Train Sim Wizard and animation

I’ve done two steam locomotives with animation now using a combination of Wizard and my own animation for other rods and the valve gear.

I am in the habit of testing my models in MSTS multiple times during the modelling process and I use Train Sim Wizard each time with no problems regarding animation.

I like the functionality that Train Sim Wizard provides even with the limited animation available.

The one thing that Train Sim Wizard does allow me to do is to export a model that consists of many groups and objects organized in a complex hierarchy which to the best of my knowledge you can’t do with the standard export function.

This feature alone allows me to keep parts separated until the entire model is finalized. This gives me more flexibility in redoing work that I’m no longer satisfied with.

I find that as long as you remember to put all of your rods in the andquot;mainandquot; hierarchy Train Sim wizard doesn’t destroy them.

I hope Amablis will continue to support this fine feature.

Regards
Russ

Richard

Does the train-sim wizard preserve animation already set by the user? I have spent a long time animating the wheels/rods on my model and don’t want to lose it all by using the wizard.

However, I want to use the wizard as it set’s out the eng file well (at least for starters anyway – you usually need to go and do the serious editing in WordPad) and the lights / exhaust functions are good.

I suppose you could use the wizard, then don’t save scene changes, re-load and export the s file using the old method?

grateful for your advice.

cheers

Jon

I will stick to method 2 in that case!! i.e. use wizard, don’t save, export just s-file!

cheers for the fast reply

Jon

You will loose all of your wheel animation if your run the Wizard on a model. Rod animation should be preserved. But if 3DC feels it has to re-parent the rods you may loose that also.

Richard

Richard

On balance, I feel that the auto-animation in the TS Wizard is a bit on the Microsoft style ‘too helpful’ side!! (wonder if your anti rude word software will edit out Microsoft? <!– s:-) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:-) –> )

Let me explain what I mean:

the great thing about the wizard is that it converts textures, creates s file, sd, eng, wag… files in the right directory, allows descriptions to be added easily, allows steam / exhaust sources and lights to be added easily… and remembers your settings.

However, the auto animation (which is great for a 6 wheel loco with a simple con-rod) is a pain for complex animations set by the user.

If it were possible to have a checkbox or some other thing to allow the user to choose whether he/she wanted auto animation, that would be great.

Because I use the wizard, then don’t save scene changes, then export the s file in the old way it means that I lose the benefit of having the wizard remember my previous entries for each model!!

Jon

in some ways I do the same!! But probably a symptom of this being my first project, I came to the eng file stuff (exhaust smoke etc) after having completed animation!!

I’m not having a go at the wizard – it’s fantastic – just making my thoughts known in case Richard ever decides to enhance it!! <!– s:-) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:-) –>

Jon

Hi Jon,

I have been using the TSW to produce the original .eng file, i.e. to position the various funnel, whistle etc steam outlets. The Wizard also makes an accurate version of the bounding box.

After the .eng file has been correctly produced, I put it to one side, finish off the rod animation and export the loco using the Export to MSTS system.

Thus getting the best of both worlds.

Mike.

Fair enough! Maybe you’re right – there’s an inherent ‘distrust’ among the IT whizkid community for wizards!! I suppose the feeling is that if you do it yourself, you know what’s going on!

Jon

I understand what you are saying. Perhaps it isn’t the right tool for advanced users such as yourself.

At this point, there doesn’t seem to be much interest in it so I don’t want to put a lot of effort into it.

Richard

It is still fully supported. I just am not in any hurry to enhance it. I am pretty happy with it actually. There isn’t anything out there that can do the same thing (yet).

Also, I have released the source code so it would be relatively easy to create a custom version that creates animation on 15 key-frames instead of 9.

Richard