Hi all
Having played Ballyshannon which i already said is very good graphically. I am now playing German Railroads 4 and Cascade Crossing.
It seems to me recently the graphics on these recent CD's are very very good. Just curious to know from the developers etc of routes etc can they really get very much better? All opinions appreciated.
Add-on & Freeware CD graphics
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bravedan
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Well I don't have the three you mention, but the answer is yes, within unknown limits...............
I'm still learning new ways of doing loco and stock graphics (functionally better as well as appearance)
With routes, what has generally improved in the last year or so is the aesthetic/artistic side of route scenery.........you can have the most accurate trackbed and terrain shapes known to man (and MSTS!), but observation of the real world and that spark of the artist is needed to make a believeable landscape with scenery that looks "real"..............even one building toned or scaled out of keeping with the rest blows it reality wise.
Example (won't name route but it's Payware and it's not UK based, bought for me as a present).............generally good work, well placed scenery...........except one type of very frequently used tree which appears to have it's own flourescent lighting and is schoolboy bright lime green and block solid, horrendously out of place with the rest of the scenery.............spoilt it totally for me until I found 30 mins to resolve it in my art package............makes you wonder who beta'd it...............or didn't.
Personally I think on Payware this sort of error is inexcusable...........and other experience has convinced me that Payware is not usually worth buying in terms of better route graphics, it usually isn't better.............only worth it if what's modelled is either not available or is not closely matched by similar Freeware.
Mersey's very very good, Bala's a delight, Thaxted nice, Alston also, Blackpool a brilliant attempt at a very difficult subject............and this not by any means all or a sorted order, either..............
Skipton I can't comment on as I was involved....................
A lot of Freeware is better than most Payware IMHO...........so why pay??
Regards,
Dave
I'm still learning new ways of doing loco and stock graphics (functionally better as well as appearance)
With routes, what has generally improved in the last year or so is the aesthetic/artistic side of route scenery.........you can have the most accurate trackbed and terrain shapes known to man (and MSTS!), but observation of the real world and that spark of the artist is needed to make a believeable landscape with scenery that looks "real"..............even one building toned or scaled out of keeping with the rest blows it reality wise.
Example (won't name route but it's Payware and it's not UK based, bought for me as a present).............generally good work, well placed scenery...........except one type of very frequently used tree which appears to have it's own flourescent lighting and is schoolboy bright lime green and block solid, horrendously out of place with the rest of the scenery.............spoilt it totally for me until I found 30 mins to resolve it in my art package............makes you wonder who beta'd it...............or didn't.
Personally I think on Payware this sort of error is inexcusable...........and other experience has convinced me that Payware is not usually worth buying in terms of better route graphics, it usually isn't better.............only worth it if what's modelled is either not available or is not closely matched by similar Freeware.
Mersey's very very good, Bala's a delight, Thaxted nice, Alston also, Blackpool a brilliant attempt at a very difficult subject............and this not by any means all or a sorted order, either..............
Skipton I can't comment on as I was involved....................
A lot of Freeware is better than most Payware IMHO...........so why pay??
Regards,
Dave
I think you will find many of us building routes, scenery and rolling stock are involved with both. The freeware to put something back in the community and (from the route builders viewpoint) the ability to produce quickly with no qualms about using Kuju default items and textures in moderation.
Doing payware is a much more meticulous group orientated process but done well results in the satisfaction of seeing your work published - either on line or in the shops. That was as much my reward for doing the Cambrian as the eventual royalties I received. Currently really enjoying working with Blue Arrow on the LSW route - a fine team of enthusiastic fellow train simmers collaborating to produce what will hopefully be a nice little route to complement the loco pack. Again though, the draw of getting something wider publication than freeware distribution is a powerful incentive to do it and do it well. However once that one's finished I may just as likely do another freeware route.
I do agree though that payware needs to be produced to a particular standard and thoroughly beta tested prior to release. I also recently bought a (non UK) route from a highly regarded publisher only to be horrified at the shoddy finish. Terrain not textured, bridges not aligned with the track so gap underneath the track, track and roads suspended in mid air in one or two places. I wouldn't even allow that through my self imposed QA ona freeware route. Looked as if it had been thrown together just to make a quick buck.
Doing payware is a much more meticulous group orientated process but done well results in the satisfaction of seeing your work published - either on line or in the shops. That was as much my reward for doing the Cambrian as the eventual royalties I received. Currently really enjoying working with Blue Arrow on the LSW route - a fine team of enthusiastic fellow train simmers collaborating to produce what will hopefully be a nice little route to complement the loco pack. Again though, the draw of getting something wider publication than freeware distribution is a powerful incentive to do it and do it well. However once that one's finished I may just as likely do another freeware route.
I do agree though that payware needs to be produced to a particular standard and thoroughly beta tested prior to release. I also recently bought a (non UK) route from a highly regarded publisher only to be horrified at the shoddy finish. Terrain not textured, bridges not aligned with the track so gap underneath the track, track and roads suspended in mid air in one or two places. I wouldn't even allow that through my self imposed QA ona freeware route. Looked as if it had been thrown together just to make a quick buck.