Atomic Systems

Does anyone have a definitive answer to this simple question?

In external view modes (Key 2 and 3) what is the maximum distance the camera can be from the train? And is it any different when you 'unlock' the camera with the Ctrl-Shift-9 combo? I'm guessing there's a 'sphere' in which the camera can not escape. Anyone know?

I dont think there is. In one instance of an emergency brake situation while pressing shft+ctrl+9 i managed to detach the camera from the train. As the train then proceeded on the camera remained unchanged in its position. Even after the train had passed the horizon!

I managed to get it about 2 miles away once and followed an AI train, though I've never managed it since!

Using the Yard view patch I have had it about 30 miles away from the player train. Got to be patient with that one .
For the normal 2 and 3 views I can set it to about 2K with the FOV settings in combination with the CTRL+Shift 9 if my memory serves me right. Locked it's just governed by the FOV settings. Can't remember what I set them for in my cam hack. Have to download it to check my old settings but it was quite a distance at times. My subscript shows a view that was taken about a K away before editing.

Gordon

oh! not the answer I expected!

By way of illustration Steve :-

This is the the out of the box setting for view 2 (not using Ctrl+Shift+9) using my "View to a train" cam hack. You can just make out the player train under the bridge. I think I could set it a lot further than this though , can't remember for sure.

Gordon

OK - I believe you! But as for the default as installed, does anyone know what might that be!

Make a straight piece of track out of varying 10m pieces (ie 1t then 2t then 1t etc) place train on the full line then send the camera back to see how far it goes?

You forgot that one word "default" Steve in your original question

45.7 Meters if my file is unaltered.

Does anyone actually use the default settings!?

Gordon

No. "View to a train" is an absolute must have.

I'm currently using the default settings because I knew no better. However having read this thread I did experiment with shift,ctrl,9 with some quite strange but interesting results. But what is this "view to a train" and more importantly, how do I get it?

I asked this a few weeks back because I wanted to know how far away from the track I could start deleting scenery backsides, using lower res textures etc. If several miles is the answer, I have a big problem....

Might be worth a poll on this one to see how many use standard camera settings.

A View to a Train is downloadable from here File ID: 5957. On the UKTS mainpage click on Download Search at the top of the page and enter 5957 in the file ID box then click search.

Scenery distance is down to route authors. Some have problems placing scenery in a realistic fashion and also kill frame rates while doing it. Others prefer the minimalist stance and bore you rigid after a couple of minutes. I can set it quite far back usually up to the top of near mountains or at vanishing point on low ground when viewed from a drivers position and still maintain FPS.

Just do what you’re happy with.

Gordon