Creating loco from scratch

[Freighttrainx]

Yo guys, If I was to create a customly made locomtive and cars for TS2015 how would I do it???
Is there some sort of program I could use?? If there is or if you can help- me please do
Peace out
Sharaf

[Glenn]

If you are a begginer, then you will need to do a lot of research. DTG use a 3D programme called 3DS Max to make the models, but be warned that it is very expensive. There is a free programme called 'Blender' that you can use - I tried it for a little while, but it wasn't for me. You will need to do some research about it because it needs to be set up with a (free) prog' called 'Python'. But certain versions of Blender will only work with certain versions of Python.

Your question ""Is there some sort of program I could use??"" suggests that you have never done anything like this before. I should therefore, warn you that you are facing a very long / steep learning curve. You will have to start right at the beggining and learn first how to construct a simple cube, how to set it's UVW co-ordinates and how to apply a texture, then how to 'export' it and convert it to a format that TS can use, and then you will have to learn how to use the blueprint editor (supplied by DTG - in the Railworks folder) to 'put it into the game'.

So, you are looking at many hours reading & learning. You will need to have many buckets full of patience. And for something as complex as a locomotive, you will need to find & collect a LOT (and I mean a LOT) of information about engineering plans and dimensions and physics etc for that loco.

I wish you luck on your journey.

[Freighttrainx]

Originally posted by glennives60:

If you are a begginer, then you will need to do a lot of research. DTG use a 3D programme called 3DS Max to make the models, but be warned that it is very expensive. There is a free programme called 'Blender' that you can use - I tried it for a little while, but it wasn't for me. You will need to do some research about it because it needs to be set up with a (free) prog' called 'Python'. But certain versions of Blender will only work with certain versions of Python.

Your question ""Is there some sort of program I could use??"" suggests that you have never done anything like this before. I should therefore, warn you that you are facing a very long / steep learning curve. You will have to start right at the beggining and learn first how to construct a simple cube, how to set it's UVW co-ordinates and how to apply a texture, then how to 'export' it and convert it to a format that TS can use, and then you will have to learn how to use the blueprint editor (supplied by DTG - in the Railworks folder) to 'put it into the game'.

So, you are looking at many hours reading & learning. You will need to have many buckets full of patience. And for something as complex as a locomotive, you will need to find & collect a LOT (and I mean a LOT) of information about engineering plans and dimensions and physics etc for that loco.

I wish you luck on your journey.

Originally posted by glennives60:

If you are a begginer, then you will need to do a lot of research. DTG use a 3D programme called 3DS Max to make the models, but be warned that it is very expensive. There is a free programme called 'Blender' that you can use - I tried it for a little while, but it wasn't for me. You will need to do some research about it because it needs to be set up with a (free) prog' called 'Python'. But certain versions of Blender will only work with certain versions of Python.

Your question ""Is there some sort of program I could use??"" suggests that you have never done anything like this before. I should therefore, warn you that you are facing a very long / steep learning curve. You will have to start right at the beggining and learn first how to construct a simple cube, how to set it's UVW co-ordinates and how to apply a texture, then how to 'export' it and convert it to a format that TS can use, and then you will have to learn how to use the blueprint editor (supplied by DTG - in the Railworks folder) to 'put it into the game'.

So, you are looking at many hours reading & learning. You will need to have many buckets full of patience. And for something as complex as a locomotive, you will need to find & collect a LOT (and I mean a LOT) of information about engineering plans and dimensions and physics etc for that loco.

I wish you luck on your journey.

\Ouch. Thanks mate

[Freighttrainx]

I've did this once but a few months back

[Growler]

To give you an idea of how demanding it can be to design a working loco for scratch (people can be of the unfortunate misperception that loco design is much easier/quicker than route design; obviously this of course will depend a fair bit on size/difficulty of such route), I've heard pro experienced designers say loco model creation can take anywhere from 4 months plus on a full-time basis. 5 months seems to be a figure banded about quite a bit. I believe it took Smokebox (please forgive me if I'm not quite right) about 20 months to complete his recently released complex FEF3.

