Modding Questions and information

[Blaxlandridge3]

Hi guys, now that the taits are done I'd like to do steam. I have read it is possible and easy with shape viewer. Unfortunately my computer has the same black screenshot problem as before.

I am including all necessary topics and files needed to do this.

Here is the locomotive. The Great Northern 4-8-4 A-3 #2661
This file only includes the necessary .s files.

2661.zip

(557.19 KiB) Downloaded 31 times

Here is where you can download the required angles for shape viewer
viewtopic.php?f=40&t=50278

Shape viewer can be downloaded here: http://msts.steam4me.net/utilities/shape_viewer.html

Follow tattoo's directions to use his files to make the necessary screenshots. the tender can be done in msts2loco and does not have to be done in shape viewer.
Shape viewer is being used to create the moving rods.

If the locomotive sprites require me to use wally to convert them to a blue background I can do that as well as all the Vehicle creator specs. Thank you!!!

[Walter1940]

I am a little bit confused. Only the shapefiles are in the ZIP. The textures are missing.

[Blaxlandridge3]

crap crap crap sorry, here is the full file. I thought only the .s files were needed! My bad!

https://www.railserve.com/Computers/MST ... comotives/
The file is too large to upload. Here is a link to download the A-3.

[Walter1940]

Next question .... (I know today, I am annoying) .... So someone should create the pictures and send them to you? Why don't you do it yourself?
The problem is that the locomotive is too long. When it is cut, it breaks. But it doesn't look good too long either. Above all, it creates graphic errors.
Above all, the animation of the chassis is missing.

[Blaxlandridge3]

I cannot do anything with taking pictures for the sprites because I am using a crossover app to run windows on mac. For some reason it creates a problem where any screenshots from, say, msts2loco, do not render as images, but just blank black squares.I tried doing it myself hoping it would just be msts2loco that does this, but Shape viewer did the same. It is as if the crossover app blocks any screenshots from being taken. Oddly enough, locomotion screenshots register. Very confusing. I really want to mod and wish I could do it all myself, but until I get myself a windows computer I cannot. Did you follow the link I provided to download the A-3? It will include everything you need.

[Walter1940]

Yes, the entire locomotive is in there. Nevertheless, it is too long. It then no longer matches the others and generates graphic errors.
In addition, the wheels don*t move .....

[Blaxlandridge3]

Oh, darn it. I was looking forward to this one!

I'll have to find something else to occupy my time with.

[griffinrails]

Walter himself has a method for downsizing locomotives. Maybe you could try that out?

[Walter1940]

I tried that weeks ago. That's why I write that it will destroy the locomotive.

That is the original length

capture_06232020_102751.jpg (36.39 KiB) Viewed 741 times

And this is how the locomotive looks after being shortened ...

capture_06232020_103352.jpg

(73.22 KiB) Not downloaded yet

It is still over 19 meters long because it moves the roof

capture_06232020_103425.jpg

(55.82 KiB) Not downloaded yet

[griffinrails]

Ouch!
Yikes, this is gonna be hard.
Also, I've figured out a breakthrough for the RCT loco. The sprites are numbered wrong. It would take quite long to renumber it, but I know that it could be done.

[Blaxlandridge3]

Awesome Griffin! Can't wait!

Walter, oof. I thought you can resize the loco in shape viewer? That's what I did when I was trying it.

Who will renumber the sprites, you or me? do they just need to be numbered from 1 to like 500? (I noticed they began at 3, strange)

[Walter1940]

Walter, oof. I thought you can resize the loco in shape viewer? That's what I did when I was trying it.

I have been writing all the time that it will destroy this locomotive when it is shortened.

But probably I have found a way how you can still put it in the desired size. I still have to test this with my helper.

[Blaxlandridge3]

Sorry! It isnt important. I'll find a new engine to convert. No need to go through all this trouble for a loco that wont look right.

[Blaxlandridge3]

I think we could do with a 2-8-0 in Plastikman style for locomotion, right?

And I mean a brute 2-8-0, not that old time thing.

I was trying to download this nice consolidation from "TrainSim.com" But it kept telling me I didn't have the right cookies. Site must be wayyy outdated.

[Blaxlandridge3]

blnk_280skin.zip

(1.37 MiB) Downloaded 62 times

We could use a 2-8-0 with moving rods. Could somebody do the shape viewer stuff? This loco is not as long as the A-3.

[Walter1940]

We could use a 2-8-0 with moving rods.

Right, it's shorter.
But how do you want to do that with the rotating wheels?
You need 4 models from the author, each with offset wheels by 90 degrees. (See the screenshot)

SFCAN136.jpg

(89.49 KiB) Not downloaded yet

[Blaxlandridge3]

Visit this link to tattoos method of getting the screenshots for moving rods. He has instructions on how to do it. I dont think you need four seperate models.

Link --> viewtopic.php?f=40&t=50278

[Walter1940]

This method is very strange. I'd rather stick to my method. But I wish you the best of luck.

[Blaxlandridge3]

Ok, yeah I understand. Thank you.

[Blaxlandridge3]

Due to the sheer complexity and lack of Locomotion community members, I am stopping my modding endeavors until I can get a Windows PC. This also marks my goodbye. I'll come back to these forums if I ever get that computer. It was fun while it lasted, and hey, I made one mod!

Goodbye!