Atomic Systems

Mark Hyams has given me permission to upload his file MSTS Smoother Tracks v1.0. to UKTS. It is currently available on train-sim.com.

Mark's notes:
Replacement shape files for default tracks. Lessens the jagged effects of the Kuju track. No discernable affect on frame rates. A more prototypical experience. Affects all routes. No Route Editor time needed. No tsection.dat modification needed.

The effect of this change is tremendous and the screenshot below on Thames - Mersey shows the difference.



The upload is awaiting approval.

John

I thought it was never possiable in MSTS!lol

But that looks really good, think ill be downloading that.

John,

That looks great, just downloaded smoother tracks from train-sim.com.

How far have you got with putting semaphores in on Thames- Mersey? I do intend doing a true steam version once the route is finished, with full LNWR lower quadrant semaphores throughout, but that is a way in the future yet.

Dave

awesome I never thought it could happen! ...simply: WOW!

Man I'd download that ASAP (once it gets available I mean).

ccsdc wrote

How far have you got with putting semaphores in on Thames- Mersey? I do intend doing a true steam version once the route is finished, with full LNWR lower quadrant semaphores throughout, but that is a way in the future yet.

Dave, I'm not quite sure what you mean. I haven't added any signals to the route (not capable), it is all original apart from the track texture (Scottrax - File ID:9694 plug,plug) and the smoother tracks shapes.

John

jascott wrote:ccsdc wrote

How far have you got with putting semaphores in on Thames- Mersey? I do intend doing a true steam version once the route is finished, with full LNWR lower quadrant semaphores throughout, but that is a way in the future yet.

Dave, I'm not quite sure what you mean. I haven't added any signals to the route (not capable), it is all original apart from the track texture (Scottrax - File ID:9694 plug,plug) and the smoother tracks shapes.

John

Sorry John, I mistook the location for just outside London, where it is all colour lights. I have been working on this route too long!!! I am seeing things now. LOL.

Dave

Does this upgrade only change the s file, not the textures? Or are new textures included/necessary?

If s file is altered a pity point check rails were not added.

The sleepers are too close together for British track but I like the sweeping curves.

If it includes textures every 2nd sleeper could be edited out. Then it would be perfect.

Hi Ian

I am a little confused here - I didn't think this download changed the sleeper spacing, I thought it only smoothed out the kinks in the rails.

Before I install I wonder if you could clarify this point for me?

Thanks & Regards

Mike

Its just the curves that have been re-worked. The zip contains shapes to put in global\shapes.

If a BAT file was written you could have the smooth rails for winter...and the slightly kinked rails for summer...

There will likely be a slight FPS hit - smoother curves = more polys remember. What would be good is to change the rail profile (not loading gauge) to match UKFS (and as Martin said, the application of some check rails woudl be good) so that non-UKFS routes can benefit from some improvement in the look of the rails

qzdcg8 wrote:There will likely be a slight FPS hit - smoother curves = more polys remember. What would be good is to change the rail profile (not loading gauge) to match UKFS (and as Martin said, the application of some check rails woudl be good) so that non-UKFS routes can benefit from some improvement in the look of the rails

I think that it sounds like just the curves have been reworked.
I think what you are looking for is a UKFS type track, based on original names and geometry. A slightly bigger project!

hehe funny how people go off on tangents.

The screenshot at the top is simply to show the change in rail geometry! nothing about textures. The guy has put his own track texture onto Thames Mersey. Read the original post everyone!

If its that easy to increase the polys on curves to make them smoother, surely its just as easy to edit the profile of the rail to make them thinner. This must be a basic form of Scale Rail. Although they have an entire custom rail system.

Installed the smoother curves on Thames-Mersey today. The standard curves do look much much better, however, the change does not apply to either dynamic track or tunnel curved sections.

The change is only to the global track shape files, so whatever track texture that you have installed will still be applied.

But definitely worth doing in my opinion.

Dave