DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 26, 2006 1:54:10 GMT
FWIW, I had a great Christmas Day. My daughter and her husband came by for dinner. I'd promised myself I wouldn't touch the DL today - but she offered to test out the activities. And found 3 small glitches. Which I fixed :oops: Kit build and install test will be tomorrow. Just now trying to determine the final kit size and if to use 1 big zip or several smaller ones. Your opinion is welcome. Early tomorrow I'll post the size if a single zip to give you a better idea as to your preference. Later, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 23, 2006 22:14:51 GMT
Whew - activities are complete! I'm mentally exhausted. Especially after testing the 'tricky one' -- despite that I designed it and knew what to expect, I almost goofed up driving it ;D The "Driver's half" ended up at 6 activities (to be run in order). Each of those 6 has around 12+ AI DL and Picc trains in it - each with the right set number (so I could track them) and running to their WTT. That made for some fortuitous meets and situations. In derefence to my friends of the Blue Line (Hi Doc) I did not delay the District calendar timetable by cluttering up both ACT WB Pfms with small trains Other devious tricks were employed, however. Tomorrow I'll start kit build and install tests. This evening I feel the need for a beverage or three Luke -- yes, all that you saw on PP's pages, plus the RMD road plus some more. I need to finish this carefully now, so as not to bring about a foul-up of biblical proportions. But I *think* we're only a few days away from release. Enjoy your holidays folks!
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 23, 2006 14:15:35 GMT
Thank you Rich! You could certainly make activities for the Picc, although it's paths only run as far as I needed (N Ealing, S Ealing and the Barons Court 'pipe' are the extremities). The activities include Picc Heathrow, Rayners and Cockfosters services. You could also run the pipe WB to ACT, reverse in Siding 26, then back EB. I will likely extent S Ealing to the Northfields Depot in a subsequent update. I really need to focus on the DL roads before, say, extending to Rayners ;D The C69 can be used wherever appropriate. I seem to recall photos recently showing one in an unusual location (RMD?). BTW, I included the tracks immediately east of ECT so a reverse off pfm 2 to 3 is possible for and ECT-OLY exhibition (AI?) service.
More later - I still have 2 activities to complete and test. One is a little nasty - duff motor on train in front, possible assisting train procedure and some failed signals to pass under rule. (insert evil grin emoticon here).
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 22, 2006 23:29:11 GMT
FWIW, I'm almost done with the activities. After that I'll build a kit and test the install, then upload. My best GUESS right now is it will be on UKTS and Train-sim sometime during the holiday week. I only have so much 'free time' and I'm not going to upload something that isn't 'ready' to meet a date.
I do think you'll enjoy it - at least I hope so. The activities do bring it to life, and you'll get a bunch of them:
3 tutorials, which you drive, that use pop-up messages to give you information and training - including depot working, the main lines and the Railtrack section to RMD.
6 activities that represent a "Driver's first half", where you'll drive a D78 in various train "sets" as per the real timetable. These include realistic AI DL and Picc traffic per their timetable. There will be an Activity README that will help you understand what to do.
A bunch of simple HERE-TO-THERE activities without AI traffic or timetable, so you can run them and look at the scenery, or use the paths to explore the whole line (such as it is right now). Every prototypical move should be possible when exploring (ECM depot, Lillie bridge, Acton Works, sidings, turn-short locations, etc.).
I'm hopeful some others will dream up more activities. The ones included will need the D78 (refurb) and the 73TS trains (available on UKTS and Train-sim). The README will include File IDs for anyone who doesn't have them.
On a related topic, the C69 is close to release - but I need to get the route out first. The Battery Loco and its wagons is also about to get team testing, so won't be much longer.
Thanks to all, as always, for your interest and enthusiasm. Be patient - it won't be long now.
Best, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 17, 2006 21:14:31 GMT
I'll upload it as soon as I've finished building/debugging the activities an built the kit zips. I can't give a date, but it will be "as soon as possible". Unless something goes badly wrong, I'd hope that's within a week or so.
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 15, 2006 23:09:13 GMT
Tracks currently run from ECT to both EBY and RMD, plus the short OLY road. No Wimbo or HSK roads yet. Full very detailed scenery from TGN to both WB destinations. More to follow in updates as I progress eastwards. Parts of the Picc and Central in place as needed. I'm not happy with the tracks east of HAMS and will be re-laying them (gradients are badly off).
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 14, 2006 16:20:45 GMT
I'm currently creating/testing the activities to be included in the release... You can conclude the route (as is) will be available on UKTS "very soon".
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Nov 28, 2006 0:13:13 GMT
Thank you all! Yes Alan, as TubePrune noted my observance of speed limits was a little liberal here and there. I also wound up a little premature going by the NR speed boards. I have actually become quite good at thundering down the Kew bank at 45, grabbing Brake 3 at the 1st bridge and hitting 15mph just before the GUN speed board ;D I had felt if I drove it all by the book (including stops) the video would be too long. It ended up at 8 mins. Checking my WTT shows RMD-TGN should take 9 mins! So if I'd added 2 stops with 30secs dwell time each, and driven to the speed limits correctly (faster and slower) I'd have been about spot on. What I find ironic in retrospect is the months of work it's taken to only produce a 9 minute ride! Still, I'm enjoying doing it, and if you folks recognize the areas and landmarks, then I'm very satisfied. I think the next few sections EB (SBK, RPK, HMS) are going to be a different kind of challenge scenery-wise as we leave the 'country' and approach the 'city' (especially the approach into HMS).