It will overall vary of course on loco size and complexity, and the previous skill/experience of the creator. But that's the general time-frame for a one man band. Again can be much quicker if a team of individuals are working simultaneously on a model. But one thing that is for sure, it's certainly no walk in the park. A difficult thing to do. I wish you Sharafmannaf the very best of luck if you choose to undertake such a project. I can definitely see the attraction though, if you have the stamina to see it all the way through. All the best.

[Freighttrainx]

Thanks Growler

[Smokebox]

That's right, 20 months for the FEF-3, working 7 days a week and more than 8 hours a day. I'd already done the Consolidation, so I didn't have the additional overhead of a learning curve, otherwise it ould have taken more than two years.

I've written several articles about 3D modelling for DTG's Engine Driver website. These are aimed at complete beginners, so obviously I'd recommend starting there:

http://www.engine-driver.com/article/show/1052/making-a-2d-tree-for-train-simulator-part-1

There was an even earlier article giving an overview of the modelling process, but that seems to have gone missing from Engine Driver.

[Merlin]

http://thegradecrossing.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/3dc-to-railworks-table-of-contents.html This might be worth looking at aswell.

[Freighttrainx]

Originally posted by Smokebox:

That's right, 20 months for the FEF-3, working 7 days a week and more than 8 hours a day. I'd already done the Consolidation, so I didn't have the additional overhead of a learning curve, otherwise it ould have taken more than two years.

I've written several articles about 3D modelling for DTG's Engine Driver website. These are aimed at complete beginners, so obviously I'd recommend starting there:

http://www.engine-driver.com/article/show/1052/making-a-2d-tree-for-train-simulator-part-1

There was an even earlier article giving an overview of the modelling process, but that seems to have gone missing from Engine Driver.

Yo smokebox how did you get the holiday express so fast?? I've been looking for that DLC everywhere. Did you go to another website or did you purchase it off steam? Please do tell me

[Smokebox]

I bought the Holiday Express, on Steam, a year ago (last Christmas).

[Freighttrainx]

Originally posted by Smokebox:

I bought the Holiday Express, on Steam, a year ago (last Christmas).

Oh Ok I see So I'll buy it this year for CHristmas thanks Smokebox. Good job on the FEF-3. It's nicely made. Although I haven't bought it yet, I'm thinking to buy it on the sale
Peace out
Sharaf

[Smokebox]

Originally posted by Sharafmannaf:

Although I haven't bought it yet, I'm thinking to buy it on the sale

I honestly think it's worth much more than the sale price. If you ever do make a loco from scratch, you'll understand why.

[Freighttrainx]

Thanks Smoke box, Yo mate could do me a favour and make me a ac4400cw mate because I haven't seen a locomotive like that in TS. Also make the paint scheme in Canadian pacific, Union pacific, Norfolk Southern and Conrail and also change each of the locomtives horns so for horn that I want on the Union pacific is in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY-uDpDHaf8
so check out this video and make up your mind of what horn you want to add on the Unionp acific and or other locomotives , and make it so that the conrail doesn't sound like ths NS or CP or even UP horns make each of the themthe horns sound different, sorry If I added a bit too much and if you can only make steam locomotives then oh well
Peace out
Sharaf

[Smokebox]

I think you'd be looking at a wait of a couple of years right there, Sharaf. I haven't actually decided what to do next, but it would probably be another steam locomotive, as that's where my interest is, even though diesels are more popular commercially.

[Freighttrainx]

Originally posted by Smokebox:

I think you'd be looking at a wait of a couple of years right there, Sharaf. I haven't actually decided what to do next, but it would probably be another steam locomotive, as that's where my interest is, even though diesels are more popular commercially.

Ouch ok I'll just have to make it myself then

[Smokebox]

It'll be a very difficult learning curve if you go from no experience to trying to build a locomotive in one step. I started out by making simple things such as trees and houses. After that, I made a type of British boxcar, and only after that did I try to make something that moved under its own power (the Consolidation). I strongly recommend that you learn the ropes with something relatively easy, such as a freight car, before attempting a locomotive. Otherwise, you could easily get very frustrated.