Train sims ?

I realize this thread is only slightly stale, but here in Switzerland MSTS is still very much available in shops (I saw it today at Media Markt), street price is around CHF 45.- and it’s the German language version. Also see Amazon.de.

Which is the best ‘train sim’ ? Microsoft or are the others worth looking at ? Mainly for doing models with 3dc so I guess microsoft is the top choice?

Thanks

Alan,

TRS2004 is also worth looking at. It does provide an opportunity to make objects which can be animated. Additionally these objects can be controlled by scriptlets. Examples are airports, seaports, industries, etc. This also applies to scenery objects as well as locomotives, rolling stock, track, etc..

With 3DC you cannot use the wizard to export, but must export the object as a 3ds file. Of course no texture is exported. Then you must use the Trainz Asset Creation Studio to import the 3ds file. This program is the trainz front end which starts Discreet’s gmax for Trainz. With Gmax it takes about 5 minutes or so to reapply the texture and then it can be exported to TRS2004. This way one doesn’t have to learn all the things gmax can do.

The gmax Bible(Wiley ISBN 0-7645-3757-1), Chapter 26, gives a procedure for exporting to TRS2004, Trainz-UTC etc.

A bigger problem than the circuitous route of an object from 3DC to gmax to TRS2004, is the generation of a correct Config.txt file for each object exported to TRS2004. Each type of object has a unique group of entries for inclusion in the file, along with a unique author identification number(KUID), region, and type of object. These entries are necessary for the object to be visible in the Surveyor(route design) part of TRS2004. Animated objects, objects with attachment points, track items, etc need additional entries in the config.txt file.

Auran provides a comprehensive Content Creation Guide for making objects for TRS2004, but this guide may not be 100% in sync with the actual program based upon all the forum messages from authors whose objects were fine in Trainz-UTC and now have problems with TRS2004.

As a former model railroader, who can’t afford the cost these days or the room for a layout, I now find I spend less time with 3DC temporarily. I am working on a dream layout in Surveyor and planning where to put my objects I am going to make. Then I will use 3DC. Meanwhile I can use my route to run as many trains as I can control.

My final comment is that its too bad Auran didn’t take Richard up on his request to develop a 3dc to TRS2004 exporter. They missed the boat.

Regards,

Charles

I would stick with MS train sim, the wizard helps make it a simple process to get something up and running.

I have also written a tutorial for a steam model, but a lot of the low poly techniques also apply to other types.
[img:26l71e7b]http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me/trainsim/tutorials/Steam3DC/steam3DC.htm[/img:26l71e7b]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me/trainsim/tutorials/Steam3DC/steam3DC.htm">http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me/tra … eam3DC.htm</a><!– m –>

[BLOCKQUOTE class=’ip-ubbcode-quote[/img]
[font size=’-1[/img]
quote:[/font][HR]Originally posted by Paul Gausden:
I would stick with MS train sim, the wizard helps make it a simple process to get something up and running.

I have also written a tutorial for a steam model, but a lot of the low poly techniques also apply to other types.
[img]http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me/trainsim/tutorials/Steam3DC/steam3DC.htm[HR][/BLOCKQUOTE][/img]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me/trainsim/tutorials/Steam3DC/steam3DC.htm">http://www.railpage.org.au/steam4me/tra … eam3DC.htm</a><!– m –>[HR][/BLOCKQUOTE]

I totally agree with Paul here. The process of conversion is quite simple(when you get the hang of it) and there are many people that can help you with any problems you encounter. If your looking for realism and accurate performance in a train simulator than MS train sim is the choice to make. I’m not knocking TR2004 (I actually have it), but Auran still can’t get near the prototypical performance of a steam or diesel engine produced for MS Train Sim, even after releasing an update patch recently.

If your looking at doing models with 3DC for a train sim, then yes the Microsoft product is by far the best choice.

I don’t want to start a discussion MSTS versus Trainz2004 it’s fruitless and has been done in extenso on trainsim.com and other websites. But….
I agree with Paul and Vulcan_Foundry and their comments concerning the creation of models. As we have no exporter from 3DC to Trainz this is the only advantage that MSTS still has over Trainz. So if you’re into modelling locos and other rolling stock, go for MSTS. (If you still can get it in the stores; here in Austria this is quite impossible, everybody told me, one has to wait for MSTS 2 (how long??), when I tried to get a copy for a friend.
In nearly every other aspect Trainz2004 is far superior to MSTS1. So if you are into route-building with many gadgets the fast and easy way with more beautiful results go for Trainz2004. Trainz has most of the assets MSTS fans long for: change of locos, flexible tracklaying, a nice clicketiclack sound and the sound on turnouts etc.
As for the driving physics, they are not very prototypical neither Trainz’s nor MSTS’s.
To sum it up; an export-plugin (wizard) from 3DC to Trainz is badly needed!

Thanks for the comments – I will read up some more and see where it takes me…