(REQUEST) MSTS Files ? How do you work with them ?

[Emperor Darth Sidious]

I just downloaded the vehicle creator. I understand that the only way to create new vehicles is to load in an MSTS file in the MSTSLocomotion.

First I downloaded some designs for MSTS, in this case a few Dutch Container Trains. I opened the Vehicle Creator (0.08 Alpha) and then selected the MSTSLocomotion.

The first thing that I did was change the vehicle type in "wagon". The next thing I did was clicking the "open" button. Then I looked in my unpacked file where the MSTS files are for this example a file called "dtd_sgns_20_01.s" my computer said this was a MSTS File.

I then tried to open it in the vehicle creator and my vehicle creator doesn't seem to work because everytime I try to open an MSTS file (It doesn't work with no MSTS file at all) the Vehicle Creator Program is closing down, just like that. So can anybody please give me a good link where I can find what I'm doing wrong (it's a real mess, can't find anything usefull on the forum) or can someone give me a simple solution ?

Thanks a Lot, I can't wait to produce my own vehicles but I don't know how. Here is the screen with the container-pack (Thnxs to Uncle Red and Uncle Blue from http://www.dutchtraindesign.com)

[LocArny]

Oke, I am going to try helping you.

First thing I want to say is: First ask permission to convert. For the makers it costs much time to make the models and for you it is only some minutes work. Ask politely for it, and give them credits when you release your pack (you can contact me if you want webspace, I have enough room left, please PM if you are interested).

You do not have to change the vehicle type to wagon. It makes things some smaller, but also more difficult. It is only about rendering the vehicle completely or only 180 degrees, and then mirror the other halve ingame (hope you can get me).

I never had this error. Please first try it again, but then set vehicle type to locomotive... When it again doesn't work, please show a screen.

Oh and yes, just to mention, there is another way making vehicles, with a 3D program (maybe ZModeler will work). But that cost way more time.

[Illegal_Alien]

Dutch Traindesign wont give you permission for this, i already tried to ask them for some of there models. (Uncle Red)

[MjD]

Without wanting to sound offesive, if your going to start making things with the vehicle creator i would start with a loco as they are easiest.

Things with mulit-states, like container cars, (empty, half empty, full) take A LOT of work and effort and i find them a struggle sometimes as they take A LOT of work, for someone starting they can seem a bit daunting.

Don't let my words put you off, start little and work your way up to the bigger things

[Emperor Darth Sidious]

To answer both of the post upon this one. I don't have the intention of bringing those things to the public, I only wanted to use them as a test.

And for that second reply, you mean a lokomotive. But do you mean a electric, or steam or diesel or is it something that doesn't matter.
One other thing : can you also read out the files from a MSTS when it's already converted for locomotion ? I mean just to get a grip on how things work ?

Easier said : Can I take for example the 1600 Loc from the NL-pack and try to make visial modifications on it with the vehicle crewator ?

[MjD]

Easier said : Can I take for example the 1600 Loc from the NL-pack and try to make visial modifications on it with the vehicle crewator ?

Unfortunately not.

You would have to edit the MSTS file or you would have to edit each of the 136 sprites that the Vehicle Creator creates.

[Emperor Darth Sidious]

And that's a lot of work

[kaminari]

I was in the same situation: Author permission. What I did? Downloded GMax and start self learning... And now I can say it isn't too much difficult to create your own vehicles. These are the tools I use:

-GMax
-TGA2ACE
-PSP 9 (really easy to use)
-Vehicle Creator
-Wally (to set locopallete as a batch process)
-And a lot of Google Images

Maybe next week when I finish my exams I can do some kind of blank GMax basis for containers with independent container textures, so everybody can do its own container, wouldn't be a good idea?

[Emperor Darth Sidious]

You mean like you're own logo on the container. Yeah that would be nice, I got a drive in show with a friend of mine perhaps we can put our company logo on it

[wastations]

Hi all,

I'm having a problem getting a converted MSTS loco to work in
Loco....

the problem is... i think i have made the loco properly in the
vehical Creator.... however when i add the dat file to the
objdata folder and try to load the game, it crashes on start up..

is this a common problem...? any ideas what i have done wrong?

cheers in advance!

Don

[LocArny]

Did you apply the Locomotion Palette ?

[wastations]

r ok... nope i don't think i did...

sorry to be a pain, but... how do i go about by doing that?

cheers mate

don