Backdating Routes and a request for help!

[sem34090]

I'm reviving this thread, as I've now decided to leave the BML for a bit and focus on something slightly similar.

I now intend to backdate the Portsmouth Direct line to the 1950's, as it seems somewhat simpler than the BML. There's still significant changes to make, but much of the (basic!) infrastructure seems to be the same, with the major job seeming to be to add in the missing track.

I am still getting to grips with reskinning, and have had little success at the moment. I was wondering if it would be possible for anyone on here to reskin a set of running in boards to suit the PDL. The stations that would need doing are as follows:
Brookwood
Ash Vale
Woking
Worplesden
Guildford
Shalford
Wanborough
Ash
Ash Green
Farnham
Aldershot
Farncombe
Bramley & Wonersh
Godalming
Milford
Witley
(Not Liss, as this is already included in the Longmoor Military Railway Route)
Petersfield
Rogate
Rowlands Castle
Warblington
Emsworth
Havant
Bedhampton
Cosham
Hilsea
Fratton
Portsmouth & Southsea
Portsmouth Harbour

Obviously this is a huge ask, and I would understand if nobody is willing to do it. I will try and do it myself, and will say when I've finally been able to do it!
I also intend to reskin some of the station assets, the main problem one at the moment being Portsmouth & Southsea with it's NSE extension.
Finally, does anyone know a way of making a texture 'invisible' so that the asset it is covering cannot be seen? I ask as this is what I will probably need to do to the SWT Running in Boards included as part of the station assets, and probably lamp-posts as well.

All the best,

sem34090

[gptech]

does anyone know a way of making a texture 'invisible' so that the asset it is covering cannot be seen?

A texture is usually made *invisible* by editing it's alpha channel to be totally black, but this won't prevent the asset it covers displaying. Parts of assets can be hidden if they're a named node in the model. I'd get the reskinning bit sorted out before you move on to either of those techniques---running before walking and all that.

Can you go into more detail about just what you want to do?

[sem34090]

Hi GPtech,

The best way I can describe it is this:

In the Portsmouth Direct route, the assets for the Station Buildings include the assets for the running-in boards: i.e. the boards and the buildings are a single asset.

For the purposes of backdating, I want to retain the station buildings, but not the modern era running-in boards. Unfortunately, I can't just delete the running in boards as they are part of the same asset as the station building.

I was thinking that, if possible, one could perhaps use a texture to make these parts of the asset invisible, whilst the buildings themselves remain visible.

I thought it'd be complex: I was just wondering if it would be possible.

Time to dig out your reskinning tutorial PM (again!)...

sem34090

[alpend]

Hi Sem34090
I have reskinned several of the stations of the PDL to BR southern region colours. I found it fairly straight forward to reskin the running in boards green with white lettering, the main problem lies in what to do with the modern ticket machines and benches. I also took a look at backdating the PDL, I found the original is not very accurate with respect to terrain, track layout, heights and gradients so I ended up relaying virtually all of the track. Never did finish it tho, guess I got sidetracked.
Al

[sem34090]

That's interesting...

Is there any possibility of you making your reskinned assets available to me, or just publicly? I still fancy a go, even though (as you say) it's not the best of base routes. In some ways this is one reason why I chose it, as it won't be so obvious which bits I've done and which are original! I may also use it as a base to extend Eastwards towards Littlehampton from Havant, and Redhill (Maybe even Cranleigh and Horsham too) from Guildford. I know those lines pretty well, and would love to see them modelled in the 50's for the sim.

Also we need somewhere for Southern steam (Of all flavours... SECR to Redhill, LBSCR To Horsham, LSWR to Havant, then LBSCR joining on again!) and also for the Southern Electrics we now have (2-HAL especially) to run in a period setting.

With regards ticket machines, I was thinking (When I finally 'get' reskinning!) of putting them into green perhaps as First Aid/Stretcher cupboards that seemed to feature at some stations. Benches can probably be hidden underneath people sat on an SR one placed over the top. I've deleted most obviously modern assets as far as Rolands Castle, such as Car Parks, lamps, etc...

I assume you got sidetracked by your stunning looking Hayling route? (If you can't tell, I'm very much looking forward to that: a Southern Railway/Region route I have all the requirements for! Finally!).

If you are willing to let me use your reskinned PDL assets, please could you drop me a PM? I'd rather not give out my email address on the open forum!

All the best,

sem34090