Coupling Rods and GMAX and Trainsim Modeller.

[Scoopey]

Does anyone know how you label coupling rods and linkages so they work?

I have both GMAX and Trainsim modeller so anything would be helpful.
Also is there a whell diameter calculation needed as I have downloaded some Steam Engine and whilst some seem to move at the corect speed with the wheels on the rails, others go like the clappers with the wheels spinning furiously on the stop.
Finally when entering the length of a wagon is it length over buffers?

Oops and one move question, is trhere a sample rail size file for GMAX? There is one in trainsim modeller to help with alignment.

Steve

[tagsdm]

To tell you the truth, Scoopey, I don't think the naming is as important as we've been led to believe. The heirarchy is, but maybe not the naming.
I started naming rods very carefully (Rod01 for the connecting rod between the wheels, Rod02 for the main rod etc), but then I became distracted by the building process and added and deleted parts so that they were all out of order. I even used literal names (eccentric link, combination lever etc) without thinking and have yet to have a problem with rods. I'm using TSM1.1.
You can correct the disproportionate wheel turning by adjusting the WheelRadius entry values in the *.eng file. I believe there are two. Down for slow turing wheels, up for fast turning wheels. I start by adding (or subtracting) 50% of the given entries. Then it's trail and error till you're satisfied. I make sure both entries are equal and I don't worry about matching prototype values. Works for me.

Steven D. Myers

[Scoopey]

I noticed that MSTS differs greatly from its flight simulators.
Its a shame microsoft did not give a descent tutorrial with its GMAX gamepack.
Whilst I am back on GMAX is the measuremnt units still 1m?

[37714]

I must be completely alone in this, but i found (and am finding) the GMAX tutorial to be pretty good.

I have not done any 3D modelling before, but i think i may be grasping the concept pretty well. The final tutorial (P38 Lightning) is something that i cannot wait to try out.

[Scoopey]

Not tried the P38 as there are that many floating around the net!
You should see the Zlin I've got on the go though which I will release initaily without a virtual cockpit.
I completed microsoft scenery tutorial which was excellant but I have had to work out the nsming conventions for MSTS from Train Sim Modeller.
I am going to try putting the make MDL plugin into the MSTS gamepack to see if I can export in FS2002 and MSTS.
The only thing that confuses me is what the LOD is all about on export from GMAX in MSTS format?
Also one last question to you route designers.
Do you have to create an activity to explore a route as I created a simple route and it did not appear? All I wanted to dowas test it to see how it was looking before progressing any further.

[37714]

You do need to create an activity before the route will become available. If there are no activities, there are no start points etc etc, and the route will not appear.

[Scoopey]

O.K for the completety stupid question,
How easy ia it to set up an explore route activity or are those reserved for the default lines?

[CaldRail]

All you need is at least one valid path.

[saddletank]

Finally when entering the length of a wagon is it length over buffers?

Yes. If you only measure the bbox over headstocks then when you shunt up to another wagon the buffer graphics (which are 18" or so proud of the headstocks) will merge into the graphic of the other wagon. Measuring accurately to the buffer heads will mean your buffers will kiss nicely together in a shunt, or when propelling stock.