Tutorial on platforms with passengers?

[jeffmorris]

I would like a tutorial on placing platforms with animated passengers in new route. When I place platform in routes using the offset tool after selecting the track, the platform edge doesn't face the track. I can't flip the yellow arrow at the end of the orange upside-down "V" spline before placing the platform. How do I have passengers appear on platforms? I found out that there's a bug in KRS that prevent passengers from appearing on platforms.

[jeffmorris]

I think that the steps to create platforms with passengers are:

1. Choose the "Select Tool" in "Linear Objects" Toolbox.
2. "Draw" the spline from one end of track to other end.
3. Choose the "Offset Tool" in "Linear Objects" Toolbox.
4. Set the parallel distance to "4"
5. Choose a platform from the object selection menu.
6. Click on the yellow arrow at end of the spline. The platform will be created.
7. If the platform edge doesn't face the track, click on the platform, click on the yellow circular arrow to rotate the platform, and press the "F" and "G" keys to rotate the platform slowly.
8. Click on the icon that looks like a semaphore signal and choose platform marker.
9. "Draw" the spline from one end of track to other end.

This works for platforms created from splines. What about 3D models of platforms? There are long and short generic platfroms. Are there flat platform ends (walls) instead of ramps? When "drawing" tool splines, the length of the spline isn't shown in the status bar. I hope that this will be fixed in next version of KRS.

[Acorncomputer]

The yellow arrows on the green triangular offset lines start off facing inwards. If you put your cursor on the yellow arrow until it goes a shade darker and then click on the mouse and slowly move the cursor away from the track, the yellow arrow will change to face outwards. When you then select the platform or other linear object to place, it will then be placed the other way around.

If your first attempt puts the platform with the trackside edge the wrong side, delete that platform and try again with the yellow arrow pointing the other way and the trackside edge will then be next to the track.

This applies to all linear objects that do not have a symmetrical profile.

[nwallace]

What about height, I have loads of platforms with passengers under the surface

[Acorncomputer]

Regarding floating and half buried passengers, look at my observations in Help for beginners > Floating Passengers at Stations.

As long as a platform is laid perfectly level, passengers should stay on top of the platform even when the platform is raised or lowered to get the right final height from ground level. Any angle on the platform, and the passengers still go about their business but are either digging to Australia or flying to the Moon.

If you use a pre-formed platform, (there are a few available as standard), they will need to be placed on a straight and level piece of track and as long as they are not tilted when placed (by only using the green, blue and red arrows on the placement gizmo - not the yellow ball), then the passengers should always be at the right level.

As well as platforms with passengers, there are also mesh sets with passengers. These are found under linear objects with the platform templates and will just produce a mesh on which passengers can walk. These can be added to platform tops to add more passengers if you want a busy look or can be added anywhere where you want people to move. streets, bridges, etc. Bury the mesh just under the surface and all you will see is the people moving.

I have not as yet fully explored the possibilities of using passengers in this way and it still seems that angled platforms and meshes are still a problem, but this is definitely an area for further experimentation or a more full explanation from anyone who knows more about this subject.

[SpikerPete]

Thank you for the tutorial. I followed it and it worked well, except I have no passengers on the platform. Other routes still have passengers. Any suggestions on what I should be looking for?

Pete

[SpikerPete]

OK, I quit the program and went off to do something else. When I logged on again and tried the scenario it worked! This is all a little flakey. If you hold your left ear with your right hand and then twist your left foot clockwise while picking a platform ...
How did you guys ever find that combination of steps?

Adam, see how clear they could make it with only a few lines? HIRE SOMEONE WHO CAN WRITE!

Pete