MSTS-X Design Tools - Speculations?

[v1perfan]

Hi All,

Hopefully the MSTS group reads the postings on this site, and might comment.

Anyone have any idea what tools may be used to design new rolling stock for the upcoming release? I'm guessing that they will use tools similar to those used by enthusiasts to build the FSX models. If so, I guess I should be learning some new tools.

<soapbox>
I can only assume that the people who put out TSM will not create a new tool for the MSTS-Xers. Their inital tool was adequate, but it had its bugs and total lack of support.
</soapbox>

Brian.

[OTTODAD]

Hi Brian !

Mike, tdragger, from the MS GAMES STUDIOS MSTS-X team, has already posted in this forum, after a few of us have persuaded Nels to create it to make it easier for them to monitor feedback ! ;-)

We shall have to wait and see what they will tell us they use to create objects for MSTS-X with and hope that some of you intending to create add-on objects for MSTS-X can afford it and can learn how to use it ! ;-)

O t t o

[wakeboarder82]

My guess is that GMAX is the best bet. I believe it was tdragger that stated a good place to start is the FSX SDK. I'll bet we can expect many similarities between the two programs. I would also wager that a model created for FSX could be easily adapted for use in train sim based on his suggestion. As far as TSM is concerned, doesn't Abacus make FSDS for Flight Sim? If the FSX and MSTSX models are similar then you can probably expect Ababcus to cash in with a new version of TSM based on their FSDS software.

[stationmaster]

One tool that I have bookmarked: FSX KML.

I have no idea if it will in fact be useful. FSX KML is a freeware scenery design tool for Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX). It converts KML (Keyhole Markup Language) files generated by Google Earth into FSX scenery. Using Google Earth to draw polygons and polylines you can accurately and easily create the following types of "vector" based scenery.

http://www.fsdeveloper.com/wiki/index.php?title=FSX_KML

[tdragger]

>My guess is that GMAX is the best bet. I believe it was
>tdragger that stated a good place to start is the FSX SDK.
>I'll bet we can expect many similarities between the two
>programs. I would also wager that a model created for FSX
>could be easily adapted for use in train sim based on his
>suggestion. As far as TSM is concerned, doesn't Abacus make
>FSDS for Flight Sim? If the FSX and MSTSX models are similar
>then you can probably expect Ababcus to cash in with a new
>version of TSM based on their FSDS software.

Yes, the FSX SDK is a good starting point but I'd expect a few things to change between now and when TS ships. One item in particular--gmax--is worth noting. As you may know this is no longer supported by its developer (Autodesk) and therefore is a risky tool to place bets on for continued development. Can't say what'll happen yet, but it's something we're working through. (BTW, FWIW the team uses 3DS Max for all our content generation.)

mike @ msft

[OTTODAD]

3DS MAX ? OUCH !

Quoted at £ 2000+ ! :-(

O t t o

[ChrisS68]

I have to think that they wouldn't require 3DS MAX for making models for games. They're probably using it because the 3DS format is pretty much the defacto standard format when it comes to video game content. 3DS... 3D Studio... Autodesk's 3D Studio evolved into 3DS MAX, and users of that software simply upgraded as the software progressed. I figure they're probably sticking with the 3DS format because, like I said, it's the standard and is widely supported. Requiring people to buy a $2000.00 package to create game content wouldn't make much sense. Also, the MAX format isn't a "model" in the traditional sense, but rather is basically a list of specifications for the various plugins, etc. within MAX to follow. Hence, there is no way to convert from a different format to MAX without having a seat, and really no point in doing so for that matter.

Chris

[WaltN]

3D Canvas certainly is a candidate for the design of rolling stock and structures. It is adequate in the sense that gmax was adequate, and it has its following from the MSTS community, which has led to the development of specialized tools and export facilities. As one example, I reverse-engineered this model of an 1845 "barney" car. All of the key parts can be animated.

[img src="http://home.stny.rr.com/wniehoff/sb/images/screenshot011.jpg"]

Paul Gausden, who is known to many here, has been active with 3DC and has developed models for both MSTS and FS 2004.

Walt

[decapod]

>3D Canvas certainly is a candidate for the design of rolling
>stock and structures.

>Paul Gausden, who is known to many here, has been active with
>3DC and has developed models for both MSTS and FS 2004.
>


I'm on the case ;)

[muskokaandtahoe]

Speaking of google tools, I'm becoming a fan of Sketchup (SU) -- their simple 3d cad tool. It's certainly not for everything but for doing buildings and other basic shapes it certainly has it's good points. I would hope there's a way to take models from SU and use them in MSTS-X.

Ditto for 3dC as it now can import TSM .dst files; You have to reskin them but at least content creators will have the means to get TSM source code objects into other games.

[b]Dave Nelson
SLW Route Design: The Cal-P, 1950.[b]
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/muskokaandtahoe/Avatars/Dancing_Genma.gif
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/muskokaandtahoe/Avatars/4ad3d633.jpg

[Richard]

I second the vote for Google Sketchup :) It is a very simple 3D tool to learn and use for creating structures. You just have to be a little careful as it's easy to create a polygon monster. For anything else I can't create using Sketchup, I've been using Gmax. If plug-in's were created for the new version of MSTS, wouldn't we still be able to create objects using these two tools, or am I missing something?

Take care,
Rich S.

[landnrailroader]

For what it is worth, I have been playing around with 3DC and more recently GMAX. I had not seen the comment frm Tdragger about Gmax being a poor choice, and I would also hope that one does not have to mortgage one's house to get software for simple models.
I have also contacted the 3DC makers to see what an upgrade to "Pro" costs - I already have "Plus", but I am willing to fork out $70 if I have to.

Jerry Sullivan
aka landnrailroader

[stationmaster]

Given their history, I expect that we will see a MSTS-X exporter in 3dc. A Sketchup import/export would be nice.

Ron
http://www.railwaystation.com