Atomic Systems

Hi there can anyone help me I would like to get started building my own locomotives and coaches but do not know what programs to buy can anyone tell me which one is best to buy. And how to create the proper cab veiw for that loco and not have to use a GP38 or Dash 9 veiw.

Thanks
Tony
FGW Driver
Paddington

You'll get a 50:50 response here saying buy TSM or buy 3D Canvas.

Depends what you want to build, I use TSM for static models and my trams and its really straightforwards (plus Matt wrote the tutorials for it) but I understand that there are problems with Level Of Detail and Animation is tricky - so I don't know how good it is with Steam Locomotives.

People may now also recommend GMAX too.

Anyone else like to comment?

Hi Tony,

I started modelling a couple of months ago with Abacus Train Sim Modeler. I also looked into Canvas 3D and very briefly into Gmax.

In my opinion TSM is very suitable for beginners, it comes with a set of tutorials and is fairly intuitive.There are some limitations that may start to annoy you after your first few models, but for a gentle introduction into the field it is quite good.

Gmax is more powerful but has a much steeper learning curve, I just started looking into it the other day but haven't picked up the courage yet to seriously kick off a project. There is a tutorial around on the internet, check the appropriate forum here. You can download Gmax for free if you have the patience to sit through a 60 Mb ftp transfer!

I haven't used Canvas much, my impression is that it sits somewhere in between these two in terms of user-friendliness and power.

One advantage of going with TSM, at least initially, is the large user base and the many hints and tips you can find here and elsewhere - check the forum!

Good luck with your modelling and let us see some of your work!

fG

Hi there i dont want to sound stupid but is TSM short for anything and where can i find the download for GMax. Does anyone know how to use the proper cab veiw for the locos aswell i have pictures for most cabs but dont know how to use them for this.

Thanks
Tony
FGW Driver
Paddington

Train Sim Modeller

Matt.

Hi Tony,

the case for 3D canvas....
(Free trial download from http://www.amabilis.com, but you have to pay for the LP version to be able to export to MSTS, but a good idea to get the feel for the interface)

As said before, it's interface halfway between TSM (simple) and GMAX (complex)
That said it is miles ahead on support from the registered users forum on the Amabilis web site and there are plenty of tutorials with it
The product is regularly updated, there are not many bugs these days.

TSM only works with MSTS, 3D canvas and GMAX export to others like Trainz (gmax) and MSFS2002 (3DC) as well as other formats.

TSM does has several limitations on LOD (but don't listen to FB on train-sim.com forums he's got the limitations all wrong) but otherwise it works.

A big plus for 3D canvas is the scripting allowing users to add their own functions - several useful functions are already available. My latest add-in is almost ready. The following model in the image below was created in 2 minutes flat - an automatic rolling stock generator (works for wagons, coaches and diesels etc)

<IMG width="256" height="256" SRC="http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic ... 531/w0.jpg">

There is a link to the Gmax download from the Microsoft MSTS page.

fG

I downloaded GMAX but it would not open tried 4 times but same problem does anyone know if there is a free download of Abacus Train Sim modeler and i will give that a try or even email me a copy of GMAX from there computer.

Thanks
Tony
FGW Driver
Paddington

Come on Paul, you can't just leave it at that. Are you saying that it will create wheelsets automatically?? I hope you are

Regards,

~Terry~

decapod wrote:<IMG width="256" height="256" SRC="http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic ... 531/w0.jpg">

Do my eyes deceive me or is that a pacific? is it a princess?

duckweed wrote:Come on Paul, you can't just leave it at that. Are you saying that it will create wheelsets automatically?? I hope you are

Regards,

~Terry~

That's it Terry - if you take a look at the Amabilis forums, under the plugin and scripting forum, I describe it there.

You enter all the parameters, such as radius, no of spokes, spoke width, rim width, offset from centre (and many more)

It will generate the transparency mask for the wheel and build the complete wheelset with a few boxes for solebar and bogies in seconds (wheels using my method)

It will also animate the main wheelset.

I'm going to add buffer and con rod generation before releasing it.

Give that man a gold star. Just one thing Paul, can you make the conrod and buffer generation an optional extra?

Regards,

~Terry~

decapod wrote:

duckweed wrote:Come on Paul, you can't just leave it at that. Are you saying that it will create wheelsets automatically?? I hope you are

Regards,

~Terry~

That's it Terry - if you take a look at the Amabilis forums, under the plugin and scripting forum, I describe it there.

You enter all the parameters, such as radius, no of spokes, spoke width, rim width, offset from centre (and many more)

It will generate the transparency mask for the wheel and build the complete wheelset with a few boxes for solebar and bogies in seconds (wheels using my method)

It will also animate the main wheelset.

I'm going to add buffer and con rod generation before releasing it.

Ok, so I'm convinced - fantastic facility! - but then I'm not into building Steamers so I'll stick to TSM!

tonyandkaty wrote:I downloaded GMAX but it would not open tried 4 times but same problem does anyone know if there is a free download of Abacus Train Sim modeler and i will give that a try or even email me a copy of GMAX from there computer.

Did you install it as per instructions?
There is no point getting it by email, you would stil have to install it to run.

AFAIK there is no trial version of TSM available. It doesn't cost that much, though, I got mine for under 30 pounds at PC World a couple of months ago, and given the hours I've spent with it, it must be one of the cheapest hobbies around.

fG

duckweed wrote:Give that man a gold star. Just one thing Paul, can you make the conrod and buffer generation an optional extra?

Just about everything is optional already, you just tick the boxes or fill in the dimensions.

Steve, it's not just for steamers, these are a few more of the default options that can be built in seconds...

<IMG width="256" height="256" SRC="http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic ... .jpg"><IMG width="256" height="256" SRC="http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic ... .jpg"><IMG width="256" height="256" SRC="http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic ... .jpg"><IMG width="256" height="256" SRC="http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic ... .jpg"><IMG width="256" height="256" SRC="http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic ... 531/w5.jpg">