Swamper's Garage

[Swamper77]

@Kenworth: I'll download the files when I have a moment to do so. I'm sorry I didn't see your message earlier

SUCCESS! No more "twisting" cars


I have fixed the problem with the "twisting" cars. The length of the cars was indeed the problem. I exported a "test box" from GMAX so I would have .3DS model to test with and adjust as needed. While tweaking and testing with my box, I determined that the maximum length for any train car is 24 meters. This includes any couplers, buffers, etc. that are on the end of the train cars. However, the textures are a bit squashed from left to right on the sides of the cars because of the reduction in length of the cars.

The Regional Runner cars have been shortened from 27.33 meters to 24 meters. The BR146 Engine that complements the set has been untouched and is not causing any problems with the train set. The error occurred based on the length of the cars themselves, not the engine length or the length of the entire train. I had the "twisting" error occur on trains as short as 4 units (1 engine + 3 cars), so the engine was not a factor, just the cars.

PS: Excuse the dust in the picture. I hit a track checker with the engine while going around a curve.

@Snorrelli: I'm willing to make a fix for you and others that use that set if you can tell me where you got it from. The textures will be a bit squashed from left to right, but it will solve the problem.

-Jan

[vester]

This is the exact problem that happens to me with Oppie's Dutch trains (and all other skins based on them). I thought it might be due to the length of the cars...

Will that be Oppie's Dutch Regiorunner Train Set ?

EDIT: Well its probably this one: Oppie's UDI Dutch Trainset

[Andreas]

It's great to hear that you fixed the "twisting" cars, Jan! If the texture is squashed now, would it be feasible to leave out one of the windows? Or are they much wider than 3 meters?

[Pat]

LoL Jan you are not supposed to hit anything.... Great job and fixxing that little problem...

[snorrelli]

Thanks, Swamper. Your kindness and generosity in helping out with whatever problems people have never ceases to amaze me...
I have observed the problem with the RegioRunner and the Koploper. Seems like there used to be a third Dutch train set over there... The link Vester provided to the UDI Dutch train set has the right picture but the DL is a train station...

It also occurs with the German standard train set and any re-skins that use the same model, such as the Spanish RegioRunner by fukuda...

[Swamper77]

@Vester and Snorrelli: Thanks for the links. I will check them out and make the fixes for the public.

@Andreas: The "squashing" of the textures is hardly noticeable. The textures weren't "compressed" much when I shortened the lengths of the cars. The cars lost 1.662 meters from each end, or a total of 3.324 meters for each car. Due to the views and zoom levels in SC4, you will hardly notice that I did that. Or you would not have known I did it, if I hadn't said anything.

@Pat: A little hard not to with the length of the B146 engine. It's longer than the Maxis model that is used for the passenger train engine.

-Jan

[Swamper77]

....Ignoring the double post rule....

I took a look at the DR243 model that Kenworth uploaded for me to look at. It is very similar to the BR143 model I had done previously. So here is the DR243 running loose in the game:


The DR243 with some custom train cars following it

All I had to do to the BR143 automata model I have is add 4 new panels to it, 2 for the DR logo and 2 for the number boards that are on the front/back. I edited the image for the skin slightly to accommodate the insulator graphic as well. Some of the UV coordinates have been moved around as well, to accommodate the new skin. The DR243 will replace the default Freight Train Engine model, and will replace the headlight model for it as well.

To those of you that may have seen my message about MilkShape3D earlier, forget about it. I installed the older version I have in a zip (Version 1.7.6) and my dad found my registration key in an email that was stored away. So I'm back in business with a registered copy of MilkShape3D

-Jan

[Sim Shady]

oh so cool  coco cola trains

[Pat]

niiiiiiiice very nice Jan... great job there...

[Nardo69]

Hi Jan!

I just translated your last two pictured posts to Kenny over MSN. We are both really enthusiastic    about you progress and great work!
 

We just recognized one last detail to change: Could you turn the pantographs around? IRL they open to the other direction.

Can't wait to see that baby in Urland!!!!

Bernhard 

[Swamper77]

Bernhard,

Let me guess, I put the model in backwards again!

Which end is the front, the one with the raised pantograph or the one with the lowered pantograph?

