The Ins And Outs of 3D Crafter 9.3

[TheKman]

So Great Northerner said to just put up what I'm having issues with along with my questions.

First off, my models are made using Sketchup Pro 2015. The finished model is then exported into 3DC to make only the shape. I don't draw a thing with 3DC. This is a area that I stand firm on. I don't like Blender or 3D Max. Sure SU has it's pitfalls, but all 3D programs have their pros and cons.

Scenery objects I have no issues with. I can do those standing on my head blind folded and my hands tied behind my back. Over 8 years I've made well over 300 models for RW, MSTS, and Trainz.

So, with engines, freight cars, and lofts. Upon export one has the option of placing the model center or on the x y z of the 3DC workspace. My models have already been placed on x y z in SketchUp. Do I need to also place the model on the 3DC x y z axis?

Grouping. From what I gather, this has to be done manually for just about everything. I am reasonably sure I'm doing that wrong. So if someone could explain or point me towards some tutorials , please do. Actually, I've had a terrible time trying to find tutorials. Many links to stuff don't work anymore. The DTG Dev Docs have helped a lot, but I'm still not clear on stuff.

In my tree for the groups, the group that I named main is always 3rd down. Pete Willard said it needs to be the first one. How do I move that group above the top 2? I've tried to click and drag, but all that does is put into the first group. The wheels for the model are always back ones first, the front ones second. My bogies always end up being at the very bottom of the tree.

The first four groups always have the names I gave them. After that its a large number of groups with meshes.

So How do I correctly arrange the tree structure?

Shaders. Boy this one is driving me nuts! I just can't figure out how to assign them. I asked about that in another thread. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22651

Exporting. Apparently the Train Simulator Wizard was introduced starting with 3DC 9.3, my version. Before 9.3 one did a straight export. Docs say for 9.3 and up use the wizard, don't do a straight export. Does that really matter? I've always used the wizard.

I'll start with this, thanks.

[cnwfan]

Maybe you already know about this link, but when I was using 3DC, I would refer to the sections contained in this link. It was very helpful at the time. I haven't used 3DC for several years now, having made the move to Blender. Anyways, hope this helps.

http://thegradecrossing.blogspot.com/20 ... tents.html

[TheKman]

Maybe you already know about this link, but when I was using 3DC, I would refer to the sections contained in this link. It was very helpful at the time. I haven't used 3DC for several years now, having made the move to Blender. Anyways, hope this helps.

http://thegradecrossing.blogspot.com/20 ... tents.html

I have all the ones I could find namely on Papaexpress link though I got the impression more are out I haven't found yet..... I've heard Papaexpress isn't around anymore nor the gut who wrote those tutorials.

What I have has helped me get off the launching pad.

[GreatNortherner]

Hi,

a couple of thoughts...

SketchUp (no, I'm not going to bash it!) -- I've been using it very long myself and it is indeed a fantastic program. Just a word of warning, I found it very hard (to nearly impossible) to create LODs with it. Which is generally acceptable for simple buildings, but will lead to huge performance issues with necessarily complex rolling stock models. Now that might have been just me, but in any case that's something you may want to keep an eye on.

My models have already been placed on x y z in SketchUp. Do I need to also place the model on the 3DC x y z axis?

Rolling stock in particular absolutely has to be built around the 0,0,0 point (not of the scene/viewport, but of the model). In 3DC, x is width, y is height (0=top of rail head), z is length

Grouping. From what I gather, this has to be done manually for just about everything.

Absolutely. The techdocs tell you (almost?) all you need to know about group naming and hierarchy considerations. Some elements must have precise group names to function -- they are all mentioned in the techdocs, the others you can use your own names for. Then just use the hierarchy panel in 3DC to rename and move around groups and shapes as needed.

The first four groups always have the names I gave them. After that its a large number of groups with meshes. So How do I correctly arrange the tree structure?

That's one of the pitfalls of importing from SU. In my past attempts, I've found no way around of manually regrouping all the imported things. Which could end up being hundreds of import groups which have to be sorted out!

Cheers,
Michael

[TheKman]

A bit of success today. I finally found info on how to set the shaders in 3DC so I now believe I understand that part.

A question about the gizmo tool. The Papa Express tutorial shows A pop up menu that I can't seem to find in the 9.3 version of 3DC. I have no idea what version was used for those tutorials. For 9.3 how to I use the gizmo tool? Pic enclosed as to what I'm talking about.

[GreatNortherner]

Hi,

First of, I don't know what that gizmo tool is.

But with regards to shifting the pivot of a group in 3DC, there are various ways to do this:

1) select group with move tool, hold down Ctrl while using the shift axis tools in the bottom right corner of the view ports
or 2) enter the desired XYZ scene coordinates into the group's property window (e.g., 10,0,10) and then use the shift tool to move the shapes in that group into position
or 3) place a new cube on the scene, set its positions as needed in group properties, then drag'n'drop your actual model's shapes (that you want to use that position for) into the cube's group. Delete the cube when done.

I usually use 2 or 3. I hope I'm remembering (1) correctly because I very rarely do it that way.

Cheers,
Michael

[TheKman]

Hi,

First of, I don't know what that gizmo tool is.

But with regards to shifting the pivot of a group in 3DC, there are various ways to do this:

1) select group with move tool, hold down Ctrl while using the shift axis tools in the bottom right corner of the view ports
or 2) enter the desired XYZ scene coordinates into the group's property window (e.g., 10,0,10) and then use the shift tool to move the shapes in that group into position
or 3) place a new cube on the scene, set its positions as needed in group properties, then drag'n'drop your actual model's shapes (that you want to use that position for) into the cube's group. Delete the cube when done.

I usually use 2 or 3. I hope I'm remembering (1) correctly because I very rarely do it that way.

Cheers,
Michael

I'll give those a try. Thank you.