We shall build a locomotive not because it is easy...

[Chacal]

About handrails
Years ago when I was building levels for Doom and Quake games the current wisdom was that small piping could be modeled with a triangular section, thus saving one face for each section of piping, and no one would notice.
I don't know if this would be applicable here.

[PapaXpress]

I think using a pure triangle would be the last resort. I still have some polys to purge so I don't have to go there yet.

[thecanadianrail]

I think using a pure triangle would be the last resort. I still have some polys to purge so I don't have to go there yet.

u mean using a purple triangle thingy would be the last resort....proper grammer good chap, proper grammer!

[PapaXpress]

u mean using a purple triangle thingy would be the last resort....proper grammer good chap, proper grammer!

Canada... sorry to correct you, but this must be the triangle that you thinking about:

[Hawk]

u mean

Proper grammar?

proper grammer good chap, proper grammer!

Kelsey Grammer maybe? (check your spelling)

[Kali]

About handrails
Years ago when I was building levels for Doom and Quake games the current wisdom was that small piping could be modeled with a triangular section, thus saving one face for each section of piping, and no one would notice.
I don't know if this would be applicable here.

I keep going there, it's ok until you get close ( albeit rotated square section is a little better ) - like in an external view where you're standing on the steps, which someone is likely to try here. Personally I'd not be limiting myself to this 20k limit, iirc the model compiler can handle up to 60k.

[PapaXpress]

Personally I'd not be limiting myself to this 20k limit, iirc the model compiler can handle up to 60k.

But do I really want to make people cry when they load my my model?

So far I am very happy with the optimization, they have not taken too much away from the original shapes.

[Kali]

I'm not suggesting using all 60k! but think about it - pop 3 engines down in RW, and compare the graphics performance to just having one. Not really much difference there. If you were going to add 100, maybe...

[eyein12]

out of personal experience on the poly limit matter. my c40-8W model is topped out at just under 27K and no stuttering from it whatsever, i can put 10 in a line and it runs seemlessly. I gotta imagine 30K and maybe even 40K isnt going to be a big deal either. I havent tried that high but i guess the only way to tell is to do it. Presonally I know how to keep my polys in check, and dont ever see a need to hit that kind of a ceiling. poly reducing functions in your modelling programs are not good options either. They break your model up into even more triangles, shifting them around, saying that there is less of them though though.

[sleepyto]

Is there a good site for getting drawings of locomotives. I done a fair amount of googling but haven't found anything.
Suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks in advance.
John

[PapaXpress]

As mentioned earlier in this thread:
http://trainiax.net/

[sleepyto]

Thanks for the info, guess I missed that. Sometimes I look to fast.

[Kali]

And http://www.trainweb.org/willstrainart/Art_Index.htm

You'll nee a huge selection of photos, and some decent dimensions also ( like wheel size, truck wheelbase, body dimensions etc ).

[PapaXpress]

There is something off about the GE pictures at:
http://www.trainweb.org/willstrainart/Art_Index.htm

Several of the phase I U boats are not correct and the front sides are of the U25B, which has a completely different profile than the 30's and newer 28's

Also lets not forget:
http://thedieselshop.us/

[Kali]

There is something off about the GE pictures at:
http://www.trainweb.org/willstrainart/Art_Index.htm

Several of the phase I U boats are not correct and the front sides are of the U25B, which has a completely different profile than the 30's and newer 28's

Which is why a large selection of photographs is essential :) I have drawings published in books from well respected draughtsmen which are visibly not correct...