MSTS ‘solid’ wheel generator plugin source code

Hi Rick,

I’ve not tested this in MSTS, but I think this is what you would need to do…

1) run the plugin and rename the top level group from main to bogie01, then rename groups Wheels1 to Wheels11, Wheels2 to Wheels12 etc.. (ignore subgroups just called wheel)

2) alter the bogie01 group properties to move it away from the centre (change Z value to 10)

2) run a second time, rename main to bogie02, Wheels1 to Wheels21, Wheels2 to wheels22

3) use the hierarchical view to just drag each of the bogie groups into the main model group (the cube shown in the pic)

I’ve got a few other plugins to do first (if I can find the time), but I’ll certainly take any suggestions for improvements.
(another is a variable rim thickness for spoked wheels I need that for the pre 1890 UK locos I’ve done recently)

Alternatively if anyone out there wants to take it on, the source code is not too difficult to get to grips with.

It does have some potential for becoming a andquot;locoandquot; generator – but that’s a little way off (and you’d have to enter lots of parameters!) I may add a solebar and buffer generator for the steamers/wagons out there.

Paul, thank you for this nice script. I am working on my first Steam procject and andnbsp;its andnbsp;looks great andnbsp;

Paul,

That is exactly what I was looking for andnbsp;with andnbsp;this plugin project….great job.

Rick

A small progress report (I’ve had a little time on my hands) …

The interface prompts for a lot more parameters now, including front and rear bogies (similar details on those tabs too)

Looks great, when andnbsp;its availlebel for download? andnbsp;I can wait to trye it out <!– s;) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!– s;) –>

Probably ready next week some time. most of the options in the list work OK now.
I still have to tidy a bit more of the code and write the con rod generator/animator (I should add quartering) and an inside frame object is needed for the main group.

I’d also like to add a buffer generator, but maybe version 3.

soon we’ll be able to build locos/stock with a couple of clicks andnbsp;

… and this is the result of about 15 seconds to build the model and another 2 mins to save the wheel texture masks and apply them ….

I’m just about 100% working now, so it is available for final testing.

If you would like a copy, just e-mail me by clicking on the middle icon under garfield on the left of this message.

It replaces the older wheelz.dll and now appears in the list of plugins as MSTS Engineer

I’ll also send the source code if you are interested in taking a look.