Atomic Systems

(I was just writing when you posted, Dennis!)

Right, I've had a good read of the link Dennis gave me (thanks Dennis) and after it made my head spin(!) what I did was copy the scalability data in the sms file and paste it before the last ")", changing the scalability to "0" in the second lot of data.

Now, while sadly the AI units don't have squeaky brakes and compressors hammering away, they now make the correct sounds when moving.

NiallGray wrote: Now, while sadly the AI units don't have squeaky brakes and compressors hammering away, they now make the correct sounds when moving.

I see that the Steam4me tip says that AI sounds only respond to the speed variable. Perhaps the squeaky brakes are triggered by the wheel rotation variable? Perhaps scalability group 0 could be modified for the brakes to be triggered by the speed variable? I've never tried. I'm glad part of it works.

Perhaps a sound expert will see this topic and suggest possible improvements.

Dennis

dave13 wrote:Hi Niall
I don't know much about sounds however I set the Scalabilty Group to 1 and that usely works for me
Dave:)

Hi Niall
In the past I've set the whole SMS file to Scalabilty Group 0 ....... doesn't seem to effect player trains.

Some of the Steam4me tip is still correct ..... but the Bin patch enabled AI and helpers to use variables.

It does matter though on how the original sms file was written, certain 'player' triggers will not be activated by an AI train.
Certainly compressor sounds, if activated by the compressor trigger ( 18 I think)

To get these to work they would need to be speed triggered, like the 'old' sms files used to be for changing of engine revs.



Cheers
Jon

jbilton wrote:

dave13 wrote:Hi Niall
I don't know much about sounds however I set the Scalabilty Group to 1 and that usely works for me
Dave:)

Hi Niall
In the past I've set the whole SMS file to Scalabilty Group 0 ....... doesn't seem to effect player trains.

Some of the Steam4me tip is still correct ..... but the Bin patch enabled AI and helpers to use variables.

It does matter though on how the original sms file was written, certain 'player' triggers will not be activated by an AI train.
Certainly compressor sounds, if activated by the compressor trigger ( 18 I think)

To get these to work they would need to be speed triggered, like the 'old' sms files used to be for changing of engine revs.



Cheers
Jon

Jon, a lot of that has gone over my head, which just shows how little I understand sounds!

However, I did try Scalability Group to 0 the other night and the results were not good. Sounds would briefly cut out altogether (just for half a second or so) every so often. At least with duplicate instructions in the SMS file, my player train is ok and the AI at least have sounds when moving.

What am I going to do is look into setting up a folder in common sounds. Each 303 unit is currently coming in at over 7mb and I'd like to reduce file size.


QUESTION: When I look at the units side on, if I look through the windows to the other side, all I can see is green terrain, not the scenery that's there. This happens on the 303s, but if I look side-on at other units (ie EBs 421) I can see perfectly through the train and see the scenery on the other side.

Is this something I can sort or is it something only the original modeller could do?

NiallGray wrote:
QUESTION: When I look at the units side on, if I look through the windows to the other side, all I can see is green terrain, not the scenery that's there. This happens on the 303s, but if I look side-on at other units (ie EBs 421) I can see perfectly through the train and see the scenery on the other side.

Is this something I can sort or is it something only the original modeller could do?

Hi
I'm afraid, AFAIK, this is something that can only be done by the original modeller.

Cheers
Jon

I did see a tutorial once (sorry I can't remember where) about creating alpha channels that avoided this problem, so in theory it could be done by reskinners

markh5682 wrote:I did see a tutorial once (sorry I can't remember where) about creating alpha channels that avoided this problem, so in theory it could be done by reskinners

I spent a lot of time looking at various websites last night but no joy. As it stands, I'm going to set up sounds for a common sounder folder. That way if the problem can be solved it saves reuploading lots of units in the future. I'm currently at a stage where not much more to do on the unrefurbished BR Blue/Blue Grey & Orange/Black units. Think I've done all I can with the re-skins, bar the odd thing I can't change due to mapping. Therfore I'm going to work on those units that need lighting sorted, test in sim and send to Ciaran. Hopefully soon we'll have at least three 303s running around and maybe a 311 as well!

Pics from testing on link below.

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 9&t=120253

Completely forgot to do Blue 311s, so these two are in the workshop.

At this rate with all the units I'm doing, I might end up doing all one hundred and ten 303s and 311s!

Also in the workshop as of tonight, one of the Cally Blue liveries.

You can tell the livery is very old as this was pre-yellow ends! Before they were painted into the BR Corporate Blue the units all rec'd half yellow ends and if I can get this livery sorted, then that one won't be too hard to do. If you can read it in the pic, this unit was destined for Kirkhill, which used to be the limit of electrification, but is now the penultimate stop before Newton. I've been doing my research! (Headcode 23 means it would go via Maxwell Park).



This one may take a while though, it won't get into the first batch of units.

Looks good.

There can't be many more liveries to go for these now can there?

For the 303s, as well as variations on above, the Carmine/Cream 303 is on hold due to a mapping problem. There was also the celebrity unit 303048 which was painted in the original Caledonian Blue livery during the 90s. That's for future consideration.

There were also two 311s that were used for Sandite and ice breaking after withdrawal. They were painted into railtrack livery (and renamed class 936) so I'd like to try that sometime.

The 303s lasted 40 years which means plenty of liveries!


As for the project, I've now got permission to set up common sound and cab folders for the units, so my work this weekend will focus on tweaking the files for the Blue/Blue-Grey and Orange-Black unrefurbished 303s and 311s and then I'll need to test them all. Hopefully by end of the weekend I can zip them up and send off to Ciaran to look at. When I send them off I'll look to finish off the two Manchester units.

Everything else (including the old liveries and refurbished units) will be done when mapping issues can be resolved, something only Ciaran can help me with.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!


(I've always wanted to use a larger font! )


I sent a batch of the Strathclyde-based units to Ciaran this weekend and he has given his approval to upload the units. These are the BR Blue, Blue-Grey and Orange-Black (unrefurbished) 303s and 311s.

Therefore this week there will be extensive testing of each unit to make sure they work ok, plus I need to write the read-me files and build an installer. Don't hold me to it but I hope they will be uploaded some time next weekend. Other versions will follow when time allows and the Manchester-based units are nearly ready.

It wasn't possible to do everything I wanted with the units (for instance no numbers on middle coach due to mapping issue) but I really hope you like what I've done with each version and I've tried to make as accurate re-skins as I can. All unit numbers match the livery and destination as my extensive 303/311 picture collection will suffice!

The units are all set up for the latest bin patch so you will be able to swap cabs and Jon Bilton has kindly let me modify his 310 cab and sounds. Unfortunately there is no suitable 303/311 cab available but I'm grateful to Jon for letting me use his cab as it allows me to be able to upload the units.

Big thanks to Ciaran for building the units in the first place and if you like them, please PM him (username: gitface) and thank him!

So then, who's looking forward to the release? (I hope someone is! )

Niall

I for one am looking forward to the release . The Glasgow suburban lines are missing their most iconic EMU's, and thanks for being able to upload them.

That is good news

Thanks Niall for all your hard work and of course thanks to Ciaran for the models in the first place