Backdating Routes and a request for help!

[sem34090]

Thank you GPtech! I'll try that tonight...

Also, I've got your PM, but have yet to read it! I did note the bit about the previous PM's, and I don't think I need them again, as they're fine as they are. My main problem is trying to work out how to change the lettering on the signs from the Bluebell asset pack, the first one I'm trying to do is Hassocks, but I can't seem to get it right.

All the best,

sem34090

[sem34090]

Hi All,

Upon the suggestion offered earlier in the topic I've now bought Portsmouth Direct, and also Western Lines of Scotland (for the grand total of £14.95 - £10 less than WLoS is normally, and that's for both routes!). These now allow me to run Southampton - Weymouth, which I've now downloaded and installed. This gives me further Southern Region assets. I've also downloaded both versions of Glorious Devon (1958 and 1960's) mainly on the basis of using the Southern assets included in those routes, as I am not currently in a position to buy all of the requirements.

These will be useful for pretty much any route I intend to build, modify or backdate probably as long as I do TS! Glorious devon will also provide extra useful GWR assets for any Western-based routes I do, or light-railway/freelance/heritage routes I do.

Still working out the track stuff. This project will not be quick, but will probably tick over slowly for some time.

All the best,

sem34090

[mikesimpson]

Hi All,

This project will not be quick, but will probably tick over slowly for some time.

All the best,

sem34090

Route building is never quick, I am still working on a route I started around 2008 when the original Rail Simulator was released

Mike

[speedypete202]

I find the speed in which the route is built depends greatly on the intricacy and quality of the data you have to work with. It is certainly a steep learning curve.

[Rockdoc2174]

The problems I constantly come up against are not knowing when to stop working on the scenery, I.e. how far from the line, and how detailed to make the scenery at all distances. Looking at other routes the tendency is not to make things very detailed but I can’t make myself leave it at that.

Keith

[speedypete202]

I had exactly this problem to begin with. I try to follow the rule of "what can be seen when driving" and then try to do scenery within eyesight of the track. Tone up the detail around stations and yards etc. but you can afford to be a little less 'perfect' when in open countryside. There are also the performance issues that come with extreme detail. There is than that dreadful moment when you try the route in spring and realise how much further can be seen now the trees have no leaves.

[Rockdoc2174]

The problem along much of the Friargate Line is that it's either on an embankment or running along the bottom of broad valleys so you can literally see for miles around. I've found that the game engine draws up to about 3/4 of a mile/1.2 km so try not to go further. I always run test scenarios along stretches I'm working on, in both directions and watch the view the line from both sides of the engine because there are places you can see from some points that you can't from another. I've also found that it draws terrain paint further away that it does any scenic objects, just to make life interesting.

Some - perhaps most - of the issues I have are self-inflicted. Until I started work on this project I'd driven lots of routes and not noticed things that, today, stick out like sore thumbs. I find myself making what are probably excessive efforts to smooth the paths of walls, for example, rather than have them go up and down like goodness knows what if I laid them onto untouched terrain. I always try to correct things I see in a scenario, however far away they may be. I can see them because I'm looking for them but it's quite likely most people won't. Even so, I want this to be as good as I can make it.

I am well aware of the problems that can be caused by adding detail but I was surprised to discover that the loco in the scenario can tip the game over the edge. I had a scenario that was fine until I started to add detail around its starting point, after which it crashed during loading. Change to another steam loco and the scenario loaded and ran fine. Diesels were never a problem. Perhaps the number of particles in the exhaust was the issue? Who knows!

Keith

[speedypete202]

The steam issue seems plausible. The worst thing I find about route building is the mind numbing tedium of certain sections of route. Lots of fields and hedges saps your enthusiasm very quickly. Do you have a rough idea of when you might like/expect to have the project finished?

[sem34090]

This is one of several routes I've committed myself to...

At least for much of the open countryside I need to change very little, as it's already there in the base route!

All the best,

sem34090

[speedypete202]

Ah of course this is true! It sounds like an interesting route - it'll be nice to see the results!

[sem34090]

I'd like to see the results! And I'm the one trying to do it!

Current projects:

Brighton Main Line 1960's
Guildford - Horsham 1950's (Initial phase of my first 'proper' route project. Will probably be offered for several periods.)
The West Hoathly Branch (Modification of the Bordon Branch route to create a freelance Southern Railway Route. Shown in multiple eras from the 1900's to the 1990's)
The Eastgate & Evenwood Light Railway (2.5 mile long fictional light railway - almost complete)
A narrow gauge route for someone else... (Can't say any more!)
Southern Region Phorum Penninsular (More stations, resignalled, Southern bits everywhere...)
Portsmouth Direct Line 1960's (Possibly... maybe with Hayling Island branch. Might extend towards Chichester a bit too.).
Appledore - New Romney 1930's (Including parts of the RH&DR and the old line to Dungeness.)
Kent & East Sussex Railway 2017 (Tenterden - Bodiam)
Kent & East Sussex Railway 2020? (Tenterden - Robertsbridge)
Kent & East Sussex Railway 1950's (Headcorn - Robertsbridge)
Kent & East Sussex Railway 1930's (Headcorn - Robertsbridge)

There may be others. My point is I've got lots of things I'm trying to do!

All the best,

sem34090

[speedypete202]

WOW, that is a list of projects !

I manage to fill 12h a day working on just one route!

[Rockdoc2174]

The steam issue seems plausible. The worst thing I find about route building is the mind numbing tedium of certain sections of route. Lots of fields and hedges saps your enthusiasm very quickly. Do you have a rough idea of when you might like/expect to have the project finished?

I have about ten miles that has scenery more or less continuously from a spot on the outskirts of Derby, just south of Breadsall station, to Kimberley. The track is laid for the main route from Derby Friargate to Nottingham Victoria and Colwick and for most of the lines that run under it but it is not fully signalled. Ilkeston station is incomplete because the buildings were complex and photos of them are very few and far between so I've no idea when we'll get that sorted. The area around Kimberley station is another nightmare that will need a fair number of bespoke assets creating. There are a couple of isolated areas that have scenery, Nottingham Victoria and Gedling Colliery, but everywhere else is bare. The Chester Green area needs to be lowered and the bridge over the Derwent and over Friargate will need doing as they're both iconic.

Basically, I have no idea when it might be released, unless people would accept what there is and, hopefully, join the project to speed things up. Here are a couple of screenshots to give you an idea.

Keith

[speedypete202]

I know what you mean about the problems with creating assets. I have PMd you a thing about assets which may help.

Screens look excellent. I'm pretty good at finding modern stuff out but for historic pics or info I'd look to the rail forums and ask around there.

[sem34090]

I need to learn how to create assets...

I have Blender at the ready...