And thanks for doing the translations over there, because I can't read a word of it and any translator tool I use just dumps gibberish

-Jan

[Nardo69]

no "thank you" needed - I want the 143/243 myself, too, and as a "thank you" Kenworth promised me to BAT my favourite switching engine ... 

as for the pantograph I think the best explanation is a RL photo of the 143:



If the 143 pulls a train the behind pantograph will be up to the electric line.

Note that the red lights show the end of the train - this train will be pushed out of Stuttgart Hbf to Würzburg.

The 143 / 243 are the same machines - just the class number and the usage is different - 243 freight trains (during GDR times and until middle of the 90es after the unification of Germany  and in the last years as 143 a local train machine.

Hope I could help you. If necessary feel fre to pm me

Bernhard 

[Swamper77]

@Bernhard: Thanks for the photo. I will rotate the model 180 degrees so the pantographs are in the proper positions.

I have both the BR143 and the DR243 (the recent one) in my file system. Here's how I plan to do things:

- The BR143 will be both a replacement for the default passenger train engine and an additional engine. It will be separate from the Regional Runner files.

- The DR243 will be setup similarly, but for the freight trains instead.

- The Regional Runner will be it's own set that will replace the default passenger trains, both the engine and the cars. It will be a take it or leave it type of mod: Either you want the Regional Runner engine and cars, or you don't. I'm not going to separate the the two classes of cars from it either. The game will assemble the trains by randomly selecting between the First and Second Class cars for each car of the train.

The Regional Runner set and the BR143/DR243 automata mod files will be released separately when I am done with them.

-Jan

[Kenworth]

Hi Jan!

It is very nice! I love this! Nice work! Thank you!
I built the DOSTOS (the wagons) in original sizes (circa 26m), but i don't know the problem with the length.

Second example for the right position for the pantpgraph:

Sry for the bad quality, but the photo was take by my mobilphone camera. (Leipzig HBF, SB Miltitz-Leipzig)

EDIT: Swamper was faster...

mfg,
Kenny

[Swamper77]

@Kenworth and others:

I have fixed the DR243 freight train engine. The raised pantograph is now at the rear of the engine, instead of the front:


Sometimes the engine is a slight bit away from the cars, and at other times is directly touching them

Release Outline:
Here's how I plan to do the release of these trains that I have been working on:

- The Regional Runner Train Set will be a standalone mod that replaces the default passenger train engine and passenger train car. It will also provide an additional passenger train car that complements the set. The Regional Runner manifest is as follows:
   - BR146 Engine
   - First Class Passenger Train Car
   - Second Class Passenger Train Car

- The BR143 will be put into its own file and will be an additional passenger train engine. I may make a replacement mod for those that do not want the Regional Runner Train Set, but do want the BR143 to replace the default passenger train engine.

- The DR243 will be in another additional file and will replace the default freight train engine.

Unless there is any major changes to be made, I will start wrapping this all up and preparing Readmes and ZIP files for release.

-Jan

[Nardo69]

As for me you can start wrapping it up!     

Bernhard 

[Meastro444]

well Swamper, that is looking real good! looking forward to download it!

[Swamper77]

Thanks Bernhard and Meastro. I'm just waiting for Kenworth to give me the "green light" for releasing these. After all, he was the designer of the models

-Jan

[Kenworth]

Thanks Bernhard and Meastro. I'm just waiting for Kenworth to give me the "green light" for releasing these. After all, he was the designer of the models

-Jan

You have the "green light"!

Your work are greate! Thank you very much for your work and help!

greetings from saxony!

Kenworth

[Swamper77]

Thank you, Kenworth!

The Regional Runner Train Set is now live on the BSC LEX: Regional Runner Train Set

Full credits to you for making the GMAX models and providing them to me for this project. I enjoyed working on this project with you. If you ever need any models of vehicles converted to automata in the future, you know who you can ask

The upload manifest contains the following:
- The Regional Runner Train Set with First and Second Class cars
- A BR143 passenger train engine, both as an additional and a replacement
- A DR243 freight train engine, both as an additional and a replacement

There is a total of 5 files, plus a complete Readme file. Unfortunately, it's in English since I don't understand German.

@Andreas and Bernhard: If you are reading this, you have full permission from me to translate the readme and upload it at SimCityPlaza's exchange.

-Jan