Modeling software compatible with RS?

[CSX New York]

Hey all, a couple of searches came up dry so I thought I'd pose this two-part question: what 3D modeling software will be compatible with Rail Simulator and are any of them free? I'm reluctant to shell out any money for modeling software for a sim that may end up being only a "filler" for the time between now and MSTS 2.

[decapod]

3D canvas pro for $70 will export to Rail Sim and MSTS2 (and MSTS1 and Trainz and BVE as well as FSX)
3D canvas Trainworks is $50 but does not have quite as many functions.

[RSDLadam]

Blender is also compatible with exporting models for Rail Simulator. This will be a familiar package to those used to gMax.

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?f=234&t=78280

[CSX New York]

Hi Adam and Paul,

It's definitely pleasant news to my ears (and wallet :D) that's there's a completely freeware modeling package for RS. I used gMax to make some items for MSTS, so hopefully the transition will be smooth. At least now I have something to dabble with over the next few days while I wait for my copy of RS to arrive. ;) I'll see how much I can do in Blender - if it's not up to my liking, I'll look into 3DS Canvas Pro. Then again, the most advanced thing I ever made in gMax was an expressway sign and some buildings. :)

Regarding my filler comment in my initial post... that's only based on screenies of both RS and MSTS 2 (the latter seems to have better lighting and clarity), but I'll reserve any quality comments for when I have the game running on this computer. Who knows, maybe RS will be better, so we'll see. Either way, I plan on owning and running both sims. All of this, though, is a discussion for another thread.

[landnrailroader]

I boiught 3dc a couple of years ago and found it a bit harder to learn to use than TSM but I have seen nothing to suggest that Abacus will produce a TSM version for RS, so I plan to start learning 3DC.

About a year ago, I added the pro features and did produce a few flat people using it. Other than some odd terminology, it is a good product, and in some ways it is better than TSM in that the user GUI is more like professional CAD software that I use everyday, sometimes up to 10 hours, like today. (Bentley Microstation)

CSX suffered twice over the weekend, once when an errant auto knocked down a signal bungalow near WinterPark, FL, causing a fire that knocked out about 10 miles of TCS territory, and then thieves relieved CSX of some copper wire near Chillicothe, OH, so my employer has been busy this week. Though now retired 7 years from CSX Signal Dept. (where I was the CAD manager), I still love to do the drafting.

landnrailroader

[RSderek]

Blender is free.

http://www.blender.org/

Also you will need the plugins from here.

http://home.exetel.com.au/randomsoftware/

best regards

Derek

[sporbust]

What about 3dsmax? that is what i use and i have a lot of trs content i would like to bring over but that stuff was made with gmax.

[cougar]

plugins for 3dsmax are available from RS website. you need to be registered to download the plugins.

[sporbust]

plugins for 3dsmax are available from RS website. you need to be registered to download the plugins.

Thanks Coug i got em and have read alot since i posted and i see they used 3dsmax to create thier default content. Now i just need to figure out how to paint my gp60 and export it. I have read the reskin tutorial hope to get it soon its all new to me compared to Trainz :)