Atomic Systems

I just thought that I would highlight something Adam has been playing with on his South West Lines route

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odXaPztwqeQ

John

Is this truly dynamic, as in it has the alphabet textures for each letter and the number is telling it which letters to show and where on the sign, or is the number just telling it which complete word texture to use?
Both have their uses, but the latter would be a HUGE boon to route producers who don't model.

It would be good if we could change the colour of the boards/letters to suit various regions/companies/periods...

Mark

It certainly would. But just the ability to be able to do this is excellent.

Is this truly dynamic, as in it has the alphabet textures for each letter and the number is telling it which letters to show and where on the sign, or is the number just telling it which complete word texture to use?

Looking at the video I'd say it's the latter - each name appears to be bought up with a single letter code.

This reminds me of the scene from Dead Ringers..... "I seek passage to Aldershot"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OsQqv3JsXU

That is simply a milepost with the number textures 0..9 replaced by textures with the complete station name.
Quite simple to achieve if you are familiar with modelling for RS/RW.

/Anders

Exactly. It was discussed when Sly (I guess) released some engine. Each value for each digit corresponds to a textured quad. That can show a digit, or a logo, or text, or any image. Rolling stock gets the values from the associated CSV file. For scenery items, you need to declare them milestone and on placing them you enter a "distance" which determines what is shown. I believe you can only have decimal numbers thus, in contrast to rolling stock labelling. You can have 3 digits, I am not sure if that is the limit.

The problem with the system is that you fix the location in the model. Even if you would have 26 "digits", the spacing of the letters would be uniform which would not look good enough for station signs.

But it is cool for signal posts, letting you have individual signal numbers.
Also for platform numbers, it can be useful.

Couldnt they just make a station sign template, with several templates made already, such as BR(W) GWR, LNER, Southwestern trains, first great western, whatever the company is.... and just type in anything you want? no matter that it is, it seems confusing with the system for loco names on the hall. couldnt it just be type in any figure you want? and numbers for the loco number. it would make things a bit easier. i hope its possible

Search for "enamel station signs" in the RS forums. Sly created a kit where you create the texture using MS Excel, if memory serves me well, ages ago.

Recommended reading:
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 34&t=85660
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... 34&t=82679 (part 1 of (at least) 3)