Config example, KIND: Scenery

Here is an example of a simple scenery config. You will need this if you want to import into Trainz objects. Every new content has to have a *.txt file, named “config” in which you have to specify some information about that object. Below is the code and the breakdown:

kuid                                                            kuid:xxxx:yyyyy - your kuid
kind                                                            "scenery"
region                                                        "your country"
type                                                            "the category in Trainz"
light                                                            1
description                                              "your description"
mesh-table {
    default {
        mesh                                                  "*.im file"
        auto-create                                     1
        effects {
            }
    }
}
asset-filename                                     "*.im file"
category-region-0                               "your region"
category-class                                       "BC"
category-era-0                                      "1980s"
category-era-1                                      "1990s"
category-era-2                                      "2000s"
username                                               "the name of the object in Trainz"
author                                                      "your name"
organisation                                          "your team"
contact-email                                       "your email"
contact-website                                  "your site"
license                                                     "your license"
kuid-table {
}

Breakdown:

kuid - This is a unique identifier. In the first part you have to write the user id that Auran has given you, and in the second part you have to write a number of your choice, but not the same as another object with the same user id.

light - Sets lighting to be used for the object to be ambient or directional. 0 sets ambient lighting and object is lit by general light value (uniform colouring), 1 sets directional light which is affected by the position of the sun (shows shadows on the object surfaces).

mesh - This is where you tell Trainz the name of the *.im file. You have to write it with the .im extension.

asset-filename - Refers to the *.im file, written without the im extension. 

category-region - Sets the region in which you can find you object. It must be written only the short name of the country. Example: Romania –RO. You can also assign more regions by numbering this field.

This is a simple config file, check out the blog for more tips&tricks.

3ds max trainz plug-ins

 Here is the pack of plug-ins for Max 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 2008. You will need these plug-ins if you want to export something from Max to Trainz.  

Download

Create realistic relief - basics

In this tutorial i will show you some basics for creating a realistic mountain or valley. It's very easy, you just need patience and imagination.

So these are the steps. Please also check the video demonstration above


1. Select the "Topology Menu" or click F1
2. Put the mouse over these buttons to see the description.
3. Now set the radius to maximum and adjust sensitivity to lower.
4. Click on "Height Up" button to raise the ground.
5. Now with the left mouse button pressed, move the cursor in the area you want to raise.
6. You can see how the level of the ground slowly raises as you hold the mouse button.
7. If you want to raise the ground faster, adjust the sensitivity.

ATTENTION: Experiment first the sensitivity levels to see how the ground reacts.

8. Now to create a valley, use the same settings, just select the "Height down" button.
9. Apply the same procedure of holding the left mouse button while you move it around the board.

How to remove unwanted aspects with Photoshop

In this tutorial I will show you how to remove some unwanted aspects in a picture. You will need Photoshop and a steady hand. Watch the entire video to see 3 different methods.

How to create a .cmpa archive

In this tutorial i will show you how you can create a .cmpa file and archive any object that has dependencies like routes, locomotives, wagons or any other object that has other kuids attached.



The steps to create are the following:

1. Open the Content Manager
2. Click on the "Search" tab to search the object that you want to archive.
3. Now click on "Name" to change the search criteria.
4. Type in the name of the object you want to archive and click "Apply" or hit Enter key.
5. Select the object you want to archive with all its dependencies.
6. Right click on the selected object and then click "Archive".
7. In the window that shows up click "Accept".
8. The "Archiver" tab is automatically opened and the object with all its dependencies is ready to be archived.
9. Click on "Archive" button to create the .cmpa file.
10. The final step is to type the name you want to give to your file and to save it in the desired place on your PC.

For a more detailed explanation please watch the video (HD version available). In this video i have archived a route but the tutorial is applicable to any object as i said above.

This tutorial applies to both TRS2006 and TS2009.

Good luck!

How to make a realistic river in Trainz

In this tutorial you will learn how to make a river in Trainz. No ordinary river, but a good one, who is more realistic. All the assets you need in this tutorial are on DLS or are built-in.

You will need a spline river, some rocks, some grass and some textures:

Next, you need to make the river bed. After you’ve modified the ground in a river shape, you can put the textures. You should vary them, and use [ or ] to rotate the texture.  

Next lay down the spline river, and sink it in to the ground. 

 

To make it more realistic you can raise some islands in the middle of the river:

 

Then add some more textures:

 After all this, place some rocks, not to many and not to less.

Then place some vegetation of your choice. I’ve used dry and green grass and also some bushes.

 

In final I’ve decorated the area with some pine trees. Here is the final result.