New cargo on flatcar.

[Skeeter39090]

I was wondering if someone could replace the boom trucks on the flat cars with the yellow school buses?
Or direct me to tutorial on how to do it. Needs to be a in-depth one since I can barely repaint.
Thanks.

[jalsina]

You need to call the cargo thru a child object in the flatcar bin.

You may get something here:
http://railworksamerica.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=16074&hilit=flatcars

And this tutorial in the library will help as well, to build the matrix for a child object:
http://railworksamerica.com/index.php/learning/tutorials/item/159-manually-editing-object-position

[Skeeter39090]

Ok thanks. Think I understand it.
If the child object I wish to replace is near to the same dimensions as the original I can just point the bin file to look at the new object?
Then fiddle with the alignment?

[thebigroyboyski]

The new object can litrally be any scenic object you want. The dimensions don't have to be similar.
All you have to do is remove the old child object and direct the bin to the new one.
You might have to adjust the position matrix to get it to sit right.

[QcRail]

May I suggest an important distinction concerning the mechanism which places an object on a flatcar.
1. The <CargoComponent>
<cCargoComponentBlueprint>
<CargoDef>
<cContainerCargoDef d:id="8074">
<Name d:type="cDeltaString">My secondary cargo</Name>
<MassInKg d:type="sFloat32" d:alt_encoding="00000000004CDD40" d:precision="string">30000</MassInKg>
<Position>
<cHcRMatrix4x4> .....

With this parameter an object will appear on the flatcar ONLY when you check the cargo option, once the flatcar is placed on the track and is visible.

2. the <ContainerComponent>
<cEntityContainerBlueprint>
<TrackTerrainInEditor d:type="bool">0</TrackTerrainInEditor>
<Children> ...

<cEntityContainerBlueprint-sChild d:id="8129">
<ChildName d:type="cDeltaString">Evergreen Cont. (Fixed at bottom)</ChildName>
<BlueprintID>
<iBlueprintLibrary-cAbsoluteBlueprintID>
<BlueprintSetID>
<iBlueprintLibrary-cBlueprintSetID>
<Provider d:type="cDeltaString">QcRail</Provider>
<Product d:type="cDeltaString">US_RR</Product>
</iBlueprintLibrary-cBlueprintSetID>
</BlueprintSetID>
<BlueprintID d:type="cDeltaString">Freight_Modern\GundersonWellCar\Cargo\Container_single\Evergreen.xml</BlueprintID>
</iBlueprintLibrary-cAbsoluteBlueprintID>
</BlueprintID>
<Matrix>
<cHcRMatrix4x4> ...

With this parameter an object will AUTOMATICALLY appear on the flatcar when the railcar is placed on the track and is visible. In TS this is called a CHILD OBJECT, and you can add as many child object as you as long as you alter the position matrix or else the newer object will fuse with the prior one.

Check out my files for the TOFC set no.1 and shortly TOFC set no.2 for a working example - Good luck

QcRail

[jalsina]

Ok thanks. Think I understand it.
If the child object I wish to replace is near to the same dimensions as the original I can just point the bin file to look at the new object?
Then fiddle with the alignment?

I am not sure I understand the meaning of your question, but here I go:

If you want to replace a load in a flatcar, the best you can do is:
1- Make a copy of your flatcar files.
2- Rename the flatcar.
3- Edit the child with the load address. Just as in any child object, change the Provider, Product and the path to the load xml (bin). This bin has a call to the Geo of the object.
4- Check the cargo component to consider the load weight change. If you want the flatcar permanently loaded with equipment, it can be better to set the cargo component to zero and the mass to the sum of the car plus the load. This way your flatcar will behave in Quick Drive (physically) as a loaded car instead of an empty.

"By fiddle with alignment": it can happen that your load is actually rotated respective of the car axis (for example 90 degrees). In that case you need to rotate the load by tweaking the matrix (check the tutorial by Chacal linked above on how to do that).

You can load any scenery object as well as any rolling stock (a loco over a flatcar). But be careful with locos as it has some particular problems and is not advised to do it.

[Skeeter39090]

Thanks everyone for all the help.
My hometown built school buses, box vans, and ambulances back in the 60s-80s. These were loaded on IC flat cars and transported everywhere so I'm trying to reproduce my childhood.

[Skeeter39090]

Another quick question.
When I convert some TgPcDex to DDS with RWtools the image is just a blue image.
How do I fix that?

[QcRail]

Another quick question.
When I convert some TgPcDex to DDS with RWtools the image is just a blue image.
How do I fix that?

Definitely - NOT NORMAL. I've done hundred of time your conversion wih RWtools and never had that unusual result. Not sure how to help !!!!
1. If it is a particular file and not all conversions, then ??? ... procedural error
2. If it is a SYSTEMATIC result with any file' I would focus my attention on a corrupt file of the RWtool and re-install, but ???

If your problem persist, could you post your procedure IN DETAIL so we might isolate the problematic step ... good luck

QcRail

[jalsina]

Another quick question.
When I convert some TgPcDex to DDS with RWtools the image is just a blue image.
How do I fix that?

That blue image could it be an alpha? Or it happens with all textures?
Anyway, use RSBinTool found here in the library. Open a TgPcDx and then you can either import or export dds.

[buzz456]

Another quick question.
When I convert some TgPcDex to DDS with RWtools the image is just a blue image.
How do I fix that?

I think you are opening a normal file instead of the one you want to edit.

normal TgPcDx.jpg

[QcRail]

I think Buzz hit the nail on the head Why did I not think about that

... Anyway , a file «myfile_nm.tgpcdx» is a «normal mapping» file - rarely needs editing unless you want to eliminate the 3D or bumpy effect (raised).

Good continuation...
QcRail

[buzz456]

Just to put the fine point on it the nm is the high resolution and the nmc if for machines running on low resolution.

[Skeeter39090]

Yep that's the same thing i was seeing.
Problem solved= (Operator Error)