Central Jersey Freight Lines (The Lehigh Line Project)

[xxuntitledxx]

Hey all,

Thanks for the advice on FPS. It's working out really well...averaging about 35-45fps on average. Ran into another problem...my route is still unable to be published because it's pointing to a custom blueprint set. I believe the blueprint set is being referenced in roads or lofts somewhere. It's referencing a track rule I'm no longer using. Does anyone know how to edit track rules for roads or lofts? I already know how to edit them for tracks I just can't find the files it's pointing to. Any advice is appreciated as always. Once I get this sorted out I'm thinking of doing a soft release since I'll have some stuff pretty much done and wanted some group input on scenery and other things.

Thanks in advance!

Ken

[krellnut]

You do beautiful work. Will be a real joy to run this, thanks so much for your continued efforts.

[BVERailer]

As far as I'm aware, there is no way to change the track rule once the objects are placed. The Steam Workshop (assuming that's what you're referring to) is very picky when it comes to that kind of stuff. As an alternative, maybe you'd be able to put the route folder into a zip file and upload it here?

Great work, by the way. Been looking forward to this for a while.

[SAR704]

Hey all,

...Ran into another problem...my route is still unable to be published because it's pointing to a custom blueprint set...

I know this is nearly a two month old post. But honestly, I'd suggest avoiding the Steam scourge, and sharing it somewhere else where you won't be condemned for having your own input with the route. Surprisingly, Steam is not perfect by any means.

[xxuntitledxx]

I’m thinking of releasing it in both places...I just want it to be able to be shared by people all over who want to run the route.

By the way...I should have a progress update sometime in the next couple days. Even though I’ve been radio silent per se...I’ve still been working on scenery and trees...lots of trees

[xxuntitledxx]

Friday Update: Trees, Trees, and more...Trees

So I've been working on the 10 or so miles from the PA/NJ Border at Phillipsburg to West Portal (Western Portal of Musconnetcong Tunnel) and I've been "planting" a lot of trees. The one problem I'm facing is that there's a lot of open space to the east and west...trying to figure out where to stop the scenery so that it doesn't go on forever on either side of the track. I seem to be going out to either a natural block or about 2000 feet off the track... Obviously Level of Detail gets less as you get further from the tracks. I want to give the effect of being "out there" without actually using a lot of resources and frame rate killing assets. Any pointers in this would be great... anyway here's a screenshot above Automatic Signal 69E/W facing west towards Phillipsburg.

20210206000617_1.jpg

[minerman146]

Nice Dense Trees there - Cut density to between 3400 - 3700.
1 KM each side of track following the tree lines you see in Google Maps.
Spaces where there are no trees is a blessing.
If the ridges/mountains are high enough so you can see over them if zoom all the way out on external view in a train - just go a little over the ridge.

[xxuntitledxx]

Those trees are only a max of 30000, I think the most I'll do in a small clump is 35ish. I'm following the tree lines and wherever there's a tree I put a tree close to what I can determine from the picture. Thanks for the pointers as always. Slowing making my way westish...Onward and westward!

[minerman146]

I do the same with the close up ones as well. If your using the irregular tool to populate trees inside, and using a density of 30,000 (30K!), my opinion that it is too much load for the computer. My recommendation is to set at no more than 4,000. I go from 3,200 to 3,700 typically. The default is 10,000.

Sample shot showing how wide I go and how I save trees by using the ridgelines.

20210206005455_1.jpg

Keep it up brother!

[xxuntitledxx]

Here's almost the same screenshot with everything set to 10,000 as far as trees go. (scrub is still high at about 30,000...but it's not that many bushes to fill in space).

20210206235354_1.jpg

My main concern is that the woods won't be "dense" enough. The woods in that area of NJ are pretty thick and I want to give that illusion.

[minerman146]

I use bigger trees to solve that problem: 1. Oak 3 and 2. Misc Large Tree 3 (both from NJCL) your using Maples? What I have seen is that the tile loading causes stutter and I walked the tree density back for this reason. Obviously all the other assets in a tile add to that issue as well. But trees you can control. I completely agree with your concern with thinness and used the same tree and setting as you.

You will find that you can hand place 3D trees in the thin spots - say 100 meters form the track and also hand lay 2Ds as needed further away. Typically the user does not go vertical and look down from MAX height - its always an angle shot.

[xxuntitledxx]

I'm using Misc Large tree 4 and 4B for the most part. I'll try to find a tree a little bigger. The majority of the trees out there are maple and oak, with little pockets of birch, pine, and ash.

[xxuntitledxx]

Hey all,

So I'm trying to figure out how to re-create this in my route.

Conrail Lehigh Line (CP-Townley) is in the background.





To the left of the strip mall is apartments.

Apartments

As you can see they are very modern and since most of it is viewable from track side (at Union Station, Union, NJ). I would like to get it as believable as possible.
It's not completely finished yet, but most of the buildings are in at this time.
Any pointers or ideas would appreciated.

Thanks!

[suzukisk]

Maybe minernan could give you some advise and motivation. He creates buildings and scenes from nothing. His route is amazing.
Good Luck and don't give up.
Pete
suzukisk

[minerman146]

I saw this post already and thought this is a bridge to far. Firstly, thanks suzukisk for the props. Secondly, I'm just a country route builder not a miracle worker. With that said, this will be built from parts.
You need:
From NJCoastline
Brick asset blocks (these have little buttons on the side you click and drag to enlarge or shrink the block.
Solid Gray asset blocks
use this for the back and roof elevations as well as pillars.

From Munich-Augsburg
Station Barriers - this are wall ribbons that come in different muted colors, several of them have glass.
Wall Posts - these come in green, white and gray and can be enlarged to frame the wall openings.

For reference take a look at my Ramsey Route 17 station which I did using these components.

This should get you close for the strip mall.