Thanks again - and my sincere gratitude to everyone who has helped me get this far.
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Nov 27, 2006 0:42:54 GMT
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Nov 27, 2006 0:39:46 GMT
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Nov 26, 2006 21:31:02 GMT
I finally got the scenery between Kew Bridge-GUN, CPK-TGN and GUN-TGN finished. Here's a video of the now complete Richmond road from RMD to TGN. It's a flash video hosted on Photobucket, so apologies for the quality. It looks great as a 1024 WMV
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Nov 3, 2006 3:51:53 GMT
I thought I recalled there was a replacement 'moon' texture around somewhere. Sure enough, UKTS coughed up a half-sized moon with a much more realistic appearance. How's this Colin? David - you are too kind. I'm just having fun seeing how close a representation I can get. I think my texture editing/creation is steadily getting better. That I feel is the key to believable structures. And maybe a little imagination on the part of the viewer to 'fill in the gaps' Best to all, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Nov 2, 2006 1:50:44 GMT
Colin - probably not bothered about help points. Describers would look good though. I have to watch the 'poly budget' - this one's getting expensive and I don't want to kill frame rates. TRC - platform heights confirmed and they are compromise height at all EB stations up to the 'Picc pipe'. BTW Acton Works and Lillie Bridge are already present, although I have to move Lillie a tad as I have some gradient errors to fix in that area (near the portals to ECT). Night textures are done. I caught a couple of shots as a Heathrow-bound 73TS went through on the fast road. I think Doc waved Sheer luck catching that shoe arc Shame the MSTS scenery lighting won't illuminate the train as it passes I'm now adding the local buildings and finishing the bridge...
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 30, 2006 2:17:57 GMT
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 27, 2006 21:06:42 GMT
Appreciate it David, if you get the chance. Photos may be overkill - just a sense of whether the pfm is SSL height or lower will do fine. I'm not going to get it precise to the milimetre in the sim ;D Maybe PM me with your observations if possible? No rush at all - I can always go back and tweak stuff later.
Thank you, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 27, 2006 16:47:55 GMT
Mr Cuppa - the bases are square and the posts are within a hair of square, as they are fractionally inset onto the base (as best I could determine from photos, though I could be mistaken). There is, however, a touch of perspective shift in the shots due to the angle of view, as you surmise. Luke - thank you. I'm certainly satisfied with is so far. With any station I am trying to capture the character, and not just produce a dimensionally accurate object. This is where good photos are key, and many of the textures used are either (color-wise) sampled from photos, or parts of photos are used as actual textures on the models (e.g. wall textures or signs). Once again I'm indebted to PP for all the good photo work he did several years ago that lets me build this stuff so it looks believable. The canopy surround texture is from one of those photos (perspective straightened) with transparent areas added via PSP so it's correctly 'see through' but also appears to have substance. Getting that texture right took most of one evening, but I feel was well worth it for the distinctive detail it provides. It will also get re-used as needed on other stations. I also spent almost all last evening creating textures for the remaining buildings, posters and signs, so tonight the models for those can get built. I think it will all come alive once all the 'appropriate objects' are present. Sorry - far more than you wanted to know More pics later on the weekend as I complete this one. EDIT: Quick thought/question - is this a compromise height platform? If so I need to lower it a tad as it's currently perfect for D78 floor height, but might be a good step-down for a 73TS. Please advise. Thanks, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 27, 2006 2:56:27 GMT
This is taking a while, as there are several distinctive features I wanted to try and incorporate. Things like the metalwork on the canopy posts, the glass and decorative scrollwork on the canopies, the seating shelters with the 'old' LUL signs, etc. It's taken about 6 evenings to get to this point. but should now proceed quicker as the remaining platform components (buildings, signs, etc.) are much more simple to build and texture. Station is in place in the route, so I'll also be adding in the side walls/cable runs, road bridges and the local buildings (including the station entrance. Here's where we're at: VIEW FROM SHAPEVIEWER LOOKING FROM PFM 4 TOWARDS PFMS 1 & 2 WEST ENDS PFMS 1 & 2 WITH A DISTRICT D78 WAITING TO GO Should be more to see at the weekend. Best, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Jan 23, 2007 23:51:01 GMT
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Jan 23, 2007 18:06:42 GMT
MSTS C69/77 Refurb uploaded to UKTS and Trainsim. UKTS file ID is 16009. Should be available for download very soon...
EDIT: Available on UKTS now.
/Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 13, 2006 1:14:11 GMT
KRS will do full driver head pan/tilt/etc. Darren designed/built it with that in mind. Even the back walls will be complete (panels/switches/etc.).
