two more Newbe questions

[sculin]

Is there a tutorial for using SketchUp to create MSTS objects, including how to convert textures to that .ace file ?
And, how does one convert a texture to the 256x256, or 512x512 square I have seen talked about in some posts in this form ?

Thanks in advance.

[CARex]

“…Is there a tutorial for using SketchUp to create MSTS objects, including how to convert textures to that .ace file ?”

I am not aware of a tutorial for creating MSTS objects per se.
You need to download Paul Gausden’s SU/MSTS Plug-in and install it in SU. Paul provides instruction. ( http://www31.brinkster.com/decapod/ )
You may want to obtain the Feb ‘08 version. The latest version (if I remember correctly) is still Beta. (( SU2TS12.ZIP (19Kb) ))
Create and save your project in SU, use the plug-in to create the requisite S & SD files.
Note: After importing texture images into SU… be aware that going forward, the texture/image file names need to be the same when you create you .ace file. Also make sure (check) that the image filename in the S file is the same name as the .ace file. Otherwise you will not see a texture on your model in the Shape Viewer or MSTS.

“…And, how does one convert a texture to the 256x256, or 512x512 square I have seen talked about in some posts in this form ?”

In SU your texture image can be virtually any dimension you want/need/have. However, when creating the .ace your image needs to be square (64/128/256/512/1024). It’s an MSTS thing. Just import you original texture image into your favorite photo suite and resize it to whatever square you want (256/512 being frequently popular). It may look strange proportionally but press on. It all works out in the end. Save your new square texture as an .BMP or TGA file. With the TgaTool2 utility (or like) import your new texture and save as an .ace file.
On your desktop create a “new folder”. Place the new S,SD and .ace files into it. Use ‘Shape Viewer’ to open the “new folder”. If everything has been done correctly you should see your new textured model/object in the view window.

Hope this helps… hope I didn’t forget anything. Have a sparkling week,
Bob

[Hawk]

Don't forget to create the ref entry when you add the files into MSTS.

[CARex]

What he said!!
;)

[sculin]

Thanks for the input. I loaded the plugin, snatched some building textures from the internet, and wadda know, it works great. Using my digital camera, I took some pictures of the store fronts here in Melbourne (thats Florida, not down under) and now have a nice view of the main streets from the old Melbourne station. Thanks again all. Using Paint Shop Pro I can adjust the perspective for shop windows and so on. This is getting very interesting.

[CARex]

Stu,

Glad it all worked out for you.

Speaking of Main Street... here are some building from Middletown, CT...
http://forums.flightsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?t=265131

Have a sparkling holiday,
Bob

[sculin]

Those structures look fantastic. I hope to see them in the download library.