32bpp Trains?

[Zutty]

Hi all,

I've been reading the topic related to 32bpp graphics development with great interest. It seems like a full replacement is really starting to come together, which is GREAT news. However the one thing I can't seem to find much about is 32bpp trains. Apart from a few sprites in the wiki there is very little mention of them.

The best I can manage to figure out is that there is a deadlocked decision to make between making the trains long and realistic, or stubby and TTD-like. Is that the case? If so is that ALL that's holding back 32bpp train development or is there more? Are there code changes required or is it just an artistic decision?

Thanks.

[athanasios]

Maybe both. Limitations on length are a big drawback.

[Ben_Robbins_]

A lot of the trains (wagons mostly) that where there where crazy_valcav's and were removed. Personally the reason I am yet to move back to trains is just because there are other bits to do. (in saying that, I have spent this evening doing nothing but trains)...

The length issue is pretty un-motivating as I would defiantly prefer to see them longer than 1/2 tile if not actual length, although I understand that this wouldn't be a simple tweak of the code. The other issue is with them being full zoom you can't get away with quite the same amount of reshaping to squeeze them through tunnels and under bridges without them looking strange. Therefore they are higher than the original trains sprites, and this is also an issue for tunnels. Also to add to that, if they cast shadows the shadow makes some of the sprites yet longer, so these would have to be cropped where necessary. (unless you keep just shrinking the train down)

Personally for motivation purposes (as well as the fact it is slightly easier) I shall still model and texture to realistic scale, then break them up and squidge them for the game. This means that if and when the barrier is lifted it wouldn't involve starting over.

But actually when you run down the list and check what has had some work done on it, most of the trains seem to have meshes made, and many textured, although I've only seen 2 make it into the game up till now; but that can only get better I guess.

[Zutty]

Ah thanks for the reply Ben.

I guess its best to respect the collective opinion of the OpenTTD community... if people want stubby trains then that should be what is produced. However I agree that it would be nice to have long trains in reserve, perhaps if a separate project could introduce them at a later date.

I see that there are a few 32bpp engines in the wiki, but I can't face trawling through the whole 32bpp thread!! I take it that there is plenty of rolling stock has already been produced by now. I'm not expecting a release of any kind, but is there perhaps a catalogue of the work that is being done in this area, so we peons can see what is upcoming (and maybe what we might be able to contribute!)?

As for shadows, could there be a universal system for shadows based on the aircraft shadow method? (i.e. a separate vehicle thats just a shadow). I know that would require big code changes, but surely there are enough devs interested in this to make life easier for artists. I'd have a go at a patch myself but A) I'm a newcomer to the OpenTTD code, and this would be rather complex I think, B) I don't want to rock the boat too much, C) I haven't made good on the last patch I said I'd do yet!!!

Thanks very much!

[Jupix]

I guess its best to respect the collective opinion of the OpenTTD community... if people want stubby trains then that should be what is produced.

They don't, stubby trains are just something that technical limitations of OpenTTD have imposed on us. We can't put long sprites in until this is addressed by the developers.

I see that there are a few 32bpp engines in the wiki, but I can't face trawling through the whole 32bpp thread!! I take it that there is plenty of rolling stock has already been produced by now. I'm not expecting a release of any kind, but is there perhaps a catalogue of the work that is being done in this area, so we peons can see what is upcoming (and maybe what we might be able to contribute!)?

All current stuff is in the wiki, if there's a graphic in the 32bpp thread that's not in the wiki, it's probably really outdated and hence unlikely to ever be seen in game.

[Toni Babelony]

Aren't the trains in the Czech railset also longer than the usual sprites? I don't see why trains should be the same size as the classic ones... Though, if I'm correct, the longer trains (mostly coaches) are made from two units.

[Slye_Fox]

[DaleStan]

My eyes tell me that those are in a perspective projection. I'm pretty sure that Open, even in 32bpp, requires isometric projection, not perspective.

My eyes could be wrong, of course.

[LordAzamath]

Ever thought of Slye_Fox not having applied the official lightning/camera yet? It's very easy to do it now or later, so I see no problem with that

[AndersI]

Nothing wrong with your eyes, DaleStan (and I think you know it). Those pictures are definitely not isometric, as the front end and back end should be parallel if it was.