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 8, 2006 20:47:19 GMT
The "Beverage Monitor" MCB had tripped and you were following the procedure checking for train movement If no train movement, check: Pilot light, Air Gauge, M.A indicators for Traction Current, Trip and reset overloads. Try for forward movement. If no movement obtained, try for reverse movement. If train does not move in reverse check Beverage Monitor MCB. If tripped, shut down, remove ALL Keys, alight and replenish mug. Re-open up cab, reset MCB; try to obtain movement again... Here's the night cab on a Putney Bridge service. The cab is now only lit by the offside fluorescent cab light, which makes a difference to the direction and harshness of the shadows, reflections, etc. The destination blind 'repeater' in the cab also matches the train destination for each train 'set' (Circle, Edgware Rd, Parsons Gn, Putney Br, Wimbledon). You're right - Darren's been working overtime on this! Best, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Dec 8, 2006 15:42:46 GMT
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Nov 8, 2006 3:34:57 GMT
Don't ask how it got there, what it's doing there, or who's driving. I just take the pictures Here's part of the passenger view: As usual, there's something on the seat next to you Appearance looks good (courtesy of Richard) and I'm tweaking the physics and lighting while Darren finishes the stunning new cab. Maybe we can nudge him into sharing some in-progress pics of the new cab. It's a work of art! More news as it happens... /Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 24, 2006 22:21:21 GMT
Good news. Rather than me re-hashing my old C69 cab, Darren has offered to build a new one (complete with all the refurb changes, including Connect). He also has a new 3D tool - 3ds Max! This is one serious modeling tool enabling a new range of effects to surfaces, etc. He just sent me the attached as an example. Methinks our new C69 is going to be a good train! /Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 18, 2006 23:59:35 GMT
Pat/Colin - thanks for the reminder. The released version will come with a number of destinations and corresponding set numbers. If you folks could help us with 'typical' values for both we'd appreciate it (PM or email might be better). Wimbleware and any other DL diagrams for now and maybe Circle, etc. later. No rush at all, as the models are still in the 'body shop' being finished. We're likely a month or two from release with everything else going on (route, Battery loco, CO/CP, R49, ...).
Rich - thank you! All credit for our team's stock cars goes to ace modeller Richard Scott. Cabs (except D78) by Darren. I just glue it all together and add the physics/lights/sounds ;D I'm eternally happy I met up with those guys and the fun it's provided.
/Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 17, 2006 22:34:24 GMT
I thought we had another week until Connected C69s? I'm working on it... ;D The aforementioned Instructor/Operator/Trainer/MCB Twiddler just sent me lots of detail shots of the 'revised' cab showing where all the equipment moved to, so I'll be doing a new cab for it. This train sort of forces the issue as to me including the WimbleWare roads in the route.
We also have the new "Ever Ready" loco (and its turbot wagons), and updates to the CO/CP and silver R49 to come.
Gunersbury's almost finished - had to order more virtual concrete.
More as it happens.
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 17, 2006 22:12:27 GMT
...coming soon to a train simulator near you.
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 20, 2006 14:26:14 GMT
ADW - the bush does indeed hit the windshield. I spotted it in SB's video and felt it should be present (I felt if I noticed it then train crew likely would also ;D ) I love adding in little details like that. COLIN - I was not aware of the 'next train' boxes (SB's reasoning for that is spot on). If anyone could get me a few detailed photos I'll add them. Maybe even animated (i.e. displays change). Mr Cuppa - I regret that both the 'niggles' you correctly note are Kuju's fault, and I have no control over either. Well, the BSI building has been added - I eyeballed the size/scale but it seems to match my photos of the area quite well. It's certainly a 'visible landmark'! (Belated kudos to PP for supplying the detailed photos without which, etc.) Also all the night textures are done. Here's the final screenshots... Onward to Turnham green... Best, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 19, 2006 22:03:21 GMT
Station is done. Night textures will be tweaked tonight so no night shots yet. BSI building will also be finished tonight. Here's how it ended up... GB6 - Pfm 1 Reverse move starter with Theater showing District Route set Shadowy early-morning view from the SW end Waiting areas Signage and maps Overhead view from the car park crossover Richmond-bound service heads out Upminster-bound service in Pfm 2 I'll post a few night shots tomorrow. Then we're off to Turnham Green. I'm on a station-building blitz for a few weeks... Best, Jimi
|
|
DrJimi
Virtual District Line construction engineer and arborist
Posts: 365
|
Post by DrJimi on Oct 15, 2006 20:37:45 GMT
Thank you folks - it's progressing well I feel. Luke - if there is a difference in track heights I didn't notice it in my videos, so if so I'll plead artistic license. It's hard to get close tracks at differing heights in MSTS without the ground looking horrible. Terrain mesh is no where near granular enough. There are a few bugs to fix as I finish it. I'm convinced the stairway should be a touch wider toward pfm 2, and the signals should be 3-color, with GB6 having the theater on top. I almost have the pfm stuff built (shelters, signs, lights, etc.) so I hope to complete it all bt maybe mid-week. BSI will be there too. I'll post a video from TGN to GUN when I'm done so you can see the new parts. Might even see a 313 in there
|
|