Atomic Systems

HI
Just thought it was time to let you all know that a Talyllyn route for KRS is formally WIP!!
I have been working on this route for some months and will post up some screenshots shortly.
I have had some issues with NG route building in KRS which I find a little frustrating which it would be good to share with others.

WIP - as of July 08
1) Terrain modelled from DEM data (30m res I think) which is quite coarse but gives teh general positiosn and look & feel of the valley. There is a lot of re-modelling to achieve realistic results around rivers & mountain trackway.
2) Track laid to true gradients from Wharf to Nant Gwernol with all passing loops in place.
3) Wharf & Pendre laid out - Pendre looks quite good in true-scale NG unlike to look in the 2xscale MSTS which I always thought looked too "open".
4)A lot of MSTS scenery has been converted into KRS and positioned to give a reasonable look & feel.

My plan is to convert most scenery from MSTS, place and model the route and then go back and enhance the scenery objects to take advantage of the better graphics available in KRS. Track is custom built (originals from Kevin Martin and thanks for his help and permission to re-build & texture these.) Hopefully, Kevin will find some time to assist by some re-modelling of his rolling stock for the route as he did last time. His modelling puts my feeble attempts to shame!!
The main issue I have come across with NG route build is to do with the coarse terrain mesh resolution (still at 8m, I think, as was MSTS)
The effect is that when deforming the terrain around the track, the minimum track base width is 12m (or so I've discovered). This does not give the NG "mountain ledge track" effect but ends up resembling a broad strip cut into the mountain with a small trackway on it!!
The effect was hidden to some extent in MSTS becasue of the 2xScaling.
It's a shame that the terrain mesh could not have been customisable depending on the track type (MSTS2 - possible???) The screenshots should show what I mean.

Still, all things said, the final effect should be much better in KRS than MSTS but of course it does need more development effort.

Regards
Steve

Cant Wait to see the pics of this fantastic route.

Sounds great Steve, Talyllyn vers 1.51a (?) was the first ng msts route I ever installed (in early 2005 I think) and introduced me to a whole new aspect of the sim. As a result it's probably still my favourite route, and while I sadly don't have KRS I'll follow developments with great interest.

clay001 wrote:Sounds great Steve, Talyllyn vers 1.51a (?) was the first ng msts route I ever installed (in early 2005 I think) and introduced me to a whole new aspect of the sim. As a result it's probably still my favourite route, and while I sadly don't have KRS I'll follow developments with great interest.

You ought to consider getting hold of the CD version (v2.0) which was a vast imrpovement to the 1.5 version that was downloadable.
I think the Cd is still available from Matt, here at UKTRAINSIM

Steve

Hi Steve

I have found a neat way to build tracks on ledges. I cannot put up screen shots at the moment but you could try this on a spare bit of terrain.

Build your track in mid air at the level you want it to be before raising the terrain. You can find heights and locations from Google earth and build in gradients. Then raise the terrain by DEM data or manually. Now set the snap terrain to track tool (large magnet) to the minimum width and run it around your track and this should produce almost sheer cliff faces on each side of the track, either up or down depending on the terrain.

Alternatively, raise the terrain first and lay the track under or over the terrain at the levels and heights you want to achieve and snap the terrain to the track again.

I created a quarry with sheer sides by building a piece of track at ground level in a circle the shape I wanted for the quarry, selected all of the pieces and dropped them down below the terrain to the bottom level of the quarry, snapped the terrain to track and then deleted the track leaving this effect.


Click the image to zoom in


This is a cutting created by laying the track first, raising the terrain and then snapping the terrain back to the track.


Click the image to zoom in


Sorry about the quality of the shots but I am using my second RS installation on a not so good computer.

This may help but you will need to experiment on some spare land to see if you can achieve the results you want

spontin wrote:
You ought to consider getting hold of the CD version (v2.0) which was a vast imrpovement to the 1.5 version that was downloadable.
I think the Cd is still available from Matt, here at UKTRAINSIM

Steve

Hello Steve,

I'm afraid I still haven't bought V 2.0 yet, but you're right I ought to endeavour to do so soon. Probably the main reason I haven't is because I tend not to "drive" on msts any more (save for testing), due to my long running feud with the route editor .

All the best & good luck,

Clay.

I shall look forward to this - I have a soft spot for the TR having been a volunteer in the early 1970s. Route building seems easy until you try it!

Hi Steve

Great news on the WIP. It seems like I might have to get KRS after all.
(I might even get round to finishing off "Alf" before MSTS disappears....)

Clay,
snip

haven't bought V 2.0 yet

go on - you know you want to! Talyllyn v2 is excellent.

John

That sounds like a subtle hint, Steve , so just had half hours play and imported the MSTS model of Dolgoch into RS:-



(very much WIP)

Cheers,
Kevin

Thanks Kevin...........perhaps not too subtle
As always, I know you'll come up with the quality goods

Steve

At last, a convincing argument for buying KRS

Tonysmedley wrote:At last, a convincing argument for buying KRS

You might be pleasantly surprised!

Cheers,

kevin

A small update on Dolgoch showing some improved texture work etc.

Cheers,
Kevin

Hi Kevin

This is looking really good. I particularly like the fancy decoration and the man servicing the boiler is a nice touch!

Thanks Geoff.

I will move the driver for the final release

Cheers,
Kevin