin & Southern
Great Northern
CSX
Norfolk Southern
BNSF
Union Pacific
Canadian Pacific

Seem to have lost the list you sent, though if there's a green version of BN or BNSF that would be a fave from my old city

Thank you. The WSOR is on my list as well. One of my favourites as well.

Green engine, that would be BN/Burlington Northern:


... one more Great Northern, this time Big Sky Blue:

[Swordmaster]

Wow, great!!


Cheers
Willy

[Girafe]

I love the green livery 

[rkelly17]

Heritage units! Yes!


While you're at it, I've often thought a modern loco in Southern Pacific's "Black Widow" livery would be nice.

[vester]

Thank you all.


Another heritage units from the BNSF family tree:

Northern Pacific.


.... and that shortline Noah mention: Wisconsin & Southern (WSOR)

... about Southern Pacific, they are my list: Black Widow, Blood Nose, Lark and Daylights.
The last two might work, might not, but I will give them a try anyway.

[Simmer2]

Arne that looks fantastic!!!

I still wish you would make an actual prop out of it. 

Nick

[Jack_wilds]

luv this set   

watching it develop   

thx for adding the wsor...

milwaukee road    even if this engine model wasn't n their livery...

or even a CNW 

okay back to my seat railside   

[vester]

Simmer: I might take up Girafe on his offer.

Jack: Thank you. Good to see you around.

Todays two mods. Both 'heritage' units:

NP2: Northern Pacific


CBQ1: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy also know as Burlington Route.

[vester]

Did someone say Bloody Nose:




or was it Black Widow ?

[Swordmaster]

Wow again! Looks fantastic!

Cheers
